Famous Dave’s BBQ Shack

Oh well… Good while it lasted. Not sure why beaverton can’t seem to support a joint like this. I never had a bad meal here, the service was quick and the price fair enough.

I really liked Famous Dave’s but I went by the Cedar Hills location today and they appear to be closed. Signs are down and everything.

Closed for business. RIP.

GOOD SERVICE AND DECENT BBQ. I hail from the South so I have high standards for BBQ. For the Pacific NW, the BBQ is good. Podnah’s in Portland is probably the best BBQ in the Portland area. The service is excellent here and this place is probably better suited for nachos and beer than a traditional BBQ experience.
Our party ordered the BBQ nachos with chicken which were good. Then we moved onto Texas brisket, fried catfish, and chopped pork. The brisket was OK but on the dry side. The catfish was probably the highlight and fried well. The chopped pork was different, pulled pork is the mainstay of the South.
The sides were average, the coleslaw was good. In Texas, onions, pickles, and jalapeños are customary at most places. Here you have to ask for them. One odd thing is that they have 6 different sauces per table. They range from sweet to very hot. However, 2 – 3 taste almost identical. They might be better served limiting the sauces to three. Also, a few more suggestions would be pickling and canning their own pickles and peppers, the store bought stuff is barely passable. Overall, I would visit the place to grab beer and appetizers like nachos but head to Podnahs for a serious BBQ itch.

Despite still being listed on the Famous Dave’s website, this location has apparently closed. We drove by to eat here last night, and it is gone. Sad.

A fast food version of the restaurant. Order at the counter, they bring you out the food. If you like the restaurant, you will like this mini-​version. Service was very friendly and fast. Multiple televisions for viewing. The food was tasty. Brisket was done right, tender and flavorable. Had the appetizer order of ‘burnt ends with cheese’ which consists of rib end pieces covered in melted cheese… delish.

A rate of high stars, not necessarily for the food (although good for a «chain”-type place!) but more for the service.
My husband is out of town and feeling lazy, I went in for a quick salad and onion straws (yum!)
The man behind the counter was super sweet and asked about my day, which I like, being in the (beauty) service industry myself — I appreciate the small things like that because I have to do it all day, everyday as well. The woman who then gave me my to go order, showed me what I got and gave me extra sauce and even remembered my name.
It’s shit like that that makes me like a place. It’s not fancy schmancy food, but the service was fantastic and made me think «I’ll Unilocal review this!» :)

Not sure if I would rate this a 3.5 or a 4
It seems to have an identity crisis. There is what looks was supposed to be a drive through that is not in use on one side. Which might be a good thing. The crew was a tad overwhelmed for the evening. Maybe a little understaffed. The food was perfect and exactly what we wanted. While it seems to be quick serve, they bring you your order to the table. While not out of the norm it seems like the chains restaurant roots are trying to work some of their style here. It’s just a little confusing as the prices are about what you would see at a full
service restaurant, maybe they should be a bit more streamlined. We will come back, but I think take out might be an even better option. It is good BBQ, so you will get some good food, just be ready for a unique experience.

I really like this place because of the potions and the price. The service here is really great. So I enjoy coming here. I’m not too crazy about the ribs here. So I go when there’s a .50 cent wing special and when there’s other special deals. Overall I’m happy coming in and leaving this place!

I have gone here twice and had excellent service both times. The employees were kind, helpful, and the environment was clean.
The food was tasty and filling. The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 is because I felt like the price was somewhat high for fast food. However, I would definitely go again.
Keep up the great service!

Brought my kiddo here for dinner last week and was pleasantly surprised. I admit it, I am suspicious of good BBQ coming from anything resembling a chain. The staff was fantastic, it was my first time and they helped me navigate the menu, made suggestions, and were very friendly. Staff came by several times while we were eating to see how things were. I love all the sauces, so fun to try them all. Is it earth shatteringly good? No. But it’s a great bbq meal in what I thought would be a strip mall experience. They’d need an incredible, vinegary potlikker greens to satisfy my desire for truly intense, great offerings, but the meat was fine, and my kid is very happy they have Kraft Mac n’ Cheese (sigh). ;) I’ll have to try out more items to see if I should raise my review. But I will be honest, a good sauce, for good or ill, can cover a lot of error, fixes it in the mix, so I am easy to please if good sauce is available.
I’ll be back there soon, probably on the early side again to avoid any long waits. It’s nice to have something in Beaverton that is good, with Reo’s clear out in the SE boonies, now.

I decided to give Dave’s a go again and because of the staff they now have I will say my opinions have changed dramatically. So thanks for hiring much more friendly people who know what customer service is about.
So, with that said — disclaimer as to why I won’t eat there again though. I received a free BBQ sauce and the first ingredient is high fructous corn syrup so it is in everything they make.

okay I have been here twice… and never again. The first time they were slammed… beyond slammed so I ignored the the staff being obviously frazzled… it happens to the best of us. The food was messed up and I tried to fix it but the people behind the counter were less than helpful. OK I understand…
The second time I went I was meeting up with a friend who was driving from out of town. I sat down at a table to wait since she was 10 – 15 mins away. I was approached by a rather unpleasant employee stating that I have to order before I can sit, I can not just ‘hang out” without ordering something. I said I was sorry but I was awaiting a friend who was bout 15 mins away and that as he could see I was in a walking cast, I just needed to sit. The employee then stated that «seating is for CUSTOMERS ONLY… and as I had not purchased anything I needed to leave or buy my meal now!!!“also they stated that this is a first come first serve for seating and I was taking a table from paying customer. If I can not stand for any length of time I could leave or go wait out side or in my car.
I was stunned… since there were only like 4 tables being used and only about 5 – 7 people in line… I did not think I was taking the seat of an actual customer.
so the employee actually escorted me out of the store and said I could wait 10 feet from the entrance as to not impede any «paying customers». Ummmmmm okay. I am not a beggar or a vagrant hanging out awaiting the kindness of strangers. I was waiting for my friend so we could have lunch and catch up after not seeing each other for over a year. I hobbled to my car to sit after waiting around for 10mins and sat until my friend arrived. She was 7 month pregnant and super hungry since she got stuck in traffic and the wee one inside of her was wanting food and wanting it NOW. After I told her what happened we tried to look for another BBQ place that was quick to get to since the baby was craving BBQ and would not accept anything else…
We walked in and I told my friend what I wanted, gave her my cash and that I needed to sit, my ankle was KILLING ME (after waiting out side for 10 mins before hobbling to my car.) I was approached again by the same employee. Who told me to get up and get out. I had been warned about sitting before I ordered. I looked totally confused… there was LOTS of open seating and my friend was actually paying for our food at that very moment. As I am trying to explain this… She walks up and sets down our drinks and silverware. My friend is 6ft tall and 7 months preggers… she was taking no shit. she informed the employee that I was injured to the point that she being preggers decided to go get the food… and that we had paid there were plenty of seats and we would be eating. the employee finally let us be. though the whole time we were glared at. The baby wanted BBQ so we dealt with that. We sat for a while and then got grief because we did not leave within 10 mins of finishing… we were talking. The same said employee from earlier comes over and suggests that we leave since we are done… (it has only been 15 mins since we finished) so my preggers friend stood up and said fine we shall buy something else so we can finish our conversation, marched over and bought some dessert. She finished that and we left… We were not impressed with the food, they got half the order wrong… but afraid of what they would do to our food if we complained we just dealt with it. I have never been treated so horribly by an employee for no reason what so ever. I can only give one star I wish I could give negative stars…
do not give these people your money go somewhere else and find better bbq elsewhere.

This place has been open for about a year and half now, and while I had hoped it would rise up and be one of the go-​to places on Cedar Hills for lunch, it hasn’t. The few times I’ve been in since they opened, it seems like they’ve added two main ingredients to their business: more money and more grease. The food is more expensive, and it’s much greasier. (I suppose I should note that I’ve also been had a couple visits to traditional FD locations in this amount of time as well, and their food is not as greasy.)
Higher prices, higher risk of heart attack: minus a star from my original review.

Not the best bbq ever, but for what it is, bbq on the go (in the NW) it’s good. I wish they would serve just two extra of the things here at this smaller version that they do of their bigger restaurants, the mustard relish and collard greens. The food is a tad pricy for fast casual, but what you are getting is worth the money.

Noisy, crowded, slow, and nothing unique about the food.
Who said they were famous anyway?
Waiters were nice but overworked.
Pretty pricey for what you get.
We will not return.

I’ve had better barbecue elsewhere even from food stands. The flavor is lacking and it’s very similar to a KFC except for ribs. I like the ribs to have more flavor other than you average BBQ sauce. Overcooked ribs isn’t helpful either
I’ve also tried the catfish. It was alright, not quite crispy enough or well seasoned. Also overcooked

First things first — this used to be El Pollo Loco thus the drive-​thru. No, FDB will not be using this obviously since their food takes longer than a fast food joint.
Anywho, this place is a solid 3.5 but I can’t bump it to four otherwise. It’s kind of pricey for other options in the area but if I’m in a BBQ mood I’m heading here.
I got myself the beef brisket and opted for the mac & cheese and mashed potatoes with gravy as my sides. The brisket was well cooked and the tables have a variety of sauces to use. I’m a drowner — as in I drooooown my meat in sauces — so this is a definite perk to me.
The mac & cheese has a jalapeño in it (not mentioned on the menu FYI) which is tasty with a pleasant kick too it. The potatoes are… pototoes with decent gravy. The cornbread was very delicious — moist and sweet.
Like I said, a bit pricey if you want a decent meal but it’s quick and good otherwise.

I’m a Barbeque lover working in Beaverton. This is a bad combination. No Russell Street BBQ or Smokehouse 21 in sight for lunch, so Famous Dave’s it is.
They offer a decent selection of meats, from brisket to ribs to hot link sausage and others. The quality of the meat is good for fast food land, but it will not blow you away. The options for sides are traditional, high carb dishes, but they do offer steamed broccoli, so kudos there.
The combo plate is a good value, but beware of the upgrade pricing for some of the meats, like the ribs. Speaking of the ribs, they were smoky and tender and better than some higher-​class joints. The brisket is just OK, but the sausage is pretty good.
Other positives: The cashiers and staff are personable and there is a choice of 6 different hot sauces. Other negatives: The tables are often sticky and sometimes they are not bussed promptly.

This appears to be a case of «new business working the kinks out.» I hope.
Walking in, there were literally about 15 people behind the counter, probably 15 in front of the counter in a weird jumble (there’s no obvious line formation), and nothing happening. Finally a cashier stepped up; then another, and things started slowly happening.
The food was pretty decent. I tried a ¼ lb of the Georgia chopped pork, garlic mashed red potatoes, and baked beans. The BF had a burger and fries. We got some corn muffins to sample and take home for later. We love cornbread. The meat was good, tender and juicy and comes with BBQ sauce on the top. There are also 6 bottles of various sauces, all of different spice and sweetness levels, on the table, so I think it would be cool to let the meat come un-​sauced to the table so the customer can try sauces to their liking. Potatoes were good, and creamy, nicely garlicky. The beans had several nice pork chunks in it but a definite jalapeño flavor overwhelmed them. I don’t think I’d get those again. BF said the burger was good and the fries were «kick-​ass,» which I know to be pretty high praise from him. Corn muffins were yummy too, with a tinge of honey sweetness.
Also, points for a roll of paper towels at the table. Good one. Really, what brings this down a bit is just the service. Everyone was friendly, to be sure, but there was a whole lot of running in circles. It looked like some people didn’t know what they should be doing at any given time, and that’s probably because they looked to be way over-​staffed. The adage of «too many cooks in the kitchen» comes to life. Also, I walked up to ask for a to-​go container, and stood there for a good 5 minutes while the manager looked at me once… twice…three times… finally said «do you need something?» Service that is a little more focused and clear would help tremendously. Hopefully in time this will work out.