When in Texas, Eat the Texas Way

My cousins (above) from Los Angeles visited us in Coppell, Dallas, Texas, so, the first order of the day was to dine out, Texas style; what else, but, barbecue (bbq). 

Among the many bbq restaurants that Trina, Tyler, and I had tried, Hard Eight (http://www.hardeightbbq.com/index.html) was one of the best. There’s one very near us, at 688 Freeport Parkway, Coppell, TX 75019. It was just a couple of minutes ride from where Trina and her family resided, but, of course, my cousins and I missed it the first time, even with the GPS in the car. Another circle around the block and we, finally, got it (above).

Upon entry, be prepared to inhale all the smoke coming from their grill because the line starts here (above). 

Guests order from the menu on the green board or just choose from whatever looks appetizing on the grill. In fact their website says, “You can always expect the coals to be burning at Hard Eight BBQ. All of our meats are cooked on a pit using fresh mesquite wood for a smoky flavor that can't be beat. http://www.hardeightbbq.com/menu.html.”

My cousins and their husbands ( above, L to R: Lors, Satur, Kiko and Lan) chose the Hard 8, 16 oz. hand cut Rib Eye that came with two sides. They had baked potato, coleslaw salad, cheese, etc. (below).

Mine was simply beef brisket (below).  “Brisket is a cut of meat from the breast or lower chest of beef or veal https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=brisket&oq=brisket&aqs=chrome.0.0l6.6076j1j1 &sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8.” This has become my favorite because at Hard 8, brisket was soft and tender and has melt-in-the-mouth fat with just the right marbling. Dressings, onion, jalapeño, pickles, cheese, and other sauces were free. Pinto beans and bread were also free when dining in.

  

Tyler and Trina had sirloin (sirloin steak is cut from the back of the animal) and brisket to share, with a side of coleslaw. Their fixin’s included onion, pickles with bread and pinto beans (below). Tierra was happy with her baked potato that she shared with her Grandma Lors and Grandpa Satur.

The place was big and noisy with a band that was playing country music, so a serious conversation was not possible. Besides my cousins had a long journey ahead of us, because we planned for a long trip to New Mexico starting the following day. But Hard 8 bbq was always worth coming back for.

This is why on our last dinner out before I went back to the Philippines, Trina, Tyler and I, chose to eat at Hard 8 for their unforgettable Texas bbq.