A giant blow-up figurine of a grinning pig overlooked the restaurant on opening day. Famous Dave’s, new to the Riverpark area, commits to meat alone. Everyone who loves old-fashioned BBQ needs to give this place a try.

Inside, loud music permeates the large dining area. Our waiter characterized the lively music as Jazz Funk and Bluegrass Pop, an accurate way to describe the mix of Cajun and southwestern music.

Every server and busboy wore either black or red t-shirts, each adorned with a different piece of BBQ mantra. My favorites were “It ain’t bar-b-cue if ya don’t get it on ya” and “Ribalicious.”

Dave himself describes the restaurant as a “fun roadhouse shack.” There was a raging fireplace inside, with more pig-and-meat signs on the brick walls.

The chefs in the kitchen were hard at work creating everything from baby-back ribs to thick pecan pies. Each table held five different BBQ sauces, the spiciest of the bunch called “Devil’s Spit.” Behind the register stood a literal wall of paper towels for those messy eaters.

My family of three plus two friends each ate our fill within reasonably priced lunch and dinner menu items. Our meals included a spicy Cajun chicken sandwich for $8.99 and an appetizer plate of chicken tenders for $8.49. Their Texas beef brisket platter cost $13.99. A giant combo plate of barbeque chicken and catfish fingers for $16.99.

For dessert, we shared a small slice of pecan pie topped with whipped cream for $5.99. The final price for five came out to an approximate $70.

Besides all of that delicious food, which we promptly slathered in spicy BBQ sauce, each meal came with two or more sides, depending on how much customers are willing to pay. Sides include corn, mashed potatoes and corn bread for 600 calories per muffin.

The beef brisket had little taste, but that was quickly rectified by a few squirts of “Devil’s Spit”. Dave even put a new twist on the chicken sandwich: instead of tomatoes and bacon, he added onion rings and a fresh remoulade sauce.

The dinner plates had the power to captivate a hungry eater’s eye. Though most cost about $15, they come in combos, with choices from bar-b-cue chicken, ribs, pork, beef brisket, catfish, wings or hotlinks.

The only downside to Dave’s is for non-meat eaters, considering there are no vegetarian meals available on the menu. One could try a special request, but the best option would be to skip the meaty atmosphere altogether.

Though the restaurant was only half-full, there were almost too many employees, perhaps because I dined on opening day and they expected a full house. I am confident, however, that Famous Dave’s BBQ will gain more popularity due to its “finger-lickin’ good” barbeque.

For more information call 559-261-4BBQ (4227).