A Whole Lotta Smokin’ Going On

 Famous Dave’s Barbecue

10500 Owings Mills Blvd.
Owings Mills, MD 21117
410-998-9577
www.famousdaves.com

 When the urge for spare ribs hits me I usually head off to Annapolis to visit the Red, Hot & Blue (RH&B) off Rt. 50. It’s worth the drive and I have even blazed my was through a blizzard with a buddy to pick up full racks of their ribs to bring home for a party – a trip that ended up taking five hours instead of the usual two.

The irrepressible urge hit last week and I called up some fellow barbecue lovin’ friends to make the trip but my friend insisted that we save the long drive and go to one of their favorites, Famous Dave’s, just a short hop down I 795 to Owings Mills. I caved in and off we went on a very wet evening, hoping the line to get in wouldn’t be too long - for apparently I am the last barbecue lover in Maryland to know about Famous Dave’s.

This is a franchise restaurant that certainly doesn’t need a review to perk up business. The joint really is famous and they do what they do very well – for lots of diners who don’t mind getting their fingers greasy. One of the reasons I have gone to RH&B in Annapolis is because they offer spareribs without the sloppy sauce that so many people crave. I like my ribs naked and by golly Dave’s offers them that way along with the traditional sauce glazed version.

The dining area is huge with many coveted booths and it is not as noisy as one would expect because everyone is concentrating on their dinners. Chicken wing and spareribs are piled high on almost every table. 'Que eaters of every sort are busy munching down on many menu choices (see web site for menu).

I insisted we order an appetizer to share and went for the Not’cho Ordinary Nachos Grande, one that was new to my friends and quite well received. Instead of the messy plate of nachos that become soggy after 5 minutes, this serving is quite different and absolutely fabulous – it really is a meal in itself with nacho chips layered with beans, chili, jalapenos and –here’s a twist- chopped pork with a squirt of sour cream on top. There was almost a fight over it and the huge serving completely disappeared.

Unlike RH&B, the food comes out very quickly at Dave’s. I should mention here that they have a big selection of beers and cocktails at Dave’s and the beer is plenty cold. There’s just something about ribs and beer.

Two of our group ordered the Georgia Pulled Pork Platter which includes two sides from a large selection of choices. The sandwich is so large that Debbie took half of hers home. The pork is tender and not soggy with sauce. Another chose the True Bleu Cheeseburger which arrived with a very large portion of bleu cheese atop a huge burger with lettuce, tomato and red onions. It is quite a monument of burger that won’t leave anyone hungry.

Yes, I got my naked rack of baby back ribs and they were terrific. The seasoning is not the same as the dry rub at RH&B but they are very meaty and tasty. Did you know that the reason they are called "baby" ribs is because they come off a smaller, young hog that might weigh as much as 300 pounds, rather that an older, larger and most likely tougher hog weighing better than 500 pounds?

Amazingly, one of the group wanted dessert  because I think they really only came along to get some of the bread pudding, which I have to admit looked pretty exceptional.  With a little help from a friend the huge serving disappeared silently and quickly.

Dave’s is not a place for the calorie conscious but for those who appreciate all sorts of barbecue joint food I assure you that you won’t be disappointed in taking the short drive to Owings Mills for some good eats.

The really good news about Dave’s is that the entire menu can be ordered to-go in case you just want to chow down at home and avoid any of the possible wait to get in the joint. The food will still be plenty hot when you get home with such a short drive, even in a blizzard.