Famous Dave's is open!

After a last minute decision to hit the Point on Memorial Day, my son and I decided to drive down on Sunday night. It was pouring when we got there, but we decided to head to Famous Dave's. located in the former "Boathouse" building. The walk was wet, but not too bad.

The place has really changed. It looks just like the other Dave's locations. The false ceiling is gone and the bathrooms are no longer in the hall. There are walls dividing the dining area into three sections plus a bar area so the views to the water have been reduced.

There was about a 40 minute wait, but it was worth it. Service was great as was the food. The menu is similar to other locations but the is no double smoked ham offered as a choice. Sorry Boathouse fans, no sweet potato fries on the menu. Prices seem to be higher than other Dave's locations, but that is to be expected. With a beer and tip, my son and I spent $49.

If you like meat, check it out. Make sure to write "sweet potato fries" on the comment card about food you'd like added to the menu.

Edit:Duh. Replaced Labor with Memorial. Thanks. *** Edited 6/2/2004 12:16:32 AM UTC by CoasterBud***

I think you meant to say "Memorial Day" :)

I was at the park on Monday too, and suspected Famous Daves to be open. I wasn't 100% sure though, so I we decided to give Game Day Grill a 2nd try. (Our last visit wasn't so great.) Now I wish I wouldn't have been so lazy about walking over to the Marina.

I don't think I would have wanted to wait 40min. to be seated though. Any chance Dave's will take a reservation?

If you had great service over the weekend, I think you were the exception.

I've been there twice (Sat & Mon) and service was abysmal both times (how does 1 hr 15 min sound for ordering a sandwich - no appetizers, no deserts?) It was so frustratingly bad on Monday (when the place was only half full) I actually took the time to speak with a manager.

Granted, both visits were during "dinner hour" (around 5-6pm) but I can't EVER remember waiting so long at Boathouse (even on the most crowded day, they could seat 2 within 15-20 minutes and you'd be out of there in an hour or so.)

I'll check back with Famous Dave's in a few weeks. Hopefully they'll get the issues ironed out. Sounds like a "fixable" problem, but after two bad experiences, I'll wait until it's "fixed" before returning... BTW, the sandwiches were excellent, once they finally arrived.

As a side note, I DON'T like the interior. I prefer the more "open" seating of Boathouse, where everyone could see the water, check out the boats, gaze at Millennium Force, etc. Those new walls block most of the great views! What a waste... The good news is that they seem to have a outdoor patio. The bad news is that the Mayflies never really go away, do they? LOL! I'm sure the bees will like that BBQ sauce too...

I went on Memorial Day and was really surprised. It was my first time at a "Dave's" and I was impressed. The food was great and the portions were huge. The atmopshere was great and I looking foward to visiting the bar, espcially since I saw Maker's Mark stocked at the bar.

At first i wasn't too happy about the switch over, but after having a great lunch there I welcome the change.

On the other hand I was really disappointed with the Game Day Grill. The menu was just ok, and the decor felt kinda cheesy. All of the pictures on the walls were cool but the wallpaper boarder has to go.

Famous Dave's = Good food, good times

Game Day Grill = Only if they have a game on where a team from Detroit will lose. :)

That hurts, Dan. That hurts a lot.

Go Pistons!!! :)

If it were me (and I know it wasn't) I would have torn down the old Boathouse and started from scratch.

It would have been two stories with the lower floor being administrative office space for the Marina and Personnel/Purchasing. The Personnel office is insufficient for what they do and the building is just an eyesore.

The second floor of my new building would have then been the restaurant...offering terrific views of the Marina and Sandusky Bay...or the Park. (Anyone who has been to Damon's on the other side of the bay will get a sense of what my restaurant would have looked like.)

But, nobody asked my opinion and if they had they wouldn't have done it anway.

Hey Scott that comment was directed towards two individuals who live in Michigan.

Walt, you gettin' any photos up soon?

EDIT: No need to though, I'll be seeing it for my self on Sunday :)

*** Edited 6/3/2004 2:02:50 AM UTC by Topthrill420*** *** Edited 6/3/2004 2:03:11 AM UTC by Topthrill420***

I have outdoor photos that I took on Saturday before they opened. I'll have them up soon.

Those pictures are up in the gallery. Indoor shots coming soon.

reason why people cant go on MF, becuase in a theme park website there talking about food sorry if thats mean, but it is what it is

So eating at an amusement park automatically equals obesity?

no, TALKING about eating at an amusement park does

Hahah...

Anybody check out famouse dave's during the fireworks show. Its pretty cool, The lights on the famous dave's sign flash to the beat of the song. I think that is really neat. That's CP for you, They make even the smallest thing, really great.

Like the Maker's do ya Dan? You're a man after my own Kentucky Wildcat heart. GO CATS! ;)

Having made some "less than positive" comments regarding Famous Dave's after their opening weekend, I thought I'd post an update.

I gave them a few weeks as I said I would, and returned last week. Service was excellent, kitchen quick, food superb. Went back again. And again. And again. The 4 dinners were excellent, better than Boathouse on every aspect (except the "view", which I really miss -- TAKE DOWN THOSE WALLS, Mr. Famous Dave... LOL)

The management at Famous Dave's made vast improvements in a short time in my opinion. You earned your kudo's and my future business. P.S. If you like Cedar Point memorabilia, check out the walls. Also, make sure you look "inside" the tables around the bar.

Man,

I am drooling just thinking about daves ribs.

I didn't want to start a new topic about this, but there is a new Famous Dave's that is going to be built on Lorain Road in North Olmsted. Its going to be in one of the shopping centers because there was a sign on Lorain Road saying Famous Daves coming soon...Just wanted to let people know that who live in the Cleveland area.

Just curious, randinator - where at on Lorain Rd.?