Blues is the backbone of the live music scene—check out the calendar at www.mnblues.com for at least 10 events per night. What gives Famous Dave's the edge is reliable booking of national acts (Muddy Waters's buddy Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin, Detroit blues queen Alberta Adams, Roomful of Blues), and an otherwise full calendar of house-rocking music, from blues brunches on Sunday to Moses Oakland's open jams that evening (and, for good measure, Sensacion Latina on Tuesday). Underrated for its sound and vibe, the joint is more than the coolest imaginable chain restaurant in a shopping mall. Sincere reverence went into blanketing every wall with vintage posters, painted names, signed guitars, and other keepsakes of fallen heroes both national (John Lee Hooker) and local (Lazy Bill Lucas). The shows are all-ages, admission is low or free, and music begins early, ending before midnight. With the possible exception of the Cedar, there's no better place to introduce kids to America's roots-music.