My buddy Mark called and asked if I had time to have lunch with him today since he was up in my part of town, and I love to get together with old friends, so we had a late lunch. Famous Dave's opened this little BBQ shack on Cedar Hills BLVD. In Beaverton, so we decided to see if it was as good as their restaurant in Tualatin.

I had the Shack combo (2 meats, side, corn muffin for $9.99) with Brisket, hot link, and a side of Mac and cheese.

The Mac has sweet corn and was very rich and creamy. Perfect ratio of sauce to macaroni, with well prepared pasta that wasn't mushy or hard. One of the better Mac and cheese dishes I've had at a BBQ joint.

Their Brisket was tender and juicy, holding together but pulled apart easily. Brisket is served without sauce as it should be, letting you add whatever sauce blend you prefer. Smoked to perfection with a great smoke ring.

Their "hot link" isn't spicy as much as it is well seasoned. Lots of fennel, garlic, and pepper make it flavorful without overpowering your taste buds or the sauce you choose.

The Corn muffin was sweet and moist but had good density and was hot enough to melt the butter. Butter was served chilled, would have been better at room temperature.

In all I was pleasantly surprised by Famous Dave's BBQ Shack. They have taken the great food from their sit down restaurant and brought it to a fast-food environment very easily. If only they had the Manhandler Sandwich on the menu at the shack...that would make this a true Fat Boy's Heaven.