Mad Jack's Mountaintop Barbecue is heading back to its home state, with a Hill Country smokehouse planned for Johnson City. Owner James "Mad Jack" Jackson has snapped up a riverfront farmhouse on US 281 and is gearing up for a major renovation to turn it into a full-time pit and dining destination. The new spot will let Jackson divide his time between Cloudcroft and the Hill Country while putting him closer to family.
Mad Jack's Chooses Johnson City
Jackson told MySA he first noticed the property while driving across the Pedernales and was instantly taken with the riverfront stretch. "I love the location, right on 281 and right on the river," he said. According to MySA, he closed on the old farmhouse this week, and the sellers, who are friends of President Lyndon B. Johnson, included a presidential hat and other LBJ memorabilia as part of the deal.
The Johnson City Site
Per the MLS listing on SpyglassRealty, the property at 624 N. US 281 covers about 23.42 acres and boasts nearly 589 feet of Pedernales River frontage. The listing describes a stone farmhouse built in 1946 and pitches the land as a rare riverfront find within convenient reach of Johnson City, Fredericksburg, and Austin.
Menu, Money And A Target Opening
Jackson plans to bring the Lockhart-style brisket, smoked turkey, hefty ribs, mac-and-cheese, and cornbread that turned his Cloudcroft shop into a barbecue destination, while also working in some green-chile touches from his New Mexico background, according to MySA. The outlet reports that Mad Jack's is putting around $2 million into renovations and is targeting an April 1, 2026, opening, with Jackson eyeing a spot on Texas Monthly's Top 50 list by 2029.
From Lockhart Roots To Mountaintop Fame
Mad Jack's started as a Lockhart-inspired trailer and eventually became Mad Jack's Mountaintop Barbecue in Cloudcroft, where Jackson has been serving barbecue since 2015 and building a national following. The Cloudcroft Reader notes that Jackson regularly drives back to Lockhart every six to eight weeks to load up on post-oak and keep that Central Texas smoke profile intact. Regional coverage, including a nod in New Mexico Magazine, has spotlighted the restaurant's rise and helped set the stage for its Texas return.
What This Could Mean For Johnson City
The Johnson City smokehouse has the potential to turn the area into a go-to stop for Hill Country day-trippers and weekend travelers, combining river access with a buzzworthy barbecue name. With its size and highway frontage, the property is well-suited for expanded outdoor seating and events, according to the MLS listing on SpyglassRealty. Jackson has said the move is rooted in family connections and his desire to keep working rather than retire, giving him a Hill Country base while he maintains his Cloudcroft operation and reputation.
If the construction timeline holds, Jackson plans to open the doors on April 1, 2026, and says he is not ready to "sit on the porch" just yet. For now, Johnson City's recipe for riverfront brisket is quietly coming together along US 281.
