No more waiting for ‘pop-ups’: Bun B’s Trill Burgers to open 1st Houston brick & mortar at site of former iconic JCI
Great news, everyone! Houston’s Trill Burgers will open its first brick-and-mortar location in early 2023. The critically-acclaimed smashburger concept from legendary Third Coast rapper and entrepreneur Bun B will be located at 3607 S Shepherd Dr. at Richmond Avenue in the Montrose neighborhood.
The 3,236-square-foot building, which features a drive-thru, was formerly home to one of Houston’s longest-running James Coney Island locations.
“It’s been a long time coming, not just for us, but for anybody that’s had a Trill Burger or wanted a Trill Burger and couldn’t get one,” Bun B said. “We’ve been working hard to find the right location to make it as easily accessible to as many people as possible. I think we found that location, and we can’t wait to open these doors to the city of Houston and eventually the world.”
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Trill Burgers pop-ups in Houston have been a smashing success. This September, Trill Burgers hosted a pop-up at City Hall in conjunction with the City of Houston, serving 2,000-plus customers at an all-day festival. Falling on National Cheeseburger Day, the day was proclaimed “Trill Burgers Day” by Mayor Sylvester Turner. An August pop-up at 8th Wonder Brewery featured a line that wrapped around the block and customers waiting more than six hours. Bun B has been a fixture at the events, working the fryer, handing out water and greeting guests at the door.
Trill Burgers won the title of the best burger in America from “Good Morning America” in July, capping a weeklong competition against concepts from across the United States. Since launching in Houston with pop-ups in 2021, it has served its smashburgers at music festivals around the country including Coachella, Rolling Loud, Rock the Bells and Something in the Water. Trill Burgers was a vendor at the 2022 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, selling almost 12,000 burgers in three weeks, and participated in Chris Shepherd’s Southern Smoke fundraiser this fall. It also hosted a fundraiser for victims of the Astroworld tragedy in 2021.
Trill Burgers’ culinary team plans to add a new signature burger for the brick-and-mortar location, with additional menu items to be announced.
MORE ON BUN B WINNING!
‘Trill’ presentation: Bun B, Franky Cardona unveil H-Town NFT at UH’s TDECU Stadium
‘Trillionaire’: Bun B, 8th Wonder Brewery create hemp-derived drink
Bun B’s ‘Trill Burgers’ heading to Coachella
Bun B makes history with ‘H-Town Takeover’ at RodeoHouston
Bun B teams up with Houston food trucks to fundraise for Astroworld victims
About Trill Burgers
Launched in Houston in 2021 with a series of pop-ups, Trill Burgers is a smashburger concept owned by Bun B (Bernard Freeman), California restaurateur Andy Nguyen, Nick Scurfield and chefs Mike Pham and Fernando Valladares. Trill Burgers’ menu features beef and vegan smashburger options, including the OG Trill Burger with 44 Farms Texas beef, Trill Sauce, onions and pickles. For construction updates, follow @trillburgers on Instagram and TikTok.
About Bun B
A true Houston icon, Bun B (Bernard Freeman) made his debut on the rap scene in 1992 as part of the rap duo UGK (Underground Kingz). Along with the late Chad Butler AKA Pimp C, the two Port Arthur, Texas, natives pioneered a sound that has become synonymous with Southern rap music. Bun B also has been successful as a solo artist, releasing five solo albums throughout his career. His debut solo album, “Trill,” reached the No. 6 spot on the Billboard 200 charts. His four following albums, “II Trill,” “Trill O.G.,” “Trill O.G.: The Epilogue,” and “Return of the Trill,” all charted on Billboard’s prestigious list, as well. Most recently, he released the second installment of Trillstatik, a live-recorded joint venture with NY producer Statik Selektah. The rap legend also has worked with stars including Jay-Z, Outkast, Beyoncé, Lil Wayne and Drake.
Bun B has expanded his reach beyond the music industry. He created “Bun B’s Rap Coloring and Activity Book” with author Shea Serrano and, along with Professor Anthony Pinn, taught a course about Religion and Hip Hop at the prestigious Rice University in Houston. His food blog “You Gotta Eat This!” anticipated his next step into the Houston restaurant scene with his new burger concept, Trill Burgers. He appeared on the Netflix series “Mo” in 2022 and was a headline performer at the 2022 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, making him one of the first rap artists ever to play in the event’s 90-year history. He also is an active member of the Houston community, dedicating his time to various philanthropic endeavors. Instagram: @bunb | Twitter: @bunbtrillog
