When adventure meets taste
Our cooperation with Don Marco's Barbecue
Authentic, honest, and crafted with a passion for craftsmanship—what applies to our travel bags also applies to our new partnership: Don Marco's Barbecue , one of the pioneers of authentic American barbecue in Germany, is our new partner. And we couldn't be prouder.
A spice manufacturer with history – Don Marco's Barbecue from Gelsenkirchen, the heart of the Ruhr Valley
When the American BBQ trend slowly made its way to Germany over 25 years ago, the range of products available here was still limited. Those who wanted to experiment with smokers, rubs, and brines had to improvise or resort to expensive imported products.
But with the rise of American-style BBQ competitions and a growing professional scene, the demand for authentic ingredients also grew. And that's where Don Marcos came in: a manufacturer that specialized early on in high-quality spice blends, marinades, and accessories – developed in Germany, but inspired by the spirit of the American South.
To this day, Don Marco's Barbecue remains a household name among professionals. Some of Germany's most successful grill masters – including world champions – swear by the products from Gelsenkirchen. The brand stands for uncompromising quality, natural ingredients, and a true passion for BBQ.
Drakensberg x Don Marco's: Craftsmanship meets taste
Quality, craftsmanship, and authenticity are our top priorities. Therefore, it was clear to us that if we were looking for a partner for our barbecue aprons and knife bags , it had to be a family-run business that shared our values.
With Don Marco's, we've not only found someone who meets our criteria – we've gained a true pioneer of German BBQ as our partner.
Gift promotion: Magic Dust free with your order
To celebrate this partnership, from now until July 31, 2025, you will receive a free 180g can of "Magic Dust" from Don Marco's Barbecue worth €9.90 with every DRAKENSBERG leather barbecue apron or knife bag .
What is Magic Dust?
Magic Dust is a legendary spice blend developed by renowned Illinois pitmaster Mike Mills. A multi-award-winning grill master and owner of the 17th Street Bar & Grill, Mills created this blend to add a distinctive touch to his BBQ dishes.
Magic Dust's original recipe combines ingredients such as paprika, salt, sugar, mustard powder, chili powder, cumin, black pepper, granulated garlic, and cayenne pepper. This carefully balanced blend imparts a harmonious balance of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors to meat and vegetables.
Based on this classic, Don Marco's has created its own high-quality, perfectly balanced version of Magic Dust. This interpretation is not only impressive in terms of taste, but also in its purity: It contains no flavor enhancers, anti-caking agents, fillers, or palm oil. A natural, versatile flavor explosion that adds a special touch to any grilled dish.
Recipe ideas with Magic Dust
Magic Dust pork neck with apple BBQ glaze
A true BBQ classic: Generously rub the pork neck with Magic Dust and smoke it at low temperature for 12–14 hours. Towards the end, coat it with a glaze made from apple juice, honey, and BBQ sauce. Juicy, smoky, sweet—a poem.
Tip: Serve as a pulled pork burger with coleslaw and a brioche bun.
Grilled sweet potato skewers with Magic Dust & lime cream
Cut the sweet potatoes into thick slices, marinate them with olive oil and Magic Dust, and thread them onto skewers. Grill briefly until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Serve with a cream made from lime juice, yogurt, and a little honey.
Perfect as a side dish or vegetarian main course.
Beef fillet with Magic Dust crust & chimichurri
Rub a high-quality beef fillet with a little oil and cover it with a Magic Dust crust. Grill briefly and hot, then let it cook over indirect heat. Serve with a homemade chimichurri made with parsley, garlic, chili, and olive oil.
Refined, but with few ingredients – ideal for guests.
More links about BBQ
Don Marco's online shop:
Wikipedia on Barbecue
Food bloggers with BBQ recipes:
Authentic BBQ restaurants:
LittleSuzysBBQ - Frankfurt a. Main
Boogie's BBQ - Nuremberg
Raph's BBQ Deli - Cologne
Smoke - Düsseldorf
Chicago Williams BBQ - Berlin and Frankfurt am Main
St. Ribs - Munich and Bonn
Barbecue associations:
German Barbecue Association eV
