JB Dawson's Restaurant and Bar — Restaurant in Lancaster

NEW FAVORITE PLACE! A REVIEW FROM FIRST TIMERS!…. LOVED IT, You just earned two new “Regulars” The food, the atmosphere and the Incredible staff will keep us Coming back!

Went shopping at J.C. Pennys tonight, couldn’t decide where to go, and Every place around As You’ll come to find out in this review, Seems to Be missing what J.B.’s Has!

After we had fun shopping, We went to the car and began reading reviews, let me just save you time now, Nothing around comes anywhere close to the high praises of J.B. Dawson’s! ….Everyone raves about the Lobster Bisque, It was Exceptional, And Loaded with about half a lobster rolls’ worth of Super juicy, tender, top shelf Lobster, Cooked perfectly, and Again, Not to be redundant but so super tender, They top the bisque with it, Stir it through and you’ll have some of the best tasting lobster Bisque to be found anywhere from Here to Massachusetts and Believe me, I Know I Travel all the way up and down the northern shore, and everyone around Raves about J.B’s For Seafood, Each of the servers when asked for suggestions all raved about the crab fettuccine, And the Crab and scallops….

Even with all the glowing reviews about the seafood aside (next time I have to try the crab cakes, I Love Crab cakes and believe if they’re going to be good anywhere around Lancaster It’s Here!) ….Our server Ashley was Exemplary, Just the picture perfect Dream server anyone could ever ask for, super attentive and Her skills With recommendations, keeping drinks full, and Guests happy was something like out of a training manual of what Every restaurant owner and Hungry Guest who visits wishes they had, In my lifetime of Experience As a Well known Chef and My Spouse who is one tough foodie Adored the kindness and top shelf Level of Professional expertise found by Ashley, so, if you get a chance, You’ll have to be sure to Ask for Her section, I promise you, You’ll leave with a smile and So Happy You did, There isn’t a tip big enough to show and return the kindness of a server like this, And then the night wouldn’t have been topped off without a visit from Ryan the Manager on duty who was So kindhearted, and Asked us where we’re from and what we thought of our experience, There again, another superb employee who You wish Just so happened to be at every other restaurant you visit where the staff should all be like you’ll find Here at J.B.‘s from the door greeter / hostess, she was wonderful and recommended the crab fettuccine (she said she loves to switch out the fettuccine with Penne which is precisely how I would do it too!, but they’re so accommodating Here, whatever you want they’ll make it happen!)

So now Onto the food! My Tough foodie had the Parmesan chicken, this is the dish that every other restaurant Tried and fails miserably at, they end up with a dish of hard webbing in place of cheese and tough chicken that doesn’t taste like anything, I had a bite and actually would order it in the future so tender and truly tasted like the best Parmesan dish you ever had, I had the chicken tenders and ribs, with their shoestring fries and Baked beans, their baked Beans are like a bowl of Hearty chili, it’s awesome, the fries were great, Ashley clearly cared about getting everything right under Her domain because all the little details that meant a lot in our first experience all came out right down to all my little sauces came out right and the cooks in the back all cared about consistently getting the food out in a timely and efficient manner, each item was cooked to perfection and seasoned beautifully! Everyone at J.B’s Did an extra special job out performing any other local restaurant we’ve been visiting for years in our first experience alone, Every detail was not just expectation meeting, But Exceeding, We will be Becoming Quite the regulars Here, and I strongly encourage you do the same! Just take a look at these photographs

And take my advice, order one of everything!, From soups to appetizers to desserts, Because the more you try the more impressed You’ll Be!

-Chef...

I just wanted to treat my son. However, this place cattle proded us through judging us as we came in. Hey, thsts not right. Then, we had to sit right behind the host station less than 10 feet in. The waiter, seemed rocky and not happy as the rest. Well, im not down for being treated thst way having dozens of years doing just this! The food was mediocre, ordered the prime rib sandwich, it was just the overcooked prime rib theu couldn't sell! Worthless. The ladies ordered pasta meals. A little better, but the overall meal and service was crap. The manager did come over..bit it was to late. I paid and left and theu will never get another dollor from wallet. What was the issue? Well, as a life long restaurant person, it starts with the host! They all seemed like they were in distress, and not happy. Well, we had the host say, im sorry, im busy right now, when we got the host station after standing there for 10 minutes. Yes, he was with others, but his attitude toward us, waiting was unacceptable for a person being patient to be seated! Then. After all that, he sat us right behind the host station facing them and the wall! I think eating in the door area would have been more private! The waiter was cold and " as a matter of fact!" Zero smile, and didn't want to be there! It was as if he was like a robot! Zero personality, its a big place as well. Needless to say anymore, theu over heard me say, the coffee I ordered was cold. Well, coffee should be hot..then the waiter came and asked all of they needed a refill and ignored me and the coffee. Well, I said something after a loud that I might have wanted more hot coffee. Then, after a few minutes the waiter brought more coffee! I'm sorry, I wouldn't drink a coffee brought after the "host" we were a foot away from and the manager coming over and asking how it was! No, rather, I will never give them another cent and tell ypy not to go there and eat thier crap food! How it was..don't bother laying rop dollor for this shot food and service! I wish there was...

JB Dawson's (also known as Austin's, in Reading, PA) is a small, local PA restaurant chain. With three restaurants, they have spectacular food and drink options.

Dawson's is one of the family's favorite places to go when we don't mind splurging a little... and splurge you will. Go into the experience knowing that you're going to pay only somewhat more compared to local big-chain restaurants -- prices and options are available on the Dawson's website. But also know that you are paying for an above-average, small-chain experience.

My family and I have been to Dawson's four times. We lived in the Lancaster area for decades at this point and walked by Dawson's numerous times while at the Park City Mall.

It was only "post-COVID" when we decided to see what it was about, as a friend and neighbor recommended it. We're glad we did and wished we would have sooner. They mix a mean cocktail (my wife loves their pineapple express) and offer a variety of spirits, drafts, and wines. Their service is excellent. The food -- my wife always gets the filet and I tried the salmon, the ribeye, the crab cakes, and the fish and chips... along with mashed potatoes, seasoned broccoli, green beans, rice and beans, and other sides -- is phenomenal. Deserts are just as good. The family usually splits a brownie a la mode.

The atmosphere is clean, adorned in dark wood, accompanied by comfortable seats, low lighting, and soft conversation. It truly sets the mood for relaxed, fine meal experience.

Stop in for a drink (Dawson's has a happy hour). Order food to go. Make a reservation if you'd like or walk in. Dine at the bar or at a comfortable booth. Also, consider joining their email club to get notified about specials, etc. And, when dining in with the folks, kids under 12 eat free most Sundays.

If you've been on the fence about stopping at JB Dawson's, hop off it... try them out. You...