Mad Jack's Opens Hill Country Barbecue in Johnson City

The Texas restaurant, an offshoot of Mad Jack's Mountaintop Barbecue in Cloudcroft, New Mexico, opened after a one-week delay.

Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Barbecue

Mad Jack's Opens Hill Country Barbecue in Johnson City

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Mad Jack's Hill Country Barbecue opened at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 14, on the Pedernales River in Johnson City, Texas. The restaurant is housed in a home formerly owned by friends of President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Why it matters

The restaurant was launched to bring the Mad Jack's team closer to owner James Jackson's family in Texas. The original Cloudcroft, New Mexico location will remain open.

The opening was pushed back one week to avoid conflict with Texas Monthly's BBQ Fest, and the restaurant opened at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 14. The Cloudcroft location will be closed all week as the team travels to Texas to train new pitmasters.

The players

James Jackson

Owner of Mad Jack's Mountaintop Barbecue and the new Johnson City restaurant, who announced the opening on Facebook.

Mad Jack's Mountaintop Barbecue

Barbecue restaurant in Cloudcroft, New Mexico, from which the Johnson City location was launched as an offshoot.

The details

The menu includes brisket, pork ribs, sausage, mac & cheese, and cornbread, along with a Hill Country pork steak and sausages that honor the team's New Mexico heritage. The opening was announced on Facebook by owner James Jackson, who grew up in Lockhart, Texas.

November 2025: Mad Jack's Hill Country Barbecue was first teased.
November 7, 2026: The restaurant was originally scheduled to open.
November 14, 2026: The restaurant officially opened at 11 a.m.

Culture Shift

The restaurant sits in a home once owned by friends of President Lyndon B. Johnson on the Pedernales River, linking a regional barbecue brand to the Hill Country's Johnson-era history. The opening reflects a pattern of small regional barbecue operators expanding into new Texas markets while keeping their original New Mexico locations.

Johnson City diners can now visit the Pedernales River restaurant for brisket, pork ribs, and sausage starting Saturday, November 14. Customers should expect some early operational adjustments as the new location works out its opening kinks.

The takeaway

New barbecue restaurants often open with early operational hiccups, so visitors may want to allow some patience during the first weeks. Checking the restaurant's social media for updates is a practical way to stay informed about hours and menu changes.