EXHIBIT 5
May 22, 2002



Famous Dave's Of America, Inc.
7657 Anagram Drive
Eden Prairie, MN  55344


         RE:  REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted on behalf of Famous Dave's of America, Inc. (the
"Company") in connection with a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the
"Registration Statement") filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange
Commission relating to an additional 1,450,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par
value, issued or to be issued by the Company (the "Shares"), pursuant to the
terms of the Company's 1995 Stock Option and Compensation Plan, as amended (the
"Plan"). Upon examination of such corporate documents and records as we have
deemed necessary or advisable for the purposes hereof, it is our opinion that:

         1.       The Company is a validly existing corporation in good standing
                  under the laws of the State of Minnesota.

         2.       The Shares, when issued and paid for as contemplated by the
                  Plan, and when delivered against payment thereof in the manner
                  contemplated by the Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid
                  and non-assessable.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.


                                          Very truly yours,


                                          /s/ Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, LLP