Trill Burgers, the award-winning smashed burger concept founded by Houston rapper and entrepreneur Bernard Freeman, known as Bun B, is coming to Rice University beginning Aug. 17 for new student orientation.

The Houston-based restaurant will operate at the Rice Memorial Center throughout the fall and spring semesters, serving its signature beef and vegan burgers to Rice students, faculty, staff and visitors.

The partnership marks a return to Rice for Bun B, who previously served as a distinguished lecturer at the university in 2011, 2013 and 2015. During his time at Rice, he co-taught the Religion and Hip-Hop Culture course with Anthony Pinn, the Agnes Cullen Arnold Distinguished Professor of the Humanities.

Trill Burgers joins other Houston-based dining concepts, including Local Foods and Dandelion Cafe, as part of Rice University’s campus dining offerings.

The Rice location menu will feature the OG Trill Burger, which was named “Best Burger in America” by Good Morning America in 2022. The burger includes two smashed all-beef patties, pickles, caramelized onions, Trill Sauce and American cheese served on a Martin’s potato roll.

Additional menu offerings include 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. Menu items will be available individually or as combos, and students will be able to use campus dining dollars, known as Tetra, for purchases.

The Rice location is part of continued growth for Trill Burgers, which was established in Houston in 2021 by co-founders Bun B, Andy Nguyen and Nick Scurfield, with executive chefs Mike Pham and Fernando Valladares.

The brand currently operates three brick-and-mortar locations in Houston, Spring and Missouri City, with a fourth Houston location planned at 7616 Westheimer Rd. Trill Burgers also returns to Reliant Stadium this fall for a fourth consecutive season serving Houston Texans games.

Trill Burgers earned additional recognition in 2023 after receiving a Gold Buckle Foodie Award for Best Classic Fair Food at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The brand also serves as an Official Show Sponsor of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and operates Trill Town, a 9,000-square-foot immersive outdoor space at the event.

Initial hours at the Rice location will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The restaurant will be open to the Rice community and the general public, with guest parking information available through Rice University parking services.

Rice University is a private research university located on a 300-acre campus in Houston. The university serves undergraduate and graduate students across multiple academic disciplines and is recognized nationally for its academics, research and residential college system.