Kuma's Corner
773 604- 8769
2900 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago IL, 60618
Vegetarians need not read! If you're hungry, I'm both excited and sorry for the discovery I'm about to share with you! I have found the burger joint to end all other burger joints! A half pound of freshly ground Angus beef cooked to order with your name on it. An atmosphere like no other. For four years, it has captured the city's attention and has been crowned "Best Burger" by Time Out Chicago. Simply put, Kuma's Corner is the best burger joint in Chicago.
With 21 burgers on the menu and a "Burger of the Month," this place has got what you're looking for. Not only is the beef fresh and juicy, and cooked to a perfect combination of season and flavor, the style of each burger is as distinct as its name. They're named after heavy metal bands. To name a few, there's Pantera, Black Sabbath, YOB, Slayer, and Dark Throne. My personal favorite, the Mastodon, includes a homemade BBQ sauce, frizzled onion strings and melted cheddar cheese. All of the burgers come on a fresh pretzel roll with web fries, homemade potato chips, or a side salad. The prices of the burgers range from $10 to $13. Kuma's most famous burger is the "Kuma Burger." It's your simple hamburger but with a fried egg on top. It may sound off putting, but the egg enhances the flavor of the beef and creates a great mix. It's like the "Aerosmith"/ "Run DMC" mash-up of the burger world. If you're not in the mood for a burger, then you're still in the right place. Kuma's appetizer menu consists of the most succulent buffalo chicken strips, fresh oysters, and the newest addition the pulled pork fries (fries topped with BBQ puled pork, green onion, shredded cheese and then melted all together).
Kuma's also has a great beer selection which includes 40 bottled and six beers on tap. All of which are local or microbreweries. It works well for beer fanatics who want to try something new and different or people who are just getting into it.
The food comes first, but a close second is the atmosphere. Metal blasts from the speakers over the bar while Kuma's fan art adorns the backs walls. Pictures of all 21 bands featured on the menu surround the small restaurant. Tucked in the corner is the kitchen that can be seen from the tables and bar. Being only 6 feet by 16 feet, the kitchen sometimes becomes over crowded and backed up, but I find this to be a great way to try some of the different beers. Be patient when you visit. It gets crowded and I've waited for over an hour in the past. Just remember back to your childhood. The best presents from Santa always seemed to be wrapped the hardest but the reward was worth it.
There is a strong metal following at Kuma's but don't let this intimidate you from visiting if you're not into that kind of stuff. I've gone and sat next to a 60 year old grandma wearing a knit sweater on one side and a guy with holes in his ears big enough to walk through on the other; both of which were lightly head banging to some "Devourment" and "Plague Bringer." Good food will do that. It brings people together and Kuma's Corner is a prime example of that. A "medium well" prime example. Bon appetite!
0 comments:
Post a Comment