Big Dan's BBQ — Restaurant in Elizabethton

I Met Dan at the best Country Meat Shop this side of the Tennessee River, (H & H Meat Market, to be exact), he spoke of BBQ, and sauces that I just 'had to try'.

About a week later, I was talking with the wife on the phone deciding on dinner for the in-laws...,(you know you have to impress.), as I was passing Big Dan's I just turned around and said..."Darlin', I got it!"..

As I pulled up, some other customers were leaving and I noticed the server locking the door behind them. The resteraunt normally closes at 8pm.

I immediately thought to myself that we were done.. here it is, Saturday night, 8:04pm, and no dinner for my in-laws... no less, the wife. So, like any good husband I pick up the phone to call and beg.... by goodness, I didn't have to.

After talking to the same server whom I just watched lock the door behind the last set of customers, she put Big Dan on the line. I explained my situation and that we had met the week previous and just wanted something quick to go... he told me not to worry that he had me covered and to come on in!

Wow, just wow! Talk about great customer service. After speaking to Dan inside, I told him I just wanted something quick to take to the family. He sent me of with...

2lbs of Pulled Pork, a Large Cup of Cole Slaw, a Pack o' buns... and sauces, Oh THE SAUCES...

Leettt me tell you about the success Dan's had on my Family. My Father-in-law doesn't normally do Cole slaw, and when he does he only likes shredded not diced.... This has now changed. He, and I, agree Dan's is the best Cole Slaw in the area!

The sauces are just amazing my wife went bongos over the sweet and tangy sauce, the rest of the family loved it too.

Now, when I met Dan, he and I talked about hot BBQ sauces. He had told me about a Reaper sauce he makes. Well, he had handed me some of that this particular evening as well.

Let me tell you something, I've had some hot stuff before and this one definitely has some of THAT!! A very well rounded hot sauce. A tad bit heavy on cayenne, the reaper hits on the tip and the rear of the pallete just right. Nothing really sticks the lips as far as the heats, which is a good thing, great afterbite!

All-in-all, Dan's is one of the, if not THE, best BBQ in Tennessee at the moment!

Thanks for the brilliant Dinner! (And the...

First time to Big Dan's and it won't be the last. The staff were very friendly and pleasant. The dining area is well lighted and decorated with various sports memorabilia from both local high schools and colleges. The tables and seats were ample and clean, with lots of seating options from 2 seats to tables of 8 or more all placed inside a small area, but it doesn't feel crowded. The menu is posted on the wall above the cashier, but paper menus are available also. There are lots of options on the menu, obviously specializing in BBQ but you can order sandwiches, burgers and hotdogs too. The prices feel right for the amount of food you receive. Several options for sides as well as appetizers. They have daily specials on fresh baked pies for dessert. Pepsi products to drink as well as water and tea, all with free refills. We ordered at the cashier's area and then sat at our table. Payment options include both cash and cards. The staff brought our food to the table and then checked back with us later to make sure everything was ok. The food was served quickly and prepared as ordered. We had several different menu items and received them all at the same time. Several options for the BBQ sauce including regular, hot, mustard based, and vinegar based options. I personally enjoyed the hot sauce but found the others to be good tasting as well. We did not try any dessert but we saw many other diners enjoying them. It is a warm, clean, and inviting atmosphere serving fresh, hot, and tasty food at a great price. Big Dan's East TN BBQ is a great addition to and well worth the trip to the last block of downtown...

Oooooh man, here we go. I grew up without real BBQ so I always had an image in my head of what it should look and taste like. The Burnt Ends from Big Dan's is exactly what I've been trying to find. Sure, some places have a more flavorful cut or prettier bark. But honestly, these are perfect. You could eat it with a spoon! With or without sauce each piece is tender, juicy, and practically melt in your mouth.

That brings me to the sides. I got the mac and cheese and the beans. I was not a huge fan of the mac and cheese, seemed a bit too thick for what I usually prefer. But it was still good! The beans though we're just right. Some restaurants have a super thick sauce, others do many beans that there isn't room for sauce. They had the right consistency, I'd plan to order it double next time!

We also got a sampler platter and I have to say both kinds of pulled chicken are excellent!

There is a solid selection of sauces. I went with the sweet but the Texas is also excellent. In the end I decided the burnt ends didn't need sauce and enjoyed the tender cuts of perfection in their own!

If you have never been here before I highly recommend the sampler platter to figure out what you like most. Just make sure those burnt ends are on...