Texas - BBQ while on a layover at DFW?

Hey yall! I'm doing a quick mileage run to DFW this Saturday, and I'm hoping to get some good BBQ like I did on my road trip in 2009 (50 states, 35 days... food wasn't the purpose but we had a lot of it!). Anyway, I now face a dilemma: take a direct flight there and have 5 hours to spend in DFW, or go via MSP and only have 3.5 hours in DFW. Is the latter enough time to get a decent meal? I want to be able to enjoy it :) We went to a Dickey's (http://www.dickeys.com/) the last time I was in Dallas.

And don't call me crazy -- originally I was going to spend 2.5 hours in Wichita to get a burger! :eek:

-J.

Gah.. Dickey's?? Don't go there.


3.5 hours? I don't know if that is enought time to get downtown to Pecan Lodge at the Farmer's Market. You really have to get there early. And they are only opened Thursday-Sunday.

There are a million BBQ joints in the DFW area. Everyone likes this one and hates that one. But all in all it would be difficult to pick one that was not good.

My two picks near the airport:

SW of the airport in Euless is North Main BBQ. Weekends only, all you can eat for $15, BYOB. Excellent BBQ, especially ribs; not much ambiance. I'd go there more if it was open weekdays. http://www.northmainbbq.com/
NE of the airport in Coppell, Hard Eight BBQ. Order by the pound. Excellent BBQ but sometimes inconsistent. Huge wooden shed, smoky, very Texas feel. Bottle & draft beer available. It's where I usually have lunch before flying out. http://www.hardeightbbq.com/


Either one shouldn't be more than a 10 minute drive from the rental car center or a 10 minute cab ride from the terminal. Neither is quite up to the top few places in town, but they're just a tier below, very solid, way way better than Dickey's.

I'll second Hard Eight BBQ. One of my favorite places to go in Texas for BBQ.

Hard Eight is certainly better than the places in the terminals. But is it great? No. Can you make a run to AUS instead? Your options get much better in that area.

With that limited of time, the only real option for you would be Rudy’s or Lockhart. The latter is the best option, but a little further away from the airport. (Bishop Arts district near downtown) It’s the real deal complete with Kreuz sausage. There is a Rudy’s off of I-20 in Arlington. It’s “fast food BBQ” but still better than most options in Dallas. Get the creamed corn as a side.

Or, if you want a last resort, you can go to Bone Daddy’s in Grapevine. It’s near the airport, has passable BBQ and the scenery is…nice.

Dallas is just a terrible port for BBQ. Houston isn’t any better.

P.S. Dickey's isn't BBQ. Liquid smoke and an oven does not a brisket make.

BS. Its all good. Come on over the Fort Worth if you like. In my old neighborhood is Sammie's off Beach at 121. Then Railhead over by the Cultural District. I guess Angelo's is still around.

Wow, thanks everyone for so much feedback :) Well I was on the phone last night and it happened to go past midnight, meaning I can no longer cancel the ticket (24-hour refund rule) so I'm going with the shorter 3.5-hour layover.

Looking at Google Maps and taking your advice, I think I'll have enough time to hit up Hard Eight BBQ in Coppell (which, coincidentally, is where my best friend's family lives; this is the best friend who I went on my road trip with which brought me to Dallas last time). Seems like it wouldn't be more than a $25 taxi fare each way... so I would probably get a car from Hertz since they're having their Freedom rate weekend specials (I can get a car for $30 or so all-in). I'm banking on getting in on time, 30 minutes to get from the gate to the point where I'm driving off the lot, 20 minutes to get to Hard Eight, another 20 minutes to get to a gas station near the car rental, and then 20 minutes to drop off the car and get to check-in. I need to be checked-in by 4:45, so if my planning pans out I'd have around an hour and a half to eat :)

Thanks again everyone for your input! I'm really looking forward to a good meal. Do any of you know if they can pack food to go? I'd love to take some back with me to SLC to have during the week or to share with my suite mates. I'm thinking a good amount of food, and I can check a bag with it.

-J.

P.S. This is gonna be SO much better than going to Wichita :D

Do any of you know if they can pack food to go? I'd love to take some back with me to SLC to have during the week or to share with my suite mates. I'm thinking a good amount of food, and I can check a bag with it.


They certainly do to-go orders. I think smaller portions usually get wrapped in foil, then a grocery-style plastic bag; larger portions are usually put in a catering-style foil pan. If you let them know you're traveling, they'll be able to wrap to your needs.

If you're doing an especially large order, I'd call ahead and ask about pricing. Last time I was at Hard Eight, the guy in front of me got a whole brisket to go, and seemed to pay less than the standard $12.50/lb small orders rate.

Finally, don't pack the meat in the same bag with any clothes that won't be washed when you get home. And you may not want to use your good suitcase. No matter how well wrapped it is, expect that wonderful smoke smell to spread...

Feedstore BBQ in Southlake is pretty good...their chopped brisket sandwich is one of the better ones i've had. Probably about a 20-30 min drive from the airport.

Well I managed to go to Hard Eight; I didn't eat any of it there but I got about $50 of meat (giggity) to go (brisket, ribs, sausage, and a half chicken, as well as some BBQ sauce and a roll). Wrapped up the metal foil container with newspaper and kept it in the plastic bag, and I checked that in my duffel bag (Sky Priority and fragile stickers so they took care of it). The food is really good :)

I almost wish I scheduled the longer layover so I could have enjoyed some food there. But Delta fed me and inebriated me twice that day so I didn't mind too much.

-J.