We are past the halfway point of the Oklahoma high school football season and district play is full swing as teams are fighting for playoff position, which will begin about a month from now.
It is also a big week for college football with the annual OU/Texas Red River Rivalry game.
Many Oklahomans will be heading down I-35 to watch the big game and here are some of my recommendations for some great BBQ places in the Dallas area if you need somewhere to stop pre- or post-game:
Pecan Lodge – Deep Ellum – Probably my favorite of all the ones on this list. The brisket is out of this world, with maybe the richest bark of any brisket I have ever had. All the meats and sides are fantastic. If they have any beef ribs available, I highly suggest getting one. The line to get in can get long, so get there early and be prepared to wait a little bit. Expert Tip- If you are ordering more than 5 lbs of total meat, you can skip the normal line and get in the express lane which is much faster.
Hard 8 – Colony or Coppell - I absolutely love how they prepare and serve their BBQ. You will walk up and outside you will come across the big meat pit containing all the smoked food items. You will make your selections, they will be cut and weighed outside. You will then proceed inside to pick out all your hot and cold sides and desserts. After your tray is completely jam-packed, you pay at the end and find a seat. The sausage, ribs, chicken and smoked corn were all amazing and the brisket was very good. Expert Tip - Hard 8 has a giant pot of free slow cooked beans for everyone to enjoy. I think this would be perfect on a really cold day with some warm corn bread.
Heim – Mockingbird Near Love Field – Located right across the street from the airport, this Heim location is the second one to open in DFW, with the first is Fort Worth. Heim has become a regular go-to for BBQ lovers in the Metroplex, serving top-notch BBQ for lunch and dinner. You will notice several people there who seem to look like airport travelers who have found a great way to spend a long layover. I was very impressed with their brisket, mac and cheese and potato salad. Expert Tip – You must get the Bacon Burnt Ends! It is their most famous item and you can get it on its own or as a combo item with some plates. It is basically smoked candied bacon. They also have free ice cream for the kids.