Famous Dave's BBQ & Blues Uptown

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From the noise of the "El" train rumbling overhead to the Disneyish, chic-shack décor, there's a lot for barbecue snobs to get their panties up in a bunch about at Famous Dave's. (Don't get us started about all those feel-good business stories that make it sound like it's a civic duty to support this place.) Still, it must be admitted that this home-grown monster chain has a good heart--live music at some locations, decent prices, a friendly bar, a cheap kid's menu. Plus, it's one of the better places to dine with a big group or with tots. As far as the barbecue, the chopped pork is the best stuff on the menu, and if you get it with the ham-a-rific "Wilbur" beans and coleslaw, you're eating well by snob or nonsnob standards. All the other favorites are also in attendance--ribs, chicken, burgers, brisket--and you should see the fireworks that arrive in the happy-birthday brownie.

Cuisine(s): American, Barbecue

Hours: Sun 10am-12am, Mon-Fri 11am-1am, Sat 8am-1am

Price: $, $$

Payment Types: All Major Credit Cards
Features: Takeout, Delivery, Catering, Kid Friendly

Serving: Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner, Lunch

Entertainment: Live Entertainment

Alcohol: Full bar
Reservations: Accepted, Recommended for Large Parties, Recommended on Weekends

Parking: Lot Available, Meters, Street

Kurt Jorgensen

Sun., February 12, 10:00am

Battle of the Blues Bands

Sun., February 12, 4:30pm

Open Blues Jam with Moses Oakland

Every week Sunday, 8:00pm

Moses Oakland relocated from the Bay Area to the Twin Cities back in 1987, and since then -- well, it'd probably be easier and less space-consuming...

Twin Cities Hot Club

Mon., February 13, 8:00pm

Sensacion Latina

Every week Tuesday, 9:00pm

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2009 | Best Blues Club

Nestled into one of the most gentrified, yuppie-friendly neighborhoods in the metro area, Uptown's Famous Dave's seems an unlikely place to be the hub of a genre rooted in oppression and despair. But despite its awkward locale, Famous Dave's... More >
2008 | BEST BLUES BAR

It's always seemed a bit incongruous to find the area's best blues bands at a chain restaurant tucked away in the corner of an Uptown shopping mall. But there's nothing quite like listening to the whine of an electric guitar crying the blues from... More >
2007 | BEST BLUES BAR

It may be tucked into the corner of an urban emporium, where the devil is far more likely to wear Prada than strike deals at the crossroads. But Famous Dave's Calhoun Square club is the premier spot for the blues in a pair of burgs that laps up... More >
2006 | BEST BLUES BAR

Blues is the backbone of the live music scene—check out the calendar at www.mnblues.com for at least 10 events per night. What gives Famous Dave's the edge is reliable booking of national acts (Muddy Waters's buddy Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin,... More >
2005 | BEST BLUES BAR

Okay, it might be in a mall, and Uptown may not be Frogtown, that far more bluesworthy locale of the late, great Blues Saloon. But the smell of barbecue sauce wafts out of the Famous Dave's vents like a Kansas City breeze, the drinks flow like... More >

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City Pages Reviews and News

Dolly Parton, Handsome Furs, Journey, and more

By | Wed, July 27, 2011

Dolly Parton Mystic Lake Casino on Wednesday 7.27 Would you believe, one of the albums of the year from Dolly Parton? Her sharp, down-home presence was ill-served by movies, yet working on a 2009 Broadway adaptation of 1980's 9 to 5 apparently r... More >
Famous Dave's BBQ & Blues Fest Saturday: What's on the menu?

By Matt Smith | Wed, June 9, 2010

Sure, Famous Dave's annual BBQ & Blues Festival is mostly about the music. And Saturday's performance lineup (at Peavey Plaza in downtown Minneapolis, Nicollet and 11th) will feature a number o More >

User Reviews

3 User reviews

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heidipanelli

| Tue, November 09, 2010

The uptown location is the best...great night life, too. Awesome BBQ.

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hhunt

| Sun, May 09, 2010

the same good bbq with live music on the weekends!

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citypagesbestof

| Wed, May 06, 2009

It's always seemed a bit incongruous to find the area's best blues bands at a chain restaurant tucked away in the corner of an Uptown shopping mall. But there's nothing quite like listening to the whine of an electric guitar crying the blues from the stage at Famous Dave's in Calhoun Square, and with live music every night and consistent bookings of everything from local acts to national blues stars like Johnny Rawls and Big John Dickerson, there are plenty of opportunities to do so. The relaxed atmosphere allows the crowd and musicians to mingle between sets, giving the restaurant a neighborhood block party feel. The fun starts around 8 or 9 p.m. on weeknights and around 6 p.m. on weekends. The crowds are large, so get there early to find a seat.

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3001 Hennepin Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408

612-822-9900 | Website

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