Palgongsan Texas BBQ after ice skating, Daegu: platter sizes at Modak

What is Modak Texas Barbecue Palgongsan Branch?

Modak Texas Barbecue Palgongsan Branch (모닥텍사스바베큐 팔공산점) is a Texas barbecue place on Palgongsan-ro in Dong-gu, Daegu. You don't grill the meat yourself; it comes out already grilled, so it's great when you don't want to smell like smoke afterward. There's also a branch near Dongdaegu Station, but the Palgongsan one is roomier and has more atmosphere, so I always go here.

In summer I used to come after playing in the Palgongsan valley, when I got hungry, but today I went for meat after skating at the Daegu No. 2 Ice Rink, haha. It's under 30 minutes from the rink, so pretty close. The concept is special, which makes it extra memorable! A total Dong-gu favorite.

You're greeted by a cute neon sign when you walk in, and the place is nice and spacious. Last time we came on a weekend and it was packed, but today was a weekday afternoon, so it was quiet and we ate in peace. I bet a lot of group outing parties from Palgongsan come here too.

Menu board or tablet: where to check the menu

There's a paper menu too, but the tablet has slightly more up-to-date info, so browsing the menu on the tablet is better.

So this is where I found tomahawk steak in Daegu! I want to try it someday. I wonder if they'd sing to you on your birthday like at Haidilao?

Texas vs Memphis Platter for two: how big is the difference?

The difference between the two platters is whether spare ribs are added. I'd recommend the Texas Platter if you want a moderate meal and the Memphis Platter if you want to be properly full.

Today I ordered the 2-person Texas Platter, and last time the 2-person Memphis Platter. Both times I went with my boyfriend. This time I'm on a diet and ate fewer carbs, so the amount was just right for two; last time we ate until we were nicely full! My boyfriend eats less than the average adult man, and I eat more than the average adult woman, so keep that in mind.

There's a lunch special too, so it looks like a low-pressure way to come try the place. Here's your Palgongsan lunch spot.

They say ghee butter is good for your health, so next time I want to try the ghee butter tenderloin.

Side dishes are now refilled on request

Last time you could help yourself to unlimited food at the self-bar, but this time it had changed so that they refill things when you ask, which made eating a bit more comfortable.

Add a pasta if the platter isn't enough

The pasta menu looked better than I expected. If you order a platter and feel it's a little short, adding a pasta seems like a good idea.

I hear you can get a pasta discount through an event too@@@

House wine by the glass and beer

And with meat, red wine~~~~~ I drank a ton at an outdoor pub night yesterday so I skipped alcohol today, but last time I ordered it and it was the best combo, hehe. They sell house wine by the glass, so if you like a drink, go for it. They have beers too.

How are the nachos and witch soup starters?

The appetizer is crunchy nachos plus a beef stew, or maybe it's called witch soup (마녀스프), I'm not sure, and it is seriously delicious T_T No refills, so I made it last. If you order the witch soup from the menu, I'd guess it comes as one big bowl.

Soap bubbles for kids and blankets at the table

These are the plates and the bubbles they give when baby guests come. The outside is decorated with a camping vibe, so I think they keep the bubbles so kids can blow them after eating. I want to be a baby too..... so tempting......

They have blankets!!!!! and other disposables too. At a regular barbecue place the grill is too hot for a blanket, and you'd never want a blanket that smells of meat, but since you don't grill at Modak, you can lay a blanket over your knees and eat in the air conditioning.

Oh, is this a marshmallow or a person... I wonder..

There's also a tank like this for water-aging? sous vide? I'm clueless about meat so I don't know, but anyway they store it like this. The cutlery was huge.

What's on the platter, and which meat was best?

The platter has arrived!

This is the lineup of the ₩70,000-something platter I ordered last time!

From the bottom: brisket, buffalo wings, pulled pork. I liked the brisket best, and my boyfriend says the pulled pork was better.

These fries are really good. Chunky fries with a great texture.

Sauces, coleslaw and our favorite bite

From the left, I'm guessing barbecue sauce, honey mustard and chili. And I'm a coleslaw fiend who buys coleslaw at McDonald's all the time, so having it on top of the meat was tangy and great. You can order extra coleslaw, of course, hehe so happy.

• My boyfriend's favorite bite: tortilla + pulled pork + coleslaw + pickles
• My favorite bite: nacho + brisket + witch soup (soft and crunchy)

Eek, my mouth is watering

How much should a couple order?

When two adult women or a couple come, I think ordering the ₩70,000-range platter for two, or adding one pasta on top, would be plenty. Yep, we finished everything, and I'm on an extreme diet right now so I ate very little.

The water comes in a neat plastic bottle. And the tomahawk kept standing next to us, tempting us.

Why does my boyfriend keep drinking vending machine coffee like an old man? The vending machine coffee cups are Modak Barbecue cups too and so cute that I took a photo. I want the baby bubbles..

This is the witch soup pot (I think?). I want to carry the whole thing home. The witch soup is so good...

Sorry, piggy... but the pulled pork is delicious.. sorry T_T

Outdoor mosquito-net seating, dogs and weekend marshmallows

The outdoor tables at Modak Texas Barbecue Palgongsan Branch are set up with mosquito nets and a giant fan, so on a summer night you can enjoy camping-style barbecue in a romantic setting. It's a prime outdoor garden spot in Palgongsan. Come with friends or family, enjoy the neatly grilled meat, and head home with nothing to carry: the best.

Oh, and they said dogs are welcome too! I hope lots of puppies come so I can pet them..... hehe

Is this firewood what they grill the meat with? There's so much firewood. They have a Texas longhorn display too, and a cute marshmallow wall.

I went on a weekday this time so there were no marshmallows, but on weekends they light a wood fire in the backyard and you can roast marshmallows@@@!!!! Crazy good. We each ate one and kind of wanted another, so we shuffled up to the counter and they gave us one more as a freebie, overwhelmingly grateful.... Last time, on a weekend, this is how we roasted them.

The parking lot is very~ big. And the sky is another Palgongsan highlight. Roasting marshmallows under a sky this beautiful makes life feel beautiful. Everyone come eat~~