Many know Bun B as half of the southern rap duo UGK, but now he is bringing his talents to the kitchen. The rapper has established an award-winning brand of burgers, Trill Burgers, that will now have a residency in Las Vegas.
The burger pop-up restaurant will be in Las Vegas from Nov. 6 to Dec.r 3, at the Luxor Hotel and Casino’s Public House and Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino’s Libertine Social. Bun B’s signature smash burgers will be on the menu in addition to specials, such as a steakhouse-style burger from Trill chef Mike Pham.
When speaking on the residency, Bun B told the Houston Eater, it is “practically the biggest honor any chef can have.” The move comes as part of Pepsi Dig In’s first-ever culinary residence. Pepsi created the program to support Black-owned restaurants and the people behind them. PepsiCo committed $50 million over five years to the cause.
The program also provides Black restauranteurs with advice on accessing capital, successful delivery operations, using marketing tools to make their presence known and more.
Trill Burgers will be able to display its product selection and operate a food business in a major tourism hub. Bun B added, “I get to actively see what it’s like for someone else to prepare the product,” when discussing the fact that the casino kitchens will prepare the burgers. The opportunity will highlight how the burgers could be scaled and replicated at different locations.
Since its launch in 2021, Trill Burgers has only operated as a pop-up but the burgers have also been sold at major events including Coachella, Rolling Loud, and at the first-ever “hip hop food court” at LL Cool J’s Rock The Bells festival. The Texas native says, “for years I’ve been fascinated with the culinary scene, trying to find the best entry point for me. Today I can say I’ve found it!”
With only a year of being in existence under its belt, the restaurant has managed to be named “best burger in America.” Bun B put his burgers in ABC’s Good Morning America’s Best Burger Competition and won the title back in July. Interested foodies may not have to travel to Vegas for the Trill Burger experience, as the rapper has stated that a brick-and-mortar location is coming soon.
