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.