Best Barbeque Baby Back Ribs in Lancaster PA! - Dan The Man Southern Style Barbeque
“It doesn’t get any better than this”, speaking about pork, says Anthony Bourdain of the Travel Channel’s “No Reservations” television show. Well, that’s what we say about Dan the Man’s BBQ baby back ribs. Dan’s is located on 30 West James Street (between Prince and Queen streets) in downtown Lancaster. Dan and his clan are transplants from the deep south, which explains the Southern style cooking. Using natural apple wood, Dan’s slow cooks the meats to perfection. And the standard rule in the BBQ business applies at Dan’s as well, don’t ask what’s in the sauce. You’ll want to, but he’s not saying!
If you’re a lifelong resident of Lancaster County, never traveling far from the county’s borders, you may never have tasted real American barbeque. Just watch the Food, History or Travel channel, and you’ll find shows detailing the argument that never ends: which state has the best barbeque? Is it Texas? North Carolina? Maybe Tennessee? I’ve been to all three states and sampled the American delicacy of beef and pork slow roasted over natural wood fires, and they’re all great. Having been fortunate enough to spend 33 years of my life here in beautiful Lancaster County, I often long for the foods I’ve experienced in my travels, and there is nothing better than a well-prepared rack of baby back ribs. Here in Lancaster the pickings are slim when it comes to BBQ. Applebee’s, TGI Friday’s, Damon’s Restaurant and Clubhouse, O’Hallorans or the steam table at Stauffer’s supermarket? All good, but none are the real deal. Dan the Man’s Southern Barbeque is the real deal! Hands down. No question. The best baby back ribs you’ll find in Lancaster County, period!
If you’re looking to put on a tie, have your date wear heels, and dine by candle light, you won’t be eating BBQ anyway. But if you’re looking for a casual, finger licking meal, you won’t be disappointed with Dan’s. Easy to miss, Dan’s is located in a small building on James Street. We found the place clean, and the staff very friendly. When we visited, Dan, Rudy, his sister and aunt were all busy freshly preparing the meats and homemade side dishes. The barbeque was going full steam outback behind the store. The sweet smell of slowly cooking meat was wafting for blocks in the surrounding downtown area.
Our assistant editor and I had the baby back ribs, with homemade cole slaw, macaroni and cheese, corn bread and French fries. The ribs, cole slaw and corn bread were excellently prepared and tasty, with both sweet and garlic BBQ sauce on top of the meatiest pork ribs I’ve had. The macaroni and cheese was good. No doubt we’ll pass on the frozen French fries in the future.
If you’ve a hankering for barbeque or want to impress your friends with fantastically prepared, slow cooked, delicious baby backs, Dan is the Man. Dan offers large portions that you can carry out for your next party, picnic or faux cook. Leave the gas grill turned off. Save the prep time and clean up and enjoy Dan’s Southern Style Barbeque.
Dan’s offers the Baby Back Ribs we tried plus Pork Ribs, Beef Ribs, BBQ chicken, Corned Beef, Beef Brisket, Pork Loin, Turkey Wings, Pulled Pork, Hot or Mild Sausage and Fried Fish. For sides they offer Baked Beans, Collard Greens, Cole Slaw, Green Beans, Cabbage, Macaroni & Cheese, Yams, Potato Salad, Corn Bread and French fries. All at very reasonable prices. You can walk in or call ahead to 717-397-3330 and your order will be ready for a speedy pickup. Dan can cater your next affair as well.
