Famous Dave's BBQ and Johnny Carino's Bring Dual-Concept Dining to Victorville

The new restaurant will combine the barbecue flavors of Famous Dave's with the Italian fare of Johnny Carino's.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:35am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a polished wooden table with a set of barbecue tongs, a bottle of barbecue sauce, and a plate of grilled ribs, all arranged elegantly against a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the fusion of Famous Dave's BBQ and Johnny Carino's Italian cuisine.The upcoming dual-concept Famous Dave's BBQ and Johnny Carino's restaurant in Victorville promises to bring a unique fusion of barbecue and Italian flavors to the High Desert region.Victorville Today

A new dual-concept dining experience is coming to Victorville, California, as Famous Dave's BBQ prepares to open inside the existing Johnny Carino's Italian Restaurant location. The transformation has been underway for months, with the interior of Johnny Carino's effectively divided to accommodate the new concept. The Victorville location will be the nearest Famous Dave's for High Desert residents, with the next-closest restaurant currently on Fourth Street in Rancho Cucamonga.

Why it matters

The dual-concept model is part of a broader expansion strategy for Famous Dave's, which has entered into an agreement to co-brand its barbecue restaurants with Johnny Carino's locations under a 25-site expansion deal. This move allows the companies to leverage each other's customer bases and provide a unique dining experience for customers in the High Desert region.

The details

For several months, Famous Dave's has already been operating as a virtual kitchen out of the Carino's location, allowing customers to order from the barbecue chain's menu for dine-in or takeout daily between 11:45 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Construction activity has continued behind the scenes, and this week, a Famous Dave's sign was installed on the exterior of the building, signaling the upcoming launch.

  • Famous Dave's has been operating as a virtual kitchen out of the Carino's location for several months.
  • The dual-concept restaurant is expected to open in late April or early May 2026.

The players

Famous Dave's BBQ

A barbecue restaurant chain that is expanding its presence in the High Desert region by opening a dual-concept location inside an existing Johnny Carino's Italian Restaurant.

Johnny Carino's Italian Restaurant

An Italian restaurant chain that has entered into an agreement with Famous Dave's to co-brand its locations and accommodate the new dual-concept dining experience.

Bluestone Hospitality Group

The parent company of Johnny Carino's that has partnered with Famous Dave's on a 25-site expansion deal to bring the dual-concept model to various locations.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The new dual-concept Famous Dave's BBQ and Johnny Carino's restaurant is expected to open in late April or early May 2026, providing a unique dining experience for residents in the High Desert region.

The takeaway

The partnership between Famous Dave's and Johnny Carino's to bring a dual-concept dining experience to Victorville is part of a broader strategy to leverage each other's customer bases and expand their reach in the region. This move highlights the evolving landscape of the restaurant industry, where companies are exploring innovative ways to offer diverse culinary options under one roof.