Johnson and his wife Kailee moved to Smithville in April 2022. After working as a full-time electrical foreman for a commercial construction site, Johnson pivoted to becoming a pitmaster after cooking brisket and pulled pork for a housewarming party.
“They were like, ‘You need to sell every last bit of this,’” Johnson said.
Johnson took this verbal affirmation and signed up to make barbecue for a fall festival in October. With a menu of brisket, pulled pork and jalapeño cream corn, the food was sold out in two hours.
With Johnson working in Cedar Park on weekdays, the couple began catering for special events on Saturdays and selling barbecue at farmers markets on Sundays. The couple opened the business’ brick-and-mortar on December 7, 2024.
Johnson said he would categorize the restaurant’s menu as Texas barbecue with a Carolina twist. Customers can enjoy brisket, pulled pork, chicken, sausage and habanero honey ribs, which are sold by the half pound and pound in addition to sandwiches. Whole chickens are available on Saturdays and Sundays.
“All of our stuff is homemade and I always tell people every time they ask how I make the brisket I’m like, ‘It’s three simple ingredients: salt, pepper and love,” Johnson said. “People either do a little dance or they just eat in silence because everything is so good.”
The couple has been together since 2012 and has gone from cooking in a small college apartment to now owning a restaurant.
“We have always said, you can never find a barbecue joint where the sides and the meats are both outstanding,” Johnson said. “That’s what sets us apart from everyone is we make sure our sides are 100% and all the meats I cook are 100%.”
The restaurant’s location features a limited seating area but Johnson said their supporters make it work.
“Our saying is ‘get in where you fit in,'" Johnson said. “People that don’t even know each other will squeeze in next to the other person and next thing you know by the end of the meal they’re laughing and talking together.”
Community members in Smithville and beyond have enjoyed the tastes served by the business. Johnson said the restaurant has served customers who have made the trip from New York, Long Island and Florida specifically to eat their barbecue.
“We’ve had people traveling from everywhere and it’s all because of the people of Smithville,” Johnson said. “They want good barbecue and they want to know that it’s going to be consistent.”
Johnson said he hopes to move into a larger space to increase seating space for guests and meet catering needs.
- 109 2nd St. NW, Smithville
- www.bubbysbbqtx.com
