Houston’s Trill Burgers Heads to Rice University for Fall Semester

The beloved burger brand founded by Bun B will begin serving its famous smashburgers at Rice Memorial Center this August, offering students, faculty, and visitors a new on-campus dining option

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Published on July 30, 2026 • 2:27 PM MDT

One of Houston’s most recognizable restaurant brands is headed back to school.

Beginning Monday, August 17, Trill Burgers will open inside Rice University’s Memorial Center (6100 Main Street), giving students, faculty, staff, and visitors easy access to Bun B’s award-winning smashed burgers just as the fall semester gets underway.

Bun B joins Rice University professor Anthony Pinn during one of their Religion and Hip-Hop Culture classes, a role that makes Trill Burgers' upcoming campus opening a full-circle moment for the Houston rapper and entrepreneur. | Photo by Brandon Martin-Rice University — Bun B joins Rice University professor Anthony Pinn during one of their Religion and Hip-Hop Culture classes, a role that makes Trill Burgers’ upcoming campus opening a full-circle moment for the Houston rapper and entrepreneur. | Photo by Brandon Martin-Rice University

For co-founder Bun B, the expansion is more than another location—it’s a return to familiar ground. Long before Trill Burgers earned national acclaim, the Houston rap icon served as a distinguished lecturer at Rice, co-teaching the university’s Religion and Hip-Hop Culture course alongside Anthony Pinn in 2011, 2013 and 2015.

“This is truly full circle for me,” Bun B said in a statement. “To bring this brand to Rice University where I once taught is a major moment for Trill Burgers and for myself.”

Bun B celebrates after Trill Burgers was named the"Best Burger in America" by Good Morning America in 2022, an accolade that helped launch the Houston-born concept into the national spotlight. | Photo by Trill Burgers — Bun B celebrates after Trill Burgers was named the “Best Burger in America” by Good Morning America in 2022, an accolade that helped launch the Houston-born concept into the national spotlight. | Photo by Trill Burgers

The campus outpost will serve the concept’s signature menu, led by the OG Trill Burger—the two-smashed-patty burger that Good Morning America crowned the Best Burger in America in 2022. Diners can also order vegan versions of the OG and Triple OG burgers, the smaller Lil G burgers, seasoned fries and combo meals. Rice students will be able to use campus dining dollars, making the restaurant an easy grab between classes.

Trill Burgers joins a growing lineup of local concepts at Rice, including Local Foods and Dandelion Cafe. University officials say the addition answers a longstanding demand for a standout burger option while bringing another distinctly Houston restaurant to campus.

The OG Trill Burger—stacked with two smashed beef patties, American cheese, caramelized onions, pickles and Trill Sauce—will headline the menu at the new Rice University location. | Photo by Trill Burger

The Rice opening is the latest milestone in a busy expansion for the homegrown brand. Since debuting as a pop-up in 2021, Trill Burgers has grown to three brick-and-mortar locations in Houston, Spring and Missouri City, with a fourth restaurant set to open soon at 7616 Westheimer Road. The company will also return to NRG Stadium this fall for its fourth consecutive season serving fans at Houston Texans games.

Trill Burgers at Rice University is scheduled to open August 17 during new student orientation, aka O-Week, and will operate Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The restaurant will be open to the public, with guest parking available on campus.

Office hours can wait—the burger line is about to become the busiest place on campus.

Trill Burgers Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, trill-burgers.com

Megha McSwain Texas Managing Editor

Megha McSwain is the Texas Editor for DiningOut Magazine, managing editorial content for Houston and Dallas. Megha was born in Mumbai, India, and currently resides in Houston. She has a passion for reporting on food, restaurants, chefs, and travel, and has contributed to outlets like Food Network, Eater, InsideHook, Resy, Texas Monthly, and Texas Highways throughout her career. As a trusted member of the local media, Megha also appears as a regular guest on local lifestyle television shows, Great Day Houston on KHOU11, and Texas Today on NBC5.

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