Bourdain in Houston

Anthony Bourdain dines at Montrose farm for Parts Unknown during Houston visit

Never let it be said that Anthony Bourdain doesn’t keep his promises. When the chef, turned author and TV host visited Houston last November he said he would return to film an episode of his CNN show Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown sometime in the near future.

On Monday night, Bourdain appeared to have started fulfilling that goal when he dined at the Montrose farm maintained by local nonprofit Plant It Forward — with cameras in tow. The organization works with refugees from the Congo to farm its land; that must have appealed to Bourdain, who filmed an episode in the African nation in 2013.

Local chef Arash Kharat, the pop-up master behind the popular Space City Cowboy social media accounts, assisted the Plant It Forward farmers with preparing and serving Bourdain.

“We spoke almost a month ago,” Kharat tells CultureMap. “(I) met with them a few weeks ago to speak to the farmers (about) helping them cook.”

The menu included lots of fresh vegetables from the farm, as well as beef from Texas ranch 44 Farms.

Bourdain also spoke at the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Conference at the George R. Brown Convention Center on Monday. It is not clear whether he simply used that as the opportunity to film a segment or whether he’ll be in town for a few days. CultureMap readers are encouraged to keep their eyes peeled.

A representative for Plant It Forward has not responded to CultureMap’s request for comment.

A behind the scenes look at the filming.

Photo by a CultureMap reader

A behind the scenes look at the filming.

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Stay trill, owls

Bun B serves up smash hit smash burgers at Houston's Rice University

Photo by Quit Nguyen

Bun B is bringing Trill Burgers to Rice University.

Faculty, students, and staff at Rice University will have a fresh new dining option when classes resume for the fall semester. Trill Burgers will open its fourth Houston-area location on campus beginning Monday, August 17.

Located at the Rice Memorial Center, the new Trill Burgers will serve the restaurant’s signature smash burgers, which are available in either beef or vegan versions. That starts with the OG Trill Burger, made with two smashed beef patties, pickles, caramelized onions, Trill Sauce, and American cheese on a Martin’s potato roll. A vegan version uses plant-based smashed patties, vegan sauce, and vegan cheese. Burgers will be sold individually or as a combo with fries and a drink. Students will be able to use their campus dining dollars (Tetra) to purchase their meals.

Bun B, a Houston hip-hop legend and co-founder of Trill Burgers, has long had ties to Rice University. In 2011, 2013, and 2015, he served as a distinguished lecturer, co-teaching Religion and Hip-Hop Culture with Anthony Pinn, the Agnes Cullen Arnold Distinguished Professor of the Humanities.

“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.”

In addition to Trill Burgers, Rice is also home to locations of breakfast favorite Dandelion Cafe and salad and sandwich concept Local Foods Market.

“We are excited to build upon this long-standing relationship while giving the Rice community an authentic taste of Houston,” Beth Leaver, Rice’s assistant vice president of housing, dining, and hospitality, added. “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.”

While the restaurant is open to the general public, its proximity to the original Trill Burgers location (3607 S. Shepherd Dr.) means it will likely appeal primarily to people who are already on campus. Initially, the restaurant will be open from 11 am-5 pm.

Opening at Rice comes at a time of continued growth for Trill Burgers. In December, the restaurant opened in Missouri City. It is expected to open a new location at Westheimer and Hillcroft (7616 Westheimer Rd.) as soon as this month.

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