Kuma's Corner

Getinthevan

Illinois

4.47/5  rDev +2.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5 | $$$

What more can be said about this incredible burger joint? Well, not much, but I'll die trying anyway!

As many other reviewers have said, this place has some of the finest burgers to ever grace this earth. I've been twice in my time here (had the Motorhead & Iron Maiden...heaven) as well as a few of their brews from the tap (Lagunitas and others).

The heavy metal here is brutal, skull-crushing, and over the top...and I wouldn't have asked it to be a better setting. Atmosphere owns here, hands down...and they play some great metal.

Service is top notch. The people that work here must know how stressful it is to fill seats in such a tiny restaurant where on any given night, the place is gushing out the door with humans. Either way, the staff keeps their cool and they're great in suggesting burgers and/or brews, albeit with some great snarky sarcasm and a bona fide joking nature.

The only two cons? It can be a bit pricey and the wait sucks, but either way...you'll be able to overcome both.

If you're in Chicago (visiting or living), just ask for Belmont & Francisco. Just go there already, it's worth the wait. Really.

09-24-2010 23:53:42 | More by Getinthevan

phillybeerfreak

Pennsylvania

4.46/5  rDev +2.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.75 | $$

Awesome place but get there early. All Heavy Metal but who really cares as this place is awesome. Beer selection has at least 3 Floyds on draft and the bottle selection is also out of this world. Burgers, Burgers, and more burgers and they all sound an amazing. Also the mac and Cheese comes highly rated

05-14-2013 21:16:18 | More by phillybeerfreak

Claytonbrewsby

Virginia

4.88/5  rDev +12.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

I've been to Kumas Corner twice now. Great metal bar with an awesome selection of brews and the best burgers I've ever tasted! If you're ever in Chicago, this is the place to go. Great atmosphere and great service. Convenient and free parking on the street behind Kumas. I recommend the High On Fire burger!!!

05-09-2013 21:13:49 | More by Claytonbrewsby

ScreamBloodyGore

5/5  rDev +14.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

I have been here at least 30 times and it is by far my favorite place to eat. I have never had better burgers/food in my life. I have tried about 10 burgers about from their and wasn't disappointed with a single one. And considering its heavy metal themed, so all the burgers are names after metal bands and they play metal, thats amazing for me since I'm a huge metalhead. Don't let that sound like bias though, like i am reviewing the place/food good just because they play metal. Not the case, its just a huge plus. Ive recommended this place many people who hate metal and all they talk about is going back ASAP. As far as beers go, they have like 5 or 6 on tap which sometimes change, been the same ones for a little while now though and a large amount of bottled craft beer (never counted but it would take a while to try them all). Ive had to wait for a seat from anywhere between 1 second and 2 hours, just got to know when to get there. 2pm on multiple occasions has seemed to be a no wait time, also very late like 10pm or so will usually get you seated quick. Despite how crowded this place gets I have always had great service and the waitresses have always been able to make good beer recommendations for me.

10-11-2012 18:49:30 | More by ScreamBloodyGore

jegross2

Illinois

4.65/5  rDev +6.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

It costs upwards of $13 for a hamburger and fries. Their kitchen is the size of my bedroom, and the entire restaurant is not much bigger than my apartment. On the weekends, you are almost guaranteed to wait 2-3 hours for a table. They do not take reservations, and in the summer, you can't even order their food to go. And if you're a vegan...fugetaboutit!

And yet, they are the home of the absolute best hamburger that I have ever eaten in my entire life. Their food is simply that good. Kuma's is easily my favorite restaurant in Chicago.

Kuma's is a metal-theme restaurant/bar, and their food is "heavy metal inspired" -- from the Iron Maiden burger to the Neurosis to even the Mac N' Cheese (which is second only to the Brickhouse BBQ in Madison in terms of Mac N' Cheesiness). Each of their uniquely crafted burgers features a host of interesting flavor combinations. Their barbeque sauce is delicious, their ketchup is home made, and their relish should be put on every burger. My personal favorite dish is the Neurosis burger. The portions are huge and every burger is served as it should be -- on a pretzel bun. I can never finish my entire meal in one sitting and always have left overs.

You can also feel incredibly comfortable ordering your meat medium rare at Kuma's and be confident that they will cook it just right. You do not have to worry about getting undercooked meat when you order your food -- that warning is fluff at Kuma's. The restaurant is so popular, the line to get a table is so long, and the food is just so good because so much love and care and attention is cooked into each burger. Each burger is a handcrafted masterpiece. I've even waited an hour in line at Lollapalooza -- where I shell out $90 a day to listen to nine hours of non-stop music -- just to get a burger because they are so tasty. No matter how long the line, no matter how big the hype, I promise that you won't be disappointed (unless you're a vegan).

Oh, and the beer? Kuma's always features solid every day brews like Gumball Head and a few rotating taps. Those rotating taps tend to feature outstanding brews like Surly Darkness, Zombie Dust, Surly Furious, and Greenbush Anger. So even though you'll inevitably have to wait to eat, at least you'll be doing it with a great brew in hand.

Like I said, the restaurant is a bit pricey, but it is WELL worth what you'll spend. The beer prices are run of the mill for Chicago, and the food is sized large enough that you'll have enough for a small meal tomorrow.

Oh, and did I mention they always play super schlocky movies on the TV? Like Godzilla versus some robot thing. Classic.

The secret to enjoying Kuma's without waiting is to either order carry out or go for a SUPER early dinner.

PROST!

03-02-2012 21:40:01 | More by jegross2

cagocubs

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

Finally got around to this place. After hearing rave reviews, I have to join the bandwagon.

A: A "metal-bar" with loud blaring music and crazy gore movies playing on the television above the bar. A long bar with a smoked out and foggy dining room. This place looks like something out of a movie. However, don't feel as if you wont fit in; there are people of all sorts here from businessmen to young adults to actual biker looking dudes. A friendly, yet intense setting.

S: The service here is excellent. The waitress/bus crew/ and bartenders are friendly and quick.

S: A good selection of craft beers both on tap and in bottles. I noticed a lot of local breweries ranging from New Holland to Three Floyds to Great Lakes. They have good seasonal brews and you will surely find something you like or have never tried.

F: The best burger in Chicago, bar none. I had the Led Zeppelin burger which was loaded with bacon, pulled pork, and cheese. Words cannot explain this heart-attack on a plate, you will just have to try it. Otherwise, I noticed they have pasta/mac n cheese, and other things to try.

01-08-2012 02:46:53 | More by cagocubs

osusullins

Illinois

5/5  rDev +14.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

I live right up the road from Kuma's and visit this place religiously. It is a heavy metal bar that has a kick ass beer selection... and oh yeah, they happen to serve the best burgers in the world.

There menu is awesome. The burgers are all named after metal bands, and they are all freakishly good. I eat the Mastadon which is a huge patty with cheddar cheese, BBQ sauce, Alpha King battered onion strings (yeah, that's right) on a pretzel bun. It is the greatest burger I have ever had anywhere. They also do a create your own Mac-n-cheese that also is devine.

The beer list is good with all craft beer. They have a lot of Floyds, Lagunitas and Left Hand. Pretty decent bottle selection too.

The bartenders and waitstaff are very cool, however some of the management come across as pretentious. They are just too cool for school, if you get what I'm saying. That said, I would recommend this place to any and everybody.

The only drawback is that the place isn't very big and the dining room can fill up quickly. Usually long waits for tables, however if you go to the bar you can usually get right in. I love it.

10-31-2011 01:00:29 | More by osusullins

Davidpgibbons

Illinois

4.45/5  rDev +2.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 3 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$$

The best burg i have ever had in my entire life! If you like burgers than this is your spot, kumas has the craziest ideas for a burger too! I reccomend the led zep or basically any burger of the month, everyone ive had has always been amazing. The wait always sucks (like 1 to 2 hrs) unless you go early or late during the week. They also dont play any games so go during a big sports game and u might grab a seat right away. Pretty good beer selections when they arnt out. Good service, pretty quick too once you get a seat.

08-18-2011 02:55:44 | More by Davidpgibbons

RayYanks23

Connecticut

4.72/5  rDev +8.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

What a cool place!! Very good beer selection tap or bottle. Being a metal head the music was not an issue for me, but be prepared, haha no Lady GaGa...

The place is small and being a warm day was a little uncomfortable being that our bar seats were near the grill, but the beer trumped the heat for a while.

The wait staff looks a little scary, but were cool once they had a minute to talk...very busy back there.

We didn't think to get a burger (DUH), but they looked Phenominal!!

Will definitely be back for the burger and some beers!

07-13-2011 15:35:55 | More by RayYanks23

elginirishpunk

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +1.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5 | $$

Known for its amazing burgers and mac and cheese by anyone who has ever watch great burgers show on; Travel channel, food network, cooktv, ect.

All burgers named after metal bands, and unforgetable flavors and combinations. Favortie burger is lair of the minator.

They have a very good beer selection. They have a little bit of everything and are ever changing thir menu. Most definitly support local, craft, and independent brewers.

This is a very well know burger spot for Chicago. You will see everyone from Roller derby girls to men in suits who just got back from O'hare. Do not be suprised if you are waiting an hour for a table on at 9pm on a tuesday night.

PLEASE LOOK AT WEBSITE AND LEARN RULES SO NOT TO APPEAR IGNORANT.

06-13-2011 19:49:37 | More by elginirishpunk