Trill Burgers, the award-winning smashed burger concept from legendary rapper and entrepreneur Bernard Freeman (Bun B), is coming to Rice University. Beginning Aug. 17 for new student orientation (O-Week), Trill Burgers will serve at the Rice Memorial Center throughout the fall and spring semesters, bringing its beef and vegan burgers to the Rice campus.
The move is a homecoming for Bun B, who served as a distinguished lecturer at Rice in 2011, 2013 and 2015, co-teaching Religion and Hip-Hop Culture with Anthony Pinn, the Agnes Cullen Arnold Distinguished Professor of the Humanities. The restaurant joins Houston-based Local Foods and Dandelion Cafe on the Rice campus.
“This is truly full circle for me,” Trill Burgers co-founder Bun B said. “To bring this brand to Rice University where I once taught is a major moment for Trill Burgers and for myself.”
This partnership further strengthens Bun B’s ties to Rice and creates opportunities for future educational engagement, collaboration and connection with students, said Beth Leaver, assistant vice president of housing, dining and hospitality.
“We are excited to build upon this long-standing relationship while giving the Rice community an authentic taste of Houston,” Leaver said. “Trill Burgers brings a distinctive and celebrated part of Houston’s culinary culture to the Rice campus. I am often asked about adding a great burger option, and this partnership fills an important gap in our dining portfolio.”
Trill Burgers’ Rice menu features the acclaimed OG Trill Burger — named “Best Burger in America” by Good Morning America in 2022 — with two smashed all-beef patties, pickles, caramelized onions, Trill Sauce and American cheese on a Martin’s potato roll. Also on the menu: the Vegan OG Burger with plant-based smashed patties, vegan sauce and vegan cheese; Triple OG Burger; Vegan Triple OG Burger; single-patty Lil G beef and vegan burgers; and Trill’s seasoned fries. Items can be ordered a la carte or as a combo, and Trill Burgers will be accepting campus dining dollars (Tetra) for students.
The Rice location caps a busy year for the homegrown brand. Trill Burgers operates three brick-and-mortar restaurants in Houston (3607 S. Shepherd Dr.), Spring (6810 Louetta Rd.) and Missouri City (20220 Fort Bend Pkwy Suite 140), with a fourth location opening soon in Houston (7616 Westheimer Rd.). Trill Burgers also returns to Reliant Stadium this fall for a fourth consecutive season serving at Houston Texans games.
Trill Burgers’ initial hours of operation at Rice will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The restaurant is open to students, faculty and the general public with information on guest parking throughout the campus available at parking.rice.edu.