Palgongsan Texas BBQ on the way home, Daegu: platter for 2, Modak

A chance stop on the Palgongsan roadside: Modak Texas Barbecue Palgongsan Branch

Modak Texas Barbecue Palgongsan Branch (모닥텍사스바베큐 팔공산점) is a barbecue place I stumbled into on the way home from a weekend lunchtime outing in Daegu. Driving near Palgongsan, I noticed one restaurant with an unusually large number of cars parked outside.

Even from a distance it had a Texas vibe, and the wide outdoor space among the green trees stood out. I almost drove past, but all those parked cars made me even more curious. So that's how I ended up at Modak Texas Barbecue Palgongsan Branch.

It felt less like a place just for eating and more like I'd come to a campsite.

A big outdoor garden, a fire pit in the middle, mood lighting. I understood why so many people come, right from the entrance.

The outdoor seats seemed especially good for people looking for a dog-friendly restaurant near Palgongsan. I saw some diners relaxing with their dogs.

That day I began to see why so many people recommend this as a Palgongsan favorite.

What are the outdoor seats and indoor area at Modak Texas Barbecue Palgongsan Branch like?

The outdoor seating has widely spaced tables, with fans, heaters, baby chairs and table kiosks. The wide outdoor space was the first thing I noticed, and I hardly had to worry about the people next to us.

Even outdoors, there was no discomfort at all. These days at a camp-picnic spot you often pay just for the seating, right? Here you can enjoy a pretty space and a proper meal, which made me even happier.

Green trees surround it, so it's great for photos, and I bet the atmosphere gets even better when the lights come on in the evening. I could see why it's popular as a date course in Palgongsan for couples and for family meals.

The indoor area was also spacious and pleasant. We went around 1 p.m. on a weekend and it was almost full. Even the restroom had disposable toilet seat covers, which showed their attention to detail. All these little things add up to a Palgongsan spot you want to come back to.

2-person Texas Platter set: what's the basic setup and portion?

At Modak Texas Barbecue Palgongsan Branch we ordered the 2-person Texas Platter set and the rose ravioli pasta. Nachos, bread, mushroom soup and witch soup come as standard.

The basic setup surprised me already: nachos, bread, mushroom soup and witch soup were all included.

The mushroom soup in particular was really rich and deep. Personally I'd come back just for the mushroom soup. Dipping the nachos in the witch soup was an unexpectedly good match.

The self-bar had salad, nachos, tortillas and sauces, all free to help yourself.

I figured a 2-person set would be small, but

it was more generous than expected, enough for 3 people. The meat was tender and the sauces were varied, so putting meat, vegetables and sauce into a tortilla felt just like a taco.

I think this is why so many people seek it out as a Daegu barbecue and Daegu steak spot. And having eaten here, I get why Modak Texas Barbecue Palgongsan Branch shows up so often when you search for Palgongsan restaurants.

Rose ravioli pasta and packing up leftovers

The rose ravioli pasta at Modak Texas Barbecue Palgongsan Branch had a gently spicy flavor. Leftover bread or fries can be packed yourself into takeout boxes provided in the restaurant.

It had big shrimp ravioli and plenty of cheese on top, so the flavor was great. But the portion was large and I couldn't finish it all.

Luckily, I could pack the leftover bread and fries myself using the takeout boxes the restaurant provides.

Little touches like this quietly boost satisfaction.

Good with kids? Fire-pit marshmallow skewers

As we were leaving Modak Texas Barbecue Palgongsan Branch, the staff gave each child a marshmallow skewer. The kids roasted them themselves at the outdoor fire pit, and

they were sweet and chewy, and we really enjoyed that last dessert. It was an unexpected little gift and the kids loved it, so we ended the meal on a happy note. Because of experiences like this, I thought it was a really good spot for a family meal.

If you're looking for a Palgongsan restaurant and plan to bring kids, it's worth considering at least once.

The terrace also has group seating, and the outdoor space is so big that it seems well suited to family gatherings or group meals.

Drawback: weekend lunch wait

If I had to pick a downside, it's that you may wait a bit at weekend lunchtime because of the crowds. But the space is big and there's plenty to look at, so the wait didn't feel very long.

Why I recommend Modak Texas Barbecue Palgongsan Branch for a Daegu outing meal

If you're planning a Daegu outing, keep Modak Texas Barbecue Palgongsan Branch in mind as a place where you can enjoy the food and the atmosphere at once. I'm planning to come back next time with a family gathering.

Having been, I think anyone who cares about flavor, atmosphere and space together will be quite satisfied. So I'll confidently remember it as a Palgongsan restaurant I want to visit again.

• Address: 290 Palgongsan-ro, Dong-gu, Daegu, South Korea (1st floor)
• Hours: Tue–Sun 11:00–21:30 (last order 20:00)
• Closed: Every Monday