OUR STORY
ABOUT ROCKIN’ J SMOKEHOUSE
Rockin’ J Smokehouse is the story of Jim and Mandi following a passion that never really let go. Years back, they hit the road with a food truck called Lillian’s Barbecue, sharing smoked meats and good Texas hospitality wherever the trailer could park.
After the food truck chapter, Jim worked across different industries—spending time in construction and getting his hands dirty in the kind of work that teaches grit and consistency. Eventually, a reconnection with Brandon at Hurtado Barbecue pulled him back to the pit. There, Jim sharpened his craft—dialing in brisket, hand-crafted sausage, and the proteins that define true Texas barbecue.
Along the way, Jim also managed ranches around Brady, Texas. Working the land and serving the people here reminded him just how much he loved this city and the surrounding Hill Country. He knew he wanted to bring something back to Brady—something he could pour his heart into. That vision is Rockin’ J Smokehouse.
Today, Jim and Mandi serve the community they love with honest, live-fire barbecue—no shortcuts, just time, smoke, and care. Rockin’ J Smokehouse is now open weekends at their Brady location, carving up plates from 11am until SOLD OUT.
“Barbecue brought us back together with Brady. Every brisket we slice is a thank-you to this community.”
MEET JIM & MANDI
Partners in life and in the kitchen, Jim and Mandi are building Rockin’ J with the same spirit that powered Lillian’s Barbecue: cook with care, serve with pride, and treat folks like family.