Hard-Eight Barbeque
1091 Glen Rose Rd, Stephenville, TX, 76401
Hard-Eight Barbeque Menu
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Address :
1091 Glen Rose Rd
Stephenville, TX, 76401 - Phone (254) 968-5552
- Website https://www.hardeightbbq.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:30 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
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Ashley N.
First, let me just say that I love Hard 8 in both Coppell & Roanoke. Great food, music, & service. I've been to this Stephenville location twice now & I just don't get it. The food is terrible, flies everywhere. Both times I had the brisket & I think it would be great if everyone from this location could go shadow the pit guys at the Coppell &/or Roanoke location to learn how to cut brisket properly. So much in Stephenville is wasted & you end up with a bunch of fat. Nasty. Greasy. Tasteless. So disappointing, as the other locations are so excellent.
(1)Jeff W.
Be warned - they've applied for a liquor license, so the free Keystone may not last forever!! Food is very good, but it's easy to over-order. I had a few brush-poppers, which were okay (more jalapeno please!!) and ribs, which were VERY enjoyable. My wife had the garlic-butter dipped chicken, which was probably the best of all. Sides are good, but can be a little small since they are served cafeteria style in a cup. The jalapeno-cream corn is very good, and not too spicy. Overall, a good experience and pretty good food.
(4)Christopher L.
This review is limited to the brisket. I was in the area and driving with some time to kill. I had never been to the "flagship" Hard-Eight and wanted to decide if I would make it part of my next trip to Glen Rose (and surrounding areas). I called when about 10 minutes out and asked if I could get 1/4 lb of fatty brisket to go (I had already eaten lunch and really just wanted a sampler) with no sauce on it or on the side. The girl was super nice and said no problem she would have it ready by the time I got there. To my surprise, the 1/4 lb was about 1/2 lb, so my sampler was a bit pricey. Oh well, I'll deal with it. I took it to the car and opened up the container to see what looked like roast beef. Maybe I should have got sauce... The meat was cut thick and was super dry. I asked for fatty and got no fat at all (beyond lean). There was not even a hint of smoke in the meat. I am really glad that I saved myself the trip here for a real meal.
(2)Hannah M.
I am really not sure why everyone thinks Hard 8 is amazing. The BBQ is average compared to most Texas BBQ and the prices are way high for the the quality you receive. I have been to Hard 8 three times now and had dry brisket that requires a ton of BBQ sauce to make it flavorful, ribs that are not even the quality I can make in my oven at home, and okay chicken skewers. The sides aren't anything to get excited about either the potato salad is bad, green beans are okay, and the mac and cheese and the best side to try. I really like the atmosphere and the idea family style dinning, but this facility does not deserve all of the stars it has acquired.
(2)James G.
Stop here every time I am passing through town. You walk through a line and tell the cooks what to give you from the pit. I always get the chicken poppers (make sure to get them butter dipped) , along with whatever else I feel like eating. I have had the brisket and ribs. Both are delicious. They also have plenty of sides to order once you make it inside. Don't bother getting too much since they have free beans inside that are great.
(4)Bry M.
This place is amazing. The first time I ate here, I decided then and there that they would cater my wedding. They did and I still get compliments about it.
(4)Snappy B.
Great atmosphere, complementary beer. The food, however...........sometimes its OK. I've been there several times over the years, and they're not very consistent, and somewhat overpriced. Barbeque is pretty subjective, but getting a cold sandwich is not. I think they're trying to emulate Cooper's and some of the other great Hill Country places, but are not quite there. If you go, get a chopped sandwich to avoid sticker shock, but their (giant)pork chops and ribeyes are quite good. (All us locals know the best BBQ is at Tumbleweed).
(3)Herb R.
Kick-ass BBQ! You line up outside and pick your meat off the pit. Pay by the pound, but you can order less than a pound. While you're there at the grill, try some brush poppers (bite size chicken with jalapeno and onion wrapped in bacon and grilled). I had the brisket, it was done right. After you get the meat, sides are inside by the register, pre-packed. There are both inside and outside (porch) seating areas. Great food, good music, and apparently free beer, which i missed out on since I arrived close to closing time.
(5)Hugh Jim B.
Great BBQ experience. Many options, the brisket was very good and the prime rib was awesome. Excellent beans and potato salad also. Great building with plenty of seating are a plus. Will definitely stop here again.
(4)Mike C.
I don't think it's the best BBQ in town like everyone else says. It's good, but it's more about the atmosphere I think, which is enjoyable.
(3)mark a.
I agree it is very easy to over order. I had 4 pork ribs, 1/4 lb of brisket, and a jalapeno sausage. In my opinon the ribs could use a little more or stronger rub. Brisket was a little fatty, yes I know what brisket is, also I like my brisket with a little more "bark" on the outside. Sausage was fantastic. I liked the beans, the mac and cheese was not very warm. Over all good BBQ and cool place.
(4)Lucky L.
Hard Eight can be the best in town, but it's inconsistent. Hit it on the right night, and you can't beat it. On another night, you'll wonder why you were so amped up to go. I go often, but do appreciate other places as well.
(3)Garen M.
This is a great place to eat BBQ. Good selection of meats, cooked well, and served in an interesting method. I stop at this location or in Brady every chance I get.
(4)Ryan G.
I am from Illinois and this is by far the best BBQ I have ever had!! We had the brisket sandwich on their jalapeño bread which was unbelievably good! We also had the bacon wrapped chicken and jalapeño bites!
(5)Casey H.
I hate to have to review a restaurant this poorly but the service was that poor. We called and ordered something to be shipped and was assured it was something they do all of the time and the shipping cost were reasonable. When I got my credit card bill the shipping was $163 for a $45 piece of meat!! THREE times the cost of the item is not reasonable. When I called to question the charge I was given the run around then the MANAGER told me I was "wasting her time" questioning the charge. WOW is all I can say. I have never experience such poor customer service. I will never eat here or any of their other locations again and will tell everyone I know not to either.
(1)Dan W.
Great and good!!! the BBQ here is one of the best ever!! the place is like an outdoor cooker with a guy there that takes your meat order. once done you get to go thru a line of all the goodies and drinks. The inside was clean and everyone there was very friendly. If I ever get back to Texas I am going to stop here again for sure!!! Way to go Hard-Eight!!
(5)Justin G.
OVERPRICED. The overall food isn't terrible, but for what you are paying I expect more.
(2)Nikki B.
I can't say much for their actual restaurant, but I was lucky enough to go to an event that Hard Eight catered recently. While some things were really tasty (hello, sliced beef!) and succulent, I wasn't impressed with others. The sausage they offered (two kinds: regular or jalapeno) were really dry and hard to cut up. I ended up leaving 3/4 of it on my plate. Also, the pinto beans were served at barely lukewarm temps, making them unsafe to eat. I'm sure it caused potty problems for those who dug in. However, I loved the potato salad and cornbread salad, which I don't see very often. I could have easy had seconds of that stuff! The hosts shelled out $900 to feed 75 folks the choice of two meats, two sides, two sauces, sliced white bread, iced tea and water. All plasticware, cups and such were included. I'd love to go back to their location and give them another shot, but as far as catering goes, they're just average in my opinion.
(3)David R.
This review comes after I gave the Hard-Eight a second try, just in case I caught them on an "off" day the first go around.. First word that comes to mind, "OVERPRICED"... You enter this "restaurant" in a cafeteria style manner, order your pre-cooked (both times room temperature) meat and continue inside where you choose different sides and sauces (all which cost extra unless you spend $20+ on a steak, which they do cook when you order). They have a decent selection of sides but none of them taste fresh and they too are room temperature at best.. If you are looking for a salad, go elsewhere as this place only has a prepackaged side salad that looks like its been sitting out for quite the while.. I tried a different dessert each time (banana pudding & mud pie) and they both tasted like and had the consistency of the styrofoam that they were packaged in.. I should mention that all sides are packaged in styrofoam.. The service here is as mediocre as it should be, being that there are no actual waiters.. You are expected to get your own drinks as well as clean up your own area after eating. The friendliest people are definitely the people in charge of your main course. Lastly, the beer.. Both times I have been here they were only serving something along the lines of Keystone Light.. Enough said. Somehow this place manages to keep steady business. It may be because it is really the only BBQ place in town.. I really don't understand it. Overall, Stephenville really has a poor selection of quality food.. If you are in the mood for Mexican, this town is the right spot as they have about 30 different selections for restaurants.
(1)Hiten P.
This is the best BBQ place I've been to in a while. You order your meat straight out of the smoker. Tell the guy how much you want and how you want it chopped and you get it right then and there. They got everything you could possibly want. Ribs, brisket, prime rib, pork chops, sausage, vegetables, and free Mrs. Baird's white bread and jalapeno beans. But the real kicker is FREE BEER! I'm not even joking. This place refuses to charge for beans and it refuses to charge for beer! Dr. Pepper costs more than beer here! Absolutely unbelievable and absolutely fantastic. It's a classic BBQ place with spurs on the walls, signed pics of country music stars I can't recognize, and walls and walls of rodeo pictures. This is 100% authentic Texas. If you don't have cowboy boots and jeans, you will be out of place. It's not really near any big city or major highway, but Hard-Eight is really close to Stephenville airport. It's a pretty popular stop for general aviation pilots and is about a 1 hr flight away from Dallas.
(5)Bob L.
Growing up in Texas, I've learned an all-important lesson: barbecue is subjective just like one's fashion choices. Hard 8 is obviously no exception. While there is no doubt they have good food, I hesitate to call it the best I've ever had here in Texas. You order the meat by weight and then get your sides as add-ons. The focus on the protein is obvious as their brisket, turkey, and sausage were all far better than any of the sides. Some would say it is all about the meat anyway. If you are a member of this camp, you are sure to like Hard 8's. If you need some top notch potato salad to supplement your meal, you will probably be disappointed. (I would say the one exception would be the cornbread salad. It was a new and unique treat for me.) So, overall, it was good quality BBQ. I would definitely go back. But, the best? You'll have to judge for yourself. Oh, did I mention Free Beer?
(3)Solomon W.
You know that "oh crap" feeling when you've realized that you've ordered too much food? Well, I like that feeling. Especially when there's nothing you can do about it because the real pit-fired BBQ doesn't allow for regrets or weakness. No turning back when you eat real Texas BBQ. So after a draining morning of moving my brother out of his apartment for a couple hours, we stopped by this classic BBQ joint. I wasn't expecting much, but boy, was I in for a treat. First stop, the pit. A 2 inch pork chop, a sausage, 2 hunks of brisket, 2 ribs, half a chicken, 2 hunks of turkey. Breathe...breathe... Onto the table. The pork chop was awesome and smokey. Not the most tender piece of swine I've had, but mighty tasty. The sausage was pretty juicy, but way hot for a spicy sausage, not to say I did not enjoy it. I like spicy, and this had the perfect kick. It may scare some though. Chicken was great. Turkey was good. Ribs were ok. Brisket was AWESOME. Too bad it wasn't real brisket. It was a shoulder cut I believe, but I think this implies "cheating" in the BBQ world. It may have just been a really lean piece of brisket cut, but it didn't have the same mouthfeel as brisket. It reminded me a lot of pulled pork, and I do love pulled pork. Tender, flavorful, and moist was this brisket. Just don't think it was normal brisket. The aspect that really defines Hard 8 would have to be the consistency of every meat. Not one thing was bad. And the peppery rub gave an amazing kick to the meat; I haven't really found other spice rubs that I enjoy that much on Texas BBQ. And $40 for 2 heavy eaters to get stuffed is a pretty good deal. And I love free beans. And there is free beer if you are into that.
(5)Sid D.
Great food all around nothing I have gotten was bad and this is my third trip.
(5)Roger W.
I travel down 281 often and used to stop here every time I passed by. The prices have increased this last year so I don't stop as much. This time I had the 1/2 chicken and pork ribs. The seasoning on the chicken was very good. The dark meat was moist but the breast was dry. The ribs were amazing and among some of the best I have ever had. This did not make up for the high price of the meal though. The meat is sold by the pound and for $12 per lbs it gets expensive quick. 1/2 chicken and two ribs and a drink was $12.50.
(4)Michael N.
Whenever we talk about BBQ this is always the place I tell my friends about.. "When I lived in Texas...." I can tell by the look on their faces that no one completely believes me but it's all true. "Free beer?" no way they say, but the other reviews back me up. I would always stop here on my way from DFW to Brownwood. I didn't take full advantage of the free beer but it's hard when Stephenville is in the middle of nowhere and you have to eventually drive a few hours. Free beer aside, the food is excellent. I've never had anything bad here. I remember the first time I was here I had no idea what to expect. I was planning to order some brisket, then I watched as the guy ahead of me ordered a thick pork chop "Do you want butter with that?" the cutter asked. A slight head-nod in response. Then I watched as he dunked the 2in thick pork chop in a bucket of melted butter. I had to order that. If you're ever within 100 miles of this place, it's worth a visit.
(5)a d.
The barbecue is good, not great, and it's expensive. We tried the brisket, smoked turkey, bacon jalapeno popper. The brisket was missing the nice crust on the outer edge, it was rather fatty. The smoked turkey was good, but nothing special. The jalapeno popper was a bit soggy. The food was better than the town's other options like Dairy Queen but way too expensive. The BBQ sauce is too sweet. Free beer and beans come with your meal, but if you're not drinking the "watery" beer, then it might irk you that you don't get a discount or that you have to pay for ice tea. We probably won't be back.
(1)Mike P.
Wen't to Hard eights purely on yelp reviews and was not dissappointed at all. Great brisket and sausage. Free baked beans. My coworker loved the free beer. The banana pudding and apple cobbler are great. If I ever in Stephenville again I will surely stop at the 8!! Great atmosphere and very friendly and helpful staff.
(5)Chris R.
I had heard of Hard 8 from friends - just never had the opportunity to visit. Last Friday a friend offered to buy lunch at Hard 8 but wanted to go to Stephenville to the original. So off we go and an enjoyable trip from Denton to Stephenville and we got there at about 11 (sign says open at 10:30). First time there. Pit Boss opens the pit and there are the delectable items available: Brush Poppers - I had the shrimp/jalepeno/bacon wrapped - yummmmmmmmmmmm. BBQ Chicken, Sausage, Ribs, Brisket, Pork, Sirloin..... I had 3 ribs, 2 slices of sirloin, some jalepeno sausage, baked potato, jalepeno sweet corn, peach cobbler, beans (beans are FREE!!! - and VERY good - as good as I can make them). The popper was great and worth another one. The sirloin was superb - rare - the way I like it but if I am eating BBQ I don't really think of sirloin as a choice. I should have had the brisket - next trip. Jalepeno sausage was good - would have been better if hotter - as in hotter from the grill - - not the seasoning - which was good. The ribs were good but a bit salty on that day but still good. Corn was great. Cobbler was great. Great ambience. A most enjoyable experience. I understand there is one down Flower Mound / Lewisville area - need to check out. Overall most enjoyable and worth another trip. Friendly folks. You will not walk away hungry. All the beans you want to eat. Try it.
(4)D W.
Best damn BBQ joint there is(PERIOD) (don't bring up Cooper's, yeah its good, just not as) The Texas National Guard armory, where I have drilled for years, is right across the street. We used to eat all our lunches there on drill weekend. (till the state realized they could feed us cheaper about 10 miles away, cause they don't have to supply the gas for our POVs that we have to drive to get to the new place) Usually I just pay for my own lunch and eat there anyway. It is a great place for a stop when you're on a long motorcycle ride. They even have a motorcycle only parking area. Private charter pilots ride golf carts from the airport, that is back behind the armory, to bring their passengers to eat here. If you are in the area and need a caterer they do an outstanding job at that also. Oh and don't get me started on the FREE BEER!!! If you want to treat someone to some real Texas Barbeque make the side trip to Hard Eight. It's worth every extra mile.
(5)Tara M.
I just don't get the appeal of this place. Yeah, the meat is served off of a pit, but that doesn't necessarily make it great. The cooked meats are displayed on an open warming pit where you point to what you want and they slap it on a tray. If you say you want half a pound of something, what you get is just a guesstimate on their part. Steer clear of the big beef ribs unless you like paying 10 bucks a pound for bone and very little meat. The brisket was wrapped up in foil so was soggy and lost that nice pit crust. They also don't trim their brisket before cooking (some pitmasters do, some don't), so it's pretty fatty. Chicken is only sold by the half. This is just about the only sauce I've tried that I don't like. It has a funny taste I can't quite put my finger on, so by all means taste it before you put it on your meat and mess up an expensive meal. The only hot vegetables are corn-on-the-cob soaking in a pot of hot water on the pit and a baked potato wrapped in foil, also on the pit. Inside, where you pay for each individual meat by the pound, are your choices of either cole slaw or potato salad pre-portioned in styrofoam cups that you pay for separately. The cole slaw was dry and tasted only like shredded cabbage - I've had it twice and it was the same both times. The potato salad also was not very good. There are some pre-packaged deserts, but I didn't try those. They put a loaf of white bread on the tables and you help yourself. No other bread or rolls are offered. I also don't understand why other reveiwers think the atmosphere is so great - maybe if you're a tourist you'd think it's kind of cool?? I don't know. I had to compete with the flies for my food both times I visited. The kids that work there are kind of snotty and act like their doing you a favor by just being there. I've given it three tries and felt like I threw away good money each time.
(2)Robert B.
So there you are tooling along in the Cowboy capital, Stephenville, TX wondering why not pull up for some real Texas Pit BBQ.... Look up - there - Hard-Eight BBQ ... You will order your meat from an open pit out front. Oh yes, its a visual spread of greasy goodies gently wrapped in smokiness - ahh delight will be found in a butter dipped Pork Chop. You'll be saying Porker Chops yumm.. The Turkey is very good too. The beer and beans are free. Overall a good place.
(3)Rick O.
In the grand tradition of Coopers in Llano, Louie Mueller in Taylor, and Smitty's/Kreutz in Lockhart, Hard 8 delivers a big pile of meat and sides that's worth making it a day trip destination. Yes, yes, I know there's a Hard 8 not five minutes from DFW airport over in Coppell, but I really wanted to try the original location to get a good baseline comparison. So with that in mind, my BBQ buddy and I loaded up and headed southwest at 10AM on a Saturday. A quick two hours later, we pulled into the Hard 8 parking lot and got down to business. Walking up, you're greeted by a pride of outdoor pits made of rock and iron (they're more like lions than geese, no?). The line for meat forms to the right. The guys working the pit are quick and accommodating. You walk up, order everything by the pound, and they serve it up on a cafeteria tray. Once inside, the cashier weighs everything out and directs you down the line. It's a good system that keeps people moving. They've got the logistics worked out. So how was the food? Well, in a word, pretty awesome. Okay, that's two words. Sorry. Between the two of us, we ended up with brisket, pork ribs, and two kinds of sausage - along with a couple of shrimp poppers, free beans, and some cobbler. The brisket was almost as good as Mueller's in Taylor - that's my all-time runaway favorite. The rub added some flavor but it wasn't crusty. The smoke was perfect and didn't overpower the meat. And the meat was wonderful. Very moist and tender... and lean. Excellent work. Between the regular and jalapeno sausage, the regular was the better of the two. Juicy and spicy, with a nice "snap" to the casing. The jalapeno was little dry, but still tasty. The ribs, however, were the star of the show. Outside of the bone, they were almost all meat - no weight wasted on gristly inedibles. They were juicy, messy, flavorful, and I'm drooling just thinking about them again. The shrimp poppers were a nice treat. Imagine a shrimp and a strip of jalapeno wrapped up like a mummy in a strip of bacon. Now imagine it grilled until the bacon is crispy. Now imagine eating it in one giant bite. Good, ain't it? Yep. The free beans are self-serve and damn good. Stir up the pot and you'll see whole jalapenos and hunks of pork floating around in there. Folks, those are hunks of flavor. I would've paid to eat these beans. Any complaints? Well, the cobbler was kind of a letdown. It was too sweet and syrupy for my taste, and the crust was only present in soggy chunks sitting near the bottom of the cup. But I probably didn't really need dessert anyhow. Also, in spite of its proximity to Dublin, there was no Dublin Dr Pepper to be had. But it's not a huge deal. Next time I'll skip dessert and just head 13 miles down the road for a genuine Dublin Dr Pepper float if I'm feeling frisky. Now it's time to head over to Coppell and see how much of Stephenville they've imported to DFW... A quick word about pricing... I thought it was reasonable considering the amount of food we bought, and the giant sack of leftovers we had in the aftermath.
(5)Russell C.
Wanted to try the double thick pork chop dipped in melted butter but they sold the last one before I ordered. Brisket was a little fatty for my taste. I prefer the tip portion cooked a little drier with a thick smoke ring and good bark. This was juicy and tender, but too tender (like a roast cooked in a crock pot). Spicy BBQ sauce was vinegary and very good as were the free beans served self-serve style. Pork ribs had a good peppery rub. Jalapeño sausage was also good. Can be moderately pricey when you order by the pound. We completely over ordered after a day of deer hunting. However left overs were good the next day.
(3)One Lucky Texa n.
I'd probably give it 3.5 stars if that were an option. The main issue I had was I felt the brisket was under-smoked. Even worse, it was served to me sliced WITH the grain. Yes, it was tender, but I have never been served brisket that way. I BBQ some myself and would never serve brisket sliced or pulled apart with the grain of the meat. This left me trying to either cut with the 'house' tableware (which was really only sharp enough for butter) OR eating long 'strings' of meat. The rest of the meats my group had seemed fine and there was plenty of variety from which to choose. I felt the pricing was fair. $46 for 4 people and one person had a little to take home. I did leave a tip at the register but would not have felt obligated to leave more than 5%-10% due to the 'cafeteria' style service. So, you save a little on tipping. It is odd that you will not really be able to price your meal beforehand - but you won't have a 'nasty surprise' on the price. Just don't let your eyes order more than your stomach can handle! Oh, a small complimentary beer was offered as well - looked like about 5 ozs. or so.
(3)Ed A.
Great BBQ overall. Brisket / sausage / ribs really good. Corn on cob and bacon wrapped shrimp average. Coleslaw and beans good. Best thing is free beer and great looking staff.
(4)Gary L.
Great place! Be ready to EAT! My bacon-wrapped shrimp was great -- but my eyes were too big :). The 3 friends w me said their brisket was really good too. We ate out on the covered patio and took in the overall experience.
(5)Mark F.
Good bar b que but not the best. Atmosphere is great and the free beer is awesome.
(3)Nancy B.
I convinced the beau who was not hungry to stop while driving through town- after eating ribs, brisket and sausage he went back for a lb of brisket to go.
(5)Mrs N.
Came all the way in from Fort Worth for the turkey, just as they ran out! Aarghh! But the staff was diligent not to serve me anything underdone, in spite of the extended cooking time it took. The staff was uber-friendly and too the time to be sure I was satisfied!! Good food yes, but this kind of customer service can't go without a nod of approval!!!!
(4)Leslie C.
My husband and I shared a sirloin with fries (my husband) and baked potato ( me). The steak was tough and tasted old. The flavor was somewhat 'smokey' but after that, was quite tasteless. I think we ordered the wrong meats and will try it again going for the brisket and sausage!
(3)Kay T.
Free beer?! Sounds too good to be true... but it certainly isn't! Grab a spot in line outside and order your meat by the pound. I went for the sirloin kabob today after much deliberation. Everything looked good and smelled even better! My steak was cooked to absolute perfection. There was easily enough meat on the kabob to have shared with a few people. Then walk inside, and make your way through the line of sides. I grabbed a baked potato and some cole slaw, other options are mac n cheese, cornbread salad (delicious, btw, I tasted some that another person with me ordered) and a slew of other greats. Then, grab a cup for soda or some of their free beer that actually is free. Beans are also free if you feel so inclined. Every time I've been to Stephenville, we've stopped here and I sure as heck hope that tradition continues!
(4)Victor M.
7:00 pm Sunday night on Lanor day weekend. "Pit Master" was standing with his serving tongs under his arm pit, telling customers to make up there mind while he went and checked on Something. The people in line in front of us proceeded to request items and this guy told them we are out if that... That too .... Out of that. Finally we asked what do you have and his reply was " Uh.... I don't know riveted or prime rib......." At this point we left. We frequent the Hard Eight in Roanoke often and think it is some of the best BBQ around. We were very excited to see the "original" there in Stephenville, but we left disappointed, disgusted and still hungry.
(1)Bobby S.
Very good, wonderful food, very "Texas" atmosphere. Great place for individuals paying or for a date, but do not bring a family of any size. You're looking at about $10-$20 a person as food is done by weight.
(4)Fernando T.
A unique experience definitely, kind of expensive, and I would have loved the sides inside to be better, but the meat is spot on and delicious and the whole experience is something to try, that's why I give it 5 stars. By the way, I've read a lot of older reviews mentioning about flies, at least when I was there just a few days ago, there were no flies.
(5)Marlo M.
Wow I didn't want to believe the hype but I have to admit it's true one of the best BBQ places I've ever eaten at the brisket was amazing but even better were the ribs, I can't wait to come back.
(5)Heath D.
Great BBQ. I eat it without sauce so I taste more of the meat's actual flavor. Brisket was extra good today. It's a sure stop every time I go to Stephenville.
(4)Gabriel B.
Great place great food and the best place to eat after a long road trip. Go for the half chicken its really good and tasty!
(5)Bob S.
Brisket was nearly all fat. Ribs were OK. BB turkey breast was great. One out of three is less than expected.
(1)Michael DF L.
I cannot truly express in words how great this place is. You start by choosing your own meats at the front door smokers. My personal favorites are the Flintstone Pork Chop and the Jalapeno Sausage. Be sure to say yes when they ask you if you want the meats dipped. All the rest of your side item choices await you inside. I love the Jalapeno Corn, Mac & Cheese, and the Potato Salad. Anytime I can swing through Stephenville I go to the Hard-8. I highly recommend you give it a try if you have not. A great representation of Texas BBQ.
(5)Hailey G.
I've never been that big of a fan of barbecue. Ever. But Hard Eight isn't so bad! I come here every once and awhile so my boyfriend can get the food he so desperately wants all the time and I get ribs usually. They're pretty good but I prefer mine with honey bbq sauce, which they don't have. No big deal though. It's not too expensive either which is great.
(4)Stone B.
We had heard from friends how great this place was, so since we were going through Stephenville anyway, we stopped in. First of all, they have a very nice atmosphere. Not so much authentic as it was a little touristy, but it was still nice. Lots of rough cut logs everywhere, and the staff did an excellent job of making us feel welcome. It's one of those places where you order your meat straight off the grill as you go in. We ordered a mix, some brisket, some pork ribs, and some sausage. Inside, we picked up the rest of our meal - pinto beans, corn pudding, and the usual fixin's. Straight up, the meal was pretty good. I especially liked the corn pudding. The ribs were excellent, as was the sausage, but the brisket was severely overcooked. I had specifically asked for some fatty brisket, and there not only wasn't any visible fat, the meat was practically jerky. Maybe they were having an off day, but that was the worst brisket I've eaten in a while. Even the sauce couldn't make it edible. The ribs, on the other hand, were great. Juicy, smoky, and they didn't need a lick of sauce. Same for the sausage - it had great flavor and I liked the texture as well. Sometimes they grind sausage practically into paste, like the Eckridge sausage you get at the store, and the resulting texture really puts be off. This stuff was not ground so fine, which gave it better texture, and whoever made it knew what he was doing spice-wise as well. I'm not much of a sauce guy, so I'll just say that it was a Central Texas style sauce - red and vinegary, with a decent amount of heat and a little bit of sweet on the end. Overall, I liked it. Not worth a special trip to Stephenville, but definitely a good place to stop if you're in the neighborhood.
(4)Cynthia S.
Love the ribs here mainly because they are pork. My husband likes the brisket and the poppers. The creamed corn is wonderful as well as the slaw. Pinto beans are free so be careful not to get "cafeteria eyes" when you go through the line. I have had mixed results on the baked potato. Sometimes it is great and sometimes it has been on the grill for a long time and is burned. The desserts are also very good. My husband isn't fond of the barbeque sauce because he likes a sweeter type.
(5)Dustin M.
So if you're not from here then you should eat here. Is it the best BBQ of all time throughout the state of TX? Probably not, but its up there. If you dont like the prices of BBQ then you should learn how to cook it your self.. Dont skip out on the Banana Pudding that seriously is the best Naner Puddin' I've ever had Ever.
(4)Jeremy J.
They have a problem with flies and they don't seem to care. Tons of flies all over the meat that was being served and the employees seem desensitized to the problem. I'm not a clean freak, but flies all over food that's being served for lunch? I've seen this both times I've visited. I thought it might've been a fluke the first time, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
(1)Christie P.
This is true Texas BBQ, and the Stephenville location just makes it better! This trip, I tried the stuffed baked potato with brisket topping, and it was so good! My friends had the brisket sandwiches, and none of them could finish them! Of course, I had to get two of the delicious shrimp poppers, too. Whenever I'm in Stephenville, I have to stop by Hard 8!
(4)Jonathan H.
Labor Day, I met a friend of mine there. I ordered three ribs and a half- dozen bacon - wrapped brush poppers. I also purchased a half of a chicken and an order of potato salad for my wife at home. The crust on the outside of the ribs made it next to impossible to take a clean bite. You had to peel off the crust to get to Little meat was inside. The brush poppers were also overcooked. The bacon was nearly burned and as tough as shoe leather. The chicken inside the brush popper was hard, cold, and unseasoned. My wife's chicken was overcooked, and the potato salad had some warm spice in it that rendered it inedible. There was a sign near the register this past Monday which read, "if our food does not meet your standards, please lower your standards." It seems to me that the Hard Eight should strive to raise their standards, rather than asking customers to lower theirs. Then again, I am only one person, and I am sure that my negative review means nothing to them, given the volume of business that they do. Everything at The Hard Eight in Stephenville-from the menu items to the big pork chops to the design of the restaurant and the pits-is nothing but a Cooper's wannabe. Maybe they should try to meet Cooper's standards if they cannot be original. As for this Texan, I am done trying to get a decent meal from what was once a good place to eat. There are other barbecue places in town whose food is better. I believe I'll spend my money there.
(1)Karl W.
Food is crazy good and fresh. Just the right amount of smoke, not overwhelming. We had a variety of the meats and all were perfect, not too dry or wet. As with an true Texas barbecue place, sauce is an afterthought here. Truly, it's not needed, the meat flavoring is that good! We've never had anything close to a bad meal here and I suspect they will continue to put out high quality for some time.
(5)Kasey D.
Lived up to expectations! Flew into KSEP specifically to get some of the BBQ after hearing so much about it. Was not disappointed. The chopped brisket sandwich was delicious. Meat was perfect, tons of flavor, and just the right amount of crunch. Outstanding. Will be flying back for more!
(5)David S.
The atmosphere of Hard Eight makes you immediately feel that you have found a great BBQ place. Step up to the pits, and order your meat right from the smokers. Enjoy the staples of Texas BBQ: brisket, sausage, pork ribs and chicken. In addition to these standard cuts of meat, Hard Eight also serves up sirloin steak, rib eye steak, kabobs, and shrimp or chicken poppers (meat wrapped in jalapeños and bacon). Inside the restaurant, you can pick up all the fixings: fries, chips, coleslaw, salads and BBQ sauce. White bread and beans are complimentary. We enjoyed eating on the large covered patio while sampling the sausage, pork ribs, and chicken poppers. The chicken poppers were a great choice for something unique to Hard Eight BBQ!
(4)Ashley F.
I'm surprised this place doesn't have five stars. It's the best BBQ and the atmosphere is perfect for a BBQ joint. I come from DFW just to eat at this Hard Eight. The Hard Eight pepper sauce is delicious. They used to have Dublin DP, but not anymore.
(5)Ted A.
I've driven by the location in Stephenville several times, decided mid Friday afternoon that today was the day to stop by. Should have kept on driving, here's why: Unsanitary, Overpriced, Below Average Brisket. The details: First, the open cooker with available meats on display was surrounded and buzzed by flies, lots and lots of flies. Second, asked for half pound lean brisket and two pork ribs, the cutter repeated my brisket order, grabbed an uncut brisket and went at it, and at it and at it...longest I have EVER seen ANYONE take to slice a brisket....finally, the first pieces of meat hit the paper on the tray. Third, my cut brisket became a target for the myriad of flies, cutter was not bothered at all this, he did take a swipe once over the meat on the tray with the same knife he was using to cut the brisket. I quickly stood near my tray and fanned away fly after fly. After the cutter added a couple more misshapen hunks, never a slice, I was not going to wait around anymore for flies to carry off my meat, so I grabbed the tray and headed inside, where the requested half pound turned out to be well over a pound. Hmmmm, was he adding meat to match the weight of the flies around the cooker? Fourth, the brisket was tough and stringy, bark was terrible, meat was extremely salty. The complimentary pinto beans were not bad, just a bit undercooked and interestingly, actually needed salt. The Hot and Spicy BBQ sauce was a thin, watery, vinegary tasting addition with no heat, best not used at all. The Regular BBQ sauce was dark, thick overly sweet sauce which did not work. Fifth, my dining companion and I took turns swatting at flies off our food ON THE INSIDE too. Really? Have these guys never heard of a fly strip? Something, ANYTHING to keep the flies away?? If someone thinks this is how Texas brisket should be cooked, served and sold, they have really missed out on the excellent locations we have in our great state. This is not one of those. I kept thinking the meat and experience would get better as I went along, sadly it did not. My overall recommendation: Unsanitary, Overpriced, Below Average Brisket. Lesson Learned: Drive by, just keep driving, don't stop.
(1)Brian W.
Best bbq in central Texas. The pork chop and jalapeno shrimp poppers are my favorite.
(5)Humberto B.
If you're into Texan BBQ, this is the place to be/go. You stand in a line of people outside waiting for the guy in the over to serve you whatever kind (and quantity) of meat you want. Then you walk into the place to grab other delicious items to go with your food. They have it setup so everyone is sort of sitting together and participating in the action. Staff is unbelievably friendly (not surprisingly) and menu in very inexpensive. I believe this is one of the hotspots in town.
(5)Texas Made G.
This place has great barbecue. Not like Pecan Lodge in Dallas, but not as expensive either. We usually go there for the brisket sandwich combo for $8. Everything is good, haven't had anything bad there yet. Their catering is awesome as well.
(5)Jeremy L.
I have been here many times before. Saturday was the first time I was in Stephenville in a year or so and stopped for lunch. I have tried to get the pork chop before at dinner, but they are always sold out. Well, this time I got one. It was huge (reminded me of the 2in thick chops at Patty's 1888 off I-24 western KY), about 2in thick and almost half foot sq (if it were square). They do not cut them, so mine was about 1.3lbs; bone in. Have them dip it in their "au jus" otherwise it can taste a little dry. I got a corn on the cob. Looks like boiled on grill, very tasty and delicious. I was able to finish about 2/3 of the chop, rest I took home with about 1/3lb of turkey and sausage and a shrimp with onion and jalapeno wrapped in bacon and one chicken, same. All pretty good. Turkey was great, jalapeno sausage not the best but still good. They give you boiled pinto beans, pickles, whole pickled jalapenos, and onions with white bread. The place just got their Private Club registration permit in January so alcohol no longer free, but you have to be a "member" of the club to be served alcohol. At least the beer is a selection.
(4)Jack H.
On our second visit, the brisket was dry. That can be a result of either brisket that's too lean or overcooking. I can't be sure which one is the problem, but I have to ding them for serving it. It had dried on the plate by the time I got to the table. I asked for a half-pound and got two slices. I asked if that was a half-pound, and they said, yep. I should have brought a scale. On the other hand, the spouse had a pork chop that was flat astounding. Tender, juicy, flavorful. Made your eyes roll back in your head. I noted that as a possible contender on my first visit. I should have gotten one. I had a couple of brush poppers. They're pretty good, but they sit around the smoke too long and end up looking sooty. Not so appetizing. Technique needs improvement. I made a mistake and got the thick traditional sauce. I should have gone with the spicy. Skip the mac and cheese. Potato salad good. Beans (free) are okay; can't complain about free beans. You know, why the heck can't they figure out that putting the bucket of free beans in line after the iced tea dispensers causes a traffic jam? I'm standing there with a cup of ice while Fat LeRoy digs deep into a bucket of frijoles for three more servings. I'm dropping the Hard-Eight from four stars to three.
(3)Gary M.
Tried Hard Eight BBQ this last weekend, they were four of us, trying their Ribs, Pork Chop, Shrimp and Chicken Poppers, with fries, coleslaw and beans. I have had better ribs at numerous BBQ joints throughout Texas, the beans were bland and not worth trying, all other items were a HIT, especially the Poppers. If you haven't been, give it a try, just for the experience, would I go back after an hour and half drive to get there, NO, there are better BBQ Joints in North Texas.
(3)Mona M.
Food was, as usual, plentiful and tasty. Brisket was a little more crunchy on the edges than I normally like, but it was still good. I love the individual portioned sides as I always wind up ordering too much food and take home the extra to nibble on later.
(4)David H.
I really wanted this place to be good. There's always a line by noon and I've talked to a few people who just love it. It was, without a doubt, the worst BBQ I've ever had...ever! You can read the reviews about how you order by-the-pound from the "pit boss", blah, blah, blah. Then go inside an get your sides, all of which cost extra, except for the pinto beans, which happen to be the only thing I ate! I got here at 11:15, just after the place opened. Thought everything would be freshly cooked, etc. Two shrimp-jalepeño-bacon poppers cost me $4.50. They tasted like they had been leftover from the night before, EXACTLY like the $7.00 too-dry-to-eat BBQ half chicken. I left about 90% of both items on my plate! Their BBQ sauce tastes like it came out of a bottle. $1.75 is reasonable for a small side of potato salad but it was very average, as well. The Diet Coke was delicious...so were the complimentary pintos. The only reason I gave them more than one star is the ambience and decor. If I ever come back, I'll know better than to order the chicken or the shrimp poppers. The guys next to me had the lunch special brisket sandwich and it looked amazing! With fries and a drink that is only 8 bucks. I just spent sixteen and a half...FOR LUNCH! And was very disappointed.
(2)Todd C.
Real Texas BBQ! You choose your meat right from the pit and the sides inside. My pork ribs were tender and succulent. The pecan pie was some of the best I've ever eaten. Not to be missed!
(4)Bryan H.
Very well may be the best chop beef sandwich I've ever eaten. The jalapeno sour dough bread was simply amazing. The beef was the perfect combination of beef to fat ratio for taste and consistency that set it apart from the rest. It was so good, I never put the sauce on it. I dipped some of the meat that fell off the sandwich into the sauce and it was right up there with the best I've had. Not too sweet, perfectly spiced, thinner than ketchup but not watery. The free beans are good enough to make a meal of by themselves. Had 3 beef ribs that could not have been any better short of making them myself. Great atmosphere, friendly helpful wait staff. Very impressed.
(5)Michael M.
The brisket was a big piece of fat, had no smoke ring, and was overcooked and stringy. The sausage was overcooked, too, and the beans were dangerously cold. How hard is to make good BBQ when that's all you do?
(1)Taylor C.
Best BBQ in Texas. The place to be for serious BBQ people. The atmosphere is good, and as long as you don't go on rush hour Friday, Saturday, Sunday the wait is minimal.
(5)Donna P.
Best turkey sandwich known to man!!!!! They dip the turkey in butter then place it lovingly inside warm jalapeno sourdough with bbq sauce!!!! But seriously if you want real Texas BBQ you must stop here. All the meats are sold by weight right off the pit.
(5)Skylar B.
People come from all around to go to this restaurant. The food is great. The style is different and refreshing. The only thing I don't like about the entire place is how much smoke it produces through the city. But for the delicious smoked meat... It's worth it.
(4)Alan R.
Brisket tasted oven baked rather than smoked and it was dry dry dry...sausage (mild) had consistency of a hot dog and no smoky flavor...sides (beans, potato salad) were ok, a bit above run of the mill...wife said the peach cobbler was very good...sauce (regular) had too much brown sugar/molasses sweetness ; spicy vinegar based sauce had decent flavor ...glad we tried it but won't make a return trip and suggest you skip it as well
(2)Cindy G.
This was my first Texas BBQ experience. Sure I've sampled places claiming to be "Texas BBQ" in other areas of the country, but this was my first time in Texas. I was in Stephenville for work and not much came up for food on Yelp. The guys who lived in the area recommended me to come to Hard-Eight. When I got to the front of the line at the pit. they ran out of corn on the cob so I decided to wait, which was about 10 minutes. At the pit I got brisket, ribs and jalapeno sausage. As for sides I got mac & cheese, jalapeno sweet corn, peach cobbler and banana pudding. My favorite items were the ribs, corn on the cob, mac & cheese, peach cobbler and banana pudding. Their corn on the cob was probably one of the best I've tasted. Their spicy BBQ sauce wasn't too spicy, but it was good. It was exciting to know they have free beer, but I'm not big on Keystone Light so I only had one cup. Still a nice perk though since I was told Stephenville is in a dry county.
(3)Matt B.
So weird to read some of the other reviews on this place. I am a picky BBQ eater and I'm not afraid to call crap crap (or worse!) but I don't know how folks could dislike this unless it's on principle of not being a 60 year old dude out back of an old gas station cooking up some deliciousness in an old propane tank. To be fair, we have yet to find decent BBQ in Abilene so it's been a while since I've had something good that didn't come from my backyard. We ordered as takeout and took it back to the RV since the kids were fried from a day of trekking around Texas. We got brisket (by which all BBQ joints are judged!) pork ribs (I don't care if we *are* in Texas...pig is always delicious) and the jalapeño sausage. Sides were the potato salad, cole slaw, corn and some weird corn bread salad. The brisket was amazing. Sorry, it just was. My wife loved it too and she's more picky about brisket than I am. The level of smoke was in the just right place where it's got good flavor but not overdone where you can't taste the meat or it's got the bitter creosote flavor to it. An especially tricky task when smoking with mesquite like these folks do. The sausage was also good. I can't say it was outstanding in any aspect, good flavor, good heat and not overly greasy as one review had stated. I ended up making a sandwich the next day with leftovers and it was great that way as well. The pork ribs were good to excellent, they had a good amount of meat on them and the flavor again was right in the sweet spot. The texture was also right in the area you would expect without the temptation to go overboard on tenderness where it ends up turning into mush. The crust had a nice chew to it without being dry or overwhelming with cheap powdery spices. Without seeing their kitchen it looked like a relatively simple salt and pepper rub with maybe a bit of onion powder and cumin thrown in there. The sides were very traditional (2 out of 3). Nice cole slaw that crunched without being a creamy soggy mess and the potato salad had a good mustard base that again wasn't overwhelming and let some of the other flavors shine through The oddball here was definitely that cornbread salad. It was wonderful. You really would do better eating it with a spoon since it is grainy and kinda slips through your fork, but we made do. I'd have a hard time describing it but if you like corn bread you'll like this. If you don't like corn bread you might still like it. Anyway, I can't say that we would make a special trip to eat here, but if it was close we would certainly detour. Easy 4 stars here.
(4)Chris C.
Free beer, meat by the pound, pretty darn good. The guy cutting the meat did a great job cutting the fat off the prime rib. Try the jalepeno sausage and turkey breast-awesome. Brisket wasn't the best, but ribs and sirloin great too. Free beans are worth what you pay for, but $1.75 mac and cheese shells were great. Free keystone light hit the spot, which is a good thing because I wouldn't pay for keystone light if I had a choice.
(4)Miles M.
Everything i've heard about this place is great and while my experience was good i feel that it lacked something. The brisket i had was good, but slightly dry and they served it up with the biggest piece of fat i've ever seen. The mac and cheese was excellent, but the french fries were just your normal every day fry. I guess i was thrown off by this place and was expecting more. I really like how the cooking pit is outside, but the line was quite long and in 100+ weather after riding a motorcycle with full gear on, waiting outside is not something i wanted to do. The inside was smaller than expected so we had to sit outside. :( All in all i think the place was good and not bad by any means. Might have just been the day, but there could been room for four stars very easy. Five out of five stars for the BBQ sauce.....wooowza that's good stuff!
(3)Rich R.
My last meal there was 4 brush poppers, small sirloin and the mac and cheese. Absolutely delicious. If you want "comfort food", this is it. Their sweet tea is the best for my taste, as well. I know some will disagree, but for me Hard 8's BBQ is the best I've had.
(5)Lola V.
Oy vey! So many stars. I gave it a one rather than a two, hoping to bring the deceiving star rating down a bit. If you are form TX, move along, as you most likely worship this place and have altered tastebuds due to sub par eateries and lack of knowing anything better because Texas is so big you never have to leave! Not knocking TX, I do LOVE it here, just some of the worst food Ive payed for, and eaten in my life. The smell will bring you in before mega stars do on Yelp. Every time I drive by I curse the smell knowing that.. that is as good as it gets. The vast selection of meat is dry, some pieces tasteless, and at a mild temperature. They cook it in mass quantities and leave it for customers to browse through and load up on their trays. Naturally food will dry out and not have that hot off the grill heat and flavor. Steaks however are cooked to order. Sides are served in a 6oz Styrofoam cup. Also mild temp, and bland in flavor. You pay extra for sides. Free beer is keystone.....ehhhhhhh no thanks! Im not hard up. Even their soda sucked! it had too much cola instead of soda. (not free) The only service you can expect is the men helping you load your tray with meat and the girls you take your money, and hand you cold cups of cafeteria food. Average price is 15-20$ per person If this is your style...have at it!
(1)Jon G.
First off the wait to go through the line took way longer than it should have, with an early 20's young man more interested more in playing with the serving tongs than getting folks what they asked for. The meal itself was horrible. Brisket was very dry and the pork ribs were undercook.. Small glasses for drinks are a joke, had to refill 4 times just to get through the brisket. My wife and I both agree this is the worst BBQ that can be had. Avoid this place!!
(1)Scott S.
Tonight, our meal was horrible. We had the brisket, sausage, steak, and steak kebabs. Even the sauce was pretty bad tonight. I am not sure what is going on. This place used to be really good.
(2)