Nobody should live in Stephenville and without having eaten at Hard Eight BBQ. Nothing is truer to Texas or more fitting for the Cowboy Capital of Texas.  It had been too long since the last time I visited this establishment, so I figured it was high time to do so, and to write about my experience.

Ordering at Hard Eight is unlike any other restaurant in the vicinity.  When I walked up to the entrance, I encountered the biggest smoker I’d ever had the pleasure to meet.  Inside the smoker was a wonderland of delicious BBQ, featuring brisket, chicken, sausage, jalapeño sausage, bacon-wrapped chicken, bacon-wrapped shrimp, corn, potatoes, sirloin steak, turkey, and pork chops. Customers order by weight, so it can be a bit tricky to know how much to ask for.  However, the person manning the smoker can help you figure it out. I tried the chopped brisket, bacon-wrapped shrimp, and jalapeño sausage.  I was going to get the sirloin but they were out of it.

After having my selection of meat put on a tray, I carried it inside and went down a line to choose my sides and desserts. Beans (which come free), potato salad, coleslaw, baked potato, jalapeno sweet corn, fries (with the skin on), cornbread salad, mac-n-cheese, buttermilk and pecan pie, cheesecake, banana pudding, and cobbler (peach, apple, blackberry, cherry) are most of what is featured on the plethora of deliciousness that was laid out before me. There are also two choices of BBQ sauce:  regular and spicy.  I chose the jalapeno sweet corn, beans, and blackberry cobbler.

At the table, I was provided with all the sandwich bread I wanted for making a brisket sandwich or for sopping up the delicious juices and BBQ sauce on my plate. It seems needless to say at this point that everything was flavorful, tender, and delicious. Also, it should be mentioned that the service was very friendly.  I had forgotten how great this place was, and I left promising myself that it won’t be so long until my next visit.