I think I've mentioned I'm learning to play the concertina. My teacher that I meet with weekly via Zoom lives in Dingle, Ireland, and she'll be an instructor at the annual O'Flaherty's Irish Music Retreat in Midlothian in late October. Since I've never met her in person and since she's an amazing teacher, I plan on going for the first time.

I'd like to invite her and her husband to join my wife and me for GOOD bbq (not tough boot leather bbq). Can anyone recommend a good spot in the nearby area? Thanks

I'll kick this off for you.

Pecan Lodge is my favorite in Dallas and an experience worthy of a world traveler.

Slow Bone also in Dallas would be my #2. Smaller scale experience and great bbq but brisket just a notch below pecan lodge.

Both 20-30 minute drives to midlothian.

Current Texas Monthly champ Goldee's is also less than a half an hour drive. You'll spend more time than that waiting in line.

https://goldeesbbq.com/

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Pecan Lodge is my favorite in Dallas and an experience worthy of a world traveler.

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When's the last time you were there? I would agree with you 5-6 years ago, but the last couple times has not been the same. I heard (not sure if true) that is was either sold, or the founder is no longer hands on day to day. Honestly, Terry Black's (also in deep ellum) is some darn good bbq. More of a commercial feel than some other places but the bbq is great.

But about the same distance is Goldees, and Panther City in Fort Worth. Goldee's is definitely worth a visit, and Panther City is some of the best brisket I've ever had.

I went to Slow Bone last summer and liked it. They do some unique sides there along with the excellent meats.

I think there was a place in Waxahachie that was pretty good ~15 years ago, but they don't seem to be open any more (not helpful, I know).

Hard 8 in Coppell is solid, but a little bit of a drive from Midlothian. But it's near the airport if that helps.

Or there's Cooper's in the Ft Worth Stockyards.

If you're wanting something a little closer than places like Panther City or no need to camp out like Goldee's there's Hard Eight in Burleson.

I didn't know they had one in Burleson. This is definitely the right answer!

Terry Blacks - better quality and the place is easier to navigate, get your food, and not wait in long line

This is one of those times I miss our old friend Wadd96.

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Hard Eight in Burleson.

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DO NOT GO THERE!!!! It was disgusting last fall when I went there. I was all excited because I ordered brisket and they had to pull out a new one. Y'all, the brisket was YELLOW!! I **** you not. The brisket tasted like a pot roast, the sausage was chewy and not smokey at all. The ribs tasted like baked chicken. I will not go back and warn everyone I can to not waste their money there. The one in Stephenville is decent. The one by DFW is ok. But that Burleson one is a big HELL NO from me, dawh.

Did some reading up on Goldee's. That might be our best option with regard to proximity and quality. Since she's an instructor getting her away for too long in the evening might be difficult.

Born and raised in Midlothian. But haven't lived there in 20 years… parents still do though, so we are there often enough.

There is absolutely nothing in Midlothian that I would take someone to for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Others have recommended some great Dallas area places, so I'll let you google those. With your parameters, I would probably hit Goldee's. It's good.

I will also second that I tried Hard Eight in Burleson several years ago, and it was pretty bad. Somewhere between Dickies and Spring Creek for me. Others in North Dallas say they love Hard Eight- but no one who I would respect their opinion on brisket, to be honest.

Just looked. They close at 3:00 our best option might be for lunch the day before if she can get away.

Goldee's is a place you won't casually stroll up for lunch, just like Franklin's. You have to camp out and they close by mid afternoon because they've sold out of everything. Places like Hard Eight, Cooper's, Terry Black's will be open for dinner.

fourth deck said:

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If you're wanting something a little closer than places like Panther City or no need to camp out like Goldee's there's Hard Eight in Burleson.

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+1 for Panther City

Sweet Kitten Feet said:

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Hard Eight in Burleson.

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DO NOT GO THERE!!!! It was disgusting last fall when I went there. I was all excited because I ordered brisket and they had to pull out a new one. Y'all, the brisket was YELLOW!! I **** you not. The brisket tasted like a pot roast, the sausage was chewy and not smokey at all. The ribs tasted like baked chicken. I will not go back and warn everyone I can to not waste their money there. The one in Stephenville is decent. The one by DFW is ok. But that Burleson one is a big HELL NO from me, dawh.

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Good to know. I used to like the one in Brady a lot before it shut down.

Slow Bone is really solid & Top 50 TX monthly. Never had a bad meal there or long wait times. A lot of others already been mentioned but Slow Bone is worth mentioning.

If you drive 287 South towards Ennis there is a spot called Bluebonnet BBQ. Probably 5-7 miles on the other side of Waxahachie from Midlothian. It's not award winning but it checks all the boxes.

Smoky Joe's off of 35 in South Dallas. Probably 20 min drive. TM Top 50 and never mentioned on here for some odd reason. Great story and amazing BBQ.

If it's dinner check operating hours… many close at 3 or 4 including slow bone. One of the benefits of pecan lodge is it's open for dinner. Have not been in a while but recommend to some out of towners recently and they loved it.

Good to see some fine bbq aficionados on here. I visited the brady hard 8 location years ago and enjoyed the experience but thought the bbq was sorta average. The colony/Frisco location Ive found underwhelming too despite the awesome walk up experience.

ryanb12thman said:

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If you drive 287 South towards Ennis there is a spot called Bluebonnet BBQ. Probably 5-7 miles on the other side of Waxahachie from Midlothian. It's not award winning but it checks all the boxes.

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I've also heard good things about Bluebonnet. You should go give it a trial run since it is close to you.

Wife is from Mildo Were in Waxahchie. Midlo has no BBQ options really; Pen to Paper is about the best thing but its not a true BBQ environment. Between waxahachie and Ennis is Bluebonnet BBQ. Pretty solid stuff.

Mansfield has a few options nothing to rave about. One is in a food court area with twisted root atmosphere there is kinda neat.

Ruston Cattle over in Ennis is good too

I'll also mention midlothian to dallas isn't a bad drive. Ft worth is just a little bit more but not bad either.

Aww, man! Don't tell me that! Been to a couple of Hard Eights, but the one in Brady was always the wife and my favorite. Used to take off on the scooters just to go have some smoked goods. We started going there back when it was still Lone Star Bar B Que. Awesome then. Next time we went, it was hard eight, and we were really worried. Got back by the pits and I saw a familiar face, hollered out, this joint still good? He hollered back, well they kept the cook! Loved those 2 inch thick smoked pork chops.

If they're from Ireland you can probably just take them to Arby's. They won't know the difference.

The vault smokehouse in Waxahachi is pretty good.

Nobody has heard of it, but "Patriotic Pig" in North Richland Hills is very good.
Plus they have "Deviled Egg Potato Salad", which is worth stopping for on its own.

The Vault smokehouse was great in Waxahachie, unfortunately they moved to Ennis. Guess rent around the square in Waxahachie was too high.

I grew up in Midlothian in the 70's and 80's and BBQ in not in the genes there. But for an authentic Texas experience in an authentic Texas location, forty minutes west of Midlothian you'll find Fly By Night Cattle Company & Steak House just north of Cleburne.

But keep it a secret.

DPS AG said:

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The Vault smokehouse was great in Waxahachie, unfortunately they moved to Ennis. Guess rent around the square in Waxahachie was too high.

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The Vault is still good over in Ennis.

Dufflepud said:

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I grew up in Midlothian in the 70's and 80's and BBQ in not in the genes there. But for an authentic Texas experience in an authentic Texas location, forty minutes west of Midlothian you'll find Fly By Night Cattle Company & Steak House just north of Cleburne.

But keep it a secret.

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Did you have a high school math teacher named Mrs. Cooper (or Mrs. Dean if you are old enough)?

Our favorite place in the area several years ago was The Vault back when they were in the Red Barn antique store. Went once when they moved to downtown 'Hachie and it was still top notch. Didn't know they moved shop to Ennis but I'm sure it's still good stuff.

I would recommend Massey's BBQ in Alvarado. i am not a expert but thought it was pretty good