Famous Dave’s BBQ

This closure does not surprise me. I went when it opened and it was never good again. I had the Manhandler sandwich a few weeks back and couldn’t believe how awful the food was. I don’t like seeing restaurants close or people put out of work, but if you make good food, your restaurant will last. I thought this would be such a good fit for Simi Valley since it’s such such a hick town and people don’t support any kind of good or imaginative food. I’m sure we’ll get something else corporate and shitty with frozen and salty food to replace it…

Since there is not an option for incomplete, I have to give them a single star. My wife and I went in, waited for a good 15 minutes for anyone to come to our table and offer water (or anything for that matter), then decided to leave for a nice burger at Islands (next door). Now if they were busy, I would be understanding… but the place was pretty much empty and the manager was goofing off (I say this as I could see him from my table).

boo! this place closed yesterday!!! we came to get a delicious brisket burger and their famous bbq beans and there was a note on the door that days they shut down! soooo bummed

First timer here and it was a let down… The chicken was okay, but the fries were pretty good. The chicken is moist and the fries were very crispy. However the main dishes like the spare ribs and brisket were lacking. They missed the juiciness and tenderness ribs should have and you expect at bbq joint. It was like biting into something very rigid and sad. I guess it was a warning sign there being so few people there on a Saturday night. Also there could be major improvements on their sauces instead of 6 how about 1 good one? It hurt so much to pay the bill because lack of satisfactory. Warning: pricey.

Have been here a few times and it was ok. Came in tonight with friends and we were all very disappointed. The fact that the place was not crowded on a Saturday night should have been a clue, but we stayed anyway, hoping for the best. The service was good, but the food was very disappointing. The meat we all had was dry, along with the buns. My daughter gagged over the spicy mac and cheese. They brought one meal out while the rest of our party waited another 10 Minutes or so while that one meal sat there getting more cold. The server finally believed us that the diet Pepsi was really Mr. Pub and told us something was wrong with their machine. A little while later she came back with 2 diet Pepsis that they had gone out and purchased! It was an expensive dinner that wasn’t very good and we were all disappointed. Doubt that we’ll be back.

This place has sewage problems and smells like a toxic waste dump. Manager states that there is nothing that can be done about it without major reconstruction. Food sucks too. Dry, old from sitting around and shitty portions on stale bread. Avoid this place.

Some of the BEST BBQ EVER! Wow! This place is great, delicious, and sweeeeet! It’s been a family fave for years now and we always come back. Menu is pretty straight forward with meats and chicken but the sauces are savory! This location is lightly dimmed with traditional country and southern music playing. It gives a vibe that you’re eating out in the south. Super cute décor in the restrooms and eating area. Staff is awesome as well. We’ve never had an issue with bad service and we tip very well for these awesome waiters and waitresses! Don’t forget to ring the bell on your way out! :)

Ultimate burger is always fantastic. I never order anything else because it is soo good. Service usually sucks though and this time the hallway and restrooms smelled like a sewer. My to go order a few weeks ago also came out completely wrong. But at least they burger is awesome.

If I could give zero stars I would. 3 of us traveled to Famous Dave’s tonight. Got there at 8, sat at an empty booth in the bar section and it seemed like they only had one guy working the whole bar and surrounding area. Waited 15 minutes at the table until he finally brought menus over and then as soon as he hands us the menus he says «Do you know what you want to order?». Seriously… so we say «No, you just gave us the menu.» He shrugs and takes our drink order and we proceed to wait another 15 minutes as he walks back and forth talking to other customers at the bar, all the while never getting our soda and beer. We finally gave up. 30 minutes at a table in front of the guy with no drinks, food, silverware, nothing… we gave up. Famous Dave’s has gone downhill. P. s. their couches in the waiting area are falling apart and look disgusting. I was afraid to sit on them. Gross.

Very disappointed with our takeout dinners !!
I Ordered the brisket and chicken dinners $ 17.49 for the brisket and $ 14 for chicken with two sides. When I got home and opened the brisket container I found 2 ½ ver thin and small slices, one half of a slice was gristle. I hardly believe that that was worth $ 17 had I’ve been at the restaurant I would have complained. The chicken dinner again was adequate.
We’ve had dinner at the restaurant several times and every time dinner and service have been fine.
Next time I’ll check my take out order before I drive home, felt like I got gypped.

I was in Simi Valley and happy to see that there was a Famous Dave’s…the St. Louis ribs were really tasty but the side orders were not acceptable the corn was cold so I sent it back and then it was over-​boiled, The corn muffin was small and cold and they gave me butter that was the size of my my pinky fingernail, then they served (on a dish the size of a custard bowl,)these awful over-​cooked stale chips they called their «homemade potato chips» that were awful. They’re very stingy with their side portions.
The service was awful… server kept coming and interrupting our conversations with just ridiculous,“how’s it going” «how’s your food?»…I mean ridiculous it seemed like it was just a script and very insincere, I finally told her to go away.
I will never return to this place. I’ve been to all of your Famous Dave’s all over the country… but this Dave’s needs a lot of work… what’s going on?
Corporate needs to pay a «Mystery Shopper» visit!!!

I have been to this location several times since it opened.
At first, it started off strong. Great brisket, tender fall off the bone ribs. Great smokey flavor.
However, since that first visit it has gone down hill. Actually, I think my first visit was more of a fluke. As of late, the brisket was anything but flavorful and tender, and the ribs are ridiculously tough. On my last visit, the ribs I was served were so tough that I was attempting to gnaw the meat off the bone like a stray dog.
The location itself has ample and easy parking. Is easy on and off the freeway. And is usually clean. Note that I said usually. I have been in and have seen it pretty bad… Napkins under the table with fries on the floor, crumbs on seats, etc… At a ‘cleaned’ table.
I have heard others mention how much they love this chain of restaurants, but if the Simi location is any indication of the others, I’ll pass.

It seems to get worse every time I come here to the point of actually getting food poisoning from the boneless wings. They came out smelling like a dirty dish towel but I wasn’t sure what that meant and after a few I just knew something wasn’t right. Spent the entire night and next morning in the restroom. This place is disgusting.

Apparently dave’s has changed their «recipe» for the Texas brisket– really just using a cheaper fatty cut. That’s no Texas brisket. Gross.

The atmosphere of the restaurant and The BBQ was just ok, the 5 stars is for the best ever bread pudding!!!

Best BBQ I’ve ever eaten from the lid if a garbage can. I appreciate the décor and the free sauce removal station! While their promotions are a bit difficult to navigate, it’s generally worth it.

Being from the south, this is as close to the south for me in a long time. Excellent food… Excellent service!

Ahhh good ‘olé Famous Dave’s!
The Simi Valley location is near Islands and close to the Simi Valley Town Center Mall. There is a good amount of parking in the area but it can fill up on busy nights.
This location has a small bar and a decent amount of seating in the waiting area. (But once again, it can get full on busy night and you’ll be waiting outside. Also, be sure to listen for your name. The last time, we told them we’d be at the bar waiting. They apparently called our name, didn’t see us and passed us over. If I hadn’t gone up and asked, we would have sat there waiting all night!)
We’ve always found the service to be good and the food to be fresh and tasty. The facility is kept clean and it’s in good condition overall. I’ve always found Famous Dave’s a BIT pricey for the atmosphere and food quality, but not horrible.
Good option when you’re craving BBQ!
4 stars!

This barbecue joint tastes and feels like a fast food barbecue take-​out spot. All the barbecue meats in my opinion are dry and seriously lacking flavor and I mean why would that be if it’s cooking all day and supposedly it’s supposed to be delicious I mean it is barbecue isn’t it. Now I know why some of the other locations are going out of business, because other people have the same opinion as me.

Food was delicious, drinks were strong, service was excellent. This place is also kid friendly which I love.