Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que — Restaurant in Union Gap

One year ago, I gave this restaurant a 5 star review. Sadly, I can't do that again. The crux of the problem: The wait staff member interrupted our meal just after our food was brought out to say she was going home. The place was indeed slow and it made sense that she'd be clocking out. No problem; this happens and we're given a replacement wait staff member. Not so. Instead, she said, "the manager is sending me home," and was insistent that the manager was directing her to settle the check, including tip. The member of our table taking care of the check had to stop eating (while the food was still slightly warm), wipe BBQ sauce off his hands; assemble 4 gift cards and a credit card, review the bill, and process the payment ($175 w/ tax and tip). The wait staff member put a couple of foam take out containers on our already crowded table and dumped a plastic bag with hand wipes on the booth seat. The wait staff member told us there were 2 other wait staff who would see to our needs, but didn't give their names. She put the portfolio that bills and payment go in in one of the foam boxes. [I made sure we didn't use that box and it's in the photo here with the uncollected dirty plates, utensils, napkins, etc.) We never saw another wait staff member (or the "manager") for the remaining 3/4th of our meal. We ordered 4 beers. The wait staff member said it might still be happy hour. That was incorrect. We all got 22 oz. beers, though we weren't asked if we wanted beers this big (I did not). We ordered 2 plates of 12 St. Louis Ribs with sides and 1 order of brisket with sides. The ribs weren't as tender as they usually are, but they were tasty. The brisket was good and the favorite. The sides: mac & cheese, fries and broccoli were standard and okay. The dirty napkins and plates piled up quickly. No one ever came by to clear any of the table or offer water or another drink or ANYTHING. This was a strange dining experience: a cross between table service and take out. Once the bill was closed out, we sat with a big plastic bag and styrofoam go boxes, eating, drinking our beer, and asking what the heck just happened! It felt rushed and, well, odd. As we exited, I asked at the bar to speak to the manager. She was not "the general manager" but was in charge. She didn't introduce herself. She listened, seemed surprised, and told us the wait staff member was not supposed to leave us and go home. The wait staff had told this person in charge that all of her tables were finished. This turned out to be untrue. The person in charge said she didn't know we'd been left without a server. I suggested perhaps she would have known had she circulated the restaurant (nearly empty so it would have taken just a minute). The person in charge said she would address the situation with the wait staff person. I said that wasn't going to salvage our New Year's dining experience. Side note: It was so cold in the establishment that ate in my winter coat, and had to put my knit hat back on. We told the disappearing wait staff member that we were all "popsicles" and she said she would follow up. Doubt that. The restroom was warm. I joked that going to the bathroom was the best part of the meal. 1 star for service. 2.5 for the food [would have been 3 if it didn't get cold in a...

(24 Mrch 2023 - 5 Stars) I've been here a number of times since my last post. Always good food, service & atmosphere. Today was just another "great" visit. Rachel (in the bar) does a fantastic job!! The club member specials are always a hit!

(18 June 2022 - 5 Stars) My wife & I brought my Dad here for a Father's Day meal. Another wonderful meal with excellent service. I had the two-meat combo (Ribs & BBQ Chicken) with the Wilbur Beans and corn muffin. I have never been disappointed here.

(8 April 2022 - 5 Stars) Brought two friends here today who had never been to this brand before. They were extremely happy with the food's taste, quantity, and price. The server also made them feel at home as they asked questions about the menu. I've never been disappointed here.

10/23/2021 (5 - Stars) What can you say? It was a great dinner for my wife & I tonight. Service and food are always great. Love the reward member special meal deals!!

10/05/2021 (5 Stars) Another great meal & experience at this location. The waitress remembered a special request my dad (85 years old) had with his drink (from 6 months ago) and brought his drink that way without being asked. She commented when setting the drinks down how Dad had it that way before. GREAT SERVICE. Also had another 85 year old friend with us today, so we got an "All American Feast" meal. All three of us were happy with the quality, quantity, and taste of the food. All of us took "extra" food home with us - and my wife was happy not to have to cook tonight.

9/22/2021 (5 Stars) I tried the double stack Cheese Burger for the first time tonight. I found it juicy and very tasty. Would order it again.

9/04/2021 (5 stars) Another great meal with excellent service.

6/2021 (5 stars) Great food and great royalty discounts. Had a...

If you're expecting great BBQ, don't. Expect passable BBQ. The ribs are a little chewy (St Louis in particular are hit-or-miss), the brisket is a bit salty though not dry, the sides tend to be warm but not hot (the jalapeno Mac and cheese and cornbread are admittedly quite good:skip broccoli). I've absolutely had worse. It's edible and not embarrassing for chain restaurant BBQ in a region not known for its BBQ.

The service on our recent trip though, was inexcusable. Within a few minutes (literally a few minutes) of delivering our food, the server came and told us she had been cut by her manager, asking us to close out our tab on a (pricey) meal that we had just begun to eat. We were too shocked to process this properly, so we complied and ate the rest of the meal without service: it was like eating takeout but inside the restaurant.

As for the atmosphere, it's open, warehouse-y, with ample TVs and just fine: nothing great or surprising.

Unfortunately, while we have eaten at Famous Dave's half a dozen times or more with varied experiences, we will not be returning for eat-in service; (the takeout has worked well in the past, so that remains an option). We will also be investigating other options for celebrations and BBQ in general going forward.

If you're looking for reliable if mediocre BBQ, you can do worse than Famous Dave's takeout. If you sign up for their mailing list, they have occasionally tempting specials. Otherwise, I'd suggest spending a comparable amount of money on a non-BBQ meal that's likely to provide better food and...