What Is Memphis Style Bbq Famous Dave's

So picture this: you walk into a restaurant, your stomach already growling like a feral cat, and someone hands you a menu that literally makes you emotional. That's basically the experience of sitting down at Famous Dave's and ordering their Memphis-style barbecue. If you've never had it, buckle up — because we're about to take a delicious detour through one of America's greatest culinary traditions.

First Off, What Even Is Memphis-Style BBQ?

Memphis-style barbecue is what happens when slow-smoked meat meets a love affair with dry rub spices and tangy sauces. It originated in Memphis, Tennessee, a city that has basically declared war on bland food since the early 1900s. The magic lies in the technique — low and slow cooking over wood smoke until everything is tender enough to make you weep into your paper towel.

Unlike their Texas cousins who keep things simple with just beef and smoke, Memphians like to mix it up with pork as the star of the show. Pork ribs are king here — specifically dry-rubbed baby back ribs that get coated in a secret blend of spices before ever touching a sauce. And when sauce does show up, it's not some afterthought; it's a vinegar-and-tomato based concoction that hits your tastebuds like a slap from a Southern grandmother with love in her heart.

Famous Dave's Tosses Its Hat in the Ring

Now enter Famous Dave Anderson, a barbecue entrepreneur who took one look at the smoky landscape of American BBQ and said, "I want some of that." Founded in 1994, Famous Dave's has grown from a rustic eatery in Hayward, Wisconsin, to over 130 locations across the country. The man knew what he was doing — and apparently, what he was doing was wrapping sauces and rubs around seasoned meat like a hug from heaven.

Famous Dave's-menu trumpets Memphis-style ribs as one of its flagship offerings, and honestly, they deliver. The ribs come slathered or rubbed — you get to choose your adventure, which is either the best or worst decision of your weekend. Either way, you'll walk out with sauce on your elbows and zero regrets.

Dine-In Menu: Award-Winning BBQ Restaurant | Famous Dave's DMV

What Makes Their Memphis-Style BBQ Special?

The secret sauce — pun absolutely intended — is the signature rub blend that Famous Dave's uses on their pork. Think smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic, onion, and a whisper of cayenne that sneaks up on you later. It creates a caramelized crust on the ribs that makes you question why you ever bothered with plain salt and pepper.

Then there's the sauce situation, which is basically the Swiss Army knife of condiments. Famous Dave's offers a range of sauces from sweet to spicy, including their classic sweet and zesty option that perfectly complements the smoky depth of the pork. You could eat the sauce with a spoon, and we wouldn't judge you — okay, we'd judge you, but lovingly.

Famous Daves Platters NEW BBQ Platters! Firetap Alehouse

Don't sleep on their pulled pork either, because it's shredded to perfection and packed with that same Memphis DNA. It arrives in a fluffy bun or piled high on a plate, waiting to be destroyed by your enthusiasm. Pair it with their coleslaw, and you've got a plate that would make any pitmaster nod in approval.

The Sides Deserve Their Own Standing Ovation

Here's a fun fact that will blow your mind — Famous Dave's serves bread that's basically a biscuit-hybrid glazed with garlic butter. It's called the famous cornbread muffin, and it's so good it should be illegal in at least three states. Meanwhile, the mac and cheese is so creamy it should carry a small warning label about potential happiness overflows.

Famous Daves Barbecue

The big pests and fries — sorry, big pests — are actually their fried green beans, and yes, they're as dangerously addictive as French fries. Add a side of baked beans slow-cooked with pork and spices, and your plate starts looking like a graduation ceremony where every side got a diploma for excellence. It's a full-on feast, and you're the valedictorian for showing up.

So Should You Try It?

If you're wondering whether Memphis-style BBQ at Famous Dave's is worth the trip, the answer is a resounding yes — with extra napkins. You'll experience the time-honored traditions of Memphis barbecue without having to book a flight to Tennessee, which honestly saves you the hassle of explaining barbecue to your taxi driver anyway.

At the end of the day, Memphis-style BBQ at Famous Dave's is a celebration of smoke, spice, community, and that beautiful Southern belief that more is more. Whether you're a lifelong barbecue enthusiast or someone who just Googled "why do my ribs taste bland," this experience will fix everything. So grab your friends, bring your appetite, and prepare to discover that life is, in fact, better with sauce on it.