Here is a list of some of the awards that Famous Dave's has won. You can't tell me there aren't other good BBQ restaurants that went up against Famous Dave's:
AWARDS AND HONORS
Few restaurants in history have achieved as much recognition in a few short years as Famous Dave’s.
We don’t mean to brag, but look at the awards and honors we’ve received... so far.
2010
"Best Barbecue" - Reader's Pick - Las Vegas Review Journal Best of Las Vegas - Las Vegas NV - Sonoran BBQ
"#1 Favorite Pork Provocateurs" - Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine Reader's Poll - Minneapolis, MN
"Best Live Music - 3rd Place" - Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine Reader's Poll - Famous Dave's Calhoun - Minneapolis MN
"Best Barbecue" - Reader's Choice - Minnesota Monthly - Reader's Poll - Minneapolis, MN
"Best Bar-B-Que Restaurant" - Mankato Free Press Reader's Choice Online - Mankato MN - Baxter BBQ
2009
"Outstanding Achievement Award" - Famous Dave's Website - Interactive Media Awards, Inc. - Famous Dave's Support Center - Minneapolis MN
"Cleveland's Best BBQ" - 2009 Fox 8 "Hot List" Competition - North Olmsted OH - Buckeye BBQ
"Best People Practices for Casual Dining" - People Report Best Practices - Famous Dave's Support Center - Minneapolis MN
"Best BBQ" Reader's Choice - Daily Sentinel - Grand Junction CO - Basic Food Group
"Best Overall Taste" and "Best Entrée" - Ft. Myers Taste of the Town - Ft. Myers FL - JP's Bar-BQue
"Best Barbeque" - Billings Gazette Reader's Choice - Billings MT - Rocky Mountain Ribs
"Best BBQ" - Phoenix Magazine - Best of the Valley Reader's Poll - Phoenix AZ - Desert Ribs
"Best Ribs - Golden Fork Award" - Fox Cities Magazine - Green Bay/Appleton WI - Team RnB
"Best Wings - Grand Champion" - King of the Wing Competition - Pensacola FL - Fun Yum
"Best Buffalo Wings" - King of the Wing Competition - Pensacola FL - Fun Yum
"Best Barbeque - 2nd Place" - "A" List Denver Online Metroguide - Denver/Thornton CO - Basic Food Group
"Best Bar B Que - 2nd Place" - Quad City Times Reader's Choice 2009 - Davenport IA - Elmore Foods
"Best Restaurant Website" - Web Marketing Association - Minneapolis MN - Famous Dave's Support Center
"Best of Taste" - 2nd Place - Taste of Colorado - Denver/Thornton CO - Basic Food Group
"Most Unique Item - Chocolate Covered Bacon" - Taste of Colorado - Denver/Thornton CO - Basic Food Group
"Best Barbecue Restaurant" - South New Jersey - NJ Monthly Reader's and Critic's Poll - Brick NJ - North Country BBQ
"Best BBQ" Reader's Choice - 2009 "Best of the Best" edition - What's Up El Paso - El Paso TX - Sonoran TX
"Best Catering" Reader's Choice - Lillie Suburban Newspaper - Roseville, Little Canada MN - Roseville MN
"First Place - Sauce" - Critic's Choice - Mansfield Rockin' Ribs - Mansfield OH - Corporate Rib Team Famous Dave's Press Kit
"Second Place - Best Ribs"- Critic's Choice - Mansfield Rockin' Ribs - Mansfield OH - Corporate Rib Team
"Best BBQ" - Taste of Tacoma - Tacoma WA - Utah BBQ
"Best Burger" First Place - City of Tracy 4th of July Picnic - Tracy CA - Star Ribs
"Top Barbecue" Reader's Choice - 5280 Magazine - Denver/Thornton CO - Basic Food Group
"People's Choice Award" - Taste of Fort Collins - Thornton CO - Basic Food Group
"Best Restaurant - Best of the Main Line" - Reader's Choice - Main Line Times/Main Line Suburban Life - Philadelphia PA - Pitmasters
"The People's Choice" - 2009 National Capital Barbecue Battle - Washington DC - East Coast Rib Team
"Best Restaurant" Reader's Poll - Bakersfield Californian - Bakersfield CA - Tacaza
"Best BBQ" Reader's Poll - Bakersfield Californian - Bakersfield CA - Tacaza
"Critic's Choice Greatest Ribs in America" - 1st place - Marc's Great American Rib Cook-off - Cleveland OH - Corporate Rib Team
"Critic's Choice Greatest Sauce in America" - 3rd place - Marc's Great American Rib Cook-off - Cleveland OH - Corporate Rib Team
"Best Barbecue" Reader's Choice - Minneapolis City Pages - Minneapolis MN
"Best Blues Club" - Minneapolis City Pages - Minneapolis MN
"Best Barbecue" - Fresno Bee People's Choice - Fresno CA - Tacaza
"Best Appetizers" - Daily Herald Reader's Choice - Chicago corporate locations
"Best BBQ" - Daily Herald Reader's Choice - Chicago corporate locations
"Best Business Lunch" - Daily Herald Reader's Choice - Chicago corporate locations
"Best Caterer - restaurants" - Daily Herald Reader's Choice - Chicago corporate locations
"Best Comfort Foods" Daily Herald Reader's Choice - Chicago corporate locations
"Best Ribs" - Daily Herald Reader's Choice - Chicago corporate locations
"Best Theme Restaurant" - Daily Herald Reader's Choice - Chicago corporate locations
"Best Place to Work" - Daily Herald Reader's Choice - Chicago corporate locations
"Best Carryout" - Daily Herald Reader's Choice - Chicago corporate locations
"Best BBQ Ribs" - Fresno Bee - Fresno CA - Tacaza
"Best Barbecue Restaurant" - Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine, Reader's Poll - Minneapolis, MN
"Best Barbecue" - Minnesota Monthly - Reader's Poll - Minneapolis, MN
"Best Chili - Professional Division" - 1st Place - Heart of America Chili Challenge - St. Joseph, MO - Concord BBQ
"Best Chili in Missouri" - Missouri State Champion - Heart of America Chili Challenge - St. Joseph, MO - Concord BBQ
2008
"Favorite Barbecue" - Omaha Magazine - Omaha NE - Cutchall Management
"Best Ribs" Readers poll - Best of the Northland - Duluth MN - Baxter BBQ
"Best Ribs" Readers poll - Nashville Scene - Nashville TN - Famous Five Dining
"Cleveland's Best BBQ" - Fox 8 Hitlist - Cleveland OH - Buckeye BBQ
"Best BBQ" and "Best Restaurant" - The Daily Sentinel - Grand Junction CO - Basic Food Group
"Best BBQ" - The Billings Gazette - Billings MT - Rocky Mountain Ribs
"Best Barbeque Restaurant in the Central Valley" - People's Choice - Fresno Bee - Fresno CA - Tacaza
"Best Bar-B-Que" - First Place - Omaha Magazine
"Best of Omaha" 2008 - Omaha NE - Old Market Ventures
"First Place - Chili Cook Off" and "Best Design" Table Set Up - Nautical Mile Chili Cook-Off - Roseville, MI - Blue Ribbon Barbecue
"Best BBQ" - Cityview - Best of Des Moines Magazine - Des Moines IA
"Best Barbecue Restaurant" - Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine - Minneapolis/St. Paul MN
"Best of the West 2008 BBQ" - West Suburban Living Magazine - North Riverside IL
"Best Place for Ribs" , "Best Place for American Cuisine" - Courier-Post Newspaper (South Jersey) - Cherry Hill NJ - Pitmasters
"Silver Spoon Award 2008 - Favorite Barbecue Restaurant" - Minnesota Monthly Reader's Choice - Minneapolis/St. Paul
"Best Blues Bar" - The City Pages Best of the Twin Cities - Calhoun Square, Minneapolis MN
"Best BBQ" - Twin Cities Magazine - Minneapolis/St. Paul
"Best BBQ" - Kane County Chronicle 2008 Reader's Choice - Carpentersville IL
"People's Choice" - Wine, Brews and Blues Festival - Vista CA - Star Ribs
"Best BBQ 2008" Reader's Choice - azcentral.com's 2nd Annual Viewer's Poll - Phoenix AZ - Desert Ribs
"Best Barbecue" - Colorado Springs Gazette - Colorado Springs CO - Basic Food Group
"People's Choice" - Chine National Capital BBQ Battle - Washington DC
"Critic's Choice Ribs", "Critic's Choice Pork", "People's Choice Best Ribs"- Cedar Rapids Barbecue Round Up - Cedar Rapids IA - Corporate Rib Team
"Best of Tacoma in BBQ" - Taste of Tacoma - Tacoma WA - Utah BBQ
"Best BBQ" - AOL City's Best - Milwaukee - Waukesha WI - Team RnB
2007
“Best Ribs – 1st place”; “Best Beans – 3rd place” – Midwest Championship Rib Cook-Off & Activities – Famous Dave’s Saginaw, MI – Big Ten Ribs
“Best Dessert – Bread Pudding” – Tallahassee Magazine readers – Tallahassee, FL – Fun-Yum
“Best Overall Restaurant” – 2007 Taste of St. Joe – Famous Dave’s St. Joseph, MO – Concord BBQ
“Spirit Award” – Nation’s Restaurant News – System-wide award
“Best Barbecue” – Phoenix Magazine – Famous Dave’s Phoenix, AZ – Desert Ribs
“People’s Choice – 1st place”; “Critic’s Choice” – Columbus Ribfest – Columbus, OH - Famous Dave’s Rib Team
“The Chinet People’s Choice Award” – 15th Annual Safeway National Capital BBQ Battle
“Critic’s Choice: Best Pulled Pork” – Famous Dave’s 3rd Annual BBQ and Bluesfest – Minneapolis, MN - Famous Dave’s Rib Team
“People’s Choice”, “Best Sauce”, “Best Presentation” – Holy Smokes Rib Off – Famous Dave’s Toledo OH – Big Ten Ribs
“Best Sauce” – Sioux Falls Ribfest – Famous Dave’s Sioux Falls SD - DTSG
“The Public Health Excellence Award for Food Safety” – Famous Dave’s Manchester NH – North Country BBQ
“Judge’s Choice” – Taste of Grand Haven – Team R n’ B Michigan
“Best BBQ” and “Best Caterer” – Chattanooga News Free Press – Famous Dave’s Chattanooga - Famous Five Dining
“Most Rockin’ Place in Knoxville to get BBQ” – WIMZ radio listeners – Famous Dave’s Knoxville - Famous Five Dining
“Silver Fork Award – Best BBQ” – Greater Manchester Dining Guide – North Country BBQ Ventures
“Best BBQ Restaurant In Frederick” – Frederick Magazine – Famous Dave’s Frederick, Maryland
Blue Ribbon “Best Southern Cuisine” – Taste of Tallahassee – Famous Dave’s Tallahassee FL – Fun-Yum
“Best Barbecue in Ocean County” – Asbury Park Press – North Country BBQ
“Silver Spoon Award 2007 - Favorite Barbecue Restaurant” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine Reader’s Choice
“Best Barbecue Restaurant” – Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine Reader’s Poll
“Best Ribs – Best of Long Island 2007’ – Long Island Press – Famous Dave’s Westbury NY – North Country BBQ
“Philly’s Best BBQ” – AOL City Guide 2007 – Pit Masters LLC
“New Jersey’s Best BBQ” – AOL City Guide 2007 – North Country Barbecue Ventures – Famous Dave’s North Jersey
First Place – “Super Chili Bowl Cook Off Competition for Best Chili” – Famous Dave’s Bismarck, ND – DTSG, Inc.
“Best Barbeque 2006” – Tucson Weekly – Famous Dave’s Tucson, AZ – Sonoran BBQ
“Best Barbecue 2006” – Yuma Sun – Famous Dave’s Yuma, AZ – Sonoran BBQ
2006
Critic’s Choice Best Ribs - The Nugget Best of the West Rib Cook-off, Reno, NV
“Choice Restaurant” – Chains Gold Award from Restaurant and Institutions Magazine
Readers Choice – Leader Telegram – “Best BBQ”
Best of West & Press Readers Choice – “Best BBQ & Best Chicken” – Wyandotte West Newspaper
“Best in BBQ” - City View’s Best of Des Moines
“Best BBQ” – Readers Choice – Central NJ
“City’s Best BBQ” – Philadelphia City Guide
“Best BBQ” - Taste of Tacoma
“Best of BBQ” – Seattle Bite, Largest Food Festival in Washington State
Readers Choice Poll/Best of Delco - “The Best Ribs in Delco” – Delaware County Newspaper
“Silver Plate Award” – IFMA
People’s Choice “Best Ribs” & 2nd Place “Critics Choice Best Ribs” – Ribfest - Cleveland Ohio
Battle of the Bones, Grand Haven, MI – 1st Place – “Judges Choice”, 2nd Place – “People’s Choice”, 1st Place – “Best Booth”
Famous Dave’s BBQ, Mishawaka, IN was voted Best BBQ in the 2006 Channel 16 (NBC channel WNDU) Viewer’s Choice Awards.
Famous Dave’s- BEST BBQ - by the readers of the Wichita Register
Best Barbecue / Reader's Choice- "Best of the Twin Cities 2006" issue -The City Pages
Best Blues Bar- "Best of the Twin Cities 2006" issue - The City Pages
Best BBQ Famous Dave's- "Best Restaurants" issue - Wichita Register
2005
Readers Choice – NJ Monthly Critics Choice Award – “Best BBQ Restaurant”
Readers Choice – Best of the Best BBQ” – Fredrick, MD
People’s Choice – Ribfest - Cleveland Ohio
People’s Choice Award for all Famous Dave's in MN – City Pages
“Best Blues Club” – City Pages
“Readers Choice – Favorite BBQ” – South Bend Tribune
“Best Ribs” People’s Choice Award – Southern FL Cook-Off 2nd Year in a row
“Best Beans” – 2nd Place - Southern FL Championship Cook-Off
“Celebrity Cook-Off” – First Place – Southern FL Championship Cook-Off
2005 Readers Choice - "Positive Attitude - Matt Diamond"
2005 "Best BBQ"
2005 "Organization of the Year", Kansas City, KS - Convention & Visitors Bureau
2005 Readers Choice - "Favorite BBQ" - Kansas City, KS
Peoples Choice – “Best in the West Nugget Rib Kick-off” – Sparks Nevada
“Outstanding Customer Service” – Kane County Chamber of Commerce
Readers Choice “Best Tasting Ribs” – Elgin Courier Newspaper
“Golden Fork Award” - Famous Dave's Best Ribs – Fox City Magazine
Wichita award- First Place Peoples Choice - Wichita Chili & BBQ Cook Off!
2004
“Best BBQ” In the City-City View Magazine- Des Moines
“Best Ribs” People’s Choice Award – Southern FL Championship Cook Off
“Best Beans” 1st Place – Southern FL Championship Cook Off
“Celebrity Cook Off” – 2nd Place – Southern FL Championship Cook Off
“Best Ribs” – 1st Place – People’s Choice – Cedar Rapids
“Best Ribs” – In Bismarck – Mandan – Bismarck, ND
“Best Ribs” – 1st Place – People’s Choice – Muskegon BBQ Cook off
“Best Ribs” – 1st Place – Judge’s Choice – Muskegon BBQ Cook off
“Best Beef Brisket” – 1st Place – Clarksville, TN
“Best BBQ Overall” – 6th Place – Clarksville, TN
“Best Ribs” 3rd Place – Critics Choice – Cleveland Cook off
“Best Ribs” 1st Place – People’s Choice – Pittsburgh Ribfest
“Best Ribs” 1st Place – People’s Choice – BBQ Battle Cedar Rapids, IA
“Best Single Product Roll Out” Sassy BBQ Salad - Menu Masters
“Best Caterer” – Twin Cities Best Restaurant – Twin Cities Business Month
“Top 50 Growth Chains” Presented to FD In recognition of outstanding sales – Restaurant Business
“Best Ribs” 1st Place – Rib America Food & Music Fest, Pittsburgh, PA
“Best Commercial Produced for $3,500 or Less” – MUFSO
“Best Commercial Produced for $10,000 of Less” – MUFSO
“Best Caterer” – 2nd Place – Twin Cities Business Monthly
“Best Ribs” 1st Place – Twin Cities Business Monthly
“Best Hot BBQ” – The City View Best of Des Moines
“Best BBQ” People’s Choice Awards – Taste of Chattanooga
“Best Bread Pudding” 1st Place – Taste of Chattanooga
“Runner Up – Signature Dish” – Taste of Chattanooga
“Best Beef Brisket” – Cookin on the Cumberland BBQ Cook-Off – the Rib Team
“Best BBQ” – People’s Choice – The Reader (Omaha, NB)
“Best BBQ” – Omaha Magazine
“Best BBQ” - 1st Place – People’s Choice - Wichita
“Best BBQ” – Best of the Bluffs
2003
“Best BBQ” People’s Choice Awards – Taste of Chattanooga
“Best Bread Pudding” 1st Place – Taste of Chattanooga
“Best Takeout” 1st Place – City Page Minneapolis
“Best Restaurant for Ribs” – Courier News- Mountainside New Jersey
“Best Ribs” 3rd Place- Sioux Falls Ribfest
“Best BBQ”- City Pages Minneapolis
“Best BBQ” – Best of the Bluffs
2002
“Best Ribs” 1st Place – Fargo Ribfest
“Best BBQ” Editorial Pick – Best of CitySearch Minneapolis
“Best BBQ” Audience Pick – Best of CitySearch Minneapolis
“Best Dining with Music” Editorial and Audience Pick –
Best of CitySearch Minneapolis
“Best Catering” –The Dakota Southwest Review
“Best Ribs” People’s Choice – Fargo Ribfest
“Best Ribs” – Minneapolis/St Paul Magazine
“Best Catering- Roseville Reader
“Best BBQ” Madison, WI- Madison Magazine
“Best Ribs” Madison, WI- Madison Magazine
“Best Place to Eat Out with Your Kids” Minneapolis, MN- CityPages
“Best Blues Bar” Minneapolis, MN- CityPages
“One of the Top BBQ in Nashville” Nashville, TN- The Nashville Scene
“Best BBQ” – Best of the Bluffs
2001
“Best Ribs” 3rd Place – Cleveland Ribfest
“Best Ribs” 1st Place – Sioux Falls Rib Fest – South Dakota
“Best Ribs” 1st Place – Cedar Rapids Rib Fest
“Best Desserts” 2nd Place – Taste of Madison
“Best BBQ” in Madison – Isthmus Magazine
“Best Wings” 2nd Place – Cedar Falls Wing Ding Contest
“Best BBQ” 1st Place – Golden Fork – Fox Valley, Wisconsin
2000
“Best Ribs” – Twin Cities Business Monthly
“Best Ribs” – Rib America 2000, Indianapolis
“Best Ribs in America” – 2000 Great American Rib Cook-off, Ohio
“Best Ribs” – Sioux Empire Ribfest, Sioux Falls
“People’s Choice” – Ribfest and More, Fargo
“Best Ribs” – Pontiac Rib America 2000 Ribfest
“Best Ribs” – Twin Cities Rib Fest 2000
“Best Ribs” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
“Best Takeout” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
“Best BBQ in Madison” – Isthmus Magazine
“Best BBQ in Madison” – Madison Magazine
“Best Food in Cedar Valley” – Taste of Waterloo
“Best Tasting Wings” – Cedar Falls Wing Ding Contest
“Best Ribs” – Post-Crescent 2000 Encore Award
“Best Ribs” – Fox Cities Magazine 2000 Golden Fork
“Best BBQ” – Citysearch, The Best of the Twin Cities
2nd “Best Ribs” Critics Choice – Cleveland, Ohio
“Best Ribs” People’s Choice – Cleveland, Ohio
“Best Ribs” – Sioux Falls, South Dakota
“Best Ribs” Critics Choice – Twin Cities
“Best Ribs” 2nd Place – Lincoln, Nebraska
1999
Critic’s Choice “Favorite Ribs” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Great American Cook Off, Cleveland, Ohio
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Twin Cities Ribfest
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Naperville Sun Reader
“Best BBQ Ribs” – West Suburban Living Reader
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Fargo Dome Ribfest
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Sioux Empire Ribfest, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Mature Lifestyles Madison Reader
“Best Chicken Wings” – Cedar Falls Chamber of Commerce
“Best Sauce” – Great American Rib Cook-off, Cleveland, Ohio
“Best Entrée” – Taste of Waterloo
“Best Pork” – Mankato Ribfest
“Top 10 Restaurant” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
“Best of 1999 – Music Club” – Nightclub & Bar Magazine
“Best BBQ Sauce in America” – American Royal Barbecue Contest, Kansas City
“Best Desserts” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
“Best BBQ Joint” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
“Hot New Concept” – National Restaurant Chain Publication
“Entrepreneur of the Year” – Ernst & Young NASDAQ, USA Today
“Best Chicken Wings” – LaCrosse Tribune
“Best New Barbecue/Grill Cookbook” – National Barbecue Associations Award of Excellence for “Famous Dave’s Backroads & Sidestreets”
1998
“Best Ribs” – Des Moines Register
Critic’s Choice “Favorite Ribs” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
Critic’s Choice “Favorite Music/Entertainment” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
Critic’s Choice “Best Take-Out” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
“Best Ribs” – LaCrosse Tribune
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
“Best BBQ Sauce” – Fargo Ribfest – People’s Choice
“Greatest Ribs in America” – Great American Cook Off – Critic’s Choice
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Twin Cities Business Monthly Magazine
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
“Best Music/Entertainment” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
“Best Ribs” – Appleton Post-Crescent Reader
“Best New Restaurant” – Madison Capital Times
“Entrepreneur of the Year” – TwinWest Chamber of Commerce, Minneapolis
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Madison Magazine
“Best New Restaurant” – Madison Magazine
1997
“Best Ribs” – City Pages Reader Poll
“Best Ribs” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
“Best Last Meal in the Twin Cities” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
“Best Ribs” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
“Best Restaurant Design” – Minnesota Shopping Center Assoc.
“Best Sauce in America” – Great American Rib Cook-off
People’s Choice “Best Ribs” – Fargo Dome Ribfest
Critic’s Choice “Best Ribs” – Fargo Dome Ribfest
“Best Ribs” – Naperville Ribfest
“Best Sauce” – Twin Cities Ribfest
“Best Ribs” – Twin Cities Ribfest
“1997 Hot Concept” – Nation’s Restaurant News
“Entrepreneur of the Year” – Emerging Company Division
“Best Music” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
“Best Music” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
“Best Restaurant Promoter” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
“Entrepreneur of the Year” – Twin Cities Business Monthly
“Best New Restaurant” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
1996
“Best New Restaurant” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
“Best Last Meal in Minnesota” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
“Best Desserts” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
Critic’s Choice “#1 Ribs in MN” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
“Hot New Concept” – National Restaurant Chain Publication
“Best Ribs” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
1995
“Best BBQ Sauce in America” – American Royal Barbecue Contest
“Best BBQ Joint” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
AWARDS AND HONORS
Few restaurants in history have achieved as much recognition in a few short years as Famous Dave’s.
We don’t mean to brag, but look at the awards and honors we’ve received... so far.
2010
"Best Barbecue" - Reader's Pick - Las Vegas Review Journal Best of Las Vegas - Las Vegas NV - Sonoran BBQ
"#1 Favorite Pork Provocateurs" - Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine Reader's Poll - Minneapolis, MN
"Best Live Music - 3rd Place" - Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine Reader's Poll - Famous Dave's Calhoun - Minneapolis MN
"Best Barbecue" - Reader's Choice - Minnesota Monthly - Reader's Poll - Minneapolis, MN
"Best Bar-B-Que Restaurant" - Mankato Free Press Reader's Choice Online - Mankato MN - Baxter BBQ
2009
"Outstanding Achievement Award" - Famous Dave's Website - Interactive Media Awards, Inc. - Famous Dave's Support Center - Minneapolis MN
"Cleveland's Best BBQ" - 2009 Fox 8 "Hot List" Competition - North Olmsted OH - Buckeye BBQ
"Best People Practices for Casual Dining" - People Report Best Practices - Famous Dave's Support Center - Minneapolis MN
"Best BBQ" Reader's Choice - Daily Sentinel - Grand Junction CO - Basic Food Group
"Best Overall Taste" and "Best Entrée" - Ft. Myers Taste of the Town - Ft. Myers FL - JP's Bar-BQue
"Best Barbeque" - Billings Gazette Reader's Choice - Billings MT - Rocky Mountain Ribs
"Best BBQ" - Phoenix Magazine - Best of the Valley Reader's Poll - Phoenix AZ - Desert Ribs
"Best Ribs - Golden Fork Award" - Fox Cities Magazine - Green Bay/Appleton WI - Team RnB
"Best Wings - Grand Champion" - King of the Wing Competition - Pensacola FL - Fun Yum
"Best Buffalo Wings" - King of the Wing Competition - Pensacola FL - Fun Yum
"Best Barbeque - 2nd Place" - "A" List Denver Online Metroguide - Denver/Thornton CO - Basic Food Group
"Best Bar B Que - 2nd Place" - Quad City Times Reader's Choice 2009 - Davenport IA - Elmore Foods
"Best Restaurant Website" - Web Marketing Association - Minneapolis MN - Famous Dave's Support Center
"Best of Taste" - 2nd Place - Taste of Colorado - Denver/Thornton CO - Basic Food Group
"Most Unique Item - Chocolate Covered Bacon" - Taste of Colorado - Denver/Thornton CO - Basic Food Group
"Best Barbecue Restaurant" - South New Jersey - NJ Monthly Reader's and Critic's Poll - Brick NJ - North Country BBQ
"Best BBQ" Reader's Choice - 2009 "Best of the Best" edition - What's Up El Paso - El Paso TX - Sonoran TX
"Best Catering" Reader's Choice - Lillie Suburban Newspaper - Roseville, Little Canada MN - Roseville MN
"First Place - Sauce" - Critic's Choice - Mansfield Rockin' Ribs - Mansfield OH - Corporate Rib Team Famous Dave's Press Kit
"Second Place - Best Ribs"- Critic's Choice - Mansfield Rockin' Ribs - Mansfield OH - Corporate Rib Team
"Best BBQ" - Taste of Tacoma - Tacoma WA - Utah BBQ
"Best Burger" First Place - City of Tracy 4th of July Picnic - Tracy CA - Star Ribs
"Top Barbecue" Reader's Choice - 5280 Magazine - Denver/Thornton CO - Basic Food Group
"People's Choice Award" - Taste of Fort Collins - Thornton CO - Basic Food Group
"Best Restaurant - Best of the Main Line" - Reader's Choice - Main Line Times/Main Line Suburban Life - Philadelphia PA - Pitmasters
"The People's Choice" - 2009 National Capital Barbecue Battle - Washington DC - East Coast Rib Team
"Best Restaurant" Reader's Poll - Bakersfield Californian - Bakersfield CA - Tacaza
"Best BBQ" Reader's Poll - Bakersfield Californian - Bakersfield CA - Tacaza
"Critic's Choice Greatest Ribs in America" - 1st place - Marc's Great American Rib Cook-off - Cleveland OH - Corporate Rib Team
"Critic's Choice Greatest Sauce in America" - 3rd place - Marc's Great American Rib Cook-off - Cleveland OH - Corporate Rib Team
"Best Barbecue" Reader's Choice - Minneapolis City Pages - Minneapolis MN
"Best Blues Club" - Minneapolis City Pages - Minneapolis MN
"Best Barbecue" - Fresno Bee People's Choice - Fresno CA - Tacaza
"Best Appetizers" - Daily Herald Reader's Choice - Chicago corporate locations
"Best BBQ" - Daily Herald Reader's Choice - Chicago corporate locations
"Best Business Lunch" - Daily Herald Reader's Choice - Chicago corporate locations
"Best Caterer - restaurants" - Daily Herald Reader's Choice - Chicago corporate locations
"Best Comfort Foods" Daily Herald Reader's Choice - Chicago corporate locations
"Best Ribs" - Daily Herald Reader's Choice - Chicago corporate locations
"Best Theme Restaurant" - Daily Herald Reader's Choice - Chicago corporate locations
"Best Place to Work" - Daily Herald Reader's Choice - Chicago corporate locations
"Best Carryout" - Daily Herald Reader's Choice - Chicago corporate locations
"Best BBQ Ribs" - Fresno Bee - Fresno CA - Tacaza
"Best Barbecue Restaurant" - Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine, Reader's Poll - Minneapolis, MN
"Best Barbecue" - Minnesota Monthly - Reader's Poll - Minneapolis, MN
"Best Chili - Professional Division" - 1st Place - Heart of America Chili Challenge - St. Joseph, MO - Concord BBQ
"Best Chili in Missouri" - Missouri State Champion - Heart of America Chili Challenge - St. Joseph, MO - Concord BBQ
2008
"Favorite Barbecue" - Omaha Magazine - Omaha NE - Cutchall Management
"Best Ribs" Readers poll - Best of the Northland - Duluth MN - Baxter BBQ
"Best Ribs" Readers poll - Nashville Scene - Nashville TN - Famous Five Dining
"Cleveland's Best BBQ" - Fox 8 Hitlist - Cleveland OH - Buckeye BBQ
"Best BBQ" and "Best Restaurant" - The Daily Sentinel - Grand Junction CO - Basic Food Group
"Best BBQ" - The Billings Gazette - Billings MT - Rocky Mountain Ribs
"Best Barbeque Restaurant in the Central Valley" - People's Choice - Fresno Bee - Fresno CA - Tacaza
"Best Bar-B-Que" - First Place - Omaha Magazine
"Best of Omaha" 2008 - Omaha NE - Old Market Ventures
"First Place - Chili Cook Off" and "Best Design" Table Set Up - Nautical Mile Chili Cook-Off - Roseville, MI - Blue Ribbon Barbecue
"Best BBQ" - Cityview - Best of Des Moines Magazine - Des Moines IA
"Best Barbecue Restaurant" - Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine - Minneapolis/St. Paul MN
"Best of the West 2008 BBQ" - West Suburban Living Magazine - North Riverside IL
"Best Place for Ribs" , "Best Place for American Cuisine" - Courier-Post Newspaper (South Jersey) - Cherry Hill NJ - Pitmasters
"Silver Spoon Award 2008 - Favorite Barbecue Restaurant" - Minnesota Monthly Reader's Choice - Minneapolis/St. Paul
"Best Blues Bar" - The City Pages Best of the Twin Cities - Calhoun Square, Minneapolis MN
"Best BBQ" - Twin Cities Magazine - Minneapolis/St. Paul
"Best BBQ" - Kane County Chronicle 2008 Reader's Choice - Carpentersville IL
"People's Choice" - Wine, Brews and Blues Festival - Vista CA - Star Ribs
"Best BBQ 2008" Reader's Choice - azcentral.com's 2nd Annual Viewer's Poll - Phoenix AZ - Desert Ribs
"Best Barbecue" - Colorado Springs Gazette - Colorado Springs CO - Basic Food Group
"People's Choice" - Chine National Capital BBQ Battle - Washington DC
"Critic's Choice Ribs", "Critic's Choice Pork", "People's Choice Best Ribs"- Cedar Rapids Barbecue Round Up - Cedar Rapids IA - Corporate Rib Team
"Best of Tacoma in BBQ" - Taste of Tacoma - Tacoma WA - Utah BBQ
"Best BBQ" - AOL City's Best - Milwaukee - Waukesha WI - Team RnB
2007
“Best Ribs – 1st place”; “Best Beans – 3rd place” – Midwest Championship Rib Cook-Off & Activities – Famous Dave’s Saginaw, MI – Big Ten Ribs
“Best Dessert – Bread Pudding” – Tallahassee Magazine readers – Tallahassee, FL – Fun-Yum
“Best Overall Restaurant” – 2007 Taste of St. Joe – Famous Dave’s St. Joseph, MO – Concord BBQ
“Spirit Award” – Nation’s Restaurant News – System-wide award
“Best Barbecue” – Phoenix Magazine – Famous Dave’s Phoenix, AZ – Desert Ribs
“People’s Choice – 1st place”; “Critic’s Choice” – Columbus Ribfest – Columbus, OH - Famous Dave’s Rib Team
“The Chinet People’s Choice Award” – 15th Annual Safeway National Capital BBQ Battle
“Critic’s Choice: Best Pulled Pork” – Famous Dave’s 3rd Annual BBQ and Bluesfest – Minneapolis, MN - Famous Dave’s Rib Team
“People’s Choice”, “Best Sauce”, “Best Presentation” – Holy Smokes Rib Off – Famous Dave’s Toledo OH – Big Ten Ribs
“Best Sauce” – Sioux Falls Ribfest – Famous Dave’s Sioux Falls SD - DTSG
“The Public Health Excellence Award for Food Safety” – Famous Dave’s Manchester NH – North Country BBQ
“Judge’s Choice” – Taste of Grand Haven – Team R n’ B Michigan
“Best BBQ” and “Best Caterer” – Chattanooga News Free Press – Famous Dave’s Chattanooga - Famous Five Dining
“Most Rockin’ Place in Knoxville to get BBQ” – WIMZ radio listeners – Famous Dave’s Knoxville - Famous Five Dining
“Silver Fork Award – Best BBQ” – Greater Manchester Dining Guide – North Country BBQ Ventures
“Best BBQ Restaurant In Frederick” – Frederick Magazine – Famous Dave’s Frederick, Maryland
Blue Ribbon “Best Southern Cuisine” – Taste of Tallahassee – Famous Dave’s Tallahassee FL – Fun-Yum
“Best Barbecue in Ocean County” – Asbury Park Press – North Country BBQ
“Silver Spoon Award 2007 - Favorite Barbecue Restaurant” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine Reader’s Choice
“Best Barbecue Restaurant” – Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine Reader’s Poll
“Best Ribs – Best of Long Island 2007’ – Long Island Press – Famous Dave’s Westbury NY – North Country BBQ
“Philly’s Best BBQ” – AOL City Guide 2007 – Pit Masters LLC
“New Jersey’s Best BBQ” – AOL City Guide 2007 – North Country Barbecue Ventures – Famous Dave’s North Jersey
First Place – “Super Chili Bowl Cook Off Competition for Best Chili” – Famous Dave’s Bismarck, ND – DTSG, Inc.
“Best Barbeque 2006” – Tucson Weekly – Famous Dave’s Tucson, AZ – Sonoran BBQ
“Best Barbecue 2006” – Yuma Sun – Famous Dave’s Yuma, AZ – Sonoran BBQ
2006
Critic’s Choice Best Ribs - The Nugget Best of the West Rib Cook-off, Reno, NV
“Choice Restaurant” – Chains Gold Award from Restaurant and Institutions Magazine
Readers Choice – Leader Telegram – “Best BBQ”
Best of West & Press Readers Choice – “Best BBQ & Best Chicken” – Wyandotte West Newspaper
“Best in BBQ” - City View’s Best of Des Moines
“Best BBQ” – Readers Choice – Central NJ
“City’s Best BBQ” – Philadelphia City Guide
“Best BBQ” - Taste of Tacoma
“Best of BBQ” – Seattle Bite, Largest Food Festival in Washington State
Readers Choice Poll/Best of Delco - “The Best Ribs in Delco” – Delaware County Newspaper
“Silver Plate Award” – IFMA
People’s Choice “Best Ribs” & 2nd Place “Critics Choice Best Ribs” – Ribfest - Cleveland Ohio
Battle of the Bones, Grand Haven, MI – 1st Place – “Judges Choice”, 2nd Place – “People’s Choice”, 1st Place – “Best Booth”
Famous Dave’s BBQ, Mishawaka, IN was voted Best BBQ in the 2006 Channel 16 (NBC channel WNDU) Viewer’s Choice Awards.
Famous Dave’s- BEST BBQ - by the readers of the Wichita Register
Best Barbecue / Reader's Choice- "Best of the Twin Cities 2006" issue -The City Pages
Best Blues Bar- "Best of the Twin Cities 2006" issue - The City Pages
Best BBQ Famous Dave's- "Best Restaurants" issue - Wichita Register
2005
Readers Choice – NJ Monthly Critics Choice Award – “Best BBQ Restaurant”
Readers Choice – Best of the Best BBQ” – Fredrick, MD
People’s Choice – Ribfest - Cleveland Ohio
People’s Choice Award for all Famous Dave's in MN – City Pages
“Best Blues Club” – City Pages
“Readers Choice – Favorite BBQ” – South Bend Tribune
“Best Ribs” People’s Choice Award – Southern FL Cook-Off 2nd Year in a row
“Best Beans” – 2nd Place - Southern FL Championship Cook-Off
“Celebrity Cook-Off” – First Place – Southern FL Championship Cook-Off
2005 Readers Choice - "Positive Attitude - Matt Diamond"
2005 "Best BBQ"
2005 "Organization of the Year", Kansas City, KS - Convention & Visitors Bureau
2005 Readers Choice - "Favorite BBQ" - Kansas City, KS
Peoples Choice – “Best in the West Nugget Rib Kick-off” – Sparks Nevada
“Outstanding Customer Service” – Kane County Chamber of Commerce
Readers Choice “Best Tasting Ribs” – Elgin Courier Newspaper
“Golden Fork Award” - Famous Dave's Best Ribs – Fox City Magazine
Wichita award- First Place Peoples Choice - Wichita Chili & BBQ Cook Off!
2004
“Best BBQ” In the City-City View Magazine- Des Moines
“Best Ribs” People’s Choice Award – Southern FL Championship Cook Off
“Best Beans” 1st Place – Southern FL Championship Cook Off
“Celebrity Cook Off” – 2nd Place – Southern FL Championship Cook Off
“Best Ribs” – 1st Place – People’s Choice – Cedar Rapids
“Best Ribs” – In Bismarck – Mandan – Bismarck, ND
“Best Ribs” – 1st Place – People’s Choice – Muskegon BBQ Cook off
“Best Ribs” – 1st Place – Judge’s Choice – Muskegon BBQ Cook off
“Best Beef Brisket” – 1st Place – Clarksville, TN
“Best BBQ Overall” – 6th Place – Clarksville, TN
“Best Ribs” 3rd Place – Critics Choice – Cleveland Cook off
“Best Ribs” 1st Place – People’s Choice – Pittsburgh Ribfest
“Best Ribs” 1st Place – People’s Choice – BBQ Battle Cedar Rapids, IA
“Best Single Product Roll Out” Sassy BBQ Salad - Menu Masters
“Best Caterer” – Twin Cities Best Restaurant – Twin Cities Business Month
“Top 50 Growth Chains” Presented to FD In recognition of outstanding sales – Restaurant Business
“Best Ribs” 1st Place – Rib America Food & Music Fest, Pittsburgh, PA
“Best Commercial Produced for $3,500 or Less” – MUFSO
“Best Commercial Produced for $10,000 of Less” – MUFSO
“Best Caterer” – 2nd Place – Twin Cities Business Monthly
“Best Ribs” 1st Place – Twin Cities Business Monthly
“Best Hot BBQ” – The City View Best of Des Moines
“Best BBQ” People’s Choice Awards – Taste of Chattanooga
“Best Bread Pudding” 1st Place – Taste of Chattanooga
“Runner Up – Signature Dish” – Taste of Chattanooga
“Best Beef Brisket” – Cookin on the Cumberland BBQ Cook-Off – the Rib Team
“Best BBQ” – People’s Choice – The Reader (Omaha, NB)
“Best BBQ” – Omaha Magazine
“Best BBQ” - 1st Place – People’s Choice - Wichita
“Best BBQ” – Best of the Bluffs
2003
“Best BBQ” People’s Choice Awards – Taste of Chattanooga
“Best Bread Pudding” 1st Place – Taste of Chattanooga
“Best Takeout” 1st Place – City Page Minneapolis
“Best Restaurant for Ribs” – Courier News- Mountainside New Jersey
“Best Ribs” 3rd Place- Sioux Falls Ribfest
“Best BBQ”- City Pages Minneapolis
“Best BBQ” – Best of the Bluffs
2002
“Best Ribs” 1st Place – Fargo Ribfest
“Best BBQ” Editorial Pick – Best of CitySearch Minneapolis
“Best BBQ” Audience Pick – Best of CitySearch Minneapolis
“Best Dining with Music” Editorial and Audience Pick –
Best of CitySearch Minneapolis
“Best Catering” –The Dakota Southwest Review
“Best Ribs” People’s Choice – Fargo Ribfest
“Best Ribs” – Minneapolis/St Paul Magazine
“Best Catering- Roseville Reader
“Best BBQ” Madison, WI- Madison Magazine
“Best Ribs” Madison, WI- Madison Magazine
“Best Place to Eat Out with Your Kids” Minneapolis, MN- CityPages
“Best Blues Bar” Minneapolis, MN- CityPages
“One of the Top BBQ in Nashville” Nashville, TN- The Nashville Scene
“Best BBQ” – Best of the Bluffs
2001
“Best Ribs” 3rd Place – Cleveland Ribfest
“Best Ribs” 1st Place – Sioux Falls Rib Fest – South Dakota
“Best Ribs” 1st Place – Cedar Rapids Rib Fest
“Best Desserts” 2nd Place – Taste of Madison
“Best BBQ” in Madison – Isthmus Magazine
“Best Wings” 2nd Place – Cedar Falls Wing Ding Contest
“Best BBQ” 1st Place – Golden Fork – Fox Valley, Wisconsin
2000
“Best Ribs” – Twin Cities Business Monthly
“Best Ribs” – Rib America 2000, Indianapolis
“Best Ribs in America” – 2000 Great American Rib Cook-off, Ohio
“Best Ribs” – Sioux Empire Ribfest, Sioux Falls
“People’s Choice” – Ribfest and More, Fargo
“Best Ribs” – Pontiac Rib America 2000 Ribfest
“Best Ribs” – Twin Cities Rib Fest 2000
“Best Ribs” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
“Best Takeout” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
“Best BBQ in Madison” – Isthmus Magazine
“Best BBQ in Madison” – Madison Magazine
“Best Food in Cedar Valley” – Taste of Waterloo
“Best Tasting Wings” – Cedar Falls Wing Ding Contest
“Best Ribs” – Post-Crescent 2000 Encore Award
“Best Ribs” – Fox Cities Magazine 2000 Golden Fork
“Best BBQ” – Citysearch, The Best of the Twin Cities
2nd “Best Ribs” Critics Choice – Cleveland, Ohio
“Best Ribs” People’s Choice – Cleveland, Ohio
“Best Ribs” – Sioux Falls, South Dakota
“Best Ribs” Critics Choice – Twin Cities
“Best Ribs” 2nd Place – Lincoln, Nebraska
1999
Critic’s Choice “Favorite Ribs” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Great American Cook Off, Cleveland, Ohio
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Twin Cities Ribfest
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Naperville Sun Reader
“Best BBQ Ribs” – West Suburban Living Reader
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Fargo Dome Ribfest
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Sioux Empire Ribfest, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Mature Lifestyles Madison Reader
“Best Chicken Wings” – Cedar Falls Chamber of Commerce
“Best Sauce” – Great American Rib Cook-off, Cleveland, Ohio
“Best Entrée” – Taste of Waterloo
“Best Pork” – Mankato Ribfest
“Top 10 Restaurant” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
“Best of 1999 – Music Club” – Nightclub & Bar Magazine
“Best BBQ Sauce in America” – American Royal Barbecue Contest, Kansas City
“Best Desserts” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
“Best BBQ Joint” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
“Hot New Concept” – National Restaurant Chain Publication
“Entrepreneur of the Year” – Ernst & Young NASDAQ, USA Today
“Best Chicken Wings” – LaCrosse Tribune
“Best New Barbecue/Grill Cookbook” – National Barbecue Associations Award of Excellence for “Famous Dave’s Backroads & Sidestreets”
1998
“Best Ribs” – Des Moines Register
Critic’s Choice “Favorite Ribs” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
Critic’s Choice “Favorite Music/Entertainment” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
Critic’s Choice “Best Take-Out” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
“Best Ribs” – LaCrosse Tribune
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
“Best BBQ Sauce” – Fargo Ribfest – People’s Choice
“Greatest Ribs in America” – Great American Cook Off – Critic’s Choice
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Twin Cities Business Monthly Magazine
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
“Best Music/Entertainment” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
“Best Ribs” – Appleton Post-Crescent Reader
“Best New Restaurant” – Madison Capital Times
“Entrepreneur of the Year” – TwinWest Chamber of Commerce, Minneapolis
“Best BBQ Ribs” – Madison Magazine
“Best New Restaurant” – Madison Magazine
1997
“Best Ribs” – City Pages Reader Poll
“Best Ribs” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
“Best Last Meal in the Twin Cities” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
“Best Ribs” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
“Best Restaurant Design” – Minnesota Shopping Center Assoc.
“Best Sauce in America” – Great American Rib Cook-off
People’s Choice “Best Ribs” – Fargo Dome Ribfest
Critic’s Choice “Best Ribs” – Fargo Dome Ribfest
“Best Ribs” – Naperville Ribfest
“Best Sauce” – Twin Cities Ribfest
“Best Ribs” – Twin Cities Ribfest
“1997 Hot Concept” – Nation’s Restaurant News
“Entrepreneur of the Year” – Emerging Company Division
“Best Music” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
“Best Music” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
“Best Restaurant Promoter” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
“Entrepreneur of the Year” – Twin Cities Business Monthly
“Best New Restaurant” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
1996
“Best New Restaurant” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
“Best Last Meal in Minnesota” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
“Best Desserts” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
Critic’s Choice “#1 Ribs in MN” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
“Hot New Concept” – National Restaurant Chain Publication
“Best Ribs” – Minnesota Monthly Magazine
1995
“Best BBQ Sauce in America” – American Royal Barbecue Contest
“Best BBQ Joint” – Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
