Buenos Nachos!

The Not-Cho Ordinary Nachos are only offered for a limited time, so get on down to Dave’s to partake in this creative fusion I like to call Mexi-Que!  The BBQ purist side of me was initially nervous at what could fairly be described as a risk.  But kudos to Famous Dave for thinking outside of the smoker!  This is definitely one of the most unique items you’ll find at a BBQ restaurant.  Here’s what you’ll find heaped onto a platter of tri-colored chips: your choice of brisket, chopped pork or pulled chicken, Wilbur beans, famous chili, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, jalapenos, cheddar cheese, seasoned sour cream, and Dave’s Rich and Sassy BBQ sauce!  C’mon, Dave’s BBQ sauce could almost make your gym socks edible.  Okay, not edible, but … tasty!?

All kinds of yummy deliciousness, I know, but I was concerned that it would be just too much for the senses.  Somehow, in some magical way, it works!  I split it with BBQ Boy III and was stuffed silly.  Here’s a handy eating tip:  share with a kindergartner!  Picture this scenario:  “Look, Jason, is that Wilbur the Pig?”  Then the trusting six year old turns and I move in for another piece of brisket!  Muahahahaha!

Okay, as a food critic, I must offer some constructive criticism.  The brisket, while perfectly succulent and flavorful, was piled on in rather large slices.  Smaller chunks would make for a more pleasant eating experience.  The chopped pork might be the way to go.  And as much as I adore the Wilbur Beans as a side dish, I found myself scooping them out of the way to eat separately.  They were the only topping that I thought didn’t fit real well.  Still, Famous Dave’s should consider making this a permanent addition to the menu.  Overall, good stuff!

But you should decide for yourself what fits and what doesn’t (c’mon, Jen, we know you’re crazy about nachos!).  Split it with some friends as an appetizer, or split it with an easily distracted young child as a meal.

**Didja sign up for the P.I.G. Club?  See the previous post for details.**

The Perfect Birthday Gift!

For all of us!  If you sign up for the P.I.G. (Pretty Important Guest) E-Mail Club, it will help further my “Quest to be the Best Famous Fan in America” and you can count it as an early birthday present to me.  How handy is that?  No need to shop for socks next **JANUARY 6TH** in celebration of my 3?th birthday (old guys RULE)!  I’ve been in the club for a while and can assure you that you will not be inundated with annoying SPAM.  You’ll receive occassional (every couple months or so) FD news and cooking tips, plus a FREE gift for your birthday (ranging from an appetizer to dessert to an All-American BBQ Feast)!  See, birthday gifts for everyone!

I’m not asking you to sign your life away.  Just take a minute to use every single E-Mail address you own to sign up (a little campaign trick I learned from Obama and ACORN).  Isn’t it about time for your six month old to have his own E-Mail address (shout out to BBQ Nephew Vincent, Jr!)?  Kidding.  Joining the P.I.G. Club through my link below will count as a vote for the BBQthDirector (each Famous Fan has their own unique link):

P.I.G.s for Famous Jay

C’mon, do I have to beg?

Challenge #1: ‘Que for Two Haiku

The first of the weekly challenges for the “Famous Fans” is to write a haiku about the ‘Que for Two deal.  This gargantuan platter comes with half a chicken, four ribs, your choice of brisket, chopped pork or a hot link, two corn muffins, fries and your choice of one more side.  Half a chicken is what mere mortal restaurants would serve two people.  But a super hero like Famous Dave will always go beyond the ordinary!  It really is way too much for two human appetites.  Two hippos, maybe (no offence to any couples out there who may have polished one off).  It would be a nice meal for three adults.  But ‘Que for Three lacks the rhyme and just doesn’t have the same ring.  It would even do for two adults and two young children.  But I really don’t think ‘Que for The-Typical-Suburban-Family-Hit-Hard-By-The-Global-Recession would do well in advertising.  So, for two, it’s a great deal.  For three, it’s a steal.  Either way, it’s one killer of a meal!

Now that I got the rhyming out of the way, please enjoy my haiku, BarBeQuethMinistry! style:

Major props go out to youth group alum, David, for working his mad skills to put this awesome video together (more zany vids are planned for the campaign–stay tuned)!  This challenge is open to you, as well!  Famous Dave’s and JRP are following the BarBeQuethMinistry! and you could win some cool prizes along the way.  Just leave your haiku (three lines: the first with five syllables, second with seven, third with five) as a comment and stay tuned for coming challenges.  Of course, please let me know if you and a friend (or two) attempt to take on the ‘Que for Two!

A Famous Summer

Free Famous Dave’s for a year and a trip to Minnesota to meet the legend himself!  I want this.  Bad.  I have checked out the competition and they are an eclectic mix of super talented BBQ lovers with big plans and even bigger social networks.  But I’ll give it my all, hold nothing back.  I will go after the weekly challenges with the ferocity of a mama bear protecting her cubs.  But the heart of my grassroots campaign will be this:

I have given my life to help young people.  To impact their lives to become upstanding citizens with strong morals.  Sadly, many teens have never had true BBQ.  They have been victimized by the baked or boiled ribs of a society that is in decay.  Someone needs to care!  Famous Dave does!  And so do I.  Follow me this summer as I do my part to show the next generation what authentic All-American BBQ is all about (I’ve added a new category dedicated to this campaign).  That awkward junior higher will understand confidence when he holds a rib in his hand.  That recent high school grad, facing a big world, will find comfort in some of the most comforting foods on earth.  That stereo-typical, flip-flop wearing, fruit smoothie in one hand, smart phone in the other hand SoCal teen will have an epiphany.  The life changing moment that I didn’t have until my mid-twenties when Famous Dave introduced me to real hickory goodness.  I’m glad someone cared enough to snatch me from the clutches of fake BBQ.

I must pass on this heritage.

My Quest to be the Best

I’ve mentioned that I’ll be needing your help for an upcoming Famous Dave’s summer promotion.  On Tuesday, May 26th, the FD website will spotlight ten “Famous Fans” who will be competing for the title “Best Famous Fan in America” (get a sneak peak here–do I hook you up, or what?).  Each fan has come up with some type of “grassroots campaign” that Famous Dave’s and JRP will be following.  They’re looking for individuality and creativity in our campaigns (which I’ll be unveiling on Tuesday) as well as our submissions to weekly challenges they’ll be putting out (you all can possibly win prizes by taking on these challenges through the BarBeQuethMinistry!).  They’ll also be looking for what kind of chatter we’re stirring up.

This is where YOU come in.

My readership continues to steadily grow (and it’s very cool to see the international reach of the BarBeQuethMinistry! through the ClustrMaps tool) but a lot of you can sure provide a boost.  If you tweet, blog, chat, debate in forums, flickr, or even forward retarded e-mails, you have some influence I don’t.  Could you help spread the word about my campaign?  Please?  Pretty, pleeeeease…

With Famous Dave’s Rich and Sassy BBQ Sauce on top?

If you’re reading this, there’s something you can do to get readers here.  Post.  Link.  Tell/message all your “friends”.  If my campaign peaks your interest enough to get you into an FD, leave a comment.  You can be honest.  If you don’t like their ribs, that’s fine!  We’ll all know you’re an idiot, and you have the right in this country to be an idiot.  If I am–or have been–the least bit influential in turning you into a fan, leave a comment when called for.  What’s in it for you?  Nothing!

But I can win free Famous Dave’s for a year!

And a trip to Minnesota to give Famous Dave himself some serious props!  And probably a hearty man-hug.  Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned that, lest he think I’m some sort of weirdo.