Willie James Soul Food at Downtown

Food is always made to order and fresh. Staff is great too… the yams are the best I’ve ever had.

In the area for a wedding and wanted to find a Soul food location. I searched right here on Unilocal and stumbled across «Willie James». I headed there and was hoping and praying all the way that I hope this food is good. Well to my surprise I was extremely pleased and so were my taste buds. Did I mention the service was extremely professional and a very respectful environment. I thought I need to call back and let the owner «Pastor Mark» know how pleased we were and that even though I’m only visiting the area I will recommend to business partners and friends. That I did, yes I called to tell him about the great food and experience. Great job to you «Pastor Mark» and family! 5 stars…

Fries are awesome. Spouse had rib sandwich, large portion and tender. Offspring had meatloaf (average) candied yams and mac-​n-​cheese. Sides were the star. I had oxtail n rice w collards. Tails were perfectly smothered and greens super tender.
Service was extremely slow but the flavor was worth it. Sides are definitely the stars here.

What? Amazing fried chicken in Lancaster, PA? Yes! And greens that are complex, swampy, salty, fabulous fight-​over-​the-​last-​bite good.
Did we have the pulled pork? Of course. Tasty, tender, and not nearly as sweet as most pulled pork is around here.
Mac & Cheese done right!
This isn’t a fast serve place, but the dining room is pleasant and the wait worth it.

We had the fried chicken, candied yams and mac and cheese! Took a bit for the food to come out, but then again it was hot fresh crispy delicious! Worth it! This is my go to fried chicken now and would love to try other menu items. Might just order ahead if I’m really hungry! Prices very reasonable too! Go and patronize some real folks making really great food!

I have to give it up to Willie James Soul Food at Downtown.
Small lil place in Lancaster, PA but the flavors are big and simple. Homestyle!
The place is nothing much when you go. Don’t glit and glam. They are layed back. Décor plain and simple. Earthy colors. Atmospher is homey and comfortable. 2 tv’s on the wall, gossipal music playing in the background and there’s plenty of seating, you can see the kitchen and the folk working to get your order filled.
Take cash. There is no alcohol served and no BYOB.
Busy place. We were greeted with a freindly smil and «Hello». When we got there around 8 PM the meatloaf was all. We heard people were just coming in just for it and were disappointed that there was none when we ordered. So we got there fried chick sammy and fried chicken platter with sides.
We did have to wait a bit like 20 – 25 minutes for our order but it gave us time to talk and the food was cooked to order and if know how to do southern chicken right, it take some time to do and it’s expected whn a place runs out of product.
We get our food. It’s steaming and smelling yummy! We dive in and the food is HOT! Start out with sides the collards are done right. Tender, no grit, no to sweet, not too salty but done just right and the potato salad was different but good. It was a mustardy type not the classic white you expect when soul food is served. I could’nt top either but I could help myself plus the chicken was steaming hot!
Now for the chicken, a leg and thigh. Piping hot, juicey with a nice seasoning, and crispy exterior. Very delishious!
We wer full when all said and done but dessert was on the cards to take home since we were full. Want peach pie but the desserts got hammered too. Our server sweet talked us into banana pudding. He came out with a sample and it was damn good surprising so we got a small to go.
Over all the place is a great place to eat but you just have to be patient and flexable. It’s like having dinner with your family. You know what ever food is being cook is going to be good, you eat what is served, you have a good time no matter what and give thanks.
Good luck to Willie James Soul Food at Downtown. We will be back. I got my eye on some sweet potato pie!
P. S. When you open the front door, it opens out to the street. Pull no push…