North Texas road-trip favorite Hard Eight BBQ is bringing its mesquite smoke south, opening its first San Antonio outpost inside the Bass Pro Shops at The Rim. Diners can expect the same mesquite-fired pits and cafeteria-style line that have made the Stephenville-born chain a must-stop for barbecue fans across the DFW region.
According to CultureMap San Antonio, the new restaurant is set for the Bass Pro store at 17907 IH-10 W. in The Rim, marking Hard Eight's first location outside North Texas. The outlet notes that the owners have been teasing the project on social media but still have not committed to a firm opening date.
The Bass Pro Shops listing for 17907 IH-10 West also identifies the site as The Rim and confirms the address for the future restaurant space, along with current store hours and contact information.
Hard Eight's own site frames the move as a partnership to build an in-store dining experience at The Rim, saying the collaboration keeps the chain's pit-driven cooking and Southern hospitality front and center. The Hard Eight team has teased the project in short videos while keeping many operational details under wraps. Hard Eight BBQ.
Timeline and permits
Reporter checks of state filings indicate the planned restaurant space is roughly 17,300 square feet and aims to finish construction by November, which would slot the opening into a fall 2026 window. Those permit details were reported alongside the chain's social teasers and local coverage. CultureMap San Antonio.
What they'll serve
The menu is expected to mirror Hard Eight's Central Texas lineup: brisket, sausage and ribs sold by the pound as well as offbeat items like shrimp poppers, pork chops and thick-sliced bologna. Sides range from mac-and-cheese and potato salad to jalapeño cream corn and sweet potato fries. Hard Eight BBQ.
Why San Antonio matters
It is notable that a family-run, DFW-rooted chain is choosing The Rim for its first San Antonio footprint, a move that signals continued interest in the city from North Texas concepts. Fort Worth Magazine documented Hard Eight's growth from a converted gas station in Stephenville into a five-location operation.
Hard Eight has not published a precise opening date beyond the broad fall timeline, and the company has not shared final details about hours or staffing for the Bass Pro location. We will be watching permit filings and company announcements for an exact opening day.
