Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que (To Go Only) — Restaurant in Fargo

Our party of 9 had dinner this evening 5/4/19 first we were told a 30 min. wait, the restaurant was not busy and there were many empty tables. So we waited. When we were seated we were brought a tray of food that wasn't ours we hadn't even picked up pur menus yet. We were then asked right away if we were ready to order, we said no, we haven't even looked at our menu or ordered drinks yet. At this point we had only been at our table about 2 minutes. We eventually ordered and waited a very long time for our appetizers and then another 45 min for our dinner . Once it arrived our friends salad had ROTTEN VEGIES in it so she aske for something else and that was after the second salad. My sisters dinner came out and her potato was cool, it couldn't even begin to soften the cheese that was on it, she ate a couple bites, ate one bite of brisket and then o e bite of the bread that was under the brisket, she then started gagging and spit out the bite, the bread had an old rancid oil tast, she then started to throw up and ran to the bathroom where she lost the few bites she had taken in the toilet! The waitress apologised and told the manager (Erick) , when the manager finally came to our table we explained what had happed and how it tasted and that she threw up, he just kept telling us that that was just brisket juice! Well now..... I have grown up in restaurants and have been a cook, server, manager and owner of several successful restaurants, and I can guarantee that that was not brisket juice, it was rancid oil! My sister returned her meal, and couldn't begin to even take another bite. We got our check and the manager had only taken a small discount off my sisters meal, he was going to still charge her for a meal that made her throw up and that she had returned almost completely in eaten! So we called him back, that was unacceptable. So he did end up not charging her, she told them she wanted to pay for her drink, but he said that she didn't need to. So that issue was fixed kinda, the manager never said sorry once, he was new, only there for 2 weeks and I feel really didn't have the training to handle the situation . Let's face it, my sister threw up, it ruined our entire evening! My families meal was cool not hot, and really was not up to par either. Had the manager handled it correctly, by cancelling her check completely , offered a discount or dessert for what we all went through, we might have given them a second chance , but we will NEVER go back again. I would encourage all to speak up if something isn't right, these restaurants need to be accountable for their product and service! It's the only way they can get better. Leave reviews, contact managers, and owners if they don't listen. Becouse in the end, it's us the customers that are the only reason they are...

This place has always had great food, but I get more takeout than dine-in, and I guess I need to keep it that way.

This past weekend my small family of 3, including 1 late-elementary child, tried going out for an early supper. They had other guests but weren’t that busy yet.

We were barely greeted when we came in. The hostess who had been there the whole time finally looked up and asked us how many, we told her 3, and then the manager came up and started barking at her, loud and rudely, right in front us, to stop seating in section xx and only seat in yy for now.

So she seats us. At a huge round table designed for 6. When she asked if that was ok, I was honest and said no. Her other option was another huge round table designed for 6 but with only 3 chairs at it. I brought to her attention that we’d have to either sit in a row and have no opportunity for eye contact, or sit across a huge table from each other and not be able to hear.

About this time the manager comes up. I summarize the problem for him. He informed us this was their only option. I asked if we could have one of the 3-4 booths for 4 that were right ahead of us & empty? No. They aren’t seating there right now. I let him know then we’d have to find somewhere else to eat, because I wasn’t paying for a dining experience where I can’t even talk to my family. We left.

The hostess isn’t entirely at fault here - it’s a management problem. They manager couldn’t find a more customer-focused way to handle his staff sections/balance problems. The hostess was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Management should also NEVER speak to staff that way in front of any customers. I nearly turned on my heel when I heard the way he talked to her in front of guests.

Our Mexican meals we found for supper that night were excellent, with...

Previously I gave them a 5 star review, not because the bbq is awesome but simply because the food was good and the quality was consistent and always good service. The last few times however it's slipped. On 2 recent trips but previous to our last visit, everything was ok except for the hot link. At best warm on the Inside but charred on the exterior. This last trip, everything was ok, including the hot link but the brisket was tough. Not shoe leather tough but tougher than it should be. Then there was the matter of sauces. Sweet and zesty, rich and sassy and devils spit was all that was available. No Georgia mustard no Texas pit. We were told that they had "run out of the others". Now another complaint about the setup. You order now at what was essentially the hostess station and you get a number to put on the table you select. This is similar in a way to some family bbq joints i know in Texas. No problem. But the sauces are now in a dispenser, between the soda fountain and the glasses. Awkward at best but damned inconvenient. You can't get sauce if someone is getting a drink and vice versa. I understand covid precautions but with the square footage of the dining room, every other table blocked off and that at 8 pm on a Friday at the maximum only 5 tables were occupied, I think there's room to spread things out a little more. I guess what I'm saying is, it seems like this place has gotten lazy. At 61 bucks and change without tips for dinner and sodas for 3, no appetizers or alcohol, ill just start going somewhere else. You can buy their sauce at Walmart or make your own easily enough. I have a grille and a smoker at home. If I really want brisket, I can...