Meaty, Smoky Goodness
This was not my first visit to Hard Eight Pit Bar-B-Q. I was tipped off to Hard Eight a year ago by a colleague in the Dallas area. Since then, I’m always sure to visit whenever I’m in town. Hard Eight is simply the best barbecue I have ever had. When you enter Hard Eight, you pass by racks of hardwood logs and a fleet of immense smokers, finally ending up at the hot box from which you’re served your choice(s) of smoky, meaty goodness.
On this visit, I chose some brisket, spicy sausage, a chicken popper, and a serving of mac & cheese. The brisket has that beautiful pink smoke ring that heralds barbecue greatness and it just falls apart in your mouth. I’ve never had a juicer, more tender barbecue brisket. The spicy sausage had a creamy texture and smoky flavor, with just enough spicy kick at the end to let you know it’s been there but without so much that you can’t taste the rest of your meal. The chicken popper is a chunk of chicken breast and jalapeño wrapped in bacon and cooked in the smoker. It was a nice and unusual combination, and it didn’t fail to please. The only thing I didn’t enjoy was the mac & cheese, and this might be a regional difference. Hard Eight’s mac & cheese consists of overcooked elbows swimming in a liquid cheese sauce that lacks any depth of flavor.
I wholeheartedly and strongly recommend Hard Eight BBQ to any lover of meat who may find themselves in Dallas or on a long layover at DFW (they’re just a few minutes north of the airport).
Hard Eight BBQ can be found here, and unlike many barbecue spots in and around Dallas, they’re open fairly late…
688 Freeport Parkway
Coppell, TX 75019
972-471-5462