Best Value
Famous Sandwich Platter
$14.00 / person
10 sandwiches — choice of Georgia chopped pork or BBQ pulled chicken on Dave's Famous Buns, plus 1 Famous side dish. Serves 10. Tray $140.
2026 BBQ Catering Guide
Famous Dave's Catering Guide (2026): Menu, Real Per-Person Prices & Is It Right for Your Office?
Famous Dave's catering runs ~$14–$34 per person on Famous Packages that serve 10, anchored by St. Louis spare ribs, Texas brisket, Georgia chopped pork, and 15 homemade sides. Full menu, real prices, portion math, and a head-to-head against Cracker Barrel and Applebee's.
Famous Dave's is the one national chain that treats BBQ like an actual catering category — pit-smoked meats, slabs of ribs, and a 15-deep side roster, all built around 10-person Famous Packages. For offices that want the smoke-and-sauce vibe without sourcing a local pitmaster, it's a workable answer. The trade-off: per-person pricing climbs fast once you go past the sandwich platter, and the program's logistics depend heavily on which location you're calling.
This guide covers the full Famous Dave's catering program in 2026 — Famous Packages, à la carte meats, Smoked Meat Kits, Homemade Sides, and desserts — with the per-person math you actually need to plan a team meal, the limitations our team flagged when working through the menu, and how the program compares against Cracker Barrel and Applebee's.
Famous Dave's at a Glance
Lead Time
Varies by location
Minimum Order
Most Famous Packages serve 10
Format
Famous Packages + À La Carte Meats + Smoked Meat Kits
Dietary Clarity Score
4 / 10
Famous Dave's Catering Menu (2026 Update)
Famous Dave's catering splits into five tracks: Famous Packages (10-person bundles built around pit-smoked meats with sides and cornbread), À La Carte Meats (per-pound brisket, tri-tip, pulled pork, chopped pork, and chicken; whole-rack St. Louis ribs), Smoked Meat Kits (the meat-only version for groups bringing their own sides), Homemade Sides (15 options, most sold by the quart, plus cornbread, buns, and corn cobettes by the dozen), and Smokin' Starters (wings, fresh fruit, vegetables & dip). Three service tiers are offered: full service with setup and attendants, delivery with self-serve buffet setup, and pickup.
Famous Packages — Best for Office Lunches
Every Famous Package serves 10, includes the meat(s), two homemade sides, and cornbread (the Sandwich Platter swaps cornbread for buns and includes only one side). Per-person pricing is package price ÷ 10 — clean math, no hidden side counts.
Most Popular
The Double Dave
$21.00 / person
Choice of 2 pit-smoked meats, 2 sides, and cornbread. Serves 10. Tray $210.
Insider Pick
The Most Famous Double
$28.00 / person
St. Louis spare ribs plus choice of 1 pit-smoked meat, 2 sides, and cornbread. Serves 10. Tray $280.
The Triple Dave
$27.00 / person
Choice of 3 pit-smoked meats, 2 sides, and cornbread. Serves 10. Tray $270.
The Most Famous Triple
$34.00 / person
St. Louis spare ribs plus choice of 2 pit-smoked meats, 2 sides, and cornbread. Serves 10. Tray $340.
Smoked Meat Kits — Best for BYO-Side Groups
The meat-only option for teams that want to bring their own sides, build their own sandwich bar, or stretch the program with potluck contributions.
Meat kits do not include sides — pair with the Side Dish Kit or order quart sides individually.
Large Smoked Meat Kit
$21.00
2 lb Texas Beef Brisket, 2 slabs St. Louis ribs, 2 lb Georgia chopped pork, 2 whole chickens. Serves 10–12. Tray $210.
Small Smoked Meat Kit
$22.00
1 lb brisket, 1 slab St. Louis ribs, 1 lb Georgia chopped pork, 1 whole chicken. Serves 5–6. Tray $110.
Add-On
Side Dish Kit
$8.57
3 quart-sized sides of your choice + 6 pieces of cornbread. Serves 6–8. Tray $60.
À La Carte Meats — Best for Custom Builds
Order pit-smoked meats by the pound (or rack) when the Famous Packages don't fit your group's headcount or you want a deeper meat lineup than the trays allow.
Per-pound and per-rack à la carte meats. Per-person prices assume the upper end of the stated serving range.
Premium
Texas Beef Brisket (1 lb)
$7.00
Rubbed with Dave's secret spices, coarse black pepper, and brown sugar, then slow-smoked over hickory. Serves 4–5. $35.
Tri-Tip (1 lb)
$7.00
Rubbed with Dave's secret spices then slow-smoked over hickory. Serves 4–5. $35.
St. Louis Spare Ribs (Whole Rack)
$7.75
Hand-rubbed with Dave's secret spice blend and hickory pit-smoked for 3–4 hours. Serves 3–4. $31.
Best Value
Georgia Chopped Pork (1 lb)
$5.00
Award-winning pork, smoked up to 12 hours and chopped to order. Serves 4–5. $25.
BBQ Pulled Chicken (1 lb)
$5.00
Roasted then pulled with Rich & Sassy sauce. Serves 4–5. $25.
BBQ Chicken (Whole)
$5.00
Whole chicken flame-kissed and slathered with Rich & Sassy. Serves 4–5. $25.
Chicken Tenders
$5.60
Lightly-breaded and flash-fried strips. Serves 4–5. $28.
Rib Tips (1 lb)
$2.80
Memphis-style, dry-rubbed tips. Serves 4–5. $13.99.
Smokin' Starters — Best for Pre-Lunch Spreads
Three options for the appetizer / starter slot. Wings serve 6–9, so they're a stretch for a full 10-person party — order two if your group skews wing-heavy.
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional BBQ Wings (~18 wings) | $35.00 | Serves 6–9. Tossed in Rich & Sassy BBQ or in-house Buffalo. |
| Fresh Fruit Platter | $55.00 | Serves 12–15. Seasonal fruit assortment. |
| Vegetables & Dip | $45.00 | Serves 12–15. Crudité with creamy ranch. |
Vegetarian Meals — A Real Limitation
Three vegetarian options total. The Veggie Lasagna is the only vegetarian item sized for a group; the other two are single-serve sandwiches that need to be ordered per-guest.
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Veggie Lasagna (Serves 8–10) | $60.00 | Whole-grain pasta layered with five-cheese blend, carrots, spinach, broccoli. |
| Black Bean Burger (Serves 1) | $14.00 | Grilled veggie patty with lettuce and tomato on a toasted bun. |
| Grilled Portobello Sandwich (Serves 1) | $15.00 | Marinated portobello with lettuce and tomato on a toasted bun. |
Homemade Sides & Desserts
Sides are served by the quart (each serves 4–5). For a group of 10 you'll typically want 2–3 quarts to round out a meat-forward package; the Famous Packages already include 2 sides, so most groups won't need more unless dietary variety is a concern.
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dave's Cheesy Mac & Cheese (quart) | $18.00 | Four-cheese mac with corn and a jalapeño kick. Office favorite. |
| Wilbur Beans (quart) | $18.00 | Baked beans loaded with smoked pork, brisket, hot links, and jalapeños. |
| Garlic Red-Skin Mashed Potatoes (quart) | $18.00 | — |
| Firecracker Green Beans (quart) | $18.00 | Sautéed with crispy bacon and red pepper chili flakes. |
| Creamy Coleslaw (quart) | $18.00 | — |
| Potato Salad (quart) | $18.00 | — |
| Sweet Corn Nibblets (quart) | $18.00 | — |
| Steamed Broccoli (quart) | $18.00 | — |
| Famous Fries (quart) | $18.00 | — |
| BBQ Chips (quart) | $18.00 | — |
| Fresh Corn Cobettes (dozen) | $18.00 | — |
| Dave's Award-Winning Chili (quart) | $20.00 | — |
| Cornbread (dozen) | $18.00 | Half-dozen $9. Honey-glazed. |
| Dave's Famous Buns (dozen) | $8.00 | — |
| Dave's Award-Winning Bread Pudding | $40.00 | Serves 16–20. Pecan praline sauce. |
| Down Home Banana Pudding | $35.00 | Serves 16–20. |
| Chocolate Chip Brownie Bites (48 pcs) | $45.00 | Serves 20–24. |
| Baker's Dozen Cookies | $15.00 | 13 freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Serves 10–13. |
| Lemonade / Iced Tea / Sweet Tea (gallon) | $15.00 | — |
| Bottled Water / Soda Pop (each) | $2.00 | — |
| Disposable Chafing Dish Set Up | $20.00 | Wire rack + 2 Sterno's. Essential if you're not on full service. |
Famous Dave's Catering Prices (2026)
Famous Dave's pricing structure is the cleanest in BBQ catering — Famous Packages all serve 10, so per-person math is just the tray price divided by ten. The Sandwich Platter at $14/person is the floor; the Most Famous Triple at $34/person is the ceiling. Most office orders land between $21/person (Double Dave) and $28/person (Most Famous Double, with ribs). That puts Famous Dave's at the upper end of casual-dining catering but in line with what dedicated BBQ catering actually costs — pit-smoked meat takes hours of labor, and the program's prices reflect that.
Where costs hide: drinks, dessert, and chafing dishes. Lemonade and iced tea are $15/gallon (figure 1 gallon per 10 guests). Disposable Chafing Dish Set Up is $20 — non-negotiable if you're picking up rather than booking full-service catering, since the meats arrive hot and lose temperature quickly without sterno. Dessert is optional but the Bread Pudding ($40, serves 16–20) and Brownie Bites ($45, serves 20–24) are both real per-person bargains compared to building a separate dessert order. Delivery fees apply on the Delivery & Set Up tier; service fees apply on the Full Service tier. Both vary by location and order size — confirm with your local store when you book.
Portion Calculator
Exactly what to order for common office headcounts. All Famous Packages sized to serves-10 trays — round up for big eaters and rib-heavy groups.
10 people
1 Double Dave + 2 gallons drinks
25 people
2 Triple Daves + 1 Famous Sandwich Platter + 3 gallons drinks + 1 Brownie Bites tray
50 people
5 Double Daves + 6 gallons drinks + 2 Brownie Bites trays
How Much Famous Dave's Catering to Order
The baseline: one Famous Package per 10 people, assuming it's the only entrée. Because every Famous Package serves 10, headcount math is simple — for 23 guests you're ordering 3 trays, or 2 trays plus a Smoked Meat Kit and a Side Dish Kit for variety. The Sandwich Platter is the only package that swaps cornbread for buns, so if your group prefers sandwiches over plated meals, it's the cheapest path; for anything more substantial, the Double Dave is the floor. For groups over 40, give the store extra advance notice — pit-smoked meats take hours to prepare, and big orders during peak lunch hours need the location to coordinate prep. Add 1 gallon of lemonade or iced tea per 10 guests, and budget one Brownie Bites tray per ~24 people for dessert.
Common Mistakes
- Ordering the Famous Sandwich Platter expecting it to feel like a Famous Package — it includes only 1 side, while the Double/Triple Dave and Most Famous tiers include 2 sides plus cornbread.
- Forgetting that Smoked Meat Kits are meat-only — you'll need to add the Side Dish Kit ($60) or order quart sides separately for a complete meal.
- Skipping the Disposable Chafing Dish Set Up ($20) on a pickup order — pit-smoked meats lose temperature fast, and there's no good substitute for sterno on a self-serve buffet.
- Assuming wings will cover a 10-person spread — the wing tray serves 6–9; order two if wings are a primary protein, or treat them strictly as a starter.
- Underestimating dietary limitations — the only vegetarian group-sized item is Veggie Lasagna at $60 (serves 8–10), and there's no labeled gluten-free protein on the catering menu.
- Not confirming lead time and delivery radius with your specific store — Famous Dave's catering varies by location and franchise, and assuming national consistency causes day-of surprises.
Famous Dave's vs. Cracker Barrel vs. Applebee's: Catering Comparison (2026)
Famous Dave's wins on the BBQ category outright — neither Cracker Barrel nor Applebee's is trying to compete on pit-smoked meats. Cracker Barrel is the better-per-person value for a comfort-food office lunch; Applebee's wins only on same-day flexibility. Pick Famous Dave's when the meal is the event.
| Famous Dave's | Cracker Barrel | Applebee's | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price Per Person | $14–$34 | $9.50–$18 | $13–$20 |
| Best Format | Famous Packages (serves 10) | Buffet Style + Individually Plated (serves 10) | Appetizer + Entrée Trays (serves 6–8) |
| Quality Perception | Pit-smoked BBQ, ribs and brisket | Comfort food, fried chicken, dumplins | Bar food, wings, appetizer combos |
| Customization | High — pick 2 or 3 meats per package | Medium — pick sides per entrée | Low — tray-based, fixed combos |
| Vegetarian Options | Veggie Lasagna + 2 single-serve sandwiches | Impossible Sausage (breakfast only) | Limited — appetizer trays, no veg entrée |
| Gluten-Free Options | Not labeled on catering menu | Not labeled on catering menu | Not labeled on catering menu |
| Minimum Order | Most packages serve 10 | Serves 10 (every catering item) | No minimum |
| Delivery | Yes — Full Service, Delivery & Set Up, Pickup | Varies by location | Yes (third-party delivery services) |
| Lead Time | Varies by location | 24 hrs (1–2 weeks for fried chicken/turkey) | As little as 2 hours |
| Best For | 🥇 BBQ-forward team lunches, all-hands offsites | 🥈 Comfort-food lunches, holiday meals | 🥉 Same-day appetizer spreads, low-prep orders |
Famous Dave's Catering Hacks
Build a Custom 10-Person Spread with the Large Smoked Meat Kit
The Large Smoked Meat Kit ($210) gives you brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and chicken for the same total as the Double Dave — but no sides included. Add a Side Dish Kit ($60) for 3 quarts + 6 cornbread and you've built a 4-meat spread for $270, equivalent per-person cost to the Triple Dave but with ribs in the lineup.
Order Buns Separately for a DIY Sandwich Bar
Dave's Famous Buns are $8/dozen as a standalone item. Order 1 lb Georgia Chopped Pork ($25) + 1 lb BBQ Pulled Chicken ($25) + a dozen buns ($8) + a quart of coleslaw ($18) = $76 for ~8–10 sandwiches — a more flexible build than the $140 Sandwich Platter when your group wants to mix proteins.
Add the Disposable Chafing Dish Setup on Pickup
At $20, the Disposable Chafing Dish Set Up (wire rack + 2 sterno's) is the cheapest hot-buffet line item on the menu. On pickup orders it's the only thing keeping ribs and brisket at serving temperature — full-service and Delivery & Set Up orders include chafing dishes in the service fee, so this add-on is specifically for self-collected orders.
Ask for Free Paper Goods on Request
The catering menu lists cutlery kits, serving tongs, wet naps, paper plates, serving spoons, and Rich & Sassy or Devil's Spit sauce packets at $0 — under the heading "Paper & Plastic Goods (on request only)." Specify exactly which paper goods and how many you need when you place the order, since they're not added automatically.
Is Famous Dave's Catering Good for Office Lunches?
Famous Dave's catering is genuinely good for office lunches — with the caveat that it's not for every team or every occasion. The pit-smoked meats are the real product, and the program is purpose-built for groups that want BBQ as the centerpiece rather than as one option on a salad-and-sandwich tray. Per-person pricing of $21–$28 for a full Double Dave or Most Famous Double package puts it above quick-service catering and roughly in line with what dedicated BBQ catering costs in most markets.
The trade-offs are real. Dietary accommodation is thin — the one vegetarian group entrée (Veggie Lasagna) is fine but isolated, there's no labeled gluten-free protein, and nutrition info isn't on tray packaging. Pricing varies by franchise, so what you read in this guide is directional, not guaranteed. And Famous Dave's footprint is uneven — confirm a participating location is within delivery or pickup range before promising the menu to your team.
Bottom line: Famous Dave's is the best major-chain answer for BBQ catering in 2026, with strong per-person value on the Double Dave and a serious meat program in the Most Famous tiers. Use it when the team wants BBQ specifically. Skip it for general office lunches where dietary inclusivity or budget headroom matters more than smoked meat.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Famous Dave's catering cost per person?
Famous Packages run $140 (Sandwich Platter) to $340 (Most Famous Triple) for a serves-10 tray — that's $14–$34 per person. The Double Dave ($21/person) and Triple Dave ($27/person) are the most common office-lunch picks. À la carte meats run $25–$35 per 1-lb portion (serves 4–5). Add 1 gallon of drinks per 10 guests at $15/gallon and budget ~$20 for a disposable chafing dish setup on pickup orders. Pricing varies by location.
What's the difference between the Famous Packages and Smoked Meat Kits?
Famous Packages (Sandwich Platter, Double Dave, Triple Dave, Most Famous Double, Most Famous Triple) include the meat plus 2 sides plus cornbread — a complete meal for 10. Smoked Meat Kits are meat-only — the Large Kit gives you brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and chicken for $210, and you'll need to add sides separately (Side Dish Kit at $60 covers 3 quart sides + 6 cornbread). Kits give you more meat variety for the same total spend; packages give you a finished meal.
How far in advance do I need to order Famous Dave's catering?
Lead time is set by each store, not published nationally. The main catering page directs you to a local quote form rather than naming a hours-of-notice figure. For typical office orders, the safest approach is to call or quote at least a few days ahead — and earlier for larger orders, holiday-season meals, or anything heavy on St. Louis ribs, since pit-smoked meats take hours to prepare. Confirm exact lead time with your specific store when you place the order.
Does Famous Dave's deliver catering?
Yes — Famous Dave's catering offers three service tiers: Full Service (delivery, setup, on-site attendants, tablecloths, chafing dishes, disposable paper products; service fees apply), Delivery & Set Up (drop-off with self-serve buffet setup and high-quality disposable plates, napkins, plasticware, sauce; delivery fee applies), and Pickup (you collect the order at the To Go counter). Delivery radius and fees vary by location.
What is the minimum order for Famous Dave's catering?
There's no published dollar minimum, but most Famous Packages are sized to serve 10 — that's effectively the floor. Smokin' Starters and à la carte meats can be ordered in smaller quantities (wings serve 6–9; 1-lb portions of meat serve 4–5), so if your group is under 10 you can still build something workable. For very large groups (40+), confirm capacity with the location before promising the order.
Is Famous Dave's catering good for vegetarians?
Limited. The catering menu has three vegetarian options: Veggie Lasagna at $60 (serves 8–10, the only group-sized veg entrée), Black Bean Burger at $14/sandwich, and Grilled Portobello Sandwich at $15/sandwich. Vegetarian guests can also eat sides — mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, broccoli, corn, cornbread — but several sides contain meat (Wilbur Beans, Firecracker Green Beans with bacon). If a significant portion of your group is vegetarian or vegan, Famous Dave's isn't the right choice; pick a chain or local caterer with stronger plant-based representation.
How does Famous Dave's catering compare to Cracker Barrel?
Famous Dave's is the better choice when the meal itself is the event — BBQ, ribs, and brisket are the draw, and the Famous Packages are built around them. Cracker Barrel is the better choice for a lower-priced comfort-food lunch ($9.50–$18 per person vs. Famous Dave's $14–$34) and for holiday turkey meals when ordered 2 weeks ahead. For day-to-day office lunches with budget in mind, Cracker Barrel wins on price; for a memorable team lunch where BBQ is the centerpiece, Famous Dave's wins on category.
Local American & BBQ Catering Alternatives
Skip the chain. Order from vetted local BBQ pitmasters and American caterers in your city.
- New York City American & BBQ Catering
- Boston American & BBQ Catering
- Chicago American & BBQ Catering
- Washington DC American & BBQ Catering
- San Francisco American & BBQ Catering
- Austin American & BBQ Catering
- Los Angeles American & BBQ Catering
- Seattle American & BBQ Catering
- Denver American & BBQ Catering
- Nashville American & BBQ Catering
- San Jose American & BBQ Catering