When you walk in, you pass by the smokers and then up to the first station where you select your meat. All of the meats available are on a smoker opened up for you to see and select. They are sliced here as well. Each meat is priced by weight. I went for the 3 meat with brisket, pork ribs, and jajapeno sausage with fries. My wife and our grandson chose the half chicken. The next stage is inside. You can select complimentary slice bread, onions, pickled jalapenos, and pickles. You also get to select fries or fried onions, which are extra. You can also select some side dishes (also extra) as you approach the cashier. Beans and BBQ Sauces (regular and spicy are available at a small bar in the eating area. Our visit was just after noon. The feel of the place is hometown BBQ. The light BBQ smoke as you walk in, the super friendly staff at every station. Seating is communal and private (booths). The communal seating has no backing, but most are comfy. There is seating that is higher off the floor, but I found it uncomfortable. I'm 6 feet tall and found my feet dangling. There is vintage signing and smiling staff everywhere you look. I cannot emphasize enough how friendly the staff was. Huge smiles and super helpful. The entire establishment was super clean and presented very well. Lighting was more than adequate. If there is anything negative I have to say about this restaurant is the paper towels which are readily available at every table. I kept tearing them when I tried to get one. You have to be patient when tearing them. The beans As far as I was concerned, the pinto beans were the superstar of the meal. I loved them. Sllices of sausage, pork, and whole jalapenos were floating in the pot. Good stuff. I was wishing for some cornbread. The BBQ sauces. Regular and Spicy. The spicy was thin, lighter in color didn't seem to be very spicy. The regular was a little spicy, darker in color and thicker. The regular was my favorite. The meal. My wife and grandson said they loved the half chicken. It was juicy and tender. They also had a side salad, potato salad, and mac and cheese. The fries were hot and fresh. They were not the best I've ever had, but they were pretty doggone good. The jalapeno sausage was flavorful and lightly spicy. It had a light snap to it. The brisket was very tender, and on this visit, the brisket was juicy, flavorful, and tender. The BBQ sauce still works very well with the brisket. The pork ribs were much more tender and juicy on this visit. The BBQ sauce complimented instead of rescued the ribs. I am happy to say I am able to add the fifth star. This visit was hitting on all cylinders. As with the last visit, we loved the people and the feel of the place. I highly recommend it.

Heck of an experience! From the moment you enter you are smacked with an overload of smoked meats! We got the smoked prime rib, pork ribs, shrimp poppers, smoked turkey, potato salad, Mac n cheese, baked potato, sweet potato, banana puddin’ and peach cobbler. There wasn’t one single bad bite. My personal favorites were the shrimp poppers, potato salad and 2 desserts! Amazing. We noticed that we accidentally got overcharged on two items and the manager (I think his name is Glen) was so quick and happy to go fix it for us! That’s customer service! Highly recommend!

Really good BBQ. Everything we had was good. The smoked prime rib was the best. Sides were good and the ice tea was worthy of Texas (the iced tea state). Loved everything. The manager came by twice to see if everything was great. Very nice experience all around.

Ain’t this place great?! Beautiful restaurant, relaxed atmosphere (barbecue without all the pomp and circumstance or snobbery), and guess what? The food is delicious! Just one? No worries! Huge group? They got you covered. Staff here is great, really sweet. Thanks y’all!

Good food, an interesting vibe with staff who are friendly and helpful. A bit pricey but it offers a memorable environment: it’s really fun to walk past the large metal ovens where the meat cooks, then stop to place your order for the meat. The rest of the food options (potato salad etc) and drinks are through a door and laid out on your right in cafeteria style. Note: they offer free beans by the drink dispenser but I found them to be very bland. So, recommend tasting before giving yourself a helping. The eating area has tall ceilings giving it a spacious feeling. The music is upbeat - so not a place for a quiet meal w conversation. Great place to hang out with a group. So why didn’t I give it 5 stars? It’s the seating. You can choose between tall bar stools (why do people want to look like kids?!) or short stools that are cemented into the floor next to tables that are also cemented to the floor. While I understand that makes cleaning the floor easier, I didn’t like the fact that I couldn’t adjust how far I was from the table. Obviously, however, if you are taking the food out or you don’t mind the seating, then this is a 5 star place. Note: I was there for a late lunch but I believe in the evenings it is likely a lively place.

A very unique BBQ experience. Brisket was just falling apart and delicious. Also had jalapeño chicken and bacon wrap. Overall a good place for Texas BBQ.

From start to finish the whole experience was amazing. I've never been to a bbq place that offers fresh fruit as a side option, in my opinion it's amazing. I never thought I'd enjoy fruit with bbq but im disappointed when I have to go back home and all the restaurants around me don't offer fruit. My brisket was so moist and tender. The staff was super friendly and helpful. Definitely a place I'm looking forward to when I come to town. If you haven't tried them you're missing out. Can't wait to be back with my family sometime!

Best steak I've had in Texas!!!!!! Cooked perfectly. Flavorful. Tender. Just the way it should be. Pit master even waited for me to cut into it to make sure it was right. My smile told him we were good! Well done bro. Seriously

We came in from Michigan for the Lions vs Dallas game and wanted to try some BBQ that was close to our AirBnB. We took a chance on Hard Eight and we were not disappointed. Service was friendly and fast. Portions for the amount you pay is fantastic- we were able to share with all our friends at our table. I had the brisket which was super melt in your mouth. I also got a porkchop - which was legit the size of my hand and thicker than a snicker - and tasted amazing. Would definitely recommend if you're looking for a great place to visit!

Bro lunch with one of my son in laws. The jalapeño sausage was off the hook good. The pork ribs were on point as well. “Hard eight famous fries” lived up to their name. Just perfect in my opinion. We sat at the bar and had some Dos Equis on draft. Most refreshing. Many thanks to our server Holly. Such a helpful and pleasant young lady.

Brisket was really good. Easy take-out. Little expensive (especially for the sides). The potato salad was a little spicy, just the way I like it. The mac-n-cheese was a little too saucy for me and was a little bland (but was more expensive than other sides, so that one was a mistake). Overall, I'd definitely order from Hard Eight again.

My husband chose this place to celebrate our 3 year anniversary. It was a fun place to be. I love the country music that they played, and all the staff we encountered were friendly. I'm allergic to pork, so I was excited to be able to have a smoked bolo sandwich! It was made from all beef. I also got a brisket baked potato and my husband chose ribs, sausage and shrimp poppers. The food is a la carte unless you get the sandwich meal. The sides were not the best, except the onion rings, but the meat was good. The bar b que sauce was also good and the pecan pie. I don't know if I would return, because I've had better bar b que for the price, but if someone invited me, I would go.

This place is amazing. I love the vibes as soon as I walked up. I had the brisket, best brisket ever. Had some jalapeno creamed corn and potato salad. Both were amazing. The staff is super friendly and helpful. I will definitely be back.

Very yummy.. a little hard for disabled to see sides and options for meats. Very nice staff. Okra was great. Turkey and brisket also cooked very tender! They have ribs and bacon wrapped shrimp.. the sausage is peppery. But good. Ham was amazing. Got peach cobbler .. salad and drinks.. kinda pricey. But if your in the mood for smoked meats this is your place. They have a gigantic smoke house. Took some pictures for you! Beautiful dining room. Looks like a full bar too if your interested in that.

Not sure if today was an off day, but very unimpressed with this bbq. 1st: The brisket wouldn’t stay together. BBQ Brisket smoking 101. 2nd: The cuts were all over the place! 1 lb of turkey was tiny pieces with one HUGE piece. Sausage was cut just as poorly.3rd: Potato salad lacked any flavor. 4th: Shrimp poppers were inconsistent. One had no jalapeño one had a whole jalapeño. 5th and second most important: The gal who took our takeout order was emotionless- borderline rude. Checkout guy at the indoor dining- where I bought a soda waiting for takeout, crazy friendly. Bartender whom I asked where to get a soda- rude. (Probably because I wanted a soda and not booze?) Overall- not a good experience for $95 worth of BBQ. We won’t be going again. Shame too because the building was sweet! Great decor and lots of space to feel relaxed.

Now, I did get to-go and drove half an hour to get home.....The Ribeye needs more ( like way more flavor). The sirloin (which is low on my list of cuts) was !Fantastic!,, The Brisket again I would love to have had a smokier flavor. I am not usually one to use BBQ sauce on anything smoked but with this meat I did 😔. We also had 6 bacon wrapped shrimp. They were okay. Again with the lack of flavor.....But! The sauce here is the Best I Have Had. So, I would highly recommend both sauces be used on the meats to make it a truly good experience. Let's not forget the sides Mac great. Potato salad meh, corn on the cob yummy. I really wish you had fried okra.....And dessert! Waaaaaay to small......... Oh, Expect a wait for a Ribeye cause it's cooked fresh. The staff is friendly. And the decor is better than you'd expect and worth a view. We'll be back 😉

This place is fantastic! Stopped here after landing on our way to the office and was very impressed! When I’m back in town I will for sure come back! I got the stuffed potato w/ ham and a chicken popper 😍 it was $27 for two people with stuffed potatoes, a chicken popper each, and drinks.

Make sure you check the weight of your order. This is the 3rd time I've visited Hard Eight locations and had way more than I ordered. I ordered 1/2 pound of brisket and ribs (appx $21) and when I checked out she said $34 for the meats...they had cut 1.67 pounds (3 ribs and a slab of brisket) This time I pushed back and asked for what I requested. She took the tray back, removed some and I was down to $25 when done. As usual, the food was awesome and the beans are AMAZING. To me perfect except for the continual over cutting of the meats.

Great concept. Love seeing the meat cooked in front of you and the ability to order a steak to order exactly how you like it. Sides are good. The restaurant itself is very open and has a very good atmosphere. The staff and very friendly and helpful. The ribs, brisket and chicken are very good. Love the BBQ sauce.

Such an amazing place! I missed the chance to eat at the original place in Stephenville while I was living there, but I wasn't missing my chance here! I got the sliced brisket sandwich, corn on the cob, chips and a drink! All for about 14ish dollars. Not a bad deal and with unlimited beans, we ate our moneys worth. Honestly one of the better brisket sandwiches that I have had here in Texas, and I would recommend to a friend. I thought the food was wonderful, and the service was amazing! The gentleman who was serving the meats was super helpful and was willing to work with me on what would be best. The ladies at the sandwich building bar and checkout were really fun to chat with, and reminded me to get butter for my corn on the cob. Overall an amazing experience!!!

So, so good! The selection is perfection. We had brisket, ribs, pulled pork and bacon wrapped shrimp. The okra was wonderful. Coleslaw was alright and the jalapeno creamed corn was spot on.

The first time we went there was for my son's birthday, the food was great and the brisket melted in your mouth. We have been there 2 times since and both times the brisket was dry and not very tender. My husband had the Chicken and it was very good. The sides always taste fresh and the beans are always good. We will try again but definitely miss our first meal where the brisket was so tender an juicy.

Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram at SNDTRAVELS and Eat Well Travel Often So, if you want to open a restaurant with the most possible competition per square mile, open a BBQ joint in Texas. Not only is there one on every other corner but in a high percentage of gas stations. Then, of course, we all have smokers in our backyards and think we do it best. You better be good. So today, I tried somewhere new for me. Hard-eight BBQ in Burleson, Texas. This is a no frills service were you walk up to the pitmaster and order by the pound only. No plated or combo meals; it's a la carte. There are complimentary homemade self-serve red beans that were very good. I didn't try any other sides. My meat choices were the brisket, ribs and regular sausage. All of the meats were very good with just the right amount of smoke. The brisket and ribs were both tender and the flavor was great. I won't say it was the best, as that's a tough decision, but certainly in the upper tier of local flavors. Recommended 👍.

Really friendly staff. The Brisket reminds me of grandma's roast beef back in the Great Lakes region that was never seasoned. Turkey was a little dry but better than the brisket. The sausage was good. There beans are pretty good, too.

The baked potato awesome, the brisket good but not a lot of flavor. Ribs yummy, sausage not bad. Coleslaw too much vinegar and sugar. Potato salad great, Mac and cheese cheesy and good Disappointed the cheese cake was spoiled by the time we got home two hours later so could not eat it. We had it packed in our cooler with ice. The other leftovers no issues and was in the same cooler.

Wow wow wow!!!! The best I’ve had to date! Everything fresh, fast and so yummy!!! Had the tastiest Jalapeño cream corn, sinfully delicious. You guys must go. The place is down home no fancy clothes needed go sit eat n enjoy with the family! Folks they have to go order pick ups too! Last but not least if it’s too busy or you just would like to dance there’s music in the parking lot so you can two step your way in or out.

Late post! Enjoyed the BBQ a week and a half ago. BBQ is smoked, tender, and moist. I really enjoyed the jalapeño sausage, pork chop, and beef ribs! It was all delicious. It's Ala Carter and weighed by the pound. Take at least $75 dollars with you if you're having alcohol.

Not the best ever bbq I’ve had but it’s up there. I would say 7. But the atmosphere and employees,,, that’s a 10 out of 10. Every time we have gone there we have met new employees that have all been friendly and informative. They pretty much don’t allow you to clean up for yourself. They will get you anything you need. And the building is cool. You get to see just how they smoke everything. This is one place I would recommend taking friends that aren’t from Texas to.

Can't get enough of this food. The brisket melts in your mouth, ribs fall off the bone and jalapeño bacon wrapped chicken is the perfect bite sized treat packed with flavor. The jalapeño sweet corn was creamy with the right amount of jalapeno pieces. The manager Glen stopped at every table to make sure his guests were enjoying their meal. Great place.

Now this......... wow! Brisket was delicious, moist, and tender! I would definitely come back! The spicy sausage is actually spicy, so be careful they have a good kick. I highly recommend this joint! The whole experience was great! It is a little warm in the outer room with fans but if you want your food to stay warm this is the best option. Inside you will be in the fresh A/C but your food will get cold so eat it fast.... up to you... again come check them out! Macaroni and cheese was really good and creamy!

i brought the ladies in my family for some good bbq on a girls day out and they were in awe of the whole place, food included. the atmosphere is laid back and relaxed so no one’s hovering you. the food was the best bbq i’ve had in a looooong time. we will definitely be back here again.

To say standing in 104° weather beside multiple hot smokers waiting on the people in front of you to make up their minds on what they're going to get was a unpleasant experience is a grave understatement. Who in their right mind thought up the process of making your customers wait outside in the heat beside their smokers to have their meat weighed??? WITH NO FANS...A process that takes forever..... Only to get up to the cashier to find out that the attendant didn't give us a so-called ticket and she has to make us empty our plate of everything to take our plate back to have it weighed running it through the air conditioned air inside only to give us cold food.... I ordered a steak and I swear they had to go to West Texas to kill the cow it took so long.... manager was very nice...but BABY....what a painful process. Definitely won't be back in the summer.