For over 50 years, Hill-Bert’s Burgers has kept Central Austin stomachs full with classic hamburgers, onion rings, milkshakes and more.

How we got here

As a newly-wed The University of Texas at Austin student in 1963 with a baby on the way, Hilbert Maldonado was prompted to find a job as soon as possible. The catalyst sparked Maldonado’s journey as an employee with various burger restaurants in the city: King Burger, Holiday House Restaurant and Burger Chef.

After two years of hard work at Burger Chef, the owners decided to sell the business which opened a new opportunity for Maldonado.

“I impressed them quite a bit,” Maldonado said. “They gave me a raise and then they said they wanted to sell the business. They knew I was a new father and trying to make ends meet so they gave me a great deal. And that's how I got Hill-Bert's Burgers.”
Hilbert and Lucille Maldonado opened the first Hill-Bert's Burgers location in 1973. (Courtesy Hill-Bert's Burgers)
Hilbert and Lucille Maldonado opened the first Hill-Bert's Burgers location in 1973. (Courtesy Hill-Bert's Burgers)
Despite the burger joint being Maldonado’s first business, he was familiar with the entrepreneurship industry as the son of a San Antonio business owner. He said he always strived to own a business but wasn’t quite sure what industry sector he’d land in.


“They have a saying, ‘Seek your passion and you won't feel like you're going to work. Every day’s exciting for you,’” Maldonado said. “The restaurant business wasn’t necessarily my passion but I said, ‘Well these are the cards I'm dealt,’ and so I made the best out of it and I fell in love with it.”
The business serves Dallas Wings made with family's homemade sauce available in mild, medium and hot. (Dacia Garcia/Community Impact)
The business serves Dallas Wings made with family's homemade sauce available in mild, medium and hot. (Dacia Garcia/Community Impact)
On the menu

One of Maldonado’s goals when opening the restaurant was to craft the perfect burger, which he says the team has perfected.

It starts with a good quality meat shaped from his personal recipe, followed by cooking the burger evenly on all sides using an open flame, chain broiler. Finally, the meat is topped with freshly cut onions, lettuce and tomatoes.

While the business showcases its burger throughout its menu, diners can also enjoy chicken sandwiches, wings, tacos, small bites, milkshakes and salads.


Must-try menu items
  • Eat like the owner and try out Maldonado’s personal order: double meat cheeseburger, easy on the lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, mayo, mustard and the occasional jalapenos
  • The business’ pride and joy: Onion Rings
  • Chicken wings Maldonado named because, “There ain’t no Buffalo fans in Texas”: Dallas Wings
  • Made from a classic family recipe: Tacos made with beef
  • A fan favorite in the older crowd: Steak-Burger handbreaded and made with a personal recipe
The Steak-Burger is a fried burger which is coated in hand breaded using a personal recipe. (Dacia Garcia/Community Impact)
The Steak-Burger is a fried burger which is coated in hand breaded using a personal recipe. (Dacia Garcia/Community Impact)
The impact

As a longtime family-owned and operated business, Hill-Bert’s Burgers has fed the city in more ways than one from providing food for Austin City Council and the UT Austin football team to serving historical figures Ann Richards and Walter Cronkite.

In addition to the known names Maldonado has served, he said the local customers who have remained regular customers of the eatery make the most impact on the business.

“We're in our fourth and in some cases our fifth generation of families that we're serving,” Maldonado said. “[Customers] tell us where they used to live and what they used to eat and they're bringing their kids now.”


Today, Maldonado’s son, Phillip Maldonado, and daughter, Christina Maldonado, operate the business, keeping the family legacy alive.

For those interested in trying out the restaurant but are on the go, Hill-Bert’s Burgers offers both a drive-thru experience and delivery options.