Sun Wah BBQ’s BYO Thanksgiving Turkey event heralds the year’s end is right around the corner. We’ve announced our annual service on October 25 and within days, patrons have gobbled up all allotted spots. This is our annual service where a turkey is finished in the Sun Wah BBQ style; similar to a Hong Kong style roast duck, we’ll treat the turkey cavity with ingredients like bean paste, house-blended 5-spice, cilantro, shallots and ginger.
Sun Wah BBQ will be open Thanksgiving Thursday November 26, 2026 with eighty designated Turkey pick-up slots starting at 8:30am and continuing until 5:00pm. The BYO service is for carry-outs only. Restaurant dine-in of turkeys is not permitted as there will be already be a full-house of patrons attending for our everyday menu items.
How do I submit my own turkey?
Oct 31 Update: It’s scary how fast our patrons have now claimed all the allotted BYO slots, but as of this update, they are indeed all claimed bringing an end to the submission part of this event.
A last-chance remaining option is to place a BYO order for a Wednesday pick-up and follow our reheating instructions for Thursday.
How do I obtain a restaurant-supplied turkey?
Oct 31 Update: ALL our Turkey event slots have now been claimed within 5 days of announcement. All restaurant-supplied turkeys have been earmarked with a deposit. No additional turkeys are available for that Thanksgiving Thursday.
The only remaining move for restaurant-supplied birds is to order for a Wednesday (Nov 25) pick-up and use the reheating instructions outlined below.
What’s in store?
As our past Thanksgiving events predict, Sun Wah BBQ will be bustling throughout our limited hours that day from 8:30am til the doors close at 5:00pm. The rear kitchen will be at full throttle creating entrees for our carry-out and dine-in service. Every available roasting chamber will be creating our signature Chinese BBQ items in addition to the turkeys for this event. The front kitchen will be keeping up with noodle, congee, and Dim Sum orders. The carry-out counter will be orchestrating butcher- block and take-out orders. Even the bar area will be entertaining walk-in patrons who didn’t follow our advice about making advanced reservations.
Because of the complexities expediting this service, there may infrequently be delays that swing our target times by as much as 45 minutes. If it gets extreme like that, we’ll try to phone you if possible. Be patient with us as we are trying to get your bird to you as soon as we can. Similarly, if you are running late, please call so we may put the bird aside. When you arrive, look for signage directing you to the processing spot. Provide your info and take care of any remaining balances.
Your turkey will be packed in a transport box to minimize it from rolling around inside your vehicle. It may be a good idea to double-check you’ve designated ample vehicle space so that your turkey isn’t precariously teetering atop of unstable cargo. A pint of au jus gravy from the roasted drippings will accompany each turkey. Additional pints are available for $8, but hardly anyone finds this necessary. All turkeys are sent out whole so that carving can take place at home.
Small sidenote: In past BYO events, a handful of patrons occasionally request an early pickup of the completed turkey on the day prior. If you need or prefer to do this for Wednesday, November 25, please let the staff know at the time you’re placing the deposit and no later.
Reheating instructions
Finished turkeys are ready-to-eat throughout this day. However, if reheating is desired:
- Preheat a conventional oven to 375ºF (190ºC)
- Remove turkey completely from the transport box and place it bare in a roasting pan
- Roast in the oven for no more than 30-45 minutes. Do not overcook!
- Using caution, remove from oven and let turkey rest for 5 minutes before carving
Beyond the turkey
It’s common for BYO Turkey patrons to order additional menu items so that they’re picking up a full-fledged feast. In anticipation of that chaotic Thursday, consider placing carry-out orders for those additions no later than Tuesday, November 24. Be sure to indicate it’s being picked up along with your BYO Turkey and indicate your time slot. When your guests hear that it’s Sun Wah BBQ, it’s likely they’ll crave a Beef Chow Fun, Yang Chow Fried Rice, Potstickers, Baby Bok Choy, Hot Sour Soup, or Egg Rolls.