I'm trying to set a location for a lunch meeting next week and the guy is coming in from out of state. He has expressed a strong desire to try "Texas BBQ". Any recommendations that are within a 10 min drive from 121/Tollway?

I'm trying to find something a bit more "authentic" than Hard Eight.

Not much in that area.

You mentioned the Hard Eight and ^mentioned Hutchins.

There is a Rudy's up the tollway and a Dickey's too...and a Spring Creek over near Stonebriar.

that's about it.

Of those Hutchins is your best bet.

Hutchins

None of the elite BBQ places are in that area. Kenny's Smokehouse is right at that intersection. Decent food, a sit down restaurant with a nicer ambiance. Not sure if that is the vibe you are looking for. A little outside the box is Carlton Provisions at the Legacy Hall across the highway. Legacy Hall is an interesting place and there is a nice beer garden to sit in if the weather is cooperating.

I tried Carlton Provisions recently and it was inedible.

In order
1. Hutchins
2. Hard Eight
3. Rudy's

With a little more of a drive there is Lockhart in downtown Plano which is probably of the Hard Eight caliber.

gigemags87 said:

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In order
1. Hutchins
2. Hard Eight
3. Rudy's

With a little more of a drive there is Lockhart in downtown Plano which is probably of the Hard Eight caliber.

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If you'd be willing to go far enough to go to Lockhart's, then I'd suggest 10-50 in Richardson instead.

Hutchins is good. I am not impressed with Hard Eight in the Colony honestly. The tollroad location of Rudy's is decent.

Impressed with Rudy's but not hard eight? Holy **** hard eight blows the doors off of Rudy's. What do you order?

foulbeast said:

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gigemags87 said:

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In order
1. Hutchins
2. Hard Eight
3. Rudy's

With a little more of a drive there is Lockhart in downtown Plano which is probably of the Hard Eight caliber.

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If you'd be willing to go far enough to go to Lockhart's, then I'd suggest 10-50 in Richardson instead.

Hutchins is good. I am not impressed with Hard Eight in the Colony honestly. The tollroad location of Rudy's is decent.

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This. But the Hard Eight in the Colony is better than Roanoke. 10-50 is good for lunch but dinner and weekends aren't the same for some reason.

mAgnoliAg said:

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Impressed with Rudy's but not hard eight? Holy **** hard eight blows the doors off of Rudy's. What do you order?

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Didn't mean to imply that I am "impressed" with Rudy's. Rudy's is, well, Rudy's. Best of the "fast food" BBQ joints in my opinion but not on the level of Hutchins, 10-50, etc.

Hard Eight in the Colony isn't worth the $$ or the time in line IMHO.

SoupNazi2001 said:

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mAgnoliAg said:

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Impressed with Rudy's but not hard eight? Holy **** hard eight blows the doors off of Rudy's. What do you order?

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Rudy's is much better than Hard 8. Hard 8 brisket is consistently dry.

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Uh complete opposite.

ten50 is terrible. I wish it wasn't since I live about 5 minutes from it and I love BBQ. I've given it 5 visits and they've all been either mediocre or terrible.

Go to Hutchins in Frisco.

Hutchins is great.

Agreed with all on this board.

Hutchins Frisco. We go pretty much every week. Seems more consistent and better than the original location in McKinney.

Ten50 sucks.

Hard 8 is generally pretty good but not consistent enough.

I went to Tender Smokehouse in Celina a couple weeks ago. Not quite Hutchins on my lone visit, but still pretty solid. They put quite a bit of money into it and I'll be going back spring break.

Haven't been to the Frisco location but Hutchins McKinney is damn good top to bottom. Tried H8 once and not impressed. The brisket was more like roast, very little smoke. Rudy's is a good when in a hurry. If we want to graze and not spend a bunch of money we go to Spring Creek. We love their fresh, hot rolls and their black pepper sausage is awesome. The unlimited refills on sides make it a great value.

Check what day you're going to Hutchins in Frisco. They've expanded hours somewhat, but I think they're closed on Monday/Tuesday.

Hard 8 is decent BBQ. however, I'll put their steak up against any fancy steakhouse in the area. It's damn perfect, every time.

Hutchins EOT

Does Hutchins Frisco have an all you can eat like McKinney? For $25, that's a great BBQ experience. You'll get to try all the different BBQ meats.

Indeed, they do!

Didn't know about the all-you-can-eat $25 special at Hutchin's and I live less than a mile away! They have ultra-weird hours. I liked it WAY better when it was Randy Whites--especially before it burned down across the street. He was there half the time I went and would always have some funny smart alek thing to say. He was always friendly to the Rib.

I like Hutchin's food the best, but it is overpriced in general. If I'm meeting people for business, I'll normally pick Hutchin's because it is so close.

Spring Creek (I'm ducking now!) is still consistently good and I go there weekly with the Rib. I'm not eating rolls any more since going on the Whole 30 thing with the Rib, but before that--Spring Creek accounted for a solid 20 lbs of my belly roll.

Rudy's is a cool place, but to me feels too ATX'ey. --If that is your thing, then cool for you.

Hard 8 is nice to walk through the pits and get that smokey smell countenance that will last the rest of the day. Why didn't they at least build out a few normal booths instead of those uncomfortable raised seats? That's what kills it for me.

There are similar articles/stories but Randy White's was always "Hutchins"

https://www.dmagazine.com/food-drink/2014/05/hutchins-bbq-opens-second-location-in-frisco/

Thanks for the recs. Meeting got pushed to early April. I think we're going to try Hutchins.