For the best brisket in Longview, Texas, go to Sunbird Barbecue on North High Street, whose brisket and bark Texas Monthly has praised, or the original Bodacious Bar-B-Q on South Mobberly, which has been smoking brisket since 1968. Boxcar on Gilmer Road and Bodacious on Sixth Street are the other two places locals name for brisket.
We picked these four because each one is backed by more than a star rating: a review in Texas Monthly, the restaurant's own menu, or a clear pattern in what reviewers order. All four showed as open on Google Maps on Oct. 26, 2026. Ratings are Google ratings as of October 2026.
1. Sunbird Barbecue
Address: 415 N High St, Longview, TX 75601 Google rating: 4.6 stars from 203 reviews
If you only try one brisket in Longview, try this one. Texas Monthly's coverage of Sunbird's move from a trailer into its North High Street building in December 2023 calls out the brisket's thick, smoky bark. The same piece mentions burnt ends and a chopped brisket and sausage "barbecue melt," which is a good way to taste two meats in one order.
Sunbird keeps limited days and hours, and craft barbecue tends to sell out. Check its Facebook page the morning you plan to go.
Getting there from Grace Pointe: about 10 minutes.
2. Bodacious Bar-B-Q, the original on Mobberly
Address: 2227 S Mobberly Ave, Longview, TX 75602 Google rating: 4.7 stars from 726 reviews
The restaurant's site leads with its seasoned, slow-smoked brisket. This is the location that started the Bodacious name in 1968, according to both the site and Texas Monthly, and it's still a family operation. Its 4.7 rating across more than 700 reviews is the best of any barbecue spot in Longview with that many reviews.
It closes Sundays and Mondays, so plan a Tuesday through Saturday visit.
Getting there from Grace Pointe: about 15 minutes.
3. Boxcar Bar B Que
Address: 2902 Gilmer Rd, Longview, TX 75604 Google rating: 4.5 stars from 548 reviews
When reviewers write about Boxcar, brisket and sauce are what come up most, per Sluurpy's review summary. It's the closest of the four to the west side of town and the stores along Gilmer Road. Listed hours vary between sites, so call 903-759-1911 before a Saturday trip.
Getting there from Grace Pointe: about 10 minutes.
4. Bodacious Bar-B-Q on Sixth Street
Address: 904 N Sixth St, Longview, TX 75601 Google rating: 4.1 stars from 627 reviews
This separately owned Bodacious sells whole brisket by the pound, plus chopped and sliced beef sandwiches, according to its own menu. That makes it the easy call when you're feeding a group or bringing brisket to someone's house. It's open more days than the Mobberly location.
Getting there from Grace Pointe: about 10 minutes.
How to order brisket like a local
- Ask for lean or moist (fatty). Most Texas smokehouses will slice from either end of the brisket if you ask. Moist is richer. Lean slices cleaner for sandwiches.
- Buy by the pound. For two or more people, a pound of brisket with sides usually beats separate plates.
- Go at lunch. Brisket is smoked overnight in limited amounts. Once it's gone, it's gone until tomorrow.
- Taste it before the sauce. Good brisket doesn't need it. Use the sauce on the second bite.
Is Longview a brisket town?
Longview's barbecue joints rarely do brisket alone. Most pair it with chopped beef sandwiches, ribs, hot links or turkey. Sunbird is the newer craft spot, with brisket sold by the pound. Bodacious is the long-running local tradition. Having both within 15 minutes is a good deal.
For the full barbecue list, including Carter's and Korean BBQ, see our guide to the best BBQ in Longview.
Getting there from Grace Pointe
All four spots are 10 to 15 minutes from Grace Pointe Apartments at 113 Magnolia Ln, just off Judson Road. If you're comparing places to live in Longview, you can schedule a tour and grab brisket on the way home.
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