Flavors to Savor: Hard Eight BBQ

by Jane Burbank

Photos by Brooke Mathis: Beautiful Evolutions Photography

“From watching ribeyes being cooked, to the pit crew shoveling coals into the pit, there is always something to see and it makes it memorable.”

Craving something juicy and grilled-to-perfection? Quell those cuisine needs at Hard Eight Pit BBQ! At this beloved barbecue, customers can whet their appetites with a wide variety of meats, sweets, and other good eats.

When you enter Hard Eight’s impressive entrance, you’re stunned by the most heavenly harmony of scents to ever grace your nose. Not far from the entrance, you see a line of gawkers watching an assortment of meats get grilled to perfection before their very eyes. You join the line and are entranced by the flickering flames and sensational aromas. Now, THIS is eating good in Texas!

And why bring home the bacon when you can get it perfectly smoked and sizzled in Hard Eight’s Pit?

The Pit, Hard Eight’s oversized grill, serves up all sorts of smoky delights, from brisket to turkey breast to Sirloin steak! Customers simply tell a cook their preference, and are served their choice in meat without delay.

No Hard Eight meal is complete without carbs, be it a jalapeño sourdough bun or ham sandwich.

And let’s not forget the sweet stuff—Hard 8 delivers the goods with their selection of Southern-specialty drinks and desserts. Customers slake their thirst with lemonade and sweet tea while pecking at pecan pie and banana pudding.

The large, rustic-themed establishment is flecked with Southern charm, from cow hides draped on the booth seats to light-up bar signs. Mounted deer heads gaze down at onlookers from the wood-slatted walls. The charming look of this Texas-blooded barbecue is a hoot!

Get your fill at the bar. Share some juicy shrimp poppers with your friends. Kick back with some all-beef bologna, a good ol’ baked potato, and a dreamy whiskey buttermilk pie while watching a football game on the wall-mounted screen. The possibilities for a good time are endless at Hard Eight.

Hard Eight was founded by Vicki Nivens, her late husband Phil, daughter Carie, and son-in-law Chad. Local Life reached out to Vicki to answer questions about her business’s success. First, Vicki explains how Hard Eight initially launched.

“The first location opened in 2003 in Stephenville, Texas,” she shares. “The Hard Eight Family enjoys sharing what they love: a fun atmosphere, delicious food, and some good ‘ol Southern hospitality. Hard Eight is an authentic eating experience where you will be served ‘Texas Style’ straight from the pit by the Pit Master who prepared your food.”

To many Texans’ delight, this “authentic” eating experience has expanded across the Lone Star State. Outside of Burleson, Hard Eight serves other Texas locations, including Stephenville, Coppell, and Roanoke.

Such expansion could only be made possible with experience. Vicki says that she and her husband, Phil, opened their first restaurant in Stephenville in 2003. “It’s been over twenty years now!” she cheers.

With all those years of experience must also come a knowledge of evolving practices within the restaurant industry.

Vicki explains how her perspective on such practices have changed over the last couple of decades: “It’s incredible to see how much the BBQ and restaurant worlds have evolved. When we started, we had no restaurant experience and as we say we’ve been doing things the ‘hard way’ for quite a while now. But we’ve definitely adapted and learned on the fly which we absolutely could not have done without our loyal customers and Hard Eight employees.”

“I truly understand every dollar spent at a small business makes a difference,” she continues. “I always try to ‘shop local’ anytime, whether it’s through the restaurants or just personally! Growing up, I always worked with my mom in her flower shop and really understand the importance of putting in the time to make a small business work and how important those loyal customers are. I also own a small boutique hotel and boutique in Granbury today as well, and am so appreciative of the local support we receive there as well.”

Vicki’s meaningful experiences with her mother helped foster a love for small business ownership. And while the owner understands how valuable contributions from customers can be, she also knows just how to pay it forward, offering sponsorships and delicious food wherever needed.

“We really try to support community efforts wherever we can,” articulates Vicki. “Whether it’s donating food to local events, donating our leftovers each day to different organizations, or sponsoring youth sports teams, we love being a part of the community. It’s important for us to give back to the people who support us.”

While business seems to have a cold and pragmatic core, Vicki would like to emphasize family bonds as the true center of Hard Eight.

“I’d love for people to know that Hard Eight BBQ isn’t just about great food,” she elaborates. “It’s about the whole experience. We want everyone who walks through our doors to feel like family. Our restaurants are all about good vibes and good BBQ. We want everyone to always experience friendly customer service.”

She further states that, being a family-owned business, she considers everyone who walks through the restaurant doors, including “employees who are not technically blood-related,” to be part of her family!

It’s abundantly clear that Hard Eight is not your average barbecue joint, celebrating statewide acclaim for its stellar-quality meats and effectively homey atmosphere.

When discussing Hard Eight’s distinguishing qualities, Vicki chimes in by mentioning her establishment’s truly unique pit, which is complete with a sensational Pit Master. “I believe our pit-style setup makes a fun ‘show’ for our guests each time they come,” she shares. “From watching ribeyes being cooked, to the pit crew shoveling coals into the pit, there is always something to see and it makes it memorable.”

Such a dining-out experience is only possible because of impeccable leadership, which has kept the business afloat even under stress. When asked what lessons she has learned while piloting the restaurant chain, Vicki states the following: “One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of being resilient and just letting things ‘roll on!’ There have been challenges, of course. But being able to adapt and having amazing and loyal teams has absolutely been important to our growth.”

Thanks to Hard Eight’s founders, Texans across the state can enjoy a hearty feast for all the senses. Vicki proves herself a fantastic leader with a heart of gold and top-shelf taste in barbecue dishes.

If you’re seeking a Southern-style, home-cooked, flavor-filled night out, look no further—with Vicki at the helm, Hard Eight is bursting with delicious fun. Thanks to a menu overflowing with meat, bread, drink, and dessert options, the possibilities for smorgasbord bliss are truly endless!