Famous Daves

Invertalon said:
While Dave's is not the absolute best, it is damn good for a chain. I think you simply went on a bad day or something.

Maybe we were just unlucky. But the thing is, there was nothing redeeming about our meal. Even the bun on which the mediocre meat was served tasted like a store brand hamburger bun.

I'm sure we'll give it another shot sooner or later. After all, it took us 3 trips to Chet & Matt's buffet before realizing that it was wildly overrated (though their cooked-to-order pizzas are delicious).

You just reminded me that I have a some frozen Hot Wing and Cheddar pizza from Chet & Matt's in my freezer. Lunch! :)

The most overrated item at Cedar Point right now has to be the "crab fries" at Chickie and Pete's. I was so looking forward to those, but was not impressed at all. The girls loved them, though, so the good news is that with some frozen fries and Old Bay seasoning we can play Cedar Point at home. And they taste better. (thread hijack!)

Really I'm only chiming in because in all our years of going to Cedar Point we have never set foot in Famous Dave's, and I'm convinced to give it a try next time. Somewhere between checking into our hotel and pulling into the drive-thru at Chet and Matt's I forget.

I've eaten at Famous Dave's more than once, and I still say "meh."

It's the Applebees of BBQ joints.

See I don't see how that's a bad thing..BBQ Applebees..or dry greasy quarter pounder (or less) from Sky Ride West..Or a Funnel Cake, etc. or an Ok brisket..and liquor :P

thedevariouseffect said:
See I don't see how that's a bad thing..BBQ Applebees..or dry greasy quarter pounder (or less) from Sky Ride West..Or a Funnel Cake, etc. or an Ok brisket..and liquor :P

I'm with thedevariouseffect. I rarely eat at the park anymore, but if I do, I MUCH prefer Famous Daves over Coasters, Pinks, or any generic place that CP offers. While the quality of food at Famous Daves isn't spectacular, it's still pretty good and WAY better than the options I previously mentioned.

How about sea scallops over a risotto with a johnnie walker or maker's mark on the rocks? Yeah. Bay Harbor FTW.

With the exception of the occasional snack, we never eat in the park due to how consistently awful the food has been in recent years. So comparing FD's to that isn't a strong sell.

:)

Josh - if you like risotto, I might recommend one of Michael Symon's joints in Cleveland. We went to Roast recently, and the lamb risotto was completely unreal. The entire meal was amazing.

I've been wanting to check out one of his places for years now. Closest I've come is I've eaten at 3 different B-Spot locations. Those are some great burgers, with an awesome beer selection.

Gosh, I wish CP had some good dining options IN THE PARK. Although I'm not opposed to dining at the restaurants surrounding the park. Last year, at KI, my first time there, the food was 10x better than CP...they had such a variety, it was insane! I like the cheese steak place by the Diamond Back ride....I'm so going there next week! It's on my to do list...oh yeah!!!

The appeal of Dave's is that, at CP at least, it's not priced insanely, it's not microwaved, and it's reasonably well seasoned food. They get the basics right at least.

stky6 said:
So how are the prices at Famous Dave's....always figure they're high when they have the menu readily available but no prices listed on them.

You can download the current menu with prices here:

http://www.famousdaves.com/media/document/1/cedarpointdineinpdf.pdf

And for that reason, Jeff, I promise to check it out next time we're up at the Point. Although we live in the same reality as dj; we simply never plan on eating a meal while at the park, just grabbing an occasional snack here and there.

At the very least we'll grab some apps and a beer. :)

DSShives said:
Prices at Famous Dave's are not far off from what you would find in their other locations.

Don't agree at all. Unless things have changed the past new years, or, Famous Dave's is ridiculously expensive everywhere.

The one time I went to Famous Dave's at the marina, they wanted almost $20 for a measly 1/3rd slack of ribs. 1/3rd?! That is like nothing. Don't even ask about a half or whole slack.

Never returned.

That comments about knowing what BBQ is and how it should taste is undermined by the fact someone would classify FD as "damn good" BBQ.

The fact remains that CP is in some weird, separate universe when it comes to food & drink. Prices are sky high, the bar for quality is so abysmally low and for some reason, there's not a lot of people that make noise about it. You toss a bottle of their favorite beer in front of them for $8 and not only will they pay it, they will say stuff like the BBQ at FD is good, and the leather & Velveeta cheesteaks at C&P's are delicious.

CoasterFan83 said:
Don't agree at all. Unless things have changed the past new years, or, Famous Dave's is ridiculously expensive everywhere.

The one time I went to Famous Dave's at the marina, they wanted almost $20 for a measly 1/3rd slack of ribs. 1/3rd?! That is like nothing. Don't even ask about a half or whole slack.

Never returned.

What I'm gathering from this, is that you've only been to 1 Famous Dave's, so how can you agree or not agree? For the life of me, I can't remember how much the feast for two cost at the North Olmstead location, but I remember the prices not being too far off from the Cedar Point location. Granted, of course CP's location was more pricey, but for a good BBQ meal, you're going to pay a pretty good price, especially for a slab of ribs

^ As a visitor to both locations like others, I can tell you that the feast for two at the Great Northern spot costs $39 and $41 at CP. A $2 difference. This is the best value on the menu IMO and is what we usually order. For the amount of food you get, you probably could feed three people. I do agree that the $17 price tag for the 1/3 slab is a little steep but only had it once. Hope that helps.

Thank you for confirming that price CPfan1976. It would definitely feed 3 people in my group. We always have so many leftovers because of all of the steak fries they give you, but I would rather not put leftover Famous Dave's in my car for the rest of the day

Jeff said:
The appeal of Dave's is that...

Forgot Booze :P