Oh how I love Famous Dave's!! I went to this one recently with a co-worker for her 65th birthday. She and I were both extremely pleased with the quality of food, service, and restaurant as a whole. We caught lunch here and I had the ribs and pulled pork combo platter. I mean, really, I've got nothing to say here other than phenomenal as usual. If my gut could survive it, I would eat here all the time!
Review Source:"UNACCEPTABLE - Intolerant and exclusionary treatment of those with food allergies and their families!"
Reviewed onJanuary 27, 2013
After a fun day of shopping with my 3 daughters, two of them and I were excited to have Famous Dave's for dinner at the Mall of America tonight. Since my youngest daughter has severe food allergies and can eat restaurant food in very few locations, I picked up a to-go bowl of chicken, rice and corn from the Chipotle next door.
Imagine my surprise when we were refused entrance to the Famous Dave's because we had "outside food" with us. I explained the nature of my daughter's food allergies (severe with the potential of anaphylactic reactions) and asked to speak with a manager. Mark Lindsay, General Manager, came up to reaffirm that no, we could not possibly enter with the food for my daughter. He claimed it was his restaurant's policy to not permit any outside food for the safety of the dining patrons. When pressed, I asked him what of babies or toddlers who have cereal, baby food or bottles brought in? How was providing food, outside food, for them any different than me providing food for my 9 year old who could not safely eat food prepared at this restaurant? He did not have an answer and continued to merely repeat his concerns for the safety of the diners in the restaurant.
I have NEVER experienced such intolerance and so-called policy excuses to bar customers in this service based restaurant industry. Nor have I ever experienced such a lack of empathy and understanding. Clearly the restaurant didn't need our $ because my daughter's chicken, rice and corn were so disruptive and hazardous.
So my daughters and I kept on walking to Buffalo Wild Wings where they were clear in stating that of course we were welcome to dine in their facility and of course they would be more than willing to allow my daughter to eat her meal with her sisters and mother at the same time.
(They will be receiving a glowing review on TripAdvisor for their kindness and making our dismal Famous Dave's experience have a happy ending with their trademark Buffalo Wild Wings excellent service!)
Furthermore, I WILL be writing to the corporate office of Famous Dave's expressing our displeasure at the demonstrated intolerance and exclusionary treatment of those with food allergies at the MOA location. I will also be in contact with FAAN (The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network) and AFAA (Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy Association of Minnesota) to let them know of our experience.
I sincerely hope that this is not Famous Dave's policy at their other locations - or we will be certain to refuse to patronize them as well.
I was actually surprised by how satisfied I was with this place. I hadn't tried a Famous Dave's in years, and my hubs loves BBQ so we decided to do dinner here. I got a spicy burger and fries, which I ordered medium-rare. It seemed like they use frozen premade burger patties because when I cut open my burger to check if it was medium-rare, the meat was just kind of grey - not at all pink. Aside from that, the toppings on the burger were good and the bun was nice and squishy. Our table had fun trying and comparing all the different types of BBQ sauce on the table, it definitely kept us entertained.
Our server was quite good, but it did feel very corporate - phrases like "can I help you with the menu?" seemed corporate/forced and prompted my (corny) husband to respond with "no thank you, I'm mostly literate." Not a big deal at all, but I felt bad the server had to put up with us...
The decor was sort of obnoxious. We sat in the "porch" area that faces into the mall hallway. It was a little corny, but several of the other sit down restaurants have the same set up. The decor was a little too fake-country for me... there was a lot of kitsch on the walls, etc.
Nacho review # 42:
Being around 3:00 when we stopped in, we weren't too hungry. Â We opted for the nachos, but to get the nachos for two or the nachos grande? Â We went with the nachos grande and I'm glad we did. Â This was a good amount for two people. Â Who knows how much smaller the nachos for two would've been. Â
Our nachos had pulled chicken, beans, chips, cheese, tomatoes, and the usual toppings sour cream, lettuce and jalapenos on the side as the other half doesn't like spicy like I do.
The Breakdown:
Big plate of chips - more like a medium plate
Real cheese - yes, but sparse it seemed
Fresh toppings - yes
Salsa - couldn't tell, it might have been incorporated into the sauce they used
Fresh chips - Chips were soggy from the beans, abandon all hope of using your   Â
            hands.  I was cutting the chips with my fork.
Pulled chicken - Delicious
Baked beans - I don't think it did much for the taste, other then make it mushy and Â
            messy.
Overall, I would have to say pass on the nachos here. Â Perhaps if they got rid of the beans and added a little more pulled chicken, it might be better. Â There's no excuse for soggy chips in nachos. Â The whole point of nachos is that you can eat them with your hands.
This location is in the Mall of America where there are so many choices to eat. Â The people here are so helpful and friendly. This is one of the friendliest restaurants I've ever visited. Â The service and food were both great. I had the baby back ribs with a corn muffin. I was more than happy to pay for the meal but the server told me that since those are the only two items I want that they can just charge me for the two items which would come out cheaper. Â Who does that these days? Â
The food came out and it was hot and fresh. Â I was surprised how good the ribs were. Â They were fantastic and just how I ordered them (without sauce). Â The corn muffin was also very moist and came in a cupcake wrapper.
Being from the greater Boston area, I had never heard of the chain Famous Dave's before. Maybe they are only located in the Midwest and other parts of the country, but I certainly have never seen them in New England. Too bad too, because they were a decent bbq place, and I wouldn't mind getting some of those quick cheap eats closer to home.
If you haven't been to one of their locations, they have a southern hunter's lodge feel. They also have a varied menu for all of the bbq meat and fixings you could ever want. Â I ordered the beef brisket which came with texas toast, corn bread, mashed potatoes, broccoli, and mac'n cheese. While it may not compare to a true Southern bbq place, it was tasty enough, and I definitely enjoyed my meal.
Spent a few hours at the Mall of America while I waited for a flight! Â Decided to stop into Famous Dave's for lunch. Wasn't sure if it was going to be good but they proved me wrong. Â The service was great and totally great at making suggestions.
We had the Tri Tip and all the fixings. OMG their cornbread is so freaking good and addicting. We could have just ate that. The coleslaw was good. Mac & Cheese was okay but lacking a little something. Â Meat was really great and they had lots of BBQ sauces to try out.
Not to shabby and although I shy away from chains, this one wasn't bad.
I went there today, on a Sunday. On the weekends in the Mall of America, it can be kinda crazy, but we got a seat right away. Â Our server, JD, was awesome. The food, though great, was still not the best BBQ as it could possibly be as many of you may know. It was satisfactory though. One main problem though. I order one of the baskets, but, they forgot to give my corn on the cob! I didn't realize it until after I was gone and on my way to a movie, but really, I'd like to get everything that I pay for. If you go, make sure use a lot of BBQ, and make sure you have your corn.
UPDATE: I contacted the restaurant and they say that the corn is only available by request. So you literally have to ask for the corn that is stated on the menu that you will get. Our server said nothing about this, and honestly, it's just plain stupid. I'm knocking off stars for this idiocy. Corn is on the menu as something you shall get in the meal, but you have to remember to ask for it, or you don't get it.
Originally aiming to eat at a cafe that was next to this spot, my girlfriend and I spotted Famous Dave's out of the corner of our eyes.. We decided to walk over and glance at the patrons' dinner plates as well as the menu.. Our stomaches made the decision for us to eat here.. Also, I recognized the guy from one of those Travel Channel shows about BBQ cookout competitions and whatnot, so why not give it a try right?
We split some dinner combo that included a 1/2 chicken, 1/2 rack of ribs and some BBQ pork on an open faced sandwich.. This included multiple sides as well as their RIDICULOUSLY good cornbread.. Seriously, it was crack..
Well we left with full bellies and complimentary cornbread muffins from our nice server.. The food wasn't astonishing but it wasn't terrible either.. The dinner combo was also decently priced for the amount of food we received, so they avoided a huge pitfall of overpriced so-so food..
The point is, we were famished after starving all afternoon ad traversing the ludicrously large Mall of America.. Famous Dave's did the job and did it well enough to be A-OK in my book..
I wasn't overly impressed. I much prefer Montana's. The service was slow it took forever to get drinks and to get refills. I ordered the rib tips and they were almost completely fat and because I took them all apart to try to find some meat they refused to take it off my bill. There are lots of restaurants in that mall I suggest going elsewhere.
They also don't allow strollers. We didn't bring a car seat and our little girl wasn't able to sit in a high chair yet so we had to fight to bring it in. Not ok.
Bad corporate policy and extremely poor customer service  really helped this locations and chain earn it's 1-Star.
I had requested a side dish change from the corn on the cob to an extra cole slaw. Â I was told that I was not allowed to substitute. Â I mean I wasn't asking for something more expensive by any means. Â We all know that this stuff is in 5-gallon buckets and costs next to nothing to make.
I asked to speak to a manager and was told the regional manager was on site and would I like to speak to them.  I said that I would.  No manager would ever come to the table but I was able to get my substitution.  The waitress told me that she could  not substitute a cole slaw but was approved by a manager to do reduced amount in the cups they use for ketchup and sauces (You know the ones that hold about 1 tablespoon).  Manager never came to the table even after I told the waitress that he/she had not stopped by my table.
Food is overpriced for what it is and policies make any choice by the diner unacceptable to Famous Dave.
I even wrote a letter to their customer service via their website. Â I never received a response. If you want BBQ and are in an area that has options, I would choose another chain. Â This chain based in the upper midwest seems to have no competition which explains the poor customer service and average food.
This is a guilty secret of mine. I know it's a chain and there's much better BBQ in town but if I just want some half decent BBQ and a drink or two then this fits the bill.
The bar staff have always been superb even on a day like today  where they were obviously short staffed. Good range of sauces from the sweet to the tangy which the follically challenged competitor downtown can't match.
I normally get the brisket and rib combo which when it's on form is enjoyable. It's noway near as good as Ted Cooks or Big Daddy's but it's good enough.
Not Texas, Â but very good. Assortment of different sauces that represent everything from sweet to hot. Slaw was very nice to take the edge off. Service was just right (not too slow or too pushy). Portions allowed for a nice mid-night snack.
They are in Abilene, Amarillo and El Paso... just in case you want Kansas City or Carolina style BBQ.
I landed with my girlfriend and her co-workers an hour or so earlier for a work conference. We were craving BBQ and the mall was near by so we chose Famous Dave's.
I have been to the Long Beach, Ca location and that place is much bigger than this place. Obviously it is in a mall so the size is going to be small. Out of the 4 of us, half had eaten at the establishment before such as yours truly. Â What better way to introduce newbies than getting a half feast? Even with 3 of us eating the entire meal, it was still so much food. Â Everyone enjoyed it as normal, however, my ribs had some fatty pieces of cartilage or bone. Too much for my taste, especially since half of one of my bites was spit out. My girlfriend had the same issue and never had this issue before, odd.. This did not stop me from scarfing down as much as I could!
 Either way, everyone loved the meal and were all completely stuffed!
Two more converts of Famous Dave's have been complete!
I have been here twice. Once when my brother told me he was engaged to his current wife and now with some friends.
We sat down and the lunch specials are pretty good. I ordered the $6.99 pulled chicken sandwich with a side of beans. I love their beans, they put little chunks of bacon in there. Delectable!
Our server was nice and refilled my Diet Coke a couple of times. They brought out our lunch pretty quick, and everyone seemed happy. This was by far the best pulled chicken sandwich I have had. It was super moist and almost like a ground beef texture. I added some Devil Spit sauce to it. Just amazing.
Someone else got the brisket platter which they said was good, and another friend got the brisket sandwich.
For $12, which included tip, it was an awesome lunch with lots of laughs. Good times.
The famous david of americas mall is a lovely perch. Â Since there's 245 different food court options, one can get lossed in the sea of blah. Â If your lucky enough, or can read a map like normal American's should, famous dave's won't dissapoint. Â
I usually rock the sandwiches, pulled pork, beef brisket, etc  The ribs are decent and it is true, the sauce rack they give you completely makes the meal. Â
I will probably stop in if I am near one of these eateries in the future.
p.s. Â I'm sorry you have Canada (America Lite) as your neighbor, deal with it. Â I'm also sorry I wore my Patrick Kane Hawks shirt into your establishment, but let's just be honest, the Minnesota Wild are complete garbage. Â Cheers!
I was walking around the Mall of America trying to find what tasty food I should taste. A few places perked my interest. This place was one of them. So, I decided to try it out here.
I wanted to try something, but not kill myself. So, I ordered a Brisket Burger. The name is much longer but I can't remember. I also had a side of mac and cheese.
The Mac and cheese was pretty good. The only thing I wish, was that they had bread crumbs on top or something. I like crunchy mac and cheese. But, they didn't do it that way. Nice combination of cheese.
The brisket burger wasn't too bad. It was extremely super. However, what I really enjoyed was the bbq sauces that they have in every table. They have about 5 or 6 kinds of bbq sauce. But, only two I enjoyed. Sweet and Tasty, and Devil's Spit. Sweet and tasty had a nice sweet flavor. Not extremely sweet, but a good kind of sweet. The Devil's split was spicy and I like spicy. I found out that if you combine both of them, it gives you a nice combination of both the sweet and the spicy.
I gave this a 4 star mainly because of the sauces. Next time, I should try the ribs.
Famous Dave's has good food and good value. It's not the best bbq ever, but there's nothing to complain about either. I especially like the array of five sauces arranged at each table. The environment's really casual (appropriate given that you're tearing meat apart with your hands and teeth) and great for groups. If you do come in a group, the sampler is a great way to go. Nothing special, but pretty fun.
Review Source:Ordered the All-American platter and my dumbass ordered an extra plate of fries because I can't get enough fries.. and I ended up not being able to finish my original share of fries. LOL
The ribs were AMAZING. There was so much meat on it, it was CRAZY. Their chicken did me in too. Wooow
We came here again a few days later and we ordered their buffalo wings, which were off the charts.
Maybe it's because we only know chain restaurants and haven't seen any underground places, but this is the best restaurant I've ever ate in in my life =)
When i told a friend at work I was going to Minnesota to visit my brother, he asked me what kind of foods Minnesota was famous for. Â I really had no clue, so later on I Googled it. Â The only significant thing I found was something called 'lutefisk,' which is an old Scandinavian dish of white fish treated with LYE. Â Eww. Â The other thing that came up, however, was Famous Dave's BBQ (keywords in my Google search "famous" and "minnesota"). Â I checked out the website and decided I wanted to eat there when we went because it sounded so good. Â Well, it turns out Famous Dave's is actually a chain, and they even have them where I grew up in Illinois. Â Guess what? Â I don't care! Â It was sooooo yummy. Â SF is seriously lacking in decent barbeque, so going back to the Midwest for some delicious rib tips was great! Â My sister-in-law was even making fun of me because the only place i wanted to go while we were there was Famous Dave's. Â who cares? Â I had me some good bbq, and that's all that matters to me.
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