Famous Dave’s

I use to always celebrate my birthday with some nice ribs but unfortunately the Famous Dave’s near me has since been closed. Luckily I got a hotel close enough so I could get my favorite BBQ. The food is great and staff is friendly. Highly recommended.

If you like barbecue this is for you. Chicken and the ribs are good brisket is so tender ive only been here about 3 times but eveytime i come it never disappoint me. This is one of the few places you can still smoke in. Me being from ohio no restaurant allow you too.

Never greeted. Never saw an employee up front nor serving.
Can’t review the food because I never got to taste it.

Many years ago I got introduced to Famous Dave’s when a location was in my area. The location has since closed down but whenever I have the opportunity, I will always make time or find a reason to go to one. Even if I’ve just gotten done with a meal and I see one down the road I find it hard to not go in.
Famous Dave’s is a chain. You can’t deny that. But as far as BBQ Chains go, Famous Dave’s has it going on! Sure, independent places are typically the best when you’re looking for the best in BBQ. But, when you’re looking for one in an area where they typically won’t have one offs, Famous Dave’s is the place to be.
I always get the ribs. Usually the baby back ribs. For the sides, I’m a big fan of their coleslaw. Somewhat sweet and very creamy. Their cornbread muffins are also excellent. The downside to the corn bread muffins is that they’re usually not warm. I prefer them a little warm. The beans are good also.
The beauty of Famous Dave’s is this: whether you are in South Dakota, Michigan, Kentucky or any other state, when you walk into a Famous Dave’s you know what you’re getting into.
Would I go back? Damn! I wish I could get to one right now! I’ve been talking about it long enough now I got a taste for them.
I’M HUNGRY!!!

Love, love, love this place! We actually drive from Ohio to Kentucky just to eat here! This is our 5^th time here! The décor is awesome… love the antiques and nostalgia! The background music is delightful! The food has always been exceptional and today is no different! Friendly staff too!

The staff was friendly and helpful, the dining room clean, and the food was very good. Meals seem a bit pricey but they’re big meals. Even the kids meal had more than I expected.

Stopped in while in the area for dinner. Service was fast and courteius.
The food was better than expected for a chain.
The burnt ends were indeed burnt. Good smokey flavor.
The brisket was good; moist and smokey in flavor. The smoked link sausage was okay.
All in all a good visit.

Meh. Had the Texas brisket. It was OK at best and chewy. Been here before and its just bad now.

Don’t even bother. The worst tasting BBQ I ever had. The sauce was very heavy on the vinegar. My lunch partner ordered a stuffed potato with some specific requests but the order arrived totally incorrect. I ordered rib tips which were very very bones and fatty. Very little meat on them. Just not impressed by food at all.

2 Stars only because the staff was very friendly. However, the food is NOT famous. I got the St Louis Ribs n meat. I got the brisket. It was borderline jerky. It was dry and crunchy with so much salt you think you were eating on the wagon train. The ribs advertise 3 – 4 hrs of cooking/​smoking. Nope. The ribs were tough, not tender so as to easily come off. I do give them an atta boy for great smoke flavor in the meat. But that is over shadowed by everything else that is wrong with their meats.
I will forever pass on famous dave’s and all other chain bbq places. Sticky fingers is the only chain I would go to again. Sad, because it smells so good and just lets you down.

Forty five minutes to get an appetizer here today. No server or manager coming around to say anything about the delay. Overheard our server to another table, say that there was a party of 20 whose food had just came up which was why there was such a delay. We have been here an hour and a half now and finally got a refill of our drinks. Sad. just sad.went to the restroom and saw the party of 20… they were done eating 5 minutes after the server told the table by us that the party of 20 food had just came up. Really?

We have always had good luck with this location. Great service, good food. But last night 5 of us left disappointed. My Texas beef brisket was more like beef jerky, and it had a very bizarre taste. The closest thing I could compare it to is lighter fluid. I told the waitress and she replaced it with a piece of roasted chicken. It did not taste like lighter fluid however when I cut into it it didn’t smell right. After I tasted it I further confirmed that something wasn’t right. I immediately stopped eating it and went on to my pulled pork, mashed potatoes and broccoli. Although the flavor was good, everything seemed to have a coating of what can best be described as ‘grit’. Yuck. I won’t even go into the potato soup. We won’t be going back. Disappointing.

In my opinion, the menu highlights are the Burnt Ends for appetizer, the brisket for entrée and the bread pudding for dessert. All were very delicious and memorable. The restaurant claims to have won over 200 awards in barbecue competitions and while they aren’t the best I’ve had, I think their food can stand up to that claim. They have a variety of barbecue sauces available but my personal favorite was the «Devil’s Snot» as it was significantly spicy enough for me while also retaining the sweetness of the sauce. Prices weren’t too bad either as lunch for 4 with appetizer, entrees, and desserts and tip came out to a few cents above $ 80.

Amazing food OMG ! First time here from California. Mel the server above and beyond she was so nice. Mac n cheese OMG so many sauces to choose from

I ordered a combination plate for take out. It was the rib tips and chicken with broccoli and potato salad. For dessert, I had the bread pudding.
The bread pudding was great even when I refrigerated it and ate it cold. It isn’t the best I’ve had but pretty good.
The potato salad, hell pickles and bbq baked chicken were really good! I couldn’t stop with the chicken. The rib tips were dry and not my favorite. It wasn’t terrible either. Just ehh.

Went around 2pm and the bbq was hidden under sauce and seemed dry and burnt at times. Maybe a bad day to go? What Cincinnati really needs is a bbq place that is on the same caliber as Kansas city, Memphis, or Texas bbq places. I’m talking about «The Saltlick» «Gates» «Arthur Bryant’s» «Corky’s» «Rendezvous» Elis is good but it is skillet fired bbq

Had a little bit of everything from here and all was great. The only complaint I had was the south side rib tips and the pulled pork was alright but the chicken and ribs made up for it. Cole slaw had vinegar in it that I have never heard of before it and it was great along with the baked beans that had a bunch of meat in it as well. I had famous daves in D.C. Before and it was completely different and will be going back here again

Good mac n cheese, but the pulled chicken was a big disappointment. Nothing special about the famous fries. The cornbread was just so-​so. Friendly waitstaff. I prefer City Barbeque.

Love this place.
Tip: When I first came here, they always had the different barbecue sauces out on the tables. I guess they’ve now moved them but they’re still available so make sure you ask!

I love all the sauce options being on the table, you can dip your heart out! The half chicken and the ribs are so good. By far my favorite thing at Dave’s is the jalapeño Mac and cheese, that stuff is serious! You have to do two things, pick a delicious protein then make sure you get that mac and cheese!