Welcome to Sunbird Barbecue

“ Literally everything we tasted was amazing. We had a brisket sandwich, brisket tacos, burnt ends, street corn and Mac and cheese. The salsa for the tacos was so fresh and delicious. The girl that helped us was super kind and helpful too! Awesome experience. Will definitely be going back. ”

“ Excellent BBQ. The brisket was some of the best I've ever had. The turkey was juicy and perfectly seasoned. The ribs are just like i like them, not falling off the bone. All of the flavors are great, nothing overwhelming perfectly balanced. ”

“ Today I made the 1.5 hr drive to Sunbird Barbecue in Longview, Texas for lunch. This was my first time to try this restaurant, I am glad to have made the trip. The staff were friendly, courteous and interested in how their items were received. The parking lot is not large and shares space with a neighboring restaurant. Service hours are Wednesday through Saturday 11am- 3pm or when items are sold out. I arrived at 1pm on a Friday and a couple items had sold out with another selling out while I dined in. I ordered a variety of items based on their menu and which were currently available. Brisket: I ordered half and half moist and lean. There was light and soft bark with great flavor, the fat was rendered well throughout and the meat had great flavor. The moist/ fatty portion I had was fork tender but did not fall apart. The lean portion required a knife to cut, would break apart with a fork and had great consistency. Turkey: Consistent and moist throughout with light seasoning and no need for sauce. This was great on its own and would make a great sandwich which is offered on their menu. Pork belly: great flavor with a mix of moist and lean in each slice. Light flavorful bark. This is an item that is served in tacos, that would be a great option in the future. Charro beans: Pinto beans with stewed peppers and onions, this was great on its own and did not require adding flavors or other menu items. Macaroni and cheese: soft noodles in creamy cheese sauce with great seasoning and layers of cheddar cheese. Sauce: sweet and smoky, great flavor to add but was not necessary for this visit. This was a great visit, I stamped my Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ Joints passport that Sunburd Barbecue was added to this year. I will definitely return in the future to try more of their menu and hopefully plan ahead to dine with friends! #sunbirdbarbecue #texas #texasbbq #longview #LongviewTX #longviewbbq #texasbrisket #smokedbrisket #smokedturkey #porkbelly #macandcheese #charrobeans ”

“ This place ranks up there with the top tier Texas Monthly winners. Some of the best BBQ I've eaten. And right here in East Texas!!! The brisket was moist and flavorful. The turkey is the bomb. They have excellent sides. I had elote corn, mac and cheese, and charro beans. All fabulous. All that was missing was a banana pudding. Good job, guys! ”

“ “Like a cowboy who rode into town five minutes too late for the hoedown, we came hungry and left humbled.” TL;DR: Sunbird Barbecue’s menu reads like a meat-lover’s dream and (I suspect) tastes like smoke-kissed heaven; but you better show up early. By 1:00pm, the pit is picked clean. We missed out, but now we know: first in line gets the brisket. Last in line gets the door photo. The third stop on our East Texas meat tour was supposed to be legendary. Big D and I were high on smoke and road dust, bellies half-full, spirits soaring. Two joints down, two to go. We were ecstatic with anticipation. Sunbird Barbecue was next, and all signs pointed to meat nirvana. We’d been tracking them like two brisket bounty hunters all morning, checking social posts, drooling over every new photo. My mouth hit max moisture capacity when Big D read the day’s specials aloud like a preacher reciting the Book of Revelations: - Maple bourbon blueberry pork belly burnt ends - Brisket boudin - Creamy mac and cheese Sweet mercy. I tightened my belt and said a prayer to the BBQ gods. ETA locked in at 1:10. I told Big D we had this. It was only two hours past opening. We’d be just in time for that first bite of brisket to hit like a country love song. But the BBQ gods are jealous and cruel. At 1:00pm sharp, the bad news dropped like a cow off a cattle ramp: SOLD OUT. We stared at that hand-scribbled sign like it was a breakup letter taped to the fridge. Blue painter’s tape never looked so heartbreaking. We walked up anyway. Maybe we could smell the smoke. Instead, we met the pit crew, who were wrapping up the day’s magic with the kind of humble pride that only comes from turning oak and meat into pure happiness. They were kind, tired, and still smiling. We thanked them. Took a photo of the menu. Promised ourselves a redemption trip. And we will be back. But next time, Uncle Sean’s gonna be in that line before the rooster crows, folding chair in hand, cooler of Shiner in tow, ready for brisket glory. Stamp Count: As a consolation prize (or out of pity) they stamped the passport saying something about the rules and no purchase is necessary. Number 20. the mission continues. Final Dad Line: I didn’t get any meat, but my hunger pangs got a full-course meal of disappointment. FYI… I’m giving them 5 stars for everything, except food, because they were sold out. We met the pitmasters, they are great, and they must be doing something right to sell out so fast! Upon my return visit, and a tray of deliciousness, I’ll review the awesomeness of the bbq! ”

“ Got to try Sunbird at their new location today and was extremely pleased. We had pork, brisket and turkey tacos, beans, street corn and house sausage. Its exactly what BBQ should be when you think of it. Staff was friendly as usual and the atmosphere was nice. Strangers talking to one another coming together over one thing, BBQ! Highly recommend, but show up early! ”

“ We were in Longview with our crew in October of 25. We had read the Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ Joints story and wanted to try it for ourselves. We rolled into town just after sell-out and there was still a line. The customers leaving with food were all telling us how great the food is and encouraged us to come back the next day. You don't get that often. Unfortunately, we had to leave the next morning, so we headed back in December after a 1000-mile drive. This time we were the fifth in line arriving a half hour early. The drive and the early arrival were well worth the wait! While I am a huge BBQ fan my wife was not. Not even a third or fourth choice but she ordered and absolutely loved it! A Pit Master who really knows his stuff for sure. Looks like Sunbird has converted her to BBQ lover. We may just have to make plans for a long drive when we want some. The staff was friendly and answered questions for us. The food came out hot and fast and there was nothing that we would have asked for differently. While we were there we sat close to the counter, and they were very helpful addressing anything a customer would need. We will visit Sunbird BBQ again! ”

“ Food trucks are the best! Local people bringing high quality food right to us. BBQ is not an easy culinary field to tackle but Sunbird has done it. I loved their sauce and sides just as much as their meats. #GoogleGal ”