Owner of iconic burger joint dies

Flowers hang on the front door of the San Antonio restaurant Chris Madrids on March 11, 2012. The Owner, Chris Madrid, passed away early Sunday morning at the age of 61. Flowers hang on the front door of the San Antonio restaurant Chris Madrids on March 11, 2012. The Owner, Chris Madrid, passed away early Sunday morning at the age of 61. Photo: John Albright, For The Express-News Photo: John Albright, For The Express-News Image 1 of / 21 Caption Close Owner of iconic burger joint dies 1 / 21 Back to Gallery

Chris Madrid, longtime owner of the namesake restaurant known for its burgers, died early Sunday at his far North Side home, officials and family friends said.

Madrid, 61, was pronounced dead just before 6 a.m., according to the Bexar County medical examiner's office and friends. The cause of his death has not yet been determined, but no foul play is suspected.

Services are pending, and there are no plans to close the restaurant because “the family plans to continue the tradition,” said his wife, Carolyn Madrid, and close friends. It will be open today.

“He was a very loving man, who never knew a stranger. He was voted ‘Mr. Howdy,'” in high school, Carolyn Madrid said.

Added longtime friend John Walker: “It was a very fitting recognition, because throughout his life, he never met a stranger. He was the most patient, caring and kind person you could meet.”

“He was probably the biggest-hearted person I've ever known,” said John Berchelmann, another longtime friend. “He never, ever said a bad word about anybody. He always made people feel good no matter their walk of life. He was genuinely happy to see them. One of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet.”

Gov. Rick Perry added his condolences via Twitter.

“RIP Chris Madrid. We will miss this San Antonio icon and friend. Our prayers to his family,” the tweet said.

According to the restaurant's website, Madrid opened his iconic business at 1900 Blanco Road in 1977. A 1969 graduate of Lee High School, he received a marketing degree from the University of Texas before returning to San Antonio and opening his restaurant, then called Chris Madrid's Tacos and Burgers.

In the mid-1980s, Madrid noticed burger sales outpaced his other food offerings and the restaurant's name was changed.

His well-known burgers, such as the Cheddar Cheezy, the Flaming Jalapeño and the Tostada Burger, have received numerous awards, including approving nods from AOL's City Search, Texas Monthly, and many Express-News Readers Choice Awards.

Ramiro Cavazos, president and CEO of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, called Madrid's passing “a tremendous loss” to the community. He said Madrid also helped in charitable causes, like sponsoring a Little League team to travel to San Antonio's sister city of Kumamoto, Japan, a few years back.

“They've been members for a long time,” Cavazos said. “They're an institution ... They've shown how a small business can grow and create jobs, and contribute to the community ... Obviously, the family will move forward and we'll continue to support them.”

More Information Chris Madrid's website

The oldest of five children, Madrid was very young when his parents, Raul and Beatrice Madrid, moved from Los Angeles to San Antonio, according to a story in 2007 in the San Antonio Express-News.

His parents were not in the restaurant business as such, but Raul sold equipment for making Mexican food. Beatrice's father owned a grocery store in El Paso.

In 2007, Madrid recalled the early, lean years. Back then, his wife, his sister, Diana Madrid, and their brother, Carlos Madrid, were there to help. They worked the grill or did whatever was needed.

The restaurant started out slowly, and they eventually stopped serving breakfast.

“Nobody came,” Chris Madrid recalled.

But he stuck with it, and built a solid reputation with changes that included customer input.

“Someone told me, ‘I like your burgers, but you need to make them hot,'” Madrid said in 2007.

He followed the advice and burger sales went up.

“If someone doesn't pick their order up soon enough and the burger gets cold sitting on the counter, we take it back and do it over. I don't know if everybody knows that, but it's something we will do,” Madrid added.

Berchelmann said Madrid's friendliness also helped draw crowds. By 1982, Madrid expanded, taking over the Alpine Ice House and turning it into a bar area.

“He had a good product, and because of his personality, it just propelled the restaurant and was a success,” Berchelmann said.

But there was more to Madrid besides his restaurant. He was a family man, devoted to his wife, their grown son and daughter, and two grandchildren.

Madrid also passed that family togetherness to his workers at the restaurant, which is open every day except Sundays.

gcontreras@express-news.net