Famous Dave’s Abruptly Closes Missoula Restaurant

Another well-known restaurant in Missoula has apparently gone quietly into the night. Famous Dave's (the BBQ chain) on Reserve appears to be closing its doors forever, after being open in Missoula for about twenty years. The news came with almost zero fanfare. A customer trying to enter the building was met with a "closed" sign and a note thanking Missoula for supporting Famous Dave's for twenty years, stating the restaurant had permanently closed.

Read More: Missoula Says Goodbye to Its Applebee’s |

Famous Dave’s was my job for a brief time

While I didn’t work too many hours at the Missoula Famous Dave's location before I left, I worked there when the location was brand new. I worked there as a bartender in early 2006. I only worked for a few weeks, but I got to try a lot of their dishes while working. Oddly enough, my favorite dish was not a rib or a piece of brisket. I was totally obsessed with the Cajun chicken sandwich. I have never eaten anything else that could compare to it.

Astrid Stawiarz, Getty Images

Twenty Years on Reserve Street

Since then, Famous Dave's has become another staple restaurant along Reserve Street. Reserve Street has gone under so many changes since Famous Dave's began doing business. You can see some of these differences just by looking outside your window. While twenty years is a great amount of time for a restaurant to do business, I was surprised by the sudden closure of the restaurant. There was no big going-away party or last chance to dine event. It simply said goodbye via a note on the front door.

rebeccafondren

Didn't This Just Happen With Applebee's?

Missoulians may recall that the Applebee's restaurant went out of business recently. Like Famous Dave's, it happened suddenly and without notice. No public reasons were ever stated. As far as I am aware, both locations were owned by the same franchise owners. Although this does not necessarily mean the closures are connected, it certainly raises questions. Two very popular restaurants, both operated by the same owners, have disappeared within weeks of each other.

kirillica

A Pretty Quiet Goodbye

In short, after approximately twenty years of feeding Missoulians, Famous Dave's is done. And somewhere out there, I'm hoping somebody still has the recipe for that Cajun chicken sandwich.