Firebirds Wood Fired Grill: Experience the Open-Fire Magic


Updated: 22 Jun 2023

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Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

The sizzle and aroma of wood-fired flavor await at firebirds wood fired grill, where steaks take center stage.

Imagine sinking your teeth into a juicy, hickory-smoked ribeye fresh off the open grill as flickering flames add that perfect char. From the first crackling bite, you’ll be hooked on the one-of-a-kind wood-fired taste that makes Firebirds a cut above the rest.

This restaurant takes grilling to an art form by using local wood to infuse every dish with a smoky nuance. Beyond the bold steaks, you can explore globally inspired appetizers and seafood cooked over an open fire.

The energetic ambiance invites you to relax with a handcrafted cocktail before indulging in the mouthwatering wood-fired cuisine.

At Firebirds, sparks fly when premium ingredients meet the intense heat of a wood-burning grill.

The Story of Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

Firebirds wood fired grill first fired up its grills in 2000 in North Carolina. The founders wanted to create a lively restaurant where wood-fired cooking makes every meal special.

Using local woods like hickory, Firebirds expertly grills up the juiciest steaks, seafood, and chops infused with smoky flavor.

From its start as a single location, Firebirds has expanded across the U.S. while staying true to its roots of serving wood-fired cuisine in a rustic-chic setting.

At Firebirds, guests can watch meals being prepared over the open fire of the wood-burning grill while enjoying handcrafted cocktails and curated wines.

The story continues as more diners discover the unique wood-fired taste of this growing restaurant chain.

The Wood-Fired Cooking Process

The Wood-Fired Cooking Process

1. Locally Sourced Wood

Firebirds use various types of flavorful hardwoods, like hickory and oak, in their special grill. They source these woods locally from sustainable forests near each restaurant location. This allows them to access the freshest woods native to each region.

2. Wood Infuses Smoky Flavor

The hardwoods are prepped for the grill by being sawed into logs and allowed to dry out. Once ready, the logs are placed on the wood-burning grill. As the wood burns down, it infuses every dish cooked over the open fire with a smoky wood-fired flavor. From steaks to seafood, the smoke gives everything a distinctive taste.

3. Fired Up by Flavor Experts

Skilled grill masters at Firebirds have perfected the art of wood-fired cooking. By controlling the temperature and carefully placing ingredients in the zones of the grill, they can finely tune the wood-fired flavors. The open kitchen allows you to watch as they expertly use different woods to bring out subtle flavors in every dish.

Wood Smoke Flavor

1. Smoky Meats

The billowing wood smoke in the Firebird grill infuses juicy cuts of meat with hints of smoldering flavor. Steaks develop a slight char while absorbing the oak or hickory essence. From robust ribeyes to tender filets, the wood smoke makes meats unforgettably delicious.

2. Seafood with Subtle Smoke

Fragile seafood like plump shrimp, salmon, and halibut gets a kiss of smoke from the fire. The fish absorbs the wood aroma while keeping its moisture. Compared to meats, seafood picks up lighter smoke accents that enhance but don’t overwhelm the fresh catch flavors.

3. Grilled Veggies

From seasoned potatoes to glazed carrots, vegetables grilled over wood fires develop a toasty quality. The smoke provides a soulful depth without making the veggies bitter or overpowering their natural sweetness. Wood-fired veggies offer a perfect accompaniment to any plate.

Watch the Wood-Fired Action

One unique aspect of Firebirds is the open kitchen layout, where you can view the wood-fired grill in action. Skilled grill masters expertly tend to the hot fire, moving meats and vegetables around to control their exposure to the licking flames.

You’ll hear the sizzle and see the smoke rise as they turn steaks to get that perfect char. The open kitchen provides a peek into the art of wood-fired cooking, with flames searing and smoke billowing right before your eyes.

From appetizers to desserts, you can observe exactly how Firebirds infuse each dish with a distinct wood-fired flavor using their special grill and locally sourced hardwoods.

The transparency enhances the dining experience and gives a deeper appreciation for the complex wood-fired cooking process.

Starters at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

1. Firebirds’ Signature Wings

These jumbo chicken wings are coated in a fiery and tangy sauce and then grilled over an open wood fire. The hickory smoke permeates the crispy skin, while the sauce glazes each wing with a savory sweetness. Firebirds’ wings blaze with spicy, wood-fired flavor.

2. Wood-Grilled Shrimp

Plump shrimp get a quick turn on the wood grill, which adds a light, smoky essence to their sweet juiciness.

Basted with garlic-lime butter, the wood-fired shrimp delivers a burst of flavor in each tender bite. The perfect starter for seafood lovers.

3. Spinach & Feta Flatbread

This shareable flatbread is piled high with nutty feta cheese, garlicky spinach, and bubbling mozzarella. The flatbread dough is grilled over the wood fire, creating a crispy, char-lined crust. Every warm slice is topped with a fresh mix of Mediterranean flavors and textures that combine deliciously.

Mouthwatering Steaks & Chops

1. Premium beef (Ribeye)

The steaks and chops at Firebirds are premium-aged beef, meaning they are exceptionally tender, juicy, and full of flavor. Cuts like the ribeye and filet mignon come from top-quality beef that has been aged to perfection. The marbling and generous fat content ensure every bite of the charred exterior yields a moist and melt-in-your-mouth interior.

2. Wood-Fired Perfection

Already incredible on their own, these premium cuts become unforgettable when hit with the intense heat and aroma of the wood grill. The locally sourced oak or hickory smoke boosts the robust, beefy flavor. While the open fire sears the outside, it leaves the inside succulently rare, if desired. Perfectly cooked by grill masters, these wood-fired steaks and chops achieve steakhouse quality.

Unique Wood-Fired Preparations

1. Hickory-Smoked Steaks

Hickory-Smoked Steaks

Select steaks at Firebirds are smoked low and slow over hickory wood before getting a quick sear on the grill. The extra smoky flavor permeates while keeping the cut remarkably tender. From brisket-like burnt ends to smoked porterhouse, the hickory smoke adds a robust dimension.

2. Dry-Rubbed then Wood-Grilled

Spice blends with flavors like lemon pepper or Cajun are pressed onto steaks before hitting the wood grill. As the spices toast, they form a flavorful crust, locking in the juices. The meat absorbs the rub flavors while gaining a smoky essence from the fire. A double taste.

1. The Ribeye

Firebirds’ wood-grilled ribeye is a longtime guest favorite. Well-marbled and masterfully cooked, this tender cut provides a rich, beefy flavor in every moist and juicy bite. Hickory smoke takes it to the next level.

2. The Porterhouse

This large, shareable steak combines the finest parts of sirloin and tenderloin. Cut extra thick for wood-fired grilling, the porterhouse showcases two prized cuts in one. It’s hard to beat this steakhouse classic.

3. The Filet Mignon

For those seeking the utmost tenderness, filet mignon is a go-to option. Lean yet succulent, this smaller cut becomes unforgettably delicious when cooked over an open wood fire. A melt-in-your-mouth steak lover’s dream.

Savoring the Wood-Fired Grill Delights

1. Seafood with a Smoke Kiss

Fragile fish and shrimp get a quick kiss of hickory smoke on the grill, just enough to enhance their natural flavors without overpowering them. Cedar plank salmon is a specialty, infusing sweet fillets with a subtle smokey essence. Scallops and halibut also shine with light wood accents.

2. Poultry Perfected by Fire

From citrus-glazed chicken breasts to smoked wings, Firebirds use the wood fire to bring out the best in poultry. Chicken skewers have a charred exterior and a tender interior. Rotisserie and smoked preparations enhance juiciness.

3. Garden Goodness

The wood-fired grill adds incredible flavor, even to veggies. Onions, peppers, mushrooms, and more are transformed by the fire. Potatoes are baked to crispy perfection. Wood-fired veggie kabobs offer healthy deliciousness.

4. Small Plates, Big Wood-Fired Taste

From mini crab cakes to tuna tacos, Firebirds’ small plates provide a taste of their wood-fired cuisine in tantalizing portions. The global flavors of these appetizers are elevated by the open-fire cooking.

Seafood Delights

1. Wood-Grilled Salmon

Fresh salmon fillets are hand-rubbed with brown sugar and spices before hitting the wood-fired grill. The salmon flakes beautifully while absorbing sweet, smoky flavors. A light brushing of maple butter provides even more richness.

2. Shellfish by the Fire

Plump shrimp, sea scallops, and jumbo crab cakes are all given a turn on the open grill. Just a quick-fire kiss will add texture and a subtle smokey essence while keeping the shellfish tender. Simple yet masterful wood-fired prep

3. Cedar Plank Creations

Fillets of salmon, trout, and other fish are roasted gently on charred cedar planks in the wood-fired grill. Infusing the mild fish with the plank’s smoldering cedar tones results in incredible flavor combinations.

Hand-Crafted Burgers: A Gourmet Delight

1. Prime Beef, Wood-Fired

Firebirds start with half-pound prime beef patties, grilled over open flames to create a smoky char. The wood-fired burgers lock in juiciness while adding irresistible texture. Thick and meaty perfection.

2. Signature Creations

Burgers become truly one-of-a-kind with gourmet toppings like applewood bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and melted bleu cheese. There are also options like the Black & Bleu burger, seasoned Cajun style for adventurous eaters.

3. Beyond Beef

For non-beef lovers, Firebirds offers turkey, veggie, and bison burgers cooked on the wood grill. They have all the flavor of their special burger cooking method without the beef. Explore the possibilities.

A Sweet Finale: Desserts to Delight

1. Warm Apple Crostada

Warm Apple Crostada

Thin apple slices baked in a cinnamon sugar crust create this decadent wood-fired tart. Vanilla ice cream melts over the top, blending with the warm apples for an unforgettable finish.

2. S’mores Lava Cake

This ooey-gooey chocolate cake conceals a molten center with hints of Graham cracker and toasted marshmallow. Served warm, the dessert captures old-fashioned s’mores flavor in cake form.

A fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie arrives at the table warm and gooey in a hot cast iron skillet. Topped with vanilla bean ice cream, it’s an over-the-top cookie indulgence.

Artfully Mixed Drinks & Perfectly Paired Wines

Mixed Drinks & Perfectly Paired Wines

1. Handcrafted Cocktail Creations

Firebirds stir up wood-fired inspiration in specialty cocktails like the Smoked Old Fashioned with Bourbon smoked tableside. Taking advantage of seasonal produce, bartenders muddle blackberries, jalapeños, or fresh herbs into refreshing signatures.

2. Locally Sourced Wines

With its wood-grilled steaks, Firebirds recommends bold Cabernets and Malbecs from local vineyards. Lighter seafood entrees pair well with regional Chardonnays and Pinot Grigios. Knowledgeable staff help select the perfect wine.

3. Wine Flights for Sampling

Explore new wines with a tasting flight – sample pours of three related varieties. Try a vertical flight of one wine through the years. For sharing, order a wine tower on a spiraled dispensing rack.

4. Inventive Margaritas & More

In addition to wine, Firebirds mixes up innovations like their Prickly Pear Margarita with fruity new elements. Or sip a wood-smoked twist on a classic Old Fashioned or Manhattan cocktail using premium spirits.

The Firebirds Vibe: Cozy and Energizing

1. Rustic Chic Setting

With its exposed brick, dark wood, and leather booths, Firebirds has a rustic-chic vibe. The dining room feels cozy yet lively, enhanced by the glow of the open kitchen’s wood-fired grill.

2. Warm, Attentive Service

The helpful and energetic staff provide excellent service that makes guests feel comfortable. Servers have extensive knowledge about wood-fired preparation and make recommendations.

3. Unique Open Fire Cooking

The highlight is the open-concept kitchen, where patrons can view the flames and smoke in action. The exhibition grill reinforces Firebirds’ signature wood-fired cooking style in a relaxed yet engaging atmosphere.

Final Thoughts

At Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, the distinctive wood-fired flavor is the star of the show. By cooking over a real wood-burning grill using local hardwoods, Firebirds infuses every dish with smoky richness and depth.

The open kitchen allows you to watch as grill masters create sizzling steaks, succulent seafood, and more. Beyond entrees, Firebirds offers starters with global flavors along with handcrafted cocktails and an extensive wine list.

The lively ambiance is both rustic and relaxing. For a unique dining experience that highlights the exceptional taste of wood-fired cuisine, Firebirds Grill hits the spot. The bold flavors and aromas will keep you coming back.

FAQs

What is the mission statement of Firebird’s wood-fired grill?

Firebirds states its mission is “to be the best grill restaurant, bar none.” The restaurant aims to provide exceptional service and quality wood-fired cuisine in a lively yet welcoming atmosphere.

Who is the CEO of Firebirds?

The CEO of Firebirds is Mark Bogan. He helped found Firebirds in 2000 and continues to lead the company focusing on its wood-fired cooking.

What is the annual revenue of Firebird’s wood-fired grill?

The annual revenue of Firebirds is approximately $150 million, according to industry reports. The popular grill restaurant has expanded to bring its signature wood-fired flavors to more locations.

How many locations does Firebird’s wood-fired grill have?

Currently, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill has around 55 locations across the United States, concentrated in the Southeast, Midwest, and Mountain regions.

Where were the first firebirds located?

The original Firebirds Wood Fired Grill opened in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2000. North Carolina remains the home state of Firebirds.

What is the oldest Firebird?

The first generation Firebird built by Pontiac debuted in 1967. This makes it the oldest model of the Firebird pony car line, which spanned over 30 years.

What is a Firebird also known as?

Firebird is also a common name for the avian species scientifically called the northern flicker. This medium-sized bird breeds across North America.


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Sam Walker

Sam Walker

Hey there, I'm Sam and I'm thrilled to share my passion for Japanese cuisine and cooking here at Hibachi Foods. Our chefs expertly grill up hibachi favorites like fried rice and noodles right at your table. We also serve fresh, hand-rolled sushi every day. Beyond the restaurant, I share quick and easy recipes to help you cook delicious Japanese food at home using everyday ingredients. With my tips, anyone can cook flavorful teppanyaki and sushi - no fancy skills needed!

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