hindesky Posted July 11, 2022 Share Posted July 11, 2022 "Dear JCI Customer, We made the difficult decision to permanently close this location. We are tremendously grateful for your patronage at Shepherd for many years. We are a small, local business and we hope you will continue to support us at our other Houston Area locations. In fact, our 99-year Houston tradition depends on your support. Please know that all employees from the location have been offered employment within the company." https://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/07-11-22-james-coney-island-jci-grill-shepherd-location-closed-shuttered/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=dlvr.it 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted July 11, 2022 Author Share Posted July 11, 2022 I go to this JCI at least twice a year but whoever remodeled their restaurants didn't do them any favors. They always looked closed due to the window treatments they added. Same thing with the one on the Gulf Frwy at Rustic St. that closed a couple years ago. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkultra25 Posted July 12, 2022 Share Posted July 12, 2022 Hard to believe there will be no more JCIs inside the loop, but I think they kind of lost their way when they rebranded to JCI Grill and tried to move more upscale with new menu items and cross-promotions with local chefs. The majority of customers I see at JCI order the tried-and-true items that made them what they were - the original coney, chili, frito pie, etc. I haven't been there in quite a while, but my go-to location was the one near 45 and Crosstimbers, so I'm sad to see that one listed as also being for lease. When they have the annual anniversary special with 99-cent coneys, the line is almost out the door there. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucesw Posted July 13, 2022 Share Posted July 13, 2022 Agreed. Come to think of it, I don't even remember any of the grill items; I may have never looked at that part of the menu. They did neither themselves nor the participating chefs any favors with that promotion. The resulting products in the stores were very poorly executed in my experience the 2 times I went in to try one. I had to wait for a manager to return from an errand to fix one for me, no one else in the building knew what to do. Neither did he, it turned out. He delivered it to the table himself, beaming. The bun was toasted to a crisp and significantly charred; the sausage was worse. Several of the items mentioned in the press release were missing. I hope they don't go away completely but if they do, 100 years ain't too shabby a run in the restaurant biz. I tell everyone/out-of-towners, stick to the legacy menu. Many people working there can make those blindfolded. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilcal Posted December 14, 2022 Share Posted December 14, 2022 Bun B's Trill Burgers to take over JCI location on Shepherd https://www.chron.com/food/article/bun-b-trill-burgers-restaurant-montrose-17653784.php 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbg.50 Posted December 14, 2022 Share Posted December 14, 2022 On 7/12/2022 at 2:22 PM, mkultra25 said: Hard to believe there will be no more JCIs inside the loop, but I think they kind of lost their way when they rebranded to JCI Grill and tried to move more upscale with new menu items and cross-promotions with local chefs. The majority of customers I see at JCI order the tried-and-true items that made them what they were - the original coney, chili, frito pie, etc. I haven't been there in quite a while, but my go-to location was the one near 45 and Crosstimbers, so I'm sad to see that one listed as also being for lease. When they have the annual anniversary special with 99-cent coneys, the line is almost out the door there. It always looks closed but that location on 45 is still operating, and it’s practically “at the loop.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkultra25 Posted December 14, 2022 Share Posted December 14, 2022 32 minutes ago, steve1363 said: It always looks closed but that location on 45 is still operating, and it’s practically “at the loop.” I suspect the only reason it's still operating is that there hasn't been much interest in leasing the building from anyone else. Per Loopnet it's still available: https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/4200-North-Fwy-Houston-TX/25732684/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/james-coney-island-jci-new-locations-closings-17726476.php "But while drivers may take the large "closed" signs on Westheimer Road and South Shepherd Drive as signs of weakness, JCI President Darrin Straughan says it's all part of a plan. In the past decade, the local chain has changed names, switched up its menu and shifted its strategy toward the suburbs to make sure the century-old Houston institution will be around for several years to come." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted March 24, 2023 Author Share Posted March 24, 2023 Work has started on Bun B's Trill Burgers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted April 28, 2023 Author Share Posted April 28, 2023 Construction company doing the renovations. Looks like an "e" to me but their name is actually "Luria Construction". http://www.luriaconstruction.com https://www.instagram.com/luriaconstructioncompany/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted April 30, 2023 Author Share Posted April 30, 2023 Without the construction trailer in the way. Tried to focus on the inside but the iPhone had other plans. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted May 19, 2023 Author Share Posted May 19, 2023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted May 24, 2023 Author Share Posted May 24, 2023 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted May 26, 2023 Author Share Posted May 26, 2023 https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2023/05/25/sneak-peek-inside-bun-bs-new-trill-burgers-restaurant-in-sw-houston/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted June 2, 2023 Author Share Posted June 2, 2023 "Good news to all your burger enthusiasts out there, especially the ones who like their burgers smashed and drizzled with a bit of "trill." Bun B announced on his Instagram Wednesday that the Trill Burgers brick-and-mortar location will be opening in less than a month. That location will be the old James Coney Island building at 3607 S Shepherd Drive, which is right off the Southwest Freeway near Richmond Avenue." https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/trill-burgers-location-opening/285-426da17a-251f-40cc-a983-65387789640c Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted June 6, 2023 Author Share Posted June 6, 2023 "Celebrities, near and far, are already flocking to Bernard “Bun B” Freeman’s Trill Burgers, one of Houston’s most highly anticipated restaurant openings this year. Over the weekend, perhaps the most notable celeb to swing by was Ludacris. Trill Burgers posted the Atlanta-based rapper-actor’s first bite of the smash burger on TikTok and its other social media platforms. A line-up of rappers familiar to many Houstonians included Slim Thug, Lil’ Keke, Willie D of the Geto Boys and Le$. A who’s-who of the sports world attendees included Houston Texans great Andre Johnson, Jerrod Johnson and Daryl Sharpton." https://www.houstonchronicle.com/food-culture/restaurants-bars/article/trill-burgers-opening-celebrities-ludacris-bun-b-18137584.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted June 7, 2023 Author Share Posted June 7, 2023 "It just might be the most talked-about, frenzy-making, gotta-have-it burger in the country. And starting today the Houston restaurant that’s serving it finally opens. Trill Burger's, the homegrown smashburger that has enjoyed coast-to-coast pop-up buzz since it's inception in 2021— from being crowned best burger in America last year on “Good Morning America” in New York to captivating the hipsters at the Coachella music festival in California in April — will open to the public today at 11 a.m. at 3607 S. Shepherd." https://www.houstonchronicle.com/food-culture/restaurants-bars/article/houston-rapper-bun-b-trill-burgers-montrose-18130955.php 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted June 7, 2023 Author Share Posted June 7, 2023 "Despite the Montrose spot being Trill Burgers' first brick-and-mortar, the smash burger business isn’t slated to be there for long. According to a release, the smash burger joint will use this space as an “extended pop-up” location for six months, while Bun B and his team search for a permanent home in the area. In the meantime, the restaurant will be open for limited hours from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily." https://houston.eater.com/2023/6/7/23746072/bun-b-trill-burgers-smash-burgers-houston-restaurant-openings-montrose 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBC2HTX Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 They will print money if they open somewhere with a lot of foot traffic (for Houston). I think the current location is terrible. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted June 19, 2023 Share Posted June 19, 2023 Can someone explain the use of the word "trill" in this context? Is this a rap music term? When I see "trill" I think of Star Trek alien worms that burrow inside of other aliens with spots on them: I suppose you could make burgers out of trill worms, but I also supposed that's not what this rapper is going for. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted June 19, 2023 Share Posted June 19, 2023 36 minutes ago, editor said: Can someone explain the use of the word "trill" in this context? Is this a rap music term? From a Texas Highways story about Trill Burgers: I asked Bun what sets his burger apart considering that it’s heavily influenced by “a big trend in California,” according to co-owner Nguyen. “It’s the trillness that sets the burger apart,” Bun says. The word “trill,” coined by Bun and fellow Houston rapper Paul Wall, is slang for being true or real. It might not mean much if you’re not into hip-hop culture, but Houston very much is. https://texashighways.com/travel-news/cheer-sear-smashed-burgers/ 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkultra25 Posted June 20, 2023 Share Posted June 20, 2023 5 hours ago, Houston19514 said: From a Texas Highways story about Trill Burgers: I asked Bun what sets his burger apart considering that it’s heavily influenced by “a big trend in California,” according to co-owner Nguyen. “It’s the trillness that sets the burger apart,” Bun says. The word “trill,” coined by Bun and fellow Houston rapper Paul Wall, is slang for being true or real. It might not mean much if you’re not into hip-hop culture, but Houston very much is. https://texashighways.com/travel-news/cheer-sear-smashed-burgers/ Next up: "chopped and screwed". 😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkultra25 Posted June 25, 2023 Share Posted June 25, 2023 The longtime JCI location on I-45 North just south of Crosstimbers closed several months ago. I noticed dumpsters outside a few weeks ago, but what really caught my attention when driving by this afternoon is that the exterior has been repainted yellow. Haven't seen this mentioned anywhere else yet, but...second former-JCI location for Trill Burgers imminent? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntheKnowHouston Posted June 25, 2023 Share Posted June 25, 2023 1 hour ago, mkultra25 said: The longtime JCI location on I-45 North just south of Crosstimbers closed several months ago. I noticed dumpsters outside a few weeks ago, but what really caught my attention when driving by this afternoon is that the exterior has been repainted yellow. Haven't seen this mentioned anywhere else yet, but...second former-JCI location for Trill Burgers imminent? Tostada Regia, a local Mexican restaurant mini-chain, is opening soon at 4200 North Fwy / 4200 I-45 N. It's the former site of James Coney Island. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pleak Posted June 26, 2023 Share Posted June 26, 2023 The JCI location on I-69 in Stafford (Meadows?) closed a while back. It is now a CaboBob's burritos. Can't remember if they repainted it yellow or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted June 28, 2023 Share Posted June 28, 2023 There was a review of this place in the Chronicle this morning. The verdict from the paper's chief hamburger correspondent was that it's good, but perhaps it's better to wait in line when the weather is cooler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted August 1, 2023 Author Share Posted August 1, 2023 Looks like this will be converted in to a gas station when Bun B's lease is up. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted August 27, 2023 Author Share Posted August 27, 2023 9:00am on a Sunday morning and the parking lot is almost full. Not sure if an event was going on but there was a slab in the drive thru and people taking video and pics of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntheKnowHouston Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Below is the proposed Albemarle Place Plaza subdivision plat. The plat was posted to the incorrect forum in August. The Albemarle Place Plaza subdivision plat pertains to 3607 S Shepherd Dr. Previously the site of James Coney Island, 3607 South Shepherd Dr is currently home to Trill Burgers. https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/49694-alabama-shepherd-square/?do=findComment&comment=686958 On 8/29/2023 at 1:05 PM, hindesky said: Proposed plat with a different name "Albemarle Place Plaza". In addition to 3607 S Shepherd Dr, the proposed Albemarle Place Plaza subdivision plat also consists of: 3615 S Shepherd Dr (specifically Lot 4) 2049 Richmond Ave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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