We were lucky to catch up with Caskey Hill recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Caskey thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

Phat Stax Burgers:

We are New Mexicos only hip-hop themed restaurant. We do Burgers differently. Majority of our menu is hip-hop-themed. So we had to make sure our business name represented that also. The PHAT stands for not only how bug our smash burgers are but also P-pretty, H-hot,
A-and, T-tasty. STAX because our burgers are stacked with flavor and dependong on which burger you get, different toppings.

Caskey, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

What’s up, y’all! We’re Phat Stax Burgers — New Mexico’s only hip-hop–themed burger joint, born from the streets, beats, and a whole lotta meat.

We’re Caskey and Tonya Hill, co-founders, life partners, and burger lovers. Our journey started in 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic, when we were both working as medical assistants. Long days and even longer shifts left us dreaming about doing something that fed more than just the body — something that fed the soul.

After binge-watching one too many food truck shows and vibing to old-school hip-hop playlists, we realized: We could do this. So we did.

How We Got Started:

We launched Phat Stax (short for “Pretty Hot And Tasty”) as a food truck inspired by the boldness and creativity of 90s hip-hop. Think Biggie, Tupac, Missy, Wu-Tang… All that golden era influence shows up in our vibe, our playlist, and especially our menu.

We started rolling through Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, building a name one burger at a time. Our food truck menu was fire from the start — smashburgers, loaded hot dogs, seasoned fries, and chicken sandwiches — but what really made it pop was the hip-hop twist on everything.

Our Products & Services:

Now that we’ve expanded into our brick-and-mortar location in Nob Hill, we’re serving up:

Smashburgers like the G-Cheezy, Baby Got Mac, and Notorious B.L.T.

Phlox (our signature chicken sandwiches)

The Dogg Pound — hip-hop-styled hot dogs

Fully loaded fries (like garlic parm or bacon ranch)

Custom sauces and a vibe that’s loud, proud, and unapologetically old-school

We also offer catering for private events, and community-based events like hip-hop trivia nights, DJ sets, and local rap showcases. Phat Stax is about more than food — it’s about culture, connection, and community.

The Problems We Solve:

Let’s be real: there’s a lot of good food out there, but not all of it comes with soul. We saw a gap in the food scene — people craving an experience, a memory, something fun and nostalgic — not just another burger.

We solve that by delivering:

Top-tier comfort food made with quality ingredients

A unique, immersive environment that brings people back to their favorite era

A safe, creative space for local hip-hop artists and music lovers

A place where culture meets cuisine

What Sets Us Apart:

We’re the ONLY hip-hop–themed burger restaurant in New Mexico.

Our entire brand pays homage to the legends of hip-hop and that golden 90s vibe, and hip hop as a whole.

Our menu names, music playlist, interior design, and marketing all reflect our passion for the culture.

We’re Family-owned, family-run, and rooted in authenticity.

We didn’t just chase a trend — we built a brand that comes from who we really are.

What We’re Most Proud Of:

We’re proud of the community that’s formed around us. From fans who followed us from our food truck days, to first-timers who walk into our restaurant and feel like they’ve stepped into a mixtape — that connection means everything.

We’re proud of:

Turning a pandemic hustle into a thriving business

Employing and inspiring people from our own neighborhoods

Repping hip-hop culture in a fun, respectful, and flavor-packed way

What We Want You to Know:

Phat Stax isn’t just a place to eat — it’s a vibe. Whether you’re pulling up for your first G-Cheezy or stopping by to hear local artists perform on our patio, you’re part of the family now.

We want our guests to know:

This is fresh food, not fast food

We stay true to the culture — no gimmicks, just great food and great music

We’re here to represent New Mexico with flavor, soul, and style

So whether you’re a hip-hop head, a foodie, or just someone who loves a damn good burger, Phat Stax has a seat for you.

Stay hungry. Stay fresh. Stay phat.
🍔🎧 – Phat Stax Burgers

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

While most people were bingeing Netflix, we were bingeing cooking shows and food truck competitions. One night, we looked at each other and said, “Why not us?”

We had always loved food, hip-hop, and creating spaces where people felt good. The idea came fast: Let’s start a food truck that combines our love for comfort food with our passion for hip-hop culture.

We didn’t have culinary degrees or restaurant experience — but we had hustle, heart, and a clear vision. So we got to work.

That pivot in 2020 wasn’t just a career change — it was a life change. We went from healthcare to hospitality, from burnout to building our dream. And in 2023, we took the next step by opening our first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Nob Hill.

Looking back, the pandemic forced us to reevaluate everything. But it also gave us the push we needed to turn a tough moment into a powerful mission. Phat Stax exists because we believed in the possibility of starting over — with purpose, passion, and community at the center.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Before the food trailer, before the Nob Hill restaurant, and before the buzz — there was a moment when we were staring at our bank account, looking at what little savings we had left, and thinking:
“If this doesn’t work… we have nothing to fall back on.”

Starting Phat Stax Burgers was not a cute side hustle or a part-time dream. We were two essential workers during COVID, worn out and worn down, trying to make a better life for ourselves and our kids. We knew that chasing this vision meant quitting stability for a shot at something uncertain.

We had just enough to buy a used trailer and minimal equipment, but not enough to cover a full build-out. Every dollar we spent had to count. We did most of the labor ourselves — installing shelves, painting walls, designing menus, taste-testing every single item, building the brand with nothing but YouTube tutorials and grit.

The trailer wasn’t fancy. There were no investors. We didn’t have a PR team or business mentor.

But we had faith.
Faith that our food was good.
Faith that our vision — hip-hop + comfort food — would connect.
Faith that the culture we loved would carry us.

And every single day that we rolled that trailer out — even when the lines were short or things went wrong — we treated it like we were serving on a big stage.

There was a weekend where we hit back-to-back events, Comic Con, working 14-hour days in the heat, no staff, no breaks. By Sunday night, we were exhausted, running on fumes, but the line was still out the door. One customer came up and said:

“Y’all don’t miss. Every time. Keep going.”

It was small — but it hit hard.
That night we finally looked at each other and said:
“This is real. We’re doing it.”

We built Phat Stax with no safety net. And it’s that pressure that sharpened us — made us more resourceful, more creative, more committed. That’s what resilience looks like when no one sees it: late nights, maxed-out credit cards, broken fryers, and still showing up smiling the next day.

We’re proud that everything we have now — the trailer, the restaurant, the brand — came from betting on ourselves when it didn’t make sense on paper.

Resilience Isn’t Always Loud.
Sometimes, it’s just two people cooking in a tiny trailer, holding onto a dream no one else can see.
And sometimes, it turns into a community.
A movement.
A restaurant.
A legacy.

That’s the real story behind Phat Stax Burgers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://phatstaxnobhill.wixsite.com
• Instagram: Phat.stax.nob.hill
• Facebook: Phat Stax Nob Hill/Phat Stax Burgers
• Other: Tiktok: phatstaxabq