The first Famous Dave’s BBQ opened in June 1995 in Minneapolis. Two years later, two locations popped up here. One, on University Avenue in Middleton, only lasted six months, but the one on Park Street endures.
Tom Purdy of Appleton, managing partner of the franchising group that runs 13 Famous Dave’s locations including the one in Madison, said that his restaurant is feeding the Badger football team after each home game this year and sometimes provides food for the opposition.
Those football players are eating well, if my two recent visits are any indication.
A good place to start is with the smoked salmon spread ($7.99) appetizer. The hickory-smoked salmon cream cheese includes capers and chipotle peppers, the latter giving the spread a nice kick. It was topped with pieces of smoked salmon and served with warm, soft, grilled flatbread seasoned with Cajun spices.
Photo: Mike Devries / The Capital Times.