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Name: Kuma’s Corner
Address: 2900 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL, 60618
Telephone: (773) 604-8769
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.99

Kuma’s Corner

2900 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL, 60618

(773) 604-8769
Store is closed

Kuma’s Corner Menu

Burgers

Kuma Burger

ABSU

Black Sabbath

Goatsnake

High On Fire

Iron Maiden

Kaijo

Lair Of The Minotaur

Led Zeppelin

Mastodon

Metallica

Neurosis

Pantera

Plague Bringer

Slayer

Weekend Nachos

Yob
Sandwiches

APMD

Pig Destroyer

Hatebeak
Appetizers

BBQ Pork Fries

Buffalo Chicken Tenders

Fried Pickles

Grit Fritters

Jalapeno Poppers

Mac & Cheese

Chili
Salad

House

Caesar

Summer

Healthy Meal suggestions for Kuma’s Corner

Burgers

Kuma Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

ABSU [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Black Sabbath [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Goatsnake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

High On Fire [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Iron Maiden [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kaijo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lair Of The Minotaur [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Led Zeppelin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mastodon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Metallica [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Neurosis [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pantera [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Plague Bringer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Slayer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Weekend Nachos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yob [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sandwiches

APMD [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pig Destroyer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hatebeak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Appetizers

BBQ Pork Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buffalo Chicken Tenders [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Pickles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grit Fritters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jalapeno Poppers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mac & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chili [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salad

House [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Summer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Trevor M.

Good Burgers
(4)
Kateland B.

damn good. damn.
(5)
Brenda C.

Ordered Kumas for delivery last night from Grub Hub. Got the Iron Maiden and Led Zeppelin burgers. OMG is all I could say to describe how delicious they were. And cooked exactly how I asked. Fries were great even though I'm not much of a fry person. Totally want to try all the burgers but my waistline says to wait a while. Lol
(5)
Angie C.

love everything I've ever ordered! never a disappointment!
(5)
Jason A.

Amazingly creative burger menu and other creations!! Metal/rock/grunge environment; so if that's not your thing, order carry out.
(4)
Kim B.

This is my favorite restaurant in Chicago. And in the Midwest. And in America. It's my favorite restaurant in the world. I wish there was a 1,000 star rating. I love Kuma's so much that I moved right down the street from this incredible place. I have happily waited between 5 minutes and 2.5 hours to have a piece of this godsent deliciousness. Every second of the wait is worth it to have a big, fat, greasy, IMMACULATE Kuma's burger sitting in front of your face not long after. The place is small, so the wait builds up, but I'm telling you... wait. it. out. Hang out with the bartenders, who happen to be the coolest and the nicest in the city, and get some whiskey (ON TAP). Or just listen to the awesome metal turned up a little too high. Or watch one of the horror movies they put on the TV above the bar. Options! Once you're seated I can't recommend every single burger on the menu enough. They're huge, so bring your appetite. My personal favorite is the Led Zeppelin (every burger is named after a band) - burger topped with pulled pork, barbecue sauce, cheddar, and pickle chips. Salivating even thinking about it. I unfortunately had to move from my beloved Chicago, but I dream about Kuma's every day - and all my trips back are revolved around when I can go to Kuma's (and how many times I can fit it in my trip). Hail Satan and eat burgers.
(5)
Jovanni M.

Wasn't going to write this review but after eating my very, very, very undercooked burger I am not feeling too hot! I'm all for medium rare but when your burger is still mooing yikes not good at all! I'm really upset because I had really high expectations for this place blah, blah, blah etc etc. I should've went in for my first highly anticipated Kuma experience. However I was a little tired day after the 4th of July. Delivery took over 2 1/2 hours food was warm thankfully. Ps I didn't know delivery service meant calling your phone FOUR times plus a text message. I'm sorry for the inconvenience of you having to get out your car and ring my door bell totally unacceptable.
(1)
M.j. R.

This is my second favorite burger place in Chicago. Its a very small spot with great beers and even better burgers named after famous rock bands. Their mac and cheese is to die for. If your in chicago for the food this is a must eat place but its not good for large groups. The music is interesting and unique for a burger place.
(5)
Brandon D.

I got the Smoking hot bitch with added Jalepenos. Worth every cent. Atmosphere inside is on point. Wish I lived in Seattle so I could try their other choices, they all sound good. Best for breakfast, can get crowded though so plan accordingly. The seating area is small.
(5)
Rachel H.

GREAT BURGERS. They have a large selection of diverse burgers. Kind hard core/metal vibe...but incredible food. Definitely somewhere I plan on coming back to. GO AT LUNCH TIME! It's a mad house at dinner time.
(5)
Shamim A.

Simply amazing. It's a must go to place for any visitors in Chicago. Best burgers in town.
(5)
Joseph H.

Bad burgers, bad price, bad for the community.
(1)
Sarah L.

I love their burgers!!! They have so much business they don't need to accommodate anyone or anything as you can tell by the set of rules they have printed by the door. The music is obnoxiously loud though and I know that's to get people to dine and dash but that's the only reason I give it four instead of five stars. Lines are usually long too so do go there too hungry or else you'll probably pass out before you get a table.
(4)
Laura H.

Burger was ok. The design of the taps have them hanging directly in front of the bartenders at eye level so they have to bend down below to talk to you and it is hard to get the bartenders attention. The music is too loud and crap! I would change the $$ to $$$$ as the beer is very expensive and I think I only got 8oz pours. The located is kinda cramped in the corner of a strip mall. Nate Hansen the bartender was friendly and accomodating!!!! I will not be back unfortunately! :(
(2)
Danielle A.

This is my FAVORITE place to eat in Chicago! The burgers are amazing. The mastodon is my favorite burger. The drizzled onions are so good. The wait can be very long and that the worst part.
(5)
Manny A.

The best burger I have ever tasted. Seriously I could not stop jizzing as I was eating that damn burger. I had a family member recommend me this place while I was in Chicago. First of all, I listen to metal. When my cousin recommended me to come here, he never mentioned that what's they play here so I come in and I'm like You have loud music, guitars on the wall. Metallica/ Slayer/Ghost shirts on the wall. I just couldn't believe such a place exists, there's nothing like this in Miami unfortunately. Only thing that sucked was that we were sat outside because I wanted to listen to the music inside but it was fine no biggie. The menu was so awesome. They got burgers named after bands. So they have the Pantera burger, Metallica burger, Led Zeppelin and so on. I had the famous kuma burger. Best burger hands down. I couldn't finish my fries because we had ordered the BBQ pork fries and Bruhhhhhhh they were soooo delicious. Definitely order the BBQ fries before anything. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Kevin K.

This may be the best burger I've ever tasted. 10 ounce beef patty seasoned with salt and pepper. Grilled and served on a pretzel bun -- this is the start of almost every burger on the menu. Each burger has a metal name like Slayer, Pantera, or the Plague Bringer. The ingredients are fresh and well made. They pay their cooks more than your average burger joint, and I think it shows. The burgers are usually perfectly cooked, and you can tell they take pride in serving the food. That's pretty unusual considering they serve so many people. I've been told that the mac n cheese is solid, but I gotta get me that burger.
(5)
Lucas C.

Came here after a long day of a beach volleyball tournament, starving. I wanted this place to be as good as it looked on TV, but it turns out it is way overhyped. Food- We started off with the bbq pulled pork fries. This was a mess of a dish. The fries were nice and fresh cut, but the pulled pork tasted like Costco pulled pork and didn't stay on the fries too well. One thing I enjoyed was the tap root beer. It was that sprechjer root beer with the bird of the bottle that I've had before, but maybe on tap made it taste better and it sure hit the spot. It pained me not to order the pantera burger, but chiles on a burger isn't my thing (sorry dimebag). So I went with the mastodon burger: bacon, fried onions, BBQ sauce, and cheddar, cooked medium. Unfortunately, the burger was nothing like mastodons music. The burger was cooked well done, the bacon was fatty, the bun was hard, the cheese had no flavor, and they drowned it in what tasted like KC masterpiece. Now, the good. This place gets three stars because it is a great hang out spot, especially for heavy metal fans like myself. All the burgers are named after heavy metal bands. Another reason, my brother got the bacon Mac and cheese and it was delicious. The house made potato chips were also a nice touch. My dad got the goatsnake burger which came with a buttload of weird ingredients like goat cheese and poblano relish, AND IT WAS AMAZING. His burger was also cooked a perfect medium, and the party was about twice as big as mine. I was jealous for sure. YOU KNOW WHAT. For consistency I'm bumping this down to two stars. This restaurant has potential, but they need to get their act together. Service- Was extremely slow. Took forever to get our food. Service was nice just slow. Everyone in there either had saggy tattoos or orange hair, kind of an eyesore. I would recommend this place to people in the area looking for unique burgers, but don't go out of your way to come here. This does not do pantera justice.
(2)
Rachel D.

I LOVE this place. My favorite burger in Chicago. My husband and I Grub Hub'ed them for our celebratory dinner when we bought our condo.
(5)
Nabila L.

I don't care for heavy metal music or gore movies playing on TV. Yet, I don't care, because the burgers here are too good to pass up. My favorite so far is the High on Fire, which has sriracha, sweet chili, roasted bell peppers, pineapple and prosciutto. I know pineapple on a burger sounds odd, but it just works. The burger has always been on point the three times I've ordered it. The fries are hit or miss (sometimes they're overly salty), but when they're a hit, boy they're good. I recommend the High on Fire first and foremost, but other great options are the Plague Bringer (great if you're a garlic fan) and the Absu. While I do come here primarily for the burgers, several other items on the menu are worth noting. The Jalapeno Poppers in particular, if you're going to order an appetizer - get them. They are stuffed with chorizo as well, and come with a delicious raspberry vinaigrette. They are so. good. The fried pickles are also delicious, and also come with a spiced mayo-like dipping sauce that goes really well with the fries too. What I particularly like about Kuma's is that even though the food is fantastic and there's usually a crowd, they don't try to overcharge. The prices are extremely reasonable for the amount and quality of food you get, which is definitely refreshing in Chicago.
(5)
Frank R.

I have been a fan of heavy metal music since I was a teenager and my love of burgers easily pre-dates that. When I found out that Chicago was home to a place that served burgers AND played heavy metal music, I thought I died and went "South of Heaven." Any metal head will immediately feel right at home with the decor and employees. The walls are adorned with pictures of heavy metal greats from Maiden to Slayer. In addition, the menu has items that are named after heavy metal bands. I live in NJ and have been there twice in the past year. The first time I went there I had the Famous Kuma Burger which is a burger with bacon, sharp cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion and a fried egg on top. It was cooked to perfection and was a masterpiece of cooked meat. On my second trip, I decided to do an Iron Maiden theme: a few pints of Trooper Ale on tap and the Iron Maiden burger which consisted of a burger with chipotle mayo, cherry peppers, pepperjack cheese, avacado, lettuce, tomato and onion. Absolutely great flavor combo! Aces High!! I went to Kuma's in June both times I visited and it was not only hot outside, but inside as well. They don't appear to have air conditioning, just huge fans that you would see in a warehouse. If you have to wait a little extra time for a table or to sit outside, I highly recommend doing that. During my last visit, I sat at the bar right by the grill and thought I was going to pass out from the heat. It didn't hinder my Kuma's experience, but now I know not to sit by the bar unless it is winter.
(4)
Alex K.

ALICE COOPER BURGER - HOLY HELL THAT'S AWESOME Probably the best I have ever had, and they deliver to my house now (amazing)! I order it one level below how I like it cooked, and toss it in the oven at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Pretzel bun crisps up, burger cooks perfect.
(5)
Evie S.

OMG!!! This is like limbo!!! This place has the best burgers I have ever ate hands down!!! The place has a hella cool vibe, chill rock/alternative music, staff is always friendly and welcoming. I give props to the cooks who are always hustling on that hot grill cooking burgers to absolute perfection! Fried pickles are seriously bomb, mac and cheese is like non you ever had! Great craft beers imported from all over and full bar! These guys have been in many Chicago articles and let me tell you they deserve much more recognition! If you want the best burger near chicago most def stop by here for a great chill vibe, cold craft beer, great service and burger on point! KUMAS KORNER 5+++ STARS!!!!
(5)
Nakia B.

I'm not a huge fan of burgers in general, but with that being said, I love Kuma's Corner!! They have just the right amount of flavor on the Kuma's Original Burger. Only drawback is that it can take up to an 2 hours for them to get it to you, but it's totally worth it. I think it's fair to say that they made me like burgers. If you aren't into metal, loud atmospheres, and crowded areas, this is not the place you. If you walk in and order, it can take over 2 hours. I would recommend ordering over the phone, well in advance, and asking for the ETA. However, the food is def worth the wait.
(5)
Michelle E.

getting very hungry trying to write this review!!!! Just go. Don't listen to the people who say this place is all "hyped up". They are all probably veggie lovers who cannot enjoy the taste of good meat. The wait is always gonna be worth it.
(5)
Michael M.

Firstly we were seated at a boiling hot bar. We asked for a table for 6, but they wouldn't let us sit until everyone showed up. Then we sat, ate, got some(overpriced) drinks, and got kicked out before finishing our drinks because someone else wanted the seats. The whole time I felt unwelcome. Would not recommend.
(1)
Eff E.

When I went it was crowded so we had to wait for like 20 minutes. We sat on the patio ... ordered the house burger. I asked for the egg to be cooked well. I'll be darned if it wasn't burnt. Other than that it was OK. The burger want all that blissfully wonderful... Years just like a regular burger. I mean I haven't been in a rush to go back.
(3)
Andrew T.

I was really looking forward to trying this place out and arrive shortly after it opened. I was with four adults and two babies, and given the noise inside, we asked to sit outside. It was a nice day, so there was already a wait, plus because of our strollers, they said they could only seat is at certain tables. After about an hour waiting, we realized there was not much logic behind this statement add the tables we thought they would seat us, by the wall and our of the way, got filled by people who arrived after us. In fact, they wanted to seat us in an area that make no sense and where there would be no way to fit properly. No help, poor service and unfortunately I wasn't able to try the burger I decided to eat. I did have an hour to decide, right? I am sure the food is decent, but I won't hey the chance to try after that.
(1)
Joann V.

The music, beer, and booze section was decent. I can't say the food was decent. The burger with carmelized onions left a strange aftertaste in my mouth. The bun for the burger reminded me of a hard room temp cotton ball. The fries were soggy and soft. I would go back for the beer and music, not for the food.
(4)
Briggs G.

Great Burger. Even better Mac'n'Cheese! I would go with the Kuma's Famous Burger but they're all great. PS - The Plague Bringer is really spicy so be careful! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
(5)
Liz P.

I went on a Thursday at 3:30 and walked right in with no wait. Not sure if I'll ever be able to pull it off again - but either way I was happy. My friend and I each for a burger and they were delicious. I had the lair of the Minotaur and he had the slayer. Both were massive portions we barely got through - but well worth it. I think it'd be safe to say that you're safe with any choice! They all look great.
(5)
Jen C.

This place was all hype and no deliver. I experienced the place on a Sunday evening. The music is SOOOOO bad. Loud and who the heck would listen to that stuff? The burgers were not worth the tear producing smoke. I had better burgers at other local establishments for much less money and NO (choking) smoke in the air. Seriously, I had to leave the place at several times to get air while waiting for my food. I was told that the place couldn't install appropriate fans because the City would not let them? Doesn't make much sense to me. I believe they did not want to invest the money. Will not go there again. I really wanted to like the place. The music and the smoke - yuck! Run!!!!!!
(2)
Stephanie G.

My first and last time here. I get that the whole theme of this restaurant is edgy, but the music is entirely and obnoxiously too loud. Like I said, This was my first time here, I happened to have a headache so I rested my head on my arms for a moment and a waitress approached me and told me that sleeping isn't allowed in the restaurant and I wasn't allowed to put my head down....? Im sorry, I'm not 'allowed' to put my head down? I was completely offended and taken off guard and it honestly ruined my entire experience. I will not be coming back.
(1)
Mari R.

Food was good but definitely bad ventilation. I walked out of there and i smelled aweful from all the smoke. My eyes were irritated through out my whole time there :(
(3)
Cindy L.

Burgers are one of those foods I cannot have all the time. I probably eat it once every 3-4 months, maybe even longer than that. That means when I am in the burger mood, I make sure I choose a really good place so I saved my last burger mood for Kuma's Corner. It was TOTALLY WORTH IT. The location of the building is very random. There was a long wait for a table, but there wasn't anywhere to wait outside (it was raining a little bit that night). It was very stuffy and crowded inside. I grabbed a beer at the bar and waited by the windows. Once we got our table, the service was veeeerrryyy slow. I was getting really hungry, which is good I guess since I would be devouring a burger any minute now. It was getting so crowded inside. The whole atmosphere was loud and smoky, but honestly once the burger arrived I forgot all about the surrounding around me. I ate it sooo fast. It was SOOO flavorful and juicy. I ordered the Kuma burger and added mushrooms and pickles to it. I also chose bison meat instead of the regular beef. I always order rare or medium rare for my burgers. I ordered my burger with chips and even their chips were good too. Man oh man this place did NOT disappoint me. The egg on top seriously brought the burger up a notch. Everything in the burger were like meant to be there. This was probably the best burger I've ever had.
(5)
Renaud S.

One of the best burgers I've had in Chicago!! I went there last Friday with a friend, and only waited for 30 minutes before to get seated outside. The atmosphere inside is absolutely great, it reminds me the years when I was listening some Metal... loved it! For food, I had the Lair Of The Minotaur - absolutely fantastic, so tasty, delicious!! One little negative point: once we were seated, the waiters took way too long to take our order and bring the food. A group of 4 people arrived 15 minutes after us, and had their burgers served before us... It took 1 hour to get our food! That's the only reason why I don't rate it 4*.
(3)
Ivan R.

Had the Kuma Burger and hot damn that was one of the greatest burgers I've ever had. Great beer selection as well. Can't wait to visit this place when I'm back in the Windy City! Much love from Texas!
(5)
Fannie L.

Smoky air, loud metal music, good food. They have an order of fries loaded with meat and cheese. I love their variety of burger combinations like the Led Zepp. Food portions are big. You pay for what you get. I love it, You will leave full.
(4)
Curious M.

I absolutely love, love, LOVE this place. The burgers are worth the $15-$17 price tag. They are so delicious and filled with some amazing toppings. My favorite burger is the Led Zeppelin Burger. Its topped with BBQ pulled pork, bacon and cheddar cheese. The beer is also very good with a really wide selection, however, I feel the prices on their beer is a bit ridiculous. Paying $9 per beer is too much. The location is nice with a lot of ample free parking, however I like the 2nd location, Kumas Too. Its bigger and more pleasing to the eye. However, I can see why everyone likes the 1st location because its the original. Truly a metalheads haven, makes you feel right at home.
(5)
Scott C.

Worst service ever! We went to this restaurant to have a Sunday lunch with my pregnant wife my son our friends and their son. We were told it would be a 20 minute wait we waited for over an hour while the rude pink haired hostess sat everyone in front of us. She wasn't patient with any of the folks in our group once we began to ask questions after 30 min passed. It is really disappointing that a neighborhood restaurant treats locals with such disrespect. Needless to say we left after being snubbed by the manager as well. Not sure about the quality of the food but I can tell you that I haven't ever been to a place with worse customer service.
(1)
Missy B.

WOW!!! The Metallica burger was the BEST burger I have EVER ate!!! And I got the Mac and Cheese to go. Both go down as new favorites on my list. Can't wait to be back in Chicago so I can go try them again!!!!
(5)
Linda F.

Good burgers tough huge, and many varieties. Long wait lines; better to try for lunch. I am not a beer drinker, but they have a nice selection. It is not a quick meal, and is pricey.
(4)
Lou T.

I have to admit I'm a bit of a burger snob. Ever since my absolute favorite burger joint in Miami bid us farewell, I have been in a burger slump. My kids and I tried Kuma's Corner for lunch on a weekday. The service was great and the dive rock bar ambiance inside was just charming (if you like that sort of thing...I do). The beer list was pretty incredible. They had generic cola, which I could care less about. Remember the beer list;) I had the Led Zeppelin. It doesn't escape me that the chef was definitely thinking "Stairway to Heaven" when creating this beautiful monster of a burger. A must try.
(5)
Alexandra S.

Hilarious, creative, and filling is the best way to describe Kuma's Corner. From a quick glance at the menu you can be sure of two things: the guys at Kuma's are totally hilarious, and that the beer selection is out of this world. This heavy metal pub/burger joint satisfied my boyfriend both as a metal fan and as a burger lover- he attests that this was in fact, the best burger he had ever eaten. Myself, I got the fried pickles (yum!), and the salad, which at 10 dollars, I would expect to be darn good (It was, and it's huge too) Their house vinaigrette is pesto based and totally unlike anything i've ever had. The service was a little slow, but the entire staff was gracious and friendly.
(4)
Maud W.

Just ordered the Mac and cheese with bacon and chicken added in, for delivery. While it took almost 1 1/2 hours to get it, which seems excessive, it was worth the wait! Gloriously cheesy, crunchy topping, perfectly cooked chicken and actual bacon, not cheap bacon bits, not to mention enough for almost 3 people! Leftovers, YAY! Will definitely be getting this again, as well as trying the burgers soon!
(4)
Kate W.

We came here on Sunday afternoon. Our estimated waiting time was 30 mins. They let you order drinks at the bar while you're waiting in line. However we were surprised to be seated within 10 mins of waiting. They had a huge selection of craft beer and burgers named after rock bands. Since I'm usually indecisive, I asked the waitress what's the most popular spicy burger and she suggested the ABSU. My friend got the Iron Maiden. The burgers come with a side of fries which were crispy (the way that I like it). While we wait for our food, we chatted over heavy metal rock music blasting from overhead stereos, so loud that we had to shout at each other in order to have a conversation. We started looking around at the decor of the place and it kind of startled us to see artworks of skeletons and demon-like faces. The burgers kind of took longer than expected to come out but it was worth the wait. The ABSU essentially is a burger topped with a piece of friend chicken and other goodies. The Iron Maiden is like burger topped with a half of avocado and other stuff. My only complaint is that the buns could be softer and warmer. After finishing up, I waited in line for a one-stall restroom. I was appalled to see how much writing and profanity was written on the walls. Plus, the toilet and the floors looks like they haven't been cleaned which made me uncomfortable to use it. Idk, but didn't they say you should judge the sanitation of the restaurant by the cleanliness of their bathroom? Anyways, now I could finally give a decent review of this place after hearing so much about their burgers.
(4)
Liz C.

Kuma's offers BIG food for burger lovers. You won't find such juiciness elsewhere. Visiting Chicago, I did my research on Yelp on some of the best eats. Of course I saw Kuma's with it's 4,000+ reviews. Thousands of reviews can only mean that it's popular among Chicago citizens. Furthermore, a good friend of mine raves about this place saying he could eat it every single day if he had enough to afford it. This was the first meal I had in Chicago and I was shocked by the portion size. You better come ravenous cause there is going to be a lot of food. Since it was my first time, my friend agreed to split a burger and mac-n-cheese with me. You build your own mac-n-cheese here by choosing two toppings. You can choose additional toppings for an additional cost. We decided to go with the chicken and the sweet corn. For the burger, we shared a Mastadon which had BBQ sauce, bacon, sharp cheddar and frizzled onions. The burgers are recommended to be medium although they will do the wellness to your preference. I was very pleased that they will give you exactly what you ask for. Medium is medium and you can see the pink and juices on the inside. Cutting the burger in half felt like a sin but it needed to be done so I could have my half! The meat patty is so meaty and thick. The BBQ sauce is slathered everywhere and I love the texture of the frizzled onions. It adds that hint of onion slice you would get on a normal burger but in it's own fried way. The bun is a good vessel but I do find that it gets a little soggy. Each burger comes with fries. They are so dark that I almost that they were sweet potato fries. The fries are pretty average in my opinion, nothing too special. The mac-n-cheese was delicious! The bowl and portion is giant. I have never seen so much mac-n-cheese in my life. Between my friend and I we only got through half the thing. It's perfectly cheesy in every way possible. I never thought of putting chicken in mac-n-cheese but I really liked the combination with the corn. Each piece of chicken was small enough to be present in each bite, without feeling like you were just eating slices of chicken. I love how the sweet corn added some texture and pop of sweetness to the rich and salty cheese. I would recommend sharing the mac-n-cheese with someone! Service was great. Our waitress was witty and had some humor. Food came out promptly and we were checked up on at the right times. There is just something really comforting about eating such fatty burgers and ridiculously giant mac-n-cheese. I can see why my friend loves this place and hopefully I can come back to eat it with him again.
(4)
Jessalyn D.

One of the most amazing burgers I have ever eaten. Went for my birthday lunch and cant wait to return.
(5)
Amanda S.

When I say that nothing has ever touched my tongue greater than the burgers I ate here, I am not exaggerating. I had the Kuma original burger, and my husband had the Pantera burger. Both are Ah-Ma-Zing. The wait was short, about 20 minutes to be seated. They take your name and if you leave your number give you text updates. They do play loud Metal music, but you hardly notice after a while. Plus if you're into that kind of music, it's a plus right? The staff is friendly, and worked with my newbie-ness. Wish I would have caught the name of the girl who served us cause she was a blast. Over all the bill was a little high, but well worth it. I will be back and tasting other things. P.S. I need to know who made the teddy bear meat painting. I aboslutely am in love with it.
(5)
Tricia D.

Kuma's is the king of all burgers! ... but minus a star for the times they don't toast the pretzel bun and serve you your killer burger on a cold roll + the (to be expected) wait time. On my last visit, our table of 5 clocked in around 2 hours and 15 minutes from the time we put our name on the list to the time we received our burgers, and at that point, call it a 9:30pm dinner. Plan accordingly!
(4)
Rachael M.

Consistently delicious metal-themed burgers and mac & cheese. Fun ambiance, but not the best place for conversation. Of course, if you are at Kuma's, your mouth will be full of delicious food, so you shouldn't be trying to talk anyway. ;)
(5)
S S.

I've been here many times, and even after one instance with horrible service, I can't deny this is the best burger I've ever had! When you come here, you have to be prepared to wait. It's a small place and always pretty loud with rock and punk rock playing. I had probably been here 4-5 times before I had horrific service and each time had been great. That day was awful. We literally waited for our food for 2 hours and seeing many others get their food before us that had been seated after us. Needless to say after coming down extremely hard on the manager about the huge disappointment that night, she tried to make it up by dinner on them and then a $50 gift card to come back. I must say that did make it right! We did come back and once again it was amazing, just the way I had remembered. The goatsnake is my favorite. The goat cheese and corn relish add such unique flavor. At most restaurants, I would order fries with my burger, but the homemade chips are delicious. The Mac and cheese is pretty great too!
(5)
Lynda G.

Best burger ever! I love burgers but most burger spots are all the same and the burgers all kinda taste the same. This place is awesome not only are the burgers to die for but the place has a really cool and chill out atmosphere. The walls are amusingly decorated, employees are friendly. It's a great place to have and beer and a burger.
(5)
Casimir Z.

The kumas burger with the over easy egg is delicious. Also, the Mac and cheese is phenomenal. A variety of beer will have you look at the bar menu a few times but their root beer is from the keg and delicious.
(5)
Konrad K.

I'm a vegetarian everywhere except Kuma's Corner.
(5)
Richard R.

Great burger. Went early 6:00pm on a Thursday with our kids. It is pretty noisy but if the weather is nice the patio is quiet. My kids loved their burgers and fries.
(4)
Arrianna C.

The burgers here are amazing! I may be an outlier, though, because I found the ambiance (music, dark lighting) to be overwhelming- but that's what Kuma's is about. This is one of my husband's favorite spots, so I know I'll be back. :)
(4)
Dallas F.

I guess this place has good burgers or something? I don't know. I don't like hamburgers. In fact, I've never technically eaten at Kuma's. I was, however, the appreciative recipient of some leftover Kuma's mac and cheese recently. It was so tasty that I almost got upset that they'd somehow stolen one of my recipes. I am a mac and cheese snob and this stuff is outta control. So much so that the two-hour delivery wait was no reason to not order their mac and cheese and have it brought directly to mah face. So if burgers are your thing, I guess try them out, but if you love mac and cheese then you're in for a treat with Kuma's!
(4)
Shajan K.

I tend to take friends who are in from out of town to Kuma's and they end up leaving traumatized! Not because of anything bad. It's because they amount of food leaves a lasting impression to say the least! I've never had an issue with service or food and will keep going back!
(4)
Traci C.

Omg!!! Awesome food (catchy names). Had to laugh at the burger of the month....it was called "goblin cock' lol.....Great selection of beers ..I enjoyed 'raging bitch' love this place!! Service was also great!!!! Def going back...it's worth the hour drive to get there!!!!
(5)
J K.

i don't get all the hype. don't get me wrong, it was good but not knock your socks off good. i had the famous kuma burger. it was solid. others at my table had the slayer and neurosis with buffalo. everyone felt the food was good but nothing really set it a part for other chicago burger joints. the place needs better ventilation. it was really smokey... the cooking kind. the smell stays on you and your clothes for the rest of the day. kinda gross. legendary chicago spot with not so legendary food. if it's on your chicago places to eat, go once to check it off your list. after that, move on.
(3)
Julia D.

Garbage music. Totally not garbage food. When I ate the YOB burger the music suddenly went from scary screamo to relaxing spa music. Also it's super smokey in the restaurant. Thought I was going to have an asthma attack. The build your own Mac and cheese saved my life thank God.
(5)
Jessie B.

Awesome burgers loved the High on Fire! Stay away from the salads, they're not really why you would want to eat here anyways.
(5)
Penny L.

Had "The Famous Kuma" burger. Had raw bits. Sad.... Finally dined here before the Blackhawks rally. No wait outside. So seated immediately in the chill of the night. Street parking was a snap. Service was on point throughout. Scared to order draft because of yelp tips on warm beer. Good selection of bottles. But have no desire to drive back when I have great selections in my neighborhood. Mac and cheese was our highlight. Great texture and tasty ingredients. Worth reheating. The burger...came out warm. Not the best serving temperature compared to other places. Nor when attending a home BBQ. This is a char burger. So the smokey taste helped but not enough. Maybe if I sat inside and inhaled the smoke, it would have added to the flavor profile. The egg yolk was half runny and half done. Did not get the perfect egg. Raw red onions, not my goto. My go to is grilled onions. Melted cheddar cheese was paper thin. Looked as if someone lightly brushed the top. I need a thick extra "coating" so I don't see the base. What is the true ratio of cheese to beef? Could not taste the cheese. I had better elsewhere. The beef. Asked for medium rare. Got some raw spotty meat. So not cooked evenly. Ate around it. Not forgiving. Sigh. I was not blown away. My opinion is this place is inconsistent. The signature burger should never falter. It should hold up to it's name. Messy to eat but not complaining. I've had messy elsewhere. Pretzel bun was nice. Chips were very dark brown throughout. Nothing golden. Quality control... Fresh cut fries are fresh cut fries. Very salty for my taste. Salt was medium coarse. Tasted of Kosher salt based on my memory. So the fries tasted typical. Now I'm craving Susie's fresh cut fries on Montrose. Not entirely satisfying. Was this the best char burger I've eaten? Not this place. Now I'll have to travel to Paradise Pup to get my fix.
(3)
Tyler C.

Legendary burger spot in Chicago that always makes any "greatest burger" list...and deservedly so. I got the OG Kuma burger. 5 stars, hands down. Pretzel bun paid well with the beef, bacon and egg. Rad atmosphere if you dig heavy metal music and decor. Looking forward to coming back Chicago and visiting Kuma's when I do!
(5)
Jeannie O.

MAC AND CHEESE! We got the prosciutto and sun-dried tomatoes. I ordered the lair of the minotaur and I loved the brie with caramelized onions. YUM! The fries were perfectly salted and awesome with the house ketchup. I also loved the sprecher cherry cola
(4)
Mark D.

I think I am in love! What a delightful experience this was. First of all, I walk in to the enchanting sounds of screaming and guitars grinding. On the TV screen is an angry looking walrus stabbing an old bearded man to death with his tusks and blood spattered all around. Below the TV is a vast array of delicious nectar imported from Scotland, Ireland, Kentucky, and exotic Canada. Seen through the thick smoke is a selection of bourbon on tap. This all sets the mood for what ended up being a mind blowing dining experience. I've never consumed a burger so quickly! Perhaps it was the adrenaline from the classical music, or perhaps it was the melody of heavenly flavor which graced my tongue. I was compelled to devour the expertly crafted (ABSU!) burger with haste as the boys from Metallica watched over me, and when I was finished I was left wanting more. This was indeed one of the best burgers I have ever had. I am without a doubt coming back here every time I visit Chicago. Also, the french fries taste like peanut butter.
(5)
Lauren K.

Straight up - this place is abso-fucking-lutely amazing, but I still have one question that I need answered: how does one decide that Led Zeppelin tastes like BBQ pulled pork while Pantera tastes like Ranchero sauce, bacon, Poblana peppers and tortilla strips? I'm serious here - how do the creators of these magical burgers decide which food best represents the personality of these metal bands which the burgers are named after? Is it an actual science or am I just way, way over-thinking this? Whether I'm over-thinking it or not is another question, but let me tell you - there is no question about how good the food is here. I don't believe in Heaven, but if I did then Kuma's Corner would be the pearly gates while their burgers are Heaven on earth. As heavenly as these burgers were I feel as if I committed a very sinful act by gluttonously shoving the burger's entirety in my mouth. To be honest, though, I am 100% okay with being a sinner, especially when it comes to delicious food like that of Kuma's Corner. I apologize for that tangent - I just had to express how much I truly idolize Kuma's Corner and their absolutely wonderful creations! Now, let me back up a few steps. I've had Kuma's Corner bookmarked for a couple of months now, only to keep drooling until that time came when I'd be able to sink my teeth into the burger. I've been craving a grandiose burger like a pregnant woman craves pickles and peanut butter so when my fiance suggested that we try out Kuma's Corner I was like "Oh, hell to the yes!" I was so pumped and boy, was I ready. I even had on my kick-ass, perfectly ripped t-shirt that says 'Beer is Food'. I was definitely ready for this adventure. I could barely contain all of my excitement while we were in the car, on the way to the restaurant. When we got there it was fairly crowded, but that was to be expected given that we had arrived at around 9 pm on a Friday night during the summer. Why wouldn't it be busy? I've heard that this place is always, always, always busy so I was well-prepared to wait for at least 45 minutes. There was absolutely no way that I was going to deny myself the opportunity to experience this burger! There were about 4 parties ahead of us and we were projected to have to wait for about an hour to an hour and a half, but the hostess said that we could eat at the bar if we found a spot. Although the wait wasn't bad (especially given that we had some beers to remedy our waiting time) it was cramped. Kuma's Corner isn't very spacious, but like I said, no worries because I had my Three Floyd's beer. Yes, you heard me. Three Floyd's beer. I found out that there is always some rotating Three Floyd's beer on draft - my fiance and I were lucky enough to pick from 3 different Three Floyd's beers on tap. Lucky, lucky us. While we were waiting we had the pleasure of watching a cheesy 80's horror flick on the screen above the bar and listen to some head-banging, hair-whipping music. Yes, I did whip my hair back and forth. It was a very cool vibe in there - perfect for one of those nights where you just don't really give a shit (excuse my french). At this point, you're probably reading and saying "Yeah, yeah - so what?" so I will break the beat down for ya. You cannot go wrong on any of the burgers or food choices. The only advice I can give you is this: Do not order a burger just for the band its named after, especially if you don't like what's on it. That may have been obvious, but I'm just putting my two cents in. My fiance ordered the Pantera burger and I ordered the Lair of Minotaur burger, which was freaking fabulous. Now, usually I order my burgers well-done (which I'm thinking is a huge mistake), but instead I ordered my burger done medium - BEST DECISION EVER. The juices of the burger ran all down my arm and it was undoubtedly the messiest burger I've ever eaten, but oh my goodness, it was worth every grease-filled droplet running down my arm. The Lair of Minotaur has pancetta, provolone and a bourbon-glazed pear on top of it - need I say more? Oh, and these burgers - they are not for the faint of heart. They are huge and you will surely have to mentally prepare yourself to eat the entire thing because you do not want to waste a single bite of it! The fries are also delicious, but good luck eating those if you plan on eating all of your burger. I advise you to come with a very hungry stomach because there is not a single thing that you're going to want to leave on your plate. Just a note - it can get kind of steamy in the restaurant because not only is it small, but the cooks are also making the burgers right near the dining area/bar. On one hand, it makes the restaurant smell orgasmic, but on the other hand it makes you want to strip down to bare essentials. Anyways, this concludes my mind-altering experience that I had at Kuma's Corner and I can sleep at night, knowing that I had one of the best burgers in Chicago.
(5)
Jared P.

Immediately upon entering Kuma's I knew that this wasn't your average burger joint. There is metal blaring over the sound system and the art on the walls matched that theme. Even the burgers are all named after metal bands like Metallica, Slayer, Mastadon, Neurosis, and more. The place was packed but we were seated almost immediately. It was hot but that tends to happen when the kitchen is exposed like it is at Kuma's and it's summertime with the doors open, so no biggie. All the burgers sounded delicious but I finally settled on the Mastadon burger with a buffalo patty. Topped with Bacon, BBQ sauce, Cheddar & Frizzled Onion. Not a super crazy mix of ingredients or anything out of the ordinary but food doesn't need to be fancy to be good. It was absolutely amazing! I always jump at the opportunity to get a buffalo burger. Plus bacon and BBQ sauce!? Ugh! So good! I definitely plan on going back next time I am in Chicago!
(5)
L L.

Kumas has great burgers made with juicy thick patties. My favorite is "High On Fire" topped with prosciutto, seared pineapple, roasted red peppers, sweet chili paste and sriracha hot sauce. It's delicious! The atmosphere is bar-like with tiny tables. I like heavy metal music, but the decibel level was uncomfortable. Service is good with plenty of beer selections.
(5)
Emily B.

I finally decided to try this infamous burger place! I didn't know if it was a bad idea to have my first time being delivery but I did it anyway. I got the Iron Maiden, fries and the fried pickles with dipping sauce. I was very happy with it. Obviously the fries were a little soggy but that's delivery fries.. I would definitely recommend this place for any burger lovers. I got 2 meals out of it due to the burger being so big! It was all very yummy, and I'm excited to try another one!
(5)
John I.

I didn't think I was prejudiced, but I guess everyone has blind spots of which they aren't aware. In my case, I came here fully expecting a "meh" experience. Kuma's has had so much praise lavished on it that I practically expected there to be an altar there with offerings of singles, EPs, LPs and cowhide. I certainly expected some attitude from the people working there. Wow, what an oasis Kuma's turned out to be on a bitter cold night, if in your book a place that plays metal can be called an oasis. For me? It's situational (especially now that I've caught myself with a pre-judge-ice). Truth be told, I had originally intended to try my first bowl of Ramen at Wasabi. I had borrowed my friend's car for a few days, and the car was happy to humor me with a ride up there on a Sunday evening. With people waiting on the sidewalk and the temperature flirting with negative degrees (that's one optimistic, flirtatious temperature!), I looked at my Yelp bookmarks and saw Kuma's. There were a few people outside, but they were smoking; so I didn't assume that there was a line. When I went in, there were probably a dozen people waiting, and I told the hosts that I just wanted a seat at the bar (classic, old school, to my liking, I might add). The bar was shoulder-to-shoulder, but the host went over to a group in the corner where most were waiting for a table and not drinking. One was more than willing to give me his seat. Kuma's waiting problem solved! In my mind, I apologized for expecting anyone to give me less than front-man, headliner-rock-star. "HELLO CHICAGO!!!" Very friendly bartender, and efficient: my Jack on the rocks was in front of me in no time, along with a water back that I didn't even have to ask for. I probably had not earned the right to try the Kaijo, because I had never heard of the band. But if they're music is topped with bleu cheese and "frizzled onion" (the rock & roll hair!?!) I like it. Those ingredients are, indeed, part of my rock-'n-roll fantasy. And Kaijo? I just found some tunes on the Interwebs, and I'm listening as I write this, like my songs, on the back of a napkin with some Jack in my hand. Kaijo is another surprise that I didn't expect. It's not head-banging music, or even metal (unless you consider synthesizers metal, which would be like calling pressboard wood... and I love & used to play keyboards. No prejudice there. The burger was excellent, as everyone says, cooked exactly to the medium rare specification. Good fries too. And the onion frizzles? I'll run my fingers and tongue through any rock-'n-roll hair that is that lip-smacking good. Four for the food, an extra for the down-home, more-than-attentive and even helpfully-assertive service.
(5)
Kenia A.

Horrible customer service I was at Kumas on June 7 9:40pm. Once I arrived, I asked a server where I could place an order to go. She told me at the bar. The bar was not as busy as it typically is, so I figured it would be quick. One of the bartenders gave me a menu and walked away. Five minutes later, I asked another bartender "sir, can I place a food order with you?". With an extremely bad attitude he replied, "NO" and walked away. Even after that, I still wanted to stay and order my food. Waited another 5 minutes, and I saw another server and I asked "can I order some food?". She couldn't hear me the first time, so I said "can I please order food?". She rolled her eyes and with a bad attitude said "what do you want?". Once I ordered the first burger, she asked how I wanted the burger cooked. I said well done, then her trashy attitude said "you mean burnt??". I was like huh?? So she asked again with her bad attitude, "so, how do you want the burger?". I said are you ok? She replied, "yeah so what do you want?" with a bad attitude again. I couldn't do it anymore, and told her thank you for treating me like shit and walked away. This was the worst experience I ever encountered. Kumas loss a loyal customer, and they need to fix their poor customer service. I will never go back to Kumas, and I will never recommend it because of their classless and trashy customer service.
(1)
M W.

There is entirely too much hype about this place! My experience at Kuma's was far from great. My boyfriend and I ordered a couple of burgers for pick up, figuring it'd be easier than trying to get a table. They told us it'd be ready in about an hour and 15 minutes. That is pretty lengthy for just burgers, but we came at the time they said. And I waited. And waited. Our burgers weren't ready for at least 15-20 minutes AFTER the time they told us they'd be ready. When we finally got to eat them, the annoyance continued. I had asked for my burger to be done medium well. Not well done. My burger was burnt to a crisp. It was also pretty flavorless. My boyfriend, who got his medium rare, found his meat to be pretty unimpressive too. And the fries? They were as bland as the day is long. There are so many wonderful burger places in Chicago-you're better off going to one of them.
(2)
edwards R.

Overrated my burger was dry and meat was rough. The waitress was rude. We were rushed in and out. Might try just to see if it was a bad night. Everyone tells me to give Nother. Try
(2)
Troy K.

Look, you can expect a wait, you can expect loud, heavy metal music (ummm the burgers are named after iconic heavy metal bands), you can expect a small dinning area....if any of these are "not your cup o'tea" then pass. BUT.....if you expect a place with awesome burgers with outrageous toppings and a full menu of craft brews then do the sensible thing; grab your key's, shoe's and hat and head to 2900 W. Belmont Ave in Chicago. I have been going to Kuma's for years now, I always take family, friends, and clients to this spot for lunch or dinner. After the experience, they all ask "When we going back?" So what are you waiting for?
(5)
Tim M.

Went here with a few other foodie friends based on the reviews and food TV. The decor and ambience scored points with me. We arrived at 6:00pm on a Wednesday, there was plenty of seating, and the music was not loud. We were able to hold a conversation without a problem. There is a nice outdoor area in back. On to the food...we ordered 4 different burgers and split them so we could all try them. We tried the High on Fire, Minotaur, Pantera, and Kuma burger. Several of us did not like the pretzel buns at all. Way too dense and hard to bite. The burgers were just ok. Frankly, not much better than Red Robin and not worth the $14 price tag. We also ordered the macaroni and cheese with sun dried tomatoes that was delicious. We also ordered several craft beers that were good. We made sure to try both the homemade potato chips and fries. Both were a major disappointment. The fries were overlooked. We should have seen them back. When other tables received their fries, we noticed theirs appeared to be properly cooked. Some quality control problems there. Chips were forgettable. Could not figure out the "waffle fries" nonsense on various posts and the menu. It actually irritated us. There are no dessert items on the menu, sadly. We left and walked over to Honey Butter Fried Chicken a few blocks away on Elston for some awesome cookies and cobbler. Should have went there instead and bailed on Kuma's. Not planning to go back to Kuma's.
(2)
Jason M.

Best. Burgers. Ever. Seriously, why are you even reading up to this point?! Get your ass to Kuma's, order up a Plague Bringer, some fries, and a tasty beverage of your choice. Go, now!!
(5)
Jen S.

We found this place recommended by tons of people and decided to check it out on our trip to Chicago. To start let's just say this place is always packed. Busy all the time no matter what day or time. We came here twice, one time on a Saturday and once on a Sunday. Both times we had to wait but Sunday was a much shorter one then Saturday. The staff here are basically all the goth kids from your high school now working as servers in a metal music burger joint. Every staff member we encountered was nice though both times so no complaints there. The food here is my favorite part so let's talk about that a bit. I got the led zepplin burger which comes with pulled pork on top, I also sub a ceaser which is always fresh and a huge portion. The meat is delicious. Perfectly seasoned and fresh everytime. We also had the fried pickles which were good but a lot of breading. The only reasons I can't give this place five stars is because 1. there's no air conditioning, so it it's hot you're just screwed 2. No reservations and always a wait 3. The music inside is so loud you can't hear yourself think or hear what the person is saying in front of you
(4)
Vaibhav V.

I came to this restaurant on a Friday at 9:30pm. After 10pm, the restaurant turns into a bar. Unfortunately, my friend and I were less than 21 -- and we were not allowed a table. But they were more than happy for us to get takeout. I placed an order for two things: (1) Mac & Cheese with Caramelized Onions, Jalapenos, and Prosciutto and (2) the Kuma Burger with Caramelized Onions. I ended up dropping $34. The food had a 80 minute wait, and we waited in the Burger King less than a block down. Kuma Burger: 4.5/5 -- Wonderful burger. Unmistakably high quality beef with amazing pretzel bread. Like at Au Cheval, the fried egg goes perfectly with the burger. I did find myself wanting more spiciness, maybe some chile, maybe some pepperjack cheese instead. I ordered the Kuma Burger because of the hype. In retrospect, I should have probably gotten one of their spicier and more flavorful burgers. Mac & Cheese: 4.5/5 -- For the past several years, I have maintained the mentality that mac & cheese is for children. It's just pasta and cheese. Where's the fun in that? But boy did the caramelized onions, the jalapenos, and the prosciutto go excellently together and change my mind about mac & cheese forever. I couldn't finish both the burger and the mac & cheese. But I am definitely glad that I tried both of them. I foresee bumping this place to 5 stars after trying more burgers. I'll most definitely be back, and my plan is to try two different burgers every time I come here.
(4)
Brian L.

I went here for my friend's birthday on a Sunday. I was very excited to try this place out because I have never been there and I had heard great things. I really like burger places and I had a hang over so I thought this would be a great place to cure it. When I arrived I had to wait an hour to be seated. That's thing about this place its pretty tiny and there are not a lot of seats available. My party decided to wait because we thought that a place supposedly this good would be worth it. After sitting down and ordering a few drinks and having my burger I was pretty disappointed. I ordered the Plauge Bringer because I like spicy things. The burger I had was just ok there was nothing special. It didn't have a lot of flavor and tasted pretty dry. It was huge and the fries were pretty good too. Now the burger was alright but the price for it just wasn't worth it. Honestly I don't think this place is worth the hype. The interior isn't that great and the food was meh alright. I just can't justify going here again especially if the burgers cost 14 dollars that's just absurd. I really want to like this place but I don't really see it being worth it or what all the hypes about. This place is worth a try but don't set your expectations too high if you plan on going here.
(2)
George V.

I'll keep this review short and sweet. The burgers are pretty much always 5/5. The Fries have been hit/miss for the most part. Some days they are fine, but other days it's like they poured a tub of salt on the fries. Their chips are always a safe bet as a side!
(4)
Tamir G.

If you are going there for the conversation, might want to reconsider. The music is loud and fits well with the theme of the place--heavy metal rocker. The hamburgers are to die for seriously. I do love the place, but be prepared to wait to be seated. It can take as much as an hour.
(4)
Cynthia F.

Kumas - what happened? At one point in life I was a weekly regular. I picked up a YOB to go and was very excited only to end up wildly disappointed. Something has changed can't quite put my finger on it - lower quality ingredients maybe?
(2)
Cooper R.

Been to the original and TOO. Obviously a popular place for the atmosphere and smokey kitchen. Great draft and bottle selection of Micros. This is the place you want to go for an "extreme" burger loaded with various toppings. I've had the plague and pantera, both excellent choices. Both burgers were totally different but shared the same juicy, flavorful, and charred outer. They're cooked exactly as requested. Be ready to wait, so don't rush the experience.
(5)
Daniel H.

There's really not much I can say about this place that hasn't already been said by others. A flawless menu of creative and delicious burgers and other meats (they proudly proclaim that they have NOT vegetarian options available in the menu), and a fine selection of local and big name beers. The staff is friendly and knowledgable about their burgers and booze, and the atmosphere kicks ass harder than if they filmed The Three Amigos with Van Damme, Norris, and Seagal. Stop reading Yelp! reviews and go to Kuma's already!
(5)
Marisol R.

Great burgers, great crowd, great customer services, always packed so if youre hungry get ready to wait but if you get there before they open you will be fine!
(4)
Eric L.

Absolutely the best food in Chicago. My girlfriend took me here for my birthday because she knew that there's nowhere else that even compares to this place in my mind. Try all the burgers, they're all different and all awesome. Heavy metal theme is a great touch! Kuma's Too is a little turned down with the metal stuff IMO, but still cool.
(5)
Hanna B.

Great burger and great service. Our waitress was on it! We constantly had filled glasses with soda/water and of course beer. We brought our children with us (12 and 9) and they enjoyed their burger. My daughter was a little freaked about the "artwork" in the bathroom but hey - we're here for the burgers not the artwork. Great place - great burger. It was really smokey in there so I smelled those burgers for the rest of the evening.
(5)
Maggie R.

Been going here for a long time. The mac and cheese is the best thing besides the burgers. I no longer at meat and there is a veggie patty you can order that can turn any burger into a vegetarian burger. (No vegan options for burgers, though. ) Loud heavy metal music that gets louder the later it is. That is not for everyone so be aware. Weird movies always playing on tv with sound off. No sports tv here. Be nice to the bartenders and waitresses because they will not take your $hit. Awesome beer list, always changing and updating. Burger of the month rotation keeps menu fresh, only repeat is in Nov. for the Thanksgiving burger called "Sleep". I love this place. Wear black. Don't miss out.
(5)
Megan A.

I've been to Kuma's probably too many times for my arteries to handle, but the Plague Bringer and fries keeps me coming back for more. Every time I try a different burger at Kuma's I am sad that it is not the wonderfully seasoned and juicy Plague Bringer, so I stopped ordering other burgers. If you enjoy garlic, hot sauce, jalepenos, and a little crunch-- do yourself a favor and order this one. Side note from my Plauge Bringer love: the homemade fries and ketchup are great. If you are either really hungry or have someone to split with, get some Mac and cheese. The service is usually average and there will probably be a wait. Get a beer off the crafty list and deal with it-- you won't be sorry!
(4)
Abhi R.

My friends from Chicago always rave about Kuma's and rate every burger they have on a scale of 0 to Kuma's . After a recent trip to Chicago and having gorged on the burgers from Kuma's I now know why. We arrived on a Saturday at 11:45 am and had to wait for 40 mins to get a table for 5 which tells how popular this place is with the locals considering it opens up only @11:30 am. Burgers we gorged on this visit: - Plague Bringer - High on Fire - Veggie Burger - Absu They have a great selection of local brews and have Whiskey on tap \m/. Each of the burgers come with a selection of home made fries or chips. Note: - The burgers are GINORMOUS 10oz juicy patties + Extras .. so bring your APPETITE if you plan on finishing one by yourself. - Both the Chips and Fries are served a bit well-done.. Personally I loved it but can be off-putting for some.. so check with your server if that is not how you like your fries/chips. TIP: Be sure to dip the fries into the juices from your burger patty.. I feel it elevates these Regular fries into Truffle fries ( no pun intended). As reflected in the 4K+ reviews on Yelp ; this is the perfect place to enjoy local Beers, Music and BURGERS.Need I say more?? I will end my review with this : Kuma's Corner is an INSTITUTION and I have been Institutionalized :) .I will not think twice if asked to fly out to Chicago just to dig into a juicy KUMA burger... it is as good as it gets with this one.
(5)
Traveling Foodie S.

Simply the best gourmet burger in town for me. It's worth the wait. But, I go to Kuma's Too on Diversey which the wait is not bad. Oh, their Mac and Cheese is delicious.
(5)
Bianca C.

AMAZING!!! Every burger I've had I was satisfied! Even the fries are amazing. Recommended it to everyone, but don't go there if your starving, wait time is ridiculous. The burgers are huge; 2 people can share if your both not big eaters. The mac and cheese is awesome! Will be back for sure!!!
(5)
Allison H.

Great service, great vibes, fantastic burgers. Will be coming back!
(5)
Linda B.

The kima burger was delicious it was worth the waiting music is loud but other than that everthing is great
(4)
Paddu P.

5 stars for the Mac and cheese.... And that's about all. I usually get them with chicken+broccoli. NOMS
(5)
Meg G.

Amazing burger with a metal rock band theme. For first timer try to avoid going on a weekends because the waiting time can be from 1 to 2hrs. A unique burger restaurant that attract curious random people and sometimes celebrity bands.
(5)
Katelyn P.

I was pretty disappointed when I visited Kuma's yesterday for a first date. From the second I walked in, my eyes started burning. The smoke was so thick, you could bearly see to the back of the restaurant. I sat at the bar infront of the door but the smoke continued to make my dates and my eyes burn and tear. The food came out and looked delicious but I was only able to take one bite before being unable to stand the smoke and heat any longer. They really need to get a better vent system going. It's really uncomfortable and hot in there. My eyes are still irritated today. I will not be going back there unfortunately.
(3)
Davis C.

If you eat fast food a lot, don't go here. Jordy, you got an egg on your burger. It wasn't the pretzel bun that messed everything up. Every seat at Wendy's won't be smoky for anyone concerned about burger smoke. Go here at off peak times if you don't want to wait. Disgruntled employees left Kuma's, copied the menu, and started Lockdown on Western Ave. If you live closer to it, go there. They are essentially the same. Goodbye.
(5)
Kristin S.

If you like pina coladas... or anything wholesome, original, or non-gimmicky... go someplace else. If you're in the mood for metal, gore, a whole bunch of douchbaggery while dining after waiting 2+ hours- this is your spot. Good burgers according to bunches of people I know but the veg-burger is not. The place is a gimmicky novelty in my humble opinion and not terribly worth the time and money and effort we spent here.
(3)
Celena M.

5 Star super pricy burgers. BUT YUMMY. totally worth it. Very loud dir dining in. Patio. Whoot!
(4)
Chris J.

Best burgers in Chicago!!! Had the Burger of the Month ( WhiteZombie) it was amazing. Great draft beer selection. Can't wait the patio to open up.
(5)
Linda T.

Ginormous burgers layered with lots of delicious toppings! No wonder people come here is huge crowds for the huge burgers. Busy place, The staff are friendly, the menu has creative names for the foods and the music makes the experience fun and exciting. I visited this restaurant with my husband for dinner. Service was prompt and they got us seated once it was our turn in line. Kuma burger - a huge burger! delicious combination of bacon, sharp cheddar, fried egg, lettuce, tomato, onion. Tasty and classic ingredients. I would say that I enjoyed the Kuma burger. Who doesn't enjoy bacon and a fried egg? And let's not forget the waffle fries. Yes! Slayer - this thing is crazy looking! 10 oz patty of beef on a bed of fries, and then topped with chili, cherry peppers, caramelized onions, andouille sausage, Monterey jack cheese, green onion and anger. This dish is an awesome and an impressively big pile of food. However, the unfortunate news is that my husband got really sick after eating the Slayer. It could have been the undercooked meat, or maybe the chili was bad. Whatever the case, he was extremely ill the rest of the night with food poisoning. Although it was fun at the restaurant, the after party was definitely not fun at all. Oh no! Sad panda. I guess that beautiful pile of food was too good to be true.
(3)
C M.

Loved the food and the people.
(5)
Vincent Z.

Great food. Very small so DO NOT be in a hurry!!! Choose a nice night and wait outside because u will wait. But worth it!!!
(4)
Joseph L.

If not the best burgers in Chicago, Kuma's are definitely in the Top Three. The beer list is small but mighty: bold choices to match bold burgers. Staff is delightful and full of character. Always give the Burger of the Month a strong consideration, even the most bizarre concoctions are expertly crafted by the wizards in the kitchen. The Mac n Cheese is delightful but usual loses out in the battle for precious stomach space. The ambiance is not for everyone: the air is thick with beefy smoke and heavy metal. I'm not a metal head by any means but damn if the music doesn't fit the product: intense and unapologetic. This is a fine example of a place that does exactly what it wants to do, doesn't care what anyone else thinks, and is incredible for it. Only gripe in wait time, especially for groups of 3 or more: it's small and popular, whachagonnado?
(5)
Kevin M.

Truly the best burger joint in Chicago. The lines are usually long causing the wait for a table to be anywhere from 20-45 minutes but it's all worth it. The Burger of the Month menu has gotten crazier each month and nowadays your getting 2 meals in 1 burger. Walk in with an appetite and leave on the verge of a food coma.
(5)
Rob Z.

Behemoth Burger was great...
(4)
Mary C.

Best Burger ever Me and my boyfriend went at 5:30ish on a Thursday and got a seat immediately The burgers were huge and juicy and cheesy and everything good in the world. Ate the whole thing and probably gained 5 pounds but like the waitress said "you didn't come here to eat healthy" Will definitely be back
(5)
Amanda K.

I've lived in the neighborhood for five years and finally found a night (a Monday night) where the wait wasn't obsene. I ordered the original Kuma burger, which was tasty with egg, bacon and pretzel roll. I made the mistake of ordering my burger medium well because I detest too much pink, but it was well done. In fairness, they DO give you a full description of cooking temps on the menu. It's just different than descriptions at other restaurants. I should have believed them! The service was fantastic and the ambiance is fun and divey. However, I will warn you - they're not kidding when they say it's a metal music bar. A loud one. While I'm not trying to sound like a stick in the mud, this cemented my dislike for the genre. I wanted to hurt someone by the end of my meal. My poor boyfriend. :) I'm not sure if it was an off night but it was smokey beyond belief. I couldn't really see from the front of the bar to the back, it was that bad from the grill. I can't imagine that's the norm? My last gripe is that they only have jalapeno mustard and spicy ketchup. I find the lack of "traditional" Heinz ketchup and plain mustard to be annoying. I didn't care of their ketchup with my fries. Which, P.S. Bring back the old waffle fries everyone has raved about. Do I understand the hype? I guess so. Am I glad I went once? Yes. Will I go back? I doubt it.
(3)
Eric E.

Do you like bacon? How 'bout an entire package of bacon...on your sandwich? If so stop by Kuma's and order their APMD sandwich. This mother consists of a large pretzel roll bun, 29 pieces of fully leaded bacon, a paper thin sheet of lettuce and a minuscule tomato slice. The first thing I did was remove about 22 pieces of the bacon. I love the stuff but c'mon..a small pig was slaughtered to make this sandwich. Unnecessary overkill. They have a nice beer menu and a lengthy list of burgers. I'm not much of a burger fan, thus the APMD choice..which is one of only three non-burgers on their menu.. The interior is smallish with a bar. Hard rock memorabilia and music grace the walls and air. Not exactly my kind of place..service was decent though.
(2)
Adam W.

Made a stop through Kuma's Corner the other night, and was happy to grab a seat at the bar without having to wait. Quickly settled on the Absu & a beer and in about 10 minutes or so, was drooling with the plate in front of me. It's always impressive when a kitchen cooks a burger (and this one was probably an inch thick!) to a proper medium rare - so great job kitchen staff. The Absu was a great choice - spicy, cheesy and delicious. The fried chiles were hot, and the avocado also added a nice flavor & texture. Hand cut fries are always a good thing. All in all, had a very good experience at Kuma's and would definitely coming back.
(4)
Louise C.

I dream about these burgers. No other place in Chicago serves burgers as good. It's a long wait, but worth it. No more needs to be said.
(5)
Jan T.

Not a fan of the pretzel buns. They are hard. I had the LED ZEPPLIN. Beef was good, BBQ pork was good. Not omg outstanding...just good. Nothing on the bun. Homemade chips are fries super salty. I left feeling like a salt lick. Nice atmosphere, but to wait over and hour or more...nope. There are better burger places. Priced high. $14 average. $17 for burger of the month. Apple cider beer $9. Tap root beer $4. You can look just as cool somewhere else.
(2)
Todger ..

If you haven't been here yet, time to go now before this place goes the tragic way of most Food Network recommendations. . The novelty has worn off, and the food is just as passÃ© as every other giant-burger place out there that forces you to eat with a knife and fork because the burger can't be held with two hands. Oh and the grating loud heavy metal was actually pretty cool and fun 5 years ago. But just like the giant-burger concept, it's been co-opted but every other hipster joint straining for a cool vibe. But guess what ... It's no longer fun. It's just another annoying thing about this place that is driving it down. Adapt or be gone? Time to re-invent, Kuma. You can do it if you try.
(2)
Zeke W.

THE BEST BURGERS IN CHICAGO. I have been coming to this burger spot with my buddies since high school years. Sure there's a long wait during the weekends or when it's nice out but hey that's what square bar is for right across the street! You cannot go wrong if you enjoy delicious burgers named after your favorite metal bands that are the size of your face! The music is loud too, just to make it even more Awesome. Kumas is my favorite burger place, hands down worth any wait time xoxo
(5)
Mark C.

Atmosphere A Macaroni A Beer A The only reason it was a four was because the ten times I have been there my mouth takes in a very salty burger. Otherwise I still am a big fan of the Slayer.
(4)
Julie T.

The food looked great, but after waiting an hour at 3 in the afternoon in an incredibly hot, crowded, loud place and having two groups seated before us that came in after ..we had to leave! The hostess was completely rude.. she got pissed when I asked about wait time and gave the next seating she said would be ours to the group next to us!!
(1)
Nate P.

Love the music as I'm a heavy metal freak but wait staff is aloof if not rude. Had the slayer burger...meh. Beer selection was solid but this wait staff seems to think that because it's a popular joint they can treat people like shit. Well news to Kuma's Corner, I've got plenty of better places to go!
(2)
Michael G.

heavy metal and hamburgers. its awesome. its a little pricey but its worth it. very tasty and fun place to grub it up
(5)
Christine S.

Huge awesome burger... I got the Kaijo ( kumascorner.com/menu/burâ€¦ ). You should get it too. The end.
(5)
Cris G.

The reviews on this place says it all.... burgers are huge and satisfies your craving well!!! The different flavors they have is just heaven .. the only downside is the place is loud .. and if you're not into heavy metal music well too bad ..it didn't bother me..as I was lickin my fingers !!!
(5)
John G.

I've been here a handful of times. Each time I get the Slayer burger. It's really the only one that has what i want, all together, and no bun.. can't go wrong lol. This thing is massive. It's literally more than one meal for me each time i get it too. The ingredients compliment it well, nothing clashes, and the fries under it are even good! kumascorner.com/menu/burâ€¦ As far as service, and atmosphere... the place is small. The whole reason I even got into the place was from people talking not only about the amazing burgers but the kind of atmosphere it had. The metal music, the metal bar feel... Can't go wrong (unless you don't like metal) then you can't really blame the place on that or down rate it for that) There is an order out option *Thumbs up* Anyway, The place isn't giant, and they are always packed so it can be a good wait. We went to the beach one time and pre-ordered our burgers (For 4 of us) about 20-30 minutes before we got there. they said it would take about an hour, which was fine, we took our time getting there, and got there just about at the hour mark but i ended up having to wait another 15 minutes which was fine.. .. it probably took over an hour for our order to be up because basically, the kitchen consists of a small grill with one guy cooking on it.. Or at least any time I've ever been in there it's only been one maybe 2 guys cooking.. but they do it right! and as for the staff, They could use a few extra.. They seem to run out of patience quickly, though they are generally nice and really friendly. you can tell they're all under stress.. including the cook(s) I dont like going into a place when the staff treats you like the way they want to treat their boss for making them over work.. lol
(4)
Kavita S.

If you're from Chicago, and haven't been to Kuma's yet, will reading this review make you want to actually try it? YES! GO! STOP READING THIS AND JUST GO TO KUMA'S. AVONDALE. 2900 W. BELMONT AVE. PUT IT IN YOUR GPS AND GO. This is not going to be a typical Kavita review. Go for the burgers, you will not be disappointed. Try the mac n cheese while you're at it. We added bacon and scallions to our order of the mac n cheese and I was in cheese and macaroni heaven. I walked out of Kuma's super full and super happy. I don't even eat beef, but I'm so glad they had chicken breast and veggie patties as options for non-beef eaters. The Iron Maiden with the chipotle mayo, cherry peppers, avocado and pepperjack cheese was exceptional and so full of flavor. I almost gave up eating all the food in front of me, that's how large these burgers and mac and cheese servings are. But I ate it all. It's really, really, really good guys. Just go. Thank you.
(5)
Analisa S.

Burgers- amazing. Fries - a waste of time and stomach room in any setting. House salad - surprisingly big and KICK ass good. Service - terrific. Nice servers, prompt, not overbearing, nice and chill. But oh goodness, that music. They really REALLY blare it. Heavy Metal. Still, the burgers are worth it and they get fast turn around because you can't even talk to your dinner companion, so I'm sure they won't change the music any time soon. (couldn't turn it down just a bit? no? ok.....:-( )
(3)
Bruce G.

Fantastic burgers, wait staff is very friendly. I had the Metallica burger which had the perfect amount of heat from the buffalo sauce and was balanced nicely by the blue cheese dressing. Pretzel buns are great. Oh yeah, excellent patty! We arrived a few minutes before scheduled opening and doors were already unlocked and we had no wait at what is billed to be a minimum 60 f in the area. Return is certain my next visit to Chicago!
(5)
Gloria E.

This place is definitely full of personality, if anything. The music, while only satisfying a certain taste, is exciting and the waitresses really fit the style. Lately, the place has had a broken vent so the area is very smokey, but that only adds to the ambience I suppose. The burgers are great, and come out with great portions for fries as well. Wait time was minimal even though the place is relatively small, and I left with food for the next few meals. Totally worth a visit for the food and service.
(4)
Chloe S.

THE MOST EPIC, TASTIEST, HUGE BURGER EVERRRRRRRRR! Get there early (to avoid a large wait... they do NOT take reservations and do not seat party's larger than 6 together) the plague bringer and metallica are by far my favorites!!! They have also different burgers every month with ingredients you would never put on a burger but are insanely delicious!!! My boyfriend and I will be coming there eve when we are 80 years old and will still be rockin out to metal there!!
(5)
Justin W.

I ordered the Plague Burger and had jalepeno poppers as a starter. The burger itself gave me Kuma's coma as it was very filling. It had a great kick to it with the jalepenos. I liked the tortilla strips inside that gave a really nice crunch to the burger as well. The bread seemed like a type of pretzel bread that helped retain all the juices really well. My only complaint is that the french fries were too salty.
(4)
Zorin D.

I guess this place jus didn't live up to the hype I had for it. I came in with super high expectaitons for the burgers that just didn't quite deliver. Maybe in my mind I had a standard that they just couldn't possibly live up to. That aside, I can say with somewhat confidence that I've had a better burger at Red Robin than here. The wait for a table was short, we were seated pretty quickly, and though it was busy the wait for the burger seemed a bit exessive. About 45 minutes. Even with the wait I ended up getting a burger that was a bit overcooked as well. The server did a good job of the classic aviod eye contact at all costs to prevent conversation about the long wait for the burger. I must say she handled it like a pro. In my opinion, Kuma's is a pass.
(2)
talktoher a.

I am from Chicago and hands down Kumas has the best burger, the bun --all. I am not into heavy metal and its very very difficult to have a conversation- that is the only obnoxious part about this place and that your clothes stink like smoke from there open grill so beware... Sometimes the fries are cold or the frying oil needs to be replaced and they really need to work on that. You can send them back--they are very cool about it--but then you end up eating your burger without your fries--and by then you have no room. Best burger and yes horrible wait.....
(5)
Yogesh P.

I would probably give this place 3&1/2 stars. The food was good - we had veggie burgers - I had the Plague which had really good flavors and was spicy. Although I liked the food, I can't help but feel disappointed with the amount of time I spent there. Part of it is because of the time we spent there - I got there at 7 and waited 90 minutes for a table. Even after we sat down, there was a long wait for our burgers. I realize that it's a good burger (and I don't disagree), but I don't think it was worth the wait. The burger comes with a pretzel bun which received a lot of praise in the other reviews - I would have liked something else - found it a bit heavy. Burgers are a bit expensive. Even though there is a 3 star review above, I would recommend this place - just go at a time when it will not be too busy. Other tips are if it's busy and there are only 2 of you, try to snag a seat at the bar. If your party is willing to wait, you could have drinks - but if your waiting an hour or more you may end up spending a lot of money on drinks and food. Also be ready for some loud heavy metal music.
(3)
Jorge P.

Good burgers, but honestly quiet the attitude, way too many places making good burgers hopefully you'll loose the attitude and concentrate on the food and service.
(3)
Marcia M.

The food was delicious and great portion sizes. However the music was too loud. Had to yell to hear each other. Carrying a conversation with a friend was nearly impossible because of the loud heavy metal music. Highly recommend the Mac and cheese.
(4)
Eva S.

It was like, "grunge" central. Frayed jeans, sneakers, flannel and jean vests were sported by (most of) the patrons and the staff alike. On the flat-screen tv above the bar, a very young and pre-politics Arnold Schwarzenegger was in a 90s movie. It was a Tuesday evening, and a friend and I went around 7:30pm and put our name was on the list- the wait for a table, 45 minutes. The hostess told us we'd have better luck eating at the bar, it's first come, first serve. I heard there's sometimes outdoor seating when it's warm but when I went a few days ago, it wasn't set-up yet. (Sadly it's still too cold in June.) But anyway, a racing bike was secured to an upside down "U" a short distance from the front entrance, the black metal covered in street art stickers. And apparently Square Bar, across the street, opened JUST to take in overflow from Kuma's, so I've been told. Me: I was like "FINALLY I get to try Kuma's... give me a burger and a beer and I am a happy girl!" Reading the look from my out-of-town visitor: semi-shock. "What is this place?!" This was not her usual scene... but she was a great sport and I PROMISED that Kuma's has "one of Chicago's best burgers" so she went along with it. A fellow Yelper called this a "pilgrimage" which I found kind of accurate. Kuma's is a place everyone should go at least once in your life, to taste the burgers for yourself. The hostess kept an eye out for us and once two spots opened up at the left-side of the bar (we were 30 minutes into our wait), she dutifully signaled us to take those prized seats. Those seats, closest to the wall, gave us a little more breathing room, but we were still jostled around in our stools from people ordering drinks behind us. Though, I live literally, right next to the CTA and ride the train all the time, I guess the jostling was not as bothersome to me. The BURGERS did not disappoint. Here's what we ordered: [burger] "Iron Maiden" - pepperjack cheese, chipotle mayo, lettuce, onion, tomatoes, avacado [burger] "Absu"- tomatillo salsa, pepperjack cheese, red onion avacado relish, quesco fresco, trio of breaded, deep fried chilis (on the side) [drink] Allagash White on tap [drink] Root Beer on tap (pretty amazing with a burger) The burgers alone were SPOT on. (I have not tried Au Cheval yet so cannot compare...). Kuma's menu and its atmosphere is one-of-a-kind. After we were stuffed, kinda cramped and stepped out of Kuma's into the fresh air, and we both confirmed that Kuma's serves up some amazing burgers. You might get jostled around a bit, and be on the brink of losing your voice talking over some heavy metal, but man, that was a great burger. Pilgrimage complete.
(4)
Pierre Y.

Seriously one of my favorite places in the city. Food is great, bar is nice, sometimes they play weird shit on the tv and sometimes it's cool. This is a metal dive bar though so if you're trying to have a quiet night out or some conversation go elsewhere. Also the owner is pretty cool and they had a 2A supporting shirt for sale (but didn't have my size ; ;).
(5)
Matt L.

OK, you're only coming here for one reason, BURGERS. You'll wait outside or inside, if you have to, sometimes up to 45 minutes for a table...and should you?? Well, it's a good burger, but it isnt a great burger. When I rate a burger, I rate the quality of the meat. And that's one thing you can't fake. Oh sure you can call a burger a "rock band name", you can dress it up with bourbon poached pears, or siracha, or any number of condiments...and they have them all...but in the end, it's about the quality of the meat. And this burger was just ok. It just didnt have that deep beef flavor, didnt have that seared outside I was looking for. There are better burgers in Chicago. Go find them, and let me know where...I'm always looking for the best burgers...
(3)
Mike B.

This is only for the original Kumas, LOVE this place, the food is great and the service is fantastic.. Kumas Too, not so much, did not like the atmosphere and the service, completely different from Kumas Corner.
(5)
Justin L.

Go here. Eat food. Drink beer. Be happy. Great place, great service. Best burger in the city.
(5)
Khalil K.

Great place. Wait is long, but there's a reason. Staff really does care about service and providing quality food. I wish I could eat a Neurosis for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
(5)
Paul J.

I thought this burger was extremely overrated. The burger tasted really bland as if they didn't season anything. The loud music and atmosphere was not a pleasant experience. Not a bad burger but definitely not worth the trip. Maybe I'll give it another shot one day but it was not what I expected.
(3)
Z C.

The dining area and bar are open...right next to the tiny kitchen, which means the entire place is filled with smoke from the grill...hard to see or breathe in there. Additionally, it is extremely hot inside there with no ventilation whatsoever. We decide to suffer through it for the food...then they messed up our food orders. I requested my burger to be cooked "medium" and received my burger "rare"...the meat was literally red. I wanted to return my burger, but we felt rushed so didn't bother. This place is not worth paying for the over-priced burger...and then coming out there smelling like a charbroiled grill.
(2)
Ashley S.

One of my FAVORITE restaurants in Chicago. Seriously out of this world mac and cheese and absolutely lovely burgers. The music is loud but it's awesome because it's part of the Kuma's experience.
(5)
Curtis K.

Naw, this place is obnoxiuos. Maybe that is just me though. Im not into metal. If you like metal and soso burgers that are over priced then this place might be the spot for you. It's really about the atmosphere. You'll either love it or hate it. You come here for the atmosphere. You come here because you want to struggle to conversate over loud metal.
(2)
John K.

We thought we'd give this place a try after we saw Fast & Furious on Ice at the Sears Center. First off on the website it said Fridays is Balloon day with Bimba the Clown. There was no clown that made balloon animals so I was pissed off right away. Mostly FFF fan boys and neck beards and hipsters and no clowns in drag which I was hoping to see. On to the food, Burgers are good. I had The Doors burger and she had The ABBA burger. I really wanted the Bjork chicken but they were out. I had beer there it was good. Everyone of course kept asking for Zombie Dust, silly hipsters with the hype and mainstreaming. I am glad they now play 98 Degrees here.
(3)
Martha M.

I'm not sure what kind of cheese was in that Mac, but it was all an explosion of flavor! Burgers were delicious!! And Stephanie (server) was amazing!
(5)
Token M.

mac & cheese, burger, everything
(5)
John B.

Overrated tasteless disco burgers. They rely too heavily on the toppings none of which are seasoned. The burger itself is not seasoned and has no flavor at all. Ridiculously overpriced, $52 for two people, drinking only water. Too much hype for such a let down.
(1)
Chrissy T.

The staff was courteous and helpful in suggesting beer (triple gum drop was delicious). The wait was shorter than estimated and the burger was the best burger I have ever eaten. The fries were a bit salty for my taste but it's a yummy burger place with a unique atmosphere!
(5)
Claudy C.

We waited 10 minutes minutes to be seated on a Sunday at around 4pm. The place looked great and the music was loud. The food was amazing, I got the Kuma burger and it was huge! The patti was just right and the egg gave it some juice. It basically melted in my mouth. The fries were ok. The staff is very polite and they made sure we were having a good time, they asked us how we were doing every 10 minutes so that's a plus. The only thing that bothered me a bit is the smoke produced from cooking the food, but overall this place lives up to the hype and will definitely be back to try the mastodon and their Mac and cheese.
(4)
Jordan K.

Like many of you I came to this place for the first time knowing three things. They have amazing burgers, they play metal music, the place is small making the wait long. Well two of those are true. We went on a Sunday evening and had about a 30 minute wait, which isn't bad apparently. Upon entering you are present with a dark dingy room. Immediately you see the long bar and the ATM that blocks half the door. In addition to the dinginess the vent over their grill does not work nearly well enough which fills the room with both a good smell of burgers and a terrible burning sensation in your eyes. I've been to plenty of smoking bars and this is something else. We were seated in the back (near all the smoke) and promptly greeted. If nothing else the service was very good. We were given menus and a beer menu which is pretty extensive and had many unique beers on it which is always nice. So I order a beer and the classic Kuma, my wife orders mac and cheese and the Kaijo (blue cheese). IMO the mac and cheese was nothing special. She seemed to really like it though. We both liked the fries a lot while they were hot. The were well salted and mostly crispy. Now for the burger. In order of importance to a great burger, 1) The patty was cooked properly, but unremarkable in anything other than its giant size. Little to no seasoning and was squished into a mold though not terribly tough. 2) The bun. Pretzel buns need to go die in a fire. They are good at one thing, holding an enormous burger. The don't taste good, they are too dense, and they are too big. 3) Toppings, the cheese was good and melty, the bacon was crispy, and the egg was cooked correctly to ooze the yolky goodness. The veggies were just ok but perhaps that's what you get in winter. All in all a very decent burger that was ruined by the bun. Even with a good brioche or kaiser roll it would still just be decent. All in all, I'll probably bring a guest in town for the atmosphere and novelty, but that's about it. This is not the place to find the best burger you've ever had, or even just a great burger.
(3)
Renee B.

AMAZING Burgers! Seriously...Excellent burgers! Love the variety! The meat is great quality & season just right. The flavor just melts in your mouth. My family was so happy with their choices. If you want a great burger in Chicago then head over - you do not want to miss it!!
(5)
Mia V.

This place is great. Friendly staff and awesome food. We got there around 7pm on a Thursday night and waited about 15 minutes for a couple bar seats to open up. I suggest coming with a small group to get a seat faster since the place gets crowded. Only bad part is the music, otherwise would have given 5 stars.
(4)
John G.

Oh Boy where to begin....well how about my favorite burger joint! Heavy Metal playing, Johnnie Walker Double Black (more bars should carry this btw!), and excellent variety in burgers named after my favorite bands (bonus points)! All BS aside the burgers are good. Been here multiple times trying out different ones each visit and none have dissapointed. The Pantera, The Mastadon, The Black Sabbath (my personal fav), or if you're bold and daring...The Slayer \m/ My buddy challenged me to finish The Slayer...bad idea but so lovely like theres a party of mmmm going on in my mouth and everyones invited =D I'm a frequent visitor for life. If I had to make one minor negative critique, the beef patties they use are good but not the best Ive had. Definitely the extra ingredients used for each burger put them over the top. Place does get packed so if youre in a big party my deepest condolences.
(5)
Amanda H.

My first experience with Kuma's was ordering through Grubhub. I got the Mac n Cheese with prosciutto and roasted tomatoes. It's not worth $14 if you get it delivered, but I'm sure it's much better if you're eating it out of a real bowl at the restaurant. I finally made my way in there after driving past it for a year and a half. I didn't go for the same reason I didn't go to Hot Doug's. I don't like waiting in long lines for potentially hyped up food. I think we were lucky because I found a parking spot right out front. It's a pretty small place with maybe 10-15 tables and a long bar. They said it was a 45 minute wait for a table, but the bar was first come, first served. We managed to get a seat at the bar because someone happened to be leaving. The drinks seemed reasonably priced and the burgers are ginormous. I almost had to unhinge my jaw to fit it all in my mouth. (That's what she said). It was cooked perfectly! I think the food is slightly over hyped, but I would order take out because I'd rather have the food and not the atmosphere. It's a really loud place with metal/punk/whatever blaring and is not good for a first date unless you like yelling at them.
(4)
Jeff J.

I can see why some people go crazy for their burgers, but I remember how they used to be back in the day. They changed, the burgers aren't as good as they used to be. I miss their chorizo burger(megadeth) and their waffle cut fries. I'm not a fan of these "gourmet fresh cut" fries.
(3)
Anthony L.

What more can be said? I just wish I wouldn't fall asleep right after a meal here haha.
(5)
Kirk A.

Great big burger. The salad was surprisingly good too. However the death metal thing is totally played out and obnoxiously loud. When your server can't hear the order - take a freakin hint. I like music well enough but conversation matters too. Won't be back.
(2)
Dan S.

Having the week off from work, cabin fever & a rare 70+ degree April day made me decide to FINALLY scratch this place off the bucket list. I'd been dying to try this for years. After hearing about all the horrible waits (and having tried to go before to only have a 2.5 hr wait), I figured a weekday lunch would probably have the least wait time. I got there around 11:45 after circling the area for 10 minutes to find parking. I parked in the Burger King the next street down, throwing caution to the wind & thinking I should be good for the 1-2 hrs lunch may require. I walked in expecting a wait & was told if I wanted a table, it'd be 15 minutes or I could sit at the bar. I decided to sit at the bar as I was alone. I was handed two menus, one for beer & one for food. There were probably 50 or so beer choices & about 13 burger options. I was quickly waited on by a very friendly, tatted & pierced bartender. As I had driven an hour & was off work, I had a beer. My beer (2 Brothers Ebels Weiss) and water both came quickly. Having studied the menu ad nauseum, I ordered the Mastodon (BBQ sauce, bacon, cheddar, frizzled onions) & fries. Figured I'd stick with a basic before going for fancier burger for the first time. Tip: if you go M-Fri for lunch, they have a lunch special where you can get a small list of burgers for $5 which are about half the size of the normal burgers. I waited for about 15-20 minutes for my burger & took in all the ambience, complete with Mortal Kombat movie on the big HD TV. The place is just as I'd read about: small with about 10 tables and maybe 10-15 stools at the bar, hot & loud. It was hot in there, even with the door open, but not ungodly hot. After a cold winter, it felt kinda nice actually. It's also loud. I was actually disappointed since I was expecting the music to be the loud part but the crowd was louder than the metal music I wanted to listen to. So, be forewarned. As I waited for my food, a friendly regular sat next to me with some advice: 1) Every burger is awesome 2) it's best to come at lunch during the weekday. If you come on a weekend, come in small numbers so you can minimize wait time by eating at the bar & 3) determine what matters most to you, the food or the ambience. If the food is a bigger priority, go to Kuma's Too, their satellite location. It's larger with same menu & little wait times. If you want the true Kuma's ambience, be prepared to wait. I also asked about Lockdown, which I'd read also has burgers just as good if not better as Kumas'. He said Lockdown burgers are great but Kumas are better. I'll try to experience Lockdown soon to see for myself. OK, enough rambling. Onto the grub. The Mastodon was damn near perfect. EASILY the best burger I've had in Illinois & right up there with the Cherry Cricket burger in Denver. It was at least 8 oz, big soft fresh pretzel bun, perfectly cooked bacon & very crisp, crunchy onion frizzles. The BBQ sauce was very tasty as well. Could've used a BIT less of it. The burger was cooked to a perfect medium. I was hoping it'd be a little juicier, but I was stunned at how savory & perfectly seasoned the meat was. The burger came with a big pile of fries, which were piping hot & drizzled with sea salt. The fries, after about 5-10 minutes to become cool enough for me, were very tasty as well. Nice, hot, soft and a little salty...just the way I like them & my women! As my meal was about over, so was my beer. The waitress asked if I wanted another. Fearing a possible tow and gastric distress on the commute home, I asked for my check & a t-shirt from the place since I love the logo...and the grub. My check was completely taken care of within minutes. My full belly & I waddled happily down the block to see my car was still there...and it was. All in all, an excellent experience. The only downside was the hour drive to & from the place. If it wasn't an hour or so drive, I'd be here ALOT more often. That awesome of a burger & fries for $13? BARGAIN!! However, I'm told a Kuma's location is opening in Woodfield Mall in July, which will not only be significantly larger but significantly closer (30 minutes). I cannot wait!
(5)
Louis B.

Wow! Came in on a tuesday night. Wait was about 40 minutes. Was told to grab a beer from the bar, thats where the sadness begins. The bartender was the biggest bitch in the world. Only had to wait 26 minutes to get a beer from her. When asked to get a beer she rolled her eyes. Cool! All I wanted to do was to trade money for a beer. You dont have to be a bitch, you bitch. She was the one with shitty chest tatoo and ugly fucking mug. Shes a brunette with ear plugs, but who isnt. Our server made up for the terrible service and was on point. She gets 5 stars. The bartender gets negative stars, and to be honest probably shouldn't be bartending if she cant do her job which was to take care of 13 bar guests, holy shit. Never have my ancestors and family been disrespected as much as she has. Won't be coming back anytime soon, even for the amazing burgers.
(1)
Jackie M.

Mac and Cheese! It's really good here and that's saying alot for a person who does not care for it. Regular mac & cheese is boring, unlike Kuma's mac & cheese, they make a mean one with crunchy toppings, gooey sauce and lots of flavor, sun dried tomato and some kind of meat is a good one. Everyone and their mother is here for their signature monster loaded burgers, of course. No need to add to the thousands of reviews... Fries are soggy. It's a small place. Honestly, and Kuma's staff will probably say the same thing, don't bring more than 4 people, 5 max. You will not be seated together and they are not shy of asking you to leave. Kind of rude actually, but they don't care, they have the masses waiting.
(4)
Kosta B.

Amazing burgers. Obviously long wait so be ready but worth it. Main problem here is the hostess, not the first time it's been (with a different one) but they need to learn to seat better and to talk to hose waiting. I was next in line and she seats some random person just walking in, when I went to ask she didn't respond just turned her head away.
(4)
Kristin R.

This is one of those places that you need to visit while in Chicago. I mean, epic burgers named after metal and rock 'n roll bands and lots of craft brews? You can't go wrongs except for the wait. It's also a pretty small space with limited seating, ok customer service, and a ridiculous amount of food, but for me, it is as their beer that kept it at four stars for me. I ordered the Mastadon, with BBQ, bacon, onions, and cheddar, what more could you ask for as a carnivore? And beer?! Beautiful. If you're a meat lover, as most Chicagoans are, the best bet is to visit this places but be prepared to drink and wait. Parking was not easy to find but easy access to public transit. Bring a buddy from out of town here or just go for a little hanging out. Great for maybe a date if you've been together for a few months or more so you can keep each other busy by talking about how cool you guys are over beers while you wait to eat some awesomeness.
(4)
Arshad A.

Awesome Burgers, Amazing Fried Pickles, Fantastic Mac and Cheese, Phenomenal Service. Only disappointment is this place is so small and always too crowded. Plan on waiting a decent amount of time for a seat and finding parking can be difficult sometimes but 100% Worth It!
(4)
Jeff U.

Fuck this place, worst service I've ever had the food tasted horrible, burgers burnt and we never received our fries. Never wait here for an hour for "the best burger" fuck that. Go to DMK burger. They blow this out of the water
(1)
Mark P.

I smelled odors from bathroom in the dining area, or at least i think that's where they were from. The place is dirty. The staff, as mentioned by some others is bad. The burgers are better than McDonald's but that's not saying much, plus they cost multiples more. The place is always packed but i think it is because people have nowhere else to go... as the bar across the street is always packed as well...
(1)
Jason And Jovaughn J.

So now I see what the fuss is all about. Burger and fries were both tasty and fresh. A lot of good people watching also as the crowd is pretty diverse. Be ready for loud music, however, as the volume on the radio clearly goes to 11 lol.
(4)
Busyguy C.

Living in another state caused me to wait over 5 years to make into Kuma's "THE Pretzel Bun Inventors!!!, but boy was it worth it!!! I went on 12/26/14 around 11:30am, I've tried to dine here several times on my xmas visit and have seen lines around the corner down the block. We were luck initially looking at a 30min wait until someone else left and we got a table within a few minutes, before we could order a beer from the bar. Just so you know they play hard rock/heavy metal music and the burgers are named after such, very cool for those of us that like that ;-) The music is subtle and its a tight little place with about 60 seats, very cozy environment. Great beers on tap, I highly recommend Cain and Able ;-) I shared the jalapeno poppers and a Church Burn special and it was very good, the burger cooked perfect, best burger I've had in a very very long time. I need to get my family to visit, such a great burger place!! Let the Pretzel bun Burger Live On Forever!!! Kudos to Kuma's Corner!!!! I hope to get in xmas 2015!
(5)
Matt H.

Do you know that you are doing yourself physical harm by NOT going to Kuma's Corner?! Literally, your stomach is being deprived. Your brain is not firing as much serotonin as it could, but it would if you fed it Kuma's. You are ruining your life as you continue to read this review! What savory goodness you could be having right now. If you, like I, could experience The Goatsnake....then you would understand that nothing will ever surpass the buttery-smooth beef they use for the burger. Then you could savor the mind-blowing herbed goat cheese which is only made more euphoric as it mingles with the corn relish and frizzled, red onion. But you haven't, yet. And that's because you are STILL reading this review! Shame on you for making it this far! And I'm glad that you agree with me now that you are visiting them TONIGHT before closing time. Good for you! You can thank me now and later if you'd like. Seriously, all bravado and unbridled affection aside, this is literally the BEST burger I have ever eaten. And until I visit it again, it will remain such. @Kuma's Corner, should one of you be reading this, please Please PLEASE establish a location in Lexington KY. You will either find an eager man at your front door the day you announce it, or a job application for a management position. I love what you do!
(5)
Argyle1 S.

Called for delivery and was told I had to order online. Went through the many prompts of the online system (including entering credit card) three times. All three times the order failed. I was trying to order take out, not purchase airplane tickets. Ended up somewhere else.
(1)
Laura F.

I honestly can't say enough good things about the incredible food here. I also personally loved the atmosphere, but if you don't dig loud metal music and scandalous imagery lol, this place ain't for you ;) It's pricey, but worth it.
(5)
Damian O.

One of the top 5 burgers Ive ever had. I got the Iron Maiden which came with chipotle mayo, peppers, and avocado and it was amazing. The pretzel buns are ridiculously good. My girlfriend got the burger with the chilli on it and it was amazing as well. We got the fries that came with bbq pulled pork on top and although we got stuffed beyond belief, the food was ridic. Saw it on triple D and definitely recommend it.
(5)
Alexandra J.

I know there are other great places to get a burger in the Logan Square / Chicago area. And maybe, just maybe, someday I'll actually check those places out. For now-- if:burger, then:Kuma's. Period. Incidentally, the smoky steamy sauna of Kuma's meaty atmosphere has lead our household to start referring to a trip to Kuma's as "going to get a meat facial". In the (best? worst? weirdest?) way possible.
(5)
Jessica C.

Mmmmm soo good! I came here for the atmosphere because who doesn't want to go to a restaurant that blasts death metal? But seriously. I was not expecting the food to be as amazing as it was! I got the neurosis (minus caramelized onions) and it was to die for! Major grease fest, total mess, & totally worth it! Also they have a ton of good beers.
(5)
Vaughn J.

I was fairly impressed with the food for lunch yesterday afternoon. The prices are reasonable as well however, the salt on the fries were a bit much. The place was extremely loud due to music. I figured they keep the place loud so you can't talk to the people you came with therefore focusing on eating so you can come in, eat and leave because they keep a line. However, we were seated upon walking in.
(3)
Loma K.

First and foremost, this is the best burger and beer joint I've come across. The food is awesome. It's definitely worth checking out. But note: this isn't a typical family restaurant. This is a bar with heavy metal/rock music that happens to have the best burgers and beers in the city. Pros: Great beer selection! Random craft beers. Burgers can feed a family of 2! My favorite dish is their mac-and cheese. Add the caramelized onions and bacon! Best tasting burgers in the city. Cons: Place is extremely small. Wait is extremely long. You'll end up smelling like a kitchen chef who's been cooking burgers over a grill all day when you leave. Pro-tip... there is no wait at the bar. If a spot at the bar opens up, it's a free-for-all.
(4)
Ruben R.

This place is not what it se to be but the food is still great. Although they removed two of my favorite things off the menu 'howl' and *fried calamari' they still have a large variety of great burger , I especially love the option of your not into red meats or are a vegetarian they have veggie parties or the option of chicken. I usually go with the led zeppelin medium rare , my mouth is drooling, with a beer or two.they have Sisley on tap n have a lot of craft beers , reasonable prices as well .
(3)
Hungry M.

To note, this is my first time at Kuma's Corner. Expectations were high walking in the door, the service did not disappoint. It's amazing watching the staff go around as it does in a small space. I ordered the iron maiden burger which was okay nothing to write home about. One of the components the cherry peppers was missing from the burger. I ordered the burger medium rare any came out well done. The hand cut fries were really tasty and well seasoned. It's amazing watching the cooks work in such a hot, extremely smoky environment. if you go to this place be sure to dress lightly, is extremely hot in the restaurant, ventilation is lacking. When leaving the restaurant expect to smell like grill smoke. Two other notes; it took a 1/2 hour to get my burger and not only do they have beer taps, they have bourbon taps, too.
(3)
Rob J.

I have been really wanting to check this place out and was excited to finally go. The wait was very long and it was 3:00 pm! I guess that was a good sign that this place has good food. The establishment is very small, loud, smokey, and hot with limited seating. They have a solid craft beer menu but it is pricey. The food was very good. I got the Led Zeppelin burger, my girlfriend got the bbq pulled pork sandwich, and her daughter got the buffalo chicken tenders. We also all got fries and soda. The bill was on the high side ($58.00 with out tip). All in all I am glad I went but not going to go out of my way to rush back.
(4)
Beth C.

Ever since I moved to Chicago, I've heard that Kuma's had one of the best burgers in Chicago. So when I found myself in the area by accident on a random Wednesday, I decided that I had to stop in and get a beer and burger to see if it lived up to all the hype. Holy crap this burger is amazing! I ordered the Kuma's burger. A fried egg on a burger isn't anything so unusual these days but Kuma's does it best. The egg is perfectly cooked and perfectly runny. When I cut my burger in half (because these things are massive, people!), it was quite satisfying to watch that yellow yolk just ooze out. The meat is beautifully seasoned. Just salty and flavorful enough without overpowering the meat. And bacon, of course! Would this be complete without bacon? I hardly think so. The house cut fries deserve a little love too. Yum! Although the person next to me was having the house made chips and those also looked delicious. So tough decision to be made there. So why only 4 stars you ask? The music is so loud in Kuma's I nearly shrunk right out the door after I opened it. It is an assault to the ears when you first enter. You get a little used to it when you are sitting in there (a little!), but it is L-O-U-D. So if you have a really important conversation you want to have with your friend or boyfriend, this is not the place to go. Also, the TV over the bar was playing a pretty graphic and violent horror movie the entire time. I love horror movies so it was fine with me but someone else might find that a little unnerving.
(4)
Ani G.

Soooo good!! Have to try this spot! We got the sabbath- packed a good amount of heat & had to of course get the Mac & cheese. Over all great atmosphere. Loved sitting at the bar and mingling with the people around us. And they had a nice selection of beer.
(5)
Sarah V.

I will definitely be going back here. I really enjoyed this place but there are a fee reasons I could only give it a three: 1. Way too small and crowded 2. Way too loud 3. Not my style of music We started with the Mac and cheese with bacon and caramelized onions. It was phenomenal. Some of the best Mac and hear I have had. I definitely want to try this place again with different ingredients in my Mac and cheese. I than had the kuma favorite burger cooked medium well. When you first see if you can't LEP but noticed the perfectly cooked egg and the size. It was huge. It was big and it was going to messy. But I don't mind the challenge. My issue with the burger was that the patty was show salty. I may have gotten out if luck and my patty was over seasoned but it wasn't good. The other thing is that it wasn't juicy. I've had burgers cooked medium well and still be juicy. Lastly, I wasn't a fan of the bun; way too thick and I didn't like the type of bread.
(3)
Terrance R.

Heavy Metal, smoke wafting from the grill, tatted up staff, craft beer, and the burgers are the bomb!!!! You have to go to the original tho.
(5)
Ellie M.

The food was insane good. Had the jalapeÃ±o poppers, Mac and cheese and their famous burger. All was amazing! Definitely a must try!
(5)
Ali A.

Kuma's Corner is one of those places that you expect to be the greatest thing on the face of the earth because of all the praise and attention, but when you go it simply falls short. We saw this place on TV before visiting Chicago and Guy Fieri even called it one of the best burgers he's ever had (which is saying something knowing how many burgers he's eaten) It was so underwhelming when we got here. I ordered the Kuma Burger which was a mistake for me because I'm not a huge fan of fried egg, but tried it because of everything I heard. The burger was so huge and the fried egg just exploded everywhere making the biggest mess. Bun got soggy because of the egg yolk and it was so heavy I couldn't really appreciate the beef. The fries were pretty good I'll give them that. Service was great. I thought the atmosphere was cool, but it's definitely not for everyone. The burger is pretty decent don't get me wrong, but it's hard not to put it on a pedestal after seeing all the acclaim it's gotten.
(3)
Kevin A.

I work down the street from this place and used to go here a decent amount, but have stopped coming here. The hype just isn't justified anymore. A place that does burgers (and pretty much only burgers) should be able to get the temperature right on burgers. The last 6 or so times I've been there, I've ordered medium rare every time and 3 of those times I've gotten a burger well done (in one instance, literally crumbling because of how dry it was). If you can't get the temperature consistently correct on a burger, you don't deserve to be in the discussions for top burger place in the city. And a place like that isn't going to be in my burger joint rotation at all.
(3)
Leah G.

Kuma's Corner is awesome! Great food, music and service. Be prepared to wait for a table no matter what day or time. Stay away from Kuma's Corner Too. It may be because it's a newer location that needs to work out its kinks but not anywhere near as good as the original.
(5)
Karen M.

Don't get me wrong, I love Kuma's atmosphere... but I've had better food. Maybe it was just how much people talked about it before I actually went that made me have way too high expectations, but I didn't taste anything amazing there. Personally I think it's a place that has ok food (I'll definitely give them credit for creativity though... the burgers they come up with...) and generally good music.
(3)
Leslie B.

Hmm what to do on a rainy day off from work...finally went to Kuma's! I'd been wanting to try Kuma's for a long time, but how often do you want to schlep to Avondale and wait multiple hours? Came by with Walann R., Katie R., and Liz B. and were quoted an hour. Kuma's is even smaller than I imagined, but our wait only lasted about 45 minutes before we were seated. I can't even imagine the wait times during peak meal hours or weekends. Monday at 1:30 PM was a good choice. Our waitress came over right away with the beer list and menu. She was very helpful and attentive throughout our meal. After choosing from Kuma's extensive beer list, we also decided to go with the mac and cheese for an appetizer. It had come highly recommended from friends and did not disappoint. We added corn, sundried tomatoes, and (obviously) bacon. This dish came in a huge portion and the four of us had no chance of finishing it. Solid item to split before your burgers arrive. For lunch, we all went with different items and were all thrilled with our choices. I split the Led Zeppelin and Plague Bringer with a friend. They were both fantastic and complimented each other well. First, the Led Zeppelin has tender pork shoulder on top of the burger with a really tasty BBQ sauce. Simple and delicious, cheddar and pickles this one out. On the other side of the Kuma's spectrum was the Plague Bringer. So much garlic, but in the best way ever. This patty was also cooked to perfection and topped with the regulars plus hot sauce, jalapeno, and tortilla strips. All of these components added an insane amount of flavor and it wasn't too spicy. It's also worth nothing that the buns that both of these burgers came on were sturdy enough to hold it together, hugely important. Overall, go to Kuma's at an off-hour for a phenomenal meal. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and will definitely be back, as this is potentially the best burger I've had in Chicago. The ambiance is certainly unique, expect metal music and cool memorabilia on the walls. They've got a good thing going, quality ingredients and a delicious product. Totally worth the wait!
(5)
Annemarie H.

If you like gnarly burgers you'll love it!!!!! GOOGLE the menu...then go...then thank me! It's usually a 40 min wait but that's cool...I don't care it's amazing and edgy and great service! Loves it!
(5)
Damien D.

Breaks my heart to leave Kuma's a one-star, but this is our third bad delivery experience and the food was truly disgusting tonight. We paid about $50 (including tax delivery and tip) for 2 burgers and an appetizer, and waited for over an hour and a half for food that was overcooked, undercooked, stale and mostly ended up in the garbage. I ordered a burger medium which was browned on the outside and almost all red on the inside. I had to microwave the burger patty to make it edible. Also it was cold, as if the delivery service didn't even try to keep it hot. The fries were so stale I could literally snap many of them in half like a #2 pencil. Inedible. My wife had the buffalo chicken sandwich which was over-fried, dry and also cold. Her house-made chips were over-fried too. Same problem with the jalapeno poppers, over-fried and cold. We live about 6 blocks from the restaurant, I've been a huge fan of Kuma's since they opened, and we were very excited to learn that Kuma's started delivering on weeknights. It seems that they take more orders than they can handle to grab the money and not care at all about quality. As I mentioned this is the third bad delivery we've had. There's no excuse for the fries I got tonight, they were obviously old. Usually fries that get cold from delivery taking too long are soggy from being steamed, these were rock hard. Gross. Will not order again.
(1)
August W.

The best burger I have ever eaten. And I didn't even have to sell my soul.
(5)
Megan D.

I'd heard that Too was a safer bet than Corner, but in the interest of completeness we had to make the pilgrimage to both. After waiting 40 minutes for two burgers at 2 pm on a Monday afternoon, and having the medium one come out mooing and bleeding all over the place, yes, we concur that Too is the way to go. (To be fair, the server had the charges for the bleeding burger taken off. That earns them a star back.)
(2)
Tom M.

Amaaaaazing! Great atmosphere and great food! Be prepared to wait for a long time. My buddy & I got lucky and only had to wait 45 minutes. It was absolutely worth it. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Paul E.

The burgers are great. If you're looking to have a decent conversation with some good people, i would order carry out. The heavy metal music isn't too loud, but it's hard to talk over everyone else that's trying to talk over the music. I've still had a couple meals while sitting, which wasn't as terrible as I make it out to be. If you like heavy metal, craft beer, and good food, this is the place for you.
(4)
RM P.

Loud music and good burgers. Not cheap and the french fries could be better, but worth the money.
(4)
Stan A.

first off, although we did not have the mac and cheese or the jalapeno poppers, we all agreed that both looked amazing. second, the service was great. I'm assuming the 4 star rating on Yelp is a result of the Mac N Cheese and Poppers, because all of our burgers were overdone, dry, and tasteless. Fries tasted like they were cooked in old oil. Just because the burger is 3 inches thick doesn't make it good.
(2)
Mary D.

really niche place, must like very specific rock music and specific specialty food (burgers) that tries too hard to be unique. falls short and charges a lot just so you can say you got a "led zeppelin" pulled pork while listening to slayer. i could just do that at home and spare myself the 40 minute wait to sit elbow to elbow with other strangers... PS -- STAFF IS RUDE AND SLOW!
(2)
Rosanna L.

Burgerlicious! I can see now why Kuma's Corner is so popular! I opted to share the Pantera burger and was so glad I did. The burger portion was huge and more then enough fries to feed two people. My favorite part of the Pantera besides the patty had to be the tortilla strips, there's just something about that nice crunch that just satisfies the taste buds. And if you thought the burger was huge you haven't ordered the build your own mac and cheese yet. We build one with caramelized onions and andouille sausage and it completed our meal. The mac and cheese was the right cheesiness without being too heavy, yum. Being a party of 6 we had to wait over an hour plus, however, the only 6 top they had opened up, but instead of giving it to us (the only party of 6 waiting) they gave it to a party of 3 who could of easily waited another 10-15 minutes for another table instead of making us wait the extra 45 minutes. This did not make sense to me and what got me more upset was the fact that they were going to turn the table next to the 6 top we just sat down in, into another 6 top, which they could of done for us this whole time. So I don't recommend groups coming here at all. Also I'm not sure if the vent was broken, but while waiting inside we were suffocated with smoke, yikes.
(4)
Kevin S.

Love Kumas. I'm not going to tell you anything you don't know. They can have a long wait but the food is awesome.
(5)
Michael M.

Not sure I can really say something that hasn't been said about the place oh 1000 plus time. Great burgers, great meat, great well just about everything. I will say as man who has had burgers all across this great country of ours, this is one of the best. I ordered the one burger and got to sample another. I will say this place made me love burgers once again. This is what a burger should be. Great and Fresh toppings, awesome meat, a solid bun and last but not least great flavor combos. I wouldn't hesitate to order anything on the menu. This is defintly a top 5 burger in the country for me.
(5)
Jesse T.

Perfect ambience, perfect burgers, perfect beer list. What else do you want?
(5)
Matt K.

Overrated, unwelcoming environment, way to dark and loud. Food tasted as if someone dumped way to much salt into it.
(1)
Ken D.

Great burger joint! I love the atmosphere and the people, and the food is incredible!! Now I want a Slayer, while listening to Slayer... Actually why can't everything be heavy metal themed?
(5)
Lori H.

Burgers are awesome!!! Please please vent that place!! My cab driver is complaining how bad I smell like fried fish!! My eyes were watering from the smoke of the grill!! Would of stayed longer but had to go before I had an asthma attack!!!
(4)
Mike C.

Burgers. Beers. Beards. Broads. What more do you need? Their t-shirt which exhibits those four words says it all. Best burgers in the world and so heavy metal your face melts while you exhibit the meat sweats. If you're a burger maniac, you must try this place before you die. P.S. Also one of the best mac and cheeses you'll ever have. P.S.S. At last check, four, count 'em, four different whiskey selections... on tap.
(5)
Amanda S.

First time here, and let me tell you, I'm not one of those people that could live on burgers. Not usually a burger fan. But this place, man, it was the best burger I have ever had in my life! I had the Pantera, loved the crunch of the tortilla strips and the flavor of the roasted poblano pepper! Fried pickles are fantastic! I've never been to a restaurant that served RC, ever! It was all so good! Definitely worth the trip! Go during the week to avoid huge lines! We went on Thursday evening and waited maybe 10 minutes.
(5)
Jeffrey K.

Goblin Cock, burgers and beer, what's not to love? Small and cramped so make a dive for the bar and watch the show.
(4)
Juan A.

One of the best places I have ever been to get a burger. Music is loud, but I dont mind it,. Burgers are pricey but well worth it. You could actually share a burger with someone if you wished, they are that big and filling.
(5)
Will K.

Im not one of those people who have to use the word BEST to describe every other food review. However I will say that you wont find a tastier burger anywhere in the great city of Chicago.
(5)
Mariana O.

If you have a strong stomach, go here! Burgers are really filling but fries are salty. Burgers are good though so go for the experience. :)
(3)
LeRoy S.

Great music and amazing hamburgers.
(5)
A R.

The fried pickles are incredible. The music's too loud (I'm too old), the wait time too long (I need to get home at watch Murder She Wrote), but it's a fun Chicago staple.
(4)
Michael G.

Kuma's Corner offers some of the best burgers in the city. Great food that is very creative. The ambiance is a bit unusual and the music is a bit too hard core for an every day stop. If you are in the right mood, this is a great place to go. Helpful Hint: This is a fun place to bring visitors from out of town. The atmosphere is unique and your friends will be presently surprised by the quality of the food. Just make sure it is a pregame spot before going out and not a relaxing afternoon with friends.
(4)
Andres B.

Food is amazing. My only complain is the music type and volume! way too satanic and loudddd. I get it, it's a heavy metal/rockish theme, but the music seriously made me eat as fast as i could.
(4)
Finley W.

Its different, but that is what makes it great.....the music and scene that is....the burger is fantastic and has good beers....but I figured you knew that already.
(4)
H H.

Hype. Ordered the Kuma burger: overdone patty with an undercooked egg on top. Lukewarm beer to wash it down. Dumbass waitress brought me balsamic when I asked for vinegar for the fries. Lol. At least she looked cool with all her tats. Hype.
(1)
Keith M.

I ride by this place twice a day 4 days a week on my way to work. I've read about it, heard about it, and every Chicago guide says you HAVE to eat here if you're in the Logan Square neighborhood. Well, its not the BEST burger I've had in the city but it was pretty darn close. First, lets be clear, Kuma's Corner is not in Logan. Its in Avondale. So be prepared for a hike if you get off at the Logan Square Blue Line stop and expect it to actually be close. Regardless, that had no bearing on my review. I thought the burger was well cooked and the staff awesome. Our waitress was incredibly entertaining. She didn't seem to mind when we joked around with her about being first time patrons. They had a great beer selection. I'm not much for the ambience (metal) but that's just not my thing. I went for the burger and the beer. I tried one of their classic creations at the request of the waitress. It didn't disappoint. We ordered one of their mac and cheese dishes as an appetizer. The mac and cheese was UHMAZING. Not just amazing, UHMAZING. It could have fed the two of us without having burgers after. The fries are made in house and definitely worth the trip. Ask why they don't have waffle fries. Its one of their favorite questions. Overall, Kuma's definitely has a burger worth checking out. I gave it four stars because their is no where to wait (and you will ALWAYS wait,) and the kitchen isn't well ventilated. I HATE smelling like a restaurant after only being inside for 5 minutes. The whole place was under a cloud of smoke from their grill in the back corner. I'm sure this is part of the ambience, but its not my cup of tea. Overall...definitely worth checking out, just be prepared to wait, and smell like a burger joint.
(4)
Kasia R.

Perhaps the best burger I've ever had in my life. The High on Fire burger is a must! Went on a Wednesday night and the place was still packed, but service was surprisingly quick. Theme is heavy metal, meaning the music, decor, and menu. Nothing negative to say, unless you're looking to order any "usual" beers. Selection is vast but rather strange. Don't wear layers because its a small place, gets hot real quick! Will be back...Soon.
(5)
Oni O.

Very tasty burgers, entertaining names (If you're a metal fan). the wait can be a buzz kill though.
(4)
Emily M.

The burgers at this joint are to die for! They are humongous, mouthwatering, mondo burgers that are created for people with a massive beef fetish. Lol first burger I ever tried here was one with red pepper in it. ... that burger was just ok and lacked flavor. My favorite though after deciding to give it another shot, is The Plague Bringer!!! Flavorful Burger with jalapeÃ±os ands a spicy mayo type sauce. Omg... it's really to die for. I never actually get to go sit and eat food there, they're always packed! They never take reservations, ands unless you go super early (like before you actually are totally starvatious) you'll be waiting a very long time to eat.
(4)
atrack b.

The burgers are good. I haven't been here in a while, but I always found the meat flavorful and juicy and the toppings delicious. The mac and cheese is tasty as well.
(4)
Richard W.

The jalapeno poppers here are absolutely delicious! I also ordered the Kuma burger, which took way too long to come out. I know there are a lot of parts to it, but still. In addition, the burger itself was not that spectacular. It was way too large and messy to fit in your mouth, which I understand probably appeals to some people. I prefer something more manageable without stuff dripping from the sides of the burger while I'm eating. The music is a tad too loud to have a reasonable conversation while eating. Overall, not a terribly impressive burger place, but the jalapeno poppers are definitely worth a try.
(3)
Elly L.

It's worth the wait. Big juicy delicious meaty amazing burger. I love the menu. I love the atmosphere. Staff isn't always super friendly but you always get what you need. Awesome Frieda chips and ketchup too. If you're going for the Mac n cheese don't plan on getting a burger too. Not to say that the Mac isn't delicious but it could probably serve 5 people as an appetizer if that's what you want to do. Otherwise it's a meal in itself. I would do burger over Mac any day though. I'll be back!
(5)
Sue Z.

We went after the lunch rush so we were lucky to just grab a seat at the counter. After all of the hype, my husband and I were really looking forward to trying this place. We had the mac&cheese and also ordered a burger for the each of us. That was a big mistake. The mac&cheese is huge and easily feed four people. Additionally, the burgers are big enough to feed two people easily. I was pregnant at the time and still could not put a dent into any of the food. There are many burgers to choose from. They are all named after heavy metal bands. I had the Mastadon which was very good. The combination of bacon, fried onions, and BBQ sauce was great. My husband had the Yob, which was pretty underwhelming. The ambiance is not very the faint of heart. It's pretty hard core rock metal that plays over the speakers. I would not be able to bring my mother in law here. But it was still nice. We enjoyed watching the cooks do their magic while seated at the counter. I won't be running back, because the food was good but didn't knock my socks off.
(3)
Bill B.

First time here was 10-18-14 came for the burgers was blown away by the fried pickles and French fries. Come early there will aYs be a wait. But it's worth it. The metal music is as you would expect. The beer selection is very good but I didn't partake. I'd love to try at least four of the different burgers here, and the Mac and cheese looks amazing. So next time I already know what I'm getting. And that includes more fried pickles
(4)
Howard L.

The last time I was here, there were 879 Yelp reviews, and now there are 4262. Well, that took 5 years, and business must still be good. The burgers save everything else (the negatives) about coming here, thus the 3.5/4 star rating. We knew we had some time to kill (the only time to come here I think) and were in the area. Wife had the Iron Maiden with a house salad and I had the Famous Kuma Burger. It's still a great burger place, no doubt, and both burgers were as awesome as ever. But, some things I didn't care too much for, and that you have to consider: - Half hour wait on a relatively slow night. They only have 9 tables plus the bar seating. - One hour wait for the food. - The fries were both skimpy and very salty. - The wife's house salad was overly salty and peppered as well. - The loud blaring hard rock music. It's not that enjoyable really, but it's an inherent part of being here. - I ordered the Solemn Oath None More Black Black Ale on draft (7.5% ABV) for $6. Then it shows up in a goblet. All other drafts are pints (I found out later from server upon questioning) , and this one is a goblet. No indication nor heads-up from menu nor server. I didn't like that at all. Despite all this, I still go 3.5 - 4 stars overall because the burgers here really are worth some hassle as long as you know about it. They do also have a nice overall beer menu.
(4)
Ngan T.

With great expectations come great disappointments. Before my Chicago trip I was thrilled about going here after seeing all the great pictures on instagram.. Unfortunately I had to learn the hard way that filters lie, and some people are just great at taking pictures of mediocre food.. Aside from the mediocre food, this place had horrible service. I don't know if it was because we sat at that specific table by the door but our waitress barely noticed that we existed. We'd make eye contact, flag her down and still we were ignored! She filled up 2/3 water glass and decided the third one was too far to reach so she just walked away without refilling... NOT okay! If we're stuffing our faces with arteries clogging food, we should get reasonable amount of water to wash it down. Now for the food.. I felt like I fell victim of false advertisement. The newspaper on the wall next to our table said that the meat/burgers here was what sets Chicago food apart from the rest. That sounds promising. However after eating our food, if this was what's considered phenomenal &stand out-ish - then please, give me back what is mediocre and mainstream! The burgers were indeed huge, saucey and messy to eat. Usually those are key adjectives that makes my mouth salivate but after the first bite I was hoping this burger would be smaller as I didn't want to waste so much food. I ate half of the Plague Bringer and I was underwhelmed. The meat patty was tender/juicy but I feel like all the ingredients just did not mix well. Maybe it was my fault for not ordering the right things. For specialty burgers Slaters 50/50 in Cali definitely tops this. We also ordered the make your own mac n cheese, the portions were HUGE. Between 3 girls we weren't able to finish the serving. It wasn't mind blowing but it was good, especially with sriracha. It was the best thing we ordered and I sorta wish it was all that we ordered.
(2)
Sam C.

Came here with a buddy and loved the burger. I ordered the day-special burger - burger with proscuitto ham and fried egg. I have to say, it's freakin amazing! I mean, it's a real burger where some people may not even be able to bite the whole thing. It's HUGE and tasted amazing. Definitely need to come back for round two in the future.
(4)
Cameron T.

Delicious burgers! Super crowded venue.
(4)
Saar H.

Alright, Dragged the baby and the wife. Came in and the lady in the front gave us attitude, saying we can't bring the stroller blah blah and the wait is 30 minutes. Since I saw two spots on the bar I asked for the bar spots so I had no wait. Beer, beer there was a lot of variety but $6 for the cheapest. So no cheap beer. The beer I got was different so I'll let them have the point. Hamburger. I ordered the Kuna, it took 30 minutes which is odd for a burger. But it was delicious, well cooked and came with an egg on top. Well seasoned and very tasty. So just for the burger I'd return. Chicken fingers My wife got chicken fingers which were too hot and sucked. The chicken itself was tasty but the coating was too spicy. Ambience They play hard rock loudly. So it suited the venue so I won't complain about it. Even though it is not my cup of tea as I am not pissed off at the world. So. Hamburger great. Beer good Ambience interesting. Wait- I personally unlike others did not wait. The only crap thing were the chicken fingers. So 4 out of 5
(4)
Scott H.

This is possibly the best burger place I've been to in the city. I ordered the special burger, and was positively blown away. All of the staff that I encountered while there were helpful and fun. It looks like some of the reviews on here comment on the vibe at Kuma's. To them, I'd just say try going for an early dinner on a weekday. It wasn't too crowded or too loud.
(5)
Chris A.

Been here many times. Love the beer selection. Burgers are good if you like big meaty patties. Mac and cheese is surprisingly good. The jalepeno poppers are a must. Parking is not too bad..best time to go is for lunch when they open, if you dont want to wait an hour or more.
(3)
Tanya M.

I have to say.. the hype for this place was a bit more than the actual experience. After reading articles, and watching tv spots about the place, I was thinking it would be something spectacular. Not to say that the food wasnt good, it definitely was. But not at all my scene. The music was incredibly loud and the inside of the bar was a lot smaller than I had pictured it to be. We were sat in the center of the place and surrounded by obnoxious drunk girls no doubt in their fresh 20s. Wait time for the food was average, despite the large amount of people inside. The food was given in large portions so we definitely took some home. If it were a take-out spot, I would be more willing to give it a higher review.. but for me the atmosphere was not very welcoming.
(3)
Dave K.

Awesome. Ribeye burger was amazing.
(5)
Kateryna G.

Food: 2/5. I had two burgers there and I wouldn't go back for either. I think the first time it was just their regular house special and the second time I had the one with pineapple. Both times I asked for medium well and both times it came out super dry. The pineapple burger was particularly bad, as it was sweet and the flavors weren't complimenting each other. Service: 2.5/5. While the food comes out fairly fast, the servers are at times as pretentious as though they're running a Michelin star restaurant. Atmosphere: 0/5. While I understand metal is a matter of taste, they play it way too loud. Personally, I would like to be able to have a conversation during dinner. Overall: 2/5. Another over hyped restaurant. Won't be going back
(2)
Ron S.

We had been so looking forward to this and really wanted it to be awesome but it unfortunately fell VERY short. When we received our burgers everyone mentioned something was not right with the pretzel bun - not fresh and not flavorful - a big surprise since we all love pretzel buns and you'd think a place known for their burgers would be very particular about the buns. Secondly, the burger itself (all 4) had a strong salty taste, the quality of the meat seemed fine they were just seasoned with too much salt. Thirdly, the homemade chips had a terrible after taste - almost chemical like (2 orders had the same after taste). All the condiments and fries were very good, fresh tasting and flavorful. There was a very nice selection of beers however unfortunately due to a power outage overnight they were not pouring any beers they have on tap when we visited. Our waitress was very nice and friendly, helpful, and patient with us. As far as "best burger" I think they definitely have the potential and with a few small corrections they would be easily right up there but our experience today we couldn't recommend Kuma's. We probably would not be coming back to this location as we come from a long distance but would like to try their second location the next time we have business in the city.
(2)
Sarah W.

Good burgers, fun atmosphere, sometimes slow service but worth it.
(5)
Erin P.

Get the LAIRD of the MINOTAUR. it is soooooo freaking amazing. THis place is always worth the wait!
(5)
Hillary D.

Burgers are fine, but not sure they're worth the wait. During our second visit there, after a long wait for a table and then another long wait for the actual meal, my husband was presented with a well done burger (completely charred) when he asked for medium. If they're such a fantastic burger joint, you'd think they'd get that part right. I am still giving it 3 stars because our first time there was great. The place is so noisy you cannot hear the person across the table from you. You will most certainly leave with a sore throat.
(3)
Michelangelo V.

Honest review best burgers in Chicago period ok for appetizers get rhe mac n cheeze the best u will ever have in ur life n the portion is huge then get the pulled pork fries there so amaizing the burgers are great there big an juicy and delicous u can tell u are gonna get an amaizing burger i had the burger with the poached pear if u get it ask for extra cheeze because it nees it trust me all in all this is the best burgers i ever had n i love burgers i been everywhere bop n grill sucks n i been to many other places this is amaizing if u dont know which burger to get gwt the one with the chili its expensive though but worth it it has a great beer selection n u might have to wait to be seated the noise wasnt an issue idk what people are talking about
(5)
Emmanuelle R.

#why:Portions I had hear a lot of really great things about Kuma's Corner and had been told that it was one of the best burgers in Chicago. While it definitely wasn't a bad burger, my overall impression is that they focus more on the volume of food as opposed to excellence of the burger itself. We ordered the mac 'n cheese before the burger to split between two. The amount they brought out could have fed a small army. I have a little bit of it, but still felt stuffed by the time the burger came out. If you head there definitely don't make the same mistake that I did and just go straight for the burger. I think I personally suffered from overly hyped expectations and so of course even if it was amazing quality, it would have still been difficult to meet me expectations. Still good restaurant and I wouldn't mind going back.
(3)
Pingting L.

Good!
(5)
Bob S.

The food is fine, but nothing spectacular in my opinion. The restaurant is hard to move around in because it's so busy, the wait times are so insane that I only ever get takeout, and it's so noisy that I wouldn't want to wait to eat in anyway. There are places where the food is just as good, if not better, and you don't have to put up with all the other inconveniences.
(3)
Jenny L.

I'm a huge fan of this place. It's not for everyone though. Food is always great. Great burgers and mac n' cheese. But be prepared to wait to be seated. There has never been a time that I've been there that I haven't had to wait. But I'm okay with it because the food and the experience is always worth it for me. For me personally it is a nice change of atmosphere from traditional restaurants - I do enjoy the loud metal music.
(4)
Vanessa O.

Occasionally still dream about having a beer and their mac and cheese. Yummmmmmm. Need to get back their soon. :-)
(5)
Maggie M.

It's a fun place, but not sure it's worth the wait. Fun names for burgers, but I've had burgers just as good and not needing to wait an hour for a seat.
(3)
Gabe M.

Amazing Burgers. My new must go place in Chicago. Get the fried pickles as well. I had the burger on special and it was awesome. My wife had the Kuma burger and it was amazing.
(5)
Vincent V.

Boycott Kuma's even after they takedown the ghost burger... Why must people always pick on Christianity because for the most part there peaceful? Hey Kuma's where's the 100% pork F*#k Ala burger huh? Before anyone starts I'm not even religious there all full of Sh*t all of them... I'm just calling like I see it
(1)
Evan R.

Always awesome. Burger cooked perfectly. Great beer selection! Burger of the Month (vektor) had deep fried giardiniera. Its now my favorite burger topping.
(5)
Darren W.

During the three months of planning, two friends and engaged in for a trip to Chicago for the yearly Alehorn of Power festival, one thing was forgotten until the morning of the concert: Where to eat. With a multitude of choices, mainly culled from various cable television travel programs, we were overwhelmed, indecisive...until another friend from back home in Pittsburgh messaged me. "Are you guys going to Kuma's?" she asked. "That place is too metal NOT to hit up. If you guys don't do Kuma's while you're in Chicago, you're lame." "A-HA!!!" I exclaimed with a fist in the air. I had remembered Kuma's from "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" as "that metal restaurant" but had forgotten which city it was located in. Furthermore, it was on the way to Reggie's Rock Club, where that night's show was to take place (some of the other places we considered were too far out of our range, and Chi-Town is large). That was it. We had to go. The zeitgeist was calling to us. A 45 minute drive from Rosemont, and from there, a 10 minute walk resulted in us being confronted with a obelisk of burgundy brick and grey stone, one that resembled Tessaro's, our own burger haven in Steeltown. Soon we were out in the appropriately windy (whoever gave Chicago its nickname wasn't kiddin' around) street conversing with other metal fans from other states who were also in Chicago for Alehorn of Power... youtube.com/watch?v=MmAtâ€¦ After an hour-long wait that felt like... youtube.com/watch?v=JDCgâ€¦ We would be seated by a tattooed woman with black, thick-rimmed glasses who resembled a librarian that fell in with a pack of earthdogs and hellrats... youtube.com/watch?v=lVN_â€¦ Once we stepped into the tavern of aged wood and gothic chalkboard scrawlings, we were seated underneath a picture of our favorite band's classic line-up: Adrian Smith, Dave Murray, Nicko McBrain, Steve Harris, Bruce Dickinson (no, not the obscure Blue Oyster Cult producer! take your cowbell and stuff it!)... youtube.com/watch?v=r9dWâ€¦ Our jaunt began with a serving of Kuma's Jalapeno Poppers. A sextet of golden, crunchy panko-breaded ovals, each popper was an exercise in exquisite contrast not only in regards to texture but also in the oozing filling of cream cheese and chunky, piquant chorizo. Another clash of flavors and tongue sensations occurred with the accompanying dipping sauce, a balsalmic jalapeno raspberry jam, which merged sweet, sticky, tangy and fiery into a lacquer that coated the taste buds with bombast. All three of us ordered the Iron Maiden burger, of course, but immaterial of the fact that it is named after that legendary group, it had enough going for it that I would have went with it even if it had been called the Coldplay. And it wouldn't be. Not here, thank the gods. Never, Ever. Surrounding a deftly prepared medium-rare, eight-ounce buffalo patty were a brigade of embellishments that included chipotle mayonnaise, cherry peppers, pepperjack cheese, avocado, lettuce, tomato, and onion. Once again, there were foils to be found. The chipotle mayonnaise itself was both stinging and creamy. The cherry peppers' heat was simultaneously extinguished by the juicy tomato. The smooth avocado played off the bitter snap of the onion like drummer and bassist... youtube.com/watch?v=FSorâ€¦ All of us also opted for housemade potato chips in lieu of french fries, and they were as immaculately, consistently crisp and seasoned as any I've ever demolished with my teeth. Take that Tyrell's. And your "kettle." youtube.com/watch?v=ADBoâ€¦ This may become an annual tradition for us. youtube.com/watch?v=-vJ_â€¦ P.S. Our fierce appetites were tended to by the nimble, patient, and gracious Allison... youtube.com/watch?v=WSL9â€¦ P.P.S. We visited in the early afternoon and did not find the neighborhood to be at all "sketch" as another reviewer put it. Fellow patrons as well as passers-by were polite and cordial to us. No crimes were witnessed, aside from jaywalking and failure to use turn signals, perhaps.
(5)
Kellie F.

If you're in the mood for an absolutely delicious & LARGE burger, this is the place to go! The atmosphere is also amazing! Raging music and violent movies playing on the tvs at all times, definitely a must-go in Chicago :)
(5)
Kevin F.

Good Burgers!! Long Lines!!
(4)
Nick G.

What is there not to love about this place?! Burgers are great!! They cut through the BS and deliver what you came for! A must stop if your in the chicago area!
(5)
J. A.

CRAZY!!! Crazy good, huge burgers. Unique burger options. Awesome quality burgers. Crazy packed inside. Crazy loud. Crazy wait time. Get there early or wait a long time.
(4)
Dee S.

For creativity nobody beats Kuma's.. The Led Zeppelin is obviously the go to, it has bacon and a mountain of tender pulled pork.. The sleeper burger is the Pantera, man that thing is good, roasted poblano pepper, tortilla strips, homemade ranchero sauce. I haven't been to Kuma's in a while, I need to up my gigantic burger intake.
(5)
Gemma C.

DELICIOUS!!! The burgers here are super-tasty and very filling! I was hard-pushed to choose between the various burgers but eventually decided on the YOB. Yum yum yum! In terms of the place itself, personally I found the music a little loud and the waiting staff were average. It's not somewhere I would linger for another drink after I had finished eating. Otherwise I would definitely go back to fulfil a burger craving
(4)
Eric V.

If I were to start a list called 'Things I Really Don't Like,' 'obnoxiously loud, screaming death metal' might be at the top of that list and 'burgers with pretzel buns' would follow it up a bit later. For that reason, how could I possibly like Kuma's Corner? I don't. I really don't understand the fascination with this place. Every now and then I bump into a place that is extremely popular and I can't understand why. It's almost as if it's a perfect storm of a place that is trying soooo hard to be edgy and unique that it attracts this mass of people that are desperately looking to discover a place that is edgy and unique. Those sheep continue to trumpet their discovery without taking the time to realize that the place is very average or just flat-out sucks. How can anybody tolerate screeching death metal played at level '11' for more than six seconds? And, no, I didn't grow up listening to my Hanson and NSYNC cd's, I grew up listening to punk rock. Still, I found myself begging for 'Mmmbop' to hit the airwaves to give my ears a rest. I can't be alone on this one. I can imagine only a VERY small percentage of the population loves (or can even tolerate) death metal so it's an interesting choice of music when trying to get patrons to your restaurant -- and then to stay and want to come back. Apparently, it's an atmosphere a hell of a lot of people enjoy so, what do I know? Kudos, Kuma's! The food . . . I started off with some Jalapeno Poppers and, honestly, they were the highlight of the meal. Filled with chorizo cream cheese and balsamic raspberry dipping sauce, what's not to love? Well . . . the burger. I think where I screwed up was my burger choice. I went with the Plague Burger which was not a very good burger. When putting the menu together somebody needed to say, "Okay, we're trying too hard here." The tortilla strips were just ridiculous. Very large tortilla strips that dominated the burger and fell all over the place the moment you tried to reach for the burger. I simply had to remove them because they really had no place on the burger. Hot sauce, garlic mayo, crushed garlic, jalapenos . . . What was I thinking?! Why didn't I just play it safe with the Kuma Burger? Hell, the Iron Maiden looks EXACTLY my speed!! How come I didn't even notice that on the menu the first time around? I guess I asked my server what the most popular burgers were and Kuma and Plague were here response. Nevertheless, no matter what burger I ordered I would have been severely disappointed when I saw it arrive with a pretzel bun on top. I think a pretzel bun is something you either love or hate on a burger. Personally, I think the bun makes the burger. And I can't stand pretzel buns on burgers. I like my burgers simple. Sometimes people get creative with burgers and it works. A place in Scottsdale,AZ (Rehab Burger Therapy) has an incredible burger topped with pulled pork and bbq sauce and it's outstanding. The Plague Burger? Nassomuch! I wanted to like this place, I just didn't. My two-star review will get lost in the sea of four and five-star reviews and I'm okay with that. I'm glad other people like the place. I've got nothing against the place personally. My server was . . . adequate. I just didn't care for the atmosphere or the food. Two fairly important factors on determining how much one likes a restaurant.
(2)
Scott R.

Outrageous, delicious burgers named after Heavy Metal bands. Intense, pounding heavy metal playing overhead. Great local craft beers. Friendly, heavily-inked staff. This is an epic, one-of-a-kind place at the top of my all-time favorites list.
(5)
Kate H.

I finally made it to the famous Kuma's Corner! Friends and family have been telling me to go for years. Now I see why. Their burgers are in-fact the best I've had. The burger patty itself is juicy and has a lot of flavor. I wonder if they fresh-grind the meat?? The menu must have 20-some burgers with various ingredients which are all incredibly unique. The difference in the burgers isn't just the toppings. They also mix different ingredients into the patties themselves. For example, there's one that comes with blackening spices mixed it, then it's topped with chili and cheese! I couldn't believe the line wrapping around the building before they even open. That alone tells you something. There are lots of little quirks about Kuma's that make it a unique place. Their burgers are named after Metal bands, the seating area is tiny, and they have whiskey on tap. Haha. I don't recommend bringing a vegetarian here. There really isn't anything for them to choose from except for a house/ceasar salad and a mac n cheese appetizer.
(5)
Rohan S.

Got the absu, it blew my mind. This burger met expectations and more. We arrived at Friday around 3 and only waited for about 10 minutes. Beer choice was also great, and they had makers mark on tap (badass). Loved the metal atmosphere, music level wasn't too loud at all, but maybe that was because we were there during the day. Just good times on the reg at this burger joint. EDIT (years later) - Seriously this is my favorite fucking burger of all time i think.
(5)
Cory A.

Legendary burger destination with unparralleled burger combinations. It was a warm day outside so we sat outside because they didn't have A/C inside (or at least it wasn't on). The atmosphere of the place instantly screams it has a huge following and a dedicated customer base. I think we may have come on an off day because we were there for 2+ hours altogether for a table of 4 people and when I got my burger it was a medium/well vs a medium as I ordered. While the service took a while and the food wasn't cooked as expected, the experience was fun and I would definitely return for a second trip to reevaluate.
(4)
Katie M.

If you would like a burger as big as your face, may I recommend Kuma's? You'll probably regret eating a whole burger by yourself, but the regret doesn't kick in until afterwards, when you're stuffed full of delicious meat and some dark delicious stout that you ordered, foolishly, forgetting you would need all that precious space in your stomach for the burger itself. If you live in Chicago, trekking out to Kuma's is a must. Come hungry & ready to wait if you want a table (a killer combo for maximizing your enjoyment of any foodstuff -- but beware the hanger).
(4)
Nathan W.

Not going to say anything here that hasn't been said already. Best burger in Chicago. the Pantera & Absu are my personal favorites. The wait sucks, so if you can get carryout or are willing to sit at the bar its definitely worth it.
(5)
Kelsey H.

I liked Kuma's -- the menu threw me off at first when it said something about them not having vegan options, but they definitely have a salad that vegans can eat. I had the macaroni and cheese which was more expensive than I would have liked, but the serving was huge and lasted for several days as leftovers. Fun metal vibe & no wait, even on a Friday night.
(4)
Susan L.

Baked Mac N Cheese with garlic and bacon. Simplest the Best!!! And love the Goatsnake burger!! Yummy!!
(5)
Leonard P.

The original Kuma's, in contrast to the more bourgie second location, is still a beacon of what Chicago cuisine is capable of. These are some of the best burgers in a city famous for good burgers, and why shouldn't they be? They're inspired by metal, the most carnivorous of all musical genres! There's also a great beer selection, excellent cocktails, an unapologetically in-your-face menu (although the servers are incredibly friendly and nice), and even the ability to do something mildly interesting with the waste of protein that is a chicken sandwich. The cozy back patio is also an advantage over its spin-off, and regardless of when you go, there's going to be some excellent kerrang blaring from the PA. I was an early adopter of the Kuma's experience, back in the days when metal wasn't trendy, and I am proud to see the place become the success that it is. Death to false burgers!
(4)
Ashley M.

If you want your burgers delicious and ANGRY, I would highly recommend Kuma's Corner. At both locations, they do an amazing job with adding variety to their menu while keeping some of your classic favorites. Be prepared to listen to awesome death metal the entire time you're there. However, don't be intimidated by the all the angst, the service has always been fantastic-even if you're not dressed in your finest leather and chains.
(5)
Francisco Z.

Fantastic burgers well done. Heavy metal environment with beers at reasonable costs. Only downside is the occasional wait during the weekends. I had the YOB and it's probably the best hamburger I've ever had.
(5)
Jo L.

Giant portions, arrive early because there is a line before they open. You can build your own mac and cheese! We put bacon, corn and jalapeno in ours. The table next to us also built their own with I think bacon and green onions. Our macs ended up getting swapped and neither table knew until after we dug in. Since we had jalapeno in ours, they were sweating but said it was good. I had the Plague Burger (roasted garlic mayo, crushed garlic, housemade hot sauce, jalapenos, tortilla strips, lettuce, tomato and onions). It came out HUGE and a big side of fries. I ordered the meat medium rare and it actually came out with pink inside! Finally! A place that can do it right! But all I could taste in this burger was the meat and jalapenos. If you were to blindfold me and ask me what else was in it I wouldn't be able to tell you.
(4)
Desiree S.

Overpriced and really not that great...
(2)
Doe L.

Before you go into Kuma's Corner, ask yourself this: 1.) Do you mind a little wait? 2.) Do you mind a little smoke? 3.) Do you like big burgers? (I'm talking thick patties, thick bun) 4.) Do you like pretzel bun? (maybe this doesn't apply to all burgers, my burger had it) 5.) Do you mind possibly inappropriate movies playing at the bar? 6.) Do you hate mac and cheese? If you said yes to any of that, I'd advise to go elsewhere. (#1) We got here around 11:15am. There was no line so we went to grab some coffee. To my annoyance, when we walked in right at 11:30 opening time, all the tables were filled. So tip: check to see if they let you in earlier than the opening time... Luckily we were first on the wait list so we waited only about 15 minutes. It's a bit smoky in here (#2). If you hate leaving a restaurant smelling like delicious burgers, then opt for thin clothing that you can wash right away. I realized I don't like really fat/thick burger patties (#3) so it wasn't that great to me. I'm also not a fan of pretzel buns so that got lost on me too(#4). The homemade chips were burnt and my brother's fries were dry. (#5) I generally don't mind movies playing but when I looked over, there was a naked winged woman (exposed top) on top of Adrian Brody and I'm pretty sure they were doing it (I wasn't watching the movie so I don't know what was going on). It's not a big deal to me but I'd probably advise leaving the kids at home. These would have been 3 stars total but customized Mac and Cheese? H*ll yes please! +1 star! (#6) It was delicious. You can choose two ingredients to add to the Mac and Cheese. I chose Prosciutto and Mushrooms. It was seriously the best thing I ate there.
(4)
K D.

I eat a burger only a couple times a year, because most things are better, but damn if these burgers aren't delicious. My bf got the Plauge Bringer and I got something else- next time we're both getting that one (or splitting it- these suckers are huge). Most surprising, for me, is that we were unable to recreate the deliciousness of this burger at home- made the garlic mayonnaise and everything! I thought this place was just gimmicky, but I ended up being very impressed. The fries sucked.
(4)
Laura R.

Awesome Burgers with amazing toppings.. and the only place I know where you can get such fun toppings on your mac n cheese. It's a little loud sometimes and a long walk (go weekdays for lunch to avoid that), but overall I love it... come hungry, the burgers are huge!
(4)
Rosie M.

We had to wait about an hour but the Goatsnake burger was delicious. Definitely worth the time and price. Also, THE FRIED PICKLES ARE THE BEST IVE EVER HAD! Yum!
(5)
Giancarlo G.

The burgers are all good with creative ingredients and combinations... but get rid of your pretzel buns at least options. The wrong bun ruins burgers. Pretzel buns are just not good, its dense, its thick and it wasn't warmed up let alone toasted. Cut them a tad thinner and butter toast them and serve it warm... that's my opinion anyway. This is not to knock the restaurant as a whole. just not a fan of pretzel bread for my burger.
(3)
Sabrina S.

My husband and I stopped in and sat at the bar. We were lucky to snag a couple seats. This place gets PACKED. We ordered the Wind Hand and the Goat Snake burgers MR, fries, side salad, and a couple of beers. Everything was great. The beer selection isn't super extensive, but what they do have is good. I think most beer drinkers would find something that strikes their fancy on the tap list. I chose the Two Brothers Red IPA and the hubby ordered a Dortmunder Gold. The cook on the burgers was good, but a touch overdone. I will just order rare next time around. Everything was creative and delicious. Even the salad had a special basil vinaigrette. The only thing that would make this place better would be if they toasted their buns. This was our first time dining here, and I found it kind of off putting to bite into a bun that seemed like it came out of a refrigerator. I would have much preferred a bun that sat for a few seconds on the hot grill before being plated. This is me being nit picky, but it just would have made it that much better. I will definitely be back. This definitely will be added to our Chicago rotation when we swing in for a weekend getaway.
(5)
Ashley C.

The burger selection was great and my burger was pretty good. The music was WAY too loud for a Sunday morning though and I could barely hear the people sitting across from me at the table.
(4)
David B.

Burgers have interesting toppings but they cover up the flavor of the mediocre beef. SIdes are large, wait is long. Thrash metal Music is a little loud for me
(3)
Amy R.

The best burgers I've ever had have come from this tiny little bar. I know I'm the ten bazillionth reviewer but I just wanted to throw my hat in the ring and go on record about my love of Kuma's. Much like my review of the Violet Hour, I wanted to add that I've been coming here, too, since there was no absurd wait and lines around the block (thanks, much cooler than me friends!). Nowadays, I mostly reserve Kuma's for out-of-town guests visits, and even then, we go to the Lakeview location to save time, but this one is great. It's got soul. Or is soulless, if they'd prefer (METAL!) Last weekend my husband and I came around 9:30PM and only waited 20 mins for a table. We sat on the patio and enjoyed delicious beers and burgers. The servers here are no BS, but also not unkind. I've never had bad service here, but I've seen idiots deserve bad service and get attitude (as it should be!). If you've got the patience and the appetite, get yourself here and get a burger. You won't regret it.
(5)
The D.

I only come to Chicago for work and I've been to Kuma's twice now. I'm from Texas so know what quality burgers should be. This place is awesome. The goat snake is a must try. Service is lacking, but I don't write reviews on Yelp based on how the hostess treated me of if a waiter had 12 tables to take care of and got in the weeds a little. Try this place!!
(5)
Joe G.

I've waited almost two hours at times for a table at Kuma's. It's always worth the wait. Having eaten almost every burger on their regular menu, I would have to say my personal favorite is the High On Fire. They always have good beer on tap and you can't beat the atmosphere (if you're a metal fan, anyway).
(5)
Emily J.

Most definitely the best burger I have ever had in my life. I always get the iron maiden, but one day I will be more adventurous and explore the possibilities! Everything about this place is greatness. Must go!!!
(4)
Amanda M.

Great place to go on weekdays! Tends to be crowded on weekends and for a good reason its also pretty small but definitely worth going to!
(4)
Courtney C.

Q: How do you know a burger is good? A: If you have romantic fantasies about it every night for the 9 days post-consumption then it's safe to say that it was a mighty fine meal. I've had Kuma's bookmarked since 2012, but the opportunity never presented itself to actually visit. After I heard Kuma's was awarded Best Burger in the USA by the Daily Meal, it was mandatory that I finally see whether this was true or not. I'm obviously wiser now, but pre-Kumas trip, I talked about how stupid the people at Daily Meal were because it couldn't possibly be that good. (I said I'm wiser now, but I apologize to both Kumas and Daily Meal for doubting them both.) My first time at Kumas, I went for the fried pickles and the Famous Kuma. The fried pickles were fantastic -- primarily because the batter was so thick and consistent, that it crunched when you bit into it. Sometimes the batter just ends up a sloppy mess, but theirs were perfect. We waited a loooong time for a table that I was starting to question whether I really wanted to stick around. However, the host and server were so nice to us and the food was fantastic, so it was worth it. I've actually had Kuma's a total of 3 times now: Famous, Yob, and the August BOTOM Agent Orange. My favorite is the Yob so far, but I haven't found one I've been disappointed in. My 2nd and 3rd time eating Kumas, we've done carryout and been so happy with our food, even after having to warm it up a little. Kuma's Corner definitely has my favorite burger in Chicago and possibly my favorite burger in the entire universe. If you have to wait, hang in there. It'll be worth it in the end.
(5)
Caroline T.

I have been to Kuma's multiple times now. All the burgers I have gotten have been fantastic, my favorite being the goatsnake! I recently tried the mac and cheese and I was shocked at the quantity AND the quality. Very cheesy, and you get to pick two toppings. Its expensive, but there is so much of it that I was able to have two left-over meals afterwards. The wait is usually 30 minutes, but I have once waited well over an hour. I wish you could call in a reservation, or at least get an estimate on the wait-time via phone. They have a policy of being a bit secretive on the phone. Its good food, but not to the point of waiting outside for over an hour.
(4)
Benjamin C.

Great burgers, but they will charge you to modify any ingredients. I have some kosher habits, so it was kind of annoying if I wanted to swap out anything,
(4)
Neil L.

Their burgers definitely live up to the hype. Well worth the visit. I stopped by after 2pm on a weekday and it was still busy.
(5)
Q C.

I went on a Monday night, no line, and I sat right down. The service was standard and unfortunately, despite the RAVE reviews, so was the food. I've had many a better burger than the two I tried here. Don't get me wrong, the burgers are good and I love the names, but they didn't blow my mind. So 3 stars it is.
(3)
Damaris A.

The burgers are great but I really don't like the waiting. The music is way to loud for such a small venue. Its a nice place to go if you want to have an experience.
(3)
Dianne J.

love the "high on fire" burger!!!!
(5)
A D.

Went there on Suday and it was very crowded but eventually got seated. The waitress was very professional and nice. I had one of the burgers and wasn't too impressed with it. Overall the food is decent and the heavy metal atmosphere is neat but not a good enough reason for me to go back anytime soon.
(4)
Cheree R.

When we arrived at this place I was a little taken back... It wasn't what I expected at all on the inside. There was no air inside, but thank goodness we were sat outside so I thought... Anyway, we ordered the fried pickles and burgers of course . The fried pickles were good, but by the time we finished it started pouring down rain... The waitress offered to pack up our food to go but I didn't come for to go food. Paid for the pickles and left. I am giving this 3 stars because I didn't like the inside plus I didn't get to taste the burgers... Regardless, I will never go back. Something tells me the food sanitation score is probably low...If you are looking for a good dining experience this isn't the place... I like good food and a nice looking restaurant...
(3)
Max G.

Burgers are excellent. Little bit of a wait (2.5 hours) but you can't beat the atmosphere. Bring your tattoos and chain pants and you'll fit right in. I just should have brought a tea bag for the warm water they served. It would have been great. Napkins also had a questionable smell.
(2)
Brett K.

I've been here at least 15 times and have yet to review it. Well, nothing I can say will be more helpful than the other 4,000 reviews on here already, so all I can say is: GO. Wait in line. Drink the best beer. Eat the best damn burger you will ever have in your life.
(5)
Cj J.

Good food. Very eatable will look to go again!
(4)
Rachel H.

It's small, the music is a little loud-but the heavy metal music brings back childhood memories and the burgers are AMAZING. I'm a pescetarian 363 days of the year-yes I allow myself 2 cheat days every 6 months. This "cheat" was TOTALLY WORTH it! I love that the lunch size portions run until 5pm because they are a perfect size for many of us that are normal sized people! Great craft beer selection as well.
(5)
Kimberly A.

Great burgers only creepy pictures of Jesus all around. Great beer though and you can see the chefs cooking away! Recommend!
(4)
Soph S.

I went there for my friends birthday some months ago. Only heard good things about the place and the food so I wanted to check it out. We were a bigger group of people and arrived at midnight. There were like two people at Kuma's. The staff was clearly annoyed of the amount of people who showed up and we were not allowed to move chairs to sit closer together as a group (my friend got shouted at when he asked politely to take a chair from another table). Super rude stuff, we left right away. never again.
(1)
Aurora P.

The food was big and delicious! Never had that kind of burger before. It has open up my eyes! Cool spot to hang and eat some unique burgers.
(5)
A G.

Yummm... One of the best burgers I've had. I had the chicken so can't speak for beef but based on the reviews I'm sure it's wonderful. The heavy metal plays loud and strong - only drawback because, even though I like the music, I couldn't speak or hear over the sound of it. Definitely try it out!
(4)
Amy W.

I have been wanting to check out Kuma's for awhile now and finally had my chance. It lived up to everything I had heard! I went with my boyfriend and another couple on a Saturday night. Although I expected to wait a while to get in on a weekend night, we only waited 20-25 minutes. Inside is tiny, smoky, dark, and loud with heavy metal music. But it all adds to the atmosphere. I had never been to a place like that before. What fun! However, the smoke was bothering my friend's eyes so I went with her to stand on the patio while we waited for our food. They told us that we couldn't stay there (and there was nowhere to sit) so we had to go back inside. That was a little disappointing, but I got over it once the food came. I ordered the Metallica and it was by far one of the best burgers I have ever had! It came with fries, which I usually love, but I barely touched them because I couldn't put down my burger. Delicious! All 4 of us loved our food. Although it was disappointing that we couldn't stand on the patio in the fresh air for a few minutes while waiting for our food, I can't help but still give this place 5 stars with its deliciousness. So worth it.
(5)
Samantha T.

Perfect place if you're in a burger mood!
(4)
Kristine M.

always worth the wait
(5)
Troy D.

The food is amazing. Love the Led Zeppelin burger! The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that I've had better fries and the ambiance isn't totally my style. They're totally unapologetic about the loud metal music and I love them for it, but it can be tough to have a conversation with a full house...which it always is. Carryout is great!
(4)
Justin L.

The Burgers? Excellent. The heat and loud Music is not for everyone. Long waits.
(3)
R L.

Quite a place! Loud metal music and hot chicks serving up brew and burgers. I had the Metallica and it was good. Cooked just the way I ordered. All the food looked good and I hear that the mac and cheese is to die for. Fun place and fun people. I would recommend but not sure if I would wait for a hour like I am hearing from others.
(4)
Xriz H.

A very creative and descent burger. Is it worth the wait for over an hour? Difficult to answer. If you anticipate having to wait, it is not a big deal as across the street is a nice bar that is not very crowded and offers a fine beverage selection. If you are just going to pop in to Kuma's forget about it. Ok, on to the beef! The selection and pairing of the beef to bun to toppings is well thought out. The meat is seasoned well and cooked exactly to order. Good fries and other sides, I think there is a little bit of something for everyone. To be honest I just don't feel anything about Kuma's and writing this review I feel really nothing about Kuma's that makes me excited to write this. I mean the burger is good, but it does not evoke much emotion or soul. There is no shortage of character, but it is not very engaging and the feeling of "welcome" is not on the menu. I understand the attitude is a big part of the appeal but I think I would prefer Kuma's burgers be the star rather than the character of the decor. With that said, it is a good burger, but the "vibe" is really not my thing. You can get burgers of similar caliber at other restaurants and for sure you can replicate anything they make at home because in the end, it is still just a burger.
(4)
April A.

Sooooooo good
(5)
Leslie L.

YUM. YUM. YUM. Because of Kuma's my husband who was NOT a fan of MAC & Cheese now loves it! Their MAC & Cheese is nothing like we have ever had before. The creaminess, texture, flavour and sausage. OMG! Its a MUST try, you won't regret it! So fresh, so hot so GOOD! Burger: EXTREMELY LARGE. Juicy, cooked to your liking (perfection), fresh buns, toppings and everything in between! My husband got the Led Zeppelin which he LOVED, and I got a Regular Cheeseburger topped with breaded jalapenos (DELISH)! Ample street parking, on weekends/late night expect LONG LINES, restaurant is very clean, staff is FRIENDLY, place is LOUD (music), price is great for what you are getting! Burger loves... this is a must try, you will LOVE IT!
(5)
Kendal K.

It's gotta be good if a vegetarian rates it 4 out of 5 stars! Although I don't come here too often because the wait time gets a bit out of hand on the weekends (even for lunch), I really do love this place. They have an excellent veggie burger that comes on a pretzel bun (um, yum). They have very unique burgers and a nice selection of beer. I highly reccomend Kuma's to anyone visiting Chicago with a little time on their hands looking for a great burger joint.
(4)
John G.

Me and my girlfriend love this place! Never have we had a bad experience at Kumas great selection of beer and Bourbons on tap. But we come for the awesome burgers they make. We went the other day and I had the burger of the month which is the code orange fantastic. Kumas please put this one on the menu to stay wow it was the best burger I have ever had by far.
(5)
Annika E.

Damn good burgers and beer.
(5)
D T.

I love both locations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)
Hiral S.

Since i'm vegetarian I didn't think that there would be anything here for me to eat! But I was totally wrong and I can say that I probably have had one of the best veggie burgers ever here! The atmosphere is definitely not what I'm used to but it was totally worth going to.
(5)
Amanda M.

its tough to get a table because there is always a wait but the burgers, service and mac and cheese are worth the time and money!
(5)
Christina R.

I went here a few years ago and I LOVED it. I have been meaning to come back here. I had the mac and cheese with a group of people as an appetizer. That alone can be a meal they give you so much. The burger I had was the LAIR OF MINOTAUR, which had pears on it. It was delicious! I want one right now just thinking about it. I love that this place holds up to its name and feel. It's a very big heavy metal feel but with good food. I will state that you smell like grease and meat when you leave, though. The smell sticks to your clothes but it's worth every bite.
(4)
Darren L.

Good ol' Kuma's Corner! Yes this place is as amazing as everyone makes it seem to be. I've been to this location about 3-4 times but this is the first time I've written a review about it. First of all, the wait for Kuma's is usually long. I've waited for more than an hour before. And I must admit that every dreadful second waiting outside on the cement step is worth it once I take my first bite into that humongous burger. I'm not a big fan of burgers (in life) but I will eat a burger when I am here. People who know me know that says a lot about the place. And the long line says a lot too. The burgers are roughly $12-13 but as I have said already, they are really large. When I eat here, I'm full for the rest of the day at least. There is a variety of burgers with awesome toppings. I wish I could try them all. I've tried the classic with the egg and the black sabbath. Those two are phenomenal. They bring a side of fries and the bread they use is just awesome. I'm also a big fan of their house salad and the mac'n'cheese. For about $14 you have a two topping Mac and cheese for the entire family. The servers here are really nice as well. They make it a duty to make sure you are satisfied and always check up on their customers. I appreciate good service. All in all, I recommend this place because their food is just AMAZEBALLS.
(5)
Nathan D.

great food; overwhelming music.
(4)
Eliana E.

Great food! I think it is a great place to go when you have guests in town.
(5)
Noah W.

I've been to Kuma's a number of times and it's great to have a joint like this in Chicago. I've never had a bad burger there, and have had some of the best burgers I've had. It's a very creative menu and fun younger crowd which were big pluses for me. I'm giving 4 stars because I've had some over cooked burgers and minor service issues. Also, I believe Lockdown has a better burger and fries overall but Kuma's is still a must visit in my book.
(4)
Azrael D.

Overpriced, loud, and really nothing special. I went here once and I don't see what the big deal is. Yeah, it was a good burger. But there are definitely comparable places in Chicago where you can get as good, or a better burger without going deaf or waiting outside for an hour or two.
(1)
Kristen K.

Don't order delivery. We just did and I am very disappointed. I wanted the beef cooked medium, but it was very rare. I could only eat about half before I started feeling queasy from eating what seemed like raw meat. Of course, if I had eaten in the restaurant I could have sent it back, but I got delivery so I spent $15 on a burger I couldn't eat. Too bad because the topping choices are great and creative.
(2)
Nosy W.

My husband and I went here on a random Sunday, and it was all that it's cracked up to be! Both of our burgers were insanely good. We didnt even need a table to try this gem. We got cozy at the bar (I would recommend it!) I get really annoyed when people complain about music/ambiance. No, heavy metal is not my first choice when going through my playlist, BUT it makes the experience that much better. Also, yes it's crowded (it's popular) again.. it makes for a better experience. I can't wait to go back! Best burger I've had since living in Chicago.
(5)
Megan S.

Kuma's is seriously the best burger place I have found in the United States. I absolutely love the Led Zeppelin. However, I was quite disappointed when they took away the clutch because some times there is nothing more satisfying than a good cheese burger but it works out. Their staff has always been kind. We have only had to wait a few times more than 30-40 minutes for a table but that can be expected at such a well liked establishment. We live in the neighborhood and visit it frequently.
(5)
Michelle L.

Yummmmm!!! Kumas was amazing! Both of our burgers were phenomenal and the ones at our neighbors table next to us looked tasty too! The service was great! Our waitress was too cute and the adorable hostess cracked us up! The staff was super friendly and fun to talk with! You have to try the max n cheese and pick up a shirt while you're there!
(5)
Nina G.

This place is way cool! Top of the line burger creations and they don't skimp out on what they put between their delicious pretzel buns. If you don't like metal music, you might want to request a seat outside. Because it is LOUD I there. But it is awesome!
(5)
David M.

I remember eating here when the burgers were still 8 bucks, and the wait was less than 15 minutes. The times have changed, but one thing has not: this is still one of the best damn burgers I've ever had. And please don't let me get started on the pulled pork fries. I was sad when they stopped using Waffle Fries, but completely understand why, and even without them, this appetizer is a must have. Even if there's only 2 of us, they will be ordered. Years ago this wonderful little Biker Bar introduced me to the notion of placing a fried egg on a burger, and I'm a better man for it. They also seem to do it better than just about anywhere else I've tried it.
(5)
Abby M.

This place is Exit with burgers. There is nothing unique about what they are aiming for and if you have Guy Fieri endorsing your food that says LOADS about your "metal cred." For having the "best burger" in the city (um, I beg to differ) you would think that they would be able to afford a properly functioning AC and kitchen ventilation system. Overall the place is a total cliche and not worth the wait, the overpriced bill or the heat stroke you will suffer if it's 70 degrees outside or more.
(1)
Nama L.

Okay this is a laaaate review. I went to Kuma's in Jan the night before my friend and I were to go to Puerto Rico. Loved the burger, even though I got a salad. (Yea, who goes to burger place for a salad, right??) But I did get a bite of my friend's and I was "HELLLO". But I can't go back because I'm a traditional Catholic who was turned off by the the demonic images thru out the place. Not for me. If you aren't put off by a 30 min wait for a good-ass burger, occult images, crowd and loud music then go -- no speed up there. But if you are then there are other places in the city.
(3)
Brett B.

Excellent burgers from the Kuma's original to the Slayer (be prepared for a stomach ache though if you manage to take down that bohemoth) - I mean come on.. anything with "anger" written as an ingredient lives up to the hype. The only reason I'm not giving this place 5 stars to be honest is the music. I don't mind listening to heavy metal every now and then but I had a headache after the first 20 minutes. My friends who came with were all also hung over, so they were complaining a bit about the noise too. Aside from that, the service was good, and be sure to check out their other location on Diversey (Kumas Too) - It used to be the Counter but was bought out.
(4)
Will B.

Kuma's is ok. Edzo's is way better.
(2)
Justin G.

my favorite burger...ever. Had the Kuma Original (I believe is the name) and the plague bringer, both amazing. If you like bigger burgers this is the best your going to get. If you like smaller burgers check out DMK.
(5)
Prerna K.

Burgers are delicious but be prepared to wait 45 min to an hour. The days I've been there - it's always been PACKED!
(5)
Lauren D.

I'm reviewing the experience of Kuma's here more than the food. Everyone knows the burgers are phenomenal. I don't need to tell you that (though I will tell you the Fried Pickles are a MUST as an appetizer.) I don't like bumping up next to people I don't know. I know, I know. I live in a big city; get used to it. But honestly, I couldn't go one minute without some brosef bumping into my chair, my husband, stepping on my feet, etc. I felt more violated than on the blue line from Forest Park on a weeknight. It's not really the patrons' fault. Kuma's is the size of a shoebox, and likely will never change bc the owners feel it's too cool to change the original. You will likely feel uncomfortable here. The metal music is so loud I was yelling at my husband the entire time just to be heard. We spent most of the meal (and the hour wait for our food) in silence. It's a shame, because I'd like to think I could bring friends and family here to have an amazing burger. But alas, I never will, because it's just too unsettling. I'd try ordering it to-go next time, as the food is perfection. Perhaps Kuma's could have a "no metal night" each week where they don't play that crap. I bet more people would go back.
(2)
Rachael C.

Depends on the waitstaff - but this place is generally very good. Don't bother ordering your burger well done son! Seriously a waste of burger. I've had Metallica, Mastodon, Hatebeak and tried the mac n cheese once. It looks fantastic but it isn't worth giving up a burger. Try not to be a rube and stare at any tattoos and don't mention patchouli while you're there.
(4)
Kurt G.

Kuma's has got the biggest tits out of all the tits. Burger heaven.
(5)
Leslie B.

Thank goodness for Yelp! There's a reason why this place has over 4000 reviews...it's because it's probably the best burger that you will ever eat in your life! We lucked out the day we went...the line was not very long. We had the famous Kumas burger as well as the YOB. Don't ask me what that stands for because I have no clue...BUT...it was by far the better of the two that we ordered. Don't get me wrong...both were close to orgasmic burgers...but the YOB...it's something special. It has bacon, roasted red peppers, garlic mayo and the meat is freshly ground (not done by Kuma's Corner...but they do get it fresh daily per our waitress). Every bite sends your taste buds through a journey. The ambiance is very laid back and the waitresses are very attentive. Would I go back...hell ya. Actually we tried to go back a second but unfortunately was not able to make it. BOOO. Kuma's Corner...my stomach hearts you!
(5)
Rusty S.

This is one of the coolest bars I've been at. My boy put me on to Kuma's about a year and a half ago and I've been going there ever since! Good beer selection and great food. The Slayer totally thrashed my insides but it was worth it. Their burgers will make you want to go and swing your metal hair.
(5)
Will G.

Pretty good, but maybe not the best burger in the country. I prefer Lockdown, but everyone has their preference. We asked for medium well and it was burnt in places on the outside, the meat flavor was nothing special, and they didn't toast the bun. These are minor gripes, you will definitely enjoy the food at Kuma's. It's just not the end all be all IMO.
(4)
Lizette Y.

We enjoyed a few good beers and some vegetarian burgers. I wanted to see what all the hype was about, since I've heard so much about Kuma's. Let's start with service. We sat at the bar and talked with the waitress for a bit. She was really funny, attentive, and worked quickly! She even explained the controversy about why they don't offer waffle fries. Long story short, they like to ensure that all of their food is made in-house and fresh, which is admirable! Ambiance is basically a really dark hipster bar with horrible ventilation. As I mentioned before, they like to make their fries in-house. Well, this results in a smoke-filled, sticky, swampy, humid bar. We arrived one hot Sunday evening to find a gigantic industrial-sized fan at the entrance, blowing in some fresh Belmont avenue air :/ In terms of food, we ordered the fried pickles, vegetarian burger "Lair of the Minotaur" (brie, poached pear, and carmelized onion), and vegetarian burger "Goatsnake" (goat cheese, corn relish, and fried onions). Overall it was yummy food, but not outstanding. Certainly not outstanding enough to get 5 stars (sorry). I was excited about my Lair of the Minotaur burger, thinking it would transport me to some sort of magical French-ey burger land with the brie and pears. Sadly, after the first bite, I got a mouthful of curry spice, WTF?! Definitely not what I was expecting. Perhaps they poached the pears in curry rather than bourbon. I don't know if I'd go back, there are lots of other outstanding veggie burger places in Chicago...
(3)
Paul G.

Kuma's is as good as everyone says. The burgers are amazing, as are the pulled pork sandwiches and jalapeÃ±o poppers. The atmosphere is great as well, and even if the heavy metal theme isn't your thing, you won't mind it once you taste the food.
(5)
John V.

If it was for the food only, it would be 5 stars.....the food is great. The service and atmosphere is what brings the rating down to 3 stars. You serve hamburgers. Enough with the "I'm so different and unique" attitude. Advertising your uniqueness makes you, well, not unique. See "hipster". The staff needs to look in the mirror before every shift and realize one thing. They're essentially less productive McDonalds employes serving a better product. Get to work, realize your tattoos don't make you cooler than the people you're serving, and fetch me my burger and beer.
(3)
Mark O.

Kuma's delivers exactly what you've heard about, big a** burgers with interesting and tasteful toppings. The burgers are cooked just right, but have a habit of falling apart. From a the presentation and preparation perspective, they do everything you could ask for from the kitchen side of this affair. The service is top notch as well, at least in my couple of experiences. As a restaurant they run a tight ship, with interesting beer selections and fun burger ideas. The sides don't disappoint either, the food is undeniably good. The reason it only gets 3 stars though is because I personally leave relatively dissatisfied. Ultimately the meat to bun, to toppings ratio always ends up meat heavy. And this is exactly what they're going for. There's nothing wrong with that, it's just not my thing. Great restaurants, but I personally can think of a couple other burgers that stand ahead of Kuma's. Also not really the biggest heavy metal / rock fan, so I can do away with that ambiance. But again, you know what you signed up for. Is this a harsh review, probably. But I'll be damned if I don't know how I like my fucking burgers.
(3)
Samantha P.

Best fucking place. Burgers are HUGE! Mac and cheese is the best!!!!! A most before any metal show! 100% worth the wait and tight courtiers.
(5)
Jason F.

probably the best burger place i have ever been, its making me seriously consider moving to chicago. before we got there, i had heard about waits, and people waiting in line for hours. thankfully there was seating when we got there, we sat outside on the nice patio. we ordered the boneless buffalo wings to start, amazing! nice and juicy, just enough sauce. i got the metallica burger which had bacon, blue cheese and buffalo sauce. everything went together well, and the fries were great as well. it seems like a kinda heavy metal dive, but the food is great!
(5)
Alex N.

Metal + huge burgers = amazing
(5)
Christina H.

One of the best burger's in the city. I'm so happy Kuma's is on grub hub now since there is usually a wait at the actual restaurant and sometime you just don't want to listen to heavy metal music while eating!
(4)
Michael K.

I have mixed feelings about Kuma's. In short: fantastic food, horrible service. Food-wise, Kuma's is a must-try for anyone who enjoys meat. In a city with lots of top-quality burger joints, Kuma's can rightfully claim a spot at or near the top of the pile: the burgers here are aggressively delicious. And their Texas chili is the kind of dish you tell stories about with wide-eyed wonder. On the other hand, Kuma's service undermines their great menu. Personal anecdote time: I headed out to Kuma's as a single diner to relive a great culinary experience. The place was full, but not with a line out the door: upon arrival, I was next in order to get a seat. The hostess said I should take a seat at the bar once one opens up. Apparently the same instructions were given to the next three or four people who came in and grabbed single seats at the bar before I could. I asked the hostess for some help but got none. I came to eat good food, not to have to hunt and fight for a seat so I could be served. After 45 minutes of waiting patiently while I kept getting passed over for service, I had enough and left. To date, Kuma's is the only restaurant where I've been so frustrated with service that I've walked out.
(3)
Matt C.

Hipsters beware. Walked in with my bape bape bape undawata camo coat and jordans on. Hostess was not welcoming. She could see through my hipster ass. I knew I was screwed. 40 minute wait in line. Then finally got seated. Ordered the FROST which was really good. Ordered the make your own mac n cheese with bacon and prociutto. The prociutto is really just ham, and the andouille on the menu is probably really just sausage. My theory is they purposely put "prociutto" and "andouille" on the menu so they can point out the hipsters when they order. Real metalheads would say ham and sausage, no prociutto and sausage. Come if you like the metal scene and greasy ass burgers. Don't come if you're a sensitive little hipster.
(3)
Zach H.

I've loved Kuma's ever since my first Lollapalooza music festival several years ago and was also overwhelmed with sadness when they stopped participating in the festival... but I digress. I had quite a bit of time to kill during my last trip to Chicago so I decided to drop by and grab a burger (or two) to go for my flight home. The thing that sets Kuma's apart from every other burger joint is the super awesome pretzel bun. SO. GOOD. I decided on the "Led Zepplin" and the "Plague Bringer", which were vastly different, much like the bands they're named after. The "Led Zepplin", much like its namesake, was softer around the edges with Southern comfort flair. It had Bacon, Slow cooked Pork Shoulder, BBQ Sauce, Sharp Cheddar and Pickles. It felt like you were hanging out in a friend's backyard with cold beer and watching football. The pork was super tender and flavorful as it was slow cooked for days, the BBQ sauce had just the right amount of tangy-ness, and bacon... well... duh, it's bacon, what's not to like. The "Plague Bringer" was like a punch in the face, but felt really good. It had Roasted Garlic Mayo, Crushed Garlic, House-made Hot Sauce, Jalapenos, Tortilla Strips, Lettuce, Tomato and Onions. I'm a big spice head so the house-made hot sauce and jalapenos really spoke to me. The burger was amped up with flavor and the tortilla strips added a great textural contrast akin to adding fries to a burger. Pure awesome. Overall, the service was friendly providing some helpful advice and the food is face-melting good. I actually ate the "Led Zepplin" at the airport before my flight and ate the "Plague Bringer" for dinner when I got home. You know a burger is good when it lasts about a 3 hour plane ride and still tastes incredible. A burger here will change your life forever. *Drops the mic*
(5)
Haikanarumi L.

Fried pickles are to die for!!!!!!! Their burgers are amazing, and their salad was good specially the croutons on it!!!! The service was great The only thing I didn't like was the music. It was too loud and metallic music (which I don't like) but I guess some people would like that.
(4)
Jake S.

Everything on the menu is the best thing I've ever eaten. Their Mac and cheese is phenomenal, their burgers are amazing. My favorite so far is The Plague Bringer. I've enjoyed nearly every burger offered, and frequent this place at least once a month (I live in Rockford). Keep it up guys...
(5)
Jerome M.

Is this place hyped? Yup! Is it worth the hype? Yup! Will you wait for an hour? Probably.. but go to a nearby bar, grab a drink and don't cry. It was great when this place started and you didn't have to wait so long for a burger... true, but who cares. This isn't my ideal atmosphere, but I'm not coming here to chill. I'm coming here to eat a good a$$ burger and fries, drink a beer, and be on with my day or night. Consistent and delicious. You can't eff with that!
(5)
Al D.

Sell-outs. It's 2015; no one likes the crappy/angry service gimmick any more. Knock it off and serve your customers with respect. Can't take them seriously if they opened a secondary location in suburban Grand Rapids-Lakeview. They still do "controversial" things, like the Ghost Burger snafu of 2014. When you sit next to Trixie and her parents visiting from Akron taking photos of their food after waiting an embarrassing amount of time to come in, it's time to shelve Kuma's. Hot Doug's did it; the only ones not crying themselves to sleep over it are the ordinary Chicago citizens who quit caring about PR stunts and wait times.
(1)
Mary C.

I love the burgers here. I recommend this place always. Writing this review makes me want to go back. I think the names for the burgers are pretty creative and the food is awesome. My husband and I will definitely come back. Sad that the waffle fries are gone tho.
(4)
Brian B.

Metal and hamburgers? All day, every day! The burgers here are amazing, they really have found a great combination of ingredients to make some of the best-tasting burgers you'll ever want to have. I recommend a visit to Kuma's at least once, and you'll crave it forever afterwards.
(5)
Chris W.

Place is great, the line is just the worst.
(4)
Whitney B.

Yes, I have waited here for longer than an hour, maybe 2, in the past, and yes it's worth it. I also don't even eat meat, so that's saying something! But I've also discovered the "sweet spot," and my wait time hasn't been more than 30 minutes the last handful of times I've been here. And no, I won't share the time-frame! The veggie burger here is great! Just be aware that they buns have a small amount of dairy, so if you're vegan, you are out of luck to find anything vegan at Kuma's (except maybe a salad with no cheese). They make a very clear point of this on their menu, as well. Which I find pretty funny. Seating area is intimate, music is loud, drink selection is great, back patio is really nice, as long as you don't end up in direct sunlight mid-summer. The Iron Maiden with veggie burger is the best, in my opinion. They do a new Burger of The Month (BOTM) and there have been some amazing ones in the past. Follow them on twitter or Facebook to keep up with the rotation. Prot-tip: You can get a regular burger, grilled chicken or the veggie patty substituted onto your burger selection. The mac n cheese here is to die for, especially with red peppers and onion! I've heard it's also great with double bacon, but again, no meat for me. Also, the portion is HUGE. Share with a friend, or plan on having leftovers for at least one more meal. They have a bunch of appetizers, including delicious fried pickles, and a large salad selection for those trying to eat a bit healthier. You can also get a side salad, or chips, instead of fries. I just don't recommend coming to Kuma's if you're impatient or uptight, it's definitely not the scene for you.
(4)
Mitchell M.

Positive: The food has a great theme and the variety of the food is certainly appealing. I enjoyed the names of each and the food I chose (Pantera burger) was cooked as intended, although quite messy. Negative: The wait to get into the restaurant at around 3 pm on a Sunday was an hour. It was also about 40 minutes to wait for our food inside. So don't go unless you aren't in a hurry. Go a new waitress halfway through this expedition so we never got any refills til near end of meal (two of us, by the way). When waitress asked how long we waited at end of meal, she acted as if that was not out of the ordinary. It was a bit odd. Summary: Food was good, but not worth the time spent waiting for it
(3)
Gerry S.

Grandparents were in town and brought them here for a nice lunch. Couldn't hear a thing, place is too loud. Music selection is questionable - can't you through on some Sinatra or Maroon 5? Grandma was offended by all the tattoos, please be mindful and have the staff cover them up in the future. Also, no hot tea on the menu.
(1)
Mamatha C.

best burger I have ever had, hands down. I always order the goatsnake cooked medium and I haven't ever been disappointed. The french fries are a great touch as well! Make sure to come hungry and be ready for a wait.
(5)
Kevin C.

The mac and cheese is incredible and my favorite part. Got tons of stuff on it and tasted so creamy and cheesy. I've tried the kuma burger, iron maiden, plague bringer, and neurosis. Kuma burger was alright - didn't like it all that much. Iron maiden was really good and a little spicy. Plague bringer was also good. Neurosis too.
(4)
Chuck L.

I just joined Yelp and am writing this review based on an incident from last year. In October 2013 Kuma's offered a "Ghost" burger served with a red wine reduction and topped with an unconsecrated Communion wafer. I am a Roman Catholic and was extremely offended by this ignorant, sacrilegious, and provocative act. I will never eat at Kuma's again nor recommend it to anyone.
(1)
Morgan C.

Kuma's is usually good and has always been my favorite. The last time I went there my party and I were treated so disrespectfully by the hostess we will not return. I gave 2 stars because their food is still amazing, but unfortunately being treated so rudely by such an angry and snippy person is enough to deter me away for good. If it wasn't bad enough, I was taking some guests from out of town there to show them my favorite burger place. What an unfortunate awful experience.
(2)
Matt K.

Great Burgers! Heavy Metal Atmosphere. Long wait for a table. Get a Slayer Burger.
(5)
Sylwia K.

To say that this place is anything less than amazing would be a sin. However go on an extremely empty stomach with a massive appetite and some serious carnivorous cravings. Be prepared to feel nothing less than whale size upon leaving, as these burgers are HUGE, as they should be considered they're named after some serious heavy metal acts. Not only are the burgers top notch and to die for the variety of craft beer available is suitable for any cicerone. Beer not your thing? No worries, they have a full bar and also have a selection of bourbons on draft. Yep, you definitely read that right, I said bourbon on draft.
(5)
Elliott G.

Admittedly, I didn't have to wait in line long and the combination of music and food at Kuma's Corner were great. However, the overall service's attitude's are some of the worst I've ever experienced. A couple month's back, I came here with a small group of Chicago natives with the understanding this would be a great place to eat. Despite open tables, they refused to allow us to sit near each other. One of the workers even told us to "Put the f**king chair back" to someone who'd sat down from their separate table. Before jumping to conclusions let me clarify that none of us were neither drunk, rude, nor obnoxious. We simply just wanted to have a quick meal for someone's birthday and that resulted in one colossal disappointment. It's an enticing atmosphere as an avid fan of all varieties of metal. But, that's not an excuse for the staff to be complete a**holes to their customers. Overall, If the thought of being treated like complete sh*t for great food is something you'd consider appealing, you've found your ideal spot. My final thoughts are that if it wasn't for the terrible service I would've enjoyed the experience. But, It's safe to say I'll never return. Furthermore, if this place burnt to the ground, the world would probably be a better place. Cheers!
(1)
Jaw Nelly L.

Mac and cheese with. Broccoli and procciuto .. Amazing
(5)
mariela p.

Bestest burger of my life. Minus 1 star because everyone else agrees and I've not yet come to terms with the length of those lines on regular weeknights.
(4)
Tami S.

Awesome spot! Great Burger! Customer service was excellent. This place is worth the wait.
(5)
Natalie L.

We tried Kuma's for lunch on the Friday before Memorial Day. At around noon, the wait was about 30 minutes. We shared a mac & cheese and each ordered a burger. The mac & cheese was amazing and if I came back, that's probably what I would order. I had the Mastadon burger (bbq sauce, cheddar, bacon, and onion strings). I thought that the bbq sauce was too sweet. Otherwise it was a good burger. Service was good, except I did not get the side I ordered. I didn't say anything. I just got a vibe that it would not be worth my trouble. I still don't understand the whole complex about waffle fries. And there was paraphernalia on the wall by the bathroom endorsing Soundgarden. I'll just let that speak for itself.
(3)
Johnny R.

Cliffs Notes: Finally ate there after years of shaming by friends of mine. And I even live nearby. Long: As a former band member, whats not to like about Kuma's Corner. Rockers making food while blasting metal tunes. I like metal, burgers, tattoos and beer. Its all there. I went there for lunch this past Friday.We put our name in, 30 minute wait. The wait was pretty much 30 minutes, and then we were seated in the patio. Very nice. Interesting crowd of patrons. Due to the nice press on the joint, 1/2 of the crowd looked like folks who saw coverage of the show and then decided to go - Even a few older ladies who I imagined were whispering observations to each other... "Did you see that girl, her hair is PINK. And she has those big hoopey things in her ears. The holes are bigger than a quarter!!!" I got a great IPA and the Slayer. Longish wait, or maybe I just couldn't throttle back and enjoy the ride. It was good. Spicy. Could only eat half, saved the rest. Enjoyed myself. I would say don't expect to get your food fast, slow down, and enjoy life. Be the ball Danny.
(4)
Jessica M.

Love this place so much! I have been meaning to review them for a long time. Not that I need to. A place like this doesn't need a yelp review. People know they rule! But just in case people, they rule!
(5)
Dex Y.

I tried the burger of May and man, did I make the right decision. It's called Church of Misery. It's absolutely perfect. Between two buns, it's packed with lotus chips, coleslaw with pickled ginger and red cabbage, Ponzu sauce, honey glazed pork shoulder, and a beef patty. Why do I think it's awesome? 1. It contains two kinds of delicious meat - pork (again, honey glazed baby) AND beef. And they blended in my mouth like a party; 2. Ponzu sauce was a genius idea. It matched so well with the lotus chips and ginger; 3. It's visually pleasing. Just Google this burger to get an idea. Now imagine this burger actually come back as a regular on the menu one day..
(5)
Scott R.

Ordered the Slayer and asked for extra anger. Well worth the wait. This place serves up a legit burger. Only thing that lacked 5-star quality would be the fries. Apparently they used to have waffle fries, but have since replaced them for the standard french fries. Bad Kuma's! Bring back the waffles, not because I miss them but because everyone raves about how great they were. Ohh, and I thought the fries you currently serve are just meh. The Slayer, that was awesome; have I said that yet?
(4)
Jeff H.

Been here three times, and while all were great, my last meal there was the best. Started with the panko-crusted fried pickles with chipotle mayo dipping sauce. These were the best I've ever had, including outstanding versions from places in North Carolina, where they are quite popular. I had the Lair of the Minotaur burger, with brie, bourbon poached pear, and pancetta, atop a perfectly cooked burger. Burgers can come with a chicken breast or veggie burger alternative, as well. It was outstanding. It came with a choice of home made chips or fries, I tried the chips. They were crisp, and perhaps a bit overcooked. Heavy metal is typically the soundtrack here, so be prepared if that's not your thing. That music also drives much of the decor, and the movies shown on the tv above the bar. The staff is friendly, knowledgable about the beers and whiskeys (on tap!) they serve as well. Unless you come at off hours, be prepared to wait, but seating at the bar is first come, first served, which I've taken advantage of. Brought an out of town guest here, and he thought it was divey, cool, and delicious. That sums it up perfectly!
(5)
Jodey W.

This place was metal hip and had a good atmosphere. Very upbeat and slow when I came in and hear they are usually swamped. I had the Led Zeppelin burger and it was delicious. It was a bit too much for me but the flavor was amazing. Since it was a bit pricey and the burger was so messy it fell apart I took it down a star but it was a lot of tasty. I'll definitely be back to try out something else.
(4)
Lorie G.

Yep! I concur, love this place. Although they haven't had the insect warfare burger in a few years ( my all time favorite), the goat snake comes a close second. MotÃ¶rhead is damn good as well. A bit loud and crowded for my taste, but worth it. As for the wait?... I'll never do it. I come at 11:30 during the work week and get in right away. It's the only way to go. Ps- I miss the waffle fries.
(4)
Christina L.

This was my second time coming to Kuma's and both times it was great. We came in a group of four and sat on the patio with absolutely no wait. I kind of wish we sat inside so my friends could have had the whole Kuma experience. With that aside, we ordered our burgers quickly and got them super fast too. My friend and I ordered the pantera burger and my boyfriend ordered the Kaijo ( YUM...I ended up finishing his). Mine was just too much...I could not actually enjoy the burger. His friend ordered Lair of the Minotaur and literally raved about it his entire meal. Although it was pretty pricy for four burgers, it was well worth it. We all agreed we are heading back to KUMAS!
(5)
Rebecca O.

Good: -Went on a Saturday night at like 11pm after returning from the airport, so we were seated immediately. -Service was excellent. -Fries were great. -Music was surprisingly enjoyable (coming from someone who's not a metal fan and has had bad experiences listening to metal that just sounds like yelling to the untrained ear.) -How cool is it that they advertise a charity event every month... just saying. Bad: -Burger was good, but did not live up to the hype. I've had better. This is the main reason why I'm only giving this place 3 stars. -I know this makes me sound like I'm 85 years old but... it was so dark I actually couldn't see my food. Like, I had to feel around for where things were on my plate. -I don't have firsthand experience with this, but I've heard from friends that there's no A/C and it gets beastly hot in the summer. Neutral: -Menu is very meat-heavy with few, if any, vegetarian options (this is neutral for me because I'm not a vegetarian, but I think it's worth noting for those of us who have veg friends). -Portion sizes are HUGE. Unless you're a large man or a very, very hungry small person, sharing might be the way to go.
(3)
Wes W.

I think Kuma's is one of those examples where the underlying hype completely elevates one's expectations. I don't think I've had so little to say about a burger before other than the fact that the portion size is pretty big. But, other than the fact that it's named after different bands, the value of this joint may just be its history and ambience; for some, that is enough. Burger-wise, I think I have had better - Carl's Jr. My Mastodon was packed with fried onions, bbq sauce, cheddar, and a dense beefy patty...all sandwiched by a soft and sticky pretzel bun. However, the beef itself was on the dry side and surprisingly, the entire ensemble had a flavor profile that was best described as lackluster. Sadsies. One thing that I must commend Kuma's for is their glorious mac and cheese. It is a work of art, completely oozing with cheesy goodness. Many places end up serving grainy cheese, an inevitable consequence of baking. But these guys got it figured out...also allowing a variety of combinations (bacon, sun dried tomatoes, corn, etc etc). Sexy!
(2)
Kathy W.

Like the food come here often. First time sitting outside tho and the rat that was lingering around my chair ruined my experience and appetite. I screamed so loud. It kept coming back people started throwing utensils at it. Not something I want to be by and thinking about while eating. Topic of conversation how it should be put on the grill for the burger of the month. They said it's been a problem. Well stop seating people out there. Ugh.
(1)
Faisal S.

Burgers were good as you can tell, but their huge burgers are a bit pricey. However, I liked the lunch special, better price for a smaller burger. They are able to substitute their vegetarian patty in any burger or sandwich but not in the lunch menu. That kinda takes one star away. This place has unique feature that sets it apart in a good way and the food is good as well.
(4)
Tatiana T.

I've been to this restaurant twice in the past four years. Once 3 years ago and again a month ago and have been meaning to write a review. The first time I went I was still new to living in the US and was pretty overwhelmed enough. The heavy metal/ grunge music took me by surprise and I ended up undecided on a burger I wanted because the menu was so extensive. I ended up getting a burger that had pear and goat cheese on it thinking it would be good, but my tastebuds said otherwise (just my preference) So I was pretty let down even though years after people constantly raved about. I guess I was just not having the right burger for my taste and decided to give the place another shot. A month ago I went and kept it simple, I had the kuma burger done medium and the mac and cheese. I really realized that I did not choose the best burger my first time around and the kuma burger was absolutely delicious! The meat was soft and crumbly than hard and tough to chew like other burger places. It was easy to chew and the mac and cheese was amazing too. They have extremely large portions so the mac and cheese is really shareable among a group. Decor is awesome and its pretty cool to hear some music other than the top 40 charts or jazz. The service took a while though which made our stay very long and I felt bad for the other people standing and waiting around for a table, as it was during the dinner hour. Overall I change my opinion and Im glad I went a second time. Its a really unique place with amazing burgers and a great selection for everyones taste. I will be back one day.
(4)
Judicious Z.

Whatever you order, try to get the crispy onion strings. I ordered them in place of fries. This is a should-visit destination. Unique menu. Go early. Like 4:30. By 5:45 during the week the line was out the door. Can no longer remember the exact burger I had but it was very good. Next time I would order with a bison burger rather than regular burger because I seldom have red meat and felt it was a bit greasy but my tastes have changed. We ordered the Mac&Cheese to go. It was huge. Anticipating we'd barely make a dent, it was easier to anticipate the take home as moving if from a serving dish to a takeout container would have been a hassle.
(4)
AJ M.

Easily one of the best burger spots in Chicago if not the best. Great burgers and beer selection. Waiting times can be long for tables and food but if u got a mega appetite its worth it. So far I've had the pantera weekend nachos which were great! Recently I had the slayer, which is very popular but I say its overrated! It's huge too many flavors, really salty and heavy. Rather stick to burgers,the plague is next!
(5)
jaime c.

I've eaten many burgers in my hometown of Chicago. Burgers with a perfect amount of everything. Some burgers plain and some with overabundance. I liked them all. Kuma's Corner is one of those places where they have too much, but it's simply just right. Kumas has always been a place next to my high school and that area has some good places to eat. I have tried those other places but never Kumas, simply because of the outrageous lines that rivals it's neighbor Hot Doug's ( r.i.p). Wanting to try it I wen early in the morning. Now that I have, let me tell you my experience The atmosphere is very different from others, and that makes it unique and adds to the experience. The patio is quite and a nice parallel to the inside. The service was phenomenal and it might change depending on the time you go. Because when the servers just start working, they're happy. When they're tired, obviously they'll be a bit more under the weather. The burgers are fantastic, enough said. I had the Led Zeppelin which should be considered an abomination, but it's a fantastic piece of food art. My friends enjoyed the Classic Kuma burger and the Metallica. They both loved them. The fries were a decent amount with way too much salt. All in all. It was good atmosphere, good service, and good food. 10/10 will come again.
(5)
Hayyy K.

pantera burger.
(5)
Jason A.

Huge amounts of food, great burger combinations, and a decent draft list. However, you have to deal with loud music, long waits, and busy crowds. I'd come more if it was easier to get in without a wait, sometimes you get lucky at the bar.
(4)
Chad B.

I know there's more than enough reviews of this place. To me, the food is as good as it gets. Love the music and am glad they are unwavering with the metal. My major beef with this place is they seem to close down much earlier than what they have posted as their business hours. I work late hours and have gone here a number of times only to find out they already closed, or they tell me they're shutting down, but will be happy to sell me a beer, no food. I'm not talking about showing up 5 min before closing either, more like they're supposed to be open for another 2 hours. I know with their success that they can do whatever, but just seems like a poor business model to me. It's pretty off-putting to show up hungry and then be sent away. Whatever, I'm a sucker for their burgers and will continue to try and be served anyway.
(5)
Matt R.

Great atmosphere, good food, good beer selection. I don't think the burgers are leaps and bounds better than some other burger places in town, but I never have any complaints about the quality of my meal. Sometimes the wait isn't worth the food, but if you go on a slow day/afternoon it's very well worth it.
(4)
Kevin N.

Dis great locale. I have like, 2, maybe 14 hangburgers there last week and I always feel like it was a gut deal. Why dey only get a corner dough? Hey, Rambo Manwell, cut dem some slarck!
(5)
Ken W.

There is almost always a wait and for good reason. It was worth it!!!! For the best burger in Chicago go to Kuma's Corner. Their standard burger is the best option for any new person. Bacon, Cheddar, Fried Egg, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion all on a pretzel bun. The patty is awlays huge, savory, juicy. The atmosphere is dark, interesting, and heavy metalish. Most of the waitresses have Tattoos but everyone working there is nice and good people. Go there now!
(5)
Ellienor R.

For a week straight food tasted dull bland and boring and that's because it paled in comparison to the magical goodness that is a KUMA'S BURGER. I took a picture of the goodness and sometimes I stare at it in agony because I'm not eating right that second. I'm being dramatic, yes, but I'm definitely not being a liar. It's AMAZING. And fuck yeah metal!!! The waitress was awesome. Very attentive and nice.Just do yourself a favor and GO. GOOOO. You won't regret it.
(5)
Lord L.

Don't go in the summer when it's above 80, they say they have air conditioning, it does nothing. Sit outside or go to the new location. I just about melted in there a couple summers ago. That said, the burgers are amazing and the service is top notch. The bartender Viv with all the tattoos will take care of you very well while you wait to sit down, because you will wait to sit down because it's always busy. My favorite burger was the one with the communion wafer or the one with the Jewish Star(Ketchup), Pentagram(Mustard), and 666(spelled out with pickles).
(4)
Linda L.

Everyone I know raves about this joint. Being a burger fanatic, I couldn't be more excited to finally try it. I got the burger with mushrooms, which was surprisingly really, really dry. The meat was extremely bland. Not my type of restaurant: music too loud, burgers too dry... you get the point.
(2)
Bex N.

My friend and I went during a weekday afternoon, and it was packed! We waited probably about 25-35 minutes for a table, but it was not a painful wait with the option to go to the bar and chat. It was kind of a longer wait for our food once we ordered, so if you go to eat here, make sure you are not about to eat the ends off of the table/have some time to spend. The staff were very personable and attentive. Great atmosphere, music, countless beers, and hilarious/delicious/metal burgers.
(5)
Tim L.

Awesome burgers, and great beer. Even though we had to wait about 45 mins for our burger (we went during their peak hour for lunch) the bartender kept us "hydrated" with a great selection of craft brews. Ive had 3 burgers here now and every burger seems to be better then the next Highly recommend for your next burger/beer cravings
(5)
Jose S.

Too pricey but the food was good.
(5)
VK C.

Yummy, juicy and very creative burgers. Come here starving, as the portions are large. The only negative is the loud music, it disrupts the flow of my taste buds from taking in this burger extravaganza.
(4)
Raymond B.

A great joint. My only problem, which could probably be rectified by request, was a dry burger. If you don't want the juice squeezed out of your burger make a point of requesting it.
(4)
Phil P.

A MUST TRY FOR EVERYONE! My wife heard about this place having the best burgers in town. I was a little skeptic since Chicago has so many good burger places. However, I was happily surprised when it exceeded both our expectations. :) Inside not a ton of room, but there's an outside seating area as well. Only had to wait 10 minutes for a table around 730 on a Saturday night. Loud metal/rock music gives it a unique atmosphere. Wide selection of beer at a reasonable price. BURGERS WERE AMAZING!!! I tried the IRON MAIDEN, she tried the NEUROSIS. Both were the best I've ever had. A $15 burger sounds high, but it was so big that we had plenty left for lunch the next day. Definitely recommend.
(5)
Patrick H.

I'd love to say I've been here a lot.... but I can't. I've only been here a half a dozen times. Pro's: Top Quality Food Great Wait Staff Metal Music Exotic Menu (especially when you think most if it's burgers) Great Decor Great Ambience Con's: Nowhere near enough room Very Crowded You could actually wait forever for a table They Don't do take out during the summer Sometimes the Metal Music is to loud to talk Ok, all that out of the way... now I can just tell you WOW!!!! Who wouldn't want to eat at a place that has the "Slayer" burger that one of it's features is that it's made with anger! This place has been on any and all cooking / foodie show so expect a wait to get seated. You gotta try the Mac and Cheese too!!!!! OMG! It's awesome! Bring your appetite and open mind and be prepared for it to be blown.
(4)
peter l.

Not worth any wait time as the food is average. This place was better years ago before it became a Tourist/Yuppie dive. Hipster wanna-be metal heads will like the atmosphere but it's a restaurant, not a night club. If this weren't Chicago I might go back but we have so much here that is better. Go once if you want to look cool and cultured, otherwise skip it.
(2)
Kien M.

We were starving after a flight from SFO to ORD. It's been 8 hours since our last meal. I was hesitant to come here since I was worried about the wait. Ubered our butts here and the hostess said 45 minutes. My friend was so pissed while I kept my cool. I went to grab a drink at the bar and got a single seat. From here, I was able to order appetizers right away. Kept my boy shut for a bit. After some time, a few chairs open up. Started ordering the bacon jalapeno mac and cheese, tenders, iron maiden, and the special of the day (vektor burger). By now, I was buzzing and all I remembered was them burgers were BOMBdotcom. Love the pretzel buns and meat cooked medium rare. It's was so juicy and dripping all over my fingers. The mac and cheese was good too but it was huge. Only one thing I didn't care for was the tenders since it was on the dry side. I enjoyed our bartender/server, she was so nice even though she was busy. She gave us as much attention as possible since I told her we just landed and we were starving. She was quite the character and kept us entertained throughout the night. And after our flight back to Cali, my grouchy friend said "Man, I hella want that burger from Kuma's now". If in Chicago, come here. Awesome burgers and craft beers. And for those worried about the loud music, grab a beer and stop being such a cry baby.
(5)
Natan Y.

Tonight I ordered "KUMA BURGER". A phrase that will only be muttered more and more by these lips. I didn't know how to feel about the egg on top initially. I am in love with this burger. I feel feelings I didn't know I could feel toward food. The portion size was massive and may require some light cardio. Worth every brutal sweaty second.
(5)
Michael R.

Having spent most of my life in and out of cities like San Francisco and Portland. I can definitely appreciate a bar with loud music, grungy everything, and bartenders who are practically a canvas for all types of body art. The food is phenomenal - if you're into big burgers that will probably kill you if you eat them everyday and if vibe above is something that won't make uncomfortable then this place is great. To me, this is the perfect spot for lunch or a late night, I love it
(5)
J K.

This joint has the best burgers I've had in my life. I've made my way through most of the menu over the course of the 2 years I've been living in Chicago and I haven't been disappointed with any of the offerings. Generally there is a wait because the place only has 9 tables (I think) plus seating at the bar. I think people knock off stars for the wait but the food is always worth it. The staff is rad & the bartender will usually be looking to serve you drinks for the wait. I like how attentive they are in that area. I usually like to sample from the 3 Floyd's rotating handle while I wait for a seat to open up. Amazing burgers, great beer selection, metal & no pretentiousness just good eating. Come with an empty stomach ready to eat cuz Kuma's serves ya a whole lotta burger!
(5)
Melissa F.

AMAZING..... I don't care what you say The original Kuma's is the very best! I like the loud and dark feel of the place. It's tiny and always crowed! The Burgers are the best in Chicago I can say that with no hesitation. Come hungry portions are good... but the quality you get is what leaves you feeling like you had a feast. Great beer selection too!!!
(5)
Theresa C.

Really great burgers and options of toppings. I had the one with goat cheese, it was so good i practically swallowed it whole. I also had the fries topped with the pulled pork, they were amazing. A bit of a line to get in and kinda dark inside but i think that is there thing.
(4)
Christina K.

Great burgers. Tasty beers...but the wait sucks!!! We waited almost 2 hours but I heard that's the average amount of wait. I definitely will be going back. It's too good to resist! I got the "High of Fire"..sweet but spicy!! Nom Nom Nom
(4)
Eric S.

This place is great!! Cool vibe and great burgers!
(5)
Kristina K.

Definitely had better burgers... The hype made it out to be the best ever... Sorry Kuma I've had better. My burger was the neurosis and fries were dry and old. Not fresh.
(3)
Kristen H.

Kuma's is great. There is no doubt about it. It's got really creative and delicious hamburgers. I'm just not sure that it's worth the hype - there's plenty of burger places that have great burgers like Kuma's but because they have the whole Rock n Roll schtick people are willing to wait 2.5 hours to go there. I'm giving this four because people yes. Of course. But at the end of the day it is just another great burger joint.
(4)
April W.

My experience at kumas .......it was decent, good even but some things were lacking. First up fried pickles , the pickles were perfectly fried and the Breading was everything you hope for in fried delights. Crispy, crunchy and great flavor. But the pickles had no bite , there was no acid taste or dill. So it was more like eating fried zucchini which of course is never a bad thing but we were hoping for pickle. We also ordered a custom Mac and cheese. We chose andouille sausage, tomato and scallion. This Mac was out of this world. I was very impressed. But the thing is for me, I like my food hot and my drinks cold. The Mac was barely warm. The top layer of cheese was hot but underneath the Mac was room temp at best. It was still great. But for me would have been worthy of going back for if served hot. To be fair it was freezing in the restaurant. When we took bites of pickles you could see our breath and heat from pickles in the air. We finished with the neurosis burger which boasted horseradish and mushroom. The burger was huge. But I am not a fan of these giant patties of beef. I think several thin patties make for better bites. But the beef was great and perfectly seasoned. I didn't get the bite of horseradish at all except in maybe one bite of the burger. We were sharing and my better half said he did taste it so maybe it was just me. The only bad thing about this burger was the mushrooms. They were cold. They had good flavor but cold mushrooms on a burger end up just being a slimy afterthought. So I was a bit disappointed. Also , truly the fries were awful. Some were soggy and cold and others were burned. They were all shriveled up and seemed to be the bottom of a batch of fresh cut that soaked too long. We didn't even eat them. Very disappointing. The server and employees were all awesome, attentive and it was a fun atmosphere. To me, this would be a bar I would go to drink heavily at and the burger would be a bonus as well as the Mac. But I don't think I would go back for just the food. To me the fries and the temp of the food was a deal breaker. I'll stick to au cheval for my burger cravings. But if I lived nearby I would order the Mac for take out. Hovered between two and three stars. But for the price it was not anything special.
(2)
A M.

Probably the best burgers in Chicago
(5)
Mark L.

I stopped here for lunch last week with a coworker. It was a Friday around 12:30, and the hostess had originally told us it would be about a 45 minute wait. We decided she was exaggerating and waited outside for what ended up being 15 minutes. The food was well worth the wait - I got one of the burgers (ASDU?) and my colleague got the slayer. I had a few bites of his...both were fantastic. Huge portions. The service was adequate and the server was very friendly. Definitely coming back.
(4)
Tania C.

Everything on this menu is yummy!
(5)
Mark F.

I just don't need half a cow in a bun. Not my thing, but from a taste and experience, you have to do this place at least once. Their sides are AMAZING. But if you like bun to meat ratio, i would go elsewhere.
(2)
Lindsay S.

This is a Chicago foodie bucket list item for sure. So good!
(5)
molly w.

Because this place needs another review. I've been a few times and haven't experienced the notorious 2 hour waits mentioned by others. I've gone at off times and have always managed to snag a spot at the bar or wait 15 min for a table. If you like spicy, the Absu burger is the way to go. Natch, mine has a veggie patty instead of meat, but the flavors are fantastic. And because the kitchen is tiny, you know your food will be served piping hot. This is especially important for the fries, and theirs are amazingly delicious. I wish that I could say the Lincoln Park location was a replica of the original just with the kinks nailed out. While they have more tables, it's Lincoln Park shiny and just not the same. And my fries came out cold. So, if you want to try a fantastic burger, get drunk on craft brews, check out the ORIGINAL Kuma's!
(4)
Christine R.

This place is great. The burgers are phenomenal, and I personally recommend their mac and cheese with broccoli and bacon - yum! Only I don't love it the wait :(
(4)
Steve S.

I'm pissed! I walked into Kuma's with a couple friends at 10:45pm during the week and was told that that they stopped serving food!! I'm pissed because their website states that they close at 11:45pm and one of the employees told me to go to Revolution brew pub! Since I was hungry I took the advice and had the Farmhouse burger at Revolution and it was delicious! will never go back to Kuma's! Revolution's burger was amazing! Everything works out for a reason!
(1)
micky m.

Amazing! After all the the hype i finally got to go. It was amazing! Burger!!! Delicious Mac and Cheese!! Worth the trip itself! BONUS! Green River Soda!!!!! Perfection
(5)
Rachel R.

Finally made it here. Went on a bike ride and not a motorcycle ride. Had to stop here and they were not only motorcycle and peddle bike friendly as well. A huge plus. The hostess said the wait was 30 or so minutes, but the bar was first come, first serve. Found a spot with in minutes. Ordered the Mastodon and fell in love with the burger. The staff was uber friendly and helped out when I was trying to find the right burger. Plus they know their beer!! Looking forward to seeing you guys again soon!!
(5)
Dan D.

I love Kuma's burgers. The metal music is the cherry on top. This is a must in Chicago, whether you live here or just visiting. I only had one awkward experience when dining there. I grabbed lunch with a buddy and asked if they had a lighter beer, as I wasn't in the mood for a heavier craft beer. The bartender made some condescending remark and scoffed at me, telling me they don't carry light beer. I mentioned this story to another friend and she said she had the exact same experience there. Craft beer is great, but don't treat customers as if they're inferior for not wanting a craft beer. You're not above serving regular beer (PBR, like you used to). If you play Anal Cunt in your restaurant, you can serve a Miller Light.
(4)
B J.

Unique to Chicago, the mac & cheese is extremely large and great and the burgers! Love the extremely heavy metal and the jack daniels literally on tap.
(5)
Charlotte P.

Kuma's burgers are not all that people make it up to be. I've had better burgers.
(2)
Sandy T.

Went during the week around 5pm. Got seated right away too :). I'm a sucker for avocado so I ordered the Iron Maiden medium. Cooked perfectly, juicy, flavorful burger. Fries are really good too and I finished them all and didn't feel guilty. I tried my boos RARE burger. I couldn't believe he ordered a rare kuma burger because the thought seems actually gross to me but honestly it was very sweet and it melts in your mouth. I personally would never do it and I do not suggest doing that though if you are not a meat lover and if you like fully cooked beef. But I would definitely recommend this place to someone that wants a good burger and if you go when it is not the prime lunch/dinner hour.
(5)
Eliz C.

First visit, super excited! Homemade veggie burger, awesome toppings, delicious! Also, ate at the bar so I didn't wait around like a chump. Second time... frozen veggie patty? That image you're picturing, it's me, frowning. I want to go back for that first experience again, but I'm so scared of the prospect of a $16 boca burger.
(3)
Jayme C.

Husband and I went to Kuma's on a Sat. Showed up at 11 (they open at 11:15, Google says 11:30 but it is 11:15) and there was a line of about 15 people. Once we were in we sat at the bar. Bar tender was very friendly, bloody hit the spot. I got the Kuma's burger and it was AWESOME! Not sure how they are seasoning the beef but its delish, pure meat heaven. I have heard people say they waited 3 hours...not sure I would have that patience. Get there when they open. Beer selection was good. The only reason I could not give this 5 stars is because we had people constantly reaching over us for drinks at the bar. I am ok with this on Hawks game day or club bars but after a cab ride and waiting in line a little personal space would have been nice. Or if Kuma's had a spot for walk up drink orders that would make sense. BTW - Be prepared to listen to loud heavy metal music. We enjoyed it. CHECK OUT - Square Bar across the street, they have Zombie Dust.
(4)
Scott S.

Burgers were decent. Could do without the annoying music - really who listens to metal?
(4)
Paul B.

Loved the LED ZEPLIN!!!!! Makes a good Jack and Coke as well
(5)
Lauren B.

amazeballs...worth the wait!!!
(5)
Alla D.

I was awesome!
(5)
Chris J.

I have lived in Chicago for a year and I heard about Kuma's Corner watching "The Top 10 Burger Joints in America". I didn't even finish watching the show. I was out the door. I'm really lucky I live on the Brown line. Just hop the train to Belmont and thumb a cab. About $5-$6 later you're at the door of one of the most original eating experiences I have had in Chicago. It's a metal bar, which I'm used to, an amazing beer selection, also used to, and an eclectic menu of ground beef mastery, Which I was not used to. I have had the first two one at a time but never all brought together into one place. If you're on the fence give it a chance. The beer selection is bursting at the seams with diversity. They didn't have any beers like Pabst which I didn't understand at first but I honestly think it would take away from the whole experience. They bring flavors together in their menu that are enhanced by their amazing beer selection. No complaints about that. There is Whiskey on Tap. Which was also a first for me. To sum it up, No Crap on Tap. Everyone that works there is amazing too. They kinda blend in with the crowd. Every time I walk in I confuse the woman taking names at the door for someone waiting for a seat. Even though it's always packed they are incredibly accommodating. You're gonna wait. First thought, "Is it worth it?" Every second. My first time there I got "The Slayer". I had met a couple at the bar who were there after seeing the same show. We bought each other a few rounds and ended up sharing. "The Slayer" is a hot mess. A hot, delicious mess. The best ingredient being ANGER. I couldn't finish even half of it. I took it home and well my dog got into it while I wasn't looking. She seemed just as pleased.. The next time I got "The Nail" which was the monthly special at the time. Serrano Chile Paste Bacon Mint/Basil Chimichurri Pulled Pork Smoked Gouda Fried Mint Garnish You really can't go wrong with any of their monthly specials. From there I got "The Plague Bringer" which is my "go to" burger. Try it..repeat. Then enter "The Ghost". The best "Damned" burger I've experienced thus far. I even had a reporter ask for an interview amid the "scandal". Hi Chris! I'm writing from Good Morning America. We're doing a web story on Kuma's new Ghost burger, which I saw you commented that you were going to try. Did you try it? Would you be willing to chat with me about it for our story? You can reach me at xxxxxxxxxxx@abc.com , or reply back here. Thank you! Best, Stefanie Bringing this to a close: Kuma's Corner is amazing. It belongs in Chicago. (Not that it wouldn't be successful anywhere else.. on the contrary). It screams all of Chicago's best traits. The most prominent trait being "Pride".
(5)
Lin L.

Went here a few months back... This place is probably too hyped up by Yelp... Burgers and fries were ok...... Would not come back...
(3)
Jon S.

Still the best burgers in the city, if not the planet. I have tried most of them and the original is still my favorite. If this is your first time, you gotta have it!. You really need to taste how amazing the beef is. The Kuma burger has Bacon, egg and cheese. You can't go wrong. Honorable mention: Led Zeppelin burger with Pulled pork on top! There are many other combinations, each with a different heavy metal band name. This location features loud metal music, erotic artwork, servers with tats and piercings galore, so maybe it's not a good idea to bring grandma! Take her to the Lincoln Park location! (Kuma's Too)
(5)
Tim F.

Between the music, the unique kinds of burgers, portions and the mac 'n cheese, Kuma's is the best burger place in Chicago.
(5)
Lai-Nin W.

Kumas corner, I'm pretty sure, is secretly a portal to another, more delicious dimension. I don't believe that it exists all the time. I think it's only here for my enjoyment like a mirage, and then once I've eaten my feast of burger, it disappears. It's too good to be real. I really love the Slayer and the Pantera (?). Wait times can be long, so come during the week and parking is pretty easy on the street on the side. It's a pretty small space, so be prepared to smell all the delicious cooking smells that come with making delicious burgers (some people complain it can get a bit smoky, but I've never noticed a problem really). And, if you DO have to wait, rest assured that you will have the option to drink delicious beers up at the bar. Everything about this place is great. Period.
(5)
John R.

The Slayer is awesome but not an every day burger, the Pantera is also delicious. Lots of great craft beers & amazing music.
(5)
Lucas W.

Wow, just wow, totally worth the wait and lived up to expectations. Walked in, was told a 2 hour wait, looked around and thought why wait for what looks kinda like a dive bar. The music is insanely loud (the only major downside to Kuma's), but damn, Kuma's is awesome and has some of the best burgers in Chicago for sure. Kuma's burgers are delicious, massive, and totally unique. There may be a normal burger or cheeseburger somewhere on the menu, but I don't remember it and I would never order it. Their burgers are truly interesting and the flavors meld to create some incredible burgers. I most recently had the Black Sabbath which is a burger with blackening spice, chili, pepperjack and one or two other things. Never had a burger like it before and it was fantastic. There are maybe a dozen burger options, all unique, and I look forward to trying a bunch more of them. Also had the fries with BBQ Pork fries - incredible. Kinda like an American version of poutine. Delicious, just heavenly. Perfect appetizer for splitting between two or three people. Can't wait to go back
(5)
Kate N.

You can't beat Kuma's Burgers, my favorite is the Lair of Minotaur. I have come here multiple times and every time have had a great experience. Last time I went it was a Sunday night and my service was great and the my burger was cooked perfectly. I don't always love the crowds, but once in a while I will make due so that I can have the best burger.
(5)
Sally Y.

Everyone time and again tells me that Kuma's is one of the best places to get a burger in Chicago. Sadly, I was really disappointed with my experience. We decided to grab some food late night after a day of watching football and drinking at other random bars, and Kuma's should have been the perfect end to the night. However, after scouring the menu, finally deciding on the Iron Maiden, my burger came out COLD. The pretzel bun seemed like it was pulled straight from the refrigerator and plopped onto my plate. The patty itself was only lukewarm as if it had been sitting and waiting to be served for a good amount of time. This could have been an isolated incident, but nuking the bun seems like a simple task that would have only taken seconds on their end and meant a lot to me. All in all, I'm willing to try this place again, but my feelings about Kuma's have already been slightly tainted.
(2)
Jamey J.

Stop complaining about the 'long wait'. Stop complaining about the 'loud music'. Stop complaining about the 'shitty parking'. It's the city. Parking sucks. It's a metal bar that happens to serve burgers, good burgers. Of course there will be loud metal music playing. And actually, the last couple times I've been there the music seemed quieter. The burgers are good, and the beer selection is even better. Don't go with a huge party and lurk around the bar, you'll get some seats. Thats the best way to sit quickly. Stop being so uptight and enjoy yourself. Want a good parking spot? Ride your motorcycle there and park on the sidewalk. End of story. Love you Kumas. See ya soon.
(5)
Kelly O.

I had been wanting to go to this place for a while but hearing about how long the wait was, I put it off. I went last night and was lucky enough to get a close parking spot and and a spot at the bar. The food there is phenomenal! Got the famous mac n cheese and a burger and damn was I blown away. It was definitely worth the drive there. Loved the atmosphere and the staff there were awesome. Will be going back soon!
(5)
Phyllis S.

We went here a few weeks ago with a friend who'd been wanting to go for ages. We were a bit disconcerted to see the crowd of people waiting to get in. The hostess told us it could be up to an hour wait, but if we managed to grab a seat at the bar, we could eat there as soon as we sat down. So we lurked, hoping just to order some beer, when the seats opened up! I ordered the Absu burger (tomatillo salsa, pepperjack cheese, avacado relish, Queso fresco and 3 kinds of fried chilis0. Since I was trying to eat (somewhat) healthily, I splurged and got the bison burger patty (one can also order a veggie patty or chicken breast instead of the usual beef) and sweet potato fries. UN. BELIEVE. ABLE. I must say I had a full-on meatgasm, right there at the bar, in front of everybody! I am not ashamed, just glad they provide napkins. I think the pounding metal music mostly covered my groans of pleasure. I also enjoyed two tasty beverages. One was called "Kidnapped by Vikings", which I just HAD to try. Sadly, it was a bit too hoppy for me and had a grapefruit flavor that I think fans of 3 Floyd's "Gumballhead" beer would really appreciate. Then I went with a light crisp Bavarian white ale that suited me a lot better. So, if you like burgers, and beer and heavy metal, you simply need to go there. Now.
(4)
Rebecca S.

Hands down best burger in chicago. No vegeterian options, so don't even try if you don't eat meat or cheese. Go on an off time to avoid a long wait and expect a crowded, hard metal rocking loud place with killer beer and burgers. A chicago must!
(5)
Chris K.

Every time I've gotten food here, it's been incredible. Only problem I have with the place (which does kill a star) is that every time I've been there it's been completely packed, so I've been stuck doing carryout.
(4)
Frank D.

serious burgers monster burgers with original tastes service is good staff recommendations. are good burgers are a+great
(5)
Kev R.

Saw this place on diners, drive in and dives. This place has awesome burgers that are well seasoned inside and out. Portions are huge. They are creative in their selections and the most important thing was stellar- the fries!
(4)
Kirill O.

The best fucking burger I have ever had in my entire life. Not a fan of the blarring death metal, I guess its their theme, but too fucking loud, cant have a conversation.
(5)
Aja M.

Saw this place on diners, drive in and dives. This place has awesome burgers that are well seasoned inside and out. Portions are huge. They are creative in their selections and the most important thing was stellar- the fries!
(4)
S. B.

I'm a metal head so I have to give this place a few stars by default on that alone, then the other stars are easily earned by their amazing food. This is a good place to come with a small group, as everyone will find something they will like, the only downside is the wait can be quite intense at certain times. If you want to check it out, but don't want to have to wait forever, find out when their slower times are and get your asses in there!
(5)
Cristy T.

I love this place. Metal, horror movies, art that doesn't give a f*ck what you think about it, the kitchen billowing meaty smoke from they totally over the top burgers. It's all amazing.
(5)
Karrie F.

After several visits I still don't understand the hype. Frankly, I don't really care for their burgers. I have had better at Pubs around town. I will give them credit for the creativity of the naming but, I really don't care for the way they season the meat. Also last time I went, my burger was not cooked the way I ordered (med rare, duh. why would you do anything else?) but I had waited so long I didn't make a fuss. I just needed food at that point. The bartender, Pati, rules. Otherwise. Meh. Try Duke or Perth or The Grafton if you are in search of an awesome burger without the kitch attached.
(2)
Alex W.

The burgers are good but the line is always so long and the music is so LOUD! (and apparently I am so old ;) )
(3)
Kaitlin W.

The neurosis burger is not the most unique combo, but it is the most reliable, delicious order that keeps me coming back for more. Mac and cheese is awesome. Side salad is not a bad pairing. Beer list is solid. Not a place you come if you want to have a quiet conversation. Heavy metal music is very loud, but that's their thing. Come at an off time so you won't have to wait for a table or stand in line before they open. E.g. On weekends they open at 11, so come around 1 when the initial lunch goers are leaving. Also have walked in for a late night bite (10pm) without an issue.
(5)
Matt G.

have never had a bad experience here. have had every burger on the menu and all the burgers of the month for the last 4 months, and every single one is just as amazing as the last.
(5)
Nick L.

I've had 3 different burgers here - the Mastodon, the Kuma, and the Black Sabbath. All were amazing burgers. Beer is good too. Best of the best.
(5)
Ivy D.

Their burgers are absolute amazing. They accommodate gluten free. So I would totally suggest checking it out. The wait is long but its worth it and you can drink while you wait.
(4)
Donna A.

Great interesting burgers but definitely not fond of waiting for hours!
(3)
Lisa C.

Awesome, great burgers & Mac & cheese. Best Bloody Mary ever,
(5)
Jessi H.

Well what can I say if you want a good burger come here. There is going to be a long wait and it is going to be loud, but if want something fast easy and cheap go to a fast food restaurant. The atmosphere isn't for everyone but hey its a fun night out. And the food is amazing!! I have been 4 times and I have yet to finish a full burger and fries but I will keep trying!
(5)
J S.

The communism of hamburgers. Great on paper but not on practice. It's not bad but it's not FANTASTIC. Beer selection is solid. If you are a metle fan- you will be in heaven.
(3)
Joann V.

Definitely want to go back! I freaking love burgers so I was excited to go. I had the Goatsnake Burger and my boyfriend had the Mac n Cheese. Both were super delish.
(4)
Alma V.

Super fun! Good beer, great burgers, death metal music playing loudly, and did I mention great burgers? Best in the city so far for me! Very unique burgers at that. Fresh and big, you may not finish. The only downfall is that it's usually so busy. But so what? Stand and drink beer until they call your table!
(5)
Dave L.

Great food. Delicious burgers. Very good Mac and cheese as well. The metal music kind of takes away from the enjoyment of the atmosphere though.
(4)
Darryl J.

Best burger I have had to date and they sure make you wait a while before getting it to ensure you're hungry. The patty itself is 10 oz plus they pile on the toppings, so the thing has to weight at least a pound. They need to put scales on all the tables to weigh the burgers. I am a pretty big guy with a good appetite, had a whole burger, and felt like I was walking around with a rock in my stomach for several hours afterwards, but it was worth it. I would suggest you split a burger with somebody if it is your first time going. I had the Goatsnake, good for people who like goat cheese. A lot of other stuff looked really good too and I need to make it down there again, but have to limit my visits to limit the damage.
(5)
Diana H.

Ho lee fuk, this place is a carnivores dream come true. I go to Kumas every month to try the BOTM. Month after month you still manage to surprise my taste buds. The ambiance in the place is nostalgic. I love that I can eat, drink while listening to death metal bands I grew up on. Did I mention the waitresses and bartenders are hot hot! I recommend to wait for someone at the bar to finish to try to avoid the long wait for a table. They also have a great selection of beers and whiskey on tap. Yes you heard right Amigo, whiskey on tap. Aprils BOTM is called Corrections House. The braised pork ribs on top are phenomenal!
(5)
Diana H.

Ho lee fuk, this place is a carnivores dream come true. I go to Kumas every month to try the BOTM. Month after month you still manage to surprise my taste buds. The ambiance in the place is nostalgic. I love that I can eat, drink while listening to death metal bands I grew up on. Did I mention the waitresses and bartenders are hot hot! I recommend to wait for someone at the bar to finish to try to avoid the long wait for a table. They also have a great selection of beers and whiskey on tap. Yes you heard right Amigo, whiskey on tap. Aprils BOTM is called Corrections House. The braised pork ribs on top are phenomenal!
(5)
Lewis C.

fantastic! other than the loudness of it all, i can't wait to go back!
(5)
Fabiola P.

Love forever yogurt they are amazing especially the mango one
(5)
Steven M.

I've always heard good reviews about this place and I was really excited to go there, especially because I am a burger lover! The music is really loud and you couldn't even talk to the person I was having dinner with. The place is small and you have to wait about an hour before to seat. I order their famour burger and it was completely burned and dark that I couldn't finish it. Fries were really good.
(2)
Omar V.

I sat at the bar the bartender took a while to take my drink order which I didn't like but she redeemed herself cuz she apologized for taking too long to take my drink order and the 1st beer was on her which was great I had a good burger wit 2 beers good day to finish with beer and a burger.
(4)
Blaise H.

Man, "F" all that nonsense from the red headed chick about gory movies. This is the place if you want one of the top 5 burgers in Chicago. And if you can't handle something a little different, then come when you can get a table outside so your pristine ears and eyes won't be offended. Top 5 burger in the city. Nuff said.
(5)
Kellie M.

I love this place. Seriously - it's NOT hype: the burgers are unbelievably good. The creativity for the burgers are so cool and innovative. Be prepared to wait for a table if you go on a weekend. Monday through Friday evenings early - you won't have to wait too long or possibly not at all.
(4)
Ryan B.

What else can I say that hasn't been said before? If you want the best burger in the city, come here. PS Best Jalepeno Poppers Ever.
(5)
A M.

Such a great place! The food is great and the loud music is awesome! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Justin S.

Wonderful! I need to get back here, this place is just magnificent in all that they do.
(5)
Bill R.

Go here please. One of my favorite places on earth. Metal. Good beer selection. 90% chance it could be the best burger you've ever had.
(5)
Roxy C.

I've never been disappointed at any of the Kuma's locations. Great burgers and beer! The best way to avoid the long waiting times is to go during weekdays before 4pm.
(4)
Justin P.

Burgers were good. fries were awful-super dry dehydrated little bits. had to ask for new fries. the replacement fries werent much better. service was good.
(3)
Cristina V.

Love Love Love!
(5)
Derrick W.

Best burgers in town HANDS DOWN! It's a total mans bar but just missing the Tvs and sports! It seems like it's a dive bar at first but then the food is definitely gourmet and tastes like heaven! Portions are huge and the amazing smells from the grill are right in your face.
(5)
Alexis L.

It's hard to say something new that hasn't already been said about Kuma's. If you live in Chicago or are just visiting, it's definitely worth it to stop by. I definitely recommend seeking out the "off" hours, if you can call it that. But there are occasions when you can walk in and sit down almost immediately. Try calling in sick for work on a weekday and going during off peak hours. It will be worth it.
(4)
Stefanie B.

Kuma's Corner is my #1 burger joint! My favorite burger is the "Plague Bringer" love all the garlic it really punches you in the face! I also love love love the bbq pulled pork fries! I can eat the whole plate of it even though it's enough to feed 6 people...it's huge! My only complaint with that is that they took away the waffle fries!! Why??!! Bring them back! It tastes soo much better with waffle fries. Also their mac and cheese is pretty amazing too...create your own?! YES PLEASE :)
(4)
Jeremy S.

I've only been to a few burger place in Chicago, but Kuma's is the best of those I have been to. The patties have a unique, very "beefy" taste. I've had the Iron Maiden and Absu (prefer the former). We've also had the fried pickles which among the better fried pickles that I've tried. Solid beer selection. Each time I've been, it's just been my wife, and the wait has been manageable for the two of us. Two of the three times we ended up sitting at the bar.
(5)
Nikki C.

Humongous burgers, delicious food, a bit small, it's always crowded which equals an hour wait to sit down and then a elbow to elbow eating experience. But it was good.
(3)
Artur O.

Great place with cool down to earth staff, Love the ambiance and great beer on tap and bottle selection ! Love it ! Mine kida place,,,,
(5)
Qadree H.

We finally had an opportunity to try this place out. the burgers were great as everyone always says...the wait was ricic. It's worth trying the food once and then after that....if you have friends that you want to bring back that fee it is a must see. Worth a try at least once.
(4)
Paul David W.

The best burger and the best burger experience I've ever had. Period. How can you not love a place that has Four Roses bourbon on tap? As everyone has noted, this is a biker bar atmosphere and expect a long wait. We got here about 6:30 PM on a Sunday night , there wasn't a line out the for, but plenty of folks standing. We got two seats at the bar un about a half hour and watched some cheesy movie in the meantime. Two people left and we approriated their seats, and we had the best burgers I've ever had. This isn't for the faint of heart, and you may need an arterial stenting after you leave (pop a couple of Lipitor as a precaution) but this is one of those experiences for the bucket list.
(5)
Joe B.

metal, burgers, craft beer. go there!
(5)
Chicago T.

This is a "scene" thing. I couldn't even call it ambiance. Wait in line for loud metallic music and a mediocre hamburger and chili. This place still manages to pack itself with customers. I just wont be one in the future.
(2)
Joseph D.

Food is Definitely worth the hype!...... The wait however, well not worth the hype! It's really too bad because it is a great place to hangout & enjoy some great beer (3 Floyd's on Tap!) Try getting there the minute they open, won't be too bad. Overall, Great Burgers!
(4)
Amanda L.

This a fun place to go once in a while. The burgers are all massive and usually can be spread over a couple days, left-over wise. This place is loud and you will usually have to wait for a table. But if you are prepared for that it is totally worth it. Some highlights are the jalapeÃ±o poppers, Goatsnake and Weekend Nachos.
(4)
Kerry G.

lot less salty on my most recent visit! i'm sure my last review was for a flukey over-salted burger...
(4)
Carlie N.

I've only been in the city since last June, so there are still way too many options when eating out. I asked a friend for some suggestions and then looked them up on yelp to compare. She didn't disappoint this - place was fantastic. Enough food to have lunch the next day! The vibe was cool, the burgers were so unique, (wouldn't think to put goat cheese, corn relish and lemon together) and we had a great time. Definitely give this place a try! Only small complaint was the fried pickles were too thin, so I wouldn't get those again.
(4)
Lindsay J.

Worth the hype, worth the wait. Some of the best burgers in the city. A great variety of burgers for any person. As a vegetarian, sometimes it's hard to find food at a burger joint, but Kuma's has a great veggie burger that you can substitute on any burger. My favorite is the Neurosis. The pretzel bun is the absolute best. They have a killer beer selection and, of course, they've got whiskey on tap. Sometimes the wait can be a bit long, but sometimes you luck out and hardly have to wait at all. During Pride weekend, my table of four was sat on the patio with absolutely no wait. Definitely not for those looking for a quiet atmosphere. But if you don't mind the noise, it makes for a great experience.
(5)
Y M.

best burger i've ever had. juicy and amazing.
(5)
Katie K.

Great burgers. Fun environment. Good beer. What more can you ask for? I enjoy Kuma's Corner, definitely be adventerous here--cause why not? It's pretty crowded often, I recommend arriving at non-peak times if you don't feel like waiting.
(4)
Dj M.

One of the best burger I've ate in my life. It's not expensive too.
(5)
Kristina C.

The burgers were thick and prepared very well, and the toppings were abundant. Everyone at the table was pleased with their dinner. The only issues I have is that a) it's way too noisy, b) while the burgers are really good and the mac n' cheese is amazing...I don't know that any food is worth a long wait time. I've been to Kuma's Corner before and was told there was a two hour wait. Nope. Not gonna happen. This most recent time we at the old-peoples dinner hour, 5P, and were seated within five minutes. Much better. Would I go back. Perhaps, yes, on my own accord. I want to try a few of the other selections. However, there are other places around town that I would likely think of first.
(3)
Vin C.

Ok let me preface this by saying I travel a lot, don't live in Chicago, and I am in search of the perfect burger. Kuma;s is a funky little place with some very good food and good beer selection but let me give more details for the visitor. First off it's a very young crowd, college age , your the oldest person in the room if you are 30 years old. So if that makes you uncomfortable don't go (I'm way older than 30). The place was a bit smoky from the grill but overall a good atmosphere with good service. You will likely wait for a table or a seat at the bar. The Burgers: Great variety, great quality. Not the best I have ever had but very good and there are some creative assemblies. It's in a part of town that is not central so unless you are like me, questing for that perfect burger it's not worth the trip from downtown.
(4)
Yasmin S.

Man, first of all.. I want the cook and/or cooks to come make me food at my home as a second job. The burgers are juicy and their cherry cola..!!! Must have. Well worth it-- I am indeed a fan.
(4)
Daniela C.

I can't say much about the burgers, but I've lived down the street from this joint for the last 8 years. It's a small space, with a nice patio and great food. My favorite has been the Mac and cheese. It's a huge portion, very buttery and will probably give you a heart attack, but your taste buds will love you for it. Also a nice selection of drinks. If you're coming here, you are best off coming early, as it gets packed pretty quickly and there isn't much parking available. It's a very motorcycle-esque atmosphere, which is nice, but they staff can be a little pretentious, which is why I only gave four stars.
(4)
Steph C.

Kuma's Corner is a tiny metal bar turned gourmet burger destination, the unlikely champion of Chicago's Yelp scene. I'd hesitate to recommend it if you're not really into tasty burgers--you'll endure a headache and a half before you get to eat. If you are really into tasty burgers, though, Kuma's is worth a little stress. The burgers are awesome, and they come with a wait, but no attitude--the staff is friendly and it isn't their fault that the kitchen is an itty bitty box. Matt B. and I went with Tristan C. and Brian G. for an early dinner on a hot, humid Tuesday night in July. We had just enough time to order beers at the bar before a table opened up for us on the patio. Apparently this short wait time was very atypical, a result of the unpleasant weather. We got our fair share of suffering after we sat down. We didn't get our burgers until a full hour after we ordered, and we were completely at the mercy of the miserable weather. (For the record, it was even hotter inside.) Our waitress was pleasant and reasonably attentive, so I can't complain too much about the service. Just know that there's probably no such thing as a hassle-free dinner at Kuma's. We kept ourselves entertained with a series of beers off the extensive draft list. Matt and I drank Left Hand Milk Stout, Iron Maiden Trooper Ale, Greenbush Anger black IPA, and New Belgium Snapshot wheat ale. It was all pretty great beer, and necessary stalls for our burgers. We also had a bit to eat right away. The four of us split an order of mac and cheese loaded with garlic and prosciutto, and this came out almost an hour before the burgers. The mac was pretty epic, cheesy and flavorful and loaded up with both add-ins. Some of the best mac I've had, and I've had my fair share. By the time the burgers came, we were so tired and overheated that it was actually difficult to eat. I am ashamed to admit that I was barely able to make it through a quarter of my burger. Very sad, because I could tell it was delicious, even though I couldn't physically bring myself to put away a heavy burger in pre-rainstorm Chicago summer humidity. Kuma's does fantastic burgers, with beautiful juicy patties on soft but sturdy pretzel buns. Really some of the best burgers you're likely to find anywhere. I had the High On Fire, which came topped with sriracha, roasted red pepper, prosciutto, grilled pineapple, and Mae Ploy sweet chile paste. The sweet and spicy elements were just right with the savory deep meatiness of the patty. I wish I had this burger in front of me right now. With my AC on, I'd eat the whole thing in ten bites. My husband's Mastodon was another great burger, a Kuma's standby with bacon, barbecue sauce, sharp cheddar, and frizzled onion. Next time I'm in Chicago, I have to go back to Kuma's and avenge myself on these burgers. From what I understand, the usual experience involves a long line on the front end, and a much shorter wait time when seated. In any case, I'm prepared to suffer once again for these burgers. I just need to be in better shape to devour them when they arrive.
(5)
Rebekkah B.

The food is great but waiting 4 hours to get seated and eating dinner at 10:30pm wasn't worth the wait in my opinion. They should just allow reservations and make it easier on themselves and guests. Also, the wierd sci-fi movies with naked chicks while eating wasn't what I'm looking for in a place to eat either
(2)
Cassie C.

I love the led zeppelin burger! Pulled pork on a burger!!!!!
(4)
Ralph L.

Kuma's is "hands down" best burger joint in town. Never a disappointment !
(5)
shawn G.

Good Burger, great Mac N Cheese. The music can be annoying but we ate fast and left. The Chicken Sandwich with the grilled pineapple and sirachi was excellent.
(3)
Rodney T.

Awesome food, long wait, and jam-packed. However it was worth it. I would recommend this joint to anyone. [It is pricey though.]
(5)
Lily E.

Excellent Korean fusion cuisine and great (strong) martinis. Good atmosphere.
(5)
Dave M.

Best burger selection in town hands down!
(5)
Crystal K.

BEST burgers ever! I've been hearing so much hype about Kumas for about 4 years now and I finally went to see what all the commotion was about. We got there on a Tuesday evening and it was packed. The wait was about 40 minutes which was the only downfall. The scenery was darker than I originally thought but it was a fun environment. I ordered the slayer which I HIGHLY recommend to people. Impossible to finish in one setting though. This is a great place for vegetarians as well because all of the burgers can be substituted with black bean ones. 2 thumbs up. Easy location to get to since it is off of 94
(4)
Jacqueline C.

Yummy yummy burgers. I didn't eat the ma and cheese, but I saw it and it looked just amazing and sinful! They are super serious about burger preparation so be very clear about what you want. I had a veggie burger and it was delicious. A bit of a wait, but good times.
(4)
Stephanie M.

Best burger I've ever had!
(5)
Jacquie T.

Their food is fantastic, no one can argue that. But the service is terrible. If you're hungry and want to go there to sit down to eat just forget it. It's about an hour wait then it takes an hour and a half for them to actually make your burgers. It's terrible. Even if you order out don't wait until you're really hungry because it takes them an hour and a half to make the food.
(2)
Dean M.

Amazing food, expected a wait.. But ridiculous that a five top table has two people sitting at it.... Need more five or more tables. No a/c here either. So either sit inside with the kitchen and some fans. Patio is nice and shaded. Been waiting over an hour n a half for food.. Hour wait to get in also...
(3)
Minh-An C.

Having recently moved to Chicago, I was really excited to check out the food scene of this beautiful city. One of my first foodie adventure happens to be at Kuma's Corner. My friend drove me so we had to circle a few times to find street parking (free). We put down our name for a table for 2 and the waitress said it would be about a 30 minute wait. We stop in front of the store and chilled while we waited for a table. This was on a Friday around 7 PM. The wait time was pretty accurate because we were seated within the 30 minute mark. Like everyone else has said, this place greats pretty loud and there's no AC so it gets pretty hot and stuffy. Towards the end of dinner, we hurried to get out of the restaurant because it was so hot and stuffy. I ordered the Iron Maiden burger while my friend got the Kuma's original burger (both $13 and comes with a side of fries, chips, or salad (salad was an extra $3). Our food came out about 10-15 minutes after we ordered and I began to chow down! The fries were good, seasoned, soft and but nothing too unique that I haven't had before at other burger places. The ketchup was delish! I think it is homemade or something because I notice the ketchup had tomato seeds in it. My Iron Maiden burger with the patty medium rare came with the famous pretzel bun, avocado, onion, tomato, lettuce, pepperjack, and a few other stuff. I think the best part was the pretzel bun which was a bit sweet tasting and kinda did taste like a pretzel but less chewy. I thought the meat patty lacked seasoning and flavor. It was quite bland. Overall, it was not one of the best burgers I have ever had. The atmosphere was dimmed lighting but each other had a light above it for a little bit brighter viewing of their food. Total bill for 2 burgers was about $35 after tax and tip. Service was great and our waitress was attentive. If you are visiting Chicago and don't have a lot of time, I can safely say you can skip out on Kuma's Corner. You won't be missing out on much.
(3)
Michele W.

This corner dive bar is pretty cool. There is also an outside patio area for seating. They play hard rock and heavy metal and the staff looks the part. Each burger is named after a different band. They are all constructed of innovative ingredients that marry well. The burgers come out cooked perfectly and the meat tastes as if it was straight from the hoof! This is the absolute tastiest and freshest tasting burger that I have had in awhile! Subsequently, I went into a burger coma and could not eat anything else for the remainder of the day! I cannot emphasize enough how you must make the journey here to get an awesome burger!
(4)
I-Lin L.

I came here with some friends on a Saturday night for dinner. The place was packed, but we were able to be seated after a bit of a wait. It wasn't too bad because the weather was nice, and we could stand outside and chat and even check out the menu that was posted in the window. When we got seated, I noticed that the wait staff was heavily tattooed and definitely had this whole heavy metal theme going on. Kinda cool. Two of our friends got carded when ordering drinks, and I asked the waitress without thinking, "I don't need to show ID, do I?" It's been a LONGG time since I've been carded, and she just said the other two peeps looked young and didn't bother to card the rest of us. Haha. We shared the fried pickles and jalapeno poppers appetizers among the four of us. They were good, but kinda spicy. Of course I had to get a burger here, but it was difficult to choose between all the mouthwatering burger options. I finally settled on the Pantera burger because it had Monterrey Jack cheese, which I've been missing since moving to Switzerland 5 years ago. It had housemade ranchero salsa, bacon, shredded Monterrey Jack, roasted poblano, and tortilla strips, and was served next to a ginormous greasy mountain of french fries. Major heart attack on a plate, but super yummy. I washed everything down with a bottle of elderflower cider, and it was so yummy that I ordered a second bottle without thinking about how many calories were in it. Well, I was eating a grease pit of food, so I guess the extra 200 calories wouldn't have made that much of a difference. :P The burger was delicious... huge, beefy, and tasty. I loved all the flavors from the toppings. Despite being the piggy that I am, I couldn't finish the whole thing and had to bring half of it home. Overall, the food was really good, but the fries were way too oily.
(4)
Aric C.

Got money to burn on an over-priced burger, then this is your spot! Not only is the burger not worth the $13-$20 price point, but if you go with anyone you would like to talk to without having to shout over super loud heavy metal music, you better hope you can get a spot on the patio. Also, the bar area was full of smoke from the kitchen. Better options for burgers in Chicago that don't break the bank, some as close as across the street. No need to go back ever.
(3)
Paul H.

What is there to say about this place that hasn't been stated thousands of times? If you're reading this review, it most likely means you've never been there before. By all means, go! The burgers are delicious and inventive and I enjoy the overall aesthetic of the place. Yes, there is often a long wait, especially if you show up at 1PM on a Saturday. If you're in the mood to stand around and have a few beers while you wait for your table, your whole experience is going to be a lot more pleasant. Please observe their rules. They may seem excessive at first, but really most of them ensure the place stays functioning. Personally I've reached a point where I only go here when someone from out of town wants to check it out. The wait, the beers and the massive burgers too often put me out of commission for the rest of my day to make this place a regular kind of thing.
(4)
Mike O.

The burgers lived up to exceptions and were exceptional. The hardest part was trying to figure out which one to order. The burger was cooked perfectly and the beer selections was great. That is all I really ask for in a burger joint. If you can get over the large crowd and ridiculous wait this place is definitely a must.
(4)
Theresa R.

Way to loud and noisy for me. It was impossible to talk to the friends I came with. The burger was OK but nothing fabulous. Great people watching but the food is just average bar food.
(3)
Lorrie M.

I know many people are like ... ugh burgers but I have to say I am so happy after so many trips I finally made it out to Kuma's Corner. This place is definitely a bar first and foremost and you will find a large selection of bar food here. They have a hefty amount of beers on draft and overall looks like a fun place to hang out with friends. However, this place is a bit on the small side. Your biggest group may be about 6 people and even then it will be a long wait in order for you to get seated almost any time of the day. Their burgers though ... oh my goodness ... DEFINITELY something you have to try. The meat and bread ratio is perfect, you can get a fried egg, and almost anything else on your burger as you desire. The meat is deliciously and freshly ground, and cooked to order. Medium rare ftw. I know this is almost always a no-no for burgers, but I always get this at places that are truly burger joints and not just a fast food place. You really need to come! Best burger I have tasted in a long, long, long time. The only other place that measures up is Little Bird in Portland, OR!
(5)
AngieLove R.

The Mac N Cheese at this place is the truth!! Service was great and so was the staff! I would love to go back when I'm in town.
(5)
Daniel C.

Large beer selection and great conversation with our server!
(5)
Shari B.

I'm always down for a big fat burger. Kuma's is definitely one of my favorite burger joints. Go on a weekday evening or during lunch on the weekend to avoid the long waits. I'm a fan of the original Kuma burger. Every time I venture away and try something a little more interesting, I'm always wishing I ordered the regular Kuma burger. The mac and cheese is awesome, too. It's large enough for even 4 people to share as an app. Two people can easily share one burger and an order of mac and cheese and go home with leftovers, but why would you want to share?? If you don't like Kuma's, there's something wrong with you.
(4)
Tom B.

Huge fan of take out here not a fan of waiting for a seat, if there was no wait I would eat there more often. I'd give them a 5 but 1 in 5 burgers is usually very under cooked, which is not so bueno when it happens. All of their burgers are great and I appreciate that they don't give a s### about blarring terrible music at the restaurant because it's their thing. #Respect. Service is usually great too even with take out.
(4)
Don L.

#TripleD Kuma's is my kinda burger joint- loud, crowded, plenty of options and creativity on every meal (& on every square inch of its walls)! They were playing the classic movie 28 Days Later, which was a bonus point! I ordered the Iron Maiden burger, expecting a lot, especially with all the YELP love...but I gotta say, I was a bit disappointed in its taste. Yes, every burger here is GINORMOUS in size. Yes, they have lots of super crazy combinations of toppings, but at the core of any good burger is the meat and the bun. These homemade patties lacked cohesion and flavor. I ordered my Medium Rare as recommended, hoping to get more flavor out of the meat, but to no avail. The gourmet bun looked great, but didn't seem to complement the rest of the burger that well. The Chipotle Mayo tasted like thousand island sauce, and I only received a few pieces of jalapeno for heat, though there was a generous portion of avocados on it. Don't get me wrong- it's still a fantastic burger. My expectations were too high. I truly appreciated the freshness of everything and love the vibe of the place. This is #55 on my quest to eat at all the Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives in America!
(4)
Jason H.

Overrated. That's all I can say.
(3)
Asma M.

Solid burger joint. Not being a"pork eating infidel" (one of their tshirt slogans lol), I wasn't sure what my choices would be and although limited there -- there were def options. I went with the plague burger which had crushed garlic, spicy mayo, cheese, fresh jalapeÃ±os and some other fresh condiments. It was terrific. And the burgers are so big it can be two meals. I didnt much care for the fries or fried pickles, they were too salty (and i love salt) but I will def be back. Oh and I went on a Thursday about 6:15 and there was no wait.
(4)
April P.

There was no wait here around noon on a Friday before the Cubs game. I tried two burgers- Iron Maiden and the Plague. Both were very tasty, but I liked the Plague better because I liked it spicy. I tried both the fries and the chips. They're both ok, but I thought the fries were too salty. The veggies used for the burgers tasted so fresh as well.
(4)
M L.

Definitely a place that I'd bring out-of-towners who are young at heart! Everything on the menu is great tasting and what I love most about this place is of course, the mac and cheese. My favorite combination of flavors/ingredients has to be the garlic, roma tomatoes, and lots and lots of cheese.
(5)
Charlie V.

Great burgers, some of the best in the city. Definitely has some of the more interesting options that I've ever tried.
(5)
Kaitlin R.

Great burgers and definitely worth a visit at least once for the experience, I probably won't be back though because the music is SO LOUD that I could barely hear the person sitting next to me.
(3)
Miranda W.

My FiancÃ©e and I visited Kuma's Corner on Saturday June 14th from 7:50-9:30. ( I know this is a bit late). We had heard that they have the best burger in the US and wanted to check it out. We enjoyed our meals but could not finish, so we took some home. I was so excited to eat the remainder of my burger the next day, until I took off a piece of what I thought was cheese. It turned out to be a large piece of a glove. Needless to say I could not finish my burger in fear of accidentally eating a piece of glove. If someone broke their glove and could not find the piece that was missing they should have thrown away all of the food that the glove could have possibly been in. I sent an email to info@kumascorner.com on June 16th and was never replied to. I also have pictures of the glove in question.
(1)
Natalie C.

Finally got the chance to try Kuma's with a friend last night. We stopped in around 820 for a later dinner and was told the wait would be around 35-40 minutes. We opted to grab a drink at a bar across the street (less crowded), and by the time we returned our table was waiting for us. The ambience is definitely a little different (heavy metal music blaring on the speakers, similar genre art and knick knacks adorning the walls) and I liked the themed menu items (all burgers are named after heavy metal songs I believe). We ordered a round of beers and I had the plague bringer (roasted garlic mayo, crushed garlic, hot sauce, jalepenos, tortilla strips, lettuce, tomato, onion) and he had the special of the month (called the code orange with tortilla, chorizo, and some other tasty toppings). Fast forward 45 minutes (and another round of beer) till we got our food. Normally I would have been near fainting with hunger and at least moderately grouchy for such a long wait, but I hadn't seen my friend in months so we had a lot of catching up to do and the wait didn't seem as bad. As the many many prior reviews confirm, the burgers are awesome. Great meat, delicious toppings, and the pretzel bun is the piece de resistance. Fair warning the burgers are LARGE (but not so much that they are unwieldy) and I ended up taking nearly half of mine home to go (yes it is in my work fridge right as I type, waiting for me to devour it during lunch). The food is great, the ambience interesting, and the price moderate. If you are willing to wait a bit for your bit of burger heaven, Kuma's is a great spot to check out.
(4)
Josh K.

The burger selection here is quite creative and unique. I prefer my burgers medium rare and they do a good job of it. I had the Pantera burger. Mac and Cheese is amazing and the jalapeÃ±o poppers are to die for. I have been here twice and recommend sitting on the patio instead of inside. The indoor space is quite cramped, loud, and a cloud of grease occupies every square inch. We waited about 30 minutes each time. Don't know that I'd spend much more time waiting though. Our waitress wasn't extremely pleasant the most recent visit. I'm used to pleasantries and there was none to be had when taking our order. But maybe I'm just used to southern hospitality. Not a deal breaker though. Overall, good experience. Oh and PS...don't order waffle fries.
(4)
Darren T.

Hands down, one of the best burgers out there. This places atmosphere is awesome, heavy metal/rock music blasting and heavy metal/rock decor. The entire burger menu is named after metal/rock bands, they have a new special burger every month. I wanted to try the "scorpion" last month...missed it so I tried their new monthly special, "code orange". AWESOME!!! I highly recommend this place to anyone even if you hate metal/rock music the burger is too damn good. Can't forget the fries...and add a good beer with it. Whaaaaaaaa
(5)
Justin I.

This place is worth the wait. Best burgers I've ever had. Such a creative burger selection and a good quality pretzels bun. The atmosphere alone is interesting in its self its an easy five star. My choice, the iron maiden. You won't leave hungry. Guaranteed.
(5)
Jackie A.

SO great. Seriously one of the best burgers I've had and I'm picky about red meat.
(5)
Adam H.

This place is definitely one of the best burgers I've had. It actually trumps Vortex in Atlanta as far as my list is concerned. Do they have a niche? Yes, but the food exceeds the niche. Being a fan of metal/punk/hardcore & great food Kuma's was a no brainer. Get the BOTM. The service was great. I didn't catch the waitresses name, but while I was waiting on my buddy she talked comics & SDCC. Definitely add this to your list of things to do in Chicago.
(5)
Kristen Y.

I really did like Kuma's Corner, but the burgers were a little dry and thought there was a lot going on in the burger. It was very good, nonetheless. I just don't know if I would wait an hour to eat there. They have a good lunch deal, so I would recommend going for lunch. If it's summer, make sure to sit outside! There's definitely a cool vibe to the place and the workers are great!
(4)
Arthur L.

The reason for the second star was, for the appetizers (fried pickles), and for the fresh toppings on my burger. For the burger inself, absolutely no flavor to the meat. Zip, zerro, zilch !!!! Is the best I can say about it. Save some bucks and go to Stanley Souther Kitchen and tap on Mondays, and by all means enjoy building your own..
(2)
Erika A.

Ordered the garlic spicy one can't Remeber the name but with a veggie party! I was very pleased and satisfied it had crispy tortilla chips omg it really was so good!!! everyone else ordered different things... Are were very happy! If only they had ranch sorry fries require ranch in my eyes hahaha
(4)
Thomas K.

The worse part about Kumas is the wait. If you're not prepared for it you're going to have a bad experience. I usually have to wait about an hour on peak for a burger. Other times I've been able to sit right down, but that's pretty rare and involves sitting at the bar. My tip is to go across the street and half a block East to Square Bar, which is also a very good restaurant and beer selection in itself. The burger selection is amazing. You can get it cooked how you want it (amazingly, some burger bars in Chicago think medium is the only way, and they're wrong). There's a bison patty for any of their burgers at a cost extra, and they have Vegetarian and Chicken options available (but no Vegan options). The Mac and Cheese is quite good, not the best I ever had but far from the worse. Their alternative sandwiches are fantastic as well. Hatebeak is a fantastic chicken sandwich named after a fantastic band and the APMD is a heart attack awaiting you (10oz of bacon). Music wise they're playing Metal which goes with their Metal theme. It's not deafening loud, I've always been able to hold conversations. And my favorite part is the burger of the month. Check out their Facebook to see it ahead of time, although it's not very clear what it is sometimes (use your actual website Kumas). This allows me to go back for something completely different when I visit. My only caution to anyone: It's hard to go back to other burgers after having Kumas.
(5)
Daniel S.

Yeah I did it- 1 star. The food is good but totally overrated. At most other restaurants the food comes out after a reasonable amount of time. But here the food comes out after your hunger pang starves itself to death and you're no longer even hungry. Another thing that really grinds my gears is the $4 root beer that doesn't come with refills. DAFUQ? I finished that thing 40 minutes before the food even came out! Most importantly the server was absent in my life and now I have daddy issues.
(1)
Darrell R.

Great burgers!!! Have it any way you want it, the catch is getting in and being seated.. Be prepared for the wait l, this place is always crowded. However, the food is great'
(3)
RJ G.

One of the best burgers ive ever had, and named after rock bands. Love this place
(5)
Liz J.

Super nice staff bent over backwards to accommodate a spot for my daughters stroller. Food was okay, good, but didn't live up to all the hype. If you want to avoid the crowd go on a summer weekday for lunch or early dinner and sit outside.
(4)
Adriaan T.

The food is OK, but this place is over-hyped imo. I appreciate that they try to give it a unique vibe; but I definitively don't appreciate the attitude that comes with it. It's not worth the wait and sitting in a place that puts loud music just because they can get away with it (for the record I am a metal fan, but I don't think they had good metal :P) The burgers are OK, but there are better places
(3)
Ali H.

Place is the standard for burgers in Chicago. I absolutely love it, fries are delicious. Love the casual atmosphere and wait staff is great. I look forward to eating here every time. The wait can be exhausting at times (they don't have reservations), BUT the wait is worth it! Definite must in chicago.
(5)
Dane M.

if you are looking for a big and sloppy burger, this is the best place in chicago. my only recommendation would be to come during non-peak hours or go in a small group and sneak your way into a bar seat, as the line can be long. sidenote. while the burgers are amazing, you have to get the BBQ pork fries as an appetizer. incredible.
(5)
Michael G.

I went there for lunch with a customer. I had heard they had awesome burgers there. So we checked it out. The Burgers are awesome. The wait staff is bizarre. Tat's, piercings, extremely loud heavy metal music, and it was impossible to had a conversation , due to the music. Maybe I am too old, and this is more for a much younger crowd. But it is a dining place, not a heavy metal club during the day.
(2)
Jessie S.

Worth the wait! It's hot in there without AC but the burgers are unparalleled. I'm a vegetarian and I would go back for the Absu, so spicy. Wish they had a better wine selection, but that's just me!
(5)
Steve T.

Delicious fries, yes. Perfectly done medium rare burger, yes. High on Fire. Roasted red peppers, sriracha, grilled pineapples, yes! Tattooed waitresses, yes. Peaceful indie rock and pop on the speakers, no. (Luckily not a deal breaker) I thought the whole experience was going to be ruined in the beginning. I don't like Pepsi. Pepsi is for hillbillies. I ordered my coke and the waitress apologized. They don't have coke. Ugh. But it's not Pepsi. It's RC! No shit! Royal Crown Cola! The waitress laughed at me when I giggled and bounced around like a little kid. Royal Crown Cola! Yes, please. Kuma's Corner gets 5 stars, because it can't get 6.
(5)
Chris H.

I was really hungry after landing at O'Hare airport and a bit grumpy for lack of sleep. I woke up at 4 AM to catch my 7 AM flight and couldn't really get a restful sleep on the plane. After mistakenly getting an Uber Taxi instead of regular UberX (hello, fare and half!) and paying an arm and a leg to go from the airport to the hotel then back to Chicago, I was ready for a good seat down meal of one of America's burger. Disclaimer: I met lots of nice people in this place. The girls serving and one of their regular customers were very nice to me, helping me plan my route around the city. My rating is solely for the food. Kuma's burger - a big chunk of meat topped with bacon, sharp cheddar, fried egg, lettuce, tomato and onion. Here we go. I asked for medium rare and that's what I got. It was very greasy and too salty. I also asked for a side of fries and it was sprinkled with sea salt. The fries tasted like they've been soaked in salty water or something so the sprinkling of salt was over the top for me. Maybe the burger would've tasted better if I had it with beer. Maybe I had too high of an expectation. Suffice to say, I've had better. This is a great hang out place with friends. Be ready for a big crowd if you're going between Thursday - Sunday. Hard core rock music. The air smells of greasy food. But the people were very nice. Too bad. I'll pick In-N-Out over this one.
(2)
matt w.

Not trying to be a hater and dont like to use the word, hater. But I just dont think this place is gods gift to burgers. Yes, its good and sometimes its even really good. But to wait for an hour to get a seat to get a burger, is ridiculous. This is not just one time at lunch or dinner.. but seems to be every time... even at like 3pm on a Tuesday. Bar seats are first come first serve, so thats nice at least if you can snag a bar stool. The indoors gets so crowed with people waiting that your basically hovering over people eating, it sucks to stand there and it sucks to then eat there with people just staring you down as you order that second beer. I like the beers, the metal theme is fine, whiskey on tap is nice, but I cant afford to pay this much for a burger.. and I'm including the hour it takes to get one - time is money.
(3)
Amy W.

just ok. The one in Belmont is better.
(2)
Montez G.

After I heard sooooooooooh much about Kuma's it did not live up to the hype. The burger, bison, was pretty dry. However, everyone else must love it; the place was wall-2-wall packed. Nothing else to report here other than average hang out. Buzz Burger is much better, 1 visit at Buzz turned in to me taking every visitor to Chicago there for a great burger experience.
(2)
Thomas L.

It's December of 2013. The fogger machine fills the room with a thick, dense cloud; you hear the opening riff from AC/DC's 'Thunderstruck'; and now you feel your leather bomber jacket slide onto your body with all the comforts of your youth. No, you haven't traveled back in time to your 80's-kid self. You simply are LIVING the inspiration of the best burger experience in Chicago. You are living the dream. Kuma's is the one place in Chicago where you will literally get any number of pre-arranged combinations or a build-you-own burger with the highest quality. I somehow had escaped the dreary onslaught of Holiday parties that leads into Christmas, New Years', and the misfortune that follows drinking nearly every single night this time of the year. While there, I experienced the TRAGIC GOODNESS of the 'Led Zeppelin' burger, and my buddy experienced the Slayer. Halving our burgers so that we each could try the others' entrÃ©e and repeat visits have eventually resulted in the only logical conclusion: every one of their burgers is amazing. Duke burgers are the only competition in terms of unique combos, but then the fries here put that argument to rest. As for the immediacy of this December visit, hold onto your boombox. REMEMBER, I said "best burger EXPERIENCE"!! This place properly cooks a medium rare: seared outside, pink inside, a little bit of blood...and gives you the EXCELLENT SERVICE that you deserve. Let's talk ambiance. While we were there, the girl you & I grew up pining over with the ripped jeans, trashy T-shirt, and sexy badass attitude wants to bring you a beer and give you a little sass. The entire environment is a somehow unsoiled, industrial version of how the movie Maximum Overdrive--in full personification--would have decorated a restaurant, with diamond-plate steel adorning the walls and metal/hard rock albums also mounting the walls while blaring overhead. It gets even better; just keep reading. HIPSTER FREE!!! This is the one place in Chicago that absolutely touts this moniker. No way some douche-bag Yeti or some unkempt Bucktown Broad would set foot in this place. Those of us that are already containing the hipster menace to certain neighborhoods can come to Kuma's for a brief respite from the battle, knowing full well we will not be badgered or cajoled by some uneducated, trust-fund degenerate wearing an ironic T-Shirt, Converse Allstars, and a seatbelt buckle bag....but I digress. Overall, I've now been at least 15 times since December, and it's now July 31st. Conservatively, that's 8 months of loving this place.
(5)
Jim K.

Great burger....I'm partial to the Kuma burger (egg/bacon/cheese) and the Led Zepplin burger (burger with pulled pork -- seems over the top but isn't). Good service, blaring heavy metal music, awesome beer selection....lots of other reviews so I'll leave it at that. Give it a try if you don't mind the wait.
(5)
Danny R.

Really good times here. Great food. One of a kind restaurant. it is a must-go.
(5)
Nathan M.

Great burger, delicious fries. The atmosphere is for those who don't mind using their outside voices indoors (which I don't mind at all). I got the Goatsnake which I'm happy to suggest to anyone. The service was a big highlight. The people who work there are awesome. That's that. Sincerely, Nathan Oh and "The Three Amigos" was on the television. You truly can not go wrong coming here.
(4)
Bradley C.

The burgers are pretty tasty, and they have an enormous selection of different combinations. Though the burger ITSELF is okay, it is the interesting and unique combinations that Kuma's has created for you that makes this place memorable; oh, and the deafening Heavy Metal/Rock music and 2+hour wait.
(3)
April J.

Love Kuma's corner!!!!
(5)
Van C.

I've heard about this place for awhile, but never had the time to go check out what the buzz was about until now and wow! I had the Slayer and the platter was gigantic! 10oz burger with no bun smothered on top of fries with mozzarella cheese, chili, peppers, and sausage. I took, at most, 10 bites and my plate was still filled with food. The wait for the food was definitely worth it. Depending on the time of day, the place seems to be packed and a waiting list is created.
(4)
Felipe A.

Simply the BEST. I don't have anything else to say. the burguer was cooked perfectly, the fries were great, and a very good beer selection.
(5)
Steven S.

You can't compare Kuma's with most other burger places because they don't make traditional burgers. I guess that's all.
(5)
Alex B.

Finally made it to Kuma's and it lived up to its reputation, though perhaps not for all the reasons everyone seems to rave about. Three huge positives stuck out for me about Kuma's: 1) Ambiance - the whole metal, dark bar, loud music, burger names, wall to wall tats, anger as an ingredient thing is definitely working 2) Pretzel Bun - this thing is genius 3) Bourbon on tap - always a good move and an impressive selection of 5 whiskeys I walked into the place with my 11 year old (hey, the kid's got to learn sometime) and his comment about Kuma's was "This is a bar fight waiting to happen kind of place." Not only is this an apropos comment about the overall vibe of the place (it's actually pretty benign, and weirdly family friendly) but how awesome is it that he came up with that comment? I think I get a gold star for good parenting just for that. The burgers were terrific, though perhaps not transcendent as many other reviews indicate. I had the Led Zepplin (Bacon, BBQ Pork, Cheddar, Pickles) which was good though for my return visit I'll go with something other than BBQ Pork - not enough textural contrast with that. My son had the Kaijo (Bacon, Bleu Cheese, Frizzled Onion). This was an excellent burger and the crispiness of the frizzled onion added an important note to the whole thing. I will spend a minute on famous pretzel bun. IMHO this thing is the reason that Kuma's burgers are awesome. The Kuma patty is good, but the buns are awesome. It's crust adds important "pop" but not so much that biting is hard - the hamburger does not slide out from under you when you bite. This is no mean feat and Kuma's is to be congratulated. It's also got enough body to hold up to the mound of ingredients, but not so much that the bread overwhelms the experience. In the Yin and Yang of burger and bun, Kuma's is the king. The one thing I was underwhelmed with is the fries. They were limp and not crispy. I ate a few but mostly left them on my plate. You need a big fry, with big texture, to stand up to a burger like this. Unfortunately these did not. I almost busted Kuma's down to a 3 based on the fires, but the Bourbon and Tats puts them over the top for a 4. It's a lot of fun and a great burger. Fun for the whole family, and if your family doesn't like it, it might be time to get a new family.
(4)
Lena Z.

Walked in RIGHT before a huge mob of people filled the place up. We had no wait. It was 6 on a Friday. - tables are set too close together. Everyone is in everyone's business. Meh. - the Mac. You have to order. It's really tasty even as a leftover. - the burger. Was good. I've had better. So idk about the hype. - and the wait for my burger was an hour... Why? Idk. Lol
(4)
Heidi C.

Amazing. It never fails to deliver. The hype is real. Yes, the wait sucks. The solution? Go at an off-hour. No, that doesn't mean "late" Friday night because that's not good enough. Go on a Tuesday at 2:30pm, and you'll slide right in. :) I can't even take a star off for the lengthy wait because I totally get it. I'd wait, too. Every burger I've had has been delicious. My personal favorites are the Yob, Absu, and the Lair of the Minotaur. The mac and cheese is also delicious, but it's huge so it should be shared. The beer selection is also pretty solid. The music is loud and the wall decor may be a bit much to the easily-offended, so I probably wouldn't bring my parents here. In that case, just get it to go!
(5)
Nick B.

Do yourself a favor and come here for a burger. yes the wait time is long but my god the burgers are yummy. My must have burgers: - Iron Maiden -Slayer (you will be stuffed) Mac n Cheese is also amazing! Beer listing is good to. Have a lot of hard to get craft beers. The whiskey on tap is a nice little touch. Don't go during the daytime since they sort of make it more "family friendly" after 10pm is the best time to go. also 1 credit card per table and no split checks!
(5)
Bill R.

Hands-down best burger I've ever had!! If this burger was dropped on the floor and a homeless man picked it up and took a bite out of it, I WOULD STILL EAT IT! Suggestion: THE ABSU
(5)
Chris H.

Fantastic burgers with unusual toppings. Heavy metal themed. Small-ish space. I would get there at 6:15pm and then there is no line. After that, it could be a long wait. mac and cheese is amazing... Walk from the Belmont Blue line or take the Belmont bus. I would definitely come back.
(5)
Vincent A.

Dont read any reviews just go here for yourself and find out. Best burgers I have ever had in my life. What I ordered: The Plague Bringer - Garlic on spice on garlic on spice on garlic. There is no forgiveness when this comes out the other end of you.
(5)
Diana H.

High on fire!! The best!!!
(5)
Deborah N.

BEST BURGERS in the CITY!!!!!! My fav... The Pantera Burger with Mac & Cheese add onions and bacon - OMG, it's to die for!!!!! xo
(5)
Stefanie A.

Juiciest, greasiest, best burger ever!! I had the "high on fire" burger with a side of fries. Sat at the bar (was just eating alone during my lunch break) but next time definitely coming back for some after work beer to go with that burger. Loved the crazy loud metal music-bartender/server was great as well
(5)
Steve S.

Disclaimer on this 5 Star rating. When you go to Kuma's you need to be aware of what you are getting yourself into. Keep these points in mind: 1. It is extremely busy (because its so damn good). Get there when they open, or be prepared to wait in line, outside, in the elements. 2. They play heavy metal, learn to love it 3. There are no TVs, so no sports. Sorry bra 4. The inside has a lot of smoke from the grill, so if its not ugly outside, a seat on the patio is best. But again, only available when its not crappy. This is Chicago, that means 3 months a year. Those things aside, this was the BEST burger I have ever had. Previous winner was some random restaurant in Costa Rica. I had the special of the week called Scorpions (yes, all burgers have band names). It featured delicious beef patty, veal schnitzel, pancetta, cheese, and grilled leeks. Amazing. The burger was huge and I only finished it because I barely touched my fries. The beer list was also stellar with a rotating Three Floyd's draft and a number of other craft beers.
(5)
seth a.

Fried pickles okay go
(5)
Katie W.

Doesn't get better than this folks. I had the Kuma burger. I love a burger with a fried egg. Seriously, it was delicious.
(5)
T V.

Kuma's Corner delivers! Score! Always wanted to go here but the line is always long. We ordered a burger and the macaroni and cheese. The burger was pretty delicious. It is quite large. The macaroni and cheese was flavorless. Not sure if it was the toppings we chose, but there was no appeal to it. Maybe delivery is not the way to go and the food is better if you eat inside the restaurant.
(3)
Janette W.

Loved the food . Their jalapeÃ±o poppers are really good. Also any of the burger are aaaamazing :) The only bad thing is very small and there is a long wait . I love how "homie" the atmosphere is . They have really unique pieces of art all over place
(4)
Justin D.

was going on a date with a girl who was a vegetarian and i had heard great things about Kuma's. upon arrive there was a line reaching the door and a wait time of about 30 mins. after being settled in the we were waited on very quickly. the waiter had full knowledge of the menu which was very helpful in both of our choice making. I did not care to much for what i ordered but she seemed to really love hers so i was happy about that. the price was fairly reasonable and for a Friday night the the wait was not to bad. I must say it was nice that they had a menu to fill both of our needs under the same roof.
(3)
Conrad M.

Burgers are great but not worth the wait. I would have given this 4 stars if it wasn't for the wait. Luckily, I used to live close by and play for a soccer league around the block. So after a game I would walk by give them my name, walk home (5 blocks) shower, dress and by the time I got back, I only had to wait another 5 minutes. I tried to bring friends here a few times but after we got really hungry we just went across the street to eat. It is one of a kind and could be a fun experience if you time it properly.
(3)
Isaiah K.

Gotta go to Kuma's at least once. Do it when you have time to wait in line. Kuma's Too is like the little sister, similar but not quite as distinctive.
(4)
Tina C.

Oh, Kuma's, I've heard so many great things about you, why did you have to disappoint me so? So here's the deal, The Kuma's burger is good (not great) and the atmosphere was definitely unique. But it still didn't impress. I've had much better burgers (Bat 17 and Au Cheval) and the atmosphere wasn't that great that I'd want to go back again. That combined with having to wait an hour after we ordered our beer to get a burger gives it a 3 star rating. We were lucky that we got seated in 15 mins but if you have to wait more than that for a table I'd say go somewhere else.
(3)
Alfreda D.

This place is for carnivores only. No vegan options, no waffle fries... only meat and potatoes... and beer! Come hungry and you'll leave happy (and stuffed). The burgers are MASSIVE, juicy and tasty. The scene is definitely hard core! Everyone is tatted, there are skulls as dÃ©cor, random, and I mean random paintings on the walls. I thought it was great! There are so many burger options I don't think you could go wrong. We all ordered something different and left completely satisfied and FULL. We also had the fried pickles as an appetizer... not usually my thing but umm, I became a believer. I think it's a good thing that this place is not close to home otherwise I'd be extra fat with a beer belly.
(5)
Henry L.

Food was good if service didn't suck I'd give it a perfect 5 stars. Didn't even bring us waters. Waitress was rude and it was so hot in that place we almost just left, literally so hot customers were fanning themselves off while waiting for the food. Invest in a quality AC unit for your business. lol
(3)
Aaron D.

Kuma's corner couldn't be more overrated. The only thing I can dig about the place is the music playing, and the funny names for the burgers. The hype surrounding it (and the corresponding waits \ to get in the place) are seriously not worth the food inside. There are better beer bars in town, and certainly better burgers. I found Kuma's burgers to be too fatty, overcooked and overly flavored.
(2)
Jane W.

Very solid 4 stars. I've been wanting to come to Kuma's for the longest time and finally got a chance to stop by during graduation weekend. We came at around 5 so there was no wait. Because we weren't too hungry (and we had dinner reservations later that night), my cousin and I split the Plague Bringer (roasted garlic mayo, crushed garlic, housemade hot sauce, pepperjack, jalapenos, and tortilla chips). The burger was delicious - flavorful, unique, juicy, and just plain good. You also get a side of steak fries, and these were rather mediocre. A lot of them were way overcooked and some of them were quite soggy and greasy. Service isn't amazingly friendly but they get the job done. I appreciated that our waitress refilled my soft drink without waiting for me to ask. The day I went (or maybe it's always like this), it was really humid and the inside of the restaurant was actually a lot hotter than the outside - guessing the open kitchen is to blame. However, even this didn't stop me from enjoying my burger. The theme of the restaurant is basically heavy metal, and the servers were very tatted up - made me want to get a tattoo. Overall, definitely worth a visit.
(4)
stephanie f.

I think I'm turning into a burger snob and as a result, I'm gonna say Kuma's Corner was good but not great. Definitely not worth the crazy drive from the city to get there. We had the Pantera and the Neurosis which were both good and MASSIVE. We surprisingly didn't have a wait at all which was a shock based on the reviews, but that might have been because it was mid-week and a relatively early dinner. The neighborhood is definitely a little sketch.
(3)
Dale B.

4000! This place is the bees knees! Just expect rudeness from the front of house, but the service and food are excellent.
(4)
Erin L.

I love this place... but whoever answers the phone should make sure they hang up before they talk shit to their co-worker about the phone call. I work in the industry and was asking simple questions and didn't want to waste anyone's time, and I heard the guy who answered the phone complain about me before he hung up. So... HAPPY SATURDAY! I'll just put the final nail in my sad coffin now.
(5)
Emily G.

The wait is super long when the weather is nice but I expected that so it didn't bother me at all. Ordered fried pickles which were amazing. Had the Pantera in which they overcooked the burger from what I had ordered. Took forever to get our check, literally waited for a half hour after we asked. The restaurant is way over-hyped than it's worth.
(3)
Jeff S.

Heard a ton of good things about the Kuma Burger for the last few months so had to go try it out when I had the chance. Went Saturday around 3pm thinking that I might be in the window between Lunch and Dinner and the line wouldn't be long. NOPE. Got there to see a large group of people waiting and a 45/1 hour wait. While waiting I noticed that the hostess did a good job of letting people know when they were up next or if she saw people signing their checks at the bar (as it is first come first serve). It was definitely appreciated and a nice touch. After being seated (about 45 min in), it was time to eat. Along with the Kuma's Burger, I ordered a Black Plague IPA, a beer that was specifically brewed for Kuma's. It was good but nothing special. The burger, on the other hand, was very good. It's a huge with a full egg, two strips of bacon, cheese and a juicy burger if you can find it. Not my favorite in the city but right up there. Between the burger and the decent homemade chips, I was full all evening. I'd definitely head back to Kuma's as I heard their mac and cheese is on point and I also want to try the Led Zeppelin.
(4)
A A.

I have never seen a place more overrated then this place. The place should be closed. I have no idea why this place gets the publicity it does. It's lame, old and rundown. The food was garbage. Truly a disappointment going there. They serve RC cola. That explains itself!!!
(1)
Tracy L.

I started my weight loss journey three years ago so after I lost 100 lbs, I decided I wanted to eat a burger and I chose this place because of all the good things I've heard and seen. It was the most amazing experience I've had. Their fried pickles were awesome. The burger was even better. I went for the goat snake... Herbed goat cheese, roasted corn and poblano relish, lemon cholula vinaigrette. I would love to come back but I may have to wait a bit because I had a serious food hangover the next day. :)
(5)
Maggie S.

GREAT burgers and beer! Trying to find parking kinda sucks but the food and brews are so worth it!
(4)
Puja P.

This is one of my favorite burger joints in Chicago. I love the veggie patty and my husband loves the meat. The spicy burgers are what they claim to be and the pretzel bun can't be beat! If you go here, you must try the mac and cheese because it is AMAZING! I wish I could rave more about it. I usually always have nice waiters and servers but have had some rude experiences, hence the 4 stars. I will always go back! MMMMMMM
(4)
Mario M.

This has to be my favorite spot in the Chicago-land area. The first time I had been here I was literally blown away by the beer, the food, and service. Now I have read countless reviews about people complaining about waiting, and it infuriates me each time I read it:this has nothing to do with the SERVICE. The service is literally impeccable once you sit down. Even at the bar I have never seen a bar back work as hard as the ones that work at this specific location. Point being if you want to get in and get out, go early or go with party size of 2. For all you vegetarians the veggie pattys are delicious and flavorful and made in house. Lair of Minotaur ,chips, enough said. Every time I visit they are playing one of my favorite movies, ironic? I think not. I'll be back.
(5)
Albert M.

This place is one of the most incredible casual dining experiences of my life. Kuma's corner has been on my "want to/have to" list for a long time. A tiny neighborhood heavy metal/biker bar with insane burgers, what could go wrong! Urban legend claims that the line on weekends for this tiny dive turned neighborhood phenomenon can reach upwards of 6 hours. We went on a Wednesday night, and there was no wait. While this place is known as the "Bovine Genocide" with amazing beer selections and ear blasting music with incredible burgers, there is a secret to Kuma's. Kuma's corner signature appetizer is a create-your-own mac and cheese bowl with a plethora of mix-ins. This is the best mac and cheese I have ever had. Better than southern better than anything. We got bacon and sauteed onions mixed in. They encourage you put hot sauce, like saracha and tabasco in. Onto the burgers. My god the burgers. Other than Thurmans in Columbus and Bub burger at Umami in LA, this is the third best burger of my life. Each burger is 10 oz of perfect meat goodness. The burgers are enormous and so juicy and so perfectly cooked. The hamburger is the star and the toppings are the compliment. I got the Neurosis. Cheddar, swiss, sauteed onion and mushroom. It is pure perfection. Max got the Kuma's. Cheddar, fried egg, bacon. Scott got Weekend Nachos. merkts cheddar, jalapeno, pico de gallo, pickled red onion, tortilla strips, cilantro Erik got goatsnake. herbed goat cheese, poblano corn relish, cholula lemon vinaigrette, buttermilk breaded fried red onion i cannot stress this enough. Kuma's corner was one of the greatest casual dining experiences of my life. best mac and cheese. top 3 burger. this place is worth the 6 hour wait. just incredible!
(5)
Edward W.

Great burgers in a hipster bar. Only problem is this place gets CRAZY BUSY! I was passing by a couple of days ago around 5pm and it didn't look crowded so I stopped in. Sat at the bar near the kitchen and got a great show from the cooks. Very friendly crown despite the number of people there. Probably one of the bust burgers in the City. Also, I ordered my burger medium and it was served just the way I like it. Perfectly medium. I saw some reviews where others complained about the temperature of the meat but I've never had that problem.
(5)
Sean C.

The Kuna Burger is easily the best burger I have had in my life. Soft pretzel bun, medium rare thick-cut patty, sharp cheddar, and a fried egg. The Kuma Burger is now the barometer for all other burgers I will have in my life, and I honestly hope none of them live up to it. The second best burger I've had is the Led Zepplin. Same pretzel bun and patty, but with thick bacon and sweet pulled pork. It cannot get any better as a meat lover. Recommend the Kuma burger for beginners, and come during an off-hour because it can get crowded!
(5)
Juliana K.

For all the hype it was OK. The burger was pretty darn good but nothing more impressive than I've had at other burger joints. I guess my review is that it was a good burger but I probably won't go out of my way to stand in a long line.
(3)
Marci L.

If I could give a zero star rating, I would. This place is horrible. The service was completely terrible, actually I'm not sure that the staff was intelligent enough to know the meaning of the word "service". We waited for multiple hours while other people were seated ahead of us and we were even told we were not allowed to sit at the bar even though we were paying for multiple drinks. After all this... I was expecting an amazing burger, boy was I disappointed. Tasted like a normal restaurant burger, nothing special at all. We also ordered Mac n cheese which was completely tasteless. I would NEVER go back and would warn anyone about going here.
(1)
Mohit M.

I have been to Kuma's quite a few times and never disappointed. One of the reason was that I read the reviews and was prepared. So here you go - 1) Expect to wait - specially if you go during lunch, dinner, evening time. Only way to escape it is to go on a random time for example couple of time I went around 3 pm and was seated right away. 2) Do not expect fine dining - People are nice, they take care of you but do not expect any sort of fine dining with waiters trying to impress you and running around. It is a no frills place to eat good food and that you should expect. 3) Long wait time to get burger - Ever wondered why the wait time is so damn long, well not only because the place is small but they have only few burners to make burgers, so people wait in line. After waiting in line, they wait on their tables for burgers for another 30 minutes. I dont mind all this because I know it is worth the wait but just so you are also prepared. Burger wont arrive right away like burger king :). 4) Mostly meat - They have salads, mac and cheese but otherwise it is all beef joint. They have 1 chicken sandwich hidden in the menu but dont bother. 5) Heavy metal music - Yep and that too very loud. 6) Parking issues - Honestly so far I have always been lucky to be able to find a place to park but I can tell you that they have only few slots by their place to park and rest you have to find a place which will be hard if you go on a busy time specially dinner. Good thing is that this joint is not on a busy street or area so you will eventually get a spot somewhere but do expect to run into this issue. There are things like loud music & wait time that I dont like but these are minor as compared to the burger that you end up tasting. So if you are a burger lover, do yourself a favor and go to this place.
(4)
Amy A.

The best Mac n cheese and burgers. Great beer selection. Very friendly staff. The metal music is what completes the experience. We will definitely visit again.
(5)
Frank G.

This place was packed when we arrived! It is a very small restaurant/bar with limited seating. We didn't wait too long before a table opened up. They do play some classic metal, but it wasn't overly loud. I had the Lair of the Minotaur. It was a decent burger with good flavor. I would go back again. I do however, favor Rockit's Rockit Burger which is similar in toppings.
(4)
Misty C.

I was very excited to go to Kuma's corner. The names of hamburgers looked cool, crazy and fun, It was listed in many top hamburger spots of Chicago and the atmosphere seemed like it would be intriguing. The staff were very true to the headbanger experience, most wearing all black with piercings and tattoos. The music was very loud and the line was long. Ordered food, so excited. Maybe too excited...hamburger was dry and overcooked....macaroni was mediocre. Just sad it did not live up to the expectaions....
(2)
Stela E.

Foods good but is it worth waiting for over an hour? No. Square is right across the street. Has amazing burgers, great beer, friendly vibe. Why wait?
(3)
Grant P.

Ahh, Kuma's. Everyone seems to have a story about their experience with Kuma's and I finally have mine. After their burger was declared "best in America" my friends and I were determined to disagree. Mockingly, we called it the "worst burger in America." Boy were we proven wrong. More on that later. After a nauseating 45-minute circular trip around Avondale, cruising around for a parking spot, we finally landed a few blocks away. Between everyone waiting to get their last taste of Hot Doug's, and the circus outside Kuma's, there wasn't a plethora of parking. Once we arrived we gave our names and waited. And waited. And waited and waited. It would seem that Kuma's has inadvertently turned into a theme restaurant, despite its best efforts to remain true to itself and its rock and roll roots. The other folks waiting for their chance to sample a bit of burger heaven became characters in our fantasy. There was the blonde girl who got there just before us. Buff Asian Guy and his pregnant wife, and so on. Somehow, Buff Asian Guy sneakily secured two seats at the bar and were seated way before us. Kudos to you, Bro. So after about an hour wait, we were taken to a table. Our waitress was super friendly, and so was the hostess, despite the mugginess and smoke-filled dining area. First stop on the menu was the fried pickles, which were divine. Definitely best in America there. Sadly, beyond the pickles, it took another hour for our burgers to come. So clearly, the kitchen cannot keep up with the capacity of the dining room. That's disappointing, and I think they should work on that by either limiting the seating, or figuring out a way to add on to the kitchen. Our wait became tedious because despite having great company, the room was hot and uncomfortable. Tho we were able to hear one another despite the loud rocking soundtrack. So I disagree with those who think its too noisy. The burgers eventually arrived and yes, they tasted great. We ate our words, and the tasty burgers. What makes them good is the quality of the beef, I believe. You can taste the meat in every bite, it's not just there like at some places where you get a tasteless burger with a bunch of bullshit piled atop it. All the flavors work well together. I didn't care for the soggy fries that accompanied it. I'm a crispy-fry fan, but to each their own. Courtney C. was happy to finish mine for me. So the "best burger in America" held up against any doubts we had, and this "doesn't wanna be" theme spot, was way cooler than I imagined. They lose points for the kitchen not able to keep up, but that's about it. Would I return? Only for takeout. There's no way I'm going to wait for two hours for a burger again. But you should. At least once.
(4)
John M.

Whatever you do, DO NOT order your burger medium here, because it will be served to you well done. The burger itself was fine, and all the trimmings were fine. Based on their menu description (medium is still pink in the middle) I ordered the burger medium. I should have ordered medium rare, because there was no hint of pink on the burger I got. It was even a little on the dry side. But I was hungry, and it took so long to get, that I did not make a big deal of it and send it back. I will come back again and try medium rare, and maybe see if that makes the difference.
(3)
Riaan B.

wonderfull service will recommend...
(3)
Pierre W.

I was just watching the News on NBC Chicago... Congrats to Kuma's Corner!!! THE BEST BURGER in the country.. I agree that Kuma's Corner deserves it ...but with LESS volume..I'm juss sayin :-) Congrats...I think I'll get my ear plugs and pay 'em a visit!!..
(4)
Michelle B.

Went here for part of a birthday night out & loved it. Wish we lived closer because we'd visit more often. Yes the were busy, yes we had to wait but doesn't that usually mean its worth it? Well it was for us. We split the bbq pork fries they were so good infact we've since made something like them at home when we're had pulled pork. Homemade attempts are close but not Kuma's. I believe the burger I had was called the mastodon. Very flavorful the fried onions on top were not greasy like i've had before & the bacon was cooked perfectly. I don't remember what burger the hubby had but I know he really enjoyed it because we have both since said we have to go back even if its just for take out. The staff was friendly,funny, great atmosphere & music.
(5)
Igor C.

Went to Kuma's with two of my sons and there was no line. We were going to the Bad Apple but thought we'd check the line at Kuma's first. My older son loves the place and had always wanted me to try it. I'm giving it four stars based on the overall rating of the food because I was disappointed in my burger. I had the Kaijo and liked the combination of the ingredients but it would have been a lot better if it had been medium rare as I asked for it. I liked the fries but my younger son did not. The two boys were very happy with their food and the overall experience.
(4)
Elena N.

This review is for take out only. My Chicago trip was split between downtown Chicago and Rosemont. Since Kuma's was on the way from one hotel to the other, we decided to pick up take out on the way. We called about 10 mins before we left downtown to place our order. The famous kuma ($13) - Bacon, cheddar, fried egg, lettuce, tomato, onion with house made chips. I know I got take out, so the burger was kinda warm, but I couldn't get over the untoasted bun. I don't know if they forgot, but the bun crumbled as I cut into the burger. I ended up eating it without the bun. The house made chips were delicious! Nice and crispy and salty! I kept eating them even though I was full. Slayer ($15) - 10oz burger on a bed of fries, chili, caramelized onion, andouille, peppers, monterey jack, scallions. This was huge! There was too much going on though. The burger and the andouille didn't really blend together well. Add the chili and it was just too much! Maybe if everything was hot, the flavors would have blended better. Mac and cheese with Broccoli and Mushrooms ($14) - Another huge dish! I don't know why, but I kept craving Mac & cheese while in Chicago. This didn't disappoint. I just wished it was warmer, so I could get that gooey-ness that comes from melty cheese, but that's the price of take out. I'm sure everything would have been so much better if I ate it at the restaurant, so I'm keeping that mind with my rating. But I really don't understand the lure of the Famous kuma. Especially with the untoasted bun. It wasn't really anything special.
(3)
Puja G.

Had high expectations but was thoroughly disappointed. Burger was too salty for my taste. I have had MUCH better burgers in Chicago. Skip it if you don't have time to wait in line for 2 hours.
(2)
Carla M.

Love Love Love this place! Huge portions and it's just soooo darn cool! The food is amazing, and the ambiance of badass people, tattoos and wall art is just perfection. Metal will be playing while you sip on awesome beer! Their menu of course is totally badassery and their mac & cheese is to die for! It is absolutely worth the wait!
(5)
Kate W.

Best burgers in the ciudad. Macaroni and Cheese rules hard, too.
(5)
Sarah C.

Maybe I'm just the only one - but I was NOT impressed. Nothing was particularly wrong, but there are WAY better burgers in a 2 mile radius. For starters, Monty Gael's has a beautiful grassfed burger- AND it's only $6 on Tuesdays with field green salad or fries. That's probably my favorite in the area. Leader Bar has a great burger with lots of fantastic variations like the Big Country (bacon, redskin mashed, BBQ, and onion rings) and both of these places have better service and no hype. I guess I should give it another shot but I want to leave a place saying dangit, that was fantastic.
(2)
Miss Kari P.

It was already packed 30 minutes after opening. Luckily me and my friend stalked the bar and were able to find two spots. I ordered the YOB burger and the poblano peppers and garlic mayo were outstanding. I definitely felt like crap after scarfing the entire thing down! The bartenders are all so sweet and attentive regardless of how busy it is. Only downside? There are no sides of Mac n cheese!
(5)
Stephanie L.

The best mac & cheese I've ever had. You get to decide what they put in it, I went with garlic and sun dried tomatoes. My friend had hers with bacon and caramalized onions. We also had their pulled pork sandwich and the Hatebeak. The portions here are MASSIVE. You will end up getting some of it to go. If you can't wait for a table do take out. If you want to stick around and eat there, get ready to wait, the line will be long (but trust me, the food is worth it).
(5)
Stacy M.

So goddamn delicious. Portions are huge (see pics), and priced accordingly, so I guess I just wish the burgers could be slightly smaller and slightly cheaper. But amazing and I'm coming back again and again until I've tried every burger.
(4)
Trevor H.

This is what I love about living in a big city: a business can have a very niche aesthetic, like death metal and S&M paintings, yet still attract a crowd big enough to do well. And Kuma's does very well, with a line around the corner at all times. I can't say it's worth a 1+ hour wait, but if the line is short I'll be in it.
(4)
C C.

So my friends and I meet me at this place on a Sat. @4:00, thinking we'll beat the dinner crowd. Uuhhhmmm.... No! Over an hour wait!!! We did finally get one bar seat for the three of us while we waited to be seated for the first available table. I felt like I was in a sauna. It felt better outside 85Â°, than in this hellhole. Don't they make enough money here to turn on the air-conditioner? I prayed to be seated in the patio. I ordered an overpriced beer to cool me down from getting a heat stroke. The beer tasted salty, correction.. the sweat dripping from my forehead made my overpriced beer taste salty. Finally, we got seated in the worst possible corner with no circulation. We did have a nice waitress. Looking over the overpriced menu, we ordered the fried pickles that were very good. As a "Kuma virgin" I ordered some burger (I could hardly remember which one because of heat exhaustion). The burger was tasty, but $15 tasty? Not at all. I could of made this burger at my own grill at home. Overall, not impressed at all. Will not ever eat a Kuma burger again unless it's FREE and in a takeout bag, so I could enjoy it in my air-conditioned car. Other than that, I will surely recommend this place to the worst of my enemies... Hope they suffer just as I did.
(1)
Maya T.

This place is off the hook. We started with the buffalo chicken tenders. The chicken was moist and juicy. I got the iron maiden, toppings were great and the pretzel bun is to die for. I believe the bun is what makes the whole burger experience great or not. The fries were fresh and soft to. I love coming here when I visit.
(5)
Jas D.

I had an iron maiden with a veggy pattie - very yummy! Thank you Kuma, despite your terrible but funny service!
(4)
C B.

People have been ranting and raving about coming here for the past few years so i decided to give it a try. I'll be honest, the place gives me the creeps. Aside of the dingy music everyone who works there is really standoffish and looks unhygienic. I ordered the mac and cheese, which i have to say was delicious. My husband got a cheeseburger and it wasn't bad. It was juicy so that was good but as far as flavor goes I felt lit was a little bland. Overall I give two stars more the pricing and the environment.
(2)
Carlos T.

From the moment you walk into this joint, you know you're not in a foo foo burger joint. From the heavy metal art work shrine that covers the walls, to the wait staff rocking their ink like a badge of honor in this neatly packed 92 seat bar. To say this joint has character is doing it a great injustice, Kuma's Corner is a in your face, take no prisoner burger joint. The journey starts with a contiuned medley of heavy metal rock music piercing the air. I started my flavor journey with some deep fried pickles w/ a Chipotle Mayo dipping sauce, Then came the "Main Event" a Plague Burger; the flavor profiles are simple amazing, from the garlic mayo to pepper jack cheese melted perfectly, to the warm pretzel bun holding everything togather, with a hand full of house cut fries. Overall 9 out of 10, a must try when in chi-town. WARNING: This place is a destination spot, not fast food or your yuppie watering hole.........
(4)
John C.

The food is very good here, there customer service is terrible. Tried to take my parents to kumas for dinner. Drop them off at the door so they can grab a table so they did not have to walk. There was a table on the patio that seated four my mother requested to take that table they would not see her because there was only two of them there. But they seated two people by themselves at the four top. I understand that there's rules about seating people but if two people can sit at a table that holds four they should've sat my parents. A lack of common sense was used and there was no resolution we had a leave the restaurant to go somewhere else. I hate to complain about a good restaurant but I think they deserve a bad revue.
(1)
Jason R.

Too bad, drive across town to get a burger....closed at 10 when yelp notes 11. Way disappointed not coming back. Get a grip...
(1)
Laura L.

Started out a bad experience but is working out to be good! Great food.
(3)
Janine F.

Waited an hour and a half for a table, waited 20min for a waitress to take our orders, waited an hour for our food to arrive, fine, must've been an off day. Then a couple came in shortly after we ordered and somehow got their appetizer and entre before we did! i gave it a three star because the burger were decent and the whole theme of the restaurant was very unique.
(3)
Tom S.

I went here with the least metal girl you could imagine. She only she only listens to country and top 40. Even she loved the place and could ignore the very loud death metal playing as she enjoyed a burger.
(4)
Caroline H.

Chicago... Off Belmont- Kuma's Corner! It is small. Hot. And packed at 11:45am on a Saturday. Luckily, we sat at the bar. The music is heavy metal and most of the burgers are named that way too! Right on!!! First up- $5 beer! White Allegash by a company in Portland, Maine- Delish and refreshing on his 90 degree day! Appetizer - deep fried jalepenos with cheese and chorizo! Yum... Could have used a little more meat. Anyway... The reason we came! The burger! Huge! Great for sharing and cooked perfectly! The egg... the bacon... the bun... cheese, YUMMO! And the chips were pretty tasty too! Speaking of meat- there are no vegetarian options here. They even have a photo up that says - meat! I thought it was kinda cute. Highly recommend this place!!!
(5)
J A.

chicago.everyblock.com/fâ€¦ Come on stop failing on your inspections. Yeah you got mean burgers & people flock to your place like its the Mecca of burgers. Which you might be to some, but your constant laziness to score well is very unfortunate.
(1)
Shamoon K.

Been here a couple of times. If you're looking for a unique burger joint that actually delivers on the burger than this is your spot. First time I went I got their special Zombie burger that had duck bacon and some other goodies. My wife had the ABSU. The buns are really delicious and the burgers themselves are huge. One draw back were that both times, the chips and the fries were oily and kinda floppy. But you're not here for the sides, you're here for a kick ass burger and that's what you'll get. Oh, and I'm sure you already have an idea about this place but it plays metal at all times at one volume. Loud. You'll like it. Trust me
(4)
Dave N.

Good burger and good vibes in the place if you like metal music. A little wait, but I went at prime hours on a Saturday. I would go again. It was a little odd that we sat at the bar and ordered food to go, but they wouldn't let us eat it at the bar. I understand the policy, but nobody was waiting behind us. Either way, great burger.
(4)
Jennifer R.

Had lunch here on 2/8/15. This is a death metal dive bar - do not expect anything but a death metal dive bar. It's dark, small and loud with metal music blaring. I did not deduct from my rating for this because Kuma's does not pretend to be something it's not. The food was excellent. The Mac and cheese (I added scallions and Andouille to mine) was probably better than homemade baked macaroni. The burgers were huge with good buns and fresh toppings. The only offnote for me were the handcut fries - but I generally don't care for handcut fries anywhere because they don't get crispy. Service was very good and very fast. Everyone except the hostess was very friendly. There was a problem with the vent system the day we were there which made it very smoky inside because of the kitchen - even the staff was complaining about it. So.....I would go back again for the food but would have to sacrifice my preferred ambience to get it!!
(4)
Tony C.

I love this place . Death metal music and juicy cheeseburgers along with all their item's named after some of my favorite bands.
(5)
David C.

When my girlfriend asked me where--out of everywhere in they city--I wanted to go for my birthday, I said immediately, "Kuma's Corner." No, I had never been there, but I had been hearing about this place for a long time and, as a burger and metal lover, I knew this was a place I had to try. We came here without a reservation (they don't take reservations, so don't try) with the expectation that we would be waiting a while. I think we waited maybe 15 minutes tops when we were quoted a 25 minute wait, so that was great news. We leaned on the windowsill while waiting, which is what everyone else did, too. We took our seats at the bar and perused the menus. I opted for the plague burger, but it was a tough choice. Whenever my dad comes here, he orders twos burgers. One for now and one for later. This time, I just got the one, but no promises about next time. My food was amazing. My fries were amazing--perfectly crispy and salted. The burger was sweet, succulent, the meat was cooked to perfection, and the bun was delicious. I have big hands and the burger was a handful. My poor girlfriend couldn't even bite into hers. She ended up taking off the top bun and eating her burger with a fork and knife. My beers went really well with it, too. I don't even recall what I ordered now, but the list is extensive and well-organized. There's definitely a drink for everyone here, though I'm officially recommending a beer (or two or three) to go with the burger and fries. The metal music playing in the background wasn't invasive. It added to the metal head character of Kuma's. Honestly, I'm really glad we trekked to Avondale to experience the original as opposed to Kuma's Too (wherever that location is). Also, you've got to check out the bathrooms. There are lots of pics of scantily-clad women and graffiti, creating a unique aesthetic that is completely fitting with Kuma's overall. I know my review is just a drop in the ocean, but if you happen to be reading this, I highly recommend you go to Kuma's. It won't let you down!
(5)
Christina S.

It's all been said before, so I'll just help manage your expectations. Expect to wait without a waiting area or outside. It's worth the wait. Expect metal music, and expect it cranked. Talking is overrated, and you'll be busy chewing anyway. Expect a frickin' huge and awesome burger. There's a reason they're on every burger list known to man. Expect to be wowed by their mac and cheese. Yeah, it's $14+ but it's huge (easily serves 4), customizable, and I put it as my number one favorite m&c ever. I no longer order m&c elsewhere because I know it's best here, no comparison. I would seriously have issues deciding between a burger and the m&c if I could only order one thing at Kuma's. Expect great, fast and friendly service. I love the servers here! For as consistently busy as they are here, I'm amazed how great they are. And they know their shiz. Remember that when the bill comes and tip them well cuz they earn it. Expect the fries and chips to be good but average, and the ingredients in the m&c to be minimal. Expect to think of Kuma's Corner first whenever you have a burger or mac and cheese craving. There is no substitute! They will ruin you for all other establishments.
(5)
Jeffrey P.

Love their BOTM!!!! All of their burgers are pretty good! Fav ones has to be the Kuma and the Iron Maiden! Probably the BEST Mac N Cheese in Chicago!!
(5)
Jay B.

Kumas is the best. Burgers are amazing. Beer selection is great. The pulled pork fries are to die for. You always have the wait and the music, but that's just Kumas. Applebees has no wait and elevator music if that matters to you. If you want an amazing burger, that takes an hour wait in which you'll drink great beer. Kumas is always worth it.
(5)
Scott C.

Fantasic place for tasty burgers, great atmosphere/love the heavy cool thrash metal/rock scene! Favs: Goatsnake and the new Churchburn! Kuma's always serves up great food...a 'must' for any Chicagoan!! Rock-on guys!
(5)
J B.

Wow! Burger from heaven. The led Zeppelin was outstanding. The juicy patty with a crunchy crusting. The tangy bbq sauce with generous portion of pork and the sharpness of the cheddar pulled it all together. Great job!
(4)
Avi R.

Literally the best burger on the planet. I've been to Kuma's several times when we used to live in Chicago and can't wait to go back and eat there the next time I'm visiting town. It takes a little extra long to get seated and get your food, but boy oh boy is it worth the wait.
(5)
Tiffany H.

I wpuld say its an interesting place. Not my top choice but good. If youre a picky eater like me you will probably only get a plain burger or mac and cheese. The atmosphere was very loud and tight. Our waitresses was very sweet however!!! My husband and i got the mac and cheese to go and that was amazing. So for all you mac and cheese lovers youll be in heaven cause they have a make your own mac and cheese.
(3)
Kristy F.

Mac n cheese with corn and bacon was $14 and uber cheesy. I thought it was tasty but I wouldn't order this again because it was too much for me. I could stand 5 bites and that's it. The regular kumas burger for $13 came with an egg perfectly cooked and the bacon was spectacular. Yum. The fries were greasy but delicious as well. Overall the food was amazing. I'm removing a star because the music was too loud for my ears and I had to strain to hear anything else. I wish the venue was slightly bigger because i had people at my back and sides standing around waiting for a seat (we sat at the bar) other than that, service was great and I will definitely return again someday
(4)
Clariza S.

Best burgers, hands down.
(4)
Dana O.

I'm over the ego. It's a decent burger, but I can't stand for their audacity to act the way the do. Not ever a justified act of reason. I'd like to thank the folks across the street at Square for stepping up and making the big haul out here worth it. So over kuma.. too many other good burger places out there
(1)
Jordan P.

They think their burger defies gravity and treat you accordingly. Do youself a favor - make like Buzz Aldrin & head across the street to Square Bar. Better food - and more importantly - they treat you like a human.
(1)
Kayla K.

Lunch here was great! We must've came at a good time because it wasn't too busy and there was no wait. So many good choices on the menu but I chose the Pantera burger. It was amazing and would recommend!
(5)
Joyeta S.

One of the better sandwich burger joints. Tried their high on fire and iron maiden burgers with potato chips. Too good! The ambience of the place as well as the music is great!
(5)
Nari H.

I thought I reviewed this awhile back but I guess not! everyone kept raving about this place, so I finally got around to giving this a try. OMG. The portions were HUGE, the bun was perfect, and the burger was pretty memorable. We went on a weekend at night, so of course we ended up waiting at least 45 minutes and were lucky enough to score some seats at the bar. Otherwise we would have waited closer to 1.5 hours on the night we went. The music is loud, and the venue is a whole lot smaller than I expected, but it was worth it. Avoid the crowds if you can, but the burger is worth it. We shared two between the three of us gals and STILL had food left over. I'm usually not a huge burger person, but this place is definitely worth checking out.
(4)
anon o.

I was visiting and friends had suggested eating here. I checked the menu online beforehand to decide if it was worth the wait. It seemed interesting, if not a bit pricey. Since I had already seen the menu, I knew what I wanted when I arrived. I placed my order and asked the waitress for sweet potato fries, as listed on the menu I had seen online. She literally gave me a dirty look, walked away, and didn't return to my table the rest of my time there. I had to ask another server to bring me my check. I heard later from a friend that there's some sort of "issue" with Kuma's and sweet potato fries, no idea why. But honestly they should bother to correct their menus online if it's such a big deal to them. Toughen up a bit, guys. Don't be so afraid of an orange vegetable. I won't be back, and will suggest my friends avoid that place. Good burgers are not that hard to come by, especially in Chicago. allmenus.com/il/chicago/â€¦
(2)
Shin E.

Code Orange burger is incredible! My bartender, Anne, was friendly, really nice, and super awesome! Best burgers i've ever had in my life. Yes, I've been to Lockdown, too. Kuma's has better burgers. I really fricking miss this place.
(5)
Anthony L.

Not much needs to be said: incredible burgers, great beer selection, whiskey on tap, metal ambiance, good service. There is almost always a huge wait, but that's because its Kuma's. Protips: Come at odd hours, during the week, with small groups or sit at the bar to hurry the wait. The patio is also a good choice, but no metal ambiance out there. You can also carry out. If you don't like metal, go to Kuma's Too
(5)
Bianca S.

Excellent friendly service and literally the BEST hamburger I have ever had in my life!!! My boyfriend and I shared the Kuma burger medium rare, and it was juicy, plump, exploding with flavor. We thought the place would be a bit more "metal", meaning the decor/patrons of the place.
(5)
Samantha N.

Mac and cheese is the best I've ever had. Burger was excellent. Service was the best. Hostess was super friendly and our server, Keiko, was absolutely fantastic. Could do without the deafening death metal music, but the food and service was worth the trip.
(5)
Melissa R.

1) Burger was cooked too well done. 2) Mac and cheese was good the first time I had it, and sucked the second time. 3) If you want to eat here, I suggest going at least an hour before you know you'll be hungry. Otherwise you'll die waiting for food.
(2)
Molly H.

Burgers are always incredible. Fries are crisp. Beers are cold. Mac and cheese is AMAZING. We have done a few different combos of ingredients in the mac and cheese, which could be its own meal, and it is always delish. Sundried tomatoes are great in the Mac! The atmosphere is great too--loud rock music, well decorated, fun servers. The man who appears to be the manager or owner frequently visits tables to see how your experience is. Highly recommend!
(5)
Karolina T.

I don't enjoy meat very much but I do like a good burger occasionally. I got the Kuma's famous burger without the egg. It was nothing special and I was not a fan of the pretzel bun. My bf got the white zombie, which was the special of the month. He said it was decent but they completely burned the duck bacon on the burger and only gave him like 3 onion strings. Compared to the pictures online, it was pretty disappointing and way over priced.
(2)
Allison F.

I annhilated my lair of the minotaur burger. Holy shit it was beyond awesome. Easily one of the top burgers I've had in Chicago. The best part? I can enjoy Kuma's all year 'round because they're coming to Indianapolis! Thanks for thinking of me, guys!
(5)
Bianca C.

I have never been a huge meat eater, until I have come here. I actually crave it now. One thing I look forward to is the burger of the month. It is always fun to see what other creative burger they have come up with. MMM... Getting hungry just talk about it. Is it lunch yet?
(5)
Real T.

Nothing Great about this place. All BAD!!! DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME. We went there and the service was horrible. The food is better at McDonald's then this place. Who ever places a good review for this place must be on the payroll or a family member. Completely OVERRATED!!!! I will NEVER go there again
(1)
Patrick D.

It's Kuma's! Obviously the reviews sing the praises, and I'll mostly agree, except when I came last time and sat at the bar closer to the grill, I got home and smelled absolutely damn disgusting. I used to work at a restaurant as a cook, and my clothes smelled worse than those days. I don't know if they need better ventilation, but damn. That aside, the burger was SPOT on, as always. The fries were excellent, the service was good, and since we were at the bar, it wasn't a bad wait. I wouldn't wait more than an hour here though, come back when they're less busy! Think snowy weeknights.
(4)
Bailey D.

I didn't want to hear myself think anyway. I wanted salty fries, chipotle mayo for dipping, and a burger (no bun) that could stand alone. This time is was Brie, bacon, sautÃ©ed onions and poached pears. Be prepared for Mastodon, beards, tattoos and fabulous service. It's a neighborhood joint. If the edge hurts, you can try their Lakeview locale. In any case, there are young attractive people who read books. I never mind flying solo at this joint. I prefer it actually. Known for their burgers, rumored to have fabulous create-your-own Mac n cheese, you can't lose.
(5)
Jesse T.

If you don't like loud metal music, the overwhelming aroma of some good ass food, and some excessive smoke from the kitchen, oh well, SUCK IT UP! Because if you let that bother you and don't give this place a visit, you're missing out on some great food! The burgers are amazing! I had The Iron Maiden, Metallica, and the regular Kuma Burger. I personally like to keep it simple and I currently get the basic Kuma burger when I go in, but it's far from basic because it's the best damn burger I ever ate in my life! THE BUFFALO CHICKEN STRIPS!!! How do they make them so tender and juicy?! Everyone, you must try them out, you'll be amazed! I heard the Mac and Cheese is super good as well, I have yet to try it. Next time! Beer selection is good! Overall: I take all of my friends here from the suburbs and they constantly make the drive over to eat here because they love it so much! Great service. Only downside would be that it can get VERY busy (what do you expect when a place is this good) and there's no making reservations for a place like this. Highly recommended!
(5)
Bianca R.

My boyfriend and I were here for the first time on recommendation from one of our friends. This place is everything you could ever want and more-loud music, great service, chill atmosphere, and amazing food. I had the mastodon and devoured it as if it was the last thing I would eat in my entire life. Good god it was amazing. Come on an empty stomach too because the portions are huge! And well worth it!
(5)
Ryan K.

I live so close to this place, but it took a post beer fest hunger to get us here. It was a Friday night around 10:30 and our party of 4 was seated right away (awesome considering there's usually a 2 hour wait). I can't speak to the drink menu because I was already well on my way. The service was friendly and attentive throughout the meal. The fried pickles were a tasty starter. I had the high on fire burger and I highly recommend it. I compare to a well done stir fry sitting on top of a burger. I didn't think the huge meat patty was anything special and it was over cooked from my requested temp, but the toppings made it spicy and sweet. It didn't have an uncomfortable amount of heat where I was sweating so that's a plus. My wife got mac n cheese with prosciutto and onions and it was also delicious and a huge portion. Not the best burger in Chicago - I prefer Owen & Engine.
(4)
Vince L.

The food was very good but our waitress was not attentive at all. She ale had an attitude. If the burgers weren't so good, I'd say don't come here...
(3)
Brock L.

I have been here five times. Never had a problem with service. To all the people complaining about wait times, go when they open or go after 10pm. ABSU- Best burger I have ever had, THE BEST JERRY! There should be a requirement to eat it. I had to stop and catch my breathe because I was eating it so fast. Lair of the Minotaur- Bourbon poached pear. Every time you bite into the pear, it feels like you are taking a shot, which sounds cool, but is not tasty. I have also had the Black Sabbath, Goatsnake, and the Yob, all of which I would not order again. If you don't want to get the Absu, order the Plague Bringer. Moral of the story, get the ABSU.
(4)
Yvonne I.

Since this place is known to be one of the best burger joints in Chicago, I had to come and check it out yesterday (a Thursday night). Based on reviews I had read on Yelp before going, I knew to expect a wait. My boyfriend and I waited for about 35 minutes until two chairs opened up at the bar. On a Saturday, I can only imagine how long the wait would be. I started off with this really good whiskey drink the bartender made for me. It was Redemption whiskey mixed with ginger beer. I really enjoyed it, so of course I had 2 of them. All of the burgers sounded mouth watering, but I was feeling really indulgent, so I went with "the slayer". I'm not 100% sure if Is actually a burger, but it was extremely delicious. A burger patty, fries, chili, sausage, green onions, and cheese all brought together on a plate. It was huge! Enough for 2 or 3 people. I only ate about a 1/4 of it. It is probably good that this place is in a neighborhood I don't go to very often, because I would probably be there 2 times a month easily.
(5)
Keri M.

This place has been raved about and raved about, I finally go and was pleased with the mac and cheese but not my burger? Shockingly. Not sure if it was because I got the smaller 5 oz lunch special patty or what but the meat itself was nothing special, bland and actually dry. I was really surprised how the burger itself unimpressed me. The bun and toppings were good and love a place with fresh cut fries. I used to work in food scene so I've had my share of burgers and I've had better which I can't get over I thought after all the hype I'd be blown away. I think the craze just revolves around the toppings, the crazy concoctions blind people to the fact the burger patty itself was nothin special -- aaaand there's a lot of other places now doing crazy burger toppings with lesss of a wait! (Oh and 4 dollar specialty sodas are a bit much...)
(3)
Sara A.

This lonely star goes solely for the burgers because they are perfect and innovative. However, the staff need an intensive program about how to become a staff member in a highly rated Resturant. Girl with purple hair stands carelessly at the front, we enter and ask for a table for three, it's -18 outside and we tell her our friend is on her way. She shakes her head and says we can not be seated until the full party shows. (Despite the fact that it's a Monday and the Resturant is only less than half full). We decide to wait. My friend is running late and ask the girl again if we could sit and the table and start with appetizers and drinks, she says no since it's a party of three!!!! I ask her if I can wait at the empty bar cause it's cold outside and I'm hungry, she says ok but it will be a table of two only !! (Meaning I won't add your god damn late friend) So I wait for my friend for 20 minutes standing at the glass wall with over 30 empty seats! Because the girl with the purple hair has poor judgment as a server and a front desk manager????? I don't care how good your burgers are, I felt offended and unappreciated. People are rude enough in real life and I am supposed to pay for food coming from poorly mannered people??? Oh wait, there is more.. After I order the slatery I found pieces of sausage in it, I don't eat pork sausage. I kindly tell the waitress that, I know I didn't imply that I don't eat pork in advance but as soon as I realized do you think I have been asked "would you like to have anything else other than your order?" Or at least "would you like me to take that away" In highly rated restaurant it's enough that a customer says I don't like this dish from the first bite so is be replaced with a new one and what I got was an empty box so I can take it away myself. Bottom line: I don't tolerate trashy attitude, or have to deal with staff who drink during their hours shift non stop, I would happily go to five guys and leave happy for all I care. Note for the manager: this purple headed girl should be anywhere but at front, I give her an F for failure.
(1)
Cat K.

DO NOT ORDER DELIVERY. I've done so, twice. Both times it took 2-3 HOURS for my burger & I paid $24 FOR A BURGER. It doesn't travel well either. It was nearly inedible both times. Not to mention it's always totally rare. Like, RAW. Yulck. I love dining in, have & will continue to. But they seriously need to step up their delivery game or just nix it all together.
(2)
George M.

Well, used to be my favorite burger place until last night. Called to see what the hours are. "Kitchen open till 1:00 a.m. Bar open till 2:00" We got there at 12:50, was told kitchen was closed. Really? Thank goodness Lockdown Bar and Grill was still open.
(1)
Andrew K.

I had to hop on yelp to give a review, though I rarely do. Thank you, thank you Kuma's corner! I ordered delivery and asked them to wrap my food separately. The very smart cook noticed I ordered my burger rare and cooked all of my topping separate and wrapped them in a separate container, put the bun in it's own container to not get soggy, AND put the uncooked cheese separate so I could melt it on myself when I reheated my burger. Taadaa! Thank you for being the smartest person to ever wrap delivery food EVER.
(5)
Estefania R.

Absolutely amazing! Great service, great food. A little bit pricey but totally worth it!!!
(5)
Rory G.

Definitely the best burger in Chicago. The only complaint one could make is that there is always a wait. But hey it's a small place and there is high demand. It's been a while since I've been here, but It's even better than I remembered. I went went with a couple friends and tried the burger of the month "White Zombie". Wow This burger was indescribable. You will just have to trust me on this. I dare anyone to eat a burger here and tell me someone does it better in Chicago. Also the beer selection is awesome and they have whiskey on tap. Not really my thing, but I know you don't see that everywhere.
(5)
Tami O.

Let me preface by saying, I love burgers. And metal. I've eaten a LOT of burgers, some good, some bad but this was AWESOME. I saw this place on Food Network and, travelling to chicago pretty regularly, decided I had to check it out. We had a party of 5 20- and 30-somethings on a Tuesday during the holidays around noon. They don't do reservations so we put our name in and went to a bar down the block (Square Tavern which was also very nice) for a beer. We came back and had to wait in the tiny waiting area for about 20 minutes yet but, hey, there was metal so it was cool. It was almost the atmosphere of a concert at a small bar. Original artwork on the walls and kind of crazy to see young parents with young children here. We loved the Kuma's Corner album covers which copied some well known albums like Pantera's "Cowboys from Hell" and Metallica's "Master of Puppets". There are very few tables but the wait was well worth it. Considering the number of people, once we were seated, it didn't feel crowded (enough room at the table) and the service was excellent. They're known for their build-your-own mac and cheese appetizer so we added prosciutto, bacon, and andouille. We had two certified mac and cheese addicts in the group and we all agreed that it was just incredible (could have done without the andouille, it was overwhelmed by the lovely smokiness of the bacon). One appetizer was plenty for the 5 of us. It was so amazing that I've made it my goal to replicate it at home, no matter how long it takes. Creamy but still gooey and the smoke was just gorgeous. Velvety and beautiful. Bravo. I ordered the PlagueBringer burger which was cooked perfectly medium, on a brioche roll. The highlights of the burger were the meat itself (I have a sneaking suspicion that they grind their own meat, the texture was just so beautiful), a roasted garlic aioli and sliced fresh jalapenos. And the fries. The fries are delightful. Perfectly crispy and nice dark golden color with kosher (not table) salt. Not a burned or undercooked fry in the bunch. Truly a work of art. I am a big girl. I had to take half of my burger and some of the fries home. I can't tell you the last time I took a burger in a doggy bag, if indeed ever. My husband ordered the Slayer burger which forgoes a bun and just puts the beef patty on a pile of the same bad a$$ fries with a pretty good chili (the one place I thought the food could be a little better. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad but compared to the rest of the food, it was just good), pickled chilis, cheese, and, according to the menu, anger. Again, burger was perfectly cooked, overall wonderful with some nice heat (he said he found the anger when he bit into a particularly toasty chili :) and those amazing fries. Again, so much food that he ended up taking half of it home. Needless to say, we had a leftovers party later that evening. This guy's been working on his food a long time and it shows. All of the sauces were housemade and really thoughtful for a metal/burger joint. Great beer selection and whiskey on tap. Prices were quite reasonable. Overall, well worth the wait and highly recommend. We plan on making this a regular stop on every trip to Chicago, though we might try Kuma's 2 next time.
(5)
Julian R.

Punch me in the face, throw me in a grinder, sear me on both sides for 2-3 minutes and call me the Heavy Metal Caballero's Burger, because this place is AMAZING. We walked in and the place was pretty packed, but that didn't stop is from grabbing a few great beers at the bar as we waited for our table. The atmosphere is really great with its music and photos. We started the order with some mac and cheese. Wow.. It was fantastic, I highly recommend it with caramelized onions and andouille sausage. Then I ordered my burger, it was so delicious that I forgot the name of it. Yes, that's how good it was. The fries were also bomb. I would seriously recommend you visit this place, if just for the experience.
(5)
Yasmine C.

Great place to come and try not just new burger but also different scenario from the rock music to classic movies playing on tv to mouth watering burgers. At first I was skeptic of trying a fried egg in burger but with one bite I was convinced I should been eating burgers like this a long time ago. Great customer service. Would car back here again.
(5)
Amanda K.

I can't speak for the actual bricks and mortar restaurant, but I can attest to their awesome delivery! When I discovered their delivery service over the summer I got to relax and eat this food without long lines, small quarters and loud music. During winter hibernation sometimes I get the desire for a giant burger topped with creative ingredients like poached pear and brie (Lair of the Minotaur Burger), or roasted garlic mayo, bacon, gouda and roasted red pepper (Yob Burger). And after gorging on their food I always feel like I can take a three month nap. These burgers are built to withstand the end of the world, their size yields enough to get me two meals (or share with someone, that's your call). I once left them a note asking about how pink my burger would be if ordered medium rare and they gave me descriptions to inform future ordering (The answer is "super-pink", and no, medium-medium rare is not an option). I appreciate their good communication. They usually quote a 90-120 minute wait for delivery, about the same as if you were to go wait for a table. But it's always a pleasant when they surprise me after only an hour and I didn't have go anywhere. My favorite thing about Kuma's is the fried pickles. If I could eat just these pickles for the rest of my life and turn my blood into that spicy sauce... I think I would die the happiest woman ever. I'm not sure if they coat the pickles in magic fairy powder, but they have texture and spice that's oh so nice that I can't find anywhere else in Chicago. I don't order Grubhub often, but when I do it's always Kuma's.
(5)
Essie J.

It was ok...I don't think I would go again if I saw the line was longer than 1/2 an hour. My burger was good but I've had better, seating is real tight so I had waitress ass in my face a few times..not great. Beer wasn't cold enough. But the portions are very generous, the vibe is good, overall ok experience but I think I'll go like right after they open and see how it is. To top if off there were some people from the gym down the street promoting themselves -REALLY - like REALLY?? it was so stupid it was funny. Ugh...just what I needed when I'm about to stuff my face.
(3)
Kathleen T.

So first impression walking in was definitely an experience. Super loud and slightly overbearing hard rock music blasting to a point where I couldn't even hold a conversation with my friend next to me. The ventilation in this place is horrible. You can literally see the smoke when you walk in the door. And if you can see past the smoke, you find your eyes fixated on a super creepy movie playing on the tv. However, the service and the food kinda made up for it. Started off with the "do it yourself" Mac n cheese. Got prosciutto and caramelized onions as the two options. The breadcrumbs and scallions they add on top made it slightly different than just basic Mac n cheese. The noodles were cooked al dente, which was a good touch! Not too salty; better when hot sauce was added (sriracha, to be exact). 3/5 stars. I got the Lair of the Minotaur which had Brie cheese, prosciutto, caramelized onions, and poached pear on top of a well cooked medium rare beef patty! Sounds delicious? It was! The sweetness and the acidity of the pears helped counter the saltiness of the beef (which was a little too salty for my own taste). For the side, I got a mixed green salad which was surprisingly delicious! They toss the salad in a BASIL vinaigrette which I have never had before! Super tasty for a side salad!! Overall, I'm glad I stopped by in my Chicago trip. I wouldn't die to stop by if I'm ever back in town, but then again having Jameson on tap? Who can say no to that, right?
(3)
Chris P.

This place is just amazing, the food is just so freaking good. Best burger I have ever had and the jalapeÃ±o peppers are one of the best things I have ever eaten. Only complaint is it is always so busy but something that good and in a small location is going to be packed.
(5)
P I.

Outstanding! Certainly worth the wait, and there was a wait
(5)
Phil K.

Just the best. You can find tons of info about Kumas and its all good. Worth the wait. Sit at the bar and be social with real people, not your phone!
(5)
Raj D.

Worth the hype! I have been considering going here for a long time but never wanted to wait in line. The ambiance is interesting with a biker feel and vinyl record display. Fun place to grab a beer and a burger. The burgers are not your ordinary burger but instead they are quite unique and tasty. I ordered the Iron Maiden which was fantastic. The combination of cherry peppers, chipotle mayo and pepper jack cheese really hit the spot. Burgers are quite large and reasonably priced which is a huge plus. Plenty of street parking in the area. Will definitely be returning!
(5)
Summer S.

Kuma's has slid in my opinion. Last time I was there the service was OUTSTANDING, but after waiting 90 minutes for a table and another 60 min after we ordered for the food, the bun was cold. WHAT? Why are you half-assing my food after a 60 minute wait after ordering? It was literally a cold bun on a good burger (which was Med-well even though ordered medium). Kinda disappointing guys.
(3)
Jay B.

I have been going to kumas for about four years. It was great when they actually put time into your food. They used to have bomb waffle fries too. Recently the quality of food particularly the burger have dropped tremendously. Even though I ask for medium half the time it is rare.....Go to Leadbelly if you want a good burger, I think.... Mac and cheese is always bomb tho lol
(2)
Brittney H.

Ohh Kumas, we have such a love hate relationship. Truth is, I've been at least 10 times and only been able to get a table twice. I totally get that crude, idgaf attitudes are their thing and mesh well with their vibe....however there's a fine line between vibe and poor customer service. The door staff is always so rude, they will randomly close their kitchen early and not give you a table an hour before they are about to close, they refuse to let you in if you forget your id at home, even if you're not going to drink, and never crack a smile. The burger patty is delicious and now that I've turned veggie, they have a fantastic veggie patty. I've just gotten to the point that the food is not worth the treatment from staff. I'll go to lockdown instead.
(2)
Eric H.

Been here a few times and unless you're covered in tattoos you're going to wait. The burgers are good but the attitude from the moment you walk in the door is enough to ruin anyone's appetite. As usual we walked in and were told we would have to wait which is fine because they weren't any tables. No big deal. We can grab a drink at the bar until we get called. I stood at the bar making eye contact with money in hand and three times the chick behind the bar came over and ignored me. She was one of three bartenders there for lunch! I'm not someone who yells out, snaps/whistles or waves cash at any bartender to get their attention. This was just a bad bartender! Combine that with the fact that she seemed more interested in other customers sleeve tattoos I'm guessing that my money wasn't needed at Kumas. I've since been trying other places and discovered that Kumas doesn't have the best burger only the worst service.
(1)
Rachel R.

One of the best burgers I've had in my life! I ordered the iron maiden and it was heaven. Even though the wait was long to get seated, our order came out promptly. Service was pleasant and patient which was amiable because we had all never been to this place before. One thing to note however, one burger can probably feed two! In addition we were recommended the fries as one of the side options - they were delish. Will def come back!
(4)
Lisa H.

Contrary to popular belief, i can't stand this place. Whether it be the heavy metal music in the background that never stops playing, the service, location, and especially NOT the burgers. All around Disappointing. This place was on a list of really good restaurants recommended by a server from one of my fav restaurants, so i wanted to check it out. Was also told to avoid Kumas Too and come to Kuma's Corner, since it's THE original. Look at the number of reviews for this place?! After waiting for over 2 hrs, i thought, everything would be worth it as long as the burgers are good. After all, it's about the food. I had the Iron Maiden, and also tried my bf's burger, they were bland, patti lacked juice and texture, gross. I will not be returning. If you want good burgers and skip the wait, goto Bop n Grill or The Bedford. I'm no burger snob, but i had my bf's burger at The Bedford; it was delicious. He is a burger snob and says that was the best from the 15+ burger places he's tried in the city. Warning: background music is loud ass heavy metal which makes it really hard to talk. What else am i suppose to do when i have to wait at least an hour for this place and it's 30 degrees outside if it's impossible to have a conversation without yelling? I'm sorry that i'm not emo or socially awkward where i have to be on my phone constantly. On second thought, maybe the music is a tactic to get people in and out quickly.
(2)
David J.

Kuma's is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. Not only because of the atmosphere that you get inside, but for the absolutely fantastic burgers you get. We sat outside because it was a beautiful May day and got there right when Kuma's opened. There was already a line to get in at opening time which lets you know right there that the place is good. Kuma's was packed thirty minutes after opening and I could easily tell why as soon as I bit in to my burger. I got the Led Zeppelin burger which came with pulled pork on top and fries and it was magnificent. It's the only one I have tried at Kuma's but my friend got the Pig Destroyer (I believe it is all pulled pork) and she said it was equally as good. You will not be disappointed with Kuma's even if you don't fully understand the menu and atmosphere (the burgers are all named after metal bands). Come in and enjoy and burger and a beer because you will not find a better burger in all of Chicago.
(5)
Joe L.

My boss loves this place. I wanted to love it too. It only works if you go during the day. If you go at night be prepared for epic wait times and loud metal music. Keep in mind - I enjoy metal but not when I'm trying to have a conversation. If you go - go for lunch.
(3)
Anthony M.

benny's chop house if you ask for a house wine,make sure you ask the cost before you order..our house wine was $17a glass and since we live in the gold coast area we are used to $11- 13 a glass so we were surprised that our cost was so high..beware...
(2)
SouthSide C.

LONG wait and small cramped seating. Great burgers and bear selection.
(3)
R.A. H.

A great burger in a great setting. But don't go to Kuma's if you are looking for a simple, fast burger. One, based on your arrival time, you may have to wait. Two, make sure you're hungry. Because the burgers are BIG. Three, hope you like music, because they like it a little loud (but don't worry, it's not too loud to talk to your friends about how good your burger is). Finally, don't go to Kuma's if you're vegetarian. If you want a nice big burger paired with exceptional toppings, be sure to check out this place. You will not be disappointed. On this visit, I chose their Goatsnake. Slightly out of my comfort zone with goat cheese and fried onions, I found the meat cooked perfectly medium and the toppings were fabulous and worked together well. I paired my meal with Vandermill's Totally Roasted on tap. Another thumbs up for having several ciders to choose from.
(5)
David H.

Kumas- An experience that is best shared with a few beers. The recipes are awesome. My burger was sitting in the depths of hell too long though, and came out as tough as a black latex jumpsuit. Oi! I will resurrect my effort for another attempt at nirvana.
(3)
Jenny L.

Very very good burger. Very very generous portion. I was really hungry and I really tried... but was only able to finish maybe 3/4 of it. The place was super crowded and the music was blasting. When I left, my voice was gone.
(4)
tim d.

Service was fantastic. The burger ws just ok. The beef was REALLY salty. Was surprised. Had to take my beloved bacon off to reduce the salt. ...then I ate the bacon afterward anyway. Ill try again. Why not?
(3)
Rodrigo R.

Best burgers in Chicago hands down and they have jack Daniels on tap parking is easy but if your in a group of three or more waiting for a table can last up to 35 mins burgers are worth the wait.
(5)
Cynthia X.

This place has a great variety of burgers and has a veggie patty option for vegetarians (yay! Since one of our friends was vegetarian). Solid food, but not so great environment. The place inside is filled with smoke from the kitchen. So, its guaranteed that you will come out smelling bad. Also, it cannot be healthy to sit in that smoke for so long! The burgers are solid, but definitely not worth any wait over 30min. You can easily get similar burgers at other gourmet burger chains. I assume the wait time is long because they are actually reallly slow to cook the food, so expect to wait more even after you at seated. I ordered the iron maiden, which was a hefty burger. I could have been easily full after half the burger, but gluttonous me kept eating. So stuffed afterwards!
(3)
Rachelle B.

This place is so fun and the burgers are incredible! I love the metal music they have goin there, that's my kind of place. Expect to wait a while for a table, but it's worth the wait. I came here with 3 other people, so we started with the Mac n cheese. That was the best Mac n Cheese I ever had, it was fresh and caramelized and green onions were added that made it even better. We each ordered a different kind of burger and split it between us. They were all delicious! Best burgers I've ever had. They have a great selection of craft beer too. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Bev K.

Wounderful food, great service, friendly and energetic atmosphere! This is a must go place! We were a group of 5 and each of us were extremely pleased with the food.
(4)
D G.

It's really great that Kumas has been featured on so many cooking/travel channels, but it just makes it so much harder to get into! Lol. I can tell though I'm one of those who hates waiting for a table, but, Kumas is definitely worth the wait....Off the chain quality food! I make the 45 mile drive from Indiana just to get a burger!!! Please don't ever close your doors!!!! Friendly and efficient staff too. D.G. Hobart, In Without hesitation I give Kumas 5stars !
(5)
Carter M.

Completely amazing burger. The wait is looooonnnggg. But so worth it when you actually get the food, which can be pretty long a wait too. Again, worth it.
(4)
Gabrielle F.

The food here is quite tasty, but overall, it gets way more praise then it's worth! The wait is always incredibly long, because of all the hype that surrounds it. I feel like I can get just as good of burgers elsewhere, for much less time and money. The place also has very VERY loud music playing, and the TVs were all playing what appeared to be anime porn..
(2)
Joe R.

I went here a few months ago. The wait can be a pain, but we got lucky with a bar seat right away as two people were leaving. The service was amazing, the waitress let us try a few beers until we were able to settle on one we enjoyed, and the burgers were fucking fantastic. Large portions, reasonable prices, nice beer list, and amazing service. It's always going to be crowded at great places like this.
(5)
Clinton B.

So in the middle of June thru don't have an air conditioner. I suppose you get to pay they for over priced beer and Way over priced burgers to sweat half to death. Good god I hope they have a heater in the winter. Food is so not worth the sweat. Negative stars on this place
(1)
Karen G.

Yum yum yum! I recommend the poppers, pickles and Mac and cheese. Awesome food! Has a corner bar feel small inside so off hours are the best for no wait. Be aware no air conditioning if you can't take the heat avoid hot days.
(4)
Sam L.

The burgers, as you know, are crazy good. I would sell my soul to the devil for a lifetime supply--provided I don't have to wait 3+ hours. Hence the 1 star deduction. The servers can be rude. Get over it. Think of it as part of the restaurant's heavy metal aesthetic.
(4)
Jeremy U.

This place defintely exceeded my expectations! The atmosphere was great. I loved the punk rock music being played. The Ambiance was very laid back. Now on the important part.. the FOOD!! You can not go wrong with any of their burgers. I went with a group of four people and I tried everyones burgers. Juicy, and with an awesome kick of flavor. The fries were just as great as well. Nice selection of drinks. The staff are very nice and helpful as well. I can not wait to go back to chicago and eat here again!
(5)
Tom D.

Good burgers but way too long a wait for what it's worth. Also, I really like punk music but enjoy talking to the people I am with at our table more. For my vote, Bad Apple in Lincoln Square is the same quality and less of a hassle.
(3)
Kelly S.

I used to live in Chicago and every time I come back I have to make a trip to Kuma's. Their burgers are the best I've ever had and def worth the wait. The ambiance is interesting, but they have a great beer list and the food is exceptional. Try the fried pickles--they're awesome!
(5)
Ryan P.

Best burgers in the world. Try the high on fire and you won't be disappointed. I drive 35 minutes and gladly wait 1-2 hours. Well worth it everytime. Try one of their amazing beers as well.
(5)
Morgan N.

Their burgers are amazing - probably better than DMK Burger Bar but I could get beat down in the street for saying that. Anyways, don't try to make substitutions. They won't let you and your substitute will never be as good as their originals. Reasonably priced, large burger sizes and generous amount of fries. Not a large place so be prepared to wait a long time if you're there at peak dinner times or on the weekend.
(4)
liz m.

After all the hype I finally made it here. I took my son and we went early enough to get a table without waiting. The staff was fine, they flipped shifts while we were there but they let us know and we did not fall through the cracks. My burger was scrumptious and cooked well. My son wanted his egg well done on his burger and they followed through. Not inexpensive but delicious.
(4)
Angelo B.

For the past few year's, people have been telling me that I need to go here for the burgers, which definitely hyped it up for me. I was also warned it will be also packed and I will have to wait, which deterred me a bit from going. Luckily, when I did venture out here, we got in right before the rush and got a seat right away (it was probably 5:30 on a weekday, also it was winter so less people were probably going out). Anyway, the server was nice and efficient, the food did live up to the hype I was getting. We started off with mac and cheese and it was fantastic, highly recommend. I got the High on Fire burger, which was both sweet and spicy! They also have a pretty good beer selection. Definitely a place that everyone should try out!
(5)
Andrew N.

GREAT beer, GREAT whiskey, AMAZING burgers. Sure it's a little small & you might have to wait a while but it's really really worth it. I saw Slash there one time! Do yourself a favor & get the pulled pork fries & if you get one of their burgers, don't add or remove anything from it....that's like ruining art!
(5)
Debra T.

Amazing!!! Go hungry and eat your fill. Left over do not warm up well especially the mac and cheese. But, that does not change that this place is amazing. The staff and bar tenders have standards that everyone else in the restaurant business should strive towards. Everything is wonderful. You wont be disappointed. Go!
(5)
Jim F.

Good burgers, good service, long wait...
(3)
Sherri S.

This is by far the best place in Chicago for burgers, delicious Mac n cheese and craft beers. If you want a spicy burger the Plague Bringer is the way to go or for a classic fried egg burger go with Kuma's burger. The Mac n cheese is build your own way. Let's not forget an appetizer all are great especially the Chorizo Stuffed Poppers or Fried pickles. If going with a friend my suggestion is split a burger and Mac n cheese then you get the best of both worlds. Be prepared for delicious food, beer and heavy metal music.
(5)
Bran G.

I didn't think Kuma's would live up to the hype but it SURPASSES it. They meld together all their crazy toppings in one harmonious bite of pure bliss. The fries also give Gene & Jude's a run for their money. Awesome beer list. We waited about 1 hour on a Thursday but went across the street for a drink and time flew. If you still don't believe the hype go in for a try; just make sure you wear pants with a little wiggle room. Bonus points: they were playing Edward Scissorhands on the one TV in the joint - great touch Must.Go.Back.
(5)
Jill W.

Best hamburger I ever had (Kuma) and I'd happily go again. I'm not typically into burgers, but I wouldn't mind the wait again, which speaks volumes. Staff was great too. There's going to be a wait, loud music, and little to no parking -- if that will ruin you day, don't bother. Then take a moment and be thankful for your cakewalk of a life if that's too much for you to handle in a day.
(5)
Michael H.

By far the best burger I have ever tried! The environment is awesome! There is constant metal blaring and a movie on the tv. The wait for dinner is about 45-60 minutes but completely worth it
(5)
Preston J.

Definitely a burger masterpiece. The ambiance is heavy metal and grungy kitchen, but the burger comes out with a healthy portion of toppings and a lot of meat. Drink selection is great too.
(5)
Adam D.

Way overrated. The bacon on the burger I had was cooked rare and was stringy. The long wait time and general overcrowding of the original location was enough to keep me away. I also don't have long black hair with matching beard or any tattoos so I guess I am not the customer they are targeting. The Diversey location is much more laid back. I can think of at least five other burger joints I would prefer.
(2)
Sam B.

Awesome Food, Awesome Staff!!
(5)
Thomas H.

We were lucky to find seating at the bar right away for lunch. Friendly waitress, great beer selection. A very diverse crowd, lots of ink, but also businessmen and blue collar workers. Burgers were great. As busy as they were, food was delivered quickly. We had the Corrections House and Lair of the Minotaur, Delicious! Music was good and loud. If you are in the area, the wait is certainly worth it.
(4)
Thomas K.

Incredibly overrated! The meat is good quality, too lean. I thought the burger lacked taste. The waffle fries were tasteless. Crappy way too loud thrash kind of trash music. Super irritating employees. Tattooed posers originally from the suburbs probably, acting like they are cool. Why? Because they work at Kuma's Corner? There are numerous "gourmet" burger joints in Chicago far better. I say save money and eat better at Wendy's, quite seriously.
(1)

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Address : 2900 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL, 60618
Phone (773) 604-8769
Website https://www.kumascorner.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 12

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Very Loud
Music : Background
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : No
Best Nights : Mon, Tue, Wed
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : No

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Burgers

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Kuma’s Corner

2900 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL, 60618

Kuma’s Corner Menu

Burgers

Sandwiches

Appetizers

Salad

Healthy Meal suggestions for Kuma’s Corner

Burgers

Sandwiches

Appetizers

Salad

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