Hard Eight - Good Clean Finish

There is a time when all good things come to an end.  Now is that time for us.  We just left the Hard Eight in Stephenville.

We agree that the Hard Eight is good, but unless we were in the area- probably not worth a special trip.

We arrived a little after 1p and the line was out past the building into the parking lot.  You walk by the bunker style BBQ pits and up to a pit where they serve the meat.

Instead of buying a sample across the board as we have in the past - everyone was on their own.  We have all either "hit the wall" or are bouncing off it.  So, we decided to take this one a little easier.

Tim had the Shrimp Poppers, Ribs, Corn Cob, Cole Slaw, Beans, & the free beer.  He gave the poppers a 3.5 because they were cold.  If they had been hot, they probably could have been as high as a 4.5.  For the ribs, Tim gave them a 3.5.  Corn, cole slaw, beans, & free beer were an attempt to ease back into some sort of normal diet.  Tim's general comment about Hard Eight was; Good, but with three locations it's boardering on a chain.

Greg had the Turkey, Sausage, Shrimp Poppers, Corn, Beans, & the free beer.  He also tried my Rib Eye, Brisket, & Onion Rings.  For the turkey, Greg gave it a 4.  The sausage got a 2.  The brisket received a 5.  The prime rib got 3.5. And they shrimp received a 3.5, again because it was cold.  Greg's general comments were; I'm ready for my fridge (in regards to the free beer).  Atmosphere was nice with the smokers right there in the open.  

Kirt had the Turkey, Ribs, Shrimp Poppers, sample of my Brisket, Beans, and Nanner Puddin'.  For the Turkey, Kirt gave it a 4. The Ribs a 4.  The Shrimp 3.5 (better score if they had been warm).  Brisket was a 4.  Kirt like the beans and puddin' a lot.  Kirt's general comment was: Overall good, right there with Buzzies.

I had the Ribs, Brisket, Prime Rib, Shrimp Poppers, Sausage, Onion Rings, & Blackberry cobbler.  The ribs were a pretty solid 3, the prime rib was 3.5, shrimp a 3, sausage a 1, and brisket was a 4.5.  I was generally disappointed in the sausage and the fact the shrimp was cold.  The brisket was some of the best I have had on this trip.  My general comment is that I would go to the Hard Eight for the brisket if I was in the area, but not worth a trip just to go eat BBQ there.


The trip has really been a success and all of us have had a blast.  We have challenged our digestive systems and probably will be paying for this over the next couple of days at least.  I think we also have come to the realization that none of us have a future in competitive eating.

Either later today or sometime tomorrow, I plan on posting a summary that will go over where we actually went and rank them as well as various lessons learned.  The rest of the Compadres have also stated that they intend on at least posting some comments.  This of course assumes that they successfully figure out how to register and then post their comments.  So be sure to check back for the wrap ups, creative comments, and general post trip Tom-foolery.

Blue Bonnet Rocks

Just finished breakfast at the Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls.  We figured that we were at the right place when we pulled up and saw the parking lot was full as well as a line out the door.

In fairly short order we made it through the line and set down to find out that we had in fact picked a great place for breakfast.

While in line, Tim went to try and relieve some of his back pressure.  The rest of us were a bit worried after we heard Tim holler that he needed a spoon.  For the full story re: an alternate use of those small collectible spoons - ask Kirt.  One of several stories shared by the Compadres on this trip that just can't be done justice anything short of live story telling.

We all ordered the eggs with chicken fried steak.  Greg and I ordered the Texas Toast while Kirt and Tim ordered biscuit.  Now when I say Texas Toast - this is the toast that all other Texas Toast aspire to be.  It was obviously baked there at the cafe and was at least 3/4 of an inch thick and easily 1/2 again as large as a normal slice of bread.  It was light and just fell apart as you eat it.  Kirt and Tim reported the biscuits looked heavy but were just the opposite.  Chicken fried steak was the perfect size for breakfast and was excellent.  Easily one of the best I've had.

Pretty much everyone agreed that it was probably the second best meal we have had on the trip even if it wasn't BBQ.

We are now headed down the road to the Hard Eight and have agreed to strike Coopers from our list for this trip.  After all, we need a reason for a second trip.  Not sure that it will be a BBQ Tour, but there is always the possibility it could be.

Talking about second trips, I think there is a high probability we will make another trip in about year or so.  Just not sure right now what it will be.  Several options being considered are a Chicken Fried Tour, Seafood Tour, Cajun Tour, & Tex Mex Tour.  Who knows, we may have stumbled on to a recurring event for the Compadres.

All Compadres Present or Accounted For

Headed down the road for the home stretch.  Today will be a much easier day.  After yesterday's protein OD - we were a little slow moving this morning.  But all the Compadres are well, moving, and doing fine.

Yesterday was quite a bit and we all pretty much went into "protein" comas.  After roughly 3 lbs of meat in about 4 hours, the late afternoon nap just barely took off the edge for me.  We headed over to a sports bar close to the hotel to watch a couple of games, but didn't stay that long.  After a couple of beers and a bowl of chips and salsa - we were done. (Kirt want's it understood that he did not have a beer.) No one was willing to even contemplate an actual meal.

So all in all - it was a good day.

This morning is another gorgeous drive threw God's Country (that would be the Hill Country if you were wondering) and we should be at the Blue Bonnet in a little bit.

Luling City Market - End of the Road Today

Final lunch at The City Market in Luling.

The City Market in Luling has a bit of family interest in that my father grew up outside of Luling and tells stories about eating at the City Market growing up.  My parents still go by and eat there from time to time and my mother swears by their ribs.

So the Compadres worked it into our “plan”.  We just left the City Market and found it to be everything that embodies the old time Texas BBQ joint and quite frankly – what a lot of the chains try to unsuccessfully emulate in terms of atmosphere.

Keeping things simple – The Market focuses on just 3 meats.  Ribs, Brisket, & Sausage.  We all have decided that we real like what we are calling the “Central Texas” grind style of sausage.  Additionally, I’m very partial to the style of ribs you find in this part of the country and Kirt calls “Big Ribs”.  The Brisket is the style I grew up and now really understand what my father was looking to emulate.  It’s a little dry, but very tender, and has a nice solid smoke ring with a light but definite bark.

At the end of the day – and yes, it is the end of the day for us; this has been a great experience. 

Here is our rating:

Compadre	Brisket	Ribs	Sausage
Brian	4	4	4
Kirt	4	4	4
Greg	4	4	3.5
Tim	4	3.5	3.5
Average	4.00	3.88	3.75

 

General Comments:

Tim – The human body is  not made to eat 5 meals before 3p in the afternoon.

Greg – I need beer.

Kurt – I’m ready for a nap.

Brian – Yeah, what they said.

Last day of the tour is tomorrow and we have decided that it’s breakfast at the Blue Bonnet followed by the Hard Eight and then home to start our recovery.

Historic Lockhart

The Compadres have just finished up at Smitty's in Lockhart.  It's looking like we are approaching the limits of our ability to eat BBQ.  Personally, I didn't think it was possible - but it is proof of the fact that too much of a good thing could be bad.

I wouldn't say we are at the point that none of us can eat BBQ anymore.  But, there was a 3 to 1 vote to skip Black's and go ahead and go over to Luling to the City Market.

Here is our rating:

Compadre	Brisket	Prime Rib	Ribs	Sausage
Brian	4.5	5	4	4
Kirt	4	4	4	4
Greg	3.5	4	4	4
Tim	3.5	4	3.5	4.5
Average	3.88	4.25	3.88	4.1

 
General Comments:
Tim - Good food, but Snow's spoiled me.
Greg - Good food, reasonable price, enjoyed the atmosphere
Kirt - Traditional smoke filled hole in the wall with long picnic tables and smoke stained walls.
Brian - Best wet ribs.  Prime rib was amazing.

18 miles and 1 Estate Sale Later

Mid-morning snack – The City Market in Giddings.

I think we are all glad we went to the City Market, but none of us felt like it was on par with Snow’s.

With out a doubt, it was the quintessential small town meat market and BBQ Joint. 

Here are our ratings:

		Pork
Compadre	Brisket	Shoulder	Ribs	Sausage
Brian	2	3	5	2
Kirt	2.5	4.5	4.5	2
Greg	2.5	4.5	4.5	2
Tim	2.5	4.5	4.5	2.5
Average	2.38	4.13	4.63	2.13

General Comments:

Kirt – Unimpressed.  It’s 11:30a and we have spent $80 on BBQ.  Damn.

Tim – Okay

Greg – Big letdown after Snow’s.

Brian – Close to perfect ribs.  But the rest really wasn’t all that impressive.

Now onto Lockhart & Luling.

BBQ Heaven

Just left Snow’s and 2^nd Breakfast.  

Greg called it a religious experience.  When Kirt bit in to his rib, he said, “Oh my God!  That’s good!”  He then shuddered and Tim asked him he if just had an “organism”.  Kirt just kind of got this smile on his face and sure looked to me like he was enjoying an afterglow.

It was decided that this would absolutely be worth the drive from Dallas one Sat morning.  In fact, Kirt stated that if any of us called him on Fri morning and said “Saturday morning, your driveway, 5:30a, Snow’s”, he would be ready to go.

Tim is of the opinion that there is no reason to go any further.  In fact, I think he tried to see if he could get a job tending the pits just so he could sample the meat coming off.

Here is our rating:

 

		Pork
Compadre	Brisket	Shoulder	Ribs	Sausage
Brian	4.5	4	4.5	4.5
Kirt	5	4.5	5	5
Greg	4.5	4	4.5	5
Tim	4.5	4	5	5
Average	4.63	4.13	4.75	4.88

General Comments:

Brian – Buzzies rub would have made this BBQ nirvana.

Tim – This is as close to BBQ heaven as you can get. 

Greg – If they had a Beer Garden, I would never leave.

We got a chance to talk with Tootsie and Cotton for a bit and they were as nice as you could ever expect.  In fact, Tootsie signed sauce bottles for us all and gave us a ½ chicken because that was the only thing we hadn’t tried.

That level of service and being treated like just another member of their family is something you just can’t find anywhere else.

Once we told them what we were up to, they told us to that we needed to get over to the City Market in Giddings.  The sausage they cooked was made there and Tootsie said the City Market’s pork shoulder was great.  So, it’s off to the City Market for our mid morning snack.