SPEAKING of Famous Dave's...

So, I had a bad day at work on Friday.  I was at home on my lunch break, and my hubby and I were trying to figure out the logistics of grocery shopping, then making and eating dinner, and then making the hour drive up to SLC to pick L. up from the airport, all between 6:30-10pm.  (I get off work at 6 and L.'s flight was due at the airport at 9:45).  I was frustrated.  We needed to grocery shop before I could make dinner.  THEN Hubby was like, "Well, we could just stop at Famous Dave's on our way to the airport..."

Genius.  Pure genius.  The closest Famous Dave's restaurant to us is about 40 minutes north, in Midvale, and it just happens to be (mostly) on the way to Salt Lake City.  SINCE we were headed to SLC anyway, and I was having a crappy day, I decided we should go.  I apologize in advance for the poor photo quality; I was taking them on my phone.

Welcome to barbeque heaven, people.

You know you're in a happy place when there's a cartoon pig on the menu, for starters.  His name is Wilbur.  Here's a big picture, so you can read what it says:

Also a good sign- they don't mess around with napkins.  It's all about the paper towels (I personally enjoy their paper-towel-holder.  It's a pipe, on a board.  Classy.)

And while you're waiting for your food to arrive, you can sample the sauce!  Every table in the house is stocked with these 5 sauces- you never have to ask for them to bring it out.  Oh, and if the server catches you sampling on your fingers, they're very happy to bring you a plate and spoon to use instead.  I like the Rich & Sassy; that's their signature sauce that they put on everything.  I'm also a BIG fan of devil's spit, but be careful not to use too much or you'll have a small bonfire in your mouth.  Both can be purchased at most grocery stores, horray!  The others, you mostly have to come to the restaurant for.

Drumroll, please! For the low low price of around $15, this is how much food you'll get:

I ordered their 2-meat combo, and got Georgia chopped pork and Rib tips.  In other words: porky goodness that had been smoked and smothered to perfection.  In case there's any doubt in your mind about how much food is on that plate, I ate so much that I was actually in pain on Friday night, and had enough leftover fries and rib tips for both me AND hubby to eat for dinner on Saturday.  Yeah.  I wasn't kidding.  Here's a picture of the smoke ring on the meat; it's a little hard to see but look for the pink ring on the chunk of meat I'm holding here:

And, last but not least, there's this little goodie they include to help you clean up when you're all through.

Yep, it's a wet-nap, complete with a cute little saying, like the taco bell sauce packets.

So here's what I'm saying: If you're a carnivore, even if you don't THINK you like BBQ, you should really check this place out.  My friend C. was under the distinct impression that she in fact disliked BBQ until we ate there for my birthday a few years ago.  She's now a wiser woman, after experiencing an eye-opening pile of pork.  SO GIVE IT A TRY!  To find a location near you, click here.  You won't be disappointed, I promise.