When people remember a great event, they rarely start with the décor or the speeches. They start with the food. The aroma, the perfectly executed entrée and the memory of a plate that felt crafted just for them. These are the moments that make an evening outstanding. Few understand this better than Hard Eight BBQ, the Texas family-owned business honored as the Top Event Catering Services 2026.
Though celebrated for its iconic barbecue, Hard Eight’s catering operations reach far beyond traditional pit-smoked comfort. Catering is where the company’s creativity lives, and where the culinary team pushes boundaries to create menus that feel fresh, elevated and truly customized.
“We’re so much more than barbecue,” says Katie Gooch, executive director. “Our catering teams love designing menus for events because they really get to show what Hard Eight can do.”
Catering at the Center
For Hard Eight, catering isn’t an extension of the restaurant. It’s the heartbeat of the business. Weddings, corporate celebrations, black-tie fundraisers and destination events all fall within the team’s forte. It is renowned for its ability to match any theme, create new menus and execute with both discipline and personality. If a client wants something off the menu, Hard Eight can make it happen. That flexibility, combined with the team’s depth of skill, is a defining part of its reputation.
The Jewel Ball, one of Granbury’s anticipated charity galas, is a perfect example. Each year, the event committee selects a new theme, and Hard Eight responds with a fresh menu specifically designed for that vision. Tastings, collaboration and refinement are integral to the process.
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We’re so much more than barbecue. Our catering teams love designing menus for events because they really get to show what Hard Eight can do.
“It’s one of our favorite events because we get to be involved creatively from the beginning,” says Vicki Nivens, whose family founded and still runs the company. “Every year is different, and that keeps us innovative.”
A Family Legacy with Big-Event Execution
Despite its growth, Hard Eight remains unmistakably family-owned. The Nivens and Decker families are involved in the business every day, shaping the culture and upholding the hospitality that has built the brand for more than 20 years. Employees might not be blood-related, but they are treated like family. The Nivens and Decker families truly care for their people, who in turn ensure guests feel the warmth and clients trust the consistency.
That family-driven ethos supports a surprisingly large operational capability. Hard Eight can plate for a private gathering or deliver a flawless service for hundreds, without preset dishes. Live plating ensures freshness and quality, but it also requires timing, teamwork and years of practiced coordination. It’s one of the reasons event organizers rely on Hard Eight for high-pressure, high-profile events.
Hard Eight also travels outside Texas, bringing its team, equipment and signature approach wherever the event requires. It has five locations, with the sixth soon to open in San Antonio, and each location has its own catering department. The reach extends even further through nationwide shipping, allowing customers across the country to order briskets, sauces, seasonings and everyone’s favorite pies.
Where Craft Meets Creativity and Heart
What separates Hard Eight from many event caterers is the combination of scale and soul. It has the professionalism and capability to handle complex events, yet operate with the warmth and flexibility of a family-run business. Clients know they’re getting a partner who listens, collaborates and brings ideas to the table.
Anyone can serve food. But serving food people remember, food that becomes part of the experience, is where Hard Eight’s heart lies.
As Hard Eight continues to expand its catering presence and pursue more ambitious events, it remains anchored in the values that have shaped its identity: family, craft and genuine Texas hospitality. For guests who experience a Hard Eight-catered event, those values shine through in every bite.
