by John Hardaway (@CoachHardaway)10/4/2023 11:40:09 AM
posted in: Skordle Sampler | 2,212 views
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.
Ferris Wheelers – Market Center Downtown – Ferris Wheelers has very good classic BBQ in my opinion, but is also well known for its BBQ sandwiches. If you’re looking for a little different twist on BBQ, Ferris Wheelers would be a great choice. Expert Tip – Ferris Wheelers probably has the best restaurant environment of all these places mentioned. Besides the inside seating, it boasts a very large outdoor seating area with a - you guessed it - mini-Ferris Wheel, which adds a nice touch. The outside patio area also has a stage and live music is normally playing in evenings and on the weekends. If the weather is nice, this place would be hard to beat.
Hutchins – McKinney/Frisco – Hutchins is a family-owned establishment that has been doing BBQ for a long time. I have eaten at the McKinney location twice and it has the great traditional old-time BBQ pit restaurant feel. When you walk in, you make your selections and all meats are pulled from the pit and sliced fresh for your immediate enjoyment. It has been a while since I have been here, but Hutchins use to have an “All You Want” lunch special, which for this quality of BBQ is something pretty great. If they still have this and you decide to go this route, I hope you’re not the one having to drive home because you are going to be sleepy! Expert Tip - Hutchins is famous for its Texas Twinkies, which is a jalapeńo stuffed with a cream cheese and brisket mixture, wrapped in bacon, smoked and then basted in BBQ Sauce. They are out of this world good and I highly suggest getting some of them when you go. I have actually started doing these myself at home and while my version is not as good as the Hutchins version, they are still really good and this picture will give you an idea.
So, if you’re in Dallas this weekend for the big game or just making your way through the Dallas area in the future, stop at any of these fine BBQ locations for a great eating experience!
You will not be disappointed. I can promise you that!