Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que

Ordered to-go from Famous Dave’s in El Centro and had a great experience. The food was delicious and packed well. Staff were friendly and efficient when I picked up my order. The location is convenient, close to my hotel and right near the shopping mall and shopping strip, which makes it easy to stop by. Nice, upscale area and a solid choice if you’re craving good BBQ.

As I entered, I was immediately greeted and seated. I was looking to try to fried chicken with barbecue but they were out. I opted for the chopped pork. I was hoping for something juicier but overall tasty. If you had to put a sauce on it, I'd recommend the Devil Spit: wonderfully smokey with just a kick of heat. I chose the mac'n'cheese as my side. I was informed there was jalapeño in it but did not expect there was also corn. It a decent but had it a better cheese crust on top, it really would've been better. Overall, it was a great deal for quality barbecue. Crystal was my server and was very friendly. She seemed to be very on top of her whole section, checking in to make sure all her tables were doing well.

The 4-piece fried chicken meal here was excellent and worth recommending. The chicken was hot, crispy, and seasoned well, with a good balance of crunch and tenderness. The mac and cheese was creamy and rich, with a noticeable buttery flavor that paired well with the meal. The chili was hearty, flavorful, and had a solid mix of beans and meat, making it a strong side option rather than a simple filler. The cornbread was soft and slightly sweet, rounding the plate out nicely. Portions were generous, the food came out quickly, and everything tasted fresh. Overall, this was a satisfying and well-executed comfort meal. I would return for the chicken alone, but the sides make it an even better value.

Stopped in for lunch. Lunch specials 3 meat combo is a great deal Everything was really tasty and seasoned well. For $20 it was very good and filling. My server was very polite and kept my drink full.

Frankly I didn't like the brisket and the pork rubs were dry and chewy. The bbq sauces are all really sweet. Best thing was garlic mashed potatoes. No I won't go back to this chain. Find a local specialty restaurant instead.