He said: Due to work, I have had the opportunity to eat at a LOT of BBQ places in the last 6 weeks and Dave's is my Fave. We didn't get over "famoused" like some have. The brisket is good and the chicken is awesome but the sides were real stars. I loved the mac n cheese (is spicy) and the beans (spicy) and the slaw (spicy) all were unusual and tasty. Got a Feast for 2 to take back to the hotel and it traveled well. I'm a fan. She said: This place has great food! It is consistently good. We've been here three times so far and will most definitely be back! I'm a fan of the BBQ baked potato and the BBQ chicken. Yum!!!
(5)
Gary N.
Food always great. Just wished they could have one BBQ sauce that was not spicy. Even the lowest one they have, varies in spice from one trip to another.
(4)
Irvin G.
All American BBQ feast, $58.99 not including drinks. We were not greeted with all the "famous" stuff that I have heard people say that they tend to do, we were seated and given time to look over the menu, as the waitress got us drinks, this was the first time any of the group had been there. I live in Florida and was visiting Knoxville and my family thought I would like some good ole' bbq, well let me tell you, enjoyed it very well. I was actually sad when I left thought that the food was awesome. Corn bread was great, but thought the brisket though flavorful was a bit dry, the least thing I like on the entire menu. The ribs had plenty of meat on them, and thought the coleslaw was creamy. Since this was my first time, I wanted to try their mac and spicy cheese, well I liked it too. Overall I thought that they do a good job, our waitress was kind and helpful. On the downside, they could not get out drinks right and though we asked for dessert she brought us a bill instead, so did feel rushed on a night that wasnt to busy. They need to work on their listening to customers a little, if they want them to return since Sonny's has shut down. I will return on my next trip to TN
(4)
EJ R.
I like the ribs the best. Always good and tender with a good amount of meat on each bone. It doesn't need sauce. Corn bread is sweet, just the way I like it. The rest of the sides are only ok, that's why I give 4 stars instead of 5. Good service and prices are reasonable.
(4)
Julie H.
Not bad, but not as good as other locations. Denver location is boss! Food could have been fresher, just didn't taste as good as I remember. The bathrooms were nasty and in need of attention. We drove over an hour to repeat or great Denver experience at Famous Dave's and left disappointed.
(3)
Rick E.
Not sure why it is famous. Nothing jumped out as so great. Sides were ok.. Ribs were dry and 1-2 were burnt my fault I did not sent it back but I was hungry and in a hurry. The service was fast and friendly but what I really expected was great Bbq and disappointed with ok Bbq
(2)
Raul M.
I've been here a few times. It is a good place with great pricing. Dinner was superb with plenty to go around. I wouldn't take a date here, I think it's more for "the guys".
(4)
Dicknose M.
Dave must be smoking something other than pork, because his barbecue is neither legendary nor enjoyable. I had the "house specialty" beef brisket for lunch today, and it resembled a typical Vols fan on gameday...over-cooked, over-sauced and over-portioned. When I overheard large marge next to me ask her server "how long will it take to reorder?" after getting half way through her current plate of 7000 calories, I knew I was in Tennessee. The bottom line is that Famous Dave's values quantity over quality, and you are much better off finding a back roads smoke shack with a limited, authentic menu.
(2)
Stephen C.
BBQ was very tender and flavorful. We had the brisket and roasted chicken. Had many different sauces to choose from at the table. The side dishes were delish and the pickles were "oh WOW!" Our server was Amber and she was very attentive. The building was a little dated but hey... It's a BBQ house right?
(5)
Kristen H.
I have to admit that I didn't check Yelp before trying this one out. I knew it was a chain but had never been there before, so when we saw it off a freeway exit, we decided to give it a try. I will readily admit that their "famous" schtick gets old, fast. We were greeted by an exuberant hostess who made sure to welcome us to FAMOUS Dave's, where she hoped we'd have a FAMOUS time being served by FAMOUS Brittany, and we should be sure to ask Brittany why she's FAMOUS... I declined that offer. Our server--the aforementioned FAMOUS Brittany--was less than enthusiastic but was attentive, so I didn't mind. My husband and I each ordered one of the lunch combos and a soda, totaling about $25 for the whole lunch. For my combo, I chose the Georgia pulled pork and the Texas beef brisket with a side of potato salad. The beef brisket was amazing, especially with some of the tangy BBQ sauce added on top. They have a handful of sauces at the table for you so you can dress your meal as you wish. The pulled pork was mediocre at best; I wish I had ordered two helpings of the brisket instead. The potato salad was average, but tasted like something you could easily get at a grocery store in the deli case. The highlight was the corn muffin, which was sweet and soft and oh so delicious. I'm glad I finally tried Famous Dave's but don't know that I'd be a regular if there was one near me.
(3)
Lane M.
Stopped in on my way to KY wanted some good BBQ but was highly disappointed. The rib tips were extremely dry, but the bread pudding was awesome :(
(2)
Erika F.
On our way home from to PA from GA, my husband and I decided to stop and try the place out. I ordered an order of naked wings that came to the table before our meal. They were great! My husband ordered a personal feast and I ordered a chicken Ceasar salad. He said his meal was great. My salad was not so great. I had a plate full of pale green lettuce that was mixed with a Ceasar dressing and it had a mild sour taste to it. The chicken wasn't that great either. I was so disappointed. .. then the table we were sitting at the chairs had dirty plaid cushions.. very dirty and the seat itself had holes. The plastic blue plates looked faded and worn.. I wanted to sit at a booth but they only had 2 smalls booths and the rest were taken so we had at a table. Then my husband goes to the bathroom and said it was disgusting. Looked like someone threw up all over the walls.. YUCK! the reason I gave it 2 stars was because my husband liked his food and the wings were good.
(3)
Daniel F.
Recommended by a friend I stopped here from a trip from Georgia back to PA. The food was excellent the service good. I had the 1 person feast and it was alot of delicious food. Only complaint I have was the bathroom. It was disgusting. Somebody threw up in the stall witch made me want to do the same. It ruined my meal. Would've gave it 5 stars.
(4)
Susie H.
My new favorite BBQ place! The brisket was really good. I don't care for the decorations on the inside. I felt like I was sitting in a thrift shop. The service was good as well.
(4)
John T.
First review on yelp. Famous Dave's is an incredible BBQ place. Famous Alye was our waitress. He was very friendly and provided us with great service. I totally would recommend checking this place out. Prices are not bad, very reasonable especially if you splitting the food between 2 people. The food was properly cooked, the meat came off the bone perfectly. Very tasty and delicious food.
(5)
Carol N.
Famous Daves is the best barbecue place in Knoxville Tennessee. Highly recommend their burgers and ribs with cornbread on the side. Don't forget their bread pudding for dessert Peavine
(5)
Sarah P.
We grabbed take out at work for lunch recently. We shared one of the trash can lids full of food (sounds appetizing, I know). It's supposed to feed two...it fed five. No lie. So. Much. Food! I must say, the quantity outweighed the quality in this one. It was insane. Personally, I had the pulled pork. It was pre-portioned out on some Texas toast. Very disappointing because this made the bread incredibly soggy, especially once we got it back to the office. I didn't love the original "rich and sassy" sauce, and unfortunately, we weren't given others to try. I did have the cole slaw, which was creamy and slightly sweet. Yum. I also had a couple of potato wedges, which I thoroughly enjoyed. They were super crisp and well-seasoned. I just can't give a higher rating due to the presentation of the meat. I mean, it's a barbecue joint, so that's where my judgement lies!
(2)
Bruce K.
Walking into Famous Dave's was sort of new for me. I've been wanting to try out a BBQ place since I've gotten to TN. Lets just say, inside is super decorated! It had an ambiance of cabin fever mixed with some "macho" feeling that can only be portrayed in some imagination of Lewis and Clark's cabin on their journey to the west. Lets get down to the BBQ, because that's where we came here for! My thoughts: Not bad! Definitely a place where I would consider if I had another BBQ craving. I have another place that I want to check out, but until that happens this will have to do! I ordered the Babyback-N-Meat Combo, which came with half a slab of baby back ribs and 1 of the meats and 2 sides. For the meat side I got the Texas Brisket, which were pretty delicious. My 2 sides were Mac-N-Cheese as well as the potato salad. Meal: Baby back ribs, good. Texas brisket, good. I personally can't say it was absolutely amazing, but it was definitely a place I am willing to go back to if I wanted BBQ and a place that's not far. Sides: Mac N Cheese was pretty awesome. Not going to lie, I do like a good mac n cheese. And this one was cheesy and filling. Potato salad wasn't crazy, just an average potato salad. Service: Wonderful! Didn't have a problem with waiters and they were always there to help out especially if you're an indecisive eater that can't decide. Conclusion: If you're craving for some BBQ, give this place a try. I'm sure I'll come back for another round of their different types of BBQ and their sauces.
(4)
Bob D.
Stopped in with the wife and 2 kids for some "Famous" BBQ after a trip to the Knoxville Zoo. We started out with some "burnt ends" that were decadent and then went onto some very good BBQ ribs. Famous Dave's made a believer out of us and we'll be back for sure. Good stuff!
(4)
Lorraine P.
I would like to rescind my positive review. After being hospitalized for three days bc of infectious colitis, STAY AWAY unless you want to experience a myriad of pain & internal bleeding. My recovery is still ongoing after 3 years, & I will probably be paying for years on the hospital bill that stemmed from a $7 lunch. I hope the health department did an investigation, this could have been tragic for someone that is not in good health.
(1)
Addy C.
My parents love a good deal just like I do - so when we arrived in Knoxville after a long 8-hr drive from DC, my mom suggested we order take-out from Famous Dave's: specifically the Tuesday "$19.95 Feast for 2" special. They'd gotten the feast a couple times before, and said there was so much food, they were able to make three meals out of it. And they were right. The feast included a 1/2 slab of St. Louis style spareribs, 1/2 chicken, 1/2 lb. Texas beef brisket (or you can choose to get 1/2 lb. Georgia chopped pork), 2 corn-on-the-cob, 2 cornbread muffins, baked beans, cole slaw, and a pile of fried potato wedges. My favorites were probably the beef brisket, chicken, cole slaw, and the potato wedges. The food was definitely tasty but too salty in my opinion. I could taste coconut oil in the cornbread. I became concerned that my parents were eating this kind of stuff given their age. For everyone else though, the Tuesday special is a great deal :) FYI - the regular price is $30.99.
(3)
Mike M.
To be fair, there food isn't terrible (see Archer's). However, there are much better BBQ establishments in town (see Sonny's up the street, or Buddy's, all over town. For the money, they can't complete with either S or B's.
(2)
J. Terrell A.
Tasty ribs. Great service from our server. Love the BBQ sauce options. Ended up picking up a few bottles from the Jewel's when I returned to Chicago.
(3)
Bolm X.
Had great ribs and pulled pork for dinner. The young lady was very helpful on what was not too spicy, including the side dishes that say spicy. Nice atmosphere, not too noisy and the beer is very cold. It was right in the area of our hotel so that was convenient. I'll be back!
(4)
Chuck C.
I have only been once for lunch and it was good. I had some kind of trio platter and it was good. Good sauces and a variety of those. I would go back.
(4)
Gina D.
For us, it's all about the ribs and sauce, and we weren't disappointed on a recent visit to this location. It was mid afternoon and a day of shopping in Knoxville. We were served promptly and the waitress was friendly, helpful with selections and attentive throughout the meal. We both chose ribs, they were moist, meaty, perfectly done.....a close second to the best ribs I've ever had, which is the Blues City Cafe in Memphis. Come off the bone easily, and tender as the dawn over the Mississippi.....okay, that was too much....:) The tea was plentiful and sweet, the sides.....well, I didn't notice them much, 'cause I was busy with my ribs....I recall nothing to complain about....maybe a little too much spice in the beans. But then I don't go to BBQ places to eat beans. The sauces.....they have a great selection...and their mild, sweet sauce [Kansas City style] was excellent. This was a casual, comfortable dining experience, priced nicely for the amount of ribs you get. I would recommend it, and we'll be going back every chance we get !!
(5)
Holly D.
I hadn't eaten at Famous Daves for about a year so my boyfriend and I decided to go two days ago. We went in for an early dinner and I really couldn't believe how much it had went downhill. Our waitress acted like she was put out by having to wait on us and taking her time away from talking to her co-workers. I ordered the half rack of ribs and my boyfriend ordered the beef brisket. The food came out very quickly and looked good. Less than a minute after our plates hit our table the waitress was asking how everything was. We hadn't had time to take a bite yet and told her so. We figured she'd check back on us in few minuets. She never came back until she brought our check and didn't ask how anything was. The food was terrible. The ribs were leathery, the brisket tasteless, and OMG! the sides. The mac & cheese was obviously old and the taste was gag inducing. The frys were bland and the corn was ok. The only good thing on the plate was the corn bread muffin. Neither of us finished our food, I think I left 3 ribs and all but a few bites of the sides. If I had been a waitress I would have at least asked if everything was ok if my table had been giving up such full plates. I really don't think that I ever need to go back.
(2)
Meredith C.
The TGI Fridays of BBQ. The staff is always annoying, the food is not good, and yet I've been here about a million times. The first 3 minutes of your Famous experience will go something like this: "Hi, welcome to Famous Daves! I'm Famous Zack! Are you having a famous day? I'm going to walk backward the entire time so I can stare at you awkwardly on the way to your table!" After your server has adequately annoyed you with the required schtick, you will get to choose from a myriad of subpar BBQ selections. The brisket is doused in sauce which means it probably slow cooked for an entire 12 minutes. Don't get the ribs. Go to Goodwill and eat a boot - it will be a lot cheaper. The pulled pork is edible, but nothing to write home about. The sausages are probably the best thing, which figures, since you really have to be some kind of idiot to botch a meat that came from the factory precooked. The baked beans are decent. The rest of the sides are bad. The fries are really mushy. Oh yeah, they give you different sauces to try with your BBQ. Translation: Our BBQ isn't too good so you'll need to find a sauce to cover up the taste. Good BBQ doesn't need sauce. You'll need it here.
(2)
Tim M.
I'd do three and a half if I could. I don't have a whole lot to add past what others have said. In a nutshell, Famous Dave's is basically a BBQ-themed Applebee's. It's on par with Sonny's, just around the corner. Ribs are meaty, but don't have that fall-off-the-bone quality inherent in truly great ribs. If you've eaten at Dead End BBQ, it's pretty comparable. Dinner will run you about $30 for two if you try a fair variety of items. P.S. - Don't fill up on the corn on the cob, it's what you imagine corn on the cob would taste like if they served it on an airplane.
(3)
Andrew T.
I ordered food togo here while I was passing by knoxville, on my way to Texas from NYC (Yes, I was driving alone..I think this is in 2006). I ordered texas beef brisket and baby back ribs. I also bought their spicy sauce. The waitress was nice to me and I tiped her like a buck and my order was rushed and made to perfection. Brisket was tender and good. Baby back ribs were also good (although the meat was not off the bone easily). It's all about sauce! I love their sauce! Their sauce has the right consistency, not too sweet, not too sour, and not too salty. It's just right. I love their spicy bbq sauce, it's so darn good. I wish I ordered more of that sauce to bring it back home. I had a good experience here.
(4)
Towel -.
I've lived in Texas pretty much my whole life...So my standards for BBQ are a little biased. Every region of the country does it a little different. The food is alright. I think it's a little over priced. A good alternative is Buddy's BBQ. At Buddy's I can get a meal that is comparable to FD's and have it be about 4 dollars cheaper. Plus you don't have to give a tip.
(2)
Liv S.
I eat here for lunch every time I pass through Knoxville on the way to college. The food is great, the staff is always polite, and I've never had a problem. I recommend it to others I know going through the area, and it's decorated beautifully. Overall, wonderful service, awesome food, and great atmosphere.
(5)
Dan C.
Oh man, I have to say this is the first time I haven't eaten my money's worth of an all-you-can-eat meal. Sadly, it wasn't because I feel like I paid an outrageously high amount for my meal, the food was just that bad. Tim M. hit the nail on the head, this place is a bbq-themed Applebee's, everything is most likely shipped in from some central processing plant which makes me think this place would be even more profitable if they ditched the restaurant and just put the food in the supermarket frozen food section. Famous Dave's in Tennessee has a different special Monday through Friday. Monday's are super cheap burgers, Tuesdays are a 2-3 person meal for $22.22, Wednesday is 50 cent wings and $5 pitchers, Thursday is all-you-can-eat catfish for $9.99, and Friday is a 4-5 person meal for $44.44. I came in on Thursday. "Famous" Ashely was my waitress at my "Famous" table. She was really nice, as was the service of this place so they get props for that, but you don't go out to eat for the service, you go for the food--which, lets not beat around the bush, sucks worse than the nerdy girl with braces on prom night. The first thing I ordered was the Famous Margarita. It took about 5 or 10 minutes for the drink to arrive--no big deal, perfectly fine in fact. Then I ordered the catfish--it took less than 5 minutes for the catfish to come out. There is no way that was made to order. The Famous Margarita was diabeticly sweet--it just furthers my notion that nothing here is fresh, the margarita is obviously a mix, which is sad since they could save so much by making the mix themselves; a bit of simple syrup, some lime juice, tequila, cointreau, triple sec. The weird sweet and sour sauce for the catfish was rank and the coleslaw tasted like it turned. The catfish wasn't particularly flaky, but it was edible. The corn bread muffin had a honey glaze on top which I really enjoyed, making it the highlight of that meal. Also, the banana pudding wasn't entirely aweful--it was like a store-bought tiramisu, but banana themed with vanilla wafers rather than ladyfingers. Bottom Line: go here for drinks, skip the food.
(1)
Robert M.
I love mixing up the different sauces when dipping my fries. I have one nice waitress I almost get all the time, Famous Amber. She is a wonderful waitress.
(4)
Sara P.
Good staff, friendly atmosphere, nice "vibe". Food is good, but not great. The beef brisket was a little rubbery and salty. Hubby's chicken tenders were good. Their coleslaw's pretty good, but their cornbread muffin is simply amazing. Their sauces are also to die for. Good value for the portions & amount of meat you get.
(4)
Jackie T.
I know it's a chain, and we've been to the Famous Dave's in Chicago, which was really mediocre. But, if you want the best melt-in-your-mouth ribs and brisket you've ever had, you HAVE to go to the Famous Dave's right off of I-40 Cedar Bluff, in Knoxville, TN. We have to travel there every couple of months on business and we can't wait to go back. THE BEST!!! We don't know why the others are so inconsistent and don't measure up to this one, but whatever it is, it's something we come back for again and again.
(5)
Terry H.
Disappointing! I'm really stunned with this particular restaurant's representation of Famous Dave's franchise name. I've been here several times before and it's been fine, traveling from out of town, i felt this place was ...safe as far as great food..but this was not very good at all! I placed a to-go order via the website which was very convenient. The staff at the restaurant were at least courteous and the facility was clean and the atmosphere pleasant. However, upon receiving my order, which was 10-15 minutes later than promised, I found that a number of items were missing from what was supposed to be on my order. They missed the basics! The add-on sides were included but my total meal experience as expected was incomplete. Disappointed, i looked forward to their signature bread pudding... Which I thought was supposed to be warmed or have warmed sauce/topping...but both were very cold...I assume they were stored with the child sized ice cream cup I received. The presentation was disappointing as well as my items were very poorly handled as they were sideways down in the bag I was given. I frequent the Famous Dave's in my local town and this is far from the experience I would have expected. Needless to say, this is one location I don't think I will be returning to.
(1)
Sarah P.
A group of us, 4 adults and 2 children went to Famous Daves this past Saturday night... when we sat down we ordered a basket of cornbread muffins, our waiter wasn't friendly at all, when he brought the muffins out, he didn't bring any plates for us to put our muffins on, and didn't bring any butter to put on the muffins, nor did we have any silverware, when we asked for plates, he got kind of rude, and told us that, he didn't think they had any clean plates, but he would see what he could find, never did bring butter, and told us the silverware would be out with dinner... I ordered the georgia pork and barbq chicken, with slaw and mashed potatoes.... I didn't care for the pork, but thought the chicken was ok, the slaw and potato's were good... If you want a great family Barbq place, that doesn't break the bank, I suggest going to Sonny's which is just around the corner, the decor isn't quite as fancy, but the food and service are 100x better, as are the prices and selection.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Beth And Jim S.
He said: Due to work, I have had the opportunity to eat at a LOT of BBQ places in the last 6 weeks and Dave's is my Fave. We didn't get over "famoused" like some have. The brisket is good and the chicken is awesome but the sides were real stars. I loved the mac n cheese (is spicy) and the beans (spicy) and the slaw (spicy) all were unusual and tasty. Got a Feast for 2 to take back to the hotel and it traveled well. I'm a fan. She said: This place has great food! It is consistently good. We've been here three times so far and will most definitely be back! I'm a fan of the BBQ baked potato and the BBQ chicken. Yum!!!
(5)Gary N.
Food always great. Just wished they could have one BBQ sauce that was not spicy. Even the lowest one they have, varies in spice from one trip to another.
(4)Irvin G.
All American BBQ feast, $58.99 not including drinks. We were not greeted with all the "famous" stuff that I have heard people say that they tend to do, we were seated and given time to look over the menu, as the waitress got us drinks, this was the first time any of the group had been there. I live in Florida and was visiting Knoxville and my family thought I would like some good ole' bbq, well let me tell you, enjoyed it very well. I was actually sad when I left thought that the food was awesome. Corn bread was great, but thought the brisket though flavorful was a bit dry, the least thing I like on the entire menu. The ribs had plenty of meat on them, and thought the coleslaw was creamy. Since this was my first time, I wanted to try their mac and spicy cheese, well I liked it too. Overall I thought that they do a good job, our waitress was kind and helpful. On the downside, they could not get out drinks right and though we asked for dessert she brought us a bill instead, so did feel rushed on a night that wasnt to busy. They need to work on their listening to customers a little, if they want them to return since Sonny's has shut down. I will return on my next trip to TN
(4)EJ R.
I like the ribs the best. Always good and tender with a good amount of meat on each bone. It doesn't need sauce. Corn bread is sweet, just the way I like it. The rest of the sides are only ok, that's why I give 4 stars instead of 5. Good service and prices are reasonable.
(4)Julie H.
Not bad, but not as good as other locations. Denver location is boss! Food could have been fresher, just didn't taste as good as I remember. The bathrooms were nasty and in need of attention. We drove over an hour to repeat or great Denver experience at Famous Dave's and left disappointed.
(3)Rick E.
Not sure why it is famous. Nothing jumped out as so great. Sides were ok.. Ribs were dry and 1-2 were burnt my fault I did not sent it back but I was hungry and in a hurry. The service was fast and friendly but what I really expected was great Bbq and disappointed with ok Bbq
(2)Raul M.
I've been here a few times. It is a good place with great pricing. Dinner was superb with plenty to go around. I wouldn't take a date here, I think it's more for "the guys".
(4)Dicknose M.
Dave must be smoking something other than pork, because his barbecue is neither legendary nor enjoyable. I had the "house specialty" beef brisket for lunch today, and it resembled a typical Vols fan on gameday...over-cooked, over-sauced and over-portioned. When I overheard large marge next to me ask her server "how long will it take to reorder?" after getting half way through her current plate of 7000 calories, I knew I was in Tennessee. The bottom line is that Famous Dave's values quantity over quality, and you are much better off finding a back roads smoke shack with a limited, authentic menu.
(2)Stephen C.
BBQ was very tender and flavorful. We had the brisket and roasted chicken. Had many different sauces to choose from at the table. The side dishes were delish and the pickles were "oh WOW!" Our server was Amber and she was very attentive. The building was a little dated but hey... It's a BBQ house right?
(5)Kristen H.
I have to admit that I didn't check Yelp before trying this one out. I knew it was a chain but had never been there before, so when we saw it off a freeway exit, we decided to give it a try. I will readily admit that their "famous" schtick gets old, fast. We were greeted by an exuberant hostess who made sure to welcome us to FAMOUS Dave's, where she hoped we'd have a FAMOUS time being served by FAMOUS Brittany, and we should be sure to ask Brittany why she's FAMOUS... I declined that offer. Our server--the aforementioned FAMOUS Brittany--was less than enthusiastic but was attentive, so I didn't mind. My husband and I each ordered one of the lunch combos and a soda, totaling about $25 for the whole lunch. For my combo, I chose the Georgia pulled pork and the Texas beef brisket with a side of potato salad. The beef brisket was amazing, especially with some of the tangy BBQ sauce added on top. They have a handful of sauces at the table for you so you can dress your meal as you wish. The pulled pork was mediocre at best; I wish I had ordered two helpings of the brisket instead. The potato salad was average, but tasted like something you could easily get at a grocery store in the deli case. The highlight was the corn muffin, which was sweet and soft and oh so delicious. I'm glad I finally tried Famous Dave's but don't know that I'd be a regular if there was one near me.
(3)Lane M.
Stopped in on my way to KY wanted some good BBQ but was highly disappointed. The rib tips were extremely dry, but the bread pudding was awesome :(
(2)Erika F.
On our way home from to PA from GA, my husband and I decided to stop and try the place out. I ordered an order of naked wings that came to the table before our meal. They were great! My husband ordered a personal feast and I ordered a chicken Ceasar salad. He said his meal was great. My salad was not so great. I had a plate full of pale green lettuce that was mixed with a Ceasar dressing and it had a mild sour taste to it. The chicken wasn't that great either. I was so disappointed. .. then the table we were sitting at the chairs had dirty plaid cushions.. very dirty and the seat itself had holes. The plastic blue plates looked faded and worn.. I wanted to sit at a booth but they only had 2 smalls booths and the rest were taken so we had at a table. Then my husband goes to the bathroom and said it was disgusting. Looked like someone threw up all over the walls.. YUCK! the reason I gave it 2 stars was because my husband liked his food and the wings were good.
(3)Daniel F.
Recommended by a friend I stopped here from a trip from Georgia back to PA. The food was excellent the service good. I had the 1 person feast and it was alot of delicious food. Only complaint I have was the bathroom. It was disgusting. Somebody threw up in the stall witch made me want to do the same. It ruined my meal. Would've gave it 5 stars.
(4)Susie H.
My new favorite BBQ place! The brisket was really good. I don't care for the decorations on the inside. I felt like I was sitting in a thrift shop. The service was good as well.
(4)John T.
First review on yelp. Famous Dave's is an incredible BBQ place. Famous Alye was our waitress. He was very friendly and provided us with great service. I totally would recommend checking this place out. Prices are not bad, very reasonable especially if you splitting the food between 2 people. The food was properly cooked, the meat came off the bone perfectly. Very tasty and delicious food.
(5)Carol N.
Famous Daves is the best barbecue place in Knoxville Tennessee. Highly recommend their burgers and ribs with cornbread on the side. Don't forget their bread pudding for dessert Peavine
(5)Sarah P.
We grabbed take out at work for lunch recently. We shared one of the trash can lids full of food (sounds appetizing, I know). It's supposed to feed two...it fed five. No lie. So. Much. Food! I must say, the quantity outweighed the quality in this one. It was insane. Personally, I had the pulled pork. It was pre-portioned out on some Texas toast. Very disappointing because this made the bread incredibly soggy, especially once we got it back to the office. I didn't love the original "rich and sassy" sauce, and unfortunately, we weren't given others to try. I did have the cole slaw, which was creamy and slightly sweet. Yum. I also had a couple of potato wedges, which I thoroughly enjoyed. They were super crisp and well-seasoned. I just can't give a higher rating due to the presentation of the meat. I mean, it's a barbecue joint, so that's where my judgement lies!
(2)Bruce K.
Walking into Famous Dave's was sort of new for me. I've been wanting to try out a BBQ place since I've gotten to TN. Lets just say, inside is super decorated! It had an ambiance of cabin fever mixed with some "macho" feeling that can only be portrayed in some imagination of Lewis and Clark's cabin on their journey to the west. Lets get down to the BBQ, because that's where we came here for! My thoughts: Not bad! Definitely a place where I would consider if I had another BBQ craving. I have another place that I want to check out, but until that happens this will have to do! I ordered the Babyback-N-Meat Combo, which came with half a slab of baby back ribs and 1 of the meats and 2 sides. For the meat side I got the Texas Brisket, which were pretty delicious. My 2 sides were Mac-N-Cheese as well as the potato salad. Meal: Baby back ribs, good. Texas brisket, good. I personally can't say it was absolutely amazing, but it was definitely a place I am willing to go back to if I wanted BBQ and a place that's not far. Sides: Mac N Cheese was pretty awesome. Not going to lie, I do like a good mac n cheese. And this one was cheesy and filling. Potato salad wasn't crazy, just an average potato salad. Service: Wonderful! Didn't have a problem with waiters and they were always there to help out especially if you're an indecisive eater that can't decide. Conclusion: If you're craving for some BBQ, give this place a try. I'm sure I'll come back for another round of their different types of BBQ and their sauces.
(4)Bob D.
Stopped in with the wife and 2 kids for some "Famous" BBQ after a trip to the Knoxville Zoo. We started out with some "burnt ends" that were decadent and then went onto some very good BBQ ribs. Famous Dave's made a believer out of us and we'll be back for sure. Good stuff!
(4)Lorraine P.
I would like to rescind my positive review. After being hospitalized for three days bc of infectious colitis, STAY AWAY unless you want to experience a myriad of pain & internal bleeding. My recovery is still ongoing after 3 years, & I will probably be paying for years on the hospital bill that stemmed from a $7 lunch. I hope the health department did an investigation, this could have been tragic for someone that is not in good health.
(1)Addy C.
My parents love a good deal just like I do - so when we arrived in Knoxville after a long 8-hr drive from DC, my mom suggested we order take-out from Famous Dave's: specifically the Tuesday "$19.95 Feast for 2" special. They'd gotten the feast a couple times before, and said there was so much food, they were able to make three meals out of it. And they were right. The feast included a 1/2 slab of St. Louis style spareribs, 1/2 chicken, 1/2 lb. Texas beef brisket (or you can choose to get 1/2 lb. Georgia chopped pork), 2 corn-on-the-cob, 2 cornbread muffins, baked beans, cole slaw, and a pile of fried potato wedges. My favorites were probably the beef brisket, chicken, cole slaw, and the potato wedges. The food was definitely tasty but too salty in my opinion. I could taste coconut oil in the cornbread. I became concerned that my parents were eating this kind of stuff given their age. For everyone else though, the Tuesday special is a great deal :) FYI - the regular price is $30.99.
(3)Mike M.
To be fair, there food isn't terrible (see Archer's). However, there are much better BBQ establishments in town (see Sonny's up the street, or Buddy's, all over town. For the money, they can't complete with either S or B's.
(2)J. Terrell A.
Tasty ribs. Great service from our server. Love the BBQ sauce options. Ended up picking up a few bottles from the Jewel's when I returned to Chicago.
(3)Bolm X.
Had great ribs and pulled pork for dinner. The young lady was very helpful on what was not too spicy, including the side dishes that say spicy. Nice atmosphere, not too noisy and the beer is very cold. It was right in the area of our hotel so that was convenient. I'll be back!
(4)Chuck C.
I have only been once for lunch and it was good. I had some kind of trio platter and it was good. Good sauces and a variety of those. I would go back.
(4)Gina D.
For us, it's all about the ribs and sauce, and we weren't disappointed on a recent visit to this location. It was mid afternoon and a day of shopping in Knoxville. We were served promptly and the waitress was friendly, helpful with selections and attentive throughout the meal. We both chose ribs, they were moist, meaty, perfectly done.....a close second to the best ribs I've ever had, which is the Blues City Cafe in Memphis. Come off the bone easily, and tender as the dawn over the Mississippi.....okay, that was too much....:) The tea was plentiful and sweet, the sides.....well, I didn't notice them much, 'cause I was busy with my ribs....I recall nothing to complain about....maybe a little too much spice in the beans. But then I don't go to BBQ places to eat beans. The sauces.....they have a great selection...and their mild, sweet sauce [Kansas City style] was excellent. This was a casual, comfortable dining experience, priced nicely for the amount of ribs you get. I would recommend it, and we'll be going back every chance we get !!
(5)Holly D.
I hadn't eaten at Famous Daves for about a year so my boyfriend and I decided to go two days ago. We went in for an early dinner and I really couldn't believe how much it had went downhill. Our waitress acted like she was put out by having to wait on us and taking her time away from talking to her co-workers. I ordered the half rack of ribs and my boyfriend ordered the beef brisket. The food came out very quickly and looked good. Less than a minute after our plates hit our table the waitress was asking how everything was. We hadn't had time to take a bite yet and told her so. We figured she'd check back on us in few minuets. She never came back until she brought our check and didn't ask how anything was. The food was terrible. The ribs were leathery, the brisket tasteless, and OMG! the sides. The mac & cheese was obviously old and the taste was gag inducing. The frys were bland and the corn was ok. The only good thing on the plate was the corn bread muffin. Neither of us finished our food, I think I left 3 ribs and all but a few bites of the sides. If I had been a waitress I would have at least asked if everything was ok if my table had been giving up such full plates. I really don't think that I ever need to go back.
(2)Meredith C.
The TGI Fridays of BBQ. The staff is always annoying, the food is not good, and yet I've been here about a million times. The first 3 minutes of your Famous experience will go something like this: "Hi, welcome to Famous Daves! I'm Famous Zack! Are you having a famous day? I'm going to walk backward the entire time so I can stare at you awkwardly on the way to your table!" After your server has adequately annoyed you with the required schtick, you will get to choose from a myriad of subpar BBQ selections. The brisket is doused in sauce which means it probably slow cooked for an entire 12 minutes. Don't get the ribs. Go to Goodwill and eat a boot - it will be a lot cheaper. The pulled pork is edible, but nothing to write home about. The sausages are probably the best thing, which figures, since you really have to be some kind of idiot to botch a meat that came from the factory precooked. The baked beans are decent. The rest of the sides are bad. The fries are really mushy. Oh yeah, they give you different sauces to try with your BBQ. Translation: Our BBQ isn't too good so you'll need to find a sauce to cover up the taste. Good BBQ doesn't need sauce. You'll need it here.
(2)Tim M.
I'd do three and a half if I could. I don't have a whole lot to add past what others have said. In a nutshell, Famous Dave's is basically a BBQ-themed Applebee's. It's on par with Sonny's, just around the corner. Ribs are meaty, but don't have that fall-off-the-bone quality inherent in truly great ribs. If you've eaten at Dead End BBQ, it's pretty comparable. Dinner will run you about $30 for two if you try a fair variety of items. P.S. - Don't fill up on the corn on the cob, it's what you imagine corn on the cob would taste like if they served it on an airplane.
(3)Andrew T.
I ordered food togo here while I was passing by knoxville, on my way to Texas from NYC (Yes, I was driving alone..I think this is in 2006). I ordered texas beef brisket and baby back ribs. I also bought their spicy sauce. The waitress was nice to me and I tiped her like a buck and my order was rushed and made to perfection. Brisket was tender and good. Baby back ribs were also good (although the meat was not off the bone easily). It's all about sauce! I love their sauce! Their sauce has the right consistency, not too sweet, not too sour, and not too salty. It's just right. I love their spicy bbq sauce, it's so darn good. I wish I ordered more of that sauce to bring it back home. I had a good experience here.
(4)Towel -.
I've lived in Texas pretty much my whole life...So my standards for BBQ are a little biased. Every region of the country does it a little different. The food is alright. I think it's a little over priced. A good alternative is Buddy's BBQ. At Buddy's I can get a meal that is comparable to FD's and have it be about 4 dollars cheaper. Plus you don't have to give a tip.
(2)Liv S.
I eat here for lunch every time I pass through Knoxville on the way to college. The food is great, the staff is always polite, and I've never had a problem. I recommend it to others I know going through the area, and it's decorated beautifully. Overall, wonderful service, awesome food, and great atmosphere.
(5)Dan C.
Oh man, I have to say this is the first time I haven't eaten my money's worth of an all-you-can-eat meal. Sadly, it wasn't because I feel like I paid an outrageously high amount for my meal, the food was just that bad. Tim M. hit the nail on the head, this place is a bbq-themed Applebee's, everything is most likely shipped in from some central processing plant which makes me think this place would be even more profitable if they ditched the restaurant and just put the food in the supermarket frozen food section. Famous Dave's in Tennessee has a different special Monday through Friday. Monday's are super cheap burgers, Tuesdays are a 2-3 person meal for $22.22, Wednesday is 50 cent wings and $5 pitchers, Thursday is all-you-can-eat catfish for $9.99, and Friday is a 4-5 person meal for $44.44. I came in on Thursday. "Famous" Ashely was my waitress at my "Famous" table. She was really nice, as was the service of this place so they get props for that, but you don't go out to eat for the service, you go for the food--which, lets not beat around the bush, sucks worse than the nerdy girl with braces on prom night. The first thing I ordered was the Famous Margarita. It took about 5 or 10 minutes for the drink to arrive--no big deal, perfectly fine in fact. Then I ordered the catfish--it took less than 5 minutes for the catfish to come out. There is no way that was made to order. The Famous Margarita was diabeticly sweet--it just furthers my notion that nothing here is fresh, the margarita is obviously a mix, which is sad since they could save so much by making the mix themselves; a bit of simple syrup, some lime juice, tequila, cointreau, triple sec. The weird sweet and sour sauce for the catfish was rank and the coleslaw tasted like it turned. The catfish wasn't particularly flaky, but it was edible. The corn bread muffin had a honey glaze on top which I really enjoyed, making it the highlight of that meal. Also, the banana pudding wasn't entirely aweful--it was like a store-bought tiramisu, but banana themed with vanilla wafers rather than ladyfingers. Bottom Line: go here for drinks, skip the food.
(1)Robert M.
I love mixing up the different sauces when dipping my fries. I have one nice waitress I almost get all the time, Famous Amber. She is a wonderful waitress.
(4)Sara P.
Good staff, friendly atmosphere, nice "vibe". Food is good, but not great. The beef brisket was a little rubbery and salty. Hubby's chicken tenders were good. Their coleslaw's pretty good, but their cornbread muffin is simply amazing. Their sauces are also to die for. Good value for the portions & amount of meat you get.
(4)Jackie T.
I know it's a chain, and we've been to the Famous Dave's in Chicago, which was really mediocre. But, if you want the best melt-in-your-mouth ribs and brisket you've ever had, you HAVE to go to the Famous Dave's right off of I-40 Cedar Bluff, in Knoxville, TN. We have to travel there every couple of months on business and we can't wait to go back. THE BEST!!! We don't know why the others are so inconsistent and don't measure up to this one, but whatever it is, it's something we come back for again and again.
(5)Terry H.
Disappointing! I'm really stunned with this particular restaurant's representation of Famous Dave's franchise name. I've been here several times before and it's been fine, traveling from out of town, i felt this place was ...safe as far as great food..but this was not very good at all! I placed a to-go order via the website which was very convenient. The staff at the restaurant were at least courteous and the facility was clean and the atmosphere pleasant. However, upon receiving my order, which was 10-15 minutes later than promised, I found that a number of items were missing from what was supposed to be on my order. They missed the basics! The add-on sides were included but my total meal experience as expected was incomplete. Disappointed, i looked forward to their signature bread pudding... Which I thought was supposed to be warmed or have warmed sauce/topping...but both were very cold...I assume they were stored with the child sized ice cream cup I received. The presentation was disappointing as well as my items were very poorly handled as they were sideways down in the bag I was given. I frequent the Famous Dave's in my local town and this is far from the experience I would have expected. Needless to say, this is one location I don't think I will be returning to.
(1)Sarah P.
A group of us, 4 adults and 2 children went to Famous Daves this past Saturday night... when we sat down we ordered a basket of cornbread muffins, our waiter wasn't friendly at all, when he brought the muffins out, he didn't bring any plates for us to put our muffins on, and didn't bring any butter to put on the muffins, nor did we have any silverware, when we asked for plates, he got kind of rude, and told us that, he didn't think they had any clean plates, but he would see what he could find, never did bring butter, and told us the silverware would be out with dinner... I ordered the georgia pork and barbq chicken, with slaw and mashed potatoes.... I didn't care for the pork, but thought the chicken was ok, the slaw and potato's were good... If you want a great family Barbq place, that doesn't break the bank, I suggest going to Sonny's which is just around the corner, the decor isn't quite as fancy, but the food and service are 100x better, as are the prices and selection.
(2)