This was actually one of the better bbq experiences we have had at a top 50 Texas Monthly BBQ joint. Kee took our order. She was very friendly and sweet. It was Tuesday afternoon and there was no line but they were sold out of turkey. Very interesting...... The decor was great with really cool bbq themed posters and guitars. The restrooms were very clean. They do not brew their own tea and have waters, bottled teas and sodas in a cooler. We ordered a pound of brisket and 16 oz container each of the brisket mexican street corn and the charro beans. Please do not employ the salt shaker and in fact, keep any salt granules WAY FAR AWAY from your food items. It is perfectly seasoned and does not need it, OK? Maybe a little ice water to have with your cue would be a good idea! I thought the brisket and the sides we tried were some of the finest I have ever had and I was admittedly a little sad to see it dwindle away over the next day or two in the refrigerator. I think I need some more of that perfect elote, charro bean, brisket goodness, dog gonnit!!!!! That nagging feeling I get about the turkey selling out so quickly......should I have that on our next visit? I think so. read more

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If I have to take a trek back to Longview again, it's probably to go back to Sunbird. As I journey for another Texas Monthly stamp, I drove from the sister city of Tyler into Longview to try the new brainchild of former Bodacious Bar-B-Q employees. As we got to Sunbird just around 10:30, there was a small but excited line ahead of us. We met a guy right behind us who was from Pittsburgh but would fly in multiple times throughout the year to journey through Texas and hit all the different spots to get stamps. We had a great conversation about food, and he got a picture with us on his phone. What a sweet guy! By 11, we were let inside and the line moved pretty typically for a barbecue joint. I tried to order their Dr. Pepper pork belly burnt ends, but the first guy in line came in and ordered all of their stock, sitting and eating some while telling a guy next to him he was going to freeze them all to save. Jerk. I'll list everything I had and my thoughts: Brisket: A beautifully long slab of meat. It's slightly smoky and full of flavor. Pork ribs: I feel like we got skimped a little bit on our ribs compared to my friend, who got a lot more on the same order, but they were very good and sweet as well. Sausage: Their house sausage had the right amount of spice to it, and the small slices were nice to throw onto some of the bread and chow down on. Street corn: Holy hell, their corn is next level. A perfect heat in the spice department mixed with the cheese. Really special. Mac and cheese: Only available on Fridays and Saturdays, their mac and cheese is a delight. I ate all of it with nothing left to save. It's creamy, cheesy, and absolutely heavenly. Go on Friday or Saturday just for this mac and cheese. On par with some of the best. Maybe second to La Barbecue as the best macaroni. Charro beans: A nice spice and flavor to them. Feels like a perfect East Texas bean. As we were finishing up, they had already come down to their last pound of brisket as the line was thinning out. Their Saturday stock was probably a little less than I anticipated, but it's nice to see a community and plenty of travelers come out to give them a shot. They are list-worthy. They might have the case for some of the best food in Longview. The prices here are so much more affordable compared to Austin. I paid $39 for a pound of brisket a few weekends ago, so I was very happy to see it's $27 here in Longview. I love smaller Texas cities!! RIYL: Affordably incredible barbecue read more

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"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 because 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! read more

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You would never know this place could put out great BBQ until you taste it for yourself. Longs lines are first clue of great hidden gems. This is one of those. You can order ahead and pass the lines for pick up. The BBQ brisket was amazing. read more

Food was great the turkey was melt in your mouth tender and I do not normally like turkey, the charro beans and corn salsa was absolutely amazing and macaroni and cheese was delicious too. My service was wonderful read more

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A worthy addition to the Texas Monthly Top 50. Amazing brisket, get the fatty for max flavor. Turkey tacos and salsa were outstanding, as were the elotes. Super nice folks running the place as well. Pro tip: Burt ends are only available on Saturday so plan accordingly. read more

Sunbird Barbecue - Exterior - Barbeque Near Me - Longview, Texas

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Outstanding food. Small place and get here early for lunch. Service was fast and efficient

Elite BBQ. Ribs, brisket, and the pork belly was surprisingly super elite. Cool owners too!

Sunbird Barbecue is a winner! Fantastic barbecue and sides - my favorite is the burnt ends, they rotate what they are marinated in and so far it has not mattered...the last time I had the Arnold Palmer soaked burnt ends, which was a definite game winner. The Mac and cheese is perfect. The ribs, brisket, and pulled pork wow! The pit is right behind the food truck. They will soon open their restaurant, which will make this easier to access as it will be in downtown Longview. read more

Sunbird Barbecue - Smartest people in East Texas - Barbeque Near Me - Longview, Texas

I've been around just about every part of Texas eating bbq and this stands right with the top bbq restaurants. read more

Sunbird Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Longview, Texas

Still the best BBQ in Longview. All other places their BBQ is dry and tasteless. Arrived there just yesterday and the place was packed. Chopped BBQ sandwich mixed with lean and fatty. BBQ sauce on point, and the charro beans are phenomenal. First time trying the beans, so this is a must. They serve until they sellout. This place is a hole in the wall, and if you like places like that, with fantastic food, Sunbird is the place. Voted Texas Monthly as one of the top 25 best new BBQ joints. https://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq/25-best-new-improved-bbq-joints-texas/ Go here, you will not be disappointed and you are helping to support local business! read more

We Trued everything they had left the pork belly had sold out in 45 minutes. The brisket was moist tender with just the right balance of salt, pepper and smoke. The pork ribs were a new rub just fantastic very straight forward rub just simply great. The pulled pork was sweet, juicy, tender and just a light smoke. read more

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Delicious BBQ! "New" Location closer to downtown is more convenient -hours seem to vary, however. Friendly service.

This food truck came highly recommended and did not disappoint. We waited in cold drizzle and wish we'd arrived early. Had the brisket and street corn with pork and both were excellent. We made sandwiches with some croissants we got at Sam's club. Being from Kansas City, we decided to try the apple jack pork belly burnt ends and they were a bit of a surprise. I'm more of a savory lover and the sweetness was not my jam. But for those with a sweet tooth, you might like them. read more

Sunbird Barbecue - Brisket, street corn with pork, and apple jack pork belly burnt ends - Barbeque Near Me - Longview, Texas

Stopped by for lunch on a weekday when I was going this way for a few days of vacation. I always wanted to try Bodacious when the pitmaster here worked for them, but never made it, and figured if I had a choice of the two, I would come here first. Little off the beaten path, north of I-20, took me about twenty minutes to get here. Walked up to the trailer, sadly they were out of the special sausage of the day, but no big deal, I got brisket, ribs, and some of the regular sausage, plus a side of mac n cheese. For the TLDR folks, it was all great stuff. The sausage was really flavorful, especially for a house regular sausage nowadays. The ribs were nice and tender, and although I'm not the biggest brisket guy, the moist brisket was tender, and had a great flavorful bark on it. I really lack the words to describe BBQ anymore, just really thought all the meat here was really good. The mac n cheese looked good, was good, just not seasoned up much, and honestly I just wasn't into mac n cheese that day. But it was quality stuff. I had some leftovers of all, and when I ate it later on that evening, it was still good. Anyway, it was great stuff, and I didn't think it was overpriced for what you're getting. Top end BBQ, friendly people, and if I find myself up this way again during open hours I would surely stop in. read more

Sunbird Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Longview, Texas

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This place blew my freaking mind the first time I tried it. Every time I try something new, it's the same experience. You MUST try their baked potatoes, mac and cheese, street corn, and their brisket and pulled pork. It is the best BBQ around and the best BBQ I think I've ever had. read more

Good bbq, you can tell this place is quality when there is a line to get in 30 minutes before they open. We will be back when they can figure out the order and timing because it took 45 min in line and waiting after they opened just to get the food. 1 order taker. You can tell the owner takes pride - this place is kicking! Recommend getting potato salad on the menu. read more

I highly recommend the barbecue here! SO SO SO GOOD! Their pulled pork is to die for, as well as the rest of literally everything else they make! read more

Sunbird Barbecue - menu - Barbeque Near Me - Longview, Texas

Love the pork and brisket. Jalapeños are very fresh and spicy, the corn is amazing. Great tacos and sandwiches. Overall great barbecue place. read more

I like the unique options and the team. Good little stop to stop and take away! The sides are always delicious as well!

Hands-down this is the best bbq within a 200 mile radius. Everything on the menu is excellent. Can't wait for these guys to open up a store front. Big things ahead for this talented group! read more

Best brisket around. Their beans are wonderful as well. Their bbq side is probably the best too. Can't say enough good things. I love it when a business has nice staff! read more

Sunbird Barbecue - a plate of meat, beans, coleslaw and coleslaw slaw - Barbeque Near Me - Longview, Texas

Outstanding BBQ trailer. I wish they offered meats by weight but the sandwiches and tacos work. The sides are on point and I love the weekly sausage. Banana pudding was incredible. True TX BBQ. read more