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Famous Dave's
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Pennsport
1936 S. Columbus Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 339-0339
1936 S. Columbus Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 339-0339
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good for:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
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20 reviews for Famous Dave's
BBQ snobs will probably criticize this place for the kind of artificial hickory taste in the sauce rather than on the meat itself. They might criticize that chains cannot properly do BBQ because the preparation of the meat depends on the pit masters themselves.
But with all that said, I think their food is pretty decent and satisfies my BBQ craving. Their sides are good as good as pork beans, potato salad and the likes can get. Their brisket, which probably is my favorite, is tender, their BBQ sauce is nicely tangy, sweet, and thick. Their pork is my 2nd favorite, but it seems more shredded and less appetizing when you look at it.
Some criticism: their ribs, especially towards the end, can get a bit tough and chewy. Their BBQ chicken isn't the best and every now and then, they are overcooked (the breat meat is dry). Not sure if that's the server's fault for not bringing it when it was ready or whether they have a bunch of cooked chicken they reheat.
But all in all, for a chain, it's not too shabby. Probably not quite 4 stars but I will round it up.
I went to Famous Daves last night, it was the second time that I've been there. I don't really remember my first experience, it was about two years ago.
The service was above average, our server continued to attend to us, mostly because the rest of the restaurant was dead.
The food was just all right, I got a platter? two types of meat (ribs and some pork) with corn, cornbread, fries, and coleslaw. The food is a little bit too sweet for my taste, but then again, it IS BBQ food.
The atmosphere wasn't that bad, it wasn't loud although we had a family sit behind us telling their kids that they would slam them, whatever that means.
well - not to repeat other Yelpers, but if you like BBQ - this is a destination worth checking out! My partner John and I stopped by there for lunch and ate way more than we planned - it was THAT good...
The service is great and friendly - even if you've been there once before, it's worth saying its your first time, just so your famous server can go through their script introducing you to their entire menu and their six-pack of sauces; learning what's best for each meal.
Grant it - the space is on the verge of a TGIFriday design; but it's an authentic design which can easily allow you to feel as if you've been transported from a place far, far away from a parking lot in deep South Philly.
Oh - if you're a plushie, you'll be extra happy as a 6-foot plushie pig waves and greets you upon entering/exiting the venue... an odd reaction from someone who is watching as cannibals enter to eat their relatives.
But, oh - what yummy relatives they were ;)
Probably more like 3.5 stars, but I'm feeling generous so I'll round up. Yes it's a chain, which, by some standards, should make it lose a point. But sometimes one craves consistency... and cheap, comfort food. As far as chains go, this one is pretty decent.
I'm not a BBQ maniac, so I can't comment on the authenticity of the food, but it is darn tasty. With five sauces to pick from, you kind of can't go wrong (I favor the Sweet and Zesty).
Also, I like a good deal. The lunch/early bird special (do you have to be a senior citizen to use "early bird" in a sentence?) is a ton of food for less than $8 or $9. Their BBQ chicken salad is also incredibly tasty (get the dressing on the side, otherwise they douse it) and comes in a huge portion. Plus, on every receipt is a voucher for a free dessert for your next visit. Try the bread pudding.
Stars are definitely lost for poor service in the dining room. If you go on a weekend at dinner time, you'll have to wait to be seated. You'll also probably have slow or disinterested service. However, sitting in the bar area during non-peak hours has always resulted in superb service for us.
The decor is silly and the atmosphere is laid back. I like that. It's BBQ after all.
My brother and I endeavor good restaurants, and Famous Daves sums up all the good qualities a restaurant should have. The food was great, the originality was great, and the service was really good, although I got a hint that the waitress was flirting with my brother. The entire front entrance of the building was packed with people, so I thought I wasn't gonna be able to eat. With a western style interior, the picture of the pig holding a rack of ribs kinda threw a bad vibe my way. I also got good phone service inside so i was happy. I love this place.
I don't really like or claim to "know" BBQ - but for a chain restaurant this place is good enuf for me. I usually get the lunch size BBQ chicken. The cornbread/muffins are like cupcakes - so sweet and good. The spicey green beans are too hot for me - and the beans are mushy.
I do like the place for my 3 year old - there is alot of "flair" all over the walls - camping, hunting and fishing.
The bathrooms are labelled setters and pointers. (Bah-duhm-bump...)
It's very, very inexpensive and makes for a good gift-card gift. I gave Famous Dave's gift cards to my cleaning lady and babysitter last Xmas and they loved that!
They also served 4 or 5 kinds of BBQ sauce. The original is my fave - and the sweet one is also nice - but it is quite sugary.
Try it once - but this is not a pit-masters haven. It is a TGI Fridays with a BBQ theme.
Pig, pig pig pig, pig pig pig.
Goofy fishin' n huntin' decor surrounds surprisingly good ribs. The smallest rib platter (for adults) included four or five giant pork ribs, corn on the cob, corn muffin, and two sides of my choice.
Everything was good, but the bbq sauces are not quite hot enough for a teflon-tongue like me. The service was excellent.
Likely the only place in Philly where a belly-busting dinner for six including a few beers runs less than $100.
for a chain BBQ joint, this is plenty alright. in fact, for a spell there, we were here most saturdays, as the kid thought this was an awesome night out. (3 year olds are easy that way.)
the waitstaff is generally friendly and fast, and the food is reliably the same.
sure, that might not sound like a resounding huzzah or anything--but it's better than a stick in the eye, culinarily-speaking.
MARCH 3rd 2007 UPDATE: CITY'S BEST 2007: BAR-B-Q
If you've never tried this place, you should give it a shot. (Unless you are a Republican Prime Rib type diner.)
This is a bit kitschy. Okay not a bit. It's totally kitsch. You are dining in a 'log cabin' with fishing hooks, checkered tablecloths, a roll of paper towels and meat in a basket.
But I was so surprised how great the ribs were. Now I'm not condoning you to order pasta or other things you know they are not known for. You need to be getting these ribs.
Now if you want real character and real BBQ that doesn't come from a corporation, you wouldn't be here.
Here's what to order if you want to try:
Famous St. Louis Ribs dinner, which includes corn bread muffin, corn-on-the-cob and choice of two sides (Potato Salad, Creamy Coleslaw, Wilbur Beans, Drunkin' Apples, Famous Fries, Firecracker, Green Beans (w/bacon), Garlic Red-Skin Mashed Potatoes) all for about $12.
WARNING: Kid's meals mean you can the same amount of ribs as God took from Adam. . . . .That would be one.
I first ventured to Famous Dave's in the winter of 2006.
I have been nothing but pleased with the my meals as well as the service.
The locale is VERY casual don't come dressed to impress unless you enjoy having BBQ sauce stains on your fancy duds.
FD offers a selection of BBQ sauces suitable for every one. Cornbread is fantastic. And they even offer balloon animals for the Kids.
I recommend the Pork BBQ, Salmon as well as the BBQ chicken.
End it all with a nice warm slice of Pecan Pie a la mode.
I helped some friends move awhile back and afterwards we went to town on this place...Got the 50 dollar combination feast of frenzy...I'm talking pork, ribs, corn, corn bread...even those wet napkins.....Not to get into the Best BBQ you've ever had...it's more like Ms. BBQ right now style..
Having grown up in the South, I know good barbecue . . . and, surprisingly this place ain't bad! The barbecue pork is tasty and the sides are delicious. The sauce variety is good, but there needs to be at least one vinegar-based really hot sauce added to the mix. Service was good, fast and friendly. I'd definitely go back again.
Now now my fellow Yelpers...let's not throw FD under the bus here. After all..which would you rather...McD's or cheap but ediable ribs? I mean with this place at least you know where the meat is coming from...and you can have a beer to wash it down!
I know it's not fantastic...not going to say it is...but it is alright. It's cheap...and after a day of shopping at IKEA it's much better than eating the food there!
I personally go for the rib tips...not touching involved(I'm not a big fan of touching ANYTHING!) The drunkin apples remind me of grade school, remember the hot apple whatever it was that sometimes came as dessert...yummy! The hot sauces...well...I'll be really frank here...they suck. They are not hot. I have tried everyone and they all remind me of taco sauce.
I'm still giving it 4 stars for the effort...at least they try. OH...and at least they don't cost an arm and a leg!
From my semi-suburban, semi-charmed kind of youth, I remember the excitement of a new chain restaurant hitting town.
That's kind of what Famous Daves brought to Philadelphia BBQ-lovers. Only, it took three attempts to actually get in. Anything on Columbus Avenue attracts a crowd that makes me want to run for the hills. Famous Daves, no exception.
Yes, their food is good. But seriously, all you need for successful BBQ is good sauce and meat. I think this place lacks character, and the fact that they serve some of their dishes on an upside down garbage pail lid is the the dumbest slob marketing move since Lonestar Steak encouraged its diners, "No really, THROW your peanut shells on the floor; we don't care."
Chain BBQ works, but it's missing the point. Even as Tommy Gunn's left Center City, spots like Ron's Ribs beckon your call much more than this place, where you'll be given a vibrating pager, and asked to wait as for 35 minutes.
Barbeque enthusiasts keep passin' it by.
What can I say about Famous Dave's? Let me begin by saying that my father hails from the HOME of yummy barbeque (Memphis), so I know what good barbeque tastes like. Usually, I can't stand barbeque chicken - you know the kind you get at a cookout, that somebody's uncle has put WAAAAY too much sauce on? FD's chicken is really good, and not too saucy. Their ribs are good too - really meaty and not too fatty (yuck). This is really the only restaurant where I'll even order ribs, simply b/c they're so messy. I like the variety of sauces at each table, although I wish they'd give you real napkins and not paper towels. The cornbread is pretty good too.
Their cornbread is amazing. Though I am not all gung-ho about BBQ, I will admit that Famous Dave's is pretty good. With their 6 blends of BBQ sauce from mild to "call the fire department, my mouth is on fire." They are sure to have flavors that will please your taste buds. And the cornbread is pretty good. I even liked their bread pudding, and I don't like bread pudding in general!
There are some things that I don't want from a chain restaurant: 1) fish 2) food poisoning and 3) BBQ (minus ribs from Chili's). I just feel that a BBQ place should be a small shack with a slow cooker in the middle, serving up corn bread and all the extra sauce you can get. Maybe I'm spoiled because I have had some great out of the way BBQ experiences in Southern states, but to me Dave should not be famous, at least not for his BBQ.
Combine the two reviews before mine and you'll know everything you need to know about FD. The decor is freaky and so is the clientele. The food is cheap and yummy enough for non-BBQ experts. I like the food here, but the location is so out of the way that I never come. It's definitely not enough of a reason to go to the bottom of Del Ave.
For a chain it's pretty decent. The prices, especially that lunch special is well worth it. You always walk home with extra unless you stuff your face or,are capable of eating large quantities of food. The ribs are where it's at. The brisket for whatever reason is better the next day ,reheated and their chicken is pretty tender. The sauces are all OK but the sweet and sassy one is bang on. Screw their texas cue. It's like someone just dropped pepper on some Shoprite bbq sauce. Their service lately has stunk up the roof. So much so that I've considered not going there, but when it's kind of the only cue place in town. You just gotta roll with the bad deals. I have my trick to getting good service, but I wont list it here. I want to add, I dont know where their smoke pit is because they tout themselves as having one.. You can see right into the kitchen and have failed to see it. Maybe it's hidden away somewhere.
the ribs aren't bad. sometimes they're good, sometimes the just suck. the two things i love about famous dave's are the funny as heck t-shirts they wear and Hank's vanilla cream soda. man, i love that stuff. the rating would be higher, but it seems for me anyway that it's hit or miss. i love it or hate it. desserts are good also. pecan pie and this brownie thing with vanilla ice cream...ala mode baby!!