Look. You're driving down I-10 between San Antonio and Houston. Maybe you're tired. Your stomach is growling. You see the exit for Flatonia, a town of about 1,300 people that feels like a time capsule of rural Texas. You pull off onto Main Street, and suddenly, you see it. A building covered in flags, posters, and a giant name that's impossible to miss: Trump Burger.
It’s jarring. It’s loud. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a place that brands its buns with the word "Trump."
But if you’ve been following the news lately, or if you actually tried to stop by Trump Burger Flatonia TX in late 2025, you probably noticed things got... weird. Signs changed. Legal papers flew. The original owner ended up in a headline he definitely didn't want. Honestly, the story of this specific burger joint is less about the beef and more about a wild mix of small-town business, immigration law, and a massive cease-and-desist letter from the very man the restaurant was named after.
What Actually Happened at the Flatonia Location?
The Flatonia spot, located at 110 W. North Main Street, didn't just appear out of thin air. It opened its doors on a very specific day: Election Day, November 5, 2024. Talk about timing.
Local partners Bart and Dana Blakelock teamed up with Eddie Hawa (real name Iyad Abuelhawa) to bring the brand to Fayette County. Hawa was the guy who started the original "Trump Cafe" (later Trump Burger) in Bellville back in 2020. At the time, it seemed like a slam dunk for the area. The place was packed. Fox News was blaring on the TVs. People were chanting "USA" while waiting for their 8-ounce Angus patties.
But here’s the thing most people get wrong: the Trump Organization had nothing to do with it.
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In fact, Donald Trump’s lawyers weren't exactly thrilled. In early 2025, they sent a cease-and-desist letter to the chain, basically telling them to stop using the name. They called it "flagrantly infringing" on their intellectual property. That's why, if you drive past the Flatonia location today, you might see it called MAGA Burger instead. It turns out, even if you’re his biggest fan, you can't just use the Trump name for free.
The Menu: Freedom Fries and "Empty Promises"
Let’s talk food. Politics aside, a restaurant lives or dies by its kitchen. The menu at Trump Burger Flatonia TX is basically a collection of political puns.
- The Trump Burger: The flagship. 8 ounces of Angus beef, cheddar, and "Trump sauce."
- The Trump Tower: A massive 16-ounce (one pound) double-patty beast.
- Freedom Fries: Because calling them "French" is so 2003.
- The Kamala Burger: This one is a joke on the menu. It’s priced at $50.99 and described as an "empty promise" with "muddled meat." If you try to order it, the staff will usually tell you it's "unavailable due to inflation."
The reviews are, as you can imagine, a total rollercoaster. If you check out the local Yelp or Google pages, it’s a battlefield. Supporters rave about the "high-quality beef" and "patriotic vibes." Critics, including some professional food reviewers from Houston, have called the meat "consistent in its blandness" and "waxy."
One reviewer even mentioned that the burger felt like a "cargo-short-wearing dad" cooked it on a holiday picnic. Brutal.
The Owner’s Immigration Irony
This is where the story takes a turn that sounds like a movie script. The face of the franchise, Roland Beainy (who claimed a 50% stake in the LLC), is a Lebanese immigrant. He’s a massive Trump supporter. He’s gone on record praising the former President as a "gentleman who makes peace."
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However, in August 2025, Beainy was arrested by ICE agents.
According to reports from the Houston Chronicle and The Independent, Beainy had allegedly overstayed his visa, which he originally obtained in 2019. It created a massive stir online. People were quick to point out the irony of a man running a MAGA-themed restaurant being caught up in the very immigration enforcement policies he vocally supported.
By October 2025, many of the chain's locations, including the one in Houston, started shuttering or rebranding. The Flatonia location has been a bit of a survivor, but it has largely transitioned to the "MAGA Burger" branding to distance itself from the legal heat.
Is It Still Open in 2026?
As of early 2026, the situation in Flatonia is "kinda" complicated.
The restaurant at 110 W. North Main Street has seen several "closed for renovations" signs and shifts in management. While the local partners, the Blakelocks, have tried to keep the lights on, the legal battle over the Trump Burger LLC ownership and the founder's deportation status has left the brand in a state of flux.
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If you're planning a trip, you should definitely check their social media or call ahead (361-865-3893). Sometimes they're open as a burger joint; sometimes they're effectively a gift shop for conservative merchandise.
Why People Still Stop There
Honestly? It's the kitsch.
Whether you love the guy or hate him, there aren't many places where you can eat a burger next to a life-size cardboard cutout of a President while "Trump 2024: The Revenge Tour" hats are sold three feet from your table. It’s a quintessential piece of "weird Texas" roadside culture.
The atmosphere is thick. It’s red walls, dozens of flags, and a vibe that feels more like a campaign rally than a diner. For some, it’s the most comfortable place in the world. For others, it’s a place they’d only enter on a dare.
What You Should Know Before You Go
If you do decide to pull off the highway and see what the fuss is about, keep a few things in mind.
- Check the Name: It might not say "Trump Burger" on the front anymore. Look for "MAGA Burger" or "President Burger."
- The Buns: They used to brand "TRUMP" into the bread. Because of the legal threats from the Trump Organization, this has been hit-or-miss lately. You might just get a regular brioche bun.
- The Crowd: It’s a small-town spot. People are generally friendly, but the conversation is almost certainly going to be political.
- The Sauce: The "Trump Sauce" is basically a variation of Thousand Island or a zesty mayo-based spread. It’s actually the highlight of the meal for most people.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
If you're heading to Trump Burger Flatonia TX, don't just wing it. Flatonia is a small town, and hours can be unpredictable, especially with the ongoing legal drama.
- Verify the Hours: They typically aim for 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, but this has been inconsistent.
- Explore Main Street: While you’re there, check out the Wine Haus or the Lyric Theater. Flatonia has a lot of history that has nothing to do with modern politics.
- Keep an Open Mind: Regardless of your politics, the restaurant is a fascinating study in brand loyalty and American culture.
The saga of the Trump Burger chain is a wild reminder that in the world of business, even the most famous name on earth can't protect you from a lease dispute or a visa expiration. It’s a strange, spicy, and very Texan story that's still being written.