Trill Burgers, nestled in the Montrose neighborhood of Houston, has quickly emerged as a hotspot for burger aficionados and food enthusiasts alike. Rapper/philanthropist Bun B’s restaurant has become synonymous with mouthwatering flavors and impeccable service.
And it’s the service that definitely blew our socks off. Amazing food at Black-owned restaurants is nothing new. It’s almost an anecdotal indicator that the better the food is, the worse the service is going to be #kanyeshrug. Therefore, fast, friendly, and impeccable levels of customer service are somewhat infrequent.
However, at Trill Burgers, you will be greeted by a vibrant ambiance that effortlessly combines modern aesthetics with a welcoming atmosphere. The minimalist decor and upbeat hip-hop music set the stage for a rather enjoyable dining experience.
The stellar service at Trill actually begins when you turn into the parking lot. It’s like the COO Chef Mike Pham must have learned at the feet of the masters from Chick-fil-A. Yes, the service experience is that phenomenal. We were there on a recent Friday at lunchtime. When we pulled in, there was someone there directing parking. Our first thought – are they seriously charging for valet parking?? Quickly followed by the thought that he was just a random parking lot hustler trying to come up. We were wrong on both accounts. He was a parking assistant and Trill employee, but there was no charge. His job was to help direct cars to open spots because the lot was full and busy. So we were already pleasantly surprised right from the jump.
Then, after parking, we were greeted by another employee at the front, whose job appeared to be a friendly greeter who opens the door, answers any questions as well as maintains contact with the parking lot attendant to communicate the availability of open parking spots up front. Color us pleasantly surprised again, and we still hadn’t made it inside.
Once inside, the line to order moved surprisingly fast and orders were ready in under 5 minutes. The restaurant employees were always in motion and buzzing with efficiency. The brother bussing tables was on constant alert and popped up almost instantaneously to wipe down tables as patrons finished eating. There was another employee whose sole job was to pre-fold the perfectly branded boxes that the food was served in. Even though the restaurant has high foot traffic, given how fast and efficient the staff is, the turnaround for clean tables allowed for plenty of available seating even in the middle of the lunch rush hour. We were order #101, and thirty minutes later as we were leaving, they were calling out order #138 – that’s a customer order rate of about 1 every minute. <insert mind blown emoji here!>
About the only area for improvement is the placement of the drink fountains. The line to order is so long that it extends past the access point for the drinks. So there’s a bit of congestion as people who have already ordered now have to walk through the line of people still waiting to order. But again, given how fast the order line moves, it’s just a minor hick-up.
As impressive as the service was, the quality of the food shined even more. The restaurant offers a tempting array of smashed burger options to suit every palate. From classic cheeseburgers to inventive creations like the Trill Supreme, there is something to satisfy every craving. Reviewers consistently praise the quality and freshness of the ingredients, noting the juicy patties and perfectly toasted buns. There are even plant-based, vegetarian, and vegan options.
The fries are also very well-flavored and served piping hot with no need for ketchup, salt, or pepper.
With its mouthwatering burgers, diverse menu, exemplary service, and commitment to sustainability, it’s no wonder that this establishment was crowned as the best burger in America by Good Morning America in 2022. Whether you’re a burger enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable dining experience, Trill Burgers is sure to delight your taste buds and leave you craving more.
As a final surprise lagniappe, when leaving the restaurant, there was another Trill Burger employee whose sole job was to ensure you could safely exit and merge with the oncoming traffic as well as preventing the arriving cars from turning in via the designated exit only thoroughfare.
Given the high level of operational efficiency and their very high traffic – we would not be surprised at all to find out that they will be expanding outside of Houston, and to that we say ‘Oh hell yes! But until then, the next time you are in Houston (or even consider making it a turn-around lunch trip) plan to stop by and experience the top-notch service and food at Bun B’s Trill Burgers.
Trill Burgers is serving up the goodness 7 days a week from 11 AM to 9 PM. You can visit their website and follow them on Instagram.