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Name: Kuma’s Too
Address: 666 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL, 60614
Telephone: (773) 472-2666
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.44

Kuma’s Too

666 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL, 60614

(773) 472-2666
Store is closed

Kuma’s Too Menu

Appetizers

Bbq Pork Fries

Buffalo Chicken Tenders

Fried Pickles

Grit Fritters

Jalapeno Poppers

Build Your Own Mac And Cheese

Chili
Salads

House

Caesar

Summer
Sandwiches

Apmd

Pig Destroyer

Hatebeak
Burgers

Our Famous Kuma

Absu

Black Sabbath

Goatsnake

High On Fire

Iron Maiden

Kaijo

Lair Of The Minotaur

Led Zeppelin

Mastodon

Metallica

Neurosis

Pantera

Plague Bringer

Slayer

Weekened Nachos

Yob

Healthy Meal suggestions for Kuma’s Too

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 ]

Build Your Own Mac And 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 ]
Salads

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 ]
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 ]
Burgers

Our Famous Kuma [ 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 ]

Weekened 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 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Tony C.

Amazng burgrs and great death metal music Best combo.
(5)
Lauren L.

I have never been to Kuma's but I heard a bunch of hype from my Chicago savvy friends. I decided to go to this closer location with my boyfriend since he is a big burger fan. We were disappointed that the buffalo burger was on the menu but when we went to order it the waitress informed us they don't sell it anymore. We started with the mac n cheese with bacon and it was really good, but had A TON of bacon mixed in so it kind of over powered the mac n cheese. We both got burgers; his had garlic mayo, jalapeÃ±os, pepper jack cheese and hot sauce. It was a little too hot for him and he took the jalapeÃ±os off. Mine had pulled pork, bacon, and cheddar cheese. Mine was much better than his and we both enjoyed the fries. Unfortunately, the heavy metal scene is just not my thing and some of the songs that played during our dinner gave me a serious headache and made conversation difficult. So if you want to silently eat a good burger and fries while listening to metal music then this is the place to go.
(4)
Surim H.

I wish there was a separate review for service. The only reason I'm able to give this place 3 stars is because the burgers are worth it and maybe more, however don't expect any service from this joint. #1 After being seated and taking the time to decide what to order, we had to flag down our waiter/waitress. Don't bother asking any other staff for service or help because if they are not your server, prepare for a snooty response. #2 People there need to get an attitude adjustment. Rolling your eyes and also getting snappy at customers are a great way to get NO TIP! When we tried to get our initial server to order, the waitress assigned to our table passed by and I clearly saw her roll her eyes because she probably thought we were being "impatient." Also had no patience when it came to order. Friends like to be polite and see if other people at the table want to order first out of courtesy. This girl took it as "I thought you said you were ready to order." Quite funny how I don't know what the crabbiness was about since this place wasn't as busy as kumas corner and there were about 3-4 servers. For future business, please train your servers better by having an attitude adjustment. No problems in the kitchen. The burgers were delicious and there was a great selection on beer.
(3)
Tsung M.

I got the famous kuma burger and buffalo. Chicken tenders. The burger was amazing. It comes with chips or fries or salad (tried the chips and fries, I liked the fries better). The burger was delicious. I loved the fried egg in there!! But for the buffalo chicken tender, not so much. The sauce was spicy and very sour. The chicken itself was juicy, but just the sauce ruined the dish.
(4)
Jenny H.

Kuma's finally sold its soul to a 666 W Diversey locale next to a spritely Ann Taylor Loft and across from a happenin' Trader Joes. Kumaheads may find this a blasphamous disregard for all things held sacred from the original. Nothing quite compares to the ceremonial shoulder-to-shoulder two-hour wait, divey small-seater, drowned in a billowy cloud of mystical smoky carnage. Take all of the notable parts of the original Kuma's: wait time, burger selection, beers, orange walls, tiled ceiling details, then add a heavier compensatory dose of eardrum-ringing-scream-at-your-dining-companion-Âacross-the-table heavy metal music. Their windows up front doubles as a garage door... heavy metal summer block party, anyone? Sunday night for dinner was a true 45min-1hour wait, However, it seemed as though it took less time for their burgers to churn out. I got my usual Yob... still the same droolworthy deliciousness! Though I'd skip the chips and go for the fries-- mine were crisped beyond any semblance of its once spudsy taste. There once was a time when Kuma's Corner was a regulars' neighborhood spot before it garnered media attention... forever plagued by atrocious wait times. While the original Kuma's may never return to its once beloved neighborhood status, I no longer have to take two Ls and a bus to get my Kuma-fix. Given its new location, I feel I can easily slip out and peruse around before checking on our wait. Dare I say, I prefer Too over the original.
(5)
Zoe S.

MAC AND CHEESE. Jalepeno, bacon and mushroom. You're welcome.
(5)
Kori E.

Stopped in here after a movie on Saturday night and got a table right away! The burgers are a lot to choose from. I kind of wanted to make my own, but whatever. I opted for the Kuma's Original, minus the egg, and it was good. I don't know that it's the BEST burger I've ever had?? My date thought his was good, but maybe a bit rich with all the toppings. We only ate half of our burgers to the dismay of our waitress and the fact that HE actually asked for a to go box totally unimpressed her! It was quite funny. Anyway, it was good, but not amazing like all the epic Kuma stories I've heard. I would save the calories for something else...personally.
(3)
Chris M.

Whenever I have guests come in from out of town, stopping by Kuma's is a must. Their burgers are incomparable to any other burgers I have ever had. My go-to burger is the Iron Maiden (with a fried egg), which is a magical combination of avocados, chipotle mayo, peppers, all on top of a big juicy beef patty. The wait at Kuma's Too is much less than at the original, and the burgers taste just the same. Still expect to wait at least 30 min. to sit down during peak hours though. To avoid the wait, come by during the week or at the turn of the lunch hour on weekends.
(5)
Gabby R.

Like spicy food? This place is for you! Being new to Chicago, I have never heard of Kuma's but I sure do now! Even though the food was spicy, our server, Kirsten was totally sweet! Our burgers were so good (YOW and Metallica) the patty itself was really good. Good selection of drinks, nice bartenders. BTDubs: Even the croutons on the salad are spicy. WHAT. Yes.
(5)
Christina M.

3 for service. 5 for food. We had Tara and I'm literally writing this as I wait for her to pick up my check. I feel like I had to wave her down more than she actually checked on my table. I get it she may have a system, but it's flawed, I see her making rounds but she keeps her head down, its hard to make eye contact with her. She's nice. But I hate waiting, and feeling obnoxious by waving people down
(3)
Genevieve T.

Went to Kuma's with my friend. We ordered two burgers with the intent of splitting them in half to share. We both ordered them to be cooked medium. One was way over cooked, didn't look anything like the other. The sauces and toppings were good, I mean it had potential, but I was disappointed that the meat wasn't cooked as I ordered. Also the service was very, very slow.
(2)
Natalie Q.

Kuma's is awesome, Kuma's Too is terrible. I love the main location. I was on the fence about this one and now will never eat there again. Then again, food poisoning can do that. On 3/9 I ordered food delivery. After eating within an hour I got super sick and that lasted for a day. My partner got food poisoning too and it lasted much longer. I would have just complained about the lack of consistency but food poisoning is a major issue. That said when the food is good, it's great. It will never be the original. Every order has been completely different as far as preparation. Sometimes the burgers are near raw, other times they're well done. The amount of what toppings they use are completely different every time. My friend once ordered Mac & Cheese with no scallions, they did double scallions. They offered to scrape them off. I usually get the Slayer and it's so random how it will end up. Almost no chili, smothered in way too much cheese, and just 3 slices of sausage. Not once has the burger been prepared properly. I always ask for it the same, never happened. The other problem is the fact they don't listen (or don't care). Don't want something on your order? Too bad it's going to be there. Want something extra or different? They don't care. Have questions about the food? I've been scoffed at for even asking what comes in something. Like I said, main location is awesome, 5 stars easy. The food is delicious there and I've never been disappointed. I don't expect perfection and I've ordered from here a bunch of times, been here a couple times, and every time there's something to complain about. People in this city find the most petty reasons to complain about a restaurant and yet this one gets rave reviews. Maybe it depends on the night and maybe some staff here just absolutely suck. I don't know, but I can't risk being so sick I can't go to work.
(1)
Puja P.

NOT as good as the original. The burgers were just not as good as Kuma's corner, period. I would not go back to this place. I would rather pick up food from Kumas Corner than eat here and have the food "fresh". Will not be returning.
(2)
Kate N.

I ordered pickle chips and macaroni and cheese and both were good, but not great. I will say, the portion of the mac and cheese was fantastic for the price, and I love the options to add things in - very solid, and what made me round up from 3.5, rather than down. I haven't tried their burgers, but I was impressed enough to give them another try down the line.
(4)
Melanie T.

Came here on a Sunday night with my husband and kids...yes, I brought my kids. With that being said, it is definitely not a kid friendly place. First off the music was wayyy too loud. I'm not a fan of metal but I don't mind it. It was the volume of the music. I couldn't hear anyone I was talking to, server included. We ordered jalapeno poppers, the dip it came with was good. My daughter ordered the chili, super delicious! My husband and I weren't too crazy about the burgers. I mean they're good, HUGE but nothing that'll make me rush back. What really killed it for me was the loud music. I just couldn't get over it. Even if it was just me and my husband, I don't think I could do it again. Just turn it down a notch.
(3)
Helen A.

It's good, but not the best in the city in my opinion. We ordered the siracha and metallic burgers. ..siracha wins, but the best tasting were the pulled pork fries.
(3)
Ann S.

I wanted to love this place since we heard so much about it from friends and Yelp. We walked in around 2pm mid-week and got seated at the last available table. We got our order taken rather quickly and then we waited....and waited...and waited. We watched 1/3 of the movie Labyrinth which was on over the bar and still no food. Given the name of some of the burgers, I thought the hubby was at least going to get to hear some Iron Maiden or Priest or something. Nope. We got some delightful death metal...the gargling rocks and shards of glass edition. With 30 minutes of that thumping into my brain before our food finally came out, it did nothing to help my expectations. The pretzel bun was fine and the burger was okay (I got the Mastadon and the hubby got the YOB) but the fries were mediocre so I didn't eat them. I got the burger down but quickly started to feel sick. No dinner for me that night since I was pounding antacid to counter the effects. I hear the mac and cheese is supposed to be really good but I don't know if I'd waste one of my few meals in the city to find out if that's true or not. The hipsters can have it.
(2)
Jenifer J.

When hipster goes hardcore... If you have ever been to the original, save your time and money and take your happy ass there. This place is not for you. I came here right when it opened up and was disgusted at all the skinny jeans, flannel shirts and cool, nerdy glasses placed upon the faces of hot chicks. The girls at the door were a bit stuck up, which wasn't a big deal for me, I'm used to dealing with rude people in the food service industry. Waiter was fine. Wait time is the same. But the burgers were just not as good. They were so dry and a cheap knockoff of the original Kumas. This second location was a beautiful idea and I had such high hopes because I work right by it but it is a definite FAIL.
(2)
David R.

Ordered via Grubhub. First off, the burger took 1.5hr to get here. I ordered on a Monday night at 5:45, that's ridiculous. And on top of that, the burger and fries were stone cold. I ended up just reheating some leftovers and eating that instead.
(1)
PJ T.

So we got here on a snowy Monday after a long day of work n chores. Guess it was petty open as not many ppl like to be out when it's snowing especially on a Monday (you would think chicago is used to it but nah). We sat at the bar by choice. Ended up watching van helsing on TV - yep ! The burgers came out hot n fresh. I got the sabbath n husband got the special. The special came with - hold ur breath - beef patty, chicken, bacon n maple syrup fries. The flavour combination in both burgers was amazing. Ofcourse we couldn't finish but a doggie bag was nicely done. Wud go back!
(4)
Kelly C.

Delicious food. Coming here really shows you how amazing Mac and Cheese can change your whole day. However - the music is WAY to loud. I get the ambiance is metal punk or something, but I shouldn't have to scream to my friends sitting next to me. Please turn your music down - your waitresses are loosing their voice because of the volume!
(3)
Carolyn M.

Everything was great! Awesome beer selection, burgers all look great, and the Mac and cheese was amazing!!
(5)
Anuj S.

I had a good time at Kuma's. The burgers were fine - I don't think they were particularly spectacular to be honest, but overall it was a great experience. I went there with family, which was interesting experience because obviously they've got a heavy metal theme so the music was blaring. It was funny, but the whole 1.5 hours I was there, I couldn't tell the difference between any of the songs they played. This was like deep metal... I mean, I've heard plenty of Metallica and all, but this was way beyond that. :-) The service was fine and all. I want to add, that we actually first went to Kuma's Corner (the original one) and it was so small and so crowded that we decided to leave. They didn't even have a table that could seat 7 people and they were saying it'd be an hour wait. On the other hand, Too is much bigger and much less crowded. It wasn't empty by any means and we were still told there'd be a 15 minute wait, but it was manageable, if you will. I'm torn between giving them a fourth star. I mean, 3.5 would be correct. I did enjoy the evening, but probably because it was a fun birthday evening.
(3)
Zachary S.

Food is awesome, beer is great. I always try their new speciality burgers! I love the bartenders and managers as well. Music of course is a little loud, but it's Kumas!
(5)
Niki I.

Unfortunately we both thought the burgers were very very salty. I had the goatsnake and my boyfriend had the absu. It was understandably busy on a Saturday evening but service was still great. However, the wait for the food was long. Music was almost too loud (to be expected), waitress had a hard time hearing our orders.
(2)
April S.

This place is great. Awesome atmosphere, great beer selection. The burger selection is big and it's actually entertaining to just decide on one. The pantera burger was fantastic.
(5)
Kyle P.

Positives: -Came here with a friend on Thursday night at 6:15 and did not have trouble getting a table at all -Mac and cheese was probably the best I've ever had. We chose bacon, caramelized onions, and jalapenos. It was a huge portion too -Server was friendly and attentive -Despite what some others have said, the music was not too loud. I'm no fan of heavy metal but whatever, I can deal. It wasn't harder to hear my friend than at any other crowded restaurant Negatives: -My burger was huge but overall it was realllly salty. I'm normally a fan of pretzel buns but this one was just so salty and substantially pretzel-y that it took away from the burger somewhat -Price: it ain't cheap. $36 per person for a burger plus a beer plus 1/2 of an app each. Portions WERE huge, though, and we both went home with leftovers Overall: I'd give it 3.5 if I could; quite enjoyable but not out-of-this-world-awesome. Had a good experience and will be back to try another mac and cheese combo and another burger, since there is such a wild variety of choices. Just have to go sweat out all the salt first!
(3)
Shane G.

Went here with two of my boys for burgers and had a great time! It was on a Friday night so we prepared ourselves for a long wait, but, surprisingly, a table opened up after just 10 minutes. This was my first time here (if you're not a fan of noisy atmospheres or rock music this is not the place for you) and I really liked the vibe. It was very laid back. Our waitress was a sweetheart and took our orders promptly and politely let us know that because of the long wait for tables that once we were finished eating we couldn't just sit around and talk which is totally understandable now that I've had their food lmao. We started off with fried pickles and jalapeÃ±o poppers. Both were exceptional, but those jalapeÃ±o poppers blew my mind. They were some of the best food I've ever had in the four years I've lived in Chicago. Sorry, pizza... The poppers came with a raspberry vinaigrette dipping sauce that I was skeptical about at first, but I was tempted to drink the rest as a shot after the poppers were gone. I ordered the Goatsnake burger and thought it was great. Their burgers are all so interesting and come with some unique toppings I've never had on burgers before. I'm very impressed that it all tasted so good. My friends burgers also looked really appetizing and one of them, whose normal meals consist of a cigarette and a coffee, finished his entire place. If that isn't a sign I don't know what is. Definitely going here again.
(5)
Chris L.

Had a birthday event here and management was extremely accommodating up front. They were very receptive to having a big group in a small place with proper planning and were very nice. They provided some complimentary apps and service was absolutely outstanding. Place isn't big so it can have long wait times but the food is great and such a large burger menu. Also have been here on dates and with smaller groups and have received pretty good service.
(5)
John S.

I came here last year based on a lot of friends talking about Kumas being the best burger place. My experience might be a bit biased since I had the day off and was able to go around 2PM (a nonbusy hour). Their seating arrangement looked legit and everything looked fairly clean, so nothing to complain about there. We sat at the bar and the bartender was very knowledgeable on all the draft beers and burgers, which was nice. We ended up getting the burger of the month. I've ordered a medium burger at another legit burger place and it came out medium rare which was disgusting, so I went for the medium well while my friend got medium. The burger was cooked to perfection, with flecks of pink through out the burger (not medium, not well done) which was amazing. My friend got a more medium rare burger so I was glad I ordered mine medium well. Coupled with fries, I couldn't even finish the burger since it had some kind of pulled pork or something on it... it was enormous. Definitely the best burger I've had at a restaurant. I'm not sure if I would come here when its busy, because the wait would be ridiculous and I doubt my burger would come out cooked to my liking.
(5)
Kristine N.

Deserves 3.5 stars. I love the vibe here, very chill but a good time. Friendly service My bf and I split two burgers, the yob and absu. The yob was a little standard, your typical bacon cheeseburger. The absu was absolutely delicious. Something about the red onions, queso, and fried chiles, yum. Fries and chips were fresh and crispy and they're loaded on the plate. The buns were ok. I like DMK better.
(3)
Lynn O.

The food was good. The attitute was TERRIBLE!!! I've waited tables and tender bar in places that were pleasant to work at and some not so much but even if my managers were crappy, I smiled at my tables!!! It isn't hard. Be a person!! We went this Saturday afternoon and were seated right away, there was a wait by the time we left (so the people are making money, they can't be sad about that). It isn't a big room so they weren't running but it was evident from 5 minutes after we walked in that NO ONE looked happy to be there. The food had good portions, my burger was tasty and the waitress didn't do anything "wrong" she was just miserable. There is zero excuse for that...zero. I don't know if they are tired of hearing metal or were all hung over or if they are kept in a dank basement when they are not working but there are enough good burger places in the city for me to go to where I can feel welcome. Never again.
(2)
Melissa C.

Hubby and I made a day of it downtown a few weekends ago. I got to play with my new friend Chili the Penguin (review on THAT later!) and than we headed to Kuma's for some lunch. I was originally thinking of going to the original location, but with it being St. Patty's Day and crazy street closures, we decided to treck a little further north to Kuma's Too. I don't make it up to the Lakeview area, but trips like this one make me wonder why I don't head up there more often! The parking was pretty easy, if you know where to go. It's mostly street parking, but we found a great hidden parking deck right behind the Bank of America (??) just two blocks east of the restaurant. When we walked in, there's no doubt you're in for a fun time! Heavy metal was blaring, fun waitstaff was ready to greet us, and seated us right away. I think this is one of the big differences between Kuma's Corner and Kuma's Too....the wait time :) Now I'm nosy when it comes to my food and food around me. I definitely look at what other tables have and partly judge my order on what looks good :) EVERYTHING looked good! The burgers were massive, the mac and cheese looked like it was big enough to feed an army, and who can resist having WHISKEY on tap! With the burgers as large as they were, husband and I decide against appetizers and just went for burgers. He's somewhat of a purist, so he went with the Famous Kuma Burger...Bacon, Sharp Cheddar, Fried Egg, Lettuce, Tomato and Onion. It was definitely juicy and very well cooked. Egg was runny, and you could taste every layer of ingredient. I went with the Goatsnake burger....herbed goat cheese, poblano corn relish, cholula lemon vinaigrette, and buttermilk bredded frizzled red onions. OMG, the combination of all the flavors together was amazing! You could get the heat from the relish, the creamyness and fat from the goat cheese, and the burger was cooked to perfection (medium rare). Both burgers came with sides...husband got fries and I got tho homemade chips. The one weird thing about Kumas was that they don't have ranch dressing! They did suggest the garlic aioli which was a great substitute! Kumas Too was a great experience and I can't wait to go back again!! Although a limited menu, it's clear they stick with what they know and do it right :)
(5)
Braden D.

I travel to Chicago 3-4 times a year for business and have been dying to eat at Kuma's for years! I really liked the set up here, bar, beer selection (fantastic) and the 4 different types of whiskey on tap (kind of a gimmick, but whatever). Our waitress was nice, attentive, and once we finally got a table after a 1.5 hour wait we had a great time! What the hell are you all thinking about these burgers though? Yeah they are giant and have AWESOME names but seriously, this wasn't even in my Top 10. With a 1-2 hour wait, you could probably do much better at any other gastropub type place in the city ... The music or wait didn't bother me one bit but man, are those burgers overrated!
(2)
Anna M.

The Setting/Local Area: Located in a very nice area of Lincoln Park. We usually walk to Kuma's from a friend's apartment so if you are looking for a place to park there is usually always somewhere to park on Clark. The restaurant it self is newer looking with lovely, large windows that open to the street when it is warm. They did manage to bring over some of the Hard Rock/Metal aspects over from the Original Kuma's which tied in nicely. The Staff: These guys are always on the go but on top of things. Most of the time they are very polite to deal with but there are times where the waitress' attentiveness slows as the place fills up and gets very busy very quickly. The Wait: Always expect to have a very long wait in between the hours of 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Standard wait time during those peak hours are usually 1 hour to 1 hour and 45 minutes! We always go here well after 8:00 and usually get seated with in 10-20 minutes. The Food: The food here is always good and always fresh. There really isn't anything on the menu that is not worth the money. I always get the Goatsnake burger or I build my own mac and cheese. Seriously, everything on the menu is delicious! I can not find fault with the menu what so ever. Every meal that I have ordered has come out hot, exactly how I wanted it cooked and fresh. Whenever I order the mac and cheese I have to save half of it so I can eat more of it later! While the new Kuma's does not have the same character or charm as the original Kuma's, those are only things that will come in time.
(4)
Sarah B.

Tasty burger! Tasty beer! Tasty atmosphere! Okay, so maybe the atmosphere wasn't "tasty" but for someone who really hates metal music, I had a lovely time. It's rare that the "rare" burger I order comes out looking pink and bloody the way I like, and Kuma delivered. Kudos. Plus there was such a cool variety of burger toppings that I didn't feel like it was something I could make at home on the grill. No veggie toppings though - lettuce and tomato would have been nice, but it get that's not really with the spirit of the place.
(4)
Karla B.

We went in last night (a Monday) and immediately got a table. I had the Plague Bringer and LOVED it. My boyfriend had Lair of the Minotaur and also loved it. We couldn't decide which one is better. They were out of the two beers we tried to order, but the waitress immediately recommended others.
(4)
William B.

I heard kumas was the best burgers in the city and tried kumas too since the original was a two hour wait. Atmosphere was cool. It wasn't the best burger in town but it was a good burger. I think I was expecting to be blown away and wasn't really.
(3)
Kevin K.

One is being generous...hostess completely forgot about us and then turned around and blamed us. Don't go on a busy night, there's a good chance they'll forget you're standing in front of them.
(1)
Dan S.

Loud Obnoxious Music, a Hellish Wait, and the Best Burgers you will Ever Have...Ever Before going, know that there will be a crazy long wait, they won't seat more than 8 people together, and the music will be metal...and it will be blaring. If these things do not turn you away, you are in for an absolute treat. NOTE: Also, I did not take stars away for this because it really is part of the experience of this place. If you want Hubert Kellers $1000 truffle burger and the pretentiousness that comes with it or a super fast grease burger that is ready in 2 minutes and the squirts that come with it...then go have that! The ambiance is rather plain, with black tables and orange walls, with a few odd art pieces on the walls. The servers are extremely nice and helpful. They are quick with refills and suggestions. While you are waiting you can talk to friends and order drinks from the bar. The bar offers a decent selection of draft and bottled beers from classics to local craft beers as well as a special beer of the month. But the true star is the food. To start the meal, me and whoever I am with split an order of the Mac and Cheese. It is terrific, has the right amount of real cheese and tastes great in any combination. (This is also your time to be in control because the burgers offer no substitutions.) Just the other day I had my 5th different Kuma's Burger and it was the worst I had had there. Did I like it? You better believe it. It was also the 5th Best Burger I have ever had in my life. The must haves so far are the Goatsnake which pairs a seasoned goat cheese with fried red onion and housemade dressing and the Absu which has a mexican flare of housemade salsa, relish, and fried chili peppers. Food I have had: Mac and Cheese w/ Jalepeno, Prosciutto, and Onions (Must Have as Appetizer) Goatsnake Burger (A Must Have Burger, my Favorite) Absu Burger (A Must Have Burger) Megadeth Burger The Famous Kumas Burger High On Fire Burger Hand Cut Fries
(5)
Josh A.

Everything tasted like salt, the burgers were WAY overcooked (medium rare does not mean brown the whole way through...), and the service left much to be desired. I'll give them another try because of their reputation (and because I do want to like this place), but I wasn't impressed during my visit.
(2)
Shannon L.

After a long day of teaching, I had a hankering for a burger and I thought I'd stop by Kuma's Too. I planned to order the food to go. The hostess greeted me, handed me a menu and directed me to the end of the bar to order. So far, so good, right? I waited for what felt like 10 minutes at the end of bar. (Maybe it was only 5 minutes, but still.) The bar tender continued to wait on the guests seated at the bar. Many servers passed by the bar as they headed in and out of kitchen. Did anyone acknowledge me? NO. What a disappointment! Customer service is key if you want to stand out in the sea of restaurants in the city. I may give Kuma's Too a chance in the future. I will be sure to share this experience with them, though.
(2)
Matt C.

We went on a Sunday night. I live just down the street from Kuma's Too and really, really wanted to like it. I love burgers, don't mind metal, and am OK waiting for a table at a popular restaurant. Unfortunately Kuma's Too created a perfect storm of disappointment. First, the wait. It's understandable to make people wait, but to offer close to zero room for people to wait in, combined with the fact that they offer zero notification methods that your table is ready (other than the hostess yelling your name) is unnecessarily inefficient and annoying. The metal. I like some metal. I typically wouldn't mind eating a burger and listening to it. It was at the point when you could hear the "click" of the iPod over the speakers as the volume was cranked up to a ludicrous volume that made the music obnoxious to me. Metal aside, any music in a restaurant kills the vibe when it's cranked to "11". The food. I had the Kuma's Classic Burger. It was good and the singular reason this review isn't 1 Star. Good meat quality, pretzel roll, perfectly-cooked egg on top. It was a solid burger, but certainly not great. In terms of side by side comparisons to other burgers in the area, I'd take Fatty's or Select Cut over the Kuma burger any day. I also tried the build-your-own Mac and Cheese with prosciutto and mushrooms. It was salty beyond belief, almost to the point of being inedible. I'm sure Kuma's will work out some of the kinks - it's understandably difficult to open a restaurant and be slammed all day, every day. Hopefully Kuma's will make some tweaks to the wait, music, and food to make for a better experience.
(2)
Finn B.

I'm not sure if I just came on an off night, but Kuma's Too is absolutely awful compared to the original. Our food took forever and the on top of that, it was just mediocre, especially for the price. Our entire table regretted coming here for the night and we will definitely not be back.
(1)
Lisa S.

After reading the reviews I was super excited to go here and pig out while hungover on a Sunday. Service was eh, my friend ordered a diet soda which never came but made it on to the bill, so she had to ask to get it removed. She would have asked for the drink again during our meal but someone other than our server brought the food and then our server didn't reappear for awhile. The burgers are so thick I couldn't taste anything else. Mine had pulled pork on it which was really good when I ate a piece on its own. Wish the burger to extras ratio was different. I also didn't care for the fries. I understand the rock atmosphere, but it was so loud we gave up on trying to have a conversation.
(2)
Quan L.

Just had to update if their average is only a 3. This place is a solid 4. What are people looking for? You're getting a giant burger (practically a 1 pounder) for $15. My wife and I usually just split one and drink beer or end up having to take half home. All the burgers are pretty damn awesome.
(5)
Liz P.

I went to Kuma's Corner a couple weeks ago for the first time, and I was frustrated with the long wait, the cramped space, and the less-than-friendly hostess. Kuma's Too has none of that. Yeah, things are a little yuppier. You're in Lincoln Park, what do you expect? I went today (Saturday) at about 12:45 and was told the wait would be about 40 minutes. I went to the bar to grab an Allagash and realized the people at the bar were leaving. So we grabbed a couple seats and ended up having no wait at all. Great! The bartender was very friendly and called us "her loves" and made small-talk. The food is just as delicious as it is at Kuma's Corner. Nom. I got the jalapeno poppers and the mac-n-cheese with bacon and sweet corn. Delicious. Overall, it was a great experience! I definitely plan on coming here often :)
(5)
Mike F.

Burgers on pretzel buns combined with fried pickles as an appetizer. Really nothing more I can say than that. Our burger was cooked to perfection and flavorful with cheddar, Swiss, caramelized onions and horseradish mayo. Definitely coming back next time in town.
(5)
Chris D.

I swear by the original Kuma's. It's such a pain in the ass to get to that I decided to try Kuma's Too. I wanted to love it. The problem started with the decor. What the hell? It's like a hipster tried to decorate a metal bar. Bad form! The burgers are the same on the menu as the original but they taste different. Less seasoning maybe? I also have issue with no waffle fries being offered anymore. I got a burger I usually love and it came out super fast, but just seemed....off. The plus was the service was excellent. I didn't have to wait for my drinks which is always a plus. I finished my burger the next day without much enthusiasm.
(3)
Brian M.

I recently went to Kuma's Too with a friend, having never visited the original and not knowing quite what to expect. The environment was much different than I expected with Metal Band posters adorning the walls and their respective music blasting. It was a fun atmosphere, but it was a little difficult to hear. They had an extensive beer list, mostly bottles but a few great selections on draft. I ordered the "Kuma Burger," which has bacon, fried egg, lettuce, onion, tomato, and lettuce. The egg added a really nice flavor that I typically don't associate with a burger, but was very good. My one complaint is that I ordered the burger to be cooked medium, and it came out closer to well done.
(4)
Hitomi A.

This place is a piece of a$$. The food we ordered through grab hub never came after 2hours of waiting.... Don't order food delivery from here!
(1)
Eric G.

First time here with my family. Food was great. Best burger I've had in a long time. The music way way too loud can't here a thing in here. I had to yell to place my order. Too bad because I won't go back.
(3)
Alexandra P.

Thought I would give this location a try since kumas corner is always packed. The service was slow and fried pickles were over breaded and over fried, and cold. I had the Yob, with chicken. It was pretty good. Overall...its over rated.
(2)
Anna R.

This place has amazing burgers, jalapeno poppers, and pretty good drinks. Super loud though, gets pretty crowded on weekends.
(4)
Holly R.

Wait, so this place is like a calm sort of punk rock. Which I kind of really liked. The burger on the other hand.... Meh. I ordered the classic (the one with the fried egg on it), and after everyone's rave reviews of Kuma's, I think I was expecting like fireworks and magic and angels voices and stuff. The burger to everything else ratio was not ok with me. Way too much burger to toppings / bun. The fries were fantastic though, and you can't really hate a place that serves Sprecher Root beer (BIG fan), but I was expecting something more spectacular. Everyone says the best burger in Chicago is found at Kuma's, and I was hoping to get the same thing at Kuma's Too. Guess I will still have to make my trip out to the real deal!
(3)
Karl M.

Free parking after 9. If you've been to Kuma's Corner, this ain't it. Kuma's Cormer is a warm, greasy, smokey place I go to drown out all the douche-baggery. Kuma's Too is a bigger, hipper version with the same great menu and awesome staff (mostly) but a much more sterile environment. The place is bigger, lofty tin-lined ceilings and a much cleaner and roomier washroom give it a Lettuce-Entertaint -You vibe... The wait can still be wicked, though.
(5)
Alicia D.

Update to previous review: Adding an additional star as they have turned the music down!! You can now actually have conversations. I have gone 4 times in the past month, and the wait times have consistently gone down. Not sure if people are losing interest after the initial open but the last two Saturdays, the wait was less than 30 minutes.
(4)
Kori T.

I love Kuma's in general, always delicious food and great people. However I much more prefer the original Kuma's by my house, it just has more of the true hard rock feel to it, and not the yuppy people of Lincoln park.
(4)
Alex M.

Some of the most delicious, creative burgers you'll ever have. Remember that the bar is open seating so if you're a party of 2-3 after you put your name on the waiting list for a regular table do your best to stalk it and grab a seat to avoid the crazy wait. Even though this location has been Lincoln Park-ified it's still a place that plays loud metal music so this may not be the place to take your parents. The burgers are just as good as the original location. I had the Lair of the Minotaur and my girlfriend had the Pantera. Both are delicious. We sat at the bar and the bartenders were all attentive, helpful, and patient when we had questions about their awesome beer menu.
(5)
Katie R.

something is so off in this location compared to the original. our waitress was actually nice which i really appreciated, there was no wait around 4pm on a weekday, and they have root beer on tap. other than that though, the food wasn't nearly as great as i remember and the pretzel bun was so incredibly dry. the environment doesn't really work in such a big, open, airy restaurant (rather than the extremely crowded, smashed original one) which is no big issue for me, just odd.
(3)
Roxanne A.

My friend and I were meeting her for dinner on a Sun evening, thinking that it wouldn't be crowded. How wrong we were there was a crowd both inside and in the inner doorway. There were also strollers and toddlers galore. I haven't been to the original Kuma's Corner, but the music here was still rather loud. I definitely wouldn't expose a baby to this noise level. That being said, I put my name on the list for a two-top and was given an estimated wait time of 1-1.25hrs. My friend finally came and a magical 15 min from when I originally gave my name to be seated, we were shown to a table. I ordered the Goatsnake burger and it was a complete revelation with the herbed goatcheese, battered and fried red onions, and corn salsa. It was so delicious, and though I valiantly tried to conquer the Goatsnake burger, I could only finish half. I had also ordered the bacon and sweet corn mac and cheese to go. For lunch the next day, the Goatsnake burger and mac and cheese (reheated) were still magically delicious. I was definitely the envy of those at the lunch table. I also have to give a shout out to our waitress because she really made things right by not charging us for our sodas which were brought halfway through our meal because she had forgotten about them . It was really busy so I understood, but I do appreciate the small gesture. FYI: don't order your burger well-done or it will come out burnt. I ordered mine medium. Also, they don't split checks and there is only one credit card per check.
(4)
Meagan H.

I am so glad I gave this place another shot. They've turned the music down so I can talk to my date and my waitress. The food has been revamped and is MUCH better. Try the Jalapeno Poppers. Soooo good! I got their Thanksgiving Dinner burger and it tasted just like Thanksgiving! Yay! I love stuffing, turkey, cranberry and bread! So yum! I will definitely go back
(5)
Guy M.

OUTSTANDING burger. This place just keeps impressing me. Got the "Pantera" and it was cooked flawlessly. Juicy and crunchy, sweet and smokey. F*cking eh. Best burger I've had in years. The service was impeccable too. Lovely ladies with good knowledge, and fine attention. Glass was always full and conversation was always great. Katie, Evelyn and Sarita... love these girls. The cherry on top: lots and lots of delicious Jeppson's MalÃ¶rt. That's f*ckin' metal! \m/
(5)
Matt L.

There have been copious hosannas written praising the food here. They're not incorrect. The food is worth the hype and a trip to a rather yuppie part of Chicago. I'm giving them five stars for the service alone. My brother in law and I came here on a Monday night. After a brief (by Kuma's standards) 30 minute wait, we were seated. Waitress was prompt and attentive, making sure we never waited too long for refills on our beers, keeping us updated on the status of our order, and generally making sure we were taken care of without feeling rushed. At a place like this, the service is going to make or break your experience since the food sells itself. Our first time was fantastic. Glad to have you guys in the neighborhood.
(5)
Tim H.

Finally went to the new Kuma's location. I frequented The Counter, the burger restaurant in the space before Kuma's moved in, and structurally the restaurant is very similar to what was there when it was The Counter. The wait wasn't "that" long for a Friday night-- about 25-30 mins, which isn't bad compared to other experiences I've had with Kuma's. Overall Kuma's Too is solid, but for some reason it doesn't have the same feel as the original Kuma's Corner. It seems a bit sterile and a little out of place in Lakeview/Lincoln Park. There's a certain ambience and uniqueness to the space in Avondale that is lacking from Kuma's Too. As for the food, the burgers are still solid. I had the PANTERA ('effin Metal!) and it was delicious. My friend had the MASTADON ('effin Metal!) which was also delicious. The metal motif of Kuma's Too (and Corner) is unlike any restaurant I've been to. It's unapologetically metal, with blaring music and horror movies on the tv screen. Probably not a place I'd bring my parents, despite the tastiness of the food. Kuma's Too is something to experience, particularly because the burgers are inventive, tasty, and hearty. Definitely recommend it, but I'd prefer to go to Kuma's Corner over Kuma's Too
(4)
Alfredo L.

Understand this if you're visiting: This is Kuma's Corner with less of a wait. Yes, there will be weird rules about seating and splitting checks. Yes, the wait times might be way off. Too bad. Deal with it. If you complain about these things, you don't even deserve a Kuma burger. The food: Just as good as the original location. Patty was consistently cooked. You ask for medium-rare, you get medium-rare. If you haven't been to the original location look at it this way... I've tried many of the supposedly 'best' burgers around the U.S. and Kuma's still takes the cake. The drinks: Their beer selection is similar (maybe the same) as the original location. AKA they carry limited editions Three Floyds brews and Two Brothers brews. These are amazing.... I highly respect whoever does their brew selection. The service: Meh, but who gives a sh*t? They could drop kick their customers and people still would come back just for the food. The experience: LOUD music. They've lowered the volume at the original location too... honestly, just lean in and shout at your friends. If you complain about this, you're probably a miserable person that is no fun to hang out with anyways and aren't worthy of Kuma's. Overall: Same food, less wait = Perfection.
(5)
Jon D.

Mmm... huge tasty burgers, no wait when I went, great beer list. As you've probably heard, the music blares as you look over a menu full of homages to the bands that are yelling at you over the loudspeakers. Loved my Goatsnake. Goat cheesey and herbacious to a fault. I started taking my fries and dipping them into the goat cheese that fell off the burger onto the plate. Portions are huge, we all could almost barely finish everything we got. Service might've been a little slow that night, but I'll chalk it up to growing pains of a new open. But it was more than tasty! A+ burgers.
(4)
Natalie B.

One of the first restaurants I went to when I first moved to Chicago. Amazing burgers and great selection of beers!!
(4)
Cam M.

This was the first place where I thought the music was just right, and my girlfriend thought it was too loud... I have never been to the original Kuma's, despite my love of heavier music, burgers, and beer. Blasphemy, I realize. However, when the opportunity to go to Kuma's Too, I took it. We went on a Saturday afternoon around 2PM. We were quoted a 25min wait, and it ended up being closer to 15. Atmosphere I liked the atmosphere. Orangey red paint on the walls, a few framed posters, and then black accents. The music was just right. It wasn't so incredibly loud that you can't hear the person across from you, but was present. I liked it...I couldn't always make out much more than the bass & drum parts, but hey. FOOD! The burger was great. I had the Mastodon (burger, bacon, barbecue sauce, cheddar, and frizzled onions) burger with fries and 2 beers. This is the best burger I have had in Chicago, as well as the most filling. I fear no meal, but this one had me within a few bites of being sick. I finished my burger, fries, and two beers...and could not eat another bite. My girlfriend had a burger that had chillies on it...she seemed to like it too, except she ate maybe half of it and then took the rest home. Beer The beer list was nice, but not very descriptive, however-our waitress knew her shit. I had two while we were there. I avoid getting beers that I drink regularly, when i go to places with great lists. Service Everyone was great. The waitress was nice, checked on us several times, and had prompt answers for our beer/burger questions. I will be returning there to try more of their menu! I want to try their Kuma burger next.
(5)
Susan S.

The burgers were great, and huge. The wait to get in wasn't terrible for a Friday night; only half an hour at around 8 p.m. The wait to get our food was longer, however, not sure what was up with that. I think they could turn tables over quicker if the food came out a little quicker. Then again, the burgers might not be as delicious if they came out quicker, so it's a toss-up. Waiting around and listening to music I haven't listened to (the genre) since high school was a hoot, and made it worth the wait. Go! You won't be disappointed!
(4)
John B.

I was very excited to go because I had heard good things, but unfortunately I was let down. It took 35 minutes to get our food on a slow Tuesday night. The service was not friendly or attentive. And the Famous Kuma Burger was ok. Lastly - I know it is the vibe of the place - but the deafening heavy metal music did not help their cause.
(2)
Chris D.

Amazing burgers, great beer, bourbon on tap! Add some mac n cheese and it just doesn't get any better than Kuma's Too. I've walked right in and sat down and I've also waited almost two hours for a seat but the food is consistent and comes out quick. This is the ONLY place I've been to that you can have three different orders at the same table and the burgers are cooked to perfection. There are distinct differences in the burgers cooked medium, medium well, to well. Kuma's Too just does it right!
(5)
Meade M.

Honestly it's the music that loses Kuma's Too two stars. Loud, pounding, headache inducing noise. As my friend and I waited for our food, he said that it would have to be pretty remarkable to allow for this music, I replied that it would need to be transcendent. Sadly while the burgers are very good (the one with the Bourbon pears especially) they are not nearly good enough. Having to shout to be heard is just off-putting. While the music is not to my taste, it would not be a problem if played at a reasonable level but played at an earsplitting volume it is a huge problem. Not unreasonably I like to have a conversation with my dinner companions, this is not possible in Kuma's Too. So for now I'll still be getting my burgers at the Duke of Perth and Owen and Engine. I'll check back next summer to see if they have turned the volume down a bit
(2)
Cecil S.

Surprised how quickly they get busy and how packed they can get (although sometimes they exaggerate their wait periods). They also require you to keep up their appearances and make reservations in person. Ordered carryout instead, and frankly, I was more impressed by the side salad than their burger. The pig destroyer had good bbq sauce and was delicious on a classic pretzel bun, but I honestly don't understand what all the fuss is about. This place got a lot of attention, but just a little overrated; I miss the counter...
(3)
Denis S.

Hands down, the WORST burger I have ever had. Both, my boyfriend and I ordered the Famous Kuma Burger cooked medium well. What we got can be described as DRY, SALTY and BURNED. I struggled eating it (only went thru half). The mac and cheese was pretty good.
(1)
Meredith K.

YUM YUM YUM!!!! We went on a Sunday night and only had to wait 10 minutes for a table. 10 minutes definitely beats a 1-2 hour wait which I hear is usually the case. Our waitress was super friendly and helpful. She gave us great recommendations on burgers and beer. In the end I ordered the mastodon = AMAZING. However, I did go the healthier route and sub fries with a salad which was still delicious. The heavy metallic music was a bit much for me towards the end of dinner and a little loud but the music made for an interesting atmosphere. If you are looking for a great and interesting burger place in Chicago, this is the place to be!
(5)
Oscar S.

Just popped in for the first time.The original Kuma's is my favorite place for burgers of all time.I LOVED that I was actually able to get seated without the wait.MAJOR PLUS.The food is just as good as the original place.Wasnt disappointed.Although,theres something missing.I like the atmosphere better at the Belmont location.Thats part of the WOW factor of it all.Just love the Belmont location.I'll still come to this one though.At least I dont have to eat in my car like I did at the one on Belmont cause place was so darn packed!!!!!!
(4)
Chris m.

This place is kinda obnoxious. First of all the music is ridiculous and ridiculously loud. For me that is way enough to ruin an experience. The place is to trying way too hard to be hip and cool and metal (the music is beyond heavy metal...and I watch That Metal Show and don't mind metal in its time and place!). This concept might work if they were located in some Bucktowny, Ukranian Village hip community. But with its view of Trader Joe's and nestled between Akiras and other yuppy stripmall type places it just kinda makes this wannabe "hard edge" into a joke. Is it really that important to have music that loud? Maybe for 10% of its audience. Would they really lose business if they turned it down? You really can't even talk to your server, let alone your dining companion. Just don't get it. Anyway, my friend had their signature burger with an egg and bacon and such on it. She loved it, and she loves high-end burgers. She knows her stuff. I had a bite and I could tell that the meat quality and its grinding and forming were A+. I had a special that was the only turkey burger option, something with tempura fried stuffing and cranberry sauce. It was OK, kinda weird. Nothing I would want again. They don't offer any turkey burger options, that kinda shocked me, as when I go to this type of burger joint I always substitute turkey for a beef patty. Can't do that here, I asked. They do offer chicken breast and a veggie burger. I didn't really want a chicken sandwich, that's something you can get anywhere. Since I don't eat beef when I go to an upscale burger place I like to play with the big boys and enjoy their "burger" offerings with turkey. Couldn't indulge in that fantasy here. The fries were OK, nicely seasoned but not that crispy. Salads pretty good. Only 2 wine choices, red or white. Kinda surprising, but the red cab was decent. DMK is much better near same hood for upscale burger fare. All in all wouldn't go back. I thought the food was decent but the music issue is too painful to deal with again. I'd say 1 star for atmosphere (intolerable music) and 4-5 for food. But not if you like turkey burgers! I didn't love the space's previous "Counter" incarnation but I thought it was pretty good. Unfort. it started to turn into a soccer mom play pen with the "Ashley, do you want a juicebox???!!!" crowd. It seems Kuma's has scared away this group, which I applaud but man, can we get something in between maybe? I read a few reviews about the "wait " to get in here. Who would wait for this?
(2)
Jim T.

Having never been to the original Kuma's, Kuma's Too seemed a little more corporate than I understand the first to be. I went for dinner on a Sunday night and was able to get a table within 25 minutes. We started with the fried pickles and they were really good - just not a ton of them. However, once the burger came I was happy I hadn't over-indulged with appetizers. I had the Pantera - a couple words come to mind - huge, delicious. The burger was so big I had to bring the leftovers back home. Everything I had heard from the original Kuma's echoed in with the new and I left satisfied. Another thing I want to mention is that the waitress we had was the best that I have had in a long time. Knowledgeable and really cool; wish I remembered her name so she could get some credit. I will be back either to 'Too' or to visit the original.
(4)
Melissa B.

I have never been to Kuma's; my sister had been to Kuma's Too and thought I would enjoy it because I am a vegetarian and all of Kuma's burgers can be substituted with a veggie burger. I LOVED the food. My sister and I split the Goatsnake as a veggie burger and also "built" our own mac-n-cheese with grilled onions and garlic. I really enjoyed being able to get a fancy veggie burger that had a lot of great flavors and textures rather than a plain black bean burger or something. My sister isn't a vegetarian and couldn't even tell that the burger was a veggie burger because really all you taste are the delicious toppings. The macaroni and cheese was to die for but be warned, they give you a TON of it! My sister didn't tell me that they play metal super loud so that was sort of off-putting at first but I got used to it. Still, it is VERY loud so if you are sensitive to that sort of thing, it may bother you. I also really liked our waitress, I think her name is Rachel. She was very sweet. I don't live in Chicago but I know next time I visit my sister, I will be coming back!
(4)
Linnea L.

I think Kuma's Corner have the best hamburgers in the entire world. I always end up rolling out of there because I cannot stop eating them because delicious. Unfortunately, this is lacking in Kuma's Too. We went there for my husband's and my friend's birthday. It was our friend's first time at Kuma's, he's never been to the original location and we had talked up the place up like it was a Michelin starred hamburger joint (now wouldn't THAT be something?). Let's just say that our praises were not exactly met. Our pals got a good hamburger, but it wasn't great. The patties weren't salted at all and just really didn't taste of anything, something I've seen people both on Yelp and on Foursquare say. I don't know if it's the chef or if the original Kuma's has some kind of magical properties that allow the stove to turn out patties of yum but it's quite clear the new Kuma's does not have this. We all also ordered our burgers differently cooked, ranging from medium/well to rare and all of them came out as medium, which is just a no go for a hamburger place. If you don't know how to cook your patties to the preference of the customer, don't cook. I will not go back to eat at Kuma's Too simply because if I'm going to eat a hamburger like that and feel like I wanna die afterwards, I want to feel like I'm gonna die and go to hamburger heaven, not mediocre hamburger place. It's worth the two hour wait, the smokiness and the loud music at the original location. Because the hamburgers there are THAT good. I do want to give some credit to the waitress we had, though. We had some problems with the manager regarding photo IDs (really not his fault, but we've never had the same problems before with European IDs) and even though we were petty grumpy, she took it like a champ and was incredibly nice and friendly to us. I forget her name, but thank you for that!
(3)
Rachel W.

Service was bad, food was okay. I'm glad I checked it out but I don't think it's worth all of the hype.
(2)
Ellie R.

Delicious burgers, fun atmosphere, but there are some serious new-place kinks that need to be worked out (which I didn't really expect - if you're the proprietor of an immensely popular restaurant joint who's opening up another, identical restaurant which in all likelihood will be just as busy, you'd think that some plans would be made to you know, prevent against total chaos on the second night of being open). In spite of the problems with drinks, kitchen issues and unsurprisingly long (2.5 hours) wait for food, the hostess and waitress were still incredibly polite and really helpful. The burger itself (I had the Yob) was delicious - garlicky, flavorful, good cheese, and an awesome pretzel bun. However, due to the chaos of the evening things had gotten a bit backed up/crazy in the kitchen, so both my burger and my boyfriend's came out much more rare than we had ordered. Not always a bad thing, but when I'm eating a slab of ground beef the size of my face it is a little undesirable and definitely made us both feel kinda queasy about halfway through. Overall, I'll probably come back here but not for quite a while.
(4)
Pietro R.

During the week this is a really good place. On the weekend the service takes a nose dive and quality and experience suffers
(3)
Jessica S.

Enjoyed Kuma's Too almost as much as the original. It is a little bigger and there is less flare, so it loses a star on the ambiance. Burgers and mac n' cheese are to die for. They have a decent beer selection (not as large as the original) and it seems more manageable. We came on a Wednesday night and fount a spot at the bar right away. It was almost impossible for me to make it to the other location so I am quite glad Kuma's Too opened in a much more desirable locale. :)
(4)
Vijay K.

I have heard about Kuma's since I came to Chicago, but to get there was always an issue for someone limited to transportation. But with this location all we needed to do was take the 8 bus up from our dorm to Diversey and we were there. The wait given to us was initially an hour and a half. So we decided to hit up a neighboring trader joes. We came back only to find out we had to wait 2 hours and 30 minutes. That's what we get for coming into the restaurant for it's 1st weekend ever!! But once we were seated and ordered our burgers and drinks it was well worth our time. Every flavor described in the description of the burger was on point. Nothing ever overpowered another. One of my roommates who went to the original one said this is exactly how it was at the other location. Talking to the Bus boy we found out they simply split the chefs, so consistency is perfect. The decor and atmosphere looks like something warm and inviting, and then they turn the music way up and you realize all the framed artwork is Tour Posters from various bands. It was funny seeing elderly folks walk in from the outside only to walk back out from the sounds of "Circle of Dead Children" or any other metal band. Overall I would go again, and do it at a time that is reasonable and a wait won't take so long.
(4)
Frank Z.

The burgers in this place are fantastic in this place like the other one, I like the original more, but again, the best burgers are the best I've had in the city. If you don't like loud metal and grill smoke, go to this one. Are the servers and host rude? Most likely if you are rude to them. They post their rules on the wall by the entrance, they seem reasonable and even if you don't think they are reasonable rules, dem's the rules, go someplace else. I think this location is created for people who love a good burger and have heard of " the heavy metal". If this is you, you will be happy to see that they have an Iron Maiden poster on the wall illustrating Eddie crashing through your door (which is why it shouldn't be on the wall. I had this one in grade school. I miss that fella) and you will also be pleased to see that a very nice Metallica print is framed on the wall under the moderately loud speakers above. The very pleasant glass sconces hanging above the bar transported my senses from a metal bar in the middle of the city to a quaint Starbucks in the burbs, very nice, I love having my senses transported, that's what good metal will do for you. So, I think this place is great, especially because the original one, which I will most certainly be going back to, will not be full of the people who should be in Kumas Too. Kumas Too was a smart move. Again, the burgers are amazing, drinks are amazing, they transport my senses to a time when the Cro-Magnon man had life distilled down to what was important to him and the Cro-Magnon ladies: perfectly cooked meat, beer and heavy metal.
(5)
Jeff J.

The burgers here are great - for my money the Absu is one of the best burgers in the Chi! Dig the tunes and brews too
(5)
Gina Marie H.

I dragged my fiance here based on a recommendation from a co-worker. First, I have to agree with the reviewer who said his food was too salty. My fries were so salty I could not even eat them. I tried the thanksgiving burger, whatever it was called. Just okay. I do appreciate the creativity of the burgers but it seems somewhat forced...along with the decor and the blaring death metal so loud you can't hear the person sitting across from you. Don't get me wrong, I'm a rocker through and through but between the volume of the music and the yuppies and families with kids packing the place it just seemed like a tourist attraction. Cool concept, but it just didn't impress me.
(3)
Erich S.

Solid 3 stars. Some good things, some bad. First off, the music and decorations didn't factor in my rating. Nor the wait. That's all public info before you walk in, so deal with it. Though I agree they didn't really charm us (and I dig metal). I had the Kuma's burger mid-rare. Meh. For a burger that's mid-rare and 2 inches thick, I would have wanted it juicier. And tastier. My wife had one of the specialty burgers mid-well (she's preggo), and it was decent due to the horseradish mayo, etc., but still didn't stand up. We ordered a make-your-own mac-and-cheese, which was very very good. We selected andouille and sauteed onions. Mmmmm - good. I'd go back again and try one of their other specialty burgers if I were in the neighborhood and hungry at an off-hour, but in terms of just a straight up bacon cheeseburger, there's better out there in the city IMHO.
(3)
Alan Z.

Vegetarian here. Any burger within reason is available as a veggie burger.
(5)
Bri C.

I was one of those fans of The Counter before it went belly up. But I heard great things about Kuma's, so when they opened up a location up the street from me, I had to go. I walked in from a burgeoning snowstorm to overly loud music and a dark space. I'd heard that Kuma's has a "rocker" theme, and this was evident from the get go. Still, it was open and spacious and clean, and the staff was friendly and attentive. I think the best way to judge a burger joint is by eating their most basic burger, so there I was with the Kuma's Burger, medium well, and fries. So few places know how to do a medium well burger without making it too dry (so far, only Bad Apple in Lincoln Square has done this for me), and my burger was a little too dry. Luckily they make their own ketchup, which was a little spicy and absolutely delightful. The burger bun was cold though. The fries were good but nothing to write home about. Overall, outside of the music that was a bit too loud to think, it wasn't a bad place. Might amend my review if a bigger done medium is good.
(3)
NARDO Q.

If your girlfriend, or feminine boyfriend, complained Kumas Corner was too loud and too metal for them.. Try Kumas Too. This is for the hippies, the yuppies, the softer side of Chicagoans. The burgers aren't Kumas worthy, the waitress/waiters are rude not metal-i-dont-care rude just bitchy rude. Drive the extra mile and a half and get the original.
(1)
Christina E.

I don't get what's up with all of the negative reviews for this place, so what it's not the original? The food is excellent. One of the Best Burger's I've had in the city!
(5)
Jeff D.

Tl;dr Got free whiskey for being nice to the wait staff instead of being a huge dick like most customers. A lot of reviews of this place shit on the wait staff. I've been three times and I've always had friendly and timely service. This last time I went in with a couple of my friends, and we asked our waitress (Chris I believe) why they get all this flak. She started telling us about how all people do is compare this place to the original Kuma's, and all the Lakeviewenites like to come in and complain about the rock music and send back their food if its got a little pink in it (which every good burger does). It just so happened that the table next to us completely validated her claim. This woman sent her burger back after eating half of it, and sent her husband's back because she cut into it and found a little pink. Then the other two people at the table followed suit. I could not believe how disrespectful they were to the waitress, and it's these people that get onto yelp and write a scathing review about how this place has bad service. Unbelievable. My friends and I had great food and great service as always. Our server even brought us a round of free whiskey for being on her side about the whole wait staff thing. I would definitely recommend this place. They have really inventive burgers, great beer list, and the best mac and cheese I've ever had in a restaurant. Plus, the wait stuff is really cool if you're not a huge dick to them first.
(4)
Sarah L.

Place was ok, upscale burgers for a decent price. The music was a little much though. It was so loud that I couldn't have a conversation with the group I came with. If you are a burger lover, this may be a nice place for you to try if you want a different take on the traditional burger.
(3)
Lisa V.

So....Kuma's Too was not what I expected based on my many visits to the orginal Kumas. My visit makes me wonder if the cooks are as well trained and why they might be skimping. My burger was way dry and I got so few fries I went ahead and ordered another side of them. Womp womp Kumas.
(3)
Hauwei L.

Not sure why everyone hates on Kuma's Too. Same huge, heart-attack, coma inducing burgers, same metal soundtrack, and same tatted up alternative staff as the highly acclaimed original minus the 2 hour wait. Arrived around 6:30 for dinner on a Sunday, no wait. Friendly hostess sat us right away, our hop-loving server had a hard time recommending a good easy drinking summer beer (note: the Breckenridge agave wheat beer is the closest thing on draft), but otherwise provided cheerful, efficient service. Burgers are huge. No split check rule is annoying, but again, that's the same as the original. Their AC was struggling with the 90 degree, muggy weather today. I'd write more, but I'm going to pass out.
(4)
Vanessa S.

Got carry out from Kuma's on a Friday night; they said the wait time would be 30-35 minutes. I went back in 30 minutes, and a server said it would be another 10 minutes. I waited in the bar. After another 15 minutes, I asked the server about our order and they said it would be another 10 minutes. While I was waiting, no bartender approached me to ask if I needed a drink while waiting like most places do. The place was extremely crowded, too loud, the music was more of a screeching sound than actual music, and dimmed lights. Note to parents- never bring your children here! We finally got our food an hour and 15 minutes later after speaking with the manager. The burgers are good, but not the best burger I've ever had. Fries were too salty and unflavorful. Definitely was not worth the wait.
(2)
Cheyenne A.

This place is really over-hyped. I've had a lot better burgers elsewhere for the same price. The staff isn't very friendly or helpful. The best part about this place would be their hours since they're open pretty late.
(2)
Kevin H.

As a fan of the original Kuma's I figured we would give this place a try. While the food was good the ambiance and service sucked. As far as decorations go, the place looks like a douche bag hipster from LA went to the original Kuma's and opened up this place. Service faired between nonexistent to non attentive. It's a shame too, you would think they could hire people who want to be there instead of managements friends.
(3)
Aria S.

This place is good and has a cool/different atmosphere, but I wouldn't say they have the best burgers in the city. I liked their burger choices and the friendliness/helpfulness of the staff. However the burger and fries just didn't live up to my high expectations.
(3)
EL G.

When I first moved to Chicago in 2008 I kept hearing about Kumas Corner. I went there alone for lunch one day soon after and probably went back 10 more times over the next couple of weeks and another ten for the remainder of the year. I told everyone about it and loved it like most people who have been there tend to do. When I heard about a new location opening up closer to where I live I was shocked and excited all at once. Shocked because the original location and the experience is quite unique. LP/Lakeview just doesn't seem like the kind of neighborhood that will "get" their vibe. In the end that's not my problem. I was just excited to eat their delicious burgers which would be way easier for me to get to now. My friends and I tried going on President's Day around 3pm and they were stacked. So we skipped and came back exactly one week later around the same time. This time maybe 5 tables were taken. We were sat right away. Before I go on I am going to preface that the original location was always busy when I ate there and always played music loudly but tolerably. I am a big fan of the staff and the service. Upon this visit to this new location the music was too LOUD. I am one of those guys that listens to music very loudly. I, myself am very loud. I know this because my friends tell me all the time. All through high school my teachers told me I was loud. This place was too loud for all of us. My friends were trying Kumas Too for the first time as well. We sat across from each other and couldn't hear ourselves talk without having to raise our voices like we were at some rock concert. What bugs me is that I would much rather talk about the food, but the most memorable part of the experience (not in a good way) was how loud the music was. Again this was 3 or 4pm on a Monday with about 10 or 15 people eating in the entire place. The service was fine. The burger I ordered was actually really awesome. I forget the name but it was like "The Mexican Burger" or something like that. Unfortunately, all of us ate our meal as quickly as possible to get out of the really loud restaurant. I think it had a lot to do with the physical space. Its a giant cube with super high ceilings and the noise bounces off the walls. The original location was smaller and tighter or at least feels that way. I will add that I went back a week ago to grab a beer with a friend and met a manager and a bartender. Both were very nice and friendly. The first thing I noticed was the volume was just right (for Kumas). It was loud but not too loud. It was part of the experience. It was around 2pm on a Saturday and the place was packed. I think someone got a memo because now I would definitely come back and give it another try.
(3)
joseph l.

Amazing food and atmosphere as always. The staff is also very friendly too.
(5)
Todd K.

Unique (and very delicious) burgers at a price point that lets you know you're paying for the uniqueness. Local brews & libations, again priced appropriately so you know you're paying for the quality. Strict payment policies (no split checks, one credit card/check), so be prepared for your group to pay accordingly. Decor: as polarizing as the metal music they support.
(3)
Laura B.

Unbelievably poor service. I misread the menu and a beer that I thought was $9.50 turned out to be $20!! I've never had a $20 beer before. When I left a 10% tip on a $60 tab -- $60 for one beer, one soda, two burgers and an order of fried pickles - the waitress had the nerve to say if you can't afford to m'f**King pay you shouldn't have come here. When my roommate called to complain the next day to the manager - she was to upset in the moment - the manager said she was lying about the server cursing us out and said that the waitstaff had the right to say something - if we couldn't afford to pay we shouldn't have come. I WILL NEVER BE BACK!
(1)
Gail A.

Would never go back. Hostess was rude, should not work with people. General manager, Seth, has no people skills and could not care less whether you enjoy your experience there or ever come back, which we won't. Do yourself a favor and skip this place!
(1)
Loran P.

I don't even know where to start with how awful our visit was. I went with a friend at 1.30pm on a Wednesday. There were about three other couples in the entire place, but we waited a ridiculous amount of time for our food. The burgers were lacklustre. The patties were tasteless, they certainly didn't taste of beef. The fries seemed old and the bacon was mediocre. The best thing about my burger was the cheddar cheese which was excellent. My friend's burger only had a few of the caramelised onions it was supposed to have. The ambiance wasn't great, the music was much too loud, especially considering how empty the restaurant was. We couldn't even have a conversation over it. The service was shocking. Our server was patronising and condescending, she talked down to my friend because she had an issue understanding my friend's accent. We're British, it wasn't a language barrier issue. She kept us waiting for everything, completely inexcusable given how quiet they were. We asked for change and it took her ten minutes to fetch it, our bill was $32.74 and we gave her $40, hardly difficult. She even rounded it up and short-changed us. When I ask for change I expect to receive all of it. Shocking service. Maybe the original location is different, but the Diversey location definitely doesn't live up to the hype. We will not be back. You can get a much better burger in the neighbourhood, save yourself the trauma of the staff and go to DMK on Sheffield.
(1)
Jessica S.

The most rude and impossible to deal with hostess staff. They are condescending and rude, and act like they're hot stuff (um no sweetie you're not). The only good thing is the food.
(2)
Jessica A.

I'm all for enforcing your seating policies, but refusing to seat 3 people when their fourth isn't there, when your restaurant is half empty, is silly--wouldn't you be seating us at a four top anyway? But grats for standing on principle and losing out on the liquor sales we took next door, I guess.
(1)
Lazaro V.

I had a good time there, Hamburgers were great, Mac & cheese out of this world & staff was very friendly. We had to wait an hour but well worth it. Check it out
(4)
D. D.

I had the High on Fire burger: Sriracha sauce, roasted red pepper, prosciutto, grilled pineapple, and sweet chile paste. It was delicious and the fries were good, too. Nice beer selection, whiskey on tap...I don't really get that part, but overall a good meal. Downside: of course the wait, which I understand if you're going to Longman & Eagle but just for burgers? At 7:30 their "Jump the Wait" page estimated a 80-100 minute wait, and when I put my name in I was told 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Actual time we were seated? 3 hours later. The Jump the Wait estimate never changed, so you can just disregard whatever it says. Also because it's so loud, you find out your table is ready via text message even if you're standing right there, and it says you have 5 minutes to see the hostess so definitely hang around inside for oh, you know, that final hour of waiting. But the hostess was very nice, the bartenders were prompt, and the waitress gave us helpful answers to all of our questions. Between my burger and two beers I spent around $29 with tax and tip, but with how large the burger is it ends up being two meals for me so that makes it a little more worth it. However, I'd never agree to that wait again so this is going to be only a weeknight place for me I guess!
(4)
Ken W.

If the rating was based on the burger alone, I'd give this place a 5/5. Kuma's Too receives only a 3/5 due to poor service. The service was slow overall. It took 20 minutes to get a beer and order food. Finally, they won't split checks and will only allow you to use one credit card per table. This is completely ridiculous. I've served before, and it is easy to split up checks.
(3)
Carrie S.

Worst service I've ever had at a restaurant. Just because you shave your head and have a million tats and/or piercings doesn't mean you're too good for customer service. Arrived at 6:15 and put our name in for a table of 4 and went next door to Michael Diversey's for a drink, the hostess said 1 hr and 15 mins. TWO HOURS and 15 minutes later we were seated, with no apology from the hostess. AND she had the nerve to be pissy when we asked how much longer it was going to be. On top of the horrible service, the food was bad. I had the goat cheese burger and it was so salty I could barely eat it. The three other people in my party were also much less than impressed, which is saying a lot when you've waited 2+ hours for dinner and have had 2+ beers. I get that they're trying to be edgy with their headbanger rock and cutesy burger names, but bitchy service and 8 times the recommended daily value of sodium in one meal are never "in."
(1)
Mark J.

It all started with a perfect pretzel bun over high quality beef. The list of burgers to choose from is unique with a heavy metal vibe. I highly recommend the Led Zeppelin burger. It has pulled pork and cheddar cheese on it. The fries were similar to Five Guys. I think they should allow you to sub tater tots or waffle fries. This place can definitely compete with the Vortex in Atlanta. Easily top 5 best burger eaten. Can't forget the great beer selection - lots of local craft beers.
(5)
Reggie M.

It's like the original, but lacking something. Maybe it's the decor; all too fresh looking, too stylized, and lacking in grime. Maybe it's not loud enough. Maybe because the chef is different. Maybe it's the Lakeview bourgeious in the air. Maybe it's a combination of all those factors that make Kuma's Too the prettier younger sister who lacks the same spirit.
(4)
Jillian P.

Love Kuma's Too! I have been here a few times now, all on different days of the week at different times. At first I was afraid to show up here on a Saturday night for dinner but my boyfriend and I recently took the plunge and it was well worth it. We only waited 20 minutes even though we were told 45. Food is excellent! You can't go wrong ordering the Mac & Cheese or fries with pulled pork for apps! Burgers are cooked exactly how you order them. I will say this though--plan to EAT! This is not a place to go on a first date. You need to chow down and let loose. The burgers are so tasty and you will most likely take half home if you aren't truly hungry when you walk in the door. Ambiance is definitely loud but I am a loud person so this doesn't bother me. I can see that some people might hate the metal music but if you can just get past that and enjoy the food, you will be fine. Words of advice--if you get there and have to wait a little bit--go to the bar and enjoy one of the great beers on tap. It will make your waiting pain disappear. Service is only a little slow so order as much as you can when you have your waitress around. Not terrible but the place is constantly busy and the staff works their asses off. You will see once you are in there. If you like a good burger and good beers--this is a place to check out!
(4)
Kelly C.

Very, very good burgers. Was cooked PERFECTLY. Macaroni was also amazing. Four stars because it is generally overhyped. It's a fantastic burger, but it's not worth a two hour wait. I mean really, there's only so much you can do with a burger. Be prepared for a louder atmosphere though. No squares.
(4)
Steven R.

I am a pretty easy critic when it comes to burger joints and, well, restaurants in general. I've been to the original Kumas millions of times and have waited hours for their burgers and it's worth it every time.. Not kidding. The burgers were always so good, so I was excited to hear they were opening a second location in LP. I went there the other day and though it was crowded, we were seated instantly with the new menu placed on our table. First base. Our burgers showed up pretty quick and they were piping hot, yet nice n pink on the inside. Double. Just as good as the original. Our waitress was really good and quick with the beers and anything else we needed too.. Everybody at the table was impressed with the new location. I'll probably still go to the original 90% of the time I need a Kuma coma, but if I'm ever in the area, it's a great cousin to the Avondale location.. just across town. At least now there's one good reason to spend any time in that area. The burgers? Home Run. Decor? Base Hit Waitstaff? RBI Triple Neighborhood/ locals? Hit by pitch Overall... Kumas Too - Grand Slam
(5)
Jack M.

Come on, do you think this Heavy Metal themed burger bar could pass on opening a second location when the address of 666 Diversy became available? I guess my only issues with the great burgers and extensive beer list are that they just don't live up to the hype, and the surprisingly pretentiousness of the servers. Fucking hate hipsters so much, only they could make me second guess a fifth star for a place that has such thick, juicy, and aptly named burgers.
(4)
M K.

Great beer and burgers. Dependable to get what you expect!
(4)
Kandy D.

Rad music. Gnarly burgers. I could feel my heart slowing as I took each bite, which basically means that it's a pretty legit place. The service did kind of suck though, towards the end of the night it was empty but out waitress forgot about us. Good food. Good music. Bleh service.
(4)
Alba M.

Great burgers and good service, but the a/c was freezing cold (and it was cold outside! )
(4)
Dib D.

Very good burgers. Quality beef. Burgers are enormous. Really like that they allow you to sample draft beers you are unsure about. Will definitely be back in the near future.
(4)
Andrew A.

I'm open for anything but my experience was terrible. Music was way too loud. food ok. I rate this a 1 b/c overall, I felt like I was in a rock concert and by the way , they happen to serve some food. What really upset me was the commentary on the menu. Something to the effect of "don't ask us for crinkle fries" unless you're a moron. Just too rude and too frankly too "Angry" of a place. If you're mad, angry and like dark and the complete opposite of comfortable, this is the place for you.
(1)
Phil M.

Worst burger I've ever had in my life! I ordered the black sabbath. Besides the burger being cooked well, it had literally no taste. The only flavor noticeable was the bun and salt. Way too much sodium.
(1)
Jessica K.

It all began when a friend brought up Kumas amazing burgers. It continued when they were brought up on an episode of Chicago Fire... The anticipation (and the expectations) were building. When I walked in, I was shocked by the atmosphere- blaring heavy metal music is not my cup of tea. Luckily we were able to sit on the lovely little patio outside!!! I tried not to let my initial reaction affect my rating. We didn't wait long- 30 min on a Saturday at dinner time. The staff was courteous, prompt, and responsive. The menu was simple, which I loved. The burger list was long, which I also loved. My burger was delicious but massive- like "can't bit into it" massive, which made me feel defeated and small-mouthed. Fries were tasty! One thing- what's with a restaurant that boycotts ranch? Odd. It would have to be a solid, logical reason for me to get behind that.
(4)
Natalia K.

this used to be "the" burger place to check out but there is so many better places to get an actually delicious burger in the city nowadays. took my fiancee here because 1. he had never been and 2. the best burger place in the city had a 3 hour wait so.. we settled. i had the kuma burger with egg & bacon and it was sooo flavorless and bland compared to the correct way to make it Au Cheval.. [see what i did there] the service and fried pickles were great, but the music.. i understand that is part of their "vibe" but there is nothing pleasing about listening to screaming death metal while eating. i couldn't hear myself think. moral of the story: good things come to those who wait.
(2)
Drew S.

Welcome to Kuma's Too! Home of the $13 pretzel bun! Do you like flavorless meat being masked by the overwhelming taste of store bought pretzel buns? Well if you do come to Kuma's Too! Want to pretend you enjoy having to shout to be heard across the table as generic heavy metal plays at deafening volume in the background? Well if you do come to Kuma's Too! Want to drop $60 for two people on a plate of hype and disappointment? Well if you do come to Kuma's Too! Or, you could go to any of a thousand other burger joints and have a better experience. Service was fine though...
(2)
Hamid R.

The first word that came to my mind before I came here was 'intrigued'. Everyone was making the claim that they have the best burger in town, a very bold claim. Now, the first word I think of is 'overrated'. To make the statement that they have the best burger in town, you gotta back that up and they didn't at all. It's just a big burger with a bunch of random toppings. There is nothing taste wise that separates themselves from other burger joints. The only thing that separates them is the god awful music, I wanted to take an Advil before the food even came. I think that it ruins the experience completely. Better bet is to go to Epic burger on North avenue for a quality burger!
(3)
Christopher G.

Experience: 5/5 First visit to Kuma's Too on a hot and steamy 90 degree Saturday afternoon. There was no wait to be seated. They had outdoor seating, but it was an air conditioning kind of day. If you like Rock/Metal music, this is the place to be. It was kind of like eating a nice meal while trying to talk to my friend at a rock concert. A unique atmosphere, I liked how it wasn't like every other restaurant. Decor was really cool. A lot of naked lady photos in the hallway on the way to the restroom. Speaking of restroom, it could use a good coat of paint. A lot of "F-bombs" and "Nazi" comments littered the walls. Food and Drink: 5/5 We ordered the Yob Burger and Fries (see photo) and the Iron Maiden Burger with Chips (see photo). The Yob comes with roasted garlic mayo, bacon, smoked gouda, roasted red pepper, lettuce, tomato, and onion. The Iron Maiden has chipotle mayo, cherry peppers, pepperjack cheese, avocado, lettuce, tomato, and onion. The fries weren't bad and the chips were very good. I'm usually not a chip fan, but these were perfectly seasoned. The Iron Maiden burger was my favorite. The chipotle mayo had the perfect amount of kick to it. The quality of the meat is excellent. Service: 5/5 Jen was a nice and attentive waitress. Average wait time. No complaints. Drinks were always full. Sometimes the best service comes when you don't need anything because you never have to ask. Price: $$ Beers are very pricey, burgers are more than fair. Perfect place for a quality meal for the non-alcoholic. Overall: 5/5 Great first experience. The burger is so filling that I could hardly move afterwards. Make sure to bring an appetite. **TIPS** 1) Make sure to ask about the burger of the month!
(5)
Leah H.

The burgers were extremely good and so were the fried pickles. The reason for the 3 stars is that the food was not good enough given how long it took to get our food. I arrived with my girlfriend around 8:45 and was seated immediately. We were both starving so not having to wait for a seat was great and we thought we would be eating soon. It took about 15 minutes to be able to place our drink order and by that time we decided to order our food as well. The pickles came out relatively quick and were great. Then we ended up having to wait about 45 mins after that to get our burger which arrived a little after 10pm. Even though it was busy I don't understand how a burger takes a hour to cook! Not worth the wait.
(3)
Arthur M.

I have a seasonal defective thing where I spend the winter months entirely on the Internet. Thank goodness for all the startups like Caviar, Postmates and DoorDash who deliver to shutins like me, even when it's cold outside! The fact that I have never stepped foot in Kuma's Part Deux does not dissuade me from leaving this 5 star review. The hamburger was delivered by Caviar, who did an excellent job because I live on the west side and the burger was juicy, hot and obviously just grilled. The beef is high grade and gave me a meat high that's hard to come by when you don't know how to cook and you're trapped inside for months. Thank you Kuma's Part Deux for helping this bear make it through hibernation!
(5)
Beth M.

if you can deal with super loud music, and you just don't want to visit with family or friends, then you should be ok dining here. I know that is the catch, but after spending two hours in this restaurant with my family after being in the car for an hour in traffic, just not really my cup of tea. However! The service, the food OMG the salad I ate was wonderful, simply delicious. I didn't want fries so I paid more for the salad but it was so worth it. The Iron Maiden with Chicken was amazing! Of course, can't come here without splitting the mac n cheese with at least 4-5 people. The portion is huge, so just know that you can never eat this by yourself. We always do the bacon and scallion mac n cheese, and it's always the BEST!
(4)
Pat B.

This place has good burgers, for sure (I got the Lair of the Minotaur burger), but the music is so damn loud. Even on a Saturday afternoon with the roll-up windows open, me and my friend struggled to carry a conversation. Metal music is fine, that's not my beef-it's having to lean over to barely hear your friend for 45 minutes and then getting back pain for the rest of the day that makes not want to come back. If you want to go, bring someone with whom you have a difficult time making conversation.
(2)
Victoria B.

Went there on a Monday, the bartender was super knowledgeable about beers, I think her name was Tara? She also u Had good recommendations for food, great service I didn't like that they use off brand items, the ketchup was awful, the Pop was not coke or Pepsi ?? My hubbies burger was so undercooked, they also forgot the fried egg. Chicken tenders and their blue cheese was on point We will go back if we are around but won't make a trip just to go there Great service but the little details were not there I wish I could give 3 1/2 stars Ps: good little craft beer selection
(4)
Jason K.

When a heard about a place that has burgers, beer, and plays metal, I knew I had to go. After all, those are three of the four finest things in life. I have never been to the original - so I can't compare to that (I don't live in Chicago). We chose this location because it was closer to where we were that day and I thought there would be less wait time. I was probably right because we got seated immediately on a Sunday at about 4 PM. The music was a little disappointing - I'm not saying it wasn't loud enough (it wasn't very loud but I think that's good - I want to be able to talk to the people I'm with) but it was very "echo-y" and tinny sounding, and I didn't hear a single song I was familiar with. I'm not sure if they just didn't play anything I know or it was just indiscernible to me. Service was average - we got everything we needed but it wasn't overly friendly or anything, but, maybe being too friendly wouldn't be very metal. The food was great - I went with the Metallica due to my love affair with blue cheese, bacon, and buffalo sauce. Can't complain - it was a great burger, maybe not mind blowing, but very good. Me and my wife also shared an order of Mac & Cheese because I kept hearing about how great it was - we went with Chorizo and some other stuff added - I don't remember what else. Also, very good but not mind blowing. A little complaint is I wish you could separate fries from your order - you can't do this without still paying for them. There is also not different sizes for the mac and cheese - you have to get the entire huge bowl of it. That's ok - we had leftovers for two days after that. Would I return? Absolutely. I would like to visit the original location, and there's so many interesting burgers to try. Unfortunately, I'm not in Chicago all that often.
(4)
J. Spencer M.

Badass burgers. The whole bar/Restauarant is covered with album covers of heavy metal bands and rock n roll legends. The food is unbeatable. My server was nothing special and the wait was long, but the fat burger that came to my table made up for it all. The burgers and the chicken burgers are bomb. They have specialty combinations and the sides are killer. The bar is a hot-spot day and night
(5)
Adam B.

Maybe the best part of my experience was how friendly the bar staff was and how good they were at recommending beers. They let me try two out, so big points for that. Kirsten was really cool. The metal music plays, which I'm not a fan of. It's pretty loud, but at least you can have a conversation without having to scream. I had the Pantera burger and it's an excellent burger with a Southwestern theme with the cheese, tortilla strips, poblano peppers, and ranchero sauce. The only thing it needs is some guacamole. What bugged me was I asked for it to be cooked medium and it came out closer to rare, especially in the middle. The fries were fresh cut and tasted really good. I would have liked them done a little more so they would have some more crispiness. All in all, I had a good experience, but it could have been a little better.
(4)
Brianna L.

This location is MUCH quieter. I love that aspect. The original kumas had me feeling like my ears were bleeding. There were 5 of us and we walked in and sat right at the bar. Lucky us, we walked in at exactly the right time. I can never remember the names of the burgers, but I had the one with avocado and pepperjack cheese. Compared to the other four my burger was on the small side. One of the burgers was served on a bed of fries that thing was HUGE!!! She got thru a third of it. One had the special of the day. He really enjoyed that one! Not a bite left. One ordered the burger with the chili on it. It had to have been bomb.com because he downed that burger in minutes. Lastly, was the one that one had bacon and pulled pork. It was too much for him. He ended up taking half his meal home. Next time, I must try a bloody mary. The vodka looked toooooo delicious! Not sure how much it was total bc we had split bills and I didnt pay. But 4 burgers and about 8 beers is what we had in total.
(4)
Diana O.

This location is way bigger than the original kumas, so never a line never a wait, the Pig Destroyer (pulled pork shoulder sandwich) big enough for two people, and the Iron Maiden burger is really good.
(5)
Frank R.

If you've been to the original Kuma's, then I'm afraid this place might be a bit of a letdown as far as the atmosphere goes. The food is just as good, but the place itself is just so not Kuma's. I know this is going to sound strange, but the place is just too new and clean--which is a good thing by any other restaurant standard. The food is awesome, the staff is great and I would definitely come back here. However, I prefer the original. It just has that heavy metal feel to it that makes me feel right at home.
(4)
Lucas W.

Kuma's Too is great, one of the best burgers in the city, no doubt about it. The atmosphere is a bit different from Kuma's Corner but the menu is the same (monthly special is different at each.) Whereas the original Kuma's is clearly appealing towards a more wicker park crowd as it's along west Belmont, Kuma's Too tones it down a bit as it tries to appeal to the Lincoln Park crowd. The restaurant is larger, much more open, same heavy metal music but usually quieter (though not always). The beer selection is too IPA heavy which is pretty much always my only complaint with Kuma's. They rotate some pretty good stouts and porters on tap generally, but always IPA heavy. I wanna be sure to specifically mention the recent monthly special. Morgue - 10oz beef patty, honey mustard aioli, arugala, applewood smoked bacon, pepperjack heese, and fried skirt steak fingers. Holy hell, what a burger. Every bite was just unbelievably phenomenal. Couldn't get enough of it and you can be sure I will be back at Kuma's Too before the month ends to get this one again. ....not to mention bbq pork fries
(5)
Shari B.

We stopped by Kuma's on a Saturday in the late afternoon. We could have been seated immediately in the restaurant, but we chose to wait 10-15 min for a table on their patio since it was nice out. The bf had the original kuma burger and I tried the burger of the month, which is the witchfinder general (applewood smoked bacon, buffalo maple fried chicken, bleu cheese, pickled celery). The burgers at Kuma's are always solid. The buffalo flavor definitely came through, but I didn't really taste any maple and the fried chicken was a little dry. I still enjoyed my burger, anyway. I particularly like fries with the skin on and theirs are pretty good. I like how their ketchup is a little chunky, I'm assuming it's because they make it in-house. Our server was a little off. She kept mumbling to herself and I wasn't able to understand anything she said. She seemed really uninterested and aloof. Meh, I'm not there for small talk anyway, just for big juicy burgers. I think I might like going to Kuma's Too more than Kuma's Corner only because it isn't as cramped and there's more seating. I'd say the food quality is the same, though.
(4)
GlenÃ© M.

I'm not a local, but I wish I were! We came to Kuma's Too on an unusually cold spring day, but what a nice place to settle into! We were seated right away, despite quite a crowded restaurant. The music was blasting, which was awesome. Some might say this is one of those "cliche themed" places, but I don't care. Nor should you, because the food is amazing. I ordered what I thought would be a "side" of macaroni. Ha! If you want to get the macaroni, don't also get a burger. I did, and in some ways I'm glad because I had leftovers. Seriously though, the mac and cheese is huge and it's mind-blowing. It was piping hot, cheesy, and seasoned to perfection. Add any extra ingredients. I added andouille sausage to mine. It's worth it. I also happened to order the Plague Bringer. If you don't like spicy food, do not even look at this option. I'd rename it though...it most likely keeps any and all plague away. It has slices of fresh (hot!) jalapenos on top. I couldn't eat but a few bites of my burger. It didn't blow my mind, most likely because I stuffed my face on the mac and cheese. The next day I had my burger for lunch and it was freakin' delicious. The melty mess of garlic and cheese were indescribable. My husband ordered the Metallica burger. As burger snobs, we've had our share of good burgers. Even still, I'd never seen him this happy to eat a burger. (Loud) metal, beer, and burgers? This is livin'! Do yourself a favor and go here. The service is efficient and friendly. The beer selection is great, and the food speaks for itself. And for goodness sakes, if you don't like metal, and you don't like it loud, don't go here, or at least, don't write a bad review. You've been warned!
(5)
Anne O.

2 stars for awesome macaroni. Burger on the pretzel bun was WAY too salty. Also a 45 minute wait and it was not busy at all. It was almost like the waitress forgot to put our order in.
(2)
LeAnna Q.

I prefer the original location on Belmont, as I've been dining at that location regularly for nearly a decade, but this one definitely has its merits. Kumas Too is perfect for taking the uninitiated who may not necessarily be into the loud and aggressive heavy metal theme of the restaurant. It is twice as large and as such has less wait times (if any) and it is not quite as loud and crowded as the original location. Plus, the kitchen is much larger so the food comes out much quicker. It is like an upscale version of Kumas Corner. I don't feel like it is half as fun and inspired as the original, but like I said, great if you want a phenomenal burger with out all the heavy metal bells and whistles. They also have burger specials that vary from the other location, so be sure to check out their BOTM (Burger of the Month.)
(5)
Josh K.

We swung by Kuma's for an early dinner while up in the Lincoln Park area and after a long walk. I'm always on the quest for an amazing burger, seen this place on TV a few times, and added it to the Chicago food journey we went on. Very open bar place with the garage door wall open, which was great on a beautiful day. The service was fast, sat down, and waters were delivered then the server stopped over to go over somethings and get our drink orders. I opted for the Led Zeppelin (burger with pulled pork on top and some bacon) with a ceasar salad side instead of fries. The woman went with the Pantera (roasted poblanos, bacon, cheese and salsa) with the fries. The salad was a refreshing bite while we waited for the burgers. Nice to get some cool, crisp romaine on a hot day. Be warned, the croutons have some cayenne on them, so if you're not expecting it, the spice will hit the back of your throat and make you choke a bit. Out come the burgers, and lets just say, burger bliss is upon me. Sliced mine in half and dug in. The first bite was magical. The perfect miss-mash of flavors and the burger was cooked perfectly with the perfect sharpness from the chedder, sweet bbq sauce, and some saltiness from the pulled pork. Standing up to the job was a fantastic, toasted and well baked bun that kept the hands from getting covered in burger and possibly being eaten with everything else. I had a few samples of the Pantera, which definitely packs some heat. The poblanos and salsa give it a hell of a kick, and the tortilla strips on top give you some texture difference while giving it a bit of a salty kick too. Fries weren't bad either, some solid sliced and fried spuds. Overall, I wanted a great burger, traveled 500 miles from home, and this place put my craving on the mat with a knockout all around. Next time I'm in Chicago, Kuma's will be added back to the itinerary.
(5)
Idriz R.

All I can say is this place is overrated, the burgers were like 3 out 5 Star's for me. The fries were not bad, pretty decent. The thing I really disliked was the bad music in the back ground, it sucks really bad, horrible will not go back there because of it. Even the people next to me said the same thing. On top of the bad music they don't have real cola, it's the fake stuff.
(2)
Abel ..

Hands down one of the best burgers I have ever had! The burger is massive so you definitely need to come hungry. It is on the pricy side so that is a downer but all in all it was worth it. So delicious
(5)
Myia S.

There are very few times in life where you can get meat on top of more meat on a perfect pretzel bun. Omg this place was amazing! I've been looking forward to going to either of the Kumas since I seen them on a top burger in Chicago list. I had a very good fist impression because they had outdoor seating and the windows were open to outside as well. The ambiance was a but wired at first because of the heavy metal music (I'm more of a Hiphop person) and the three 6's on the door under the sign. The hostess let us pick our own seats and the waiter was to the table promptly after us Being seated. We had water brought right to us... The menu had a large selection of items our waitress didn't really recommend anything to us besides a burger of the month which didn't sound to appetizing. The names of the items on the menu were really weird. My boy friend ordered the Kuma burger with potato chips I ordered the BBQ pulled pork bacon burger with fries. Unfortunately I had to watch my BF eat his burger while I waited an extra 15 mins while mine came out but the potato chips were great the burger was amazing with the over easy egg on top. Finally when I got my food the burger was the first thing I wanted to try it was cooked perfect (medium) the fries was very brown and dry I wish I ordered the chips as well none the less I was full from the burger. There was a perfect bun to meat ratio the pretzel bun was nice and soft. The waitress was very accommodating because she messed up the order she gladly discounted our meal on the behalf of her mistake. Anyway this place was amazing the food was great will visit again!! PS I only gave them 4/5 stars because the fries were uneatable otherwise I wouldn't given them 5/5 stars.
(4)
Elizabeth J.

Food was good, atmosphere is great for heavy metal lovers. I love metal but this isn't a place I'd take my children. The staff's alright. Honestly after seeing all of the satanic shit for decorations I kind of lost my appetite. Seriously, we get it. You're tough! *rolling eyes* anyway killed my vibe with the negativity coming from the demonic "art"
(3)
Stef G.

GREAT beer selection and some amazing burgers. I got the YOB, done to the level I wanted. An excellent burger. Their fries are refreshingly au naturel, not overly salty or insanely fried. Great service too. I don't dig the 80s metal they blast inside though.
(4)
Dan C.

After hearing so much about Kuma's Corner on featured TV segments and food blogs, I was so happy to finally visit the sister restaurant, Kuma's Too! We found free street parking on Cannon Drive near the arboretum, and went with the girlfriend at 6 PM on a Sat. We were expecting a long wait, but we were whisked right in! We ordered the Kuma and Lair of the Minotaur. Now, I don't think I expect too much for a $13-14 burger, and to be honest the food would have been excellent - if it wasn't sitting in the kitchen for over 10 min. My medium-rare burger was unevenly cooked for some odd reason, and my Gf's medium was on the verge of well done. The meat itself was great, but not cooked to my order. The topping were unique and would have tasted great if the darn food wasn't cold when it arrived. The fries were mediocre, limp, and just plain ordinary. Service was OK compared to other reviewers, but I did not shell out this money for a 30+ min wait and cold burgers! I would hesitate to go here again, but I will try the original someday just because I was so let down at this location.
(2)
Claudio V.

Went here for lunch last week. It was a beautiful day and wanted something new that I have not tried before. This place was recommended to me by so many people. I had an early lunch with my wife and the outside table were pretty open. Since it was a nice day we decided to eat outside. I am glad we did, not only because it was nice out, but we can tell that the music playing inside was not to our taste. I don't know if that music is a regular thing at Kuma's or not, but my wife and I both agreed that we would only visit this place when we know we can eat outside. Otherwise we would leave with a horrible headache. The service was not bad but the restaurant was quite slow when we ate there and but the service was still slow. I would have expected the slow service if it was jam packed like it normally is, but not on a slow lunch hour. My wife loved the burger she got. It was the daily special and she said it was amazing. I got the burger of the month. While it was a good burger I do not think it was worth $17.99 for a burger and fries. It is extremely pricey unless you get their daily lunch special. I would definitely visit again, but as mentioned, it would have to be on a nice day to eat outside and get their daily specials.
(4)
Tia F.

Overrated. The pretzel bun was super dry and the burger lacked flavor. The fries tasted old and the music was so loud I was shouting at my friend then just gave up and we both say in silence.
(2)
Lucy L.

Very weird place. It's hard to talk over the heavy metal and the graffiti in the bathroom is kind of gross. But I guess that's the atmosphere they're going for, and the food is really good. I love every burger I've tried here except the one that had "anger" as an ingredient and comes with no bun. That was a sloppy mess.
(5)
Josh C.

The Chicago-famous Kuma's and this of course their follow up. Let's start with the pros. We sat at the bar and the bartender was nice, knowledgeable, took our order and was a great server all the while tending bar. She gave us great beer suggestions and we all enjoyed our drinks. The negative, they play super loud god-awful heavy metal. I know that's their thing and if I ever give it a second try, I'll sit outside but it is just unnecessary. Worse, the food did not live up to expectations. They have those pretzel buns that add nothing on their best day and distract from the food on their worst day. I ended up taking the meat off the bun the pretzel was so bad. It tasted better eating with a fork and knife but I've had much better burgers without the head-ache enduing music. I hate to say this about a Chicago landmark, but I think it is all hype and no bite.
(2)
Mallory Z.

Stop reading and just go. Don't listen to the haters. Order a burger. I don't care which one. And the Mac and cheese. I don't care what you put on it. Now unbutton your pants and slip into food coma bliss.
(5)
Valerie Z.

I've been to your establishment many times. The food is great, service is alright and i like the atmosphere. Today I really wanted to go and bring a friend who has never been but had limited time. In order to estimate if I could go I called to ask right how long the wait was. Not only was the response unacceptable but straight up unprofessional and had no customer service. Stephanie can't tell me over the phone how long the wait time currently is? You need to change this horrific standard you have your hostess blab out. Not only will I not be going today. I will no longer be going and never suggest you. That is ludacris. Horrible customer service, management. You are good but not that good to act all snarky and you aren't that special in a city where you have so much competition...wow.
(2)
Perry A.

Let me first preface by saying I love Kuma's and their burgers, but today I received the worst service from the bartender Courtney, I usually don't complain but today is the day. I come to the location and sit at the bar on the very far end where the servers are receiving the drinks, now I'm sitting there at the bar waiting for almost 10 mins without be acknowledged, no hello welcome to Kuma's, no would you like a menu, no would you like some water. After waiting she finally ask me did I need something, it's pretty obvious I need something, I didn't have a menu, no beer, no water, for some reason she assumed I was waiting for a take out order, but here is the kicker she never asked me that when I sat down. Now I'm not sure if it is because I'm an African American male, but the predominately white individuals at the bar were tended to pretty expeditiously. There was also an African American woman waiting there actually standing up where I was sitting and she never acknowledged her until the lady flagged her down to inform her that she had a call in order. Courtney looked very inconvenienced by myself and the other African American woman that was there. Now I usually enjoy myself at Kuma's Corner but this was my first time at Kuma's too,if this is how some of your staff treats patrons of color then I hate to say I will have to avoid both of your locations if this type of behavior is acceptable. Again I love your burgers but the service today that I observed between myself and the other African American woman was disgusting.
(2)
Neil C.

My burger was 4 star worthy. Definitely not the best I've ever had but very good and cooked how I requested. Minus one star for making my burger wrong. Ordered no cheese (was even on receipt) because I'm allergic and they put cheese on. Minus another star because of the staff. Not the friendliest, that's for sure.
(2)
Greg B.

You should strongly consider adding the Sovereign burger to your normal menu. That's one of the best burgers I've ever had and it's a shame it's only a monthly special. Who wouldn't want a burger topped with waffle sticks, fried chicken, bacon, maple syrup, and cheese all on a pretzel bun every day? This was the entire reason I drove from Milwaukee to Chicago today. Only issue I had was the wait was a little long for a burger ordered to go, but the burger was well worth it.
(4)
William B.

I know it makes me insufficiently hip that I went here rather than to the original Avondale dive, but this is near where I live and I was really craving a burger. And wow, these are burgers worth craving. In the abstract it seems like a great burger shouldn't be that hard to make. But in practice, there are so many elements straining against one another and it's hard to keep them in balance. Make the patty sufficiently moist and it destroys the bun and leaks out over your hand; make it dry and it's no fun to eat. Similarly, too few toppings are boring, too many are a distraction and a mess. A bun that's not too hard to get through is usually too soft to hold the sandwich. And so on. Well somehow Kuma's hits the sweet spot. I had a buffalo patty with the traditional toppings, and the results were savory, flavorful, moist, and yet not too much. Unlike most burger joints, they have good fries. And most impressively of all, Kuma's has solved the bun problem: they use a sturdy yet soft pretzel roll that is the best-functioning bun that I can ever remember having on a burger. I used my old reviews to try to figure out when I last had a better burger. Umami Burger, Feb 2013? This is more satisfying and better balanced. Ray's Hellburger, July 2009? This is less monstrous and the bun is better. DryHop, nearly every month? Again, a better bun situation. The only burger I have any record of eating that might have been better was Capitol Grille, March 2009, and at this point that burger has become a figment of my dreams. Also a lot of people complain about the heavy metal music and the service, but they didn't bother me.
(5)
Emily T.

Not normally a burger fan, but I must say that this place is fantastic. I got the Iron Maiden and it was so, so good. I had half of the monster burger done in no time. It was impossible to finish- they really are huge. Would be 5 stars but the music is very loud and kinda brings down the atmosphere.
(4)
Kara E.

Finally got here to try it out with a friend early for dinner on Tuesday. Good beer list and the burgers looked great. My friend ordered the original or famous Kuma burger with the egg on it and devoured it within minutes (I hadn't even gotten through a 1/4 of my burger). I ordered the Mastodon - crispy onions, cheese, bbq sauce and bacon. Came cooked perfectly medium and was seasoned well. It was quite a big bite for me but I managed. Really, really delicious. The fries were, well, fries. So yummy but not amazing. I like metal/rock/screaming music so I was in my element. They were playing Leprechaun on the tv above the bar which I thought was awesome. Our waitress was fantastic - I was super indecisive over every single thing and she was very patient and nice. I would probably not come here when its crowded (seems the lower reviews all got poorer service/not as good burgers during rush periods) but come early and its great. I'll be back to try some of the appetizers and the mac and cheese for sure.
(5)
Becky C.

We were recommended to Kuma's Too by our friends who told us to make sure to only go there for lunch since they make it super dark at dinner time. When we got there the customer service was great. My biggest complaint was that the music was just unnecessarily loud. I get it. Do your thing and set the vibe with any music that you want but people want to have a pleasurable dining experience and be able to have nice conversation over food. As far as the food goes- we ordered their famous burger with the egg on it and it was AMAZING and HUGE! The fries were great as well but when we asked for ranch they said they didn't have any.. What?! They make their own ketchup and I bet if they made their own ranch people would be super into it as well. The real winner was the MYO mac & cheese. Wow. It was some of the best mac & cheese I've ever had- not too dry or runny and baked with a nice crust. The chicken in it was cooked perfect as well. Overall, great food and great customer service.
(4)
Leo S.

I freaking freaking lover their mac and cheese lol dear owners, if you see this please give me your recipe lol -- love Leo But why am I giving it a 4 star, well, it's supposed to be a burger place but honestly their burger is just above average. Not extraordinary but better than what you can get from regular burger places. Although I do appreciate the creativeness but some of the stuff on the menu just doesn't sound like a good combination and some sounded like a good combination but isnt lol I sound like im bashing this place but I'm not haha im respect their menu but thank no thanks lol i do absolutely love their mac and cheese tho! Huge portion and delicious! Lol this is the only mac and cheese I would eat and I dont even like mac and cheese but I love theirs. I wish the additional ingredients would cost less so I dont always end up with a 20$ bowl of mac and cheese but I would recommend it to anyone who goes there ;D
(4)
Nick M.

The "Metallica" burger is the best food I have had in my life. Whenever someone comes to visit me I bring them to Kumas Too so that they can experience these great burgers as well. I always leave happy and full. The atmosphere in this place is one of a kind.
(5)
Jamie B.

Kuma's Too is in a better location and has a nice garage door that can be lifted in the nicer weather- this is awesome. The burgers are fantastic and so is the mac and cheese. This food is really heavy and is good for a hangover if you're in need of help, they also have an awesome root beer on tap. I didn't give 5 stars because I found the bathrooms to be quite disgusting which is representative of the establishment. If the bathrooms can't be maintained I worry about what goes on behind closed doors and in areas the customers can't see.
(3)
Daniel S.

I've always heard this been called the best burger in the city. I'm always cautious of naming anything the "best" anything, but this burger is definitely one of the best ive had in Chicago, i got the iron maiden medium, it was nice and big, the bun was moist, the meat juicy, lotsa cheese and fries on the side, it kinda fell apart trying to eat it, but no worries, not that long of a wait at the "too" location for a friday night, very nice beer selection to boot, cant wait to go back and try the mac and cheese
(5)
Amy R.

All of the joy of the original Kuma's with none of the wait! Well to be fair, not ALL of the joy. The charm and personality of the original location is obviously missing. The music isn't blasting AS loudly, the art on the walls is slightly less bondage-y, and there are no TVs playing gorey/sci-fi flicks. There's no feeling of triumph when finally, after 90 minutes of agony, your name is called because your table is finally ready. HOWEVER, sometimes, when you don't have a whole evening to wait patiently for that glorious burger, you can look past all that. Especially since, in my humble opinion, the food, drinks, and service is PRECISELY the same as the original locale. I've come here a handful of times since they opened, and everything has been just the way I love it - truly medium rare burgers, packed with the familiar, metal-named toppings, the delicious potato chips and homemade ketchup, etc. I've come here with a group of 6 - a horrifying possibility at the original location - and waited 15 minutes ON A FRIDAY NIGHT. WHAT?! Seriously, WHAT?! It's amazing. I brought an out of town colleague here on Wednesday night and we were one of maybe 10 tables in the place. It was a perfect way to show him the best of Chicago without being out till midnight. He got the Metallica and loved it. I got the special of the month, the Valkyrie - a burger with battered, deep fried pancetta, herbed cream cheese, bruschetta and fresh basil, and it was AMAZING. I'll always love the original Kuma's, but this is a great way to get the same food for an extraordinarily shorter wait.
(5)
Amy B.

Always go see Theresa behind the bar. Lively and lovely, she'll take excellent care of you!
(5)
mike g.

We heard about this restaurant from friends so we decided to go there today. Well let's see. First they were packed so there was a 30-45 min wait. It's popular so we thought it was gonna be worth the wait. The waitress was rude and barely came to ask if everythin was good. Her first visit for 10 minutes after we were seated. Than after giving the order 40 mins went by and there was no update or no sign of her. Finally after a while we saw her so I asked her how much longer would she think it would be. She goes usually it takes 30-45 min. (Very rudely). Thank after all the wait when the food came we were really excited. Well me and my fiancÃ©e thought it was 6 out of 10 at best. So over all it wasn't worth the wait or the terrible service. And also it was really really loud metal music going on.
(2)
A M.

Kuma's Too is good. I kept hearing mixed things about Kuma's Too, but, for me, it's just the same as Kuma's Corner. Good burgers. Cooked well. Not the greatest burgers, but still pretty damn good. They have draft and bottle beer. Overall, the price was a bit expensive. The service was the best part. Very nice and attentive. They have a window they open during warmer weather which is really nice and you are connected to the outside. The music is hella loud, so it was hard to hear the person across from you. Why does the music need to be that loud during lunch time? (I get it when it's a little later.) Would go there again if I'm around the area.
(4)
Dara B.

The food was pretty good, the service not so much. It took forever to get the waitress' attention, we even had to call over a bus boy once to have him find her. She also spilled my beer all over the table. While she said she was sorry, how hard is it to pour a beer? Is this the first time you've encountered foam??
(3)
Danielle S.

Many people may not know this (or expect this) about me, but I love hard rock music. So when I heard that there was a place that mixed rock music with burgers and beer I pretty much figured I had found my happy place. Luckily we got there early enough that we were able to find 2 seats at the bar as people were leaving. There is not a lot of room here, especially for waiting. It was raining that day, so we really didn't want to be in a line out the door (which happens). Obviously since it is so busy, the servers/bartenders are very busy. They did a pretty good job all things considered, but I wouldn't say it is amazing service. But I guess that is to be expected. They have a great beer menu, as well as other drinks if that doesn't tickle your fancy. The burgers...oh the burgers. Which one do you choose?! I've never seen a burger menu like this anywhere. Ever. I ended up ordering the Liar of the Minotaur (caramelized onion, bourbon poached pear, brie). Holy....yeah. Definitely in the top of my list of best burgers I have ever had. Totally different, cooked perfectly, I was happy. Needless to say, I want to come back and try all of the burgers. Rock on Kuma's.
(4)
Sean T.

The burgers are huge and more than most people can eat in one sitting. But all the ingredients are fresh and worth the price. The unique options for toppings are also great.
(5)
Tracy H.

Enormous portions of death metal themed burgers. I recommend Lair of the Minotaur which is topped with bourbon poached pear. The waitstaff is attentive but not overbearing. Try the chorizo poppers for a guilty pleasure like no other. Beer is flowing.
(5)
Rod P.

I'll gladly bump up my Star rating if my next experience improves. This was my first time there; and on the strength of my wife (whom I trust to pick winners). It didn't meet expectations. We went during a busy time so the service was lax. When the food arrived it came out lukewarm. The fries stayed out too long that they were going stake. Though I did receive a true medium rare, it missed the heat or the sizzle that you enjoy from a burger. It feels more like a theme restaurant than a true rock bar & grill so the death metal tracks (nothing wrong with it but) blaring at a high volume above you didn't gel well. For the collective hype that it has received recently from those including my wife, which btw was 'over it', it should have blown me away especially when your sole menu is making amazing burgers. If and when I return; what did I learn? Â·Go earlier to avoid a full house & Â·Try the burger of the month, maybe the quality and taste well be there.
(3)
Joseph R.

This place was amazing! I went there with a few friends that were in town! We went at like 7pm on a Monday. We were seated right away and our waitress was there. The beer selection is pretty good although they don't have any 312 or Goose Island (as a Chicago bar like what...). Anyway-I ordered the Kuma burger and it was amazing! I really enjoyed it and it was perfectly cooked! I would recommend this place to anyone looking for an amazing burger!
(5)
Gordon S.

Not good!! Had dinner here one night with my wife it's seriously had to be the greasiest burger joint I have ever been to with more bacon in grease piled high it just made for a terrible dining experience! Might be a good place if you're 21 1/2 in the bag after a Cubs game.
(1)
Clarence S.

I came here a month ago with my girlfriend, hearing good things about their burgers so I decided to try them out. Overall, the food was great. I only wanted to be there for an hour, but after our orders were taken, we never saw our server again. Ever. Soon after 60 minutes went by, I got impatient and asked the hostess to locate our server because I haven't seen her at all. She admitted to forgetting about us. Who forgets about their table? The horrible service didn't stop there. Our server TRIPLE charged us for the number of drinks we had ordered. And when I gave them my card to correct, it was declined because of a "new system." That wasn't really the issue, but it made my money situation complicated having to use a credit card instead of my debit. My server still double charged me and only took out one of the three drinks I didn't order. This time, I approached the manager to fix the issue because I've been here for over 90 minutes and it was 9:00 and I wanted to start getting ready to go out by now. So this time I wait another 15 minutes for not the manager, but just a different server to fix the problem. What did she do? She sent my original server to me to defend the fact my bill was because of TAX and not the two extra drinks. I then calculated it myself 3 times to triple check back at the table, frustrated with my girlfriend. The bill was still 15-20 dollars more than what I ordered, but I was just sick and tired of being here and dealing with these people. I just signed the bill and left a zero dollar tip. I also put a scratch piece of paper of my calculation next to the zero dollar tip to show them how they screwed me over. I don't think I'll be coming back here anytime soon.
(1)
Dustin H.

Delicious, over the top, super flavorful food served in aggressive portions with surprising heat. Unfortunately at times, way too salty. You will not leave hungry, no matter what you order. Hell, the mac and cheese could feed a dozen people.
(3)
Kiran H.

This review is long overdue. Kuma's Too has officially been named my favorite bar in Chicago. Why? Let me tell you... I've been here so many times and the service had always been attentive and great. Beyond that, the bartenders are ALWAYS super nice and inviting. The atmosphere is just perfect. I love heavy metal. And I love it blasting. But of course... The best part is the food. Burgers are important to me. (I eat vegetables sometimes, I swear!) Kuma's cooks their burgers to perfection every time. My favorites are the Yob and the Slayer. They have a great craft beer selection and awesome cocktails, too. Chicago has a ton of good places, but Kuma's Too just hits that sweet spot for me.
(5)
Mike B.

The best way to describe this place is average. Not terrible, not great. The bar is nice and the service was great but the food was nothing to write home about. I had the goatsnake, which had some good flavors but with all of the awesome burger joints in Chicago, I can't see myself trying this one again.
(2)
Lauren S.

I went here after going to the original Kuma's Corner and was not disappointed in the slightest. The Corner made me believe in burgers again, and I was hoping to have the same burger experience at this location, and I was happily satisfied. We went on a Friday night around 7:30 and had to wait 45 minutes for a table, but we got a seat at the bar within 10 minutes.
(5)
Meilani S.

This place shits on any burger place I've been to. Including my favorite burger joint back at home, burgers & brew. I don't come here too often, simply because the burger has me full for the next 2 days. Their burgers are tasty and huge. There is so much burger to consume, that I usually dig a pit from the top pretzel bun to remove extra breading, it's a perfect bun hat for the burger and I find it just keeps everything from falling out. I usually try the burger of the month. This is a creation that the burger chef has invented and changes monthly, obviously! I have yet to have a duplicate burger. Oh wait, I lie. I'm a garlic lover and I've ordered their "plague" burger at least twice. Beware though, you will need a pack of gum after! Don,t order this if you have an intimate evening planned for later, haha. (Seriously!) This is their second location. I hear their original location is more of an experience. Also, I have yet to try their Mac and cheese, but I always want to. I just can't seem to order mac when kuma has the best freeking burgers! Their Mac and cheese definitely looks appetizing, try some Mac and cheese for me if and when you decide to go, eh!?
(5)
Claudia S.

Let me just go ahead and get this out of the way. Years ago, my friend had friends that worked at the original Kuma's. We would go there to visit/get drunk because we knew we could sit at the bar and do so without judgment. I will always have a special place in my heart for Kuma's for that reason alone. Onto this Kuma's. Not what I was expecting, at all. I wanted more metal. More obscenities. More hatred from the servers. Nope. The servers were quite pleasant, the place was spacious and the music wasn't cranked up to 11. I mean, it took me a minute to adjust. Then I took a look at the menu and saw some old favorites. All was right in the world. Now let's just get real here. There are 2 types of people in Chicago. Those that love Kuma's and their burgers and aren't afraid to admit they're effin' good and those that hate Kuma's because they had to wait, don't like metal, don't have 8 million salad options, took away the waffle fries (oh waffle fries, I will forever miss you!!) or another myriad of stupid reasons that they were aware of beforehand. I fall into the former category. The hate beak is a damn good sandwich too, and don't even get me started on the mac & cheese. Mmm. I came here starving and left here full and with about 3/4 of my burger and fries leftover. Yep, exactly what I was hoping for from this location! The only disappointment for me was the beer selection. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad by any means. In fact, the other location used to have a beer on tap that isn't even distributed to the city (but, now errrryone knows of them and they no longer show Kuma's love, or any place in Chicago for that matter)....but, I've already had pretty much everything they had. I know, it's not their fault I drink a lot of beer. I had a bloody followed by some Solemn Oath, so it's not like I went thirsty. I just wish their selection was larger. Oh, and I also wish it was in a different neighborhood. You win some, you lose some. There was no wait when I went. I guess that was my win.
(4)
Cheyenne R.

This is my favorite restaurant in the city. It's my go to for cheat meals and or to hang out. I don't get the other reviewers on here about shoddy service or bad food but neither are representative of what kumas is. Bad ass music, bad ass food, and bad ass craft beers. If you visit Chicago this needs to be a first stop for you. As long as youre not some pretentious hippie you'll have an amazing experience.
(5)
Kelsea D.

I've never actually dined in here, but I order from grubhub constantly, they always come super quick. I usually go for the burger of the month and the mac and cheese. Can usually eat 3 times off the mac and cheese. The chips are great and something is amazing about the ketchup
(5)
Brian E.

Love the original Kuma's and this place is on par. Burgers as big as your head. Huge portions. And so, so good. Beer list is just what you want to see. Enjoyed some 3 Floyds and Half Acre beers while listening to Motorhead. Noise level was fine, not crazy loud. Went around 7pm but found seats at the bar pretty quickly. 30 minute wait for a table, but not bad for dinner rush. i give this 4 heart attacks out of 5.
(4)
Michael L.

OMG - might be the. best burger I've ever had in my life. Full disclosure - I'm a huge carnivore. Had the Led Zeppelin with cheddar, BBQ pulled pork, pickles, added sautÃ©ed mushrooms on a pretzel bun cooked perfectly medium rare. Flavor, fresh, original = amazing. I've eaten at countless quality burger places in Chicago over the past 10 years. Kuma's Too takes the crown! Great service too. Just be aware of the blasting heavy metal music!
(5)
Brooke B.

Solid burgers, some of the best we have had- try the Kuma burger- it sounded kinda "normal" but it was out of this world. Their pork fries as an appetizer were delicious - and the Mac and cheese was amazing- you can customize with a ton of options (we did prosciutto - jalepenos - garlic)... Good beer selection and super friendly knowledgable staff. Music was at a higher volume but ITS PART OF THE ATMOSPHERE so expect it or Ya Prob should go elsewhere. Love it.
(5)
Zack H.

I think this is the burger Jules Winnfield was talking about. Best burger I've ever eaten. There's something charming about eating a burger and listening to pig squeals. Bathroom looks like a place Keith Richards would have done coke in the 70s. Also, I don't know what they did to my fried egg, but let me tell you something THAT WAS THE BEST FRIED EGG I'VE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE and I've eaten at least two fried eggs. Somebody find out how the cook makes their fried eggs and holler at me so I can step my breakfast game up 500%.
(5)
Katie W.

I had been recommended to go to this place countless times and was excited to finally try it. My boyfriend and I decided to go before a movie since the theatre was right by. 30 min wait not bad at all but then we sat at our table for just over an hour only to have our waitress come up to us and say she forgot to put our order in... We had to leave because our movie started in 10 min. Very disappointing especially because it took her that long to realize she never put our order in.
(1)
Ashley W.

The only reason I have ever gone to the original Kuma's is for the burgers. I don't go to get packed like sardines into the too small waiting area to be quoted a three hour wait, I don't go for the feeling of claustrophobia I feel when I'm seated at a table and can touch elbows with the person sitting at the table next to me, and I don't go for the blaring death metal music or "adult" movies playing on the TV at the bar. Let me tell you, walking into Kuma's Too was a nice surprise and almost the complete opposite of the original Kuma's, which in my book, is a good thing. I know I'm probably the odd one out in that regard but I love Kuma's Too and will be going to this location now instead of the original. To get the same tasty burger and mac n' cheese in an environment that's toned down a notch or two and offers a little breathing room without a three hour wait is awesome. Oh, and bonus points for a bathroom that is considerably larger and cleaner.
(5)
Erik M.

Food = 2.5 Buns were awesome but the two burgers we ordered were over cooked. We both preferred medium rare and they came medium and well done plus mine was over salted which seems to be a common theme in other reviews Service = 3.5 Water service was awesome but we asked for a condiment which didn't come after a reminder and when our food was already eaten.
(3)
Jill S.

Totally over rated!!! I live in the neighborhood, love burgers, and I'm rocker chick to the bone. U would think this was a match made in heaven, NOT! I have been there a couple times before, thought it had a hip atmosphere, food was decent. Decided to go in today for a late lunch, as soon as boyfriend and I walked in I had doubtful feeling, cuz music was so pitiful, (yes, I'm picky about my music) but they claim to be a rock/ burger bar. Decided to give it a go since we're moving out of state soon. The music was so loud and intrusive I couldn't think straight, (still have a headache five hrs later). I mean head banging, death and devil slasher music, song after song after song. As far as food and drinks go, they got EVERYTHING WRONG messing up order with every plate and drink put in front of us. The side salad was a watery mess, and they forgot the dressing, ewwww, even after they brought me dressing. The burger was not a hamburger but a SALTBURGER, not a taste of flavor just salt, even the lettuce tomato and onion were warm, soggy, salty, disgusting!!! Of course they forgot the ketchup and mustard and had to wait another 10 mins. for that. At that point could not wait to get outta there, my head and patience were overloaded. Don't waste your time and money. They have gotten lazy, WAY too many other epic joints in Lakeview!!!
(1)
Josh O.

The burgers their might just be the best ever. Seriously, don't pass up the chance to eat there. The bar is a heavy metal theme, but still very inviting and friendly. The neighborhood is one of my favorite in Chicago.
(5)
Sherwin C.

For me, the food was good -- but not quite life altering (which I expected, considering the wait time). The burgers were thick, the ingredients were fresh, but I didn't get the extra X-Factor (you know when you take a bite and the food just makes you smile) from this.
(4)
Neal M.

First of all I have to say I have not been to the original Kuma's Corner, but the reviews up here implied it's a must for any die hard burger fan. So when I went to visit my friends in Lincoln Park yesterday they asked if I want to go out for a burger, I said sure, and they said it's some new joint, Kuma too. And I said Kuma's Two? And they said yes, that's it. Hearing this made my day.. Then we went, and my bubble was terribly burst.. We get there around 12:45 pm, I figured we would have a wait. BTW, me and two friends went. First Impression: Very Busy and Very Loud, this I expected. The waitress said it would be 30-40 minutes for our table. A bit long if you ask me, but I really wanted Kuma's so we waited outside for just about 35 minutes.. We get called in and get the table right in front of the kitchen and we realize just how loud this place is, to give you an idea i could speak regularly and the person across from me could understand me most of the time if they were looking at me, but we couldn't hear any of the conversations going on around us. And when a heavy riff came on, you had to speak LOUDLY to be heard. Menus looked great, over 15 choices of burgers, I think I wanted to try about 6 of them right there. We skipped the apps, because we wanted to focus on the burgers themselves. I ordered a Plague Bringer, Med Rare They ordered the Metallica and the Goatsnake Burgers. Med Rare as well. Waitress was excellent, attentive, friendly and helpful, also water and drink fill ups were plentiful throughout the meal. Here's where my disappointment comes into play, 40+ minutes later our food arrives. No "Sorry for the wait" or "here's an app for your inconvenience". I asked why it took so long, and she just said "we're busy", duh yeah, I already knew that. My burger was Med Rare, the others were Med at best. but by this time we were so hungry we weren't gonna wait any longer to eat, so we did. I think they might have given my burger to someone else, and had to whip up another, that's why mine was less cooked.. My burger tasted really good but it was just a good burger, beef was juicy/toppings were fresh, (for a 40 minute Burger) and the Metallica was enjoyable, but the Goat cheese Burger with the lemon vinaigrette didn't work at all IMO. After reading these reviews I thought it would be the BEST burger evar! Nope.. I've made better at home in 1/3 the time. Fries were so just OK I have had many better, nothing special. I really did expect more from this place. so sad.. OK, so now I know not to always buy all the hype, this is just a trendy burger joint/bar that plays loud music, that's it IMO. If you want a ridiculously expensive burger (12-16 bucks with a side) and enjoy it in a place where no one can overhear your conversation and you need earplugs, then this is for you. Improve the ridiculous wait times, reduce the prices and make better fries and I might come back. Seriously a two hour + lunch for just a burger and fries, it's pretty sad if you ask me, I am not sure why folks are coming back? Sorry Kuma's you're absolutely not as good as the hype..
(2)
Jonah E.

I've had burgers. Simple. Crazy. Fat. Skinny. I had a burger place I thought rocked it serving only burgers and mac and cheese in Wisconsin (coincidence? ) that made me happy when I had to go up north. Kumas made me dislike other burgers. Not sincere hatred, but a bite by bite criticism for not being a Kuma burger. I like the atmosphere better at the original Kumas, but the line at this location is easier to handle.
(4)
Jayson J.

I had a very nice burger here over the weekend. The location is a little better than the original, and the lines are shorter. I get that some people think the burgers are not as good, but I couldn't really tell a difference. Everyone else dining with me enjoyed themselves and we all had some good bourbon.
(4)
Sarah S.

Nothing beats a good burger and Kuma's Too is no exception. Haven't been to the original Kuma's in Avondale, but this branch is fantastic. The first time I ordered, I ordered take out/delivery, which I had to wait a bit longer than I probably should have; thus the food wasn't as fresh as it might have been if I'd gone to the actual restaurant. However, the burger was still delicious and huge! The second time I ate, I actually went to Kuma's. Wait wasn't that long for a Sunday afternoon, and again the food was incredible, better even that it was fresh. Great atmosphere, but music was a bit on the loud side, especially given it was a Sunday afternoon. Made conversation a tad difficult. However, did not take away from the delicious food and very generous portions.
(4)
Breanne T.

Lunch special is where it's at! For $8 you get a five oz burger and your choice of chips or fries. It's the perfect size for lunch because it leaves you satisfied, but not with a food coma. I got the plague burger (garlic mayo, garlic, hot sauce, jalapenos, tortilla strips, tomato, onion). The jalapenos were raw, so it gave it that extra kick! The tortilla strips gave it a nice crunch too. I like the metal decor (the burgers are named after rock bands, etc) and the vibe of the whole restaurant. It's great to people watch at too because it attracts people from all ages and backgrounds - anyone that loves a good burger!
(4)
Jerry M.

Burgers here are just as good as the original and much less of a wait. Love the character-including the music-and the good service. Favorite burgers in Chicagoland area. Will come here just as quickly as the original.
(4)
Lindsay M.

Nahhhhhhhhh-t so much. I don't get how this location can vary from it's other location so much... But it just ain't right. First of all, the vibe and decor is definitely geared towards a more Lincoln Park type crowd... which isn't a Kuma's crowd if you know what I am saying. It's kind of uncomfortable with how bare if feels in there, not a whole lot of character. Another complaint, they were out of sooooo many beers. Did someone forget to do the liquor order? Oh hi, here's a list of beers, WE DON'T HAVE! Nu uh- not cool. The burgers. They weren't the same. The meat tasted different, it wasn't as juicy and delicious as regular Kuma's Plus - not sure if it's a thing across the board b/c it's been a hot minute, but what happened to the waffle fries? I like fresh cut fries and all, but they also only gave us the tiniest amount. Finally, the crowd. I went to this metal burger place, and was surround by kids. WTF. Just kind of a weird thing. The kids were cute, but definitely not the vibe I wanted. Waitress was nice and attentive. Make sense?
(3)
Mary L.

I ate the Lair of the Minotaur and I feel like I've seen God. Just fucking eat here.
(5)
Lena M.

I love love love love love their Kuma's burger. One thing that surprised me the first time I ordered their was their ketchup. It has this original taste. You cannot go wrong with the food, I the quality for the price is acceptable. Plus, it's a pretty huge burger.
(4)
Karlie T.

I just wasn't impressed. I got my burger delivery and it was cold, but that's not why I wasn't impressed. I asked for it medium, it was on the rarer side of medium-rare. It just didn't taste good to me and the "house made" chips were nothing special. I'm all about burgers and trying different mixes of burgers, but I don't think I'll me trying here again.
(2)
Danielle I.

Ah! I really can not believe I have not already written a review for Chicago's Kuma's too! I always ALWAYS make a point at grabbing a meal and a pint at Kuma's every time I visit the windy city. I mean whats not to love? Metal themed everything! Metal THEMED burgers Metal THEMED interior! its awesome sauce (is that not metal enough) Its Adooooomable! I happen to really love the Iron Maiden ( I get it with chicken though, no red meat for this girl...im just not that metal). And dont worry veg heads they have veggy pattys! ( and its good too) Home Maiden chips come with all the burgers they are quit devilish i might say. They have a fairly decent beer selection (thought it cant touch most Milwaukee restaurants list) Either way i love the dark atmosphere, and it kicks me into a food coma everytime. I cant wait to go back to Kuma's i love the hot sauce I want some more hot sauce need some hot sauce...need kuma im a groupie for kumas. No really give me some kumas.
(4)
Eric K.

I worship Kumas corner, the food, the atmosphere, the amazing beer on tap so when I learned that Kumas opened up another "shrine" on Diversey my girlfriend and I ran to try it. It was disappointing. Being extremely familiar with the original Kumas, walking in made me feel like I was in a generic restaurant except there was metal music and pictures with half naked women. I would have been fine with the different atmosphere if it wasn't for the service. Are waitress was the rudest women I've met in a while, it seemed like we were interrupting and bothering her for just coming in to eat. The only time we saw her was when she sat us down and when the bill came (are food was brought out by someone else). This nearly ruined the night but luckily the burgers were just as good at this location as the original, although the fries were almost completely different. Simply put if you've been to original Kumas corner this place simply doesn't honor the Kumas name. While the food is almost the same the service and the "Kumas" experience is not. Pro: *Burgers just as good as original *Interesting place to meet up friends *Fries are interestingly different Cons: * Ketchup not homemade * Service is pretty crappy *. Doesn't compare to original
(2)
Lola B.

It has been a LONG time since I've had a perfect burger! A friend recommended this place and I didn't get it - heavy metal themed burgers? OK sure, why not! The place was unassuming and unpretentious with quick efficient service. I had the Kuma Burger and it kicked ass - bacon, cheddar, fried egg, LTO. My great server noticed right away that it was overcooked and offered to immediately get a new one. When I told her not to worry about it because it was still totally delicious, she made sure to let me know that she still planned on yelling at the kitchen, which I thought was hilarious. 2 burgers 1 beer 1 soda = $36. Money well spent :-)
(5)
Saundie S.

Burger was alright. Service was slow. Restaurant was empty. Needless to say I won't be dining in again... Also I'm pretty sure my ears are bleeding - nothing against the music EVERYTHING against the volume. No thanks.
(2)
Amy R.

Who doesn't love oversized burgers and greasy mac and cheese?!?! This is a great place to take out-of-towners. It's also a good place if you want to see how wide your friends can open their mouths. The burgers are large, a little too large for me, and they all come in pretzel buns. I'm not a HUGE pretzel bun fan, which is the only reason i have it 4 instead of 5 stars. Surprisingly great salads if you're a vegetarian!!! :)
(4)
Yoel J.

My friend and I ordered Original Kuma's Burger, The Goatsnake, and their jalapeÃ±o poppers. The poppers were excellent - crispy, creamy, hot, greasy, and comes with a great raspberry dipping sauce. Both our burgers were too salty - so much so that you can't taste the quality of the beef. But they were well dressed with a fried egg on mine, and crispy onion rings on his. Although we didn't drink, they have a great beer selection. Be forewarned, the experience is not the same as what you get at the original location. While the heavy metal message is proudly displayed, it is also sadly lost here. Something about catering to Lincoln Park yuppies and freshly painted walls ruins the vibe. Expect fast but courteous service and loud music to go with your food.
(3)
Alyssa B.

Every time I come here I am torn between the burgers and the mac & cheese. They are both my favorite and both so good! By far the best mac & cheese I have ever had and Im a huge mac & cheese fan. Burgers are HUGE. I have yet to finish an entire burger at this place but they are so good and cooked to perfection. Plus they have my favorite beer that not many places have. Everyone should get Kolsch!
(5)
Deborah F.

The real thrill of the original Kuma's is you dine in fear your burger will eat you. Prove your worthiness: you must wait outside, and outside in Chicago is hardly ever good; you must be able to effectively scream at mealtime companions if conversation is desired; you must continue to wait while the cooking wizard takes magic and turns it into a burger for you in a tiny kitchen. Your burger is delicious, and there's no way you can't love it, because you're metal enough to eat it. No, Kuma's Too is not the original Kuma's. There is space in between the tables. There is a slightly dialed-down wait. There is the same wizard food we're willing to wait for (mac and cheese here is a grand thing to experience). But it's a softer, gentler Kuma's, one that sings monster ballads rather than turning it up to 11. If it's only burgers or macaroni and cheese you seek, go for it. Otherwise, sacrifice your evening to the original.
(3)
Christy J.

I had to write my first review for the Goatsnake burger.... I typically order your average tomato lettuce onion burger but decided to venture outside the box with the Goatsnake. It sounds very different but all of the flavors were delicious together! I would definitely recommend giving it a try. I wasn't sure what to expect with the goat cheese, but I was pleasantly surprised. The fried pickles were average.
(5)
Pam S.

Where "45 minute wait" really means 2 hours. Fail. Epic, epic fail. After a mediocre experience at Lockdown, I decided to buck up and come here with my lovely friend Lisa, because it WAS her cheese weekend and I DO adore her. Admittedly, it was a Saturday night, and we had a large group. Admittedly, the hostess was an idiot. We put our name in (there were about 10 of us) and were told that it would be about 45 minutes. That sounded about right (and even an hour would have sounded right), so we went next door to have a drink whilst our table was made ready for us. At the appointed time, we sent a spy to check on the status of the table. We were told it would be a bit longer, but we were told to come back at a certain time. Which we did. And stood there for another 45 minutes while we watched the hostess clearly plan poorly- there were any number of tables that got up and could have been pushed together (one of the benefits of having free floating tables everywhere instead of booths that can't be moved), but oh no...she sat those tables with other parties who undoubtedly arrived after us. Although I really shouldn't expect it at this point, it was evident that the hostess had not played one game of Tetris in her life, as the moving of the tables is essentially that game in action. I would know- I worked in the restaurant industry for MANY years. When we finally got seated, I was no longer hungry but attempted to try the mac and cheese...it's cool that you can pick your own mixer, and that our server gave some decent recommendations. However, I found that the M&C was meh (albeit a large portion), although others liked theirs, and I think those with the burgers were happy. I think they also had a decent beer list, but I was so tired from waiting that I barely remembered my own name by the end of the meal. I will probably never come back, and would only recommend this place if you do not like your hearing.
(2)
Christian I.

I have only been here once but my experience was excellent. The food was amazing. I ordered the burger of the month The Hark and I had Mac and cheese. They have a large selection of beer and the staff was really friendly. I will come back again real soon.
(5)
Carolyn B.

If you're looking for some of the best burgers in the city, Kuma's is where it's at. There's a reason why you pretty much have to wait for a table no matter what time you show up. The burgers are damn good. I've actually only ever had the Original Kuma's Burger (cheddar cheese, thick-cut bacon and a fried egg), because why mess with perfection? But there are plenty of options for the more adventurous including burgers with pulled pork, chipotle mayo, salsa, and more. One nice thing is that you can swap the burger for grilled chicken, a veggie burger, or bison burger. The fries are nothing to write home about, pretty standard. Be warned, if you forgo the fries for a "side salad," the salad is actually gigantic. My only minor criticism of Kuma's is that sometimes you might be stuck waiting for a table even if there are vacant tables around the restaurant. So that's a little annoying. Basically, if you're looking to eat an awesome burger roughly the size of your head, this is the place to go.
(4)
Damian C.

To be fair, any Kuma's has a lot to live up to, so keep your expectations in check and open your mind upon arrival. And... GO! Kuma's Too was pretty empty this past Saturday at 11:30AM so the SO and I popped in for a not-so-quick lunch. I like me some heavy metal from time to time but found that the music was pretty calm... well... non-existent, when we walked in. Casual conversation with 1-foot voices at Kuma's? Sure, why not. Our waitress, the sweetest little tattooed thing you have ever seen, stopped over and took our drink order. She came back quick, recommendations were given, and our orders were taken. We chatted amongst ourselves, took in the scenery, and listened to the girls next to us talk about how great the litigators were that worked at her law firm. When I think of a litigator I think of Dan Hedaya from "Clueless" and then think of Alicia Silverstone because I had a monster crush on her when I was a teenager. Then I get sad because she is a vegan now and cannot.. chooses not to.. enjoy the delicious wonder of red meat that Kuma's serves up. Sad face. Either way, I decided that Kuma's Too did not look much different than it's predecessor, The Counter. It was like that time I moved out of my dorm room freshman year of college and came back on a drunken night to visit the next year and saw that not only girls were living in the dorm, but that they had up stupid posters of boy bands and ponies and purple bedspreads. Gross. I prefer the Megadeth and the Iron Maiden and what have you to the bland TJ Maxx-inspired wall decorations of the previous tenant. Our tattooed sweetheart came back fairly quickly with our food orders and gave us the go ahead to dig in. I went with the Pantera plus Cholula sans poblano peppers. It was a beautiful pile of lots of calories and totally unhealthy and I could not resist snapping that one moment in time. Turns out that it was just as delicious as it was when I had it at Kuma's. I don't even know who Pantera is or what they sing, but if their music is represented by this burger creation I will follow them when they go on tour. Anything with tortilla strips wins in my book and the gooey-crunchy-spicy-pretzel combo lit up my taste buds like a Hypercolor t-shirt. Did you know you can buy Hypercolor shirts on Ebay? Not a new original, but new knock offs? I may buy one and wear it as a symbolic gesture to how Kuma's lights me up! The fries? Hot, not-so-salty. Happy. The damage for two burgers and a drink (no alcohol) was $30. I dropped my AMEX and the waitress said that, although their credit card books have "American Express" in the bottom right hand corner, Kuma's Too does not, in fact, accept American Express. Sure, it makes for awkward situations, but she said she has offered to scratch these logos off or use a box cutter to cut them out of the book. Cute. I like enterprising people and hope that she finds a second job in properly branding credit card booklets. Just remember, guys. It's a burger. It's not gold. It's not the second coming of Christ. Your life won't change, but you can't deny it's delicious!
(4)
Alec K.

The exact same burger experience as the original. I'd even say a better atmosphere due to the bigger space and you can you can hear the person next to you. No wait, jut phenomenal burgers without the hassle.
(5)
David B.

I had heard a lot about Kuma's before finally heading there a few months back (I'm just getting to some reviews on the to-do list now) and was excited about having a really good burger. I'll be honest and say that I can't remember whether I had the Mastodon or the Kaijo (I know I had one and my sister had the other and I tried both). They were good, but not great. And had our party of four at 5:30 on Sunday night not waited for an hour and fifteen minutes, I might have felt better about it. But it was not a good enough burger to wait that long for. The atmosphere was loud and energetic, which was fine. We built our own mac & cheese, which was so-so and the fries were pretty good. But I haven't been back since and don't feel a need to return. There are enough good burger places in Chicago (such as DMK) or places to get good burgers (like Chicago Q) where you don't have to wait for the privilege.
(3)
Megan T.

We had been talking about going to the original Kuma's for months, but every time we seem to want to go there is a line out the door. We came to Kuma's Too on a Saturday night crunched for time and were able to get right in with 2 seats at the bar. I realllllllly wanted an order of the mac and cheese, which I hear is legendary, but we had gone out for brunch that morning and I still wanted to be able to fit in my pants the next day. Holy mother of all things burger. We had the hardest time narrowing down to order because everything sounds so so good. My husband ordering the Goatsnake and I got the Metallica with grilled chicken and I think we could have both licked our plates when we were done. We weren't crazy about how loud the music was, but it's Kuma's and we knew what we were signing up for when we walked in. My favorite part? There are zero vegan items on their menu.
(5)
Mark T.

Believe the hype people, believe the hype. I finally made my way to this place, thanks to my boss. She's a total foodie and she often likes to take the team out to a "food outing". This place was next on her list so we all met up here after work. From what I had heard about the original Kumas Corner, this place doesn't compare in terms of ambiance. But they serve the same menu, so who cares, right? First, the appetizers. We ended up getting plates of fried pickles and the custom made mac & cheese for the table. I'm not a fan of pickles by themselves; if I go to a deli and they give you a pickle with your sandwich, I end up giving it to someone else. I tried the pickles here and they were nice, crispy and tasty. The mac and cheese (customized with bacon!) was good too...not the best I've had before, but I did get a second helping. Now the burgers. Many of my office mates went with the original Kuma burger. I've been to other burger joints where they put a fried egg on top of their burgers, so I was desperate to try something different. I ordered the "Goatsnake": with Herbed Goat cheese, Poblano Corn Relish, Cholula Leon Vinaigrette, Buttermilk Breaded Fizzled Red Onion according to the menu. This thing, along with the fries, made the plate entirely MASSIVE. You know there's a good problem when you can only finish half of your burger and have to take the rest home with you. Another thing that I liked about the burger was the soft pretzel bun it came on. Nice. The service was great and the kitchen to table time was good. All in all, a very nice night and I would LOVE to come back and try the rest of their menu.
(4)
Kate H.

Let's get one thing out of the way first - this is not the original Kuma's Corner. Not even close. The complaints that other Yelpers have that this location feels "sterile" compared to the original are completely fair. Yet I will give Kuma's Too four stars because....I NEVER HAVE TO WAIT FOR A TABLE! That alone is worth it's weight in gold bc I can't tell you how many times I've ridden my bike out to BFE Avondale to be told that there's a 2+ hour wait for a burger. I'm sorry but we live in a city with loads of amazing food. I don't ever see a reason to wait 2 hrs for a friggin hamburgular even if it is arguably the most delicious one to be found in the city. Come to Kuma's Too to be served in a timely manner to eat the same food. No, the waffle fries are never coming back. But who cares if the Lair of the Minotaur is within easy access?
(4)
Allen B.

Just posting another lovely update on this grand establishment. The Kumas group is definitely nothing to "F**k" with much like the Wu-tang. I was here with my bro & sis for some semi-late night eats. We were quickly accommodated with seating and our server, Rachel, was very friendly and attentive. She recommended some ales that we should try and we took her up on those choices. Great choices, by the way. Generally, every time I go to Kumas I get their burgers (obviously) with the beef patty -- this time around I opted for the chicken breast. HOLY SH*T was it juicy, wow! I ordered the Goatsnake (herbed goat cheese, poblano corn relish, Cholula lemon vinaigrette and topped with buttermilk breaded red onions). It packed so much flavor that all I wanted to do was uncontrollably sob (I'm talking straight balling my eyes out TLC Waterfalls style).
(5)
Char Y.

came on a sunday for dinner and only waited 10 minutes for a party of 5. we ordered iron maiden kuma black sabbath goatsnake lair of the minotaur all delicious! but no service whatsoever was offered. we had to asked for water, and waved down the waitress again to order. it also takes over 30 minutes to get the food, and no refills meanwhile. i thought the new location would beat the old one in terms of service, that did not happen.
(1)
Thomas K.

They delivered 2 undercooked burgers to my partner and I. Pink is not medium. I hope I do not get brain wasting disease but given the Soul-less nature of their burger naming I probably deserve it now. I would have given 4 stars had they cooked my burger because it tasted good.
(2)
Jesse T.

The best burger in Chicago. The beef and toppings are ridiculous. The mac and cheese is piled high enough for three people to share. The fries are acceptable, but really are not important next to the burger. If you get a salad here, you should not come back. While the place may get a bad rap for being loud, it is very average when it isn't too packed (it gets a bit loud at peak hours). The beer and whiskey collection is very high caliber. TL;DR come here for satisfaction
(5)
Daniel N.

Cool atmosphere with interesting wall-decor. The atmosphere is cool, the burger is a bit over-hyped. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but when people say that it is the best burger they ever had, I am appalled. Nothing about the burger truly makes it stand out.
(3)
Andrew M.

I have been to the original Kuma's before and truly enjoyed the experience, so I figured I would give there expansion a chance. I was hoping to have a good meal while listening to metal that I have never heard before. At least I experienced one of the two. We arrived at about 1:30 on a Sunday afternoon, and there were no open tables. After about 5 minutes, a table had cleared and we were seated. I was surprised because in my experience at the original I have had to wait a minimum of 30 minutes. After being seated, we were given menus by the hostess. Unfortunately, I don't think any of the servers knew we were there. After another 10 or 15 minutes our waitress came over to take our drink orders. I ordered a bloody mary, and she suggested I try their "Raining Blood" bloody mary. I said why not... I tried it, but it is made with white whiskey (never heard of that before). I like whiskey, but in a bloody mary it just doesn't taste right. I still drank all of it, but that was only because I found out it was an $11 drink (yikes!) and it took about 45 minutes for our food to come out. When she brought our drinks back, we were more than ready to order. I ordered the Kaijo(bacon, bleu cheese, frizzled onions) medium rare. My friend ordered the classic burger (bacon, cheddar, fried egg). The burgers took a really long time to be made, and the waitress didn't come back to our table while we were waiting. Once we finally received our burgers, mine was overcooked and extremely salty. The toppings were good, but the toppings with the saltiness made it seem like they were trying to cover up the flavor of the actual ground beef. The burgers are huge, so I didn't even finish mine. Also the fries were very good along with the ketchup which tasted like it was made in house. I may give them another chance eventually, but I am in no rush. If I am going to wait 45 minutes for a burger and pay $12 for it, it better be the best burger I have ever had - not some oversalty, overcooked disaster. Sorry Kuma's Too, but you have a long way to go to compare with the original.
(2)
Brett G.

The burger here is awesome. It's hard not to compare this place to the original. If I hadn't been to the original Kuma's, this place would probably get five stars. However, I agree with another yelper, "Got the feeling they were trying a little too hard to create an artificial environment to fit the theme." It almost feels like what a corporate chain version of a Kuma's would look like. Outside of that, my experience was great. Went here at 2pm on a Sunday, and surprisingly they had tables available. We opted for the bar however. I ordered the plague bringer and my friend got the special burger. The burger was just as awesome as at the original location. I was not let down by the food. The service was also great. The bartender was attentive and really nice. I forgot to ask her name, but the check said the name was "TJ". I'll probably only use this place as my overflow Kuma's location, but I wouldn't hesitate to do so.
(4)
Chelsea E.

From a ambiance perspective, it doesn't measure up to the original on Belmont but from a delivery perspective, I'll take it! $1.00 for delivery and the minimum is essentially the price of 1 burger?! Great! Beats trekking through the snow in negative degree weather to wait an hour for an ok ambiance (compared to the original) and food I can get in my cozy warm house now for an extra dollar and a tip of course! Welcome to the neighborhood!
(4)
Jonathan S.

Loved it. Burger made to my specifications.. Friendly service. Cool atmosphere.
(5)
Jenny V.

not only did we come at a PERFECT TIME (like 6ish on a friday afternoon) cause there was NO ONE there...but i dont even remember which burger i got...i just know it was messy and good. My boyfriend got their special burger of the month? week? it was so good... Also! try their homemade potato chips ( SO GOOD) I always think of getting their bbq pork fries ( ALSO SOOOO GOOD) but then i wouldnt have room to eat burger...maybe get an app if you're with a couple friends to share...
(5)
Kim K.

I feel like this place is just okay.... I am not super impressed. The service is hit or miss. The portions are grotesquely huge. The food is good. But I think this place is more hype than anything. And it is SO loud ALL. THE. TIME. We get it, you are so metal, Kuma's....but turn down the music. I would like to talk to the person/people I go to eat with. There are better burger places with better staff that are just as, if not more delicious.
(3)
Stephanie L.

Well its officially, this is NOTHING like the original. First, I went again for lunch. We were the only table in there. Server seemed a bit more engaged this time. I was thinking, alright, maybe they worked out all of the kinks. Well, basically here is the skinny. The place filled up about 15 mins after we ordered. It took our food an exceptionally long time to come out. Other people's food was coming before ours. It was literally an hour from the time we ordered. We both ordered our burgers medium. I WISH I would have taken a picture. Mine was medium rare to medium. That is perfect for me. My friends was well done. It was ridiculous. I mean, you are a burger joint right?? Temperature should be the easiest thing for you to do. Also, the actual patty lacked flavor. Like there was not even any salt or pepper on it. Now, I am a HUGE fan of the original Kumas, but this was a very sad showing for Kuma's Too. It really tasted like a frozen patty. I had some spicy one with pineapple. Its sad that my favorite part of the burger was the pineapple. The fries were old and gross still. Again, no flavor what so ever....bland as shit. Tasted like I was eating cardboard. I left all of them on the plate. I think they might have changed up the bun from last time. It almost seemed like a denser pretzel bun. It was just ok to me. They had the music lower than last time so that was a bonus. Oh and at the end, our waiter informed us that they cant split checks. WTF. No signage, no nothing...you can split checks, your dumb ass doesnt want to do it. Honestly, it wasnt good...at all. And in comparison to Kuma's...it was disgusting. It was not worth any of the calories that I put into my mouth. I wouldnt recommend or go back. Two times is enough for me to see that this place is going down the tubes...BUMMER. I will go somewhere else for my beef craving.
(1)
Matt M.

Meeeehhhhhhh Oh how I wish this place was as good as the original. I don't know what it is that it lacks that the original has. Yes the atmosphere is more lincoln-park-deuchey but no amount of scrubbing/clorox/CLR would get that off of any piece of property within 2 miles of this place. So I have already assumed that factor into my review and negated it. What it lacks is also in the food. Its just not as good. I don't know why but it just doesnt taste as good. Damn I wish it was... how I wish it was. But I am just going to stick to numero uno.
(3)
Stephanie H.

You always remember your first... Kuma's experience. But this was my second. But my first at this location. I give the management credit, it takes balls to take over the space from another 'premium' burger restaurant (the now defunct Counter) and hope that the Kuma's name can cleanse the burger spirit to start anew. I think they need to burn some sage because this was just okay for me. I went on a Sunday night around 8:30 at night so I could get my fill of meat. Hee hee. There were maybe 8 other people there. I chose to sit at the bar. I got the YOB medium rare with fries and a couple sides of fresh tapped Allagash. My burger was better at the other location but these fries were much much better. I wouldn't not go back, but there are so many other burger places for me to try in the city that this just didn't meet the bar that Kuma's sets for itself. I'm going to do my Huey Lewis impression here. Imagine I have some Buddy Holly glasses and a megaphone. In regards to the music volume there... "I'm afraid you're just too darn loud."
(3)
Mary B.

Kuma's Too is not a place to take a date unless you're ok with them witnessing you wearing half of your burger and potentially falling in love with the food instead of you. Therefore, it's the perfect place to take a friend for Valentines Day because what's less romantic than heavy metal music & thick juicy burgers? Their menu includes the disclosure, "Nothing on our menu is vegan" so beware. The patties are enormous, juicy & grilled to perfection. The foe of diets and vegans everywhere. After waiting 30 minutes for a table-for-two at 3 pm on a Saturday, we were finally seated. Be aware that it'll probably take a while to get a table. Their burgers are in high demand and located in the busy, hopping section of Lincoln Park. My advice? Go a little early and spend the wait shopping at nearby stores. I almost died when I realized it was right next to an Ann Taylor Loft.. My friend and I split two different burgers: the Famous Kuma & the Yob. The Famous Kuma is topped with bacon, cheddar, fried egg, lettuce, tomato and onion. I've seen the fried egg on a burger before but so far this was my favorite rendition. The combination of bacon & egg reminded me vaguely of breakfast on a burger. Fantastic. The Yob was adorned with roasted garlic mayo, bacon, gouda, roasted red pepper, lettuce, tomato and onion. Gouda & red peppers are two of my favorite things so putting them together on a burger blew my mind. The roasted garlic mayo meshed well with the heartiness of the patty and the creaminess of the melted gouda. I definitely recommend both burgers. The best part of the burgers? The buns are made out of pretzel bread. Very unique and ingenious. The buns were soft and delicious and added perfectly to the flavorings of the patties and their toppings. The fries were perfectly salted and the ultimate soft-to-crunch ratio. The ketchup was a little different but not in a bad way. I'm guessing it contains a little touch of extra vinegar. It's a nice change from the stereotypical Heinz served at every other burger restaurant. Great burgers & huge portions at a somewhat reasonable price. Definitely my kind of restaurant. My only complaint? Something that I hate to really call a complaint because it's more like a personal preference. The music. I know that the "doom metal" is part of the Kuma's experience. (Yes, I realize that all of the burgers are named after famous metal/rock bands) Personally I found the music to be distracting while attempting at making conversation. However, once the food came, all conversation ceased anyway. And there's nothing wrong with that. Overall, a very good burger restaurant with generously-sized burgers and a fun, rock-vibe.
(3)
Lisa Z.

I'd heard rave reviews about the burgers so I figured I'd check it out. A friend and I went there on a weeknight & got seated right away. We hadn't seen each other in a while and wanted to do some catching up, which proved nearly impossible with the loud music blaring away. My burger was delicious (I don't remember the name of it but it had BBQ pulled pork on it) and the fries were really good. I feel like it's a little crazy to pay $15 for a burger (albeit a tasty one) but I'm glad I checked it out.
(3)
Kevin L.

Make no mistake folks, these burgers are BIG. Vegans, vegetarians, and lightweights need not apply. Yelpers have complained that it's not as good as the original location, but as long as they keep making kick ass burgers, does it really matter? I ordered the original and was not disappointed. A good patty with all the trimmings and a fried egg to top it all off, what more could you want? Fries were decent, but nothing to write home about. They get the job done and they offer a generous portion of them. Good place to get a Kuma burger without the Kuma wait. Definitely worth checking out
(4)
Mike K.

Strip away the hype. Strip away the stupid music, which isn't unreasonably loud. Strip away the dÃ©cor, which really isn't terribly glaring or in your face. Strip away the vibe, which apparently is tamped down from the original. Strip away the fan boy, craft cool-aid drinking hipsters who populate the place. What's left? A burger that's probably in the top three burgers in the city. And definitely the best mac and cheese. It's a thumb out, an index finger up and a pinky finger up on a pumping, outstretched arm.
(5)
Kimberly S.

The flavors were all good but our burger and fries were cold. I got the special and it had really good bacon on it and the patty was huge but it also had fried asparagus which in theory would have been awesome but it was soggy and cold. The burgers are big enough to share if you're not that hungry. Probably won't be back.
(2)
Steve G.

A champion burger place, all the right pieces: large burgers, crisp French fries & BEER. The burger combinations are creative & original but I chose the Kuma original. (Many of my favorite things burger, bacon, cheese) all I can say is they actually do cook to order so rare is almost raw. I honestly did not need another meal today. A little pricy but well worth it.
(5)
Annie G.

This place sucks. Remember the original Kumas? Ok. Now subtract the unique charm, low key location, and legit food. Now add pretentious yuppie scum, trust fund babies, and tourists. Voila. You now have Kumas Too. -decor is lame -people are lame -food is sub par -soda selections are retarded Once the charm of this place wears off, I don't see it lasting in this neighborhood. The Counter (the burger bar that occupied this joint before Kumas Too) was much tastier and more fun. So not metal.
(1)
Matthew K.

Great place. New favorite burger place. Waitress was awesome. Burger was fantastic. Will be back soon
(5)
Frank R.

Kuma's and Kuma's Too, essentially homogenous in my experience, are seriously overrated restaurants in the universe of wonderful and unique Chicago eateries, and have to be top contenders for the "if it's expensive it must also be good" fallacy. I went yesterday for lunch, which was my first visit to the Too location. Wouldn't you know it, Metallica was blasting (hilarious, imho) and the place was darker than some music venues at night. Nothing like a little midday ambience. They stocked an impressive beer selection, I must say, but nothing was under $6, which is a joke. I went with a Bellhaven Scottish Ale, which I was happy with even out of a can. The lunch special, a handful of 5 oz burger options and a side for $8, sounded appealing since I didn't want to immediately fall into a beef-induced nap for the rest of the afternoon. The others I was with ordered the full size (10 oz?) and immediately regretted it. I opted for a WASP burger, and given the choice of fries, chips, or side salad, I went with the greens to provide counterpoint. Service at the beginning was attentive and our server was pretty knowledgable about the beers, which is always a nice touch. The burger was cooked about as well as I could do, erring on the side of dry but complimented well by the moist layers of cheese and carmelized onion. The cheese completely dominated the burger, though, and it looked like the cooks thought they were making a full size burger when they topped it. The salad was surprisingly good, with huge slices of cucumber, very fresh lettuce, and an absolutely delicious, sweet yet tangy in-house basil vinaigrette. I was actually a bit surprised that this was considered a side salad, yet happy that I could get a decent burger and basically a dinner salad for $8. The disappointment starts here. When we were finished eating, it took a solid 10-15 minutes to even see our server to ask for the check. Granted, it was busy, and I'm usually not a stickler for that sort of thing, but still a bit irritating. Then, upon receiving our check, we saw my friend's burger, the special, priced at $17. Are you serious? Looking further down, I noticed I was charged $5 for the salad. When a server offers, and I'm quoting her verbatim here, "fries, chips, or side salad", with no mention of an additional price, one makes certain assumptions. I was very displeased with that and reflected my displeasure in the tip. When all was said and done, we finished eating around 1:40 and didn't leave until 2:15, by no choice of our own, so you can imagine they're not the best at turnover (which probably is a better explanation of why both locations seem to be constantly packed). Overall, I'd say head to Dryhop up Broadway if you're looking for a fantastic burger and great beer on tap for a fraction of what we paid. Kuma's certainly has made a name for itself by assaulting diners with metal (again, hilarious, imho) and overcharging the Jesus Christ out of them as well, but I'm not sure it's a sustainable model in a town where pucks of ground cow on designer lumps of baked flour are found on every corner. Coming here kind of made me miss The Counter.
(2)
Andrew M.

Go to the original. I questioned this addition to Lincoln Park from the start and was not proved wrong. There is a serious attitude problem with the staff especially the hostess you will encounter. This tude' works in Avondale but to the Lincoln Park customer not so much. 2 hour waits are expected but when the hostess deliberately leaves tables open with no reservations there is a problem. When the hostess is rude to customers with the "were awesome and other customers will replace you" mentality I just do not see this business flourishing down the line. Clean your dang tables!!! The food is ok. Compared to alternatives in the area and the original Kuma's its alright. Beer selection is alright to. Servers are alright...again. I just think the customers have to stop flocking because of the Kuma name to see some change in the joint. Best of luck!
(2)
Larry P.

Biggest burger I've ever had. A 10 ounce patty served on a pretzel bun. Then they pile all kinds of stuff on top of that depending on which burger you order. Could be bacon, blue cheese, fried onion rings.... The burgers are kinda pricey at $13+ each. The place plays loud metal music. Loud. It's difficult to have conversation accross the table the music is so loud. But I knew that going in. The burger was good, but I would prefer a little less substantial bun so more of the burger flavor would come through in each bite. Overall I would give the place 3.5 stars, but will round down to 3 because the burgers and beer are a tad on the high priced side.
(3)
Taryn G.

My boyfriend and I are here once or twice a week and we absolutely love it. The staff is so attentive and friendly and awesome to deal with. I highly recommend the jalepeno poppers, and please, for the love of god, don't ask for waffle fries.
(5)
Cassandra F.

This place doesn't even deserve one star! We walked right in and got a table immediately, which I thought was a beginning to a great dinner. WRONG. We sat after ordering waiting for our food for over 1.5 hours! we asked where our food was after an 1 hour, the waitress told us it would be out soon. She had obviously forgot the burgers, because when we got them our foot was completely cold! My boyfriend ordered the burger with a "sliced pear". The pear came completely WHOLE not cut WITH THE STEM! my bun was still frozen on the inside with the saltiest burger I've ever experienced. Worst burger I've literally ever had, with the worst service. It wasn't like it was a bad burger experience, it was the WORST burger and service. Complete waste of time and money.
(1)
Vanessa C.

I'm really not sure why this place gets bad marks for service - both times we've been the server has been great. This second time the burger wasn't as good because it seemed like they waited to bring us our food until we were done with the Mac and cheese. However, I haven't tried anything here that wasn't amazing (aside from the beer. They have pretty hoppy beer and that's not my thing.).
(5)
Justin E.

Let's get right to the food. This was by far the best Burger I've ever eaten. We ordered both the YOB and the Burger of the month (The Valkyrie). The YOB was a little better in my opinion but both were amazing. The burgers come with your choice of fries or chips. We decided to get one order of each. The ketchup that comes for the fries has some kick to it so look out for that if you're not a fan of spicy food. The atmosphere was great. Skateboards hung over the bar, interesting art on the walls, Loud music, and a long list of beer. The bathroom has been painted to look like people have written all over it. It's possible that people actually wrote on the walls but since the handwriting looks to be done with a brush and not a marker or pen I think it's done on purpose. It definitely fits with the rest of the place though. I went at 7:30 on a Monday so we didn't have trouble finding a seat but the place was probably 3/4 full. I'll definitely be coming back to this place to try their other burgers. If they're half as good as what I've already had I'll be in heaven.
(5)
Cheryl I.

I usually go to Kumas in person and tonight I didn't feel like battling Mother Nature so we ordered in! I figured the quality wouldn't be as good since it was take out but man was I wrong! The fries were crispy, not soggy like most take out. The new burger of the month is sooooo good - "Lethargy". Thanks for not letting me down Kumas!
(4)
Eric M.

I've never written a review before, been to kumas three times and was never impressed, I've always felt the burgers were overrated, overpriced and nothing special, unfortunately I never either paid attention or realized you can switch the burgers for chicken and I ordered the goatsnake, Best. Chicken Sandwich. I ever had in my whole entire life. I'm 40
(5)
Nicholas G.

First, can we have a brief moment of silence for the Counter, the former resident of this location and a fun build your own burger joint that just never caught on with the natives? ... But, out with the old and in with the older, since this is the sequel to the famous Kuma's, a corner metal bar famous for its huge, awesome burgers, incredibly long waits and incredibly loud death metal. Can this be replicated in Lincoln Park, in a new, nice location across from Express and next to Ann Taylor Loft? The answer is, sort of. I arrived with a friend at 2PM on a Sunday and we were told it would be a 40 minute wait. It turned out to be closer to 10-15: I don't know if this was an intentional long-wait overquote to add to the mystique, or if he got a bump-up because he mentioned it was his birthday to the host. The place has a bit of the Kuma's DNA with some metal band posters on the wall, but they're framed and there is less of the hanging out in some metalhead's basement vibe. However, many of the servers have full sleeve tattoos and there are several bourbons on tap, so a lot of the Kuma's character shines through. Most importantly, how is the food? I'm glad to say that on this front things are identical. I had the Pig Destroyer, a massive pulled pork sandwich with BBQ sauce on a pretzel roll. It was as good as anything I had at the original Kuma's and my friend who got one of their insane burgers was equally pleased. Bottom line, if you are looking for Kuma's identical twin, you will be disappointed, unless such identical twin were separated at birth and raised in Lincoln Park, in which case this place is right on the money.
(4)
Andre W.

Well I'll be damned! They opened a Kumas in my hood of Lincoln Park/Lakeview. I had planned on getting my solid body back and now that they have hit my hood, that may not happen...lol Me, my buddy and my lady showed up on opening night 2/13/13 @ 5PM and to our surprise there were many tables open as well as much bar space. We grabbed a seat @ the bar and started out with some beers. They have just about the same beer as the Avondale Kuma's location. I saw Three Floyds Gumball head and got my gulp on. My mouth had been watering for this burger all day so it would not take me long to order. I got the Neurosis which included lots of sautÃ©ed mushrooms, carmelized onions, cheddar cheese & horseradish mustard. I smashed that damn thang as it came with some very delicious fries. Mouth melting action going on here! By the way, Susan the bartender is pretty awesome...always a delight to speak with! We looked up @6PM and it had a nice crowd @ that point, which is expected. As I mentioned earlier, I see myself here quite a bit in the near future as this is a 6-7 minute walk from my residence. We came back and split a High on Fire burger and it was definitely the best burger I have ever eaten...seriously!!! The High on Fire comes with grilled pineapple, roasted red pepper, chili paste, prosciutto & sriracha. Great sweet/spicy flavor as I wanted to order another. Definitely a much needed replacement for The Counter which wasn't very good. More seating options than the other location, but bar space is the same. Thank you Kumas for gracing the eastern portion of the north side with your presence!
(5)
Tim A.

The burgers are almost as good as the original place but the ambiance is almost completely lost. It's like the Orlando version of Kuma's. Please at least invest in a decent subwoofer or two if you are going to stick with the metal meets burger format. I like metal, but screeching is all I heard. Play it like you mean it!
(2)
David B.

Killer food. One of the best burgers I have ever received via delivery. Everything was very fresh and the portions are HUGE. The place doesn't have a ton of variety outside of burgers and a few other fares but that's because they do everything so well. I am in love and will always recommend them as a go to place.
(5)
Cole H.

Burger was big and delicious, felt I got my moneys worth. I've been to several great burger places and taste wise to was up there with the best, I was only disappointed that it didn't hold its full form better. I hate when you have to fight to keep the burger and bun in line with the topping, and then it gets super messy. If you really want to enjoy your nights out in Chicago, plan to go out during the week. Walked right in, got whatever seat we wanted, great service, and the best part was my girlfriend ,who is a vegetarian, could pick whatever she wanted on the menu, because they make all their burgers also as veggie burgers. THANK YOU.
(5)
Hrudaya S.

Delicious and juicy...are the first words that can be said about their burgers. I went with a friend on a Thursday afternoon, and it was pretty packed, but there was no line. Their service is amazing. The music is rather loud, expect to be speaking over the music, which is a task on its own. Other than that, their food is delicious. We both had the Iron Maiden, and it was just amazing. I could not finish it all, ended up taking it home. their portions are very large. Definitely worth the visit.
(4)
Robert G.

Went to Kuma's Too for a fundraiser this past weekend and had a great time interacting with the fun and knowledgeable staff! We had the Mac and Cheese with prosciutto and mushrooms to start. The amount of Mac and Cheese was quite generous and the taste was an 11 (out of 10.) We did not finish the appetizer and I felt that I had overeaten by the time my PLAGUE BRINGER rare burger was delivered by our lovely waitress. It needs to be noted that this entire time we were washing our food down with 3 Floyd's on draft. (Zombie Dust, Robert the Bruce and Alpha King) I love my food spicy- after I order it spicy I request additional hot sauce to make it spicier. After I requested hot sauce, the waitress quickly delivered Sriracha--- fabulous, no ketchup needed! The PLAGUE BRINGER burger was spicy to my satisfaction. The french fries needed to be bathed in the Sriracha though. :) My date ordered the ABSU- also excellent and also spicy! I came home with more than half the food I ordered and I was at this restaurant for over 4 hours; it was enough food to feed me for the next day. About 2/3rds the way through my stay at Kuma's Too, I politely asked the GM if he would take a request for music, he wasn't optimistic but after I mentioned the band's name, he promptly played one of their entire albums! I bought their "666" t-shirt for $20 to go with the original Kuma's t-shirt that I own. Being subjected to music that I dislike at nearly every single bar/restaurant in the City of Chicago I am delighted that prepped-out locals and suburbanites have to listen to death metal while consuming their food and drink. Rock on, Kuma's Too
(5)
Matt G.

have never had a bad experience here. have had every burger on the menue and all the burgers of the month for the last 5 months. I've been to both corner and here many many times and i don't understand the dislike of the location, the staff is extremely nice and the wait is never has bad as it was.
(5)
Brett K.

Listen, it's Kuma's, it's metal, it's not the kinda place to take grandma or a hungry Sunday school class. This location has more seating, quicker service, and the same amount of beer. Oh yeah, and the food is amazing, just like the original location. Haters gonna hate, Kuma's gonna ignore them and make awesome burgers.
(5)
Vina O.

Exactly like the original Kuma's Corner: very busy and very loud. But it's cleaner and more spacious than it's older brother, and a lot easier to get to by public transportation, so it's definitely "better" in my opinion. Menu is exactly the same from what I can tell and service is slightly spotty, but polite. They don't have waffle fries anymore (at least for the past year), but I like their regular hand cut fries just the same. My favorite burger of all is High on Fire, but the Neurosis and Mastodon are up there as well.
(4)
Jon O.

Had a great burger here and along with a flash back to the good old heavy metal days. I've never been to a niche burger place like this before. The whole meal they were blasting the best metal hits from the 80's and 90's. I gotta admit I felt both excited to recognize the tunes while at the same time thinking "holly crap that was a long time ago" Anyways, on to the food. I ordered up the Metallica burger and a side of custom made Mac and Cheese. The mac and cheese came out first and we included andouille sausage with mushrooms. The mac and cheese was a heaping serving and while it was just a little on the almost too dry side it was still crazy delicious. The burger that came next was massive as well. I'm proud to say that I was able to finish the whole thing. The burger also came with a side of fries and while they looked tasty I couldn't comment on them since after the burger there was barely room for a sip of water to wash it all down. Our meal came out to around 50$ including tip and all but between two people we had enough left overs to make another two entire meals out of. I'm looking forward to trying this place again and sampling another one of their custom burgers. If you are going here for dinner (or possibly lunch) I'd recommend arriving a little early since they seem to fill up pretty quickly.
(5)
Boon K.

I like all the combination of topping for each burger but it is so hard to decide which one to choose neurosis and it was good but why I didn't give this place 4 stars is that the bun was ice cold. So I'm not a fan the buns as it was a little on the dry side. The burger itself was cooked to perfection.
(3)
Jeffrey K.

Kuma's Too is a fine spot to go on an off night or an afternoon; it has the same death metal/heavy metal in the background and is larger but lacks the charm of the original.
(3)
Keerthana K.

I had the Neurosis veggie burger and it was pretty good, as were the house made chips. Local brews were good, especially the Avery IPA. The service was impeccable. My friend got the Lair of the Minotaur burger and said it was the best burger she'd had in her life (!!!) and made a mental note to start using caramelized onions with brie and pears in the future because it was a perfect combo. It was a life-changing experience for her. I'm totally trying that one next time.
(4)
Kristin M.

They should call it Kuma's Lite. It's like eating Miracle Whip instead of Hellman's. Yes it has the same menu and soundtrack, but it just feels off to have kids running around and trixies strolling past the window. Foodwise, it's still delicious. I had the Burger of the Month, the Black Cobra with black forest ham, corn and bean salsa, pineapple aioli, tempura green onion and queso fresco on top of the patty. It was salty and delicious. My friend enjoyed his Neurosis. Fries are great and so is the beer list. Our server was super friendly, a really nice surprise! I was impressed that they turned away a stroller, despite being really empty at 5pm, but there was a kid buzzing around that almost hit us with his toy several times. Kuma's and Lincoln Park just don't mix well for me. I'd probably return to Avondale.
(3)
Emily Z.

Same huge well dressed burgers, same loud music but this time with more babies and sweet sweet sunshine! So glad to have it in the neighborhood! I am more of a Justin Timberlake type than Death Metal, so Kuma's too is slightly less intimidating to me. Split a burger with my friend so I didn't feel inclined to finish one of those beast by myself and it was the right decision! YOB, was nice and garlicy but I don't think I would get it again. Our server was cold as ice, not sure if her dog had just died or if she was just pissed we were splitting a burger and not ordering alcohol on an weekday afternoon when the restaurant was practically empty, her smiles with the drinking 6 top next to us leads me to believe the later. Lame. I have honestly never been to Kuma's and felt really welcome, good thing their burgers are great, and the mac and cheese too!
(4)
Travis K.

Came here for a date. Though the atmosphere at first seemed to loud to chat, the noise level wasn't a problem at all. The menu alone made me want to try a bite of everything so it was a little difficult to choose. I think the burger I got was the flight of the Minotaur. It was extremely delicious. Every single bite of it. The meat was cooked quite well and I was only sad that there was only one burger that I ordered. Service was excellent. Never felt bothered or not taken care of enough. I definitely want to keep going back so I can try every burger on the list.
(5)
Richard C.

I wanted to see what the hype was all about and was hoping it would be a great Burger. The place looks cool but soon noticed the louder than ear bleeding volume inside the place. I love good music but when you can't have a conversation while you eat was king of an annoyance. I had the Plague Bringer burger which had some great ingredients but was way too salty. There is a lot of potential here if they took a little more care when seasoning.
(2)
Patrick B.

I've been to both locations several times now and while I prefer the original, having this location open up so close to my work was exciting. I'm glad the burgers didn't change. They have the same menu and the same great taste as the original, only the atmosphere is new. Excellent beer selection and a wide variety of quality burgers make this a great spot to stop by. True, there are cheaper burger places nearby but for the size of the burger and the massive pile of fries you get with these, it's well worth the price. If you still haven't been to Kuma's, stop by this location to avoid some of the wait at the original. This one does get busy during peak times, but you shouldn't have to wait quite as long.
(5)
Ari H.

Loved it! Best Mac and Cheese I've had in Chicago and it comes in a big portion. The burgers are amazing with fries. Service was pleasant. I gave it 4 stars because the music was a little too loud for my taste. But besides that I totally recommend it :)
(4)
Lauren G.

ERRRRrrrrrMMMMEReerrrGGGEEEeerrrd! What is there NOT to say about Kuma's burgers?! Let me just say first off, I know food. I am a HUGE foodie and I def love my burger and fries. Let me also say having lived in Chicago my entire life i JUST recently tried the orginal Kuma's and Kuma's Too. Shocking? NO! Because even though I have heard pretty much nothing but great things, we can all say we have heard the same thing and that is the WAIT. I really really "don't got time fo dat!" But I knew eventually my inner fat girl would have to stick it out to experience for myself all the rave/hype. Sure enough, AMAZE BALLS! Literally the Metallica burger was like sex in my mouth! Yes people, sex. in. mouth. Truly amazing. Don't come here if you aren't hungry or have plans afterwards because the wait who knows how long it could take. I waited an hour at the second location which tastes JUST like the first (that's a rariety people!) and TWO hours at the original. The only reason this isn't a five star is for the wait. I guess we can use the cliche here, "good things come to those who wait." Uh YEAH! OBVI! This place makes me so happy inside it's truly disgusting, not really though. Come with a good appetite, portion control does not exist here. DELICIOUS!
(4)
Jillian A.

As a frequent flyer of the original Kuma's Corner, there was no way I was going to pass up the new location before I relocate to Atlanta, GA. I do have beef with some of you reviewers. First of all before docking stars for the metal or the volume, you clearly need to go to the old location then you'll have something to cry about. It's much louder and I tend to hear raunchier metal there. They clearly dumbed it down for the Lincoln Park folk who can't hang. Secondly, the waiting area has a lot more area to stand than the original location. I don't have some strange dude breathing down my neck during the dinner rush. As for my review on the restraunt rather than it's visitors, the food was absolutely delicious as always. I enjoyed a High on Fire which is a burger with a grilled red pepper, grilled pineapple, sriachia, homemade chili paste, and procuitto. It's just as good as the original. Although to my disapointment they were out of their burger of the month, Anthrax, which my husband looked forward to. Food quality itself is 5 stars. Here's my reasoning for having one less star. The decor doesn't seem to match the spirit of metal that the original location does with the exception of the Slayer skateboard decks, and the awesome tour posters they have on the wall. I also feel like they are lacking in 4 person seating. I can go to the original location and get a quicker turn around for a party of 4. We were better off splitting up and sitting as parties of 2. They are a little more leaniant of the big party seating which doesn't fly at the original location. This was most of our problem when waiting because there was a party of 10 that couldn't take a hint and get the eff out. I can't blame them for wanting to move into such a business lucrative area like Lincoln Park but that demographic of people really irks me. I will most likely continue to return to the original location where I don't fee like outsider somewhere I use to feel like I belonged. This does not reflect in my rating.
(4)
Ben B.

I'm an unabashed fan of the original Kuma's. It's a dark closet filled with darker secrets of meat abuse. This Kuma's has more of an Epcot Center vibe to it. Unlike the original Kuma's, this location features terrible parents bringing their infants and toddlers to dine under a sonic curtain of death. It's bonkers. Bringing your child to a screaming meat abattoir does not make you a cool parent. It makes you negligent. And it makes your child deaf. Unless your kid is coordinated enough to raise devil horns, he shouldn't be in Kuma's. Anyway, the old Kuma's expectations are in effect. Yes, you will wait f.o.r.e.v.e.r. No, the hostess will not care. Yes, your burger will curb-stomp your hunger. In an effort to tackle every burger on their menu, I took a stab at the Plague Bringer. (I've previously eaten and loved the Black Sabbath and the Mastodon.) Plague Bringer isn't quite up to the same level as those other two meaty delights. It's roasted garlic mayo, tortilla strips, house made hot sauce, fresh garlic, pepper jack and sliced jalapenos. The "plague" in question is the stench that erupts from both ends of your digestive system within moments of downing this thing. My dining companions ordered the mac and cheese. They included sun-dried tomatoes in their order. I wouldn't think that would work in mac and cheese, but I was wrong. Great stuff. I'll come back to this location. I'll wait more than an hour. I'll stare down the parents damning their children to early deafness. And I will send a herd of cattle through my teeth on their way to oblivion. Also worth noting: My girlfriend's 65-year-old mother hated it.
(4)
Justin B.

Pricing is the knock here; with no beers under $6 (in this town that appears to be criminal, although I am not a seasoned beer drinker), no liquor-based speciality drinks under $9 and no burger under $13--at least, for dinner--you are going to spend a fair amount here for a solid burger. Yes, that burger is huge, but $19 at a minimum for a burger, fries and a beer is hefty, especially when you consider that tax and tip aren't in that number! The quality of the burger seems to be the same as the other location, so in the burger department, haters can say what they want, but there's a reason why there's always a huge crowd at the Belmont Avenue location in Avondale--the meat is freakin' good. I got the Black Sabbath last night and it was tasty, as solid as normal. However, the bun was only OK and the fries were a little crispy for my taste. Luckily, the mac-and-cheese is still solid so the fries were only a distraction. The Lakeview location is not as loud and a little easier to stroll into, especially during the week. Also, there's a lunch special here that I will come back for, if anything because I don't drink during the day (usually) and a burger, fries and a water for $8 seems to fit my budget real nice-like. Now that I've been to over 250 restaurants in Chicago, I have had better burgers, but this one is still solid.
(4)
J D.

Terrible service. Host was rude (can't say hello?). server inattentive..cooks got 2 of 4 orders wrong...one overcooked burger and one gluten free order did not come gfree. Food came before silverware. Waitress did not check back, we had to hunt someone down to get her. They did comp the overcooked burger. maybe the music makes everyone too angry to be efficient.
(2)
Jason M.

I went on a Monday around noon, and the place was mostly empty, the music at a reasonable volume. This was perfect since I'd refused to deal with a legendary wait at the original Kuma's. The decor is about what you'd expect, with rock themed posters on the walls, and it's very clean. They had the huge front window open since it was beautiful outside. Service was prompt and friendly, unlike a number of reviews suggested, and my water was kept full without asking. I got the Lair of the Minotaur cooked medium, and it was one of the best burgers I've ever eaten. When I pushed the bun down juice (read: melted fat) came running out, but the inside was still very moist and done just as I wanted. The cooked pears had a touch of cinnamon (can't say I tasted any bourbon), the onions were caramelized just right, the brie oozed from the heat, and the pretzel roll held up all the way to the last bite. The fries were another story. They're short cut steak fries, and fully half were of the hard, unappetizing variety. Next time I'll be getting the house made chips. None of the crowd crush or eardrum punishing noise I'd been warned of, and one of the best burgers ever. I knocked off a star for the fries since there's no excuse for them being half inedible, but I'd give 4.5 if I could. I will definitely be back. Forced to choose I'd say Kuma's is better than Lockdown.
(4)
Max P.

Wanted to like this place based on recommendations and reviews. But just wasn't feeling it. Understand the whole metal vibe, but music was still a bit too loud in a forced kind of way. Service was stiff.
(2)
Jen G.

So basically they've taken their concept and cleaned it up for the people who are too afraid to go to Avondale or don't want to smell like meat when they leave. The space is very open with high ceilings, and the kitchen is in the back. There's a large bar right when you walk in, but they also have plenty of tables. The menu is basically the same as the original Kuma's, but they do run a different Burger of the Month. If you subscribe to the Facebook pages, you'll get advanced notice of what they are each month. To be honest, I prefer the ambiance and the grit of the original, but Kuma's Too is a good alternative for the days I'm looking for a more sterile environment or don't want to deal with as long of a wait. This location is probably also more tolerable for parents or out of town guests who want the food without the attitude.
(4)
Nikki C.

So Kuma's Corner had da baby, they named her Too and she is beautiful. Of the identical DNA, filled with the same meat, fries and whiskey she is guided by her Owner (Micheal), Older Sister's Managers (Luke and Seth), Chef's (Tony) and Bartenders. (Becki, Meg, Vivian, Paulina, Patti and Katie). Many new faces serving your food, but the same fire behind those eyes that work their asses off to serve and serve again. Tattoos and beautiful smiles galore! 17 bar seats just like the original, first come, first served, whiskey taps too! and more table seating which may allow more options for larger parties of 6 or more(along the back bench).(but they won't seat your party until everybody is there). Also some of the original black and white bondage prints which teased you for years at the original are now framed and line the way to the 2x seater pissers! Same metal music, same beer/ food menus and they even brought back the calamari to both locations!!!! Get in line now, they open officially today 2/13/13. (Same hours as the Belmont Location). Mon-Thu 11:30 am - 1 am Fri-Sat 11:30 am - 2 am Sun 12 pm - 12 am Street parking in the hood is meter or lot, closer to brown and purple lines though and come summer will be rocking the streetside garage door to help marinate the lakeview hood with meat juices and smoke. What's NOT there from the original, no TV's. not one, so don't even ask to watch a game or a movie. Also the beer garden, though they may have sidewalk seating(check back later). The smoke which sometimes marinates the restaurant is gone too as the kitchen is now behind doors. (I love watching those cooks work that line). the 2 hour waits? ...to be seen, but doubtful as social media is ablaze with the news of another kuma experience. free parking unless you cta it.(but way closer than it's belmont version) I had the poppers and chicken tenders and Neurosis burger and fries, and 3F Alpha King, and Jack Daniels and more beer and more whiskey, it was awesome. #666kumas and no I don't work there, just am in love with whiskey on tap, and metal music a blazing.
(5)
Kristina D.

There is no doubt in my mind that Kuma's Too has heard the online complaints and adjusted accordingly. We arrived at noon on a Sunday, and the wait was exactly 0 minutes. They seated two of us while our third person was parking, no problem. The metal was at a perfect volume... we knew what we were hearing, but we didn't have to yell to converse. I immediately connected to the free Wi-Fi, as the password and network names were prominently displayed. Our server was very polite and appropriately attentive. Service was good overall and we didn't have to wait obscenely long for our food. I thought $3 was a lot of money for a side salad substitution (I really don't like Kuma's fries, personally... a big downside of the place for me)... until they brought me a HUGE "side" salad that was amply piled on a regular size plate. Cost forgiven. Our burgers were great. I had the Black Sabbath, and my friends had the Burger of the Month which had chicken tenders, waffles, syrup, and more on it. We all loved our burgers. Then came the best change of all... EACH CHECK CAN NOW BE SPLIT UP TO FOUR WAYS. This is huge for me. To top it all off, rather than rushing us out, they offered us more water (which we declined), even though the restaurant was starting to fill. The only downsides I saw were not being as aesthetically awesome as the original Kuma's, my burger being slightly unevenly cooked, which didn't bother me a bit, and not liking the fries as a personal preference (much like at the regular Kuma's). I really appreciate Kuma's Too having vastly improved themselves since they opened. If you wrote this place off awhile ago, I encourage you to give it another shot, especially when they're less busy.
(5)
Lauren W.

I was a bit nervous with the reviews about the shoddy service, but to be honest, we had a fantastic server and a great experience. Went on a Sunday around 4pm and the place was empty. We got started with some colas and checked out the menu. The food was incredible. There are so many burger choices, and I would recommend splitting your entrees, even if you are hungry as they have huge portions. We had the Pig Destroyer pulled pork sandwich, the Led Zeppelin burger, and the make your own Mac and Cheese. Whatever you do, get the make your own Mac and Cheese. Seriously so tangy yet creamy at the same time. We had plenty leftover that I plan on enjoying tomorrow :) The service was top notch. Tara was wonderful; she promptly brought refills and when there was a mistake in the kitchen with my side of chips instead of fries, she brought a side of fries to make it right. She bagged up our mac and cheese and made sure we were all taken care of before we left. This is right down the street from my house, so I definitely plan to be back. The music is not really my thing, but the food and service is what matters and counts.
(5)
Daniel C.

While Kuma's too has the same menu as Kuma's something is off. I don't know if it's the sterile atmosphere but it's just not the same experience. I recently went mid week and the french fries were just meh. overdone and little end bits. I got the SLEEP burger which I had been wanting to try for-ev-er and it was also just meh. I love that there's generally almost NO LINE or wait to get the Kuma's burgers but I think I will go back to Kuma's original next time. Even though we didn't wait in line for a long time, the service was slow and the food took a long time to come out. Two (separate) people next to us at the bar got their food before we did even though they ordered after us.
(3)
Eduardo C.

The Pantera on chicken will always be hands down my favorite! Mmmmmmmm. Been craving one for a hot min and was finally able to DESTROY that crave tonight. Walking in it was a pretty busy Saturday. That was expected. I wS able to get a seat at the bar fairly quickly. I am personally very familiar with kumas, but this was my first visit to kumas too. I was not disappointed. The space is a lot bigger then I thought. I was surprise to see a cocktail list. It was a very thoughtful list I'll say. Becca, was one of my bartenders and she did an awesome job. Very kind and helpful (side note: I literally got something in my eye walking there and she seemed genuinely concerned). We both enjoy our Pumking. She suggested having it at home with a cinnamon/sugar pumpkin spice melody rim. Which actually I am gonna try to do. I had a great time. All and all. Great all around.
(5)
Tania B.

My boyfriend and I had a great experience. We beat the rush and were seated immediately. We shared the special and oh man that was so good! Loved the ambiance and the service was great. Definitely going back when visiting Chicago!
(5)
Chris C.

One of the best burgers I have ever had. I am new to Chicago and was taken here by some friends who said it is consistently rated one of the best burgers in the city. Our large group of 10 people went on a Saturday night and were seated after waiting 30 min. (not bad considering time and size of the group). First, they have an excellent beer list. Mostly bottles from around the U.S. (~$6/bottle) but also a small selection of craft beers on tap. They also have a 3 Floyd's rotating tap which I took advantage of. Their burgers are second to none. I ordered medium, it was perfectly pink throughout. Look at their menu to see the variety of burgers. Definitely gourmet burgers. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. Almost everyone in our group got a different burger and everyone was extremely pleased. The service was fantastic. The restaurant is heavy-metal themed and so was our waitress. Even though she looked tough, she was a total sweetheart and did a great job of waiting on our large party The one downside I could see to this place is that the music is VERY loud. Imagine more of like a late-night bar playing heavy metal. It's that loud. As a young guy used to living in a fraternity this didn't bother me as I'm used to raising my voice to talk to the person next to me. Because of the noise I would not recommend this place as a first date or somewhere to have a serious conversation. You can ask to be seated outside where the music is significantly quieter. Overall, a MUST visit if you are in Lakeview/Lincoln Park and craving a burger.
(4)
Ted C.

Is this Kuma's Corner? I don't know? I've stayed away from Kuma's when the wait went from long to obscenely long. Long wait? Check. Loud music? Double check! I think they cranked the music up to 11 and a half, it seems louder than the original. Great burgers? Hm..I don't know, it really seemed a little disappointing to me. I got the ABSU, medium rare which was overcooked. Our server said it had some heat to it and aside from the chiles it wasn't too bad, by the way our server wasn't around too much I didn't complain. I just ate it and was just mildly satisfied with it. I thought maybe I was misremembering and that maybe I had built the burgers up in my mind, but two guys in our party had never been to or even heard of Kuma's and were pretty unimpressed with it as well. Also, I've been gone for a while, can anyone tell me why no more waffle fries? They really don't like people asking, especially when you point to the line in the rules about waffle fries.
(3)
Grace F.

Vegetarian review: I don't eat meat and this place has the best (vegetarian) burgers I've ever had in my life. The buns are soft and delicious. The veggie patties are moist and don't taste like over salted frozen ones. Their chef expertly combines flavors and ingredients so that it comes together in a tasty burger delight in your mouth. IT WAS SO GOOD WE CAME BACK FOR A SECOND BURGER. My boyfriend is a huge metal head so he loved the music/decor/metal-kitsch menu. Burgers are named after various metal bands and songs so that was fun for him to explore with me. The service was good. The first time we went was on a weekend. Save yourself the trouble and don't go during peak hours when you'll have to wait around for a table. When we went midweek, it was practically empty. Regardless, they got our burgers to us in a timely manner. BONUS: If you're into alt-girls, you'll find some eye candy with the tattooed, every-color-of-the-rainbow-haired waitresses.
(5)
Noomi J.

We went to DMK first, but were quoted a 1.5 hr+ wait, so we walked over to check out Kuma's Too. The wait for 2 on a Friday at 9 was 45 mins. We put our names down and shopped at the Trader Joe's across the street, were seated promptly upon our return. Both of us had tried out & liked the original Kuma's earlier this year (their mastodon, kaijo, mac & cheese w/bacon & scallions) so we were curious how the newer location would compare. This location was sleeker, more clean-cut and spacious. Still loud and dimly-lit. Friendly waitress. mac & cheese w/prosciutto & garlic ($14) - 4.25 stars, 4.5 stars with sriracha (omg, why haven't I done this before?!). I liked this combo better than the bacon & scallions. Good sauce to pasta ratio, yummy crispy crust, large portions, not stingy with the toppings. absu burger served w/fries ($15) - 4.25 stars. Tomatillo salsa, pepper jack cheese, red onion avocado relish, quesco fresco, fried chilis. Juicy burger. Would I get this again? Probably not because I'd want to try something new from their menu, but I liked this better than the mastodon and kaijo. I would need to go here more before giving it 5 stars, so 4 stars for now.
(4)
Chris F.

I ordered the slayer. It was overly salty. The fryers and the burger patty tasted like it was coated with a thick layer of salt. I gave up on my meal when I ran out of beer to wash it down my throat. But I did managed to forced down about a quarter of salty plate of nacho fries with burger patty before I pack it and left. When I got home I was so dehydrated I chugged a bottle of water as if I was hungover, which lead me to conclude that a lot of MSG was used in the creation of the SLAYER BURGER. Everyone I went with said they like the original Kuma better. I can't say that cause I have never been. However, I will give place another chance and order something safe.
(2)
Irah H.

Ordered the original kuma burger n my bro ordered the pantera burger w med rare meat n fries. We also ordered the chilli. We were so excited to go here n finally trying the burger. Chilli was great bit too salty but it's tasty. My burger was huge and for 13 bux it's worthed but I didn't mention to the waitstaff I wanna have the lunch special which is only 8 bux which is smaller that I don't mind cos I can't finish it anyway. My bro burger was yummy especially w the chips that they put in. I have to say that the burgers are quite good , meat was yum but a bit too well done for my medium rare, not so sure why the bun is cold though. And for ppl who loves beer , there are huge selection of beers for you to choose. Definitely a place to have a guys talk n having comfort food with. If I wanna compare this n bop n grill , I'll choose the latter one. My next in the list is dmk burger
(4)
Dan L.

Absolutely incredible burgers. Had one of the lunch options... MOTORHEAD / Tzatziki Sauce, Goat Cheese, Katamata Olives, Fresh Oregano, Tomato, Onion. Staff is neighborhood friendly. Ambiance is pub-like with an 80s-90s metal flare. Great place for a off-the-beaten path bite and microbrew pint. And yes, they have Three Floyds on tap. (Or so I hear.)
(4)
Barbara B.

I went to the original Kuma's Corner once a few years ago and loved the burger but hated the long ride on the El to get there followed by the 2 hour wait so I never went back. Went to Kuma's Too on a Saturday night, wait was about 35 minutes for table for two. Food then took about 40 minutes to come out, so definitely not a quick place to go eat. I had the Goatsnake burger. It. was. fantastic. The patty was thick, cooked perfectly ( I like my burgers medium) a really juicy. The goat cheese, poblano corn relish and lemon vinaigrette blended together perfectly. The buttermillk battered fried red onions just took it over the top. The pretzel bun is so soft, it soaked up all the juices and was the perfect thickness (not too bready but not wimpy either). This burger was well worth the crazy price (14!) because it is something I could not replicate anywhere. My date ate the YOB (garlic mayo, bacon, smoked gouda, roasted red pepper). He enjoyed it. To me it tasted more like a normal burger that I could get somewhere else. Fries were nothing special, I prefer mine to be thick and steaming hot, these were kind of cold. I only ate a couple (burger is huge enough anyway!). Nice beer list but they were out of the two draft beers we wanted to try. No service problems like other people seem to be having. Both the hostess and our waitress were extremely nice and the waitress was very attentive. Summary: get the goatsnake burger!!!
(4)
Jennifer G.

So we went to the original and were quoted a nearly 2 hour wait. We decided we would check out Kumas Too and see if our odds were any better. We were seated after about 40 minutes and the wait was Much roomier than if we had stayed at Kumas. The burgers were as good as they ever have been at the original. The BOTM had maple aioli and fried waffle strips and was so good. My son got the Mac and cheese with double chicken, which was ridiculously good. In the end I love the original but will probably return to Too because I hate to wait and I didn't feel there was any vibe lost on this location.
(4)
S C.

My first time trying to enjoying my experience at this place yesterday 1/03/2015 and my experience was a total disaster starting with the rude attitude of the server,late cold meal when the place was not even busy at all.
(1)
Felipe A.

The food is good, although sometimes they don't cook your burguer how you wanted. The service is AWFUL, there is this waitress with glasses and she is the worst. She was rude and arrogant, she never checked on us, and she had that attitude like "I don't wanna be here". I told her I wanted my beer in the bottle and that she could take the glass and she rolled her eyes at me, took the glass and walk away mumbling. Extremely rude.
(3)
Amy S.

We were there for 45 minutes and didn't get any food! We were sitting around looking at the other tables and no one had any food!!!!! We eventually told the waitress we had to leave for our movie. Terrible waste of time!
(1)
Cassie B.

Folks were friendly Exceptional beer list Delicious burgers The end
(4)
Harold J.

Best veggie burger! This is best option when not in the mood to wait at the original. Also, the fried pickles are the best!
(5)
Samantha E.

Maybe a little less metal than the original but what can you expect in a new place. At least it's address is totally bad ass: 666 Diversey. I mean, c'mon, awesome!!!! Anyway, came by with a group of friends on opening night and had a great time. The staff was very pleasant and helpful. The music was blaring. The food was delicious. We started with the jalapeno poppers and grit fritters. Mind you each cost $12 (a tad bit overpriced) but they were delicious. The grit fritters were AMAZING. I loved it!!! I went with the burger I got on the original Kuma's, the Plague Bringer. Garlic overload and perfection in every single bite. My friends all loved their burgers. They are huge so if you get appetizers, plan on having some leftovers. I'm so happy to have Kuma's closer to home!
(5)
Mykie H.

Kumas Too is one of those "you have to try it" places, and I am not disappointed I did! I've been there three or four times, tried a variety of burgers and appetizers, and even indulged in the Build-Your-Own-Mac-and-Cheese. The burger meat may be the best I have ever had. I prefer smaller, more manageable burgers so I can't say Kumas is my #1 but it did not disappoint. Juicy and flavorful, plus an unbelievable array of toppings designed to make your head explode. There wasn't a combination I didn't "ohh" and "ahh" over. The appetizers and the mac were equally as impressive, both in taste and portion sizes. We'll be back, and next time we'll bring friends!
(4)
Danny D.

Nothing beats the original Kumas with its authentic vibe, but Kumas Too fits it's location in the city well. Clean and new - good selection of brews and same amazing burger menu. Massive glass garage doors are a nice touch for the warmer months, but make no mistake - you need to experience the original Kumas.
(4)
Mark D.

The burgers have always been good and great music except for tonight. Service sucked, they could not make a simple cocktail right my BLT came out half cooked so I sent it bank and all they did was throw the bacon in the deep fryer. My gf ordered a salad and burger, they sent the burger out before the salad. I asked that they keep her burger warm while she ate her salad. The salad was so wet even with extra dressing it still was watery. Then when the burger came out all they did was hold it warm, lettuce tomato and onion as well. It was ordered with out a bun but guess what. That wasn't a big deal but seriously they screwed up. Is it that big of a deal to put fresh fries and garnish on the plate? Total cost $0.50 to do that. And if they kept the bun off it would have nearly a wash for them. We requested different music because the crap they were playing was soooo bad. Like hate music screaming angry people with Instruments. We sound hounded the music and it could not find a match and everyone I asked who is this no one could tell me. We are moving to Cali in a few months so we have been trying to make it to all our fav restaurants before we go. Unfortunately this was a waste of $60.00 for a burger, BLT and 2 vodka cranberries. The bartender didn't know what she was doing. Too bad for them because it was never like that before.
(1)
Sam S.

This place is terrible. I've lived on this block for years and I cannot wait for this to go away. I've given it four chances, over the course of a year. The first two times, months apart, I ordered burgers supposed to be spicy. Both were lackluster in terms of spice and both had horribly dried chili on top. Dry chili? I get it, this place is "soooo cool" and hip with its schtick. And I honestly didn't mind the blasting music. But, I wanted good food to go along with it, and didn't get it. So, the third time: I decide to not again gamble on any of the spicy burgers. I ordered a bbq burger and it wasn't bad; I was actually surprised that it wasn't bad. But, not bad? For Lakeview/Lincoln Park? There's far too much good food here for "not bad." The fourth and final time: I decide to try the mac and cheese since the burgers are underwhelming. I stop in, a purported 32 minutes before the close as listed on Yelp. And, all I wanted was mac and cheese to go; I get that no one wants someone to sit at a table 30 minutes before closing. But, upon walking in, I was rudely told "no more food; kitchen closed five minutes ago." So, if you're looking for good food along this stretch of Diversey, try the delicious Q BBQ or Compass' wood fired pizzas or, well, pretty much anything else. Kuma's has been a major disappointment.
(1)
Alan F.

As befits the location, more modern in dÃ©cor and hipper in feel than the original Kuma's Corner at 2900 West Belmont. Same burger and mac-and-cheese specialties, and a similar selection of craft beers, with some items not duplicated at the Belmont location. Quiet on my weekday afternoon visit, but I imagine it becomes much more crowded, and noisier, in the evening. I tried a 22-ounce bomber of Ska Decadent Imperial IPA: sweetish for an IPA, with a honey note in the malt base, and rather flowery hopping. At 10% ABV, ethanol is also a flavor element. Good public transit access; less than one-half mile east of the Diversey station on the Brown and Purple lines, and within half a block of stops on the 22-Clark, 36-Broadway, and 76-Diversey bus lines. For pub crawlers, about one-half mile from the new DryHop brewpub at Broadway and Briar, a little over three-quarters of a mile from Atlas Brewing Co., three-quarters of a mile from Sheffield's, and one mile from Goose Island Wrigleyville.
(4)
Hesham A.

The burgers here are phenomenal. Same menu as the original. If you like goat cheese, get the goatsnake, it's filled with herbed goat cheese and is awesome. The ABSU is always a solid option. Also they make some serious Mac n cheese here. Other reviewers give bad reviews because of the loud music and atmosphere and the wait. I don't think they knew what they were getting themselves into when they were going to Kuma's. This location is probably twice as large and I actually didn't wait over an hour like I have at the original location (but the food is worth the wait). The staff was very nice, too. So just know, music will be loud as hell. You may have to wait a while to be seated. There are some graphic pictures on the wall. But Kuma's is unique, the waitstaff is generally pretty friendly, and the food is awesome. Love this place. Highly recommend. Will always come back.
(5)
Marisa S.

Heading to Kuma's Too was my first Kuma's experience. I haven't been to the original but from reading the reviews on Yelp I knew kind of what I was getting myself into. I went with a friend on a Friday night rather late so we expected to wait, but not forever. When we got there we put our name down and we were told that it was an hour and 45 minute wait for a table... for two people. After about 5 minutes of waiting and trying to decide if we wanted to go anywhere else we were told by the hostess that if we wanted to sit at the bar and eat we could do that and she would help us get a seat. How nice of her to help us kick out people from their seats! While this seemed like an adventure we decided to wait a little longer and after about another 5 minutes of waiting our name was called, AMAZING! We probably waited a little less than 15 minutes for a table which was unexpected and wonderful. I don't think I need to say much about the food because everything was awesome. I wish I had two heads (and maybe two stomachs) so that I could taste everything on the menu. I'll definitely have to go back to try more. One thing I was slightly put off by was how loud this place was. I mean, I get it, you're going for a theme here and it's cool but couldn't you have brought the music down a couple of levels? I would just like to be able to have a conversation with the person sitting less than 3 feet away from me without shouting.
(4)
Bradley S.

Partner and I stopped here for lunch one Friday during the holiday season. I think it's a bit over rated. The burgers were good though not especially noteworthy for the price. The service was OK though not particularly attentive. It seems to me they're coasting on the hype and trendiness; I'm not impressed by hype and trendiness.
(2)
Daniela S.

It's fine when you order at the restaurant, but just odered delivery for the first time, gave the delivery girl a pretty generous tip and had to literally throw away all of my chips and all of my friend's fries. They were some of the most stale food I've ever tasted. We also ordered at 8pm so there isn't even an excuse that "oh the kitchen was closing." The burgers were fine, but you might as well have hooked us up with a salad instead of the trash that was sent to us. :/ Won't be ordering take-out again.
(2)
Matt M.

A haiku: Eat a Neurosis Surrounded by people who Don't know who that is
(5)
Steve D.

If you're reading this Yelp review, you're doing it wrong. Go eat here now! The burgers are gigantic and named after metal-rock bands. The mac and cheese is insanely delicious. Just a heads up, they DO NOT split checks!
(5)
Sarah S.

Extremely, extremely rude staff. Don't care if you have food allergies or any other type of dietary restriction. They would actually like it better if you didn't come to their place and bother them with those types of things. It's just a burger. Sorry, I can get a burger ANYWHERE in Chicago, why would I come back here?
(1)
Bort V.

I like the burgers well enough but cannot abide the Kuma's dining experience. I'm not a fan of metal, let alone the deep-throated kind of metal that sounds like it was sung by the Cookie Monster. This unintelligible, repetitive music makes up the majority of the Kuma's playlist. And it's cranked up really high, too, which does not exactly provide for an enjoyable dining experience. I end up having to shout across the table to whomever I came with in order to be understood. It's like trying to enjoy a meal in the middle of a rock concert. That being said, while I enjoy the burgers, I would say they are over-hyped. It seems the main draw is the toppings, but that's more or less a gimmick. Definitely not worth the bothersome experience of eating there.
(2)
Leonard P.

It pains me -- believe me, it PAINS me -- to give a Kuma's satellite even as relatively low a rating as this. It doesn't have anything to do with the food; the burgers are as good as ever (and hail Satan that Kuma's hasn't succumbed to the chickenshit tendency to refuse to serve rare or medium-rare burgers for fear of being sued). It doesn't have to do with the drinks, which are plentiful, strong, and cheap. The service is just fine, too, and there's always decent metal playing. But the AMBIANCE! The CROWDS! I'm happy Kuma's has become successful and popular enough to open a second location, but even ignoring the fact the lovely beer garden of the original is replaced by a few cheap plastic street seats here, the diners are SO bourgie! Moms out with their kids, grandpas getting jalapeno mustard on their khaki shorts...what must they think of the Lair of the Minotaur blaring from the P.A.? Culinary, this place rivals its big brother, but socially it leaves a lot to be desired.
(3)
Jonathan R.

The Led Zepplin. Get the Led Zepplin - bacon, slow cooked pork shoulder, barbecue sauce sharp cheddar, and pickles. Now for the rest...when you walk in, it's just an impressive array of classic rock paraphernalia...at a burger joint. The servers and bartenders are tatted up but really friendly and ready to serve...food: ready to serve you food. In any case, you pretty much can't go wrong with anything on the menu and there's a decent selection of beers as well. If you're sitting at the bar, strike up a conversation with your bartender. They've all led interesting lives from what I can tell. It's worth your time.
(4)
Nicole S.

We got there before the lunch rush, so we didn't have to wait for a table. The pulled park fries were amazing. I got the Plague Bringer and it was definitely loaded with garlic. I enjoyed it, but reeked of garlic the rest of the day, even after brushing my teeth three times. I would definitely go back.
(5)
Billy K.

I'm still full. My buddy and I found Kuma's through Yelp reviews looking for burgers and our choice was confirmed by a bunch of attorneys at the deposition I was attending. We were told to expect a line, but showed up at 1pm and there was no wait. Good start. With quite the ridiculous selection of burgers to choose from, I didn't know where to start, so I chose the Kuma's Famous Burger. You can't ever go wrong with an egg on top of a burger and some bacon, but everything else looked delicious as well. It came out cooked to perfection and I crushed it. My suggestion is that you go and crush some great beef patties as well. Next time I hope to go when I'm able to choose from their good-sized beer selection. See you again Kuma's.
(4)
Kristin M.

So I'm someone who typically likes to eat healthy, and I don't eat much meat in general just because I don't usually have an appetite for it. However, I'm also someone who likes to indulge now and again, and Kuma's Too = indulgence. The last time I went was to celebrate finishing another marathon, and needless to say I didn't feel guilty consuming all of the caloric goodness. The classic Kuma Burger is a standard go-to--plus, what doesn't taste good when you put a fried egg on it? A fried egg makes everything taste better. Also have tried the Lair of the Minotaur, and the caramelized onions added an extra sweetness and texture to the burger. I usually am only able to eat half of the burger at best, but they're always great about giving to-go containers. As well, the macaroni and cheese is a-ma-zing... I've gotten it plain and with some of the additions--(e.g., proscuitto, various vegetables). The portion is huge, and for the price is a great deal. Leftovers for days! As well, the beer selection is always solid. I usually go during off times or right away when they open to ensure a seat. If there's a wait, though, there is sometimes room at the bar to hang out, or there are other bars in the area. I've also been to the original Kuma's, but since Kuma's Too is in the neighborhood I usually go to the new location. Both are great, though! A Chicago must try if you have not already!
(5)
Kevin L.

Nothing like heavy metal and hamburgers, what a theme! Ha! Great place, didn't have to wait too long. All the burgers at our table were cooked to the perfect doneness as ordered! Burgers were huge and juicy! I ate everything off the plate. Would come back again!
(4)
Patrick G.

This location is still pretty much like the original Kumas. The food still tastes the same, that is to say great. They still have beer , whiskey and big portions of everything. They still have heavy metal music and interesting posters and other art. But it does not have the same overall atmosphere as the original. Its bigger and nicer / modern inside. You can't see them toiling away at the kitchen. But I'm happy that this place is here because I'm always happy to have a new delicious place to eat at. my one suggestion to improve this new location. TURN THE MUSIC UP TO 11!!! No where near as loud as it should be. I was kinda hoping this location would be outside the jurisdiction of the waffle fry ban but that was too hopeful. I went here around 8:30 on a weekday and waited about 5-10 minutes for a seat at the bar. Super easy. I'm very happy that this area is getting more and more high quality eateries. The more the merrier.
(4)
Nickie H.

Great burgers. Would go every time I'm in Chicago. Great toppings as well. Mac and cheese is awesome
(5)
Dan L.

No wait on a Thursday at 5PM? YES PLEASE! We had the fried pickles to start. There were a lot more than I expected which kicked many of asses. The burgers were just as tasty as the original Kumas. Knowing this is closer, I may need to start attending once a month again. If you like goat cheese, get the Goatsnake. It's covered with it and makes the burger oh so creamy.
(5)
Steven C.

Not only was the burger I had, one of the best ever, Top three at least, but the staff was attentive, courteous, nice, and helped make a selection for me. The only downside was the cartoon porn on the tv. Had I been solo, I probably would have appreciated the kitchyness of it. But having an 11 year old changed my opinion. There were two other families with kids as we'll. it was only 6:00, so it seemed a lil early for the nympho Cat and her conquests. But the food took center stage. We'll worth the trip.
(4)
Jason H.

One of the best places on the planet. TJ the bartender rocked my world. "Farting blood." Is now a joke thanks to her. I will be back soon!! The food was more than I could handle. It was a massive amount of food, and every bite was delicious. Again, the service was amazing and the atmosphere was very chill even with all the metal music playing. I came for the food and I stayed for the environment.
(5)
Jamie J.

I stopped in on a Monday for lunch with 4 kids and there were 3 adults. I was impressed with how they handled the 4 kids. I had emailed them in advance to make sure it was okay to bring in kids. I didn't receive a response, but we still went anyway. They do not have a kids menu, but they have plenty of items on the menu for kids to order. We all had a really great time and enjoyed a table by the window. Of course we enjoyed everything we ordered and left full! It was nice to be at Kuma's without the long wait. However, for Kuma's I am willing to wait!!
(4)
Rachel G.

Follow-up! The second annual Kuma's 5K was possibly even better than the first? They were accommodating and nice to our large part of stinky runners. We are so grateful for their enthusiasm and generosity. This is officially an annual event.
(5)
Drew F.

Great experience all around. Had the best fried pickles I've ever had and I'm from the south where they fry everything (that's my references). The beer choices were plentiful and tasty, the Zombieale from Three Floyds was my wife's favorite. And obviously the burgers were fantastic. Paulina was quick getting our beers and very attentive. As was the rest of the staff. Once the place started getting busy we had 3 other employees come over and bus our table/check on us.
(5)
Roger J.

Good burgers of high quality with an excellent taste and many varieties. However, we did have to send the fries back for some that were actually hot. One thing I do wish is that they had at least a few traditional beers. When I am having a burger I usually don't feel like paying 8 bucks for a beer when a 3 buck beer would do just fine. Advice is for them to stock a couple so lunch doesn't run 25 per. Rock and Roll was not as noisy as had heard and we were seated quickly which is a plus. Overall, good burger, possibly good fries, service was average and beers too expensive.
(3)
Joel G.

Hit the original about 6 years ago but have not been back due to crowds, recalled it was a good burger and an unique atmosphere. I used to hit the old place that Kuma's replaced occasionally for a burger (The Counter) and it was ok as well. I see some folks taking issue with the place comparing it to the original location. Original is in an older building with more charm, this new location is basically strip mally. So there's not too much you can do with the interior. The decor was fine, nothing great nothing terrible but who really cares as it's about the burgers at this place. I found my burger to be pretty darn large... had to basically cram it down as I didn't want to take it home. Should have split one with my wife. I had the Led Zepplin which was solid. I was really expecting better as the burger was cooked medium rare how I ordered it, no complaints, just not that tasty of a patty and somewhat dry. The port was average, the pickles were good, the BBQ was solid. So overall the burger was ok but didn't knock my socks off. What I do think was pretty darn awesome was their bun. Have to say it's my second favorite bun on a burger next to DMK's buns. Beer selection was rock solid, good bottle selection and decent on tap offerings. Service I found to be great. Waitress was quick, nice, and pleasant. Fries... well I think their fries suck which is unfortunate and I would prefer just plain ketchup over whatever it was they did to theirs. So overall I'm under impressed. For my experience I think I would have just hit Five Guys near my place and saved 50%. There are other burger places I would list above Kuma's too. I think if you want the Kuma's experience you have to go to the original. Places I'd opt to go before Kuma's = Auchevelle, Butcher and the Burger and DMK. I'd save some money and hit Epic or 5 Guys if you wanted to grab something to go.
(3)
Debbie H.

Delicious burger and fries, friendly service. A bit too noisy, not much atmosphere. But we'll be back for the food!
(4)
Michael V.

I guess I'm glad they moved to the neighborhood; but claustrophobic, ear-piercing---average on the service and food---they'd get three stars from me except they made me feel my age.
(2)
Holly M.

Kuma's Too is not following in the footsteps of Kuma's Corner...unfortunately! The bar service was blatantly rude (the bartender purposefully did not bring our bill for 15 minutes). I get that only patrons eating at the bar can have a seat at the bar-but being told you can't move down a chair for a friend is a bit over the top. As someone who eats out often and in the day of social media....I will be sharing my opinion with people about Too. My suggestion is to stick to Kuma's Corner!
(1)
Jade P.

I've been eating at the original Kuma's Corner for a number of years, but decided to check out the sequel. Definitely brighter and more spacious than it's older brother, and less edgy. These are not necessarily bad things. While I do prefer the Avondale crowd to the LP one, I came to throw down! The food was pretty consistent. I always get veggie burgers at the original, and had my usual veggie Mastadon without bacon. As solid as the original!! I was pleased to see the same menu, piping hot order, and respectably selected craft beers. The wait was definitely shorter than the Avondale one--I think maybe 30 minutes? We headed to Trader Joe's, and did our grocery shopping in the meantime (I think this is a plus). Wasn't pumped about seeing the kiddies all over the place, but it's Lincoln Park for cryin' out loud! I was not surprised. If you are not into blaringly loud metal, don't come here! Don't write reviews about how loud the music is, and how you were sad you couldn't hear your true love's proclamations while beasting on juicy metal burgers?! COME ON! This is Kuma's lair, and they don't mess around when it comes to the music. "When in Rome..." as they say. If you liked Kuma's, you at least will appreciate the consistent awesomeness of the food. Definitely a win for me. If you're expecting the same crowd, you'll be disappointed. I guess I'm saying, have realistic expectations! It will be loud, and it will be prettier than the original, but it'll have that same delicious taste. P.S. Only 1 credit card allowed. Get over the loss of waffle fries--they ain't comin' back!
(5)
Cristina G.

Finally came here to see what all the hype is about. My sister raves about the original kumas corner and goes there often. Now, I have to say the burger was pretty good, but unfortunately, the service wasn't so great. Good customer service is very important to me seeing as how I also work in customer service. The waitress at the door seemed annoyed that I had my kids with me. She was rude, didn't smile, or acknowledge that I had kids with me. She didn't offer or ask if she could bring him something to drink she only brought me and my boyfriend one, then she almost walked away after we ordered our burgers without asking if we needed anything for him. I did order him the chicken tenders that were pretty good, and pricey. My son was smiling at another waitress and she looked at him with a glare and walked away. Bringing my kids with is sometimes stressful enough, but then to be treated like it was an inconvenience that we brought them made us very upset, and uncomfortable so much that we couldn't wait to get out of there. The nicest person was the bus lady cleaning the tables, kudos to her. She smiled, told me my kids were beautiful, and that the food was great, too bad she wasn't a server! I don't think I'll be coming to this place again, maybe I'll try the original kumas corner next time, maybe they have better customer service over there. Oh well!
(2)
Kristine D.

Just had an awesome experience at Kuma's Too. PAULINA was my server, and she is a doll :) Super attentive and professional, also very friendly. The mac and cheese is of course delicious. The metal music gives the place a fun atmosphere as well! I am very surprised that there were any negative reviews--I always take yelp reviews with a grain of salt as some people are just never happy.
(5)
Sean C.

It was very filling and tasty. The lady forgot about seating us so we waited longer than we needed to though :(
(3)
Lisa J.

Zomg, burgers so good! I came here with a couple of friends expecting there to be a huge line, and was pleasantly surprised to be seated quickly. I'll admit that the meal got off to a bit of a disappointing start (seeing their large bourbon selection, I naturally assumed they could make me a decent old fashioned... and then was a bit let down by the results). Luckily the burgers more than made up for the drinks. Caramelized onions, prosciutto, brie, and bourbon poached pear on a burger? YES PLEASE! All 3 burgers at the table were spectacular. I'm going to be dreaming of this place from Atlanta for weeks to come!
(4)
Jeff S.

Hey. They play metal. Don't dock them stars because you can't fuggin hack it.
(5)
Ross B.

Wow. Awful service is all I have to say. For being such a non-conformist and rock 'n roll attitude place, they sure have alot of rules. I showed up on Friday after the lunch rush...most tables were empty and I was waiting for a friend so I asked for a table. They could not seat me even though a majority of the tables were empty so I told them I was a party of one and maybe an additional person would come. I sat down, ordered a beer, and about five minutes later my friend showed up. He sat down and the waitress immediately came over and told me if that ever happened again I'd be kicked out. Anyways, I ordered a burger with a side salad. The burger was more than well-done and the salad was warm and wilted.
(2)
Sruts A.

I'm not big on burger joints (I don't crave them), but accompanied friends who knew their meat. I took a liking to the place because of the metal theme (which I was informed of just as I walked in). I think we got there just in time as we were seated immediately (on a Friday evening, nonetheless). Being a metal head I loved the ambience of the restaurant and the fact that their burgers were named after metal bands, though I didn't see any common thread to the meat and music. Either way, I wanted to try the draft root beer but was told that none of the taps were working. So it was just plain water and the Neurosis for me. The well done burger was placed in front of me after an optimum period of time that I think is necessary to cook meat properly. And it was delicious. The burger was moist and juicy, but not overly so. The meat was flavorful and cooked perfectly. I enjoyed the experience but I'm not sure if I would wait for more than 10 minutes to be seated just to have the burger, hence the 3 stars. I'd go back just for the decor and music and the fact that it's on 666 W Diversey!
(3)
Colleen M.

I have been to both locations. I enjoy them both. This one is nice because I've never had to wait to get a table. Their mac n cheese is one of my favorite mac n cheeses in the city. Not as decorated as the one in Avondale if you are looking for the experience. Burgers are huge! Great variety and have a lot of flavor. If you are a picky eater this probably isn't the best place, but if you are open to trying burgers with crazy toppings this place is right up your alley!
(5)
Kate C.

The Counter was much (much) better. I had high expectations given the buzz building around Kumas Too, but was just disappointed. I love their menu and the variety, but my burger came completely overcooked and the atmosphere was way too loud to enjoy. I'll probably try it again at some point, but I'm not particularly motivated. I miss The Counter.
(2)
Julie H.

I don't know why people hate on this location. I got excellent service at the bar, superior beer selection (Three Floyds and Left Hand Milk Stout) and my Absu burger was amazing. The music wasn't loud at all. At first I thought the bun was cold but with the piping hot burger and cheese it was perfect. I didn't even miss the waffle fries. They forgot to charge me for my 2nd beer and just comped me. An extra $6 tip for my server, then. Great experience, wish I lived closer.
(5)
Katie B.

Just as good as the original Kuma's. The only difference is really the atmosphere. But the food is still amazing. I recommend the mac & cheese or iron maiden burger.
(5)
Noel M.

While visiting through Chicago, this has got to be one of the best spots to eat. This place may not be for every one; if you like Metal (which I do) this is your spot. Loud Music, good food, and good selections of beer! Also their burgers are named after Metal bands...what else can you ask!
(5)
Justin K.

What made Kuma's so great was the sensory overload, from the blaring loud metal music to the incredible people watching (employee's and patrons), and obviously the tasty food and booze (whiskey on tap!). Kuma's Too is like the Toledo Mudhens compared to the Detroit Tigers. Same family of talent, but just not as good across the board. I will say that the service was very good. Friendly hostess and waitress, and the bussers were very attentive. No complaints there. No real complaints about the food either. I had the Pantera burger with fries. Finished about half of it before calling it quits and taking it home. I think I just have a big problem dropping $50 on lunch for two people when there's nothing special about the dining experience. Something is off about this place compared to the original Kuma's. I don't know if I just loathe that space they're in (formerly The Counter) or if the $13 price of a burger turns me off when there's nothing else that's interesting about the place, but I just cannot get excited about Kuma's Too when I know that the original Kuma's is a few miles away and is such a better experience. I will say that it is a good option for a crazy-big burger with a pint of the hard-to-find Three Floyd's Gumballhead on tap, but it's not one of my favorite places. Kuma's is in the top 5, but Kuma's Too leaves something to be desired. Maybe start with some of the hot, tatted up bartender chicks from Kuma's and get "Hobo with a shotgun" playing on the tv screens, turn up the volume just a little bit more and see what happens.
(3)
Daniel Z.

This location and all its servers are on point. Fantastic beer selection, and the food is just as good as the original (but without the wait) I had the sourvein today and it is the best burger I've had here. If they don't make it a permanent menu item I'll be sorely disappointed. Its basically chicken and waffles on a burger. Mmm
(5)
Jane D.

I went here for an early lunch the other day thinking that it was still the counter and was extremely disappointed in my service and the AWFUL loud loud music. the place was EMPTY and the music was so damn loud I couldn't even enjoy my food. My waitress was rude when we asked about the level of the music, more info on the burgers, every time she spoke to us she was short and bitchy and it was very clear she did not like us. towards the end of the meal I felt like I was having an anxiety attack because of the loud music, look I get its a metal themed place but like really it was SO LOUD like uncomfortable loud, they could have turned it down just a few dials and it would have been fine. I couldn't even hear my waitress when we were ordering. I would not ever go back here, and my 14$ burger was eh.
(2)
Monica A.

Oh Kumas Too....I had such high hopes! A friend and I walked in at 7:00 pm on a Thursday. It was busy, groups of people waiting for a table. The first thing I did notice was not all the tables were full but, when I put our name in, we were told 30-35 minutes of wait time. I found this odd, but had read previous reviews on Yelp that this was to be expected. After 35 minutes and seeing groups seated before us who had arrived after us, I asked the hostess where we were in line. She then told me she had no idea where we were, obviously trying to cover her mistake of listing us as arriving later than we did. I was fine waiting, I knew I was going to have to wait much to my char grin, but please don't lie to me about how long I must wait or when I came in. That is just bad business. We proceeded to wait ANOTHER 25 minutes and then were seated at 8:00 pm. Again I knew waiting was part of the "experience" but when you are told 30-35, and other people sit before you who arrived later and you end up waiting an hour....that is where you have to draw the line. At this point famished and annoyed we were ready to eat. Our waitress was very friendly, came quickly and took our drink orders. I ordered the Goatsnake and my pal ordered the Neurosis. We were worried that it would take forever to get our burgers but they came out 15 minutes later. Excited at this point, ready to dig in..and then...I find a long hair in my burger. Sads. I quickly tell the waitress who whisks it away and it is replaced in 5 minutes by another one by, I believe, the manager who was very apologetic and removed the burger from our bill. Gold Star to Kumas Too for how they handled this situation! Food: Burger was okay. I mean I suppose I expected to have an orgasmic experience from all the hype I've heard about Kumas burgers. It was good, but not the best I've had. The one thing they do well is the toppings and cooking the burger to the correct temp. But would I go back? No. Do I think it is a burger I must have again? No. Would I wait an hour for it? No. Music, ugh. I mean I get it, you're a biker bar. But it isn't a relaxing dining experience so don't expect that. When in Rome definitely applies here. They only take 1 credit card per table and don't split checks. Really for a relax joint they do have a lot of rules. So again, just prepare yourself. Also if you go...the later the better. When we got our burgers at 8:30 people where walking in and seated right away. So avoid going from 6-8 pm if possible. You'll have a better chance of avoiding the pitfalls of the the no-reso policy.
(2)
Megan C.

Kuma's makes the best burger on the planet, period. It would be my request for my last meal. And Kuma's Too lives up to that. A burger and a bloody mary is heaven on earth. And I am no wimp, but the music is just ridiculously too loud. Kuma's is such an intimate space and the music level there makes sense but this space is just way too big and the music bounces off every wall is really distracting and annoying. We will all still think you are badass even if you turn it down. Just a smidge.
(4)
Missy G.

I am definitely a fan of Kuma's Too. We have never been to the original due to the known hour long waits, but saw the show on the Travel/Food network. When we found out that a sister restaurant was opening down the street from where we live, we could not have been more excited. Our first 4-5 attempts to go once it opened failed as there was a line out the door. What ended up working for us was going when they open or no later than 11:30 am on Saturday mornings. No wait at all during that time (knock on wood). We knew what to expect, so the loud music didn't bother us. I don't think you can go to this place and complain about the music knowing this is part of the overall "experience". Now I'll go into both of our visits to address why I gave this 4/5 stars. Experience number one, the service was lacking. It took the server 10 minutes before she even addressed our existence. Once she made her way over, she was pretty attentive, no complaints. I ordered the goatsnake and hubby ordered the original. I can honestly stay the goatsnake was the best burger I have ever had in my life. The combination of the ingredients and flavors is out of this world. HIGHLY recommend it if you read the ingredients and they all sound appetizing. Hubby enjoyed the original, but was willing to try another on our second visit. Visit #2, again seated quickly, but had a part of 4. They pushed together two tables to accommodate our party of 4. Service was MUCH better as we sat down. Came to the table immediately and took drink orders. Gave great recommendations on beers as well. Two of us ordered the goatsnake (one being me obviously because I am literally obsessed), one ordered the original, and another the slayer. The slayer does not come with a bun, which we didn't identify at the beginning but the server was super helpful and advised us on that. Still ordered it and it was amazing! My brother who got the original thought it was good, but wished he would have tried one of their specialty burgers. My sister and I both ordered the goatsnake and she was immediately hooked on it, stating it was the best burger she has ever had. Great experience... until the bill came and they said 1, they don't take American express (okay we have visa, no issue), and 2, they cannot split the bill in two for the two separate parties? I thought that was the weirdest and most inconvenient policy because technically there were two separate tables that they pulled together so how can't you separate the bill in two? Kind of weird and put a bad taste in my mouth after tasting a wonderful burger. If Kuma's Too cleans up their customer service and policies, this place would be outstanding. Nevertheless, I am still a fan and will return.
(4)
Brian H.

Huge, tasty burgers. In fact, it was so big I could only eat a little less than half of it. I would recommend splitting one with a friend! It was really good though!
(4)
Victoria R.

My first time at Kumas and I have to say I probably would not go back, at least not deliberately. Food is way over rated. Big burger, but dry and blaaaaaaaaaaand. One of those places that only relies on toppings---sorta like the Counter. :/ (Why do some of these places INSIST on not seasoning the actual meat?? Even the BEST topping assortment doesn't do much to help a meat patty *that* big with absolutely no flavor.) And our waitress was kinda rude so that didn't help.
(2)
Alex S.

I am a connoisseur of burgers and I find this place to be a top 5 in Chicago. The ambiance is very Megadeath Metallica driven, so be prepared if that is not your cup of tea. Went here with one of my bros and we had a great time feasting and enjoying some craft beer, if you don't get the "plague bringer" you ordered the wrong thing. NOTE be prepared for a wait if you go for dinner on a Friday or Saturday, but there is a nice pub are the corner where you can pregame the experience.
(4)
Aly N.

I've been here three times now. The Counter was my fave burger spot, and I was very sad to see it replaced. Oh, well...I'm over that since it's done. In comparison to Kuma's, I prefer Kuma's Too. It's more spacious and not quite as loud. Yes, they still play metal music and have decor to match, but it's a little toned down. You only have to speak loudly to your friends here instead of actual yelling like at the original location. The food is the same. The service is still really good. Great burgers with delicious toppings and fun names. I know they hate to hear it, but I do miss the waffle fries.
(4)
Lauren B.

Awesome burgers. We went at 6:30 on a Friday and the wait was only 30 minutes for four. All of our burgers were excellent minus a mediocre review for a veggie burger. Going to Kuma's is a Chicago must so I can proudly check it off my list. I would absolutely go back but don't think it's worth waiting two hours (as I've heard many people do). I'd suggest going early or on off days for a shorter wait. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Virl S.

Made it to the new Kumas and I love it. Gotta love the original, well because the original is always the best. But, lots of advantages for this location. Much more spacious, obviously. Came in there at 7 and was seated immediately. I love metal, but sometimes it's extremely loud at the original one. Too has some cool posters framed on the wall from acts like Priest, Slayer, Metallica, Pantera, etc. Above the bar, there is some cool skateboard art as well. Burger was fantastic, as expected. I got this months special, which was topped with corned beef, potatoes, etc. Little did I know it was $17!!! YIKES. I guess it's my own fault for not asking. Prices have gone up. I was used to paying $10-12, but now it's more like $12-13 on average. In reality, I think that's fine if you only go here once in awhile. Overall, 5 stars because I love the original and this place makes some serious burgers
(5)
Debbie M.

Just ok burger + slow service + too loud music = not coming back any time soon.
(2)
Ryan W.

We were told it would be an hour and a half wait, and we waited. That says how much we love Kuma's burgers. I could be picky and say the original has more character, etc- but I'm just excited to have the same menu and burgers closer to home. Had the Lair of the Minotaur this time, but it's hard to go wrong with these burgers.
(5)
Jacob G.

Even though this may be hard to believe, I like Kuma's Too more than I like Kuma's Corner. The burgers at both places are great, but the wait isn't as long at Kuma's Too. Kuma's Too isn't as crowded as Kuma's Corner normally is. There's more room to move around at Kuma's Too. The music is loud at both places, but if you're used to loud music, it's not so bad. Kuma's Too is also a lot easier to get to by train or bus than Kuma's Corner. The neighborhood around Kuma's Too is better than the neighborhood around Kuma's Corner. Try this place out if you haven't yet.
(5)
Jennifer R.

I have never tried the original, but when I heard that they would be opening one in my 'hood, I was over there on the first day! I left work a little early so that we would be able to beat the crowds. We got to the restaurant at around 5:15 and there was no wait. We got right in. I was a bit surprised that when the Waitress pointed out that 3 of the 10 or so drafts on the beer list were not available. Oh well, I found one that I liked and moved on to the burger menu. I ordered the Mastodon and my husband got the Kuma burger, no cheese. My husband is one of the pickiest eaters around and asked that they put NO lettuce, tomato or pickle on the plate. The beer I picked was great (Allaghash White Ale) and the burgers were amazing. Mine was a perfect medium rare and was still hot. Husband's burger was a wee bit overdone, but they got the order right and did not put any of the "crap" he doesn't like on the plate. That's a huge plus. The burgers are HUGE and I have plenty left over. The pretzel bun was also very good, but I think it could be a bit smaller; too much bread. The fries were good, if just a bit plain. They could probably use a little seasoning, but they definitely tasted fresh. All and all a good experience. I could do without the blared heavy metal music, but that is their thing, so I can't complain. The waitress was very good as well. I took 1 star off for the lessened beer selection, seasonless fries, and large bun. But these are just very small complaints. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Melanie H.

I dig this place. I like the occasional metal song but am by no means a metal head. I have no tattoos and wear jcrew... so I dont exactly "fit in" with the vibe or feel of this place. But I go all the time for dinner or lunch with friends and have never once felt out of place. Service is always quick and friendly, the prices are reasonable and the rotating tap is a highlight. Minus one star because every burger comes on a pretzel bun, and while I like a good pretzel bun I dont think a pretzel bun fits every burger combo they offer.
(4)
Edward H.

Sadly, this place has unflavored patties. Although, the ketchup is damn good
(3)
Mike D.

I've been to this location twice. Both times I've arrived around opening time to avoid the crowd like the original place. Each time, the place wasn't busy. Food was fine but the service was sketchy. The second time, there were 8 people in the restaurant and I waited so long for a refill on my drink (about 10 minutes) I was heading to the bar when she came out from the back. The major problem with this place is that both times it smells like BLEACH! Maybe because I was one of the first customers but man, it was strong. Not enjoyable at all. I will still go to the original spot.
(2)
Scott M.

Just awful! Loud obnoxious music blaring, food below average, cold and dry..service was awful would never go back..
(1)
Chuck P.

Don't bother. The service is slow, the food is average at best, and the music is too loud to have a conversation. My burger was dry and the fries were cold. You can do better at many locations in the neighborhood.
(1)
Lena D.

not like the original...the food is not like the original.
(2)
Jason W.

Wife and I stopped by and we sat at bar.....no wait.....server was great .....music was great ....burgers were even better(LedZep 4me and Iron Madien 4 D Wife) Awesome Beer.......all a round great exper......
(5)
Diana Z.

meh. Now, I've never been to the original Kuma's, but I have eaten very tasty burgers before, and this was not one of them. I ordered the Iron Maiden, and for me, it was nothing special. It tasted like beef with avocados and sauce. There was nothing creative or especially memorable. The patty just tasted like beef, very little seasoning or flavor otherwise. I guess if you like the integrity of beef, this is the burger for you. But I personally don't really like the taste of beef, so I appreciate some creativity in my burgers. This burger tasted like something I made myself on a grill. Although, I did have to give a star for the fries because they were the only redeeming part of the meal.
(2)
Ashley K.

Kuma's Too is just as awesome as the original. I went in for lunch Monday afternoon with a friend who has never eaten a Kuma's burger. He ordered the Pantera and I had the Goatsnake. He's now hooked and I think I have a new favorite burger! The only downside was the lack of draft beer after a busy weekend and my burger came out a little more medium-well than medium like I ordered. Hey, it happens. I'll still be back again and again and again...
(4)
Gregory E.

Okay burger but fantastic whiskey.
(3)
Chocolate H.

This place is ok IF you live neighborhood. Otherwise don't make special journey to go to this place. Especially if you don't enjoy paying $15 for a hamburger.
(3)
Amanda G.

Wtf is up with Kumas Too. It falls short on so many aspects. I went here hoping for a Kumas clone by the lake but it didn't have any of the atmosphere, metal music, or giant servings that Kumas had. The recipies seem the same as Kumas, but they are made in a substandard way. Our macaroni and cheese was good but lukewarm even after we sent it back to warm it up. If I am paying $13 for macaroni and cheese the least they can do is serve it to me hot. Our server was nice, and fast with the refills but nothing about her felt like a Kumas girl.
(2)
Lindsay L.

It seems that there is always a wait, but try one of their burgers and you'll know why. They don't take reservations or seat partial parties either, so come prepared. Otherwise, YUM! And root beer on tap? I'll take that any day! They were actually out of root beer, so I tried the cherry soda, which was so good and really balanced out the salty dinner food. The orange cream soda was more orange than cream, which was disappointing. The burgers changed our lives though. I went with four friends and we each tired something different. Someone had what appeared to be half a red pepper roasted on top of theirs- none of this "roasted red pepper" stuff that they just cut a few slices, she got a red pepper draped over a burger and it was great. Mine was really nice- poached pears, caramelized onion, and brie went really well with a burger the size of my head. We all split the mac & cheese with garlic and broccoli as an app, and it was soooooo good, we all loved it. The mac & cheese was huge, as were the burgers. The fries were nice, but nothing to write home about. It was about $20 a person, with us each having a burger, beverage, and splitting the m&c 5 ways. The restroom is down a hallway so long you wonder if you'll pee yourself by the time you get there and they have so many tables close together that the servers barely fit in between. Also, we were entertained that they mentioned ot having waffle fries multiple times on the menu, so of course I ordered the waffle fries ;) Regardless, we'll all be back!
(4)
Katie O.

Amazing food! A bit of a wait to get in but totally worth it. Large portions. Good atmosphere and great service! Would totally go back!
(4)
Megan S.

5 for the food, two for the service. Our waitress started off strong then totally went missing. We waited for our bill for almost 20 mins.
(2)
Kelly S.

Horrible experience. Took 45 min longer than originally promised to get a table. When we were finally sat the waitress ignored us for another 15 min. We finally ordered mac and cheese and a burger which we ended up splitting because the burger didnt come out until we'd already had the macaroni for 25 min. Burger was mediocre at best and undercooked. Mac and cheese was boss, though. I'll only be going back to order to go, if that.
(2)
Maggie N.

Kuma's Too has some awesome flavor combinations with their burgers, but for a city like Chicago, the quality of the meat wasn't there. My burger was a bit dry, the fries were cold and unflavorful, the mac and cheese was awesome, but also cold - perhaps first week kinks? I loved the different toppings on the burgers and will likely go again one day when I don't want to venture far from home and feel I can tolerate the volume of the music, but I'm sticking with Butcher and the Burger as my favorite Burger and Fries spot in the city.
(3)
Dia S.

Awful service is an understatement. Waited over an hour for our burgers to come out, and the restaurant was nearly dead. They refuse to close the huge windows in the front even though it was 930 pm and almost everyone had their jackets on INSIDE the restaurant. I asked our server (my receipt says her name is Tara S.) for melted bleu cheese on my burger and she made a huge deal about how she can't guarantee the kitchen will melt it for me? She got so frazzled over a simple request. Then suggested I should just get bleu cheese dressing on it, what?!?! Last time I checked cheese was able to melt if you keep it under the broiler for a minute longer. She acted like this was absurd and I shouldn't of been requesting how I want my burger to be prepared. Isn't that the point of a restaurant ? Also my brother asked for mushrooms on his burger and she kept repeating that it cost an extra $2 even after we told her it was fine, and that wasn't an issue. Her attitude was very unpleasant and uncalled for. Completely ruined our evening over something so simple. I've been in the industry for 10+ years and can honestly say this was the worst dining experience I've ever had, at your establishment last night. Management really needs to re consider who they hire, especially with many other good options of burger places in the city. These employees are costing you customers who will never return to your restaurant because of the way your staff is treating them.
(1)
Aly W.

Worst customer service ever. I know it's the "thing" to be a little rude here but this was a whole new level. The food is great but the experience was awful. Our waitress was unacceptably inconsiderate, talked back, and acted like we were inconveniencing her at all times. The food took forever, the orders came out wrong, one of the burgers was raw (ordered medium), and the staff was unapologetic. You would think that raw burger would be comped? No, because we "said something too late" even though it was obvious it wasn't eaten. No dice. Go to DMK instead.
(1)
Ashley O.

I love the original Kuma's but won't be coming back to this location anytime soon. I called to see how long the wait for 4 people was and the hostess said there was no wait. Got there in five minutes and there was a huge crowd.... And a 40 minute wait. When I told the hostess about the quote I had just been given, she looked at me like I was nuts. We left, called back and asked again- and were told again that there was no wait. Not good customer service to mislead your patrons- and not worth going back when you're deceived repeatedly.
(1)
amy c.

Went around 11:45 today and was shocked at how rude the hostess was. I was alone and asked to sit near window. She said she had just sat a lot of people in that server's section so it would be a few minutes. I asked to please sit, as my hands were full of bags from shopping. She said, no, I'd have to wait while she went and touched base with the server (who was in the kitchen). She came back and asked if I minded a different table to which I said yes, I would like to sit by the window. She was going to make me wait. C'mon, it wasn't like the place was busy....maybe a total of 5 tables seated in the entire place. I left and enjoyed a burger elsewhere. Won't be back anytime soon!
(1)
Pie B.

I'm a hardcore fan of Kuma's Corner. Kuma's Too, however, is Kuma's minus everything good. Let me start with the pros: 1. Little to no wait--space is at least 3x bigger. This is on a Friday afternoon. 2. Food came out fast, about 15 min after we ordered it. 3. Food tastes pretty good, same menu as Kuma's Corner. Cons: 1. They overcooked my burger. I've been to Kuma's Corner probably 6 or 7 times, and as small as that kitchen is, my burger has always come out perfect. At Kuma's Too, my medium burger came out well done. So much for that awesome burger. The toppings and everything else were there, but well, the 10 ounces of beef I came here for kinda sucked. 2. The waitress kind of sucked, in many regards. She was this tall blond. At Kuma's there's often a Three Floyd's rotating beer special, and it says to ask about it on the beer menu. I did, and the waitress was extremely curt, minus the usual humor of the Kuma's Corner staff, and blew me off with some snide comment essentially to say there was nothing special on tap. 3. As I mentioned earlier, we came in on Friday afternoon, around 2:30pm, so by the time we were done eating, it was 3ish, and the place was pretty empty. We paid our bill and sat drinking our water and chatting a little, seeing as there were empty tables around and nobody waiting, it didn't seem to be much of a problem. Suddenly, our blond waitress comes by and takes our half full water glasses and walks away, clearing our table. I mean, REALLY?! While I love Kuma's Corner, I'm not going back to Kuma's Too. I mean, if they can't get the burger right even when it's not busy, what's the point?!
(2)
Jane S.

Kumas.....not sure what to say besides "This is the Best Burger in Chicago!!!". Are there any other awesome burger places out there? Sure there are! But will this one blow your taste buds away? YES IT WILL!!! I have never been to the original location, but from what people tell me the setting of this location is much better. It is roomier, more open & kid friendly!! (hey, even kids like a good burger once in awhile). The service is super great! Burgers come out fast and are cooked to perfection! If you are sitting at the bar you will never be thirsty because as soon as you're done with your drink there is a bartender in front of you asking you if you want another one! The burger selection is wonderful and all burgers come with fries (or chips if you feeling bland) and with this gourmet ketchup! I am a ketchup fanatic and this one rates really high with me. Besides ketchup they also have different types of hot sauce in case you are feeling like you are "on fire" at the moment. The location itself is absolutely great! It's just minutes away from the train and multiple bus stops. It's also right next to Express, The LOFT, Akira & Trader Joes and there is nothing like a mini shopping spree on a full stomach ;). If you haven't been to this location yet, come check it out before it gets too popular!!
(5)
Matthew G.

So Me and a few other people came here for lunch. The food was great but once we got the bill and paid the waitress PAULINA picked up the receipt before we left while we were still shutting at the table. As we were leaving she walked up to us and told us we forgot to tip her and that she wanted a tip. I had place some cash on the table and not tipped her in the payment book. I then took my tip back and left. So Paulina I have a tip for u now. Do not ever ask for tips..earn them u lazy rude ditz.
(1)
Biff J.

The food is good but not worth the rude servers. We were a group of 4 and had a 5th person coming. They only seat complete parties. So if your friend decides to join you and not order any food/drink, they will not allow it. They made her leave. They are assholes for just about everything - standard 30-45 minute wait no matter what, shitty music, servers who just don't give a fuck. So I had no problem giving them a shitty tip. This was my 2nd time, and I will not be back again. EVER.
(2)
B H.

Not as good as the hype. Like many other reviewers we were told the wait would be about 90 minutes and ended up being seated in about 20. I didn't know about the heavy metal music blaring throughout the place. It was a turn off because I wanted to visit with my family, not scream at them, but that was a minor annoyance. The food took forever to be served and was not hot off the grill. While the burger was ok, I split an Anthrax and Kumas Burger, for me, it did not meet the hype. Our party was discussing it and agreed that Fuddruckers offers a tastier burger at a better price. I also agree that the front door hostesses could be a LOT friendlier. After all, we're coming to spend our hard earned money at your place, treat your customers with respect or soon you won't have any.
(2)
Michael H.

I went here once and thought i just had a bad experience with the hostess, so i figured i would try again and had the same thing happen to me. Went with the wife when more than half the restaurant was empty yet they tell us it's a 45 min to an hour wait. The first time we got drinks and figured they were just short on staff. The second time we just walked out. Food is good but nothing great and i'm not a fan of the heavy metal theme they have going.
(2)
T B.

Be careful. We think someone at this restaurant copied our credit card number and sold it to someone who used our number in another state.
(1)
Marisa P.

Burgers were overcooked and dry, fries were soggy and flavorless. Mac n cheese was really delicious though...go around the corner to DMK!
(2)
Joe S.

They increased prices by 15-20%. Burgers are good but not sure worth the $20 price tag (incl. tax and tip). Used to be closer to $15 all in.
(4)
Paige P.

The food was good, the burgers all had cool names and were out of the ordinary BUT the music in there was soo loud that I couldn't even think! The service was a touch slow but the music made it almost impossible to have a conversation. It was like heavy metal music blasting in your ears. Other than that, the food was good and I liked the inside of it
(3)
Grace S.

My friend and I went in today. We got sat right away but after 15 minutes of being given a menu no one came to our table. There was a 4 top that came in after us and sat next to our table that immediately got service. We read some of the reviews before going, but still wanted to try it. Unfortunately the service is pretty awful. Step up your game. Go to the original.
(1)
Jesse Linn M.

Ok I can't seem to find my original review where I gave a 4. That's ok though because I came to update it to a 5! Believe me I'd give it a 7 if I could! Came on a Friday night so I expected a long wait. I was quoted 20 min. Not bad. Sat at the bar where my new favorite bartender TJ was working. I gotta say shes the only reason I came back because honestly my first experience was just so so, but I came in for just a drink one day and she was great! She had only served me once but remembered me and my drink. Well the wait ended up being far quicker than expected. Bonus. The hostess came and got me at the bar as well as getting the rest of my party that was outside. Considering their seating policy I felt this was above and beyond. I was greeted by my server within minutes and she was great. She had some great suggestions for beer. I ended up with something I never would have ordered and LOVED it. K2 if your entire staff is like April, TJ (hope thats her name I just looked at my receipt) and the lovely brunette host that was there on 8/24 you'll be getting all 5's in no time! The ONLY complaint I could make is that my burger WAS a little underdone, but that would just be saying my burger was too juicy and delicious. For those of you giving one star because of the music being too loud or the burgers being too pink, its ok. We don't want you here anyway!
(5)
Sarah A.

Outstanding food - mediocre service. So long as you can get past being generally ignored, it's so worth it for these legendary burgers.
(4)
Josh C.

This place rocks. Kuma's Too owns the metal ambiance and serves amazing burgers to go with it. Please, unless you're completely convinced that a burger on their menu was made specifically for you, start with the original burger with the fried egg. You may think something else sounds better, but you need to understand their original burger to really understand the magic. Super juicy patty that's full of flavor, great pretzel bun to soak up the juices, well executed fried egg, and a bundle of bacon and other fresh toppings to deliver great flavor with each bite. Killer fries and zombie dust usually on tap makes this place my favorite.
(5)
Sopla R.

I know, I know, we wanted to go to the original Kuma's first (but it's way over there) and this one is right across from TJ's and so easy to get to for us.. we'll make it over there someday.. I mean. who doesn't love waiting an hour for a good burger? It's OK.. we strolled around ran some errands came back.. didn't have to wait too long by the door. We all love a good burger and the 2 that I've sampled here were really good tasty good quality products and the flavor profiles were spot on (for these 2 anyways) cooked perfectly one MR and the other MW.. had left overs and would love to sample some of that mac n cheese I saw others digging into.. Would I go back? Yes and no.. I mean.. Just too many other burger places to try I guess and it didn't rock my world. If I'm waiting for an hour to get in to have a burger.. I kinda want it to be elevated somehow.. yes. it's better than 5 Guys.. (but if I'm in the mood for a cheap burger with AWESOME fries, I'll head over to 5 Guys..you really can't compare them. One's full service... the other has peanuts on the floor... back to the burger.. The bun was cold to touch not toasted or steamed or even just room temp would have been fine but not chilled as in just pulled out of the cooler and placed on my nicely grilled meat.. and if you do not understand why this detracts from my experience.. stop reading.. because you won't get the rest of what I'm saying either.. It didn't take away from the delicious ness of the pretzel roll but it just didn't take it that next level either.. The acoustics here were just awful. I mean, if Metal is a part of your theme.. you may want to invest in some good wall padding or audio or whatever it is that makes your music sound better...just a thought..doesn't have to be mad loud just clearer. I had the chips (which were room temp.. not pipping hot) again, not saying they were bad just that would have elevated my chip experience for them to served hot.. Service was great knowledgeable and friendly...always a plus for me to have a server who I can ask questions and get real answers about the food go figure right? Glad they are here in the hood I'd probably bring out of town guests here.. but otherwise probably just go to any of the other 25 or so burger haunts that I have yet to try...
(3)
Daniel F.

Took my parents here during their trip to visit me in Chicago. I asked around where the "Best Burger" in Chicago was. A bunch of people said "You gotta go to Kuma's!" Well, I have never ever - in my ENTIRE 32 YEARS ON EARTH - waited longer to get a table than I did at this restaurant. It was mindblowing how long I stood there, starving, ready to eat my own hand at one point... The lady at the front told us it would be a half hour to 45 minutes. So we wandered off, came back a half hour later. Waited. 45 minutes pass. They don't call us. An hour passes. People are getting seated - not us AN HOUR AND FIFTEEN MINUTES NOW. All for a hamburger. My poor parents are old - my father has arthritis and my mom has Parkinsons - we were forced to stand this entire time (of course, the restaurant doesn't have any waiting area or chairs...) Finally, a hour and twenty minutes after we first put our name in, we are seated. The food was good, but nothing amazingly special. I liked that the burgers were fairly large and meaty, but my dad makes better ones on the grill at home. I would have given this place 4 stars if the wait wasn't so insanely long.
(2)
Matt H.

This is a place with a lot of rules. And we were reminded of the rules a few times during our visit. Apparently they won't seat a party of 4 if only 3 people are present. The fourth was across the street and there were 16 empty tables (I counted), so space wasn't an issue, but we were told by the host with a bad attitude that it was a rule. Well it's a stupid rule and you need to use some common sense. The burgers were a disaster, there were four of us and we sent back two of the burgers because they were undercooked - we asked for medium, but these were cold in the middle and bled all over the plate. The waitress agreed they were very underdone. When the next two arrived they were well done, tasteless and dry. If you're a burger joint you need to do one thing right....cook a good burger. It's not difficult, but this place seems to be incapable of doing so. Maybe the 'executive chef' was taking a day off. Having said that, the burger 'accessories' were great. Finally the bill arrives and it states "NO AMEX, NO SPLIT CHECKS, ONLY 1 CREDIT CARD PER CHECK." Go screw yourselves! On the upside, our waitress was awesome! She's the reason for the extra star.
(2)
Lana Z.

My husband LOVES metal and doesn't get nearly enough of it. We made a trip out to the original Kuma's for his birthday a couple years back - the burgers and the mac & cheese left a lasting impression. When we saw that Kuma's Too was opening at a location near our house we were pumped! We came on a Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. The bar was full, the dining room full but with a smattering of open tables and there were several groups standing around waiting. We put down our name and the hostess said "45 minutes" my husband was ready to throw in the towel but luckily I had read a previous Yelp review which mentioned a 45-minute wait where there really wasn't one. We grabbed a beer and decided we would see what happens. Sure enough, we were seated within 15 minutes! The music was LOUD as expected, the mac & cheese was the bomb (we opted for garlic and prosciutto), and our burgers were perfect. The service was friendly from the bar tenders to the wait staff. Is it as hard core as the original? I don't think so - not with a Trader Joe's across the street and a Loft next door but we still thoroughly enjoyed the food and beer and will be back for sure! Hopefully they'll work on the whole 45-minute wait when there really isn't one. Or perhaps this is wishful thinking and pretty soon there actually WILL be a 45-minute wait on a Sunday afternoon.
(4)
Jill S.

Just tried Kuma's Too. We have been to the original a few times. In comparison to the original the food was just as good. One of the best burgers on the planet!! and the service is the same. As far as the decor and music goes it is a little "tamer" but that works for me since we went to visit with people. The wait wasn't bad for a Friday night at 6:30pm maybe 15 minutes. Yes it is different and yes you might have to be patient but just know you are going to get one the most excellent burgers around!!
(4)
Brendan S.

Food is awesome. Can't take that away from Kuma's. Issue - PRETENTIOUS! coming into town from from an all day race we wanted burgers. Called to see what the wait was and the woman says "we cannot quote wait times. You will have to just come in and see." We go cause we are on a mission for burgers and the wait is an hour and a half. Good on you Kuma's for being busy but why not just tell us that. We then called DMK, they told us their wait. Called State and they told us their wait. So we left to go to another burger bar - keep in mind there are plenty of delicious burgers in chicago. I told the hostess we were leaving and why. I asked her why the restaurants policy is to not give out wait times over the phone. She is clearly ready to go with her response, probably sensing frustration from me. "We always get yelled at for giving out quotes in the past. People are always mad and bitchy. We can go from no wait to an hour and a half wait in ten minutes so we are just too unpredictable." I asked - "yes but have you ever gone from an hour and a half wait to zero wait in ten minutes?" She understood my point and politely said "no, but thats not the point, we don't want to get yelled out and upset our customers." If you have ever been to Kuma's you'll know this is bs. Kuma's seems to pride themselves on their "rough and tough" attitude. A friend once went in and asked how long the wait was and the hostess said, "when a table becomes free." It's sassy and part of their thing but don't try to play the "we care about our customers card." You make lots of money off of overpriced delicious, well made burgers. I tell the hostess this in a polite way and she just shrugs her shoulders. I didn't mention this but I've been a host, bouncer and manager in the restaurant industry before and it's simple, Kuma's if you care about your customer, give them basic information that every other establishment already provides and don't try to play victim to customers with attitude when you make money on attitude being part of your "charm."
(2)
Bob W.

I was really jazzed to try this place as I love metal and I love big ol' meaty burgers, but Kuma's does neither of these things well. Lets talk about the music. Most of the burgers are named after classic metal bands; Black Sabbath, Metallica, etc. with a few a newer bands thrown in. However, the entire time I was in the restaurant only obnoxious death metal or grindcore or whatever the fuck that awful modern crap is called blared out of their speakers. I am not even sure that someone that liked this music would necessarily enjoy eating in a restaurant with it playing in stentorian tones. No Judas Priest (and they didn't even get a burger) despite a sign saying Rob Halford eats free. Moving on to the service. I have a high threshold for bad service and Kuma's wasn't awful enough to break it. The food was a bit slow considering IT'S A BURGER and the place wasn't even that full. Also our server pretty much ignored us and was really slow in collecting our payment. Now to the most important part of the restaurant experience: the food. Sitting down and opening the menu had us very excited. Here were burgers with delicious toppings decorating them all. There were standbys like blue cheese, buffalo or something a little more daring like pears, caramelized onions and brie. We decided to play it safe with a bbq burger in the Mastodon and the aforementioned pear burger. As our food came out we asked for bbq sauce to dip our fries into (so much better than ketchup) and they promptly supplied it. At this point the entire meal fell apart. The burger patty was utterly tasteless, like they didn't dare season it with anything. This is a disturbing trend in gourmet burgers because ground beef is not very tasty by itself as is plainly evident here. The bun was too thick which means I noticed it too much for a burger. It's only merit was that it held up well to the giant burger. My burger was very meagerly dressed with bbq sauce but after tasting our side of bbq sauce I am not sure if I am relieved or disappointed because it tasted pretty bad. Even the ketchup had a weird taste to it as if it had absorbed flavors while sitting open in a refrigerator. The essential ingredient of the pear burger, the pears, was a complete misfire as rather than the sweet slightly caramelized pears you would want, nay demand, they were stiff with all the sweetnees replaced by bourbon. At least it had decent onions. Finally, the fries were limp and tasteless with nothing to recommend them and the subpar condiments did nothing to alleviate their mediocrity. Consensus is that the original locations has a better atmosphere, but nothing about the food being of superior quality. As such I will not be going to any other Kuma's.
(2)
Jade L.

Worst experience I've ever had. HORRIBLE customer service I wanted to cancel my order and leave before I was even served. I would give this restaurant negative stars. Employees are so rude and the food is not worth the wait or price.
(1)
Drew W.

The burgers are fantastic and have amazing names!! The servers are fun and spunky (ask for Rachel, she's super fun!!). And the atmosphere rocks pretty hard. A must go. Definitely will be back!!
(5)
Happiness L.

Boo!!! This place is NOT for me at all. I think you are better off going almost ANY place else. After a wait of about 30 minutes we were seated. Service was SUPER SLOW and the music obnoxiously loud. When I asked for the music to be a little quieter the waitress said that we should go some place else. Keep in mind I did ask nicely. I asked for extra crispy fries and she said "I'll see what I can do." They were not crispy. It takes 30 to 35 minutes once you place your order. Horrible service. Good yet not amazing food. The whole while not happy with the horrible music even though they eventually turned it down. So disappointed after waiting for a very long time to try the north location and never getting there. I will not go back and do not recommend this place. Also, they do not seem to care if I ever come back relying on their steady stream of customers from their "reputation." Too many awesome burger places in Chicago...for sure this one can be skipped.
(1)
Alyssa K.

I got asked today to join a few of my friends to get some food at this place. i told them i would be a few minutes late and they said that should be fine. by the time i got to the resturant my friends have told me they just put in their orders and i should grab a menu to place my order as well. At that time the seating waiter came over to me and said they have a "NO JOINERS POLICY" that it would be ok for me to sit there but i was not allowed to order any food. WHAT? are you kidding me i proceeded to tell the waiter how dumb of an idea that was and that i really didnt want to spend 15$ on one of the burgers anyway and that i will never come to this place again. Just after that the waiter came to bring my friends their food and said i know the other girl told you about our no joiners policy but you can orderand appetizers if you would like! EXCUSE ME! i can order and appetizer but i can not order food yea cause that makes any bit of sense i told the lady no i would rather spend my 15$ elsewhere and never come back here again all in all terrible service for not even being able to order any food. guess this place thinks they can survive on turning customers down.
(1)
Memon K.

food and attitude suck for the price!
(1)
D M.

I was so excited to eat a great burger and enjoy the cool atmosphere. Unfortunately, we couldn't get past how incredibly rude the hostess was. This girl basically created a scene over a simple question. I had to leave, didn't even get a burger that I had my mouth set on. Hope to go to the original location someday. She needs to throw on a wig and apron and wait tables at Ed Debevic's. No, then she'd have to actually have a personality AND a sense of humor. Stay home, honey. You obviously don't have the people skills to deal with the public.
(1)
Stephanie S.

When I found out this place delivers, I ordered the very same day. Delivery was quick, reasonably priced and delicious. It wasn't exactly like dining in, but pretty darn close. My sandwich (substituted in chicken) came hot and ready to eat, packed and delivered with care. The french fries were a tad bit soggy, but what can you really expect with delivery fries The only thing missing from this dinner was a PBR in hand and a good conversation. I'll have to remember to keep those on hand next time I order in :)
(4)
Katie P.

Welcome to the neighborhood! I can appreciate a good burger and Kuma's never disappoints. The menu and food is exactly the same here as the original. The heavy metal playing and framed posters try to evoke the ambiance of the original but fail a bit. Oh well, fine by me. This space is big, open and more comfortable in my mind. Plus, I'm really only concerned with the food. I've had the Metallica and Kyijo Burgers. Both are excellent- juicy, plenty of fixins and tasty fries. Our server was helpful and quick but did have some difficulty reading her own handwriting and therefore brought the wrong burger for my friend. She fixed it in 5 minutes but my friend was a bit frustrated. Overall the food made up for it- we all loved our burgers!
(4)
Adrienne T.

I've never been to the original Kuma's, so I can't make any comparisons. However, I can still compare Kuma's to the many other wonderful burger joints that are set within the Lakeview and Lincoln Park area. A friend insisted that we go after she had already been there two days before our visit and could not stop raving about the place. I was quite intrigued that a new burger joint had arrived in the area that might actually stay (for at least a year?). Unfortunately, that dream was short lived when I left our party's name with the hostess. I'm not sure how to put this nicely. She was unfriendly, pretentious, and down right rude. Am I missing something here? I realize that Kuma's has a punk-rock theme going on, but I didn't know punk rockers were ill-mannered. Okay, let's get to the food part because that's the most important bit. I was not overly impressed with the burger. The size was quite impressive, but the taste was not. The goat cheese, corn salsa and fried onion spread overpowered the meat completely. In addition, the unflavored burger was quite dry for medium-rare and the bun was larger than the burger. The best part was their homemade ketchup, but I didn't pay $13 dollars for good ketchup. I'm not a burger master, but this experience left something to be desired.
(2)
Andrea C.

I was psyched to hear that kuma's was opening up a second location within walking distance of my house because the original is an experience- and the burgers really are second to none. there's something special in that pretzel bun... I decided to the new location this weekend with some friends and the experience is definitely true kuma's- loud, delicious and food coma inducing. my two friends and I had the original kuma's burger and my fiancÃ© opted for the led zeppelin (which is essentially a pulled pork sandwich on top of a burger). the portions are heaping, the music is loud and the beer list is ample. at noon on a Saturday the wait was to be expected, about an hour long, but there's plenty to do in the 'hood- bars, shops, etc. so the hour flew by and we were chomping burgers in no time flat. the staff is pretty awesome, too. one of their very efficient bussers tried to take my beer with a few sips left and one of the servers took note and told him to relax and come back when I had actually finished my beer.
(5)
Emily M.

Tonight (a Wednesday around 7pm), my friend and I noticed a pleasant sign outside that said "Weekday Special; $8 burgers" as well as the burger of the month. Well, after asking the server, it turns out that's a before-5pm special. She told us she didn't know why the sign was still out there. Well yeah, I wonder that too. Perhaps an employee there has the capability of both lifting and moving that sign, or at the very least, wiping a paper towel over the chalk words that are no longer relevant in the evening. The burgers were pretty good. Not quite good enough for a $14 or $15 price tag though. And, finally, check arrived with a printed blurb about a 1-credit-card-per-bill restriction. Not a deal breaker, but my friends who had worked as servers have told me that it's not hard to run a few cards for one bill. We probably won't go back. Oh! And after I told my boyfriend about this 'meh' time, he found out his friend meant to put a $10.60 tip on a check here recently, and they charged a $106.00 tip. When the friend spoke with the manager, he said there was nothing they could do, that the charge had already gone through. Again: former-server friends knew you could just credit the credit card the difference. REAL CLASS ACT.
(1)
Rosario G.

Yes. I went with my family who were here from California and we all loved it. I had beenbtobthe original location but this place is sassy bigger and very nice. We arrived t about 4pm and there was no waiting at all. We were lucky to have arrived before the lunch special was over. I had the dark throne, goat cheese, pico de Gallo and 2 gigantic chipotle peppers. It was one of the best burgers I have ever had and I am not a big fan of burgers. We also had their delicious mac and. Cheese. I also ordered the jack on tap with coke. Yum!s And the service was awesome!! Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Mat M.

I was stoked to try Kuma's Too since I hadn't been to the much acclaimed original location. Well, my impression was nothing special. The service was good, the burger was tasty and it had a good atmosphere. It just didn't live up to all the hype. You can get a good gourmet burger with fun toppings and good meat at just about any bar these days. Not impressed.
(3)
Katie G.

Went here again and the burgers as usual were great. I switched it up this time and got the Goat Snake. It was very good, but my favorite is still the Plague Bringer. The service was great and I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Gabby M.

I'm vegetarian so I can't comment on the burgers but OH MY GOD THIS MAC N CHEESE. My GrubHub delivery history is a little bit embarrassing because I order from here so often. The mac n cheese is huge, so share with someone!
(5)
Eugene W.

Went to original location where it was a 1.5 hour wait so took the short drive to "Kumas Too". Maybe memories of my visit to the original a year ago are off, but serving size at Too seemed much smaller. Burger was still good, but nothing I will go out of my way to get. The burger at Labriolla is a much better bang for buck. Parking was a little more challenging than the original location. Maybe environment had a lot more to do with it, but will need to try the original to refresh my memory. Got the feeling they were trying a little too hard to create an artificial environment to fit the theme. The area around "Too" has much more to offer, but my visit just didn't stand out. Pretty good beer list, but didn't try any.
(3)
Max R.

Bitchy, unwelcoming, poor service, inconsiderate, fake, entitled, and overpriced are all words that come to mind when I think of Kuma's Too. My girlfriend and I went to this restaurant today because we are both heavy metal fans and we thought a place like this might be cool to check out. I sat down at the bar and ordered a beer. Now, I don't have a very complicated palate when it comes to beer and I only wanted to have one with lunch, so I didn't really need anything special. I saw that this place specialized in craft beer, but I asked the bartender if they had a some "regular beer." Maybe this sounds lowly or something, but to me "regular beer" means miller, bud, coors... Something cheap and drinkable, sorry if that's so horrible of me for wanting a "regular beer." So the bartender then goes on to criticize my choice in beer, asking me why I would come to a place like this if I was going to order a miller lite. okay, bitch... So I order my burger, something called the "plague bringer" The burger was decent, about what you'd expect from an upscale sports bar or something. I would definitely consider it middle of the road for a 'famous' chicago joint though. So let's get to paying. earlier in the day my dad had given me his card and told me to run some errands, and he told me I could use it to get something to eat. So I go to pay and the bartender notices the name on the card is different than the name on my ID. She then proceeds to tell the manager I'm using a fake ID and they threaten to call the police. The general manager wouldn't listen to a word I said when I tried to explain to him what was happening and he actually refused to give me my ID back! Absolutely ridiculous. The food might be okay, but the service is atrocious. I can't believe these assholes are even in business. Disgusting.
(1)
Lauren E.

Ummm, YUM. One of, if not the, best burger I've ever had. I've tried a few of their burgers and am yet to be disappointed. I'm a huge fan of a medium rare burger. At other restaurants, your burger shows up medium well no matter how you order. Not at Kuma's. Your burger shows up exactly as ordered, every time. It's thick and juicy, and the accompaniments are interesting without being overpowering. In addition to their burgers, the sides are also exceptional. The french fries and macaroni and cheese are to die for. Even the side salad is perfectly executed with an excellent basil vinaigrette. I wish I lived closer!
(5)
Steph U.

This place is definitely a lot less intimidating than Kuma's Corner. It's not as "hardcore metal", and seems more family friendly. It still has that metal flair, but it's toned down a lot for the area that it's in. The food overall was pretty good. I didn't notice much difference from Kuma's Corner. I ordered the Kuma's Burger and the mac n cheese with garlic and mushrooms. The mac n cheese was delicious as always and the burger was just as ginormous and heart-attack-inducingly good. I think if you're looking for more of the Kuma's "experience," I'd try out Kuma's Corner, but if you just want to try the food, check this place out!
(4)
Bluejay C.

the burgers were ok. I feel like the flavors from different ingredients didn't really go well together. Grilled chicken patty can be juicier. For $13 -$16 per dish I expect a lot better.
(3)
Rocco H.

Expected more from this place. First off, there was only one waitress to be seen and no hostess to greet us or help us to a table. Went with my girlfriend who ordered her burger medium (in my mind, unacceptable, but I've weaned her off well-done) and I ordered medium-rare. The burgers LOOKED great being served but as we started eating we both noticed the patties were undercooked. She ended up getting what was clearly a rare burger and I got medium-rare. Maybe they switched the patties by accident but either way both were not to order. My girlfriend had an already rough day, so we decided to just have them box up the burgers and leave. I politely explained to the waitress what had happened, and that we didn't want to wait any longer to have them cooked, but she replied rather bluntly that I should have just sent them back. Full disclosure, I ate those burgers later, but I was disappointed in the service and product. I might try Kumas Too again and revise this review, but for now there are plenty of great burger places around to enjoy first!
(2)
Misha T.

There's really a lot going on in with these burgers and it makes it kind of hard to hold the whole thing together without bits falling out. I ordered THE LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR and it was good but the highlight, the bourbon sautÃ©ed pear was a slippery son of a gun and was kinda tough to eat in the midst of the burger. I do like that it's a metal burger bar.
(4)
Frances B.

How I would sum this place up: bad a**. A heavy metal playing, whiskey on tap, big, bad a** burger joint. I had the Iron Maiden and it was delicious, but the fixings are pretty much like any southwest burger out there- I wish I had tried something more unique to Kuma's like my boyfriend had. He ordered the Plaque Bringer- crushed garlic mayo, pepperjack cheese, jalapenos w/ tortilla strips. All the burgers are 10 oz., so they're absolutely massive. The fries are some of the best I've ever had- so fresh. I will be back to try all their other burgers. So main things you need to know about this place: -you will wait. Yes, it is worth it. You will usually wait anywhere from 1-3 hours. -they have rules, like no vegan options. -the burgers are massive (10 oz) -there is whiskey on tap. -there is loud heavy metal music playing, because it is a heavy metal restaurant/bar. Be prepared for that. The service was outstanding. As I said before, we'll be back for sure!
(5)
Matt S.

All six of of our burgers were super huge and super salty. Like really salty. Service was kinda slow. Fried pickles were delicious. Highly recommended. This location is probably more mellow than the original, so come here instead if you want to have conversation with your dining companions. Pricey.
(3)
Hayden R.

This is not a restaurant for the salt sensitive. Everything we has was drenched in a visible layer of salt, including the burger itself. Fun and interesting combinations where asked by an overpowering salty flavor. Loud atmosphere is not conducive to conversation.
(3)
Gina S.

As promised, I tried Kuma II again. It was not a good experience. I ordered a Neurosis burger and a lemonade. I really do not get why this place is so popular. The burger is just okay. I've had WAY better. I got my burger and asked for a side of blue cheese to dip my fries in. I was told it was $2.00. Come on! NO ONE charges for this. No one. So, I went without and when I indulge in fries (not very often) I love having blue cheese to dip them in. Back to the burger. It is SO average. I can make better at home. Next time I have a hankering for a burger, I will walk an extra few blocks to DMK. THAT is a good burger, great fries and they don't nickel and dime you. With tip, I spent $20 for a lemonade and burger at Kumas. That is the last $ of mine they will see.
(1)
David E.

I watched several hundred dollars walk out the door around 6pm tonight because they would not sit groups of two although there were approximately 14 available seats at 4 top tables. I understand the logic later at night when you're swamped but not for the early dinner crowed. We waited 50 minutes as a group of two to be seated as we stared at available seats the whole time. After all the wait the food was nothing to write home about. There are too many great food joints in Chicago to waste your time at a place like Kuma's Too. I will not be back.
(1)
Sho G.

Stopped by here while on a visit and was blown away. Everything about this place is awesome. From the heavy metal vinyls hanging on the wall, to the beer selection, to the crazy burgers they make. I would say this was my best food memory from my visit. I highly recommend giving it a try.
(5)
Charles B.

Dreadfully loud head-banging music and just a marginally good burger made for a rather ordinary if not unpleasant experience. The expectations for the burger were much higher but the Kuma's burger was the master of the ordinary. Nothing to write home about here. I'm glad I caught the lunch special because the prices are way out of line. Well, I can check-off the Kuma's burger from my list of "burgers-to-try". The Kuma burger perhaps rates in the Top 20 burgers in Chicago but certainly at the lower end of that 20. I probably won't be back.
(3)
Leang E.

After waiting in line at Hot Doug's for 45 minutes, this was a welcome reprieve to be seated right away. My friend and I were appreciative that the food order for the kids came out quickly. The jalapeno poppers were delicious. The berry jam dip was yummy and a great pairing with the poppers, making it spicy and sweet. The special burger of the month has to be one of my favorites. I didn't have to add any ketchup or sauce as it was flavorful and filling. It was the right amount of spicy kick to it combined with the juicy tang of the pork with the burger meat. I don't even usually like beans that much but that spread was awesome. I think they ought to add it to the regular menu as an option. I have to say that our burgers took a while to get, and it might have been a good 45 minutes or longer. It felt like people that came in after us somehow had gotten their meals before us. Our waitress was really nice and the prices are reasonable. I like that it seems less louder than the other Kuma and more spacious.
(4)
Kaitlyn W.

Kuma's Too has really great burgers. I tried the Mastodon, and the burger was served on a pretzel bun and it was pretty big. With the side of fries, I was only able to eat half of it. Overall, the food had a high quality taste and was quite delicious. My only complaint is the hostess was actually rude and inconsiderate. Also, the server who brought out the water was rude and literally didn't greet us at all. The waitress for our table however turned things around and was helpful/friendly. The meal cost about $14, and I would want to go back. Beware if you don't like really loud music and difficulty conversing with the people at your table, then you may want to seek a more peaceful restaurant.
(4)
Jordan F.

I have been eagerly waiting for the opening of the new Kuma's. I have been to the original a handful of times, and this did not disappoint. The place feels similar with the heavy metal atmosphere, but just a little different. A bit more Lincoln Park-y -- a bit more up to date, more space, less ink on the girls, etc., but highly enjoyable nonetheless. I came in with hopes of having the Black Oak Arkansas, but was unfortunately not on the menu today. I had the Downs burger, which is the burger of the month. It had a rice and bean patty with collard greens. Perfectly cooked as expected. Highly recommended for anyone who has been to the original and/or wants a great burger without needing to make the hike to Avondale. Give this place a go.
(5)
Jessica M.

Kuma's isn't just a restaurant for me. It's a pilgrimage, an unholy dining experience. I see the familiar bear logo on the sign, and a single tear forms in the corner of my eye. This was my first visit to the new location. It's much bigger than the original, but still just as dark, and the music just as loud. We went on a Friday night, and only waited 20 minutes for a table. Our waitress was very friendly and helpful. I went with the Neurosis, while my friend went with the Mastodon. I ordered my burger medium, and it was slightly overcooked, but still excellent. Their burgers are perfectly seasoned, and the pretzel bun gives it an extra kick. the fries were perfectly salted. I also had a cocktail before my meal, and it was excellent (although $9 for a moscow mule was a bit crazy, but I am from Akron, and it's cheap to get drunk here). I look forward to returning to Kuma's.
(5)
Shelly A.

Let's be honest, Kuma's Too HAD to happen. Kuma's on Belmont will always be a special place in all our hearts. However, Kuma's 1 is super small, and suburbanites and tourists who saw it on DDD are always packing it in. So us city people needed a place to get our Kuma's fix without waiting forever! Kuma's Too is great, and as the name implies it's still the same great Kuma's. Don't listen to idiots who say the food is different and whatever other BS, this is a full blown Kuma's burger and it's fantastic. I love their huge menu, flexible options, great service, and huge portions. Even non beef or meat eaters will find something great here. This location is also less divey, so depending on the crowd you may prefer this over the original. We went on a Monday night and they had no wait, so we gorged ourselves! Kuma's will always have a special place in my heart, it's consistently one of the best burgers you'll ever have - never disappoints!
(4)
Ryan P.

kumas too has identical burgers to the original kumas with half the wait!!! Awesome place !! Awesome staff. Still the best burgers in the world!!
(5)
Taylor D.

I have always been a fan of Kumas, and the food at this location is the exact same. I recommend the Kuma Burger or the YOB. I wish they had better fries though. Burgers are priced about average, $13-15. Personally, I would rather spend my money at DMK burger bar. Expect loud music, rude servers, craft beer, and no separate checks (which is such a pain).
(3)
Howard C.

Have you been to the original Kuma's and love the food, but the wait and blaring metal seems like a little much? Then this is the Kuma's for you. Yes, there is metal playing, but I would say the volume is more at a 6 than a 9, like at the original. Kuma's Too is like Kuma's Corner for families. There is an Ann Taylor Loft next door and a Trader Joe's across the street. Pretty sure a Jimmy John's is right there also. Not exactly what I'd call heavy metal, but I digress. The food is the same greatness. The mac and cheese was brilliant and the burger was spot on. While, they did overcook my burger (Iron Maiden), I sent it back and had a new one within 5 minutes. Our server/waitress kinda sucked, but I'm sure she was trying her hardest :/ Plus, oddly enough, I found the fries to be much better at this location than the other. I have learned that the chips are the go-to side at Kuma's. Long story, short; Kuma's Too - Kuma's for Families Kuma's Corner - Heavy Metal blasting your face off Kuma's Too - Bad server, bad attitude, less tattoos Kuma's Corner - Excellent servers, punk rock attitude, tattoo sleeves as far as the eye can see. Kuma's Too - Next to Ann Taylor Loft Kuma's Corner - Pretty sure there is an apartment upstairs. Nothing will ever top going to KC, waiting an hour, finally getting your table and then after the anticipation has built to an all-time high, you get the best burger of your life. Kuma's Too made me feel like I had to go roll around in the dirt to get a little dirty, because of the sterile vibe inside. If you're working on a schedule or are not in the mood for the heavy music and pictures of blood thirsty naked women on the walls, then this is the Kuma's for you. Me? I personally like waiting in line for my food. Makes me feel like in for some sort of spectacle.
(4)
Steph P.

I have never been to the original Kumas so I can't compare the two. This place was ok. The staff was nice. Only 30 minute wait time. The music wasn't too loud, which is cool because metal music makes me anxious. I had the Neuroses (not sure if that's spelled correctly). Any who, it was good .. but nothing spectacular.
(3)
Jonna E.

Great food. Large portion of burger! Wonderful taste. It's great that the mac n cheese you can choose two flavors to add. But I think the mac n cheese is a little bit uncooked.
(4)
Tommy H.

I've got a couple of issues with this place. Attitude - I find that the staff is sometimes quite rude. While this is acceptable behavior at the original location (due to the low ceilings, hamburgers, and heavy metal atmosphere), it just feels unacceptable at this location. I understand that they are busy due to the amount of customers they have but when the employees make me feel horribly sad, I am going to say something, on Yelp. Structure - the vibe of this place is just off. It's too big and airy to be blasting heavy metal - the whole experience feels a bit forced. the ceilings are also very tall. Having said that, the hamburgers are quite good, though they taste completely different than the burgers at the original location
(3)
Christine L.

My boyfriend and I came here for lunch on a Saturday afternoon and we were seated right away. The first incident was when they handed my boyfriend a cracked glass of water. You'd think they'd be more aware of things like that but no. The service was slow and the waitress was either having a bad day or just an unpleasant person to be around. The food looked much better than it tasted. I was practically drooling over the Mac n cheese and burgers at surrounding tables. However my boyfriend and I both ordered kuma burgers and they were so salty! I couldn't even finish mine. I was so disappointed.
(3)
Andrew M.

The bottom line is that they serve a delicious burger here. The meat blend, quality, and flavor are the best I have had. A great classic pure burger. It is up to you to choose the optimal toppings, and they have plenty. I think a lot of the mediocre reviews come from people who like the original Kumas atmosphere better, but I prefer not to smell like hamburger or wait for hours when I don't need to. The whole metal thing does not ad to my eating experience, so as far as I am concerned this place is as good as the original. The only thing I was not wowed by were the fries.
(5)
Nicole W.

Kumas is just OK for me. I like the idea of a metal themed bar but let's be honest, Lockdown slays that category. The jalapeno poppers were delicious with the raspberry sauce, such a unique but good taste. The burger. Oh how Chicago has spoiled me. While my brother who was visiting from Austin loved his burger and found the whole pretzel bun thing "amazing", myself and my boyfriend were really just wishing we had the bacon and egg burger at Au Cheval. I do have to say the server was pleasant and was very kind in helping my brother find a local beer that he would like, she even brought out tasters for him.
(3)
Abhay S.

This is a solid 3.5 stars. I have to give credit for Kuma's for opening a second location, and even more props for opening in the Lincoln Park/Lakeview area. I wouldn't have believed you a year ago if you told me that Kuma's opened a second location in this neighborhood. I can best describe this location as a very PG version of the original location. Like scrubbed down. After walking out of the restaurant, I kind of wondered why they decided on Lakeview/LP area and not Michigan Avenue and/or Gold Cost location. If you're going to go big, go REALLY big, but being a former resident of this area, I love that they chose this neighborhood (and taking over another burger place, to boot!) We arrived at this location around 6pm and were quickly seated. Service was great - our waitress quickly took our drink and meal orders. Our food was great - and I think the fries were better than the other location. You kind of forget how large their burgers are -- they're flippin' massive and a good helping of fries as well. To be honest, there are a lot of burger places in Chicago and I don't think I would return to this location again.
(3)
Elizabeth W.

I stopped by for lunch one weekday with a couple of my coworkers. We each got a beer from their extensive beer list, and a monstrous burger. Our server was friendly and efficient. There was no waiting for a table. Food was delicious. I'm sold - a much faster dining experience than the original Kuma's Corner, with the same great food.
(4)
Ang B.

I really enjoyed Kuma's Too, They had creative burgers and the waitress was knowledgeable enough about the menu to help my significant other and I match beers to our food. Great if you looking for a fancy burger that is actually cooked to order and they will do rare.
(4)
M S.

Try the mastodon burger, yum and great beer selection. Our waitress was friendly and food came fast. Sometimes there is a long wait but the food is worth it.
(5)
Matt P.

My sister told me Kumas makes some of the most unique and tasy burgers in the city, so I had to check it out. I went with her and my mother around 5:30 pm on a Saturday night to Kumas Too in the Lakeview neighborhood and had to wait 15 minutes or so to get a table. Be warned: just as Kumas's menu items are named after rock metal bands, so blares this kind of music from within the restaurant. And I mean blares. Prepare to have to yell across the table to people you are sitting with. It's not a restaurant for the elderly. I had the Slayer, which was a bed of fries covered in chili, Andouille sausage, caramelized onions, and cherry peppers, with a 10 oz. burger on top smothered with Monterey Jack cheese and fresh scallions. It was huge and I had to take half of it home. The only problem was the burger patty, as well as the hamburger meat in the chili, was very salty. My mother also said her Kuma Burger was salty as well. With so many interesting burgers to choose from on their menu, I would definitely return to Kumas Too, but next time I might bring ear plugs.
(4)
D. T.

I hate making this about me, but I am a serious student of the hamburger and will go toe-to-toe with other burgerphiles on the critical components and methods involved in burger-making. I recently completed an informal survey of "high-end" burgers in another major city to determine the burger strategies of well-regarded chefs - all to determine whether it's worth paying roughly $15 for a burger, and if so, why? We all know we can pay far less and be satisfied... but if you crave a great burger, well, you trail the grail, right? The fine-dining chef's approach to making a classic burger was surprisingly uniform; they did not "reinvent the wheel" or trick it out with a multitude of add-ons - what they did do is emphasize the quality of each component and finesse the most from them, i.e., the right bun, the treatment of the bun (toasted), the right lettuce (Bibb or butter), the right onion(bermuda), the quality of the tomato (bright red and flavorful), the type and quality of cheese, the caliber of meat and its preparation (exterior crust, center as ordered). In summary, what bonafide chefs did in making a great hamburger can be done by any restaurant if they care enough about what they serve. KUMA TOO Bun - Not toasted (Cardinal Sin) Meat - No Exterior Crust (again, Cardinal Sin) Made to Order - I ordered Medium Rare - received Medium Tomato - On life support So is it fair to say Kuma Too doesn't care? I very much think so. But hey, if caring is blaring, then I've got it all wrong...
(2)
Carrie P.

I'm totally puzzled by some of the not-so-glowing reviews here...this place is friggin' awesome. Insanely good, just like the original Kuma's Corner. Really not much to say other than what I've said about the original -- food tastes the same as there: unholy good, juicy, perfectly cooked juggernauts of flavor, huge enough that I rarely tackle more than half a burger in a sitting. My favs: the YOB, the Goatsnake, and the Lair of the Minotaur. Beer selection here is good as well. Service has been friendly. The decor is slicker and brighter than Kuma's Corner but the metal ethos (and music) is still there. Wonder how long they waited to nab the 666 address? As with Kuma's Corner, the wait is usually very very long. Be prepared to wait and know that they won't seat your party unless everyone is present. It's a cute neighborhood to wait in, at least. As with Kuma's Corner, my advice is "just go." Go and put it in your mouth and be joyful.
(5)
Lee P.

OK. After three tries, this is among the very best burgers anywhere. Superb quality ground beef ( I had the Kaijo), fine blue cheese, ultra fine bacon. World class.
(5)
Deanne S.

I went with my family of 6 on a Saturday night and got right in...big plus! Everything we ordered was fantastic! The burgers and everything that was on them was great, the homemade potato chips were excellent as well! No kids menu but my younger ones split a kumas burger and it was perfect! The service was excellent as well! Definetly will go again!
(5)
Markale E.

I ordered my burger medium and it came out medium rare. My girlfriend ordered hers medium well and it came out rare. How does that happen? We attempted to flag down the waitress several times to ask for the burgers to be cooked longer but it took about 10 minutes to get her attention (it appeared she was attending to another table that also had an issue with their food). They agreed to make my girlfriend a new burger. The waitress dropped off the burger without any silverware. We immediately tried to get her attention but didnt have any luck. Several minutes later she witnessed my girlfriend cutting her burger with a fork (and completely destroying the burger in the process) and she didnt say anything. At the end. They did the right thing and gave us a discount and acknowledged that they didnt cook our burgers correctly. But overall it was as bad experience and I will not return.
(1)
Johnnalee K.

Never been to the original Kuma's so I won't compare, however, I do love the obscenely loaded burgers here. Kuma's Corner in Lakeview is the place if you want a seriously delicious gut-busting meal, and the meat itself is actually really really tasty on its own (I'm a rare patty person). Their beer list is also decent if you want go the whole nine yards. Just be ready to wait, because it's usually pretty crowded every night of the week. I recommend the Plague Bringer.
(5)
Michelle M.

Most amazing burger I've had in years!! I cannot remember the name of the burger, but it was 10oz of heaven and I enjoyed every bite. PERFECTLY cooked medium rare, with a beautifully seasoned sear. It was topped with the most heavenly carmelized onions, melted Brie cheese, and sliced pears that seemed to be flavored with star anise. There was a slight glaze somewhere, bourbon maybe? Just enough to give it a hint of something but let the flavor of that delicious burger shine through. Unreal. My dining partner had the "build your own" Mac-n-cheese. Also unbelievable. Humongous portion of creamy goodness. She added sundries tomatoes, mushrooms, and carmelized onions and was in heaven. Other options included peas, frizzled onions, jalapeÃ±os, prosciutto, green onions, among many others. Every diner seemed to be enjoying their options. The drinks are simple but good. Our bartender TJ was fantastic. Always quick with a drink and a smile. Don't go expecting froufrou drinks. No rumchata, UV vodkas or what have you. It's beer, whiskey, vodka, tequila, etc. It's a heavy metal place guys. They offer quick drink services by not doing so as well! The music is metal, our only complaint there is that for a restaurant it's a bit too loud to have any conversation. For a bar it's expected... But I wouldn't take a single star away because the food is just THAT GOOD. The bar area is small. Lots of people ate dinner at the bar which didn't allow anyone to sit and have drinks at the bar while waiting to have dinner. The flow really jammed up there. Again, total forgiveness for that AMAZING FOOD.
(5)
Rebecca K.

Went with a group of 6, walked right in at 7:45pm and got a table. So much better than waiting outside for an hour at Kuma's corner in 40 degree weather.. Burgers were wonderful and huge. Pretty hard to eat more then half a burger. I do have to say they are not the best burgers in Chicago . There are a lot of great burgers in Chi town. They are pretty equal with the top burger places. Lockdown is still my favorite but I would definitely come back again.
(5)
Analise E.

This place was absolutely awful and totally disappointing. If you want a good burger, bypass the publicity and head to the Bar on Buena or Rocks. Service wise, our waitress ignored us the entire time we were there - we had to go to the bar multiple times for water refills, drinks, silverware, etc. which was ridiculous since there were THREE other people in the entire place. The food was mediocre at best, an insane amount of some grass like substance was floating around at the bottom of my bloody mary, making it impossible to drink without getting a weird hairball like feeling in my throat. Our food also came out before our drinks, which didn't make it over to our table until about halfway through our meal. Luckily this gave us some time to watch eachothers ears bleed to the charming death metal that the hefty bartenders were blasting through the place. We ended up paying $40 for a bloody mary, a beer and a split burger. We thought about complaining but when the entire staff are wearing shirts that say "Born to Kill" and "Blood is my Kryptonite" it's not too appealing to shoot any negativity in their direction. I wish I could give this shitshow zero stars.
(1)
Carolyn L.

Seriously my favorite places for burgers in Chicago are Kumas and Kumas Too. The quality is the same at both places, which is to say, excellent! At my recent trip to Kumas Too I had the High on Fire with sriracha, roasted red pepper, pineapple, prosciutto, and chile paste. They always cook their burgers perfectly (medium rare) and it's always enough to take some home. I always look forward to friends visiting so I can take them to experience the magic that is Kuma's.
(5)
Jason C.

Better service in a prison cafeteria, Burgers were dry and flavorless except for the toppings upon them. The Mac & Cheese was probably the worst Ive ever had! This would all have been forgiving and written off as a fluke for a first time visit except I got the bill...$38.00 for a burger, Mac&Cheese and an Allagash?!?...w/tip $50.00!! Next time I'm taking my Fifty dollar bill to a BDSM Dungeon to get shit on
(1)
Albert H.

The server was very ignorant of food allergies and made it clear the kitchen would NOT accommodate them. That's ok if they want to keep the integrity of their house-made burgers, but the server couldn't at least make an effort to ask the chef or check the packaging of the food NOT made in house? Then get annoyed because we kept asking about ingredients? Are patrons not allowed to ask about the ingredients? TL;DR; Food was good, service sucked. Server was extremely rude and forgot to bring me my beer.
(1)
Nandesh G.

After having a horrible experience at their other location "Kuma", I still decided to give this place another try. They are suppose to have one of the best burgers in Chicago but they also have this really stupid sets of rules for no reason along with their "we don't give a f@*%" attitude. That made difficult for us to really enjoy our meal. I'm definitely not going back to any of their locations again. BTW, one of their rules is that they can't seat more than 6 people at a table or can't even join tables to accommodate a bigger group. That's really stupid in my opinion.
(1)
Mike H.

Kuma's is one of those Chicago "play by the rules" type places. They can essentially do what they want, and there will still be a line out the door. Once you get over that, you can start enjoying the place. We lined up about 15 minutes before they opened on a Sunday, there was already a line. There were 4 of us and because of our idiot friend, we committed rules violation number 1, you must have all members of your party there before being sat. We knew this going in so rather than wait for him to get there, we grabbed 3 seats at the bar. As far as decor, I've been to both Kuma's, the original is more of the "metal" type real Kuma's theme. Kuma's Too is nicer, and less imtimidating for the LP crowd. Both have great food. The bartender was not very pleasent to start (I feel like Kuma's wants them to have this persona for some reason), but actually ended up being awesome. There is an extensive beer list, and I'm not very craft beer savvy, nor am I very picky, so I had her choose one for me. I don't remember what it was, but it was good. The thing that really caught my eye was that they had a liquor tap at the bar serving 4 Roses bourbon. What's not to like about that? After deciding we like the bar situation, we just decided to order our food there and figured our friend could fend for himself when he got there. When looking at the menu, I was trying to remember if I had heard another rule going in, of no modifications to orders. I didn't want to upset the full sleeved bartender lady who had just warmed up to us so I didn't even try. I did go with the Mastadon burger (bbq, bacon, frizzeled onions). It was pretty awesome. We also split some pulled pork fries, and how could that possibly go wrong? Finally, our friend showed up and because we had been throwing down at the bar, the bartender stepped in to call out another rules violation, in our favor. There was a couple next to us that was only drinking at the bar, and apparently, people that are going to eat food at the bar get priority (is this a rule? I don't know, but if she made it up on the spot, I like her style). The bartender told them they had to get up so our friend could sit. I imagine somewhere on this Yelp list there is a one star review from that couple. All in all, Kuma's is a cool place and you will leave absolutely stuffed.
(4)
Jessica S.

I'm giving the low rating due to the service, not the food or beer. It took almost 15 minutes to bring one beer out, and not many people were in the restaurant. My friend also ordered a bison burger, and was served a regular beef burger. She still said it was very good, but was disappointed at not getting the bison. I would go to the other location for the true experience and skip this one. Not worth the frustration.
(2)
Laura H.

They told us it was an hour and a half wait. Then a cop came in with 5 of his bffs and got a table right away. Cool. We left.
(1)
Frances A.

Shit Shit Shit... Uhmayzeballs... craziness... I think I fell in love. Lair of the Minotaur. Holy shizzzzer. The potato chips... Mind Boggling... That is all.
(5)
Chad W.

The bad reviews on here from so called Kuma's fans are ridiculous. First and foremost it's Kuma's Too. Not Kuma's Corner. It is in fact a separate establishment in a different neighborhood. Yes it's not the same place. You are all correct. But it's still the best damn burger in Chicago. My wife and I go to Kumas Corner before every concert. It's just our thing. We always leave happy with the service and food. We love the atmosphere and love how they help the patrons waiting to eat by getting them to sit at bar. Love it. Well this week we were on our way to see Dispatch at UIC Pavillion and we decided to give KToo a chance. Well all I can tell you is that I still thought it was great. Our bartender was cool, fun and efficient. She helped my selection for drinks and food for me. Everything was perfect. So it's not the original Kuma's. I get it. And all I have to say is you're wrong to slam it. If you want that atmosphere all the time, then don't go to the new one. It's really that simple. If you want every restaurant they own to have the exact same vibe in every way, then go to Friday's or Chili's. They are all the same all the time. I find that boring. I enjoyed the no wait and light crowd at KToo. It was a nice change and with the payoff of everything I love bout the original. I still think the KC is better so I gave Too one less star. It only seems fair in that regard. But the negative reviews based strictly on that is just stupid. Don't listen to the negative reviews. Understand what the difference is going in. Go in with an open mind. And love that burger.
(4)
Marcus J.

Overrated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $38 bucks total for very average burgers... Fries were good service was meh . .... stick to Au Cheval, Edzo's.. .... Damn I wanted to like this place!!!!
(2)
Monica T.

Overpriced burger joint. I was happy that they offer all burgers as veggie burgers though. Simply not impressed overall, not even with the buns. Service was good, which may not say much because it was dead when we were there.
(3)
Greg K.

Very good burger! The burgers are big! The mac & cheese is soooooo good! This place is a solid slam dunk! Love the heavy metal rock music in the background. We will be back again for sure!
(4)
Stephen S.

I'll start this out by saying, I don't eat meat. So the review that follows is built around the veggie burger. Do they have an awesome beer list? Yes. Do they have lots of ways to dress up a burger, sure. The veggie burger was solid, but not great and the weekend nachos stylin' was a little light of the merkt's cheddar which was the only reason I ordered it. I did like the spiciness and dug the pretzel bun but you can get all these things at lots of other places. I like Kuma's Too, it's solid, but I really wish they could've brought it up to 11.
(3)
Rohan A.

I came, I saw, I conquered (the burger) and left happy, not hungry. My basis of comparison is DMK Burger Bar, but not the original Kuma's. I'll do a side-by-side comparison to provide the best representation possible. For starters, ambiance is very heavy metal-themed. I was eating alone, still wearing my workout clothes, so I felt comfortable sitting at the bar to get my food as quickly as possible. At 8:15 PM on a Tuesday, surprisingly, there was a wait to get a table, and for parties of 2+ at the bar. After 8:30, however, the place had pretty much cleared out. Wait staff were spry, sassy, but down-to-earth and efficient. Beer selection is extensive and the bartender was knowledgeable about pairing recommendations. She was also kind enough to swap out my milk stout when I did not enjoy the taste, and did not charge me extra to change my beer :) that earned her a nice tip. Now, down to the real deal: the Burgers. I'll say that one thing Kuma's Too does that DMK burger does not is unbundle the Burger and Fries. All sandwiches at Kuma's are $13, but include fries that are, well, pretty lackluster. Compare that to DMK, which charges less than $10 for a sandwich, but offers fries as an "add-on" for $5, and those fries are mind-blowing. So, holistically speaking, I think that DMK wins in terms of "big-picture" items by providing one with a superior burger AND fries experience over Kumas. However, if fries aren't your thing, then Kuma's is your place. I tried the Goatsnake: a patty with herbed goat cheese, poblano corn relish, Cholula lemon vinaigrette, and breaded buttermilk red onion. As someone who is a fan of the sweet-and-savory combination, this burger was seriously mouthwatering to every last bite. It was nice to think "out-side the bun" beyond my tried-and-trusted bleu-cheese burger. The goat added a nice texture without feeling like watery mayo, and true to their name, the breaded onion was crisp and crunchy. I was nervous about the corn relish, which actually turned out to be the savory complement to the more sweet-tanginess of the lemon vinaigrette. It was everything I could have imagined and more. Service was fast and the bill was not outrageously expensive ($25 for 1 person with tip). Now, again, I feel somewhat deceptive having not been to the original Kumas to add more details about ambiance, but since I'm moving out of Chicago soon, having a Kumas burger was indeed on my "bucket list" prior to departure. Truthfully, if you wanna try the burger without the wait, this is the way to do it.
(4)
Eames E.

I had a lunch special here which was fine. I also had a beer which was also fine. The burger I had I ordered rare but didn't have a cool pink center, which was fine. Everyone says the music here is really loud but it's honestly fine. I tried to get kicked out by disobeying every one of their rules including asking for different music and substituting "Cottage" for the cheese on my burger but they still didn't toss me, which was fine by me.
(5)
Ann M.

NOT Worth the trouble We waited nearly 2 HOURS!!! I was with someone on crutches. We were given ONE hour wait time. Can I say it again ONE HOUR wait time. I have worked in restaurants before and typically you make an effort to KEEP your customers not turn them away. I give you a grade F Kuma. I get it, you are all hardcore and trying to be edgy but seriously have some compassion for your customers. My party and I fully believe that a group with the same name was seated ahead of us. The host staff did NOT admit to this. After waiting so long the meal was a chore and we just ate to get food in our bellies. I will never go here again or recommend this place.
(1)
Jon D.

There are plenty of reviews here saying how good the food is, and I concur. I was very pleased with my burger, as well as the fries and appetizers. I found the location clean, the music (for the first time ever in a place) to my liking, and sensibly sized beer list: not too long, not too short. I'm going to get in to the service aspect, as I see a lot of negative reviews. Taking in to account that it's a busy restaurant, with long wait times, quick turn around of tables, and long hours, its safe to say that some mistakes will be made. That mistake just happened to be on our 4-top. Apparently the order had been entered, just never fired. Our waitress hadn't come by to check on us, and it had been about 45 minutes so we flagged her down and she went to check. She came back and was obviously very frazzled about it. What followed was a few free apps, a round of shots of good bourbon, and a discount from the end of the check. I could go on to quip about how the appetizer "broke" my super hunger, and therefore I couldn't finish my burger, but that would be stupid. What I found, was a staff willing to back up our server, help her out (both with serving, and checking in on us), and even someone who appeared to be a manager coming by to check up. The service of a place really can make it. I loved the food, I loved that I could hear Iron Maiden or the Misfits playing at a bar in LP, but I'm happiest with the way this place can admit fault and solve problems.
(4)
Paul Z.

My burger was overcooked and dry...well done, not medium well. For me, the recorded music was boring, but I've never cared much for that type of rock? heavy metal? I think the food is overpriced. You get a lot of meat, but the flavor and the condiments are just average. I don't think I'd go back.
(2)
Tom D.

Pretzel buns for everyone! It's a trend that people seem to like. I don't care either way, personally the best burger bread I've ever had was called "Crunchy" and was so flakey it lived up to it's name. Haven't seen this bread more than like, once, though. I'm kinda over pretzel buns as chic buns. I think the cheese served at Kuma's is so tasty and generous that the earthy, solid texture of a pretzel bun can overpower the gooey meltyness of cheese. The ironic part is, the previous bar Counter's "thing" was build your own burger, and that didn't work out now did it. So, I guess don't listen to me about the pretzel buns. PS. the bartender with pink hair was very polite.
(4)
Dara E.

As a vegetarian I wanted to give this place 4 stars but everyone else in the party really loved their burgers. They do offer a veggie burger substitution but its just a regular Gardenburger brand patty (that's what it tasted like anyway). It would have been cool if they made their own patty but I guess they're too busy making great burgers and they are a burger place so I can't hate on the veggie burger too much. The fries and homemade potato chips were good too and their root beer on draft was amazing! Our waitress, April, was awesome too! Oh yea, their homemade ketchup was yumtastic!
(5)
James T.

Atmosphere: You may not realize that you're in a place that's known for its heavy metal ambiance. There are a few metal posters and of course most of the staff is pierced and tattooed, but compared to a place like Lockdown, it's extremely mellow. Then again, this is Lincoln park. There are only so many skulls and depictions of Jesus Christ being torn apart that you can get away with displaying before you start seeing menacing looks from the neighbors. Staff: Perfect! I came her with a large group on a Sunday night for my birthday. The girl at the door asked how many, and I told her ten. She said that she could only seat eight to a party, and I said that was fine; we could just split up into whatever would make it easier. Once we all got there, there was a bit of a wait to get us seated, but she made sure to sit us all at neighboring tables so the eight limit rule didn't make much difference. We managed to find some space at the bar while we waited and our bartender was really cool and helpful to some of my friends who aren't familiar with microbrews. She told my cider drinking friend about a really nice scrumpy style cider and even put a shot of something in it to give it a bit more flavor. Our waitress was equally awesome. She was friendly, attentive and just seemed generally happy to be there. I'm aware that some reviews are saying that the staff was rude, but I didn't get that at all. Maybe we went on a happy night, maybe they were just nice to us because we were a mix of industrial/metal heads and sort of "fit the scene," or maybe these negative reviewers just have ridiculously high expectations from restaurants. I don't know. Food: I had the Black Sabbath burger which comes with pepper jack cheese and chili. It was huge and awesome and they cooked it just how I asked. I didn't have enough room left for the fries which was unfortunate because they were some kick ass fries. Every other member of our group was happy with what they had ordered. Their burgers definitely lived up to the hype. Overall: I'd probably go back if I had a group with no more than four people. This would be a great first stop on a night out. I probably wouldn't bring a first date here because you might experience a lot of awkward silence with the waiting around you're likely to experience based on some of these other reviews. I'd love to go here by myself just to sit at the bar and have a burger, but I wouldn't want to wait around by myself for a spot.
(4)
Bonnie J.

OVER-RATED!!! Waited 45 minutes for a decent burger. Had to take it to-go because the service took so long. The restaurant was not packed and the burger was not ordered well-done. The burger wasn't awful, but it also was not worth the time nor price.
(2)
Sara M.

Remember that commercial "Where's the beef?" I think Wendy's got it wrong because the beef is definitely at Kumas. These burgers are friggin HUGE. I split the Iron Maiden w/my friend over dinner a few weeks ago & let me tell you ...I'm still full. 10 oz of beef isn't something to joke around about. Overall, the burger was a little above average. Not as good as DMK but better than a pub burger. I would suggest trying it for yourself at least once so you can say you went BUT please adhere to the following tips before moving forward.... 1) don't go w/someone you are romantically interested in because there is nothing romantic about how you'll feel after you eat 2) plan on bringing 1/2 of it home or split it w/a friend 3) don't go here if you have a headache ...dear god, the rock music is LOUD 4) again...don't come here if you don't like LOUD music 5) don't come here if you have a heart condition
(3)
Dave L.

Very strange place.... They had a great beer list, and a great burger, and great service. I loved all of that, but I'm used to the original Kuma's where posters are up all over the wall and metal music is at least audible over the crowd of people eating. At Kuma's Too the posters are nicely framed and hung on the walls and I couldn't hear the music at all. Oh, they won't split checks, which is obnoxious. It's 2013, people can run credit card transactions through their phones, so a restaurant should be able to split a check for two people. I think the personality and atmosphere is much better at the original Kuma's, but whenever I'm in LP and want a burger I'll definitely stop by, I think my expectations were a little too high.
(3)
Jocelyn D.

My boyfriend and I had been meaning to check out the original Kuma's when we noticed Kuma's Too being built across from Trader Joe's last year. Since then, we've visited a few times and loved it each time. The atmosphere is heavy metal inspired, with pretty loud music and industrial-inspired decor. The restaurant can be really loud when it is busy, so my boyfriend and I have opted for the bar on those busy, loud nights. The bar is well stocked, the bartenders are always really friendly, and the seating allows you to sit close to your partner and actually hear what they are saying! As for the food, these are straight up some of the best burgers I've ever had. The texture of the meat is so buttery and juicy and flavorful. My personal favorite is the mastodon (topping consisting of barbeque sauce and grilled onions, etc) but every burger that I've tried has been excellent. Their fries are always perfectly salty and fried, served with a sriracha-infused ketchup (I think?). They also have an appetizer of fried pickles that is to die for. Each burger averages around $13-$15, and when you add in drinks, it can be a moderate bill. All in all, I don't think you can miss stopping by a burger joint that is this good, even if it is a little loud.
(4)
Kat P.

We needed a burger fix and went to Bad Apple. It blew a Kuma's burger AWAY. I got my truffle oil and goat cheese burger with a chickpea salad and my dad got his blue cheese bacon monster with truffle fries. We drank one of the like three hundred rare beers. My check was somehow 10 buck cheaper than Kumas, and our waitress didn't treat us like shit! Best burger of the year. I laughed as I walked by Kumas Too on my way home, with half of my Bad Apple burger thoughtfully wrapped by the staff (Kumas literally throws to go boxes at you), excited to enjoy it later. In case you can't tell, bad service makes me the maddest. It's the only really unforgivable thing in a dining experience.
(1)
Callie K.

I went to Kuma's Too with my friend who just had knee surgery, and the hostesses and waitresses were so accommodating to make sure she would be comfortable, even though it was a super busy night. And every single staff member we encountered, from the bartender to the person busing dishes, was friendly, attentive, and on top of things. So impressed with the service!
(5)
Daina T.

If you've been to the original Kuma's, you won't find any variation on the menu. The burgers are just as delicious, the fries/chips just as bad (RIP waffle fries), and the beer & cocktails just as great. The good thing about this location is that its not as in-your-face metal as the original location. It's neat and orderly, the staff overly pleasant, and the wait short. If you need a Kumas burger fix quick, I recommend this location.
(4)
Mindy S.

Thank you for bringing the greatness that is Kuma's to the neighborhood. The dining experience at Kuma's Too is exactly as expected, if you have been to Kuma's Corner. Loud music, fantastic burgers, mac & cheese w/tons of choices to accessorize, and unpretentious staff. The wait times can be incredibly variable, so don't assume that it is always a 2 hour wait, like is the case at Kuma's Corner. Also, the majority of reviewers on Yelp who are giving Kuma's Too 1 star most likely haven't been to Kuma's Corner and/or didn't do any research as to what kind of experience they'd have at Kuma's Too. If the music is too loud, while you are waiting an hour to eat, then just go somewhere else -- don't complain about it on Yelp.
(5)
Stephen B.

Wait time: none. Service: pretty good. Food: pretty good. Atmosphere: if you can get past, or even enjoy, the very loud and obnoxious (death) metal they're playing, you're all set. P.S. Please wipe the tables down properly and keep unoccupied tables wiped down. When bussing tables, make sure to wipe down the chairs too. Bread crumbs and food bits tend to get everywhere. OVERALL: probably not going back because of the obnoxious music. I get it. 666 W Diversey. 666 - death metal, Mastodon, Metallica, etc posters on the wall but seriously, turn the music down. Probably not going to the original location either since the wait times are outrageous. For my money, I'd go to Bad Apple or DMK ...
(2)
Chris N.

Ok soI am purely basing this review off of what this kumas is compared to the original. This kumas: Purely a place where socialite hipster trust fund yuppies can come and purchase over priced burgers and blare deep enough into their iphone to mentally block out any type of thrash metal that can be played over the in house pa. While a few skate decks represent all that metal has to offer, these trust fund transplants can chalk it off at "modern art deco" and focus back on taking pictures of their burger and posting it on instagram with the hast tag #metal OG Kumas: Is what this whole idea became about.. Friendlier staff, dive as all hell.. amazing food.. amazing people... I am a happy camper and I will drive out of my way to come here to avoid that trend show that is kumas too
(3)
RJ S.

Love Kuma's Corner. I have been there like 5 times and I like in the southern part of Lincoln Park. So when I heard they were opening a Kuma's on Diversey I was SOOO pumped. Plus my buddy from NY was coming to town, so I wanted to check it out. I hyped up the burgers to my friend, we ordered pick up, and when I got back home we dug in. All three burgers were raw. We ordered them all medium, and I don't mind a rare burger with good quality meat, but these were raw raw. For a place built on its burgers that is absolutely unacceptable. We all ate like 1/4 of the burger and then just had to throw it out. So sad. So disappointed.
(1)
Samuel R.

Ahh... Good old Kuma's Too. Lets face it, everybody loves their food which is without to say their mac n cheese is unbelievable. Usually I go with a burger as they are top notch with richness and flavor and the unusually socially acceptable egg on top. However, today I expanded into the buffalo chicken sandwich which also lived up to the Kuma's name. However, this last trip was all ruined by our server. She should be thanking god her name is escaping my memory because she was hands down the worst server I have ever had. Lets start off with the basics. First, when you receive our drink orders and tell us they will be right up, lets be within what a normal human being would consider as a reasonable time frame. Second, bring the food out yourself. There wasn't that many people in there, let alone in your table list, that should warrant you having other servers bring your tables food out. You had maybe 3 other tables of 4, please try not to be overwhelmed. Third, ask your customers, who are paying you, where you work, representing the Kuma's name, how their food is at least once throughout the casual encounter. In the end, I have no idea and am perplexed at how you ended up in the hospitality industry but you should try switching career paths. Let me tell you, I never in my life tipped a server 0. Congratulations on being the first to let you know how bad the experience was. Sincerely, Ricky
(2)
Stephen C.

I'm glad this place opened up since original Kuma's is in a location that is off my radar. Burger is really good, but I think 3 aces is better. Definitely a nice addition to the neighborhood and will be back for more
(4)
Charlie B.

Granted I only had a veggie burger, but I saw my friends burgers and they looked, but not killer. Loved our server. Liked the food. Hated the music. It was all just fine, but nothing really blew me away. I still want to check out the original location, but this spot won't be getting a return visit from me any time soon.
(3)
John J.

Stick to the original, they do not have their act together yet at the new one. We only waited 15 minutes to sit down which is basically nothing at Kuma's, but it did take exactly 50 minutes for our burgers to come out. Yes, I know its packed all the time and that's part of the experience but 50 minutes is long even for them. I never ever waited that long for a burger at the original. Then, when my burger came out, it was well done when I had ordered medium. There is absolutely no excuse for that especially at a place known everywhere for their burgers.
(2)
Elaine C.

*eye roll* Don't drink the kool-aid. I preferred the laid-back, half-empty Counter where you can get a burger and shut the fuck up about it. Now we just go next door to Michael Diversey's for a pub burger without the bad attitude from the wait staff who's daddy didn't say "I love you" enough.
(2)
Zachary J.

I'll start this off by saying that I don't often write reviews, but I felt compelled to write one for this place. From what it seems someone didn't do their homework in terms of demographics of the neighborhood. Maybe I'm an old man, but my feeling is that the crowd at lunch didn't appreciate the loud metal instrumentals. You can't hear the person talking that you are sitting with. The server that we had was lack luster. No knowledge of the beer menu, or what had been added to the tap that day. Sounds like a lack of management here. We ordered the sausage fritters which were less than flavorful. I ordered the Led Zeppelin, a friend ordered the Slayer, and another ordered the Mac and Cheese. The burgers were rock solid, fries were okay but nothing to write home about. The Mac and Cheese however totally missed the mark. It was lukewarm and you could even tell that part of the cheese hadn't melted all the way. We told the server who didn't seem to really care and only asked if we wanted another. Overall I think this place isn't well suited for the area that it's in. Last time I looked there wasn't that many metal heads living in Lincoln Park, but there are a lot of yuppie foodies who would come here for the top notch burgers. I was very disappointed and would have much rather had five guys down the road. The burgers were reasonably priced, but everything else was way overpriced. $10 for a house salad? Get outta here...this place needs a lot of work to hit that sweet spot. Unfortunately I wont be returning.
(2)
Rachel P.

Went here for dinner- was seated but no one ever came to take our order. After 15 minutes of waiting we left. Service sucks!!
(1)
Laura O.

Wow. This food should be sinful, it was so good. My friend and I ordered two different burgers, then traded halves. Both were amazing, yet tasted so different. Waitress was very sweet. Only negative was that I wanted to be taken home in a wheelchair, I was so full! Their site was down the day I went, so I was unaware that they don't take reservations. When I called to make one, the hostess had a bit of a condescending tone. Just expect a bit of a long wait!
(5)
Jon Y.

Very, very, slow service. Slloowwwwwwwww. Not impressed. One star because yelp forces me to choose one. Ketchup is bad just saying. Bring your own.
(1)
Lucy N.

If i was just rating this place based on their burgers it would be 4 out of 5 stars. However since service in America is our biggest industry, and I am a huge proponent of good customer service, I can only give Kuma's 3 out of 5 stars due to an intermediate service experience. Maybe i am yelping too much lately haha. Anyway It was a Friday night and all i wanted was an after work beer. After sitting down right away at the bar it took the bartender 15minutes to actually take my drink order due to her responsibilities of flirting with guys to get tips. I would have been far less critical if her conversations were more juicy, however she fell flat on that front. I guess she was just seeing where the wind blows her in life...like totally!! That being said after ordering my meal it came out in a timely fashion and was good.
(3)
A G.

NOBODY GO HERE! No, it isn't the loud music that bothers me. Its not that I had wait an hour to get seated. No it was none of that. The food wasn't even bad. IT WAS THE FACT THAT THE EMPLOYEES & WAITRESSES ARE RUDE. PAULINA IS THE WORST OF ALL. I don't know where she got the idea that asking for a tip was okay. You don't do that you SNOB. We clearly set money down on the table & she didn't see it but then did but that was too late. Don't get ahead of yourself honey. THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK NEXT TIME. No idea what Kuma's corner is like but I'd be happy to go there instead of this place. I don't know who does the hiring here but you certainly need somebody else to do that. and put on your "RULES" that we may have to deal with your rude, ignorant employees so we are all warned next time. And also I threw up all of my food before I went to bed that night & ended up with food poisoning. So there you go. You all have been warned. And if you get Paulina as your waitress good luck. I would just leave. She's Blonde & DUMB! Lol no wonder.
(1)
Fra C.

The place is nice, the music is loud, but if you like metal you won't complain, service was good, the burger was perfectly done.. and menu names are so much fun, definitely a great place to grab a burger in Chicago.
(4)
Sarah V.

Kuma's Too forgot to name a burger after what they should be best known for, "Stairway to Heaven". Groan. That's a little too corny... right? Even if it's absurdly true? Even though the Goatsnake burger is LEGIT the best burger I've ever had in my life? Let's talk about that Goatsnake burger, with it's herbed goat cheese, poblano corn relish, cholula lemon vinaigrette, and buttermilk breaded fried red onion. If you have had this burger at the original Kuma's, then shutupaboutit and let me muse over the glory of the burger in the new location. Some of us aren't fancy enough to have visited both locations. This burger is everything you have ever dreamed of. First of all, it's on a pretzel bun, like all KT burgers (I think?). But then the meat is top quality, juicy, luscious beef. Then, we move on to the creamy, tangy goat cheese, which is married so beautifully with the lemon. Who ever thought lemon and goat cheese would taste so amazing together? KT did. Topped off with sassy corn relish and fried onions- who doesn't want to eat fried onions until they explode?!-and you have truly the greatest burger in 'Merica. Screw off, Rockit with your Rockit Burger. Tootles DMK and your Caesar Burger. Deuces Epic Burger and your.... burgers. I don't actually know what you're known for because I don't find fried burgers tasty. Oh, and one more thing. I experienced this grandiose burger as takeout. Yup. That burger was hot, juicy, tasty and still in its massive form with fries piled sky high in it's takeout container. I wouldn't have known the difference if it were served right in front of me. The real kicker- I saved half, reheated in the microwave the next day, and it STILL TASTED JUST AS AMAZING. Boom.
(5)
Alba R.

Since, I heard about the second location opening, I was enticed to give it a try, and finally did! Great food like always, no complaints there. Actually there is one complaint, WHERE ARE THE FLIPPING WAFFLE FRIES???????????? I was a tad bit disappointed those have not made a comeback yet. Spacious and newer location, same loud music. Eh, don't complain about the wait, it's the same wait as the Belmont location, unless of course you know someone than you can bypass all the rules ;-)
(4)
Kate B.

The difference between Kuma's and Kuma's Too is the atmosphere. Tiny little Kuma's has so much decor and memorabilia and the staff there seemed experienced and equipped with the classic Kuma's attitude...which if you know before hand, you'll end up liking it. Kuma's Too is settled in a uppity neighborhood complete with uppity people wanting to drink Chardonnay at a burger bar. They do not have chardonnay. They will not turn down the music and they do not have any vegan options. Our server was somewhat inattentive and slow but they did just open when we went so I will give the benefit of inexperience. I got a delicious vegetarian burger that, surprisingly with how much attention they place on their actual burgers, was SO delicious and perhaps rivals other spots for the best veggie burger in the city. If you haven't been to a Kuma's before, definitely go to the original one in Avondale before stopping at Kuma's Too, which I'd liken it up to a quick fix if you're closer to this one than actual Kuma's.
(4)
Lexie V.

WARNING: THIS IS NOT THE REAL KUMA's I was pretty excited to learn that there was a new location that was a lot more accessible. Unfortunately it isn't even close to being the same. The interior is really strange.... there is no charm like the original Kuma's has. I was so confused. Who decorated? I hope they weren't paid very much. Also I swear the music is even louder here. I don't mind loud music but I could not hear anything any of the people at my table were saying... but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The beer list and the food are just as good, and I guess in the end that is all that matters. Also there was no wait when I went which is awesome.
(3)
Melissa G.

The burgers here are great - I had the Kuma's original. They're big -- everyone at my table took half a burger home with them. The service was kind of slow, hence the 4 stars. Our table shared mac and cheese (build your own) as an appetizer and waited a while for our burgers to come out, but both dishes were worth it.
(4)
Stu S.

Not having been impressed with the service or the food at the original location, I have been hesitant to give this one a try. But a friend was itching to get there, so what the hell? The two of us went at 7:20pm on a Saturday night and got in within about 20 minutes (how un-Kuma's, right?!). After finding out that they were out of the amazing sounding special, I ordered a medium Goatsnake burger. The burger *looked* right when it came out, but the patty was definitely dry. Needless to say, I was not impressed Well, I've given both Kuma's a shot and in my mind, they don't live up to the hype (though I should mention that the service at Kuma's Too is WAY better than at the original). Seriously, there are so many better places to get a burger in this area--Butcher & the Burger and DMK being my two favorite--that I wouldn't recommend spending your time or money here. But hey, it seems like they'll do just fine without my business.
(2)
Antonio M.

Atmosphere and hostess great. Service pretty good. Ordered the Chili and Lair of the Minotaur Burger both very good. Even the fries didn't disappoint. Will return to sample more.
(4)
Pete S.

There is a serious attitude problem with the staff especially the manager you will encounter. He is beyond arrogant and condescending. He loves to tell you he has been in this business for 6 years so he knows what he is doing. Well in 6 years he hasn't learned how to deal with people Not only was he exceedingly rude to me but two other tables got up and walked out after speaking with him. This may work in Avondale but to the Lincoln Park customer not so much. A wait on a Friday is expected but when the hostess deliberately leaves tables open with no reservations there is a problem. When the hostess is rude to customers with the "were awesome and other customers will replace you" mentality I just do not see this business flourishing down the line. The food was good but not near as good as the original. The fries were soggy and the chips were not much better. Best thing was the music was not near as loud as the original. I just think the customers have to stop flocking to here because of the Kuma name to see some change in the joint. Best of luck!
(2)
Stephen R.

Just all right. I guess after years of hype from certain friends and acquaintances ("Even the BUN it's on is worth the 2 hour wait!" according to one of 'em) I should have expected it to be less than magical in reality. After all, I never did end up eating at the original, because after a few visits with "oh, it'll be a 3 hour wait" and refusing to do so, I knew I was destined to never eat at Kuma's. But with Kuma's Too, I did. Giant new Lakeview space and lots more seating. But Kuma's wants to keep the myth of the original alive -- boy do they EVER. "It'll be a 40 to 45 minute wait." On a weekday. At 1pm. With maybe 8 people by the front door and a few tables visibly empty. "Well, we MIGHT be able to do it sooner, but I'm not sure." Ok, sure, put our names down. How is that possible?! Well, it wasn't. We were seated in 5. But I saw a few others just leave when quoted the phantom "wait." The burger was good, but it was... a burger. Meat was good and well cooked. Bacon was thick and legit. Fries were decent. Service was all right. Filling portion -- my friend and I didn't even finish our portions. But it was definitely NOT a 3 hour wait meal. Not even a 2 hour. Heck, if I DID have to wait 45 minutes for a table it wouldn't have been worth that. Not to mention the MADDENING death metal music at club decibels on a weekday afternoon. And by the time we left? About a third of the restaurant was empty. It's not that little dive metal bar by the Kennedy with "the best burgers EVER!" It's a giant steel-and-glass behemoth storefront on Diversey, Clark, and Broadway by Express and Ann Taylor. Something here is lost in translation, and I doubt the "dive bar" vibe is gonna get the raves here during the lunch hours that it can get at the old joint. Prediction? A lot of the mystique about that little place with the 3 hour wait will go up in smoke once people can just stop on in to Kuma's Too. It's just a good burger. Nothing exceptional.
(3)
Mary H.

Meh. For a brand with Kuma's reputation, I expected to be blown away by the burgers here. While I'm not the hugest fan of red meat, I do enjoy a good burger from time to time, and was looking forward to checking out what the hype was all about. First of all, the burgers are huge. Like, disgustingly large. Total "First World Problem" here, but my burger was so large it was almost inedible. Sure, the toppings and tasty treats they smother on these things are good, but the amount of stuff on each burger detracts from the quality of the meat, making it damn near impossible to taste it. Also, maybe this was a one time thing, but my dining companion ordered a (pretty standard) medium rare burger, and the meat was practically still bleeding. If you're not into super rare burgers, go medium. Considering the size of the sandwiches, the prices certainly make sense. I wish I had enjoyed it more, but it just wasn't my thing.
(2)
Stephen H.

I was really excited to have the legendary Kuma's burger, but this was kind of a let down. The hostess was snippy, but I don't particularly care about that. What I care about is... THE BURGER: I got the classic Kuma's with bacon, cheese and a fried egg, medium-rare, and a side of fries. Everything had the POTENTIAL to be amazing if the preparation had been better. The burger was cooked medium--maybe medium-well. It was barely pink in the middle, dry, and didn't have much flavor. (The bacon, however, was the best bacon I've ever had on a burger.) There were actually a few delicious bites! The egg yolk was juicy enough that, when combined with a good bit of bacon, it tricked my mouth into thinking I was eating a juicy, medium-rare hamburger. The fries were clearly cooked and seasoned perfectly... whenever they were made. By the time they got to me, they were kind of chewy and stale. My wife got the chips and they were the same. Cooked wonderfully, but room temperature and kind of stale. I tried some other people's fancier gourmet burgers, but they all had the same issues: tasty, interesting toppings on overcooked, dry beef. This wasn't a good experience, but the ingredients had potential. I have a feeling that, if someone in the kitchen gets their shit together, it could be an amazing place to eat.
(2)
FoodLover Z.

Went here for a casual lunch with my wife and infant daughter this weekend. I had heard great reviews about Kuma's and wanted to try out some of their innovative burgers. And the place didn't disappoint. The music was a tad too loud, but that's expected of a place that has burgers named after heavy metal bands. I had a beef burger with poached pears, brie and caramelized onion, while my wife had the veggie patty with goat cheese and fried onions. Both the burgers were fantastic. I'd highly recommend this place.
(5)
Laurie H.

I am so happy that Kuma's Too is in the neighborhood. Both locations are walking distance for me and they are alike, but different. This Lincoln Park location is a perfect place to grab a tasty burger for lunch. The lunch burger (5.3oz burger instead of the whopping 10oz) for $8 is very reasonable. My burger was cooked to my requested temperature. Food arrived with 15 mins and I found the staff to be attentive, no waiting, no snobbery...I think their homemade ketchup is just right. I am glad that the buggie brigade doesn't have a home here, go to Ed Debevics. I prefer adult crowds and metal music. Oh...and the burgers are probably the best in the city.
(4)
Phil X.

Being a huge fan of the burgers from Kuma's Corner, I had to check out Kuma's Too. I came here on opening week with my gf and was told by the hostess it would be around a 15 minute wait. Compared to the orginal Kuma's Corner, that was music to my ears. I noticed the space is much bigger than the original. And on top of that, the kitchen is now separated and in the back! We were seated on time and ordered the following: -Mac & Cheese with Bacon & Scallions -Plague Bringer Burger -Weekend Nachos Burger Now, don't judge...yes, that Mac & Cheese was our appetizer. Yes, the plate was bigger than my head. We shared it and still took home leftover M&C. Here's a tip that I've shared over and over again: When eating M&C w/ bacon 'n scallions....drizzle some Sriracha Chili Sauce all over it! It becomes even more awesome! Also, it pairs very well with any IPA beer! I ordered the SixPoint Resin IPA and thoroughly imbibed. Both the Plague Bringer and Weekend Nachos Burger were on point. The Plague Bringer... If you love garlic the Plague Bringer is where it's at. It is extremely spicy if you leave all the jalepeno slices in. I'm a big fan of Merkt's Cheddar so I had to try the Weekend Nachos Burger. It was delicious. All in all the service was good and I was happy that with the service and the food. The food was no different the the original. No complaints....except that they are never bringing back waffle fries...ever. -minus one star.
(4)
Kristi L.

I am a fan of burgers, beer and bourbon and Kuma's Too did not disappoint. The food is great and the service was good. Kudos to the bar, as we were there on a decently busy Thursday evening and we received our drinks pretty promptly. I will definitely return!
(4)
Chuck W.

How can you go wrong with Kumas? I've been here thrice so far and generally the line isn't quite as bad as their original location. This place also has the added bonus of air conditioning which was perfect, considering it was in the 90s on my most recent visit. The downside is that I feel like this location is more expensive with burgers being in the 14-17 dollar range. Perhaps they've increased the prices at the original location as well, but I seem to remember burgers only being $11-13. Even so, kick ass burgs, pretty solid drink list, metal, satan, pentagrams. I do wish they had a couple TVs set up though, I miss watching ultra violent japanese films with tentacle rape while I enjoy my burger.
(4)
Payton J.

Return to kuma's too. Found out that one of my girlfriends buddies works there now, and she told us to stop in again and that it was much improved. I agree. Much improved. Both times back have been really consistent.
(4)
Marissa J.

Go to DMK instead. So the service is not good. Very slow and inattentive, but that isn't what bothered us. We expected it based on the reviews. What we did not expect was the less than good food. We showed up around 5pm on a Sunday, admittedly early for dinner. It took a while for the food to come out and when it did our burgers were overlooked, bland, and greasy, and the fries were cold and unsalted, like they had been sitting in the kitchen. I'm just glad we didn't have to wait for a table or I would have been really unhappy instead of just disappointed.
(2)
Jennafer O.

To begin, I never thought I'd miss The Counter so much. I went to Kuma's Too as a party of 4 this evening. I live next door to Kuma's Too and I am a major supporter of our local businesses, so I couldn't wait to try this place. I expected a long wait and was told 1 hour wait at 6:30pm on a Friday night. Very fair. However, we ended up waiting 2.5 hours, and the "manager" Seth could not have been less empathetic or accommodating about that! After about 1.5 hours, the hostesses asked us to move away from the bar where we were having drinks, so that they could "reduce the wait time for everyone." Apparently the entire staff of Kuma's Too stinks at math because they could easily have been seating parties of 4 by ADDING two 2-tops together. Instead, the wait for 2-tops was 5 minutes all night long, and the wait for 4-tops was 2.5 hours. At the very least, they could at least have offered the 4 of us to sit in a row at the bar, which we happily would have done and were halfway accomplishing already before they kicked us out. So much for enjoying a night out with your friends... sad that you cannot enjoy Kuma's Too with a party of over 2 people! Do NOT come here with a party larger than 2 unless you want to waste your entire night lingering awkwardly by the front doorway! Then the food came... I must say that their mac & cheese (we got broccoli and caramelized onion) was some of the best mac & cheese in the city. Kudos to that and the only reason I gave 2 stars instead of 1. However, their staple item, the signature Kuma's Burger, was absolutely terrible! I ordered mine medium-well and it came out beyond well done, burnt and dry as a brick. Had I known they would ruin my burger like that, I would have ordered it rare, expecting medium. I barely ate my burger but after our 2.5 hour wait fiasco, just didn't have the heart to complain or do anything about it. Too bad a burger joint cannot properly grill their burgers to order. It came with old, oily limp fries. The only joy was homemade ketchup, which is always a pleasure to see at restaurants. Now I am home with a splitting migraine headache from the homicidal music playing at 100 decibels in my ears all night long. I appreciate their heavy metal selections but just wish it wasn't so deafening. I wonder if the staff of Kuma's Too will suffer from early deafness? They should really consider wearing earplugs and offer them to their guests at the front door. I am glad I tried Kuma's Too... and you should try just once too if you're up for it... but I *never* hope to go back to this awful place. Unlike The Counter which was a neighborhood staple, great place to take family and visitors, and with excellent food and friendly staff, Kuma's Too just doesn't live up to all the hype. It is not a sustainable restaurant for our neighborhood. Frozen dinners from Trader Joe's across the street will forever be a better dinner option, let alone the countless other excellent small businesses (Barrio, for example) nearby!
(2)
Michael S.

This place is ok at best... not sure what the hype was about. Given it's proximity to DMK I thought they'd have a better burger, but in my opinion they don't. Just an average/greasy/big burger. I also had to wait almost 40 minutes to get a burger for take out. Whatevs, I live closer to DMK anyway. Maybe I'll take others suggestion and try the original Kumas sometime, I've never been.
(2)
Erica M.

Was so excited to eat at Kumas too!! Have heard many amazing things about the original and was thrilled to hear that they were coming to my neighborhood. I came in tonight wth my kids and we ordered food to go. the burgers were pretty good! However, I just can't see kumas doing well with their music blasting at the deafening volume it was playin at tonight. How are any of the many many lincolnpark and lakeview families supposed to bring their families here for dinner? I'd think kuma relies on foot traffic to draw people in....I saw several groups walk in and then out after hearing the music. I give you 6 months-1year if you don't become more family friendly.....there are just too many other options (dmk, indie burger, crosbys, even mcdonalds) in our area. You are not a neighborhood dive...you are next to an akira and a ann taylor loft on a very commerical street. its a different clientelle. A burger is not worth losing hearing over.....
(2)
Jeffrey M.

Being a once upon a time regular of Kuma's Corner I felt I had to check out the new joint. Walking in I didn't know what to make of the decor. Initially I thought fine dining in hell, but by the end of the meal I decided that the original had been ass raped by McDonalds and this place was the result. This place was depressing from the decor to the wannabe service staff. I need to go to the Corner soon just to cleanse myself of this place. Maybe it's a decoy to draw the tourists off the Corner. In the end the true reason I hate this place is because the food sucked. Same menu, poor execution. The usually gooey and creamy delicious mac n cheese was shit. The burger was overcooked. The toppings were shit. Oh wait you're a tourist? I'm sorry! No it's great! Go, enjoy, stay the fuck off the Corner.
(2)
Tristan C.

You know how when you have a weird dream and things that are familiar are all smashed together and out of context? This was a little like that. There's an interesting but disorienting juxtaposition happening at Kuma's Too if you know and love the original Kuma's. I don't mind that its next to an Ann Taylor. But it's just weird that the wait was less than an hour, and I didn't have to fight someone for a seat on the window sill. There was just like, space. My friends kept saying we got seated before they had time to finish their first beer. As far as the food goes, the mac & cheese was just as amazing as ever, and the fries were also the same. They forgot to sauce two of our burgers, but the server brought me some. The burgers were also super good, I got the mastadon, which is all I have ever ordered, and it was great, but like a lot of reviewers have mentioned it was missing a little something, something that is hard to describe. And if its not just that it wasn't cooked in that tiny kitchen, on a super seasoned smokey grill, it probably had something to do with not having to wait 2 or 3 hours, drinking beer in a dark, crowded, metal blasting room. It's missing anticipation. And anger. There could be a lot more anger. And more bears.
(4)
Jimmy G.

They're rude. Not worth it.
(1)
Clint M.

As pictured in photograph number 46, I ordered the Slayer Burger. The description was very appetizing, a 10 ounce beef patty laid over a double order of fries, layered with chili, cheese, and sausage. If you have ever gone hunting, you would know the privilege and the responsibility that goes into slaughtering another living creature. The Slayer burger is the embodiment of unnecessary human excess. If an establishment is going to use that much meat in an entree it should pay homage to the being from which it came. The pound of chili, sausage, and beef, tasted as though it was sourced from a mediocrity tree. It was very bland and appeared as no care was taken in its preparation. The entire dish, fries and beef included was overpowered by the tasteless chili. The macaroni and cheese gets two stars as it was wonderful, but never have I been ashamed after eating a meal, partly because I only took a couple of bites, but knowing that the majority of the combined 26 ounces of meat was taken from the living for no reason.
(2)
Brett K.

Killer staff. Great Kumas food without the wait.
(5)
Jen M.

I love a good burger. The key to giving me a good burger experience includes the following: *juicy *properly seasoned beef *cooked to internal temperature requested *fresh bun *great fries on the side with malt vinegar *friendly service So, Kuma's over delivers on a juicy, well seasoned burger. I got the Led Zeppelin and it did not disappoint on flavor with pulled pork, bacon, cheddar, BBQ sauce and pickles. And it is clear they make their own BBQ sauce and ketchup. Awesomely good on both of those. However (you knew that was coming, right?). The ingredients are mediocre quality. And I requested my burger medium and it came out medium rare. The pretzel bun was slightly stale. And THEY DO NOT HAVE MALT VINEGAR. Come again? What burger and fries joint does not have malt vinegar? Big bummer. I usually stick to grass-fed burgers but I was flexible because my friend said their burgers were food. And to be honest, I had a bit of buyer's remorse midway through the meal when I Yelped grass-fed burger places and came across the Butcher And Burger. Next time I will go there. Service at Kuma's had an attitude. Our female server Paulina had a major chip on her shoulder. The first thing she said when she approached our 4-top table (two of us were occupying)..."is there only two of you?" And when she came by at the end of the meal to ask if we wanted boxes and we said no, she looked really surprised. Then she sent the bus boy over to clear our table and he asked us the same question and looked confused when we didn't want to box anything. Sorry... but a place with this big of an attitude that charges up to $17 for a conventional beef burger with various toppings that is not cooked properly and doesn't have malt vinegar has some seriously big balls... Skip Kuma's and head to Flub-A-Dub Chub for a WAY better conventional burger and family-like service...or by all means go to Kuma's and be prepared to get VERY specific on how you want your burger cooked since they undercook them. And, they don't take AMEX. And they don't split checks. And there is a 1 credit card max per table. And...I'm over it.
(2)
Eric E.

Burgers are best in the city. Only reason they don't get five stars is there's a consistency problem at the new location. Check your burger before you eat it as its temperature is often incorrect. This has never happened in 20+ visits to the original Avondale location. Obviously the B squad here but same burger recipes which are incredible.
(4)
Kelly O.

I will start out saying that my boyfriend enjoyed his food and mine was pretty okay but there were a few things... 1)Yeah, it's a long wait. We planned for it. Showed up an hour before we thought we would be hungry and we killed time by going next-door for drinks. 2) I'm a vegetarian. Don't hate me for that. I cook meat for my boyfriend. I've worked food service and cooked, served and presented meat without complaint. I just have made a personal choice not to eat it. I honestly don't care what anyone else does. Just wanted to get that out before you go "what vegetarian goes to Kuma's? What an idiot." I have also made a personal choice to not order a Morningstar Gardenburger at a restaurant when I can buy a box for 4 bucks. I am so not willing to pay $13 bucks for a from-the-box piece of processed crap. So I asked our nice waitress if the veggie burgers were made in-house or if they were a gardenburger or something similar because it is not indicated on the menu. She responded without hesitation that they were made in-house. That is not the case. I would have easily ordered a salad or mac and cheese instead and I was more than a little annoyed at receiving the exact thing I had stated I didn't want. I don't know if this was from ignorance on the waitress or what but I was hungry after waiting nearly two hours to eat and ate it. I wish Kuma's had higher standards than Burger King (which serves the same brand of veggie burger).
(2)
Try4Gold ..

Disaster...completely a disaster. I can't even begin to think how anyone who's been to Kumas Corner would rate this dump higher than 1 star. First of all Kumas Corner is a great place - cool, hip...a really nice vibe...doesn't come across as pretentious which gives it ALL of its charm. Kumas 2 looks like a coffee shop or worse yet a wine bar. The Disney like fake atmosphere appears to be an extremely weak effort to bring some type of connection to the original bar - MISS, total fail. The orange flame walls look more like a women's shoe store or something trying to be Harley biker chic. Okay enough bashing on the terrible design efforts some fool convinced the owner would work (it won't this place may ultimately drag down both bars as it completely undermines the original place) - Now onto the hostesses who greet you at the door - not the cool neighbor hott chicks from Kumas Corner but instead the head up their ass completely overwhelmed from Lincoln Park neighborhood tweets that have zero interest in figuring out who is who and who has been waiting and YES you will be overlooked and YES others will be seated ahead of you - The idiots hostess' (and yes there are 2 of these that giggle with each other while anxious customers have to remind them who next...not the recently arrived people). Cold hamburgers...just what you want after waiting 2 hours...cold food. Even if they fix this HUGE mistake and start to serve food that is hott nothing changes about how crappy this restaurant bar is. SAVE your money SAVE your time...eat at McDonalds if you must, just don't be fooled into thinking this place might be good - its not, its nothing like Kumas Corner...its almost as if this dump has different owners. the only saving grace was our waitress - she was awesome, friendly personal, fun...still doesn't change crappy food, cold food, terrible decor and Disney like vibe. Counting the days until it closes.
(1)
Alyssa C.

Good burgers, good beer, average ambiance. Didn't live up to the hype. Portions are crazy large!
(3)
Stefanie M.

Pretty good service, not a long wait for 5 on a Friday but if I order a burger medium (and you define medium on your menu as pink in the center) I expect a $15 burger to be medium not very well done. Long story short, go to DMK.
(2)
Brad S.

Everybody loves "Kumas". Not me. I'm convinced people who say they like Kumas actually only like the idea if it- heavy metal music, severely oversized portions, rude staff...sounds great! I've been to the original "Kumas" twice and "Kumas Too" once...and I can officially say now I'm not a fan. I ordered "Slayer", and overlooked that it was 10 ounces of burger on the menu. A good server would have warned me that "Slayer" is a giant pile of slop on a plate big enough to raise the cholesterol of 4 people...the whole plate weighs 3 lbs! My server didn't warn me. So after barely putting a dent in it, I bit my lip and said thank you, and then threw the leftovers in a trash can where they belong. "Kumas" isn't bad-ass...it's just bad.
(1)
Russ D.

Best burger in Chicago, hands down. In fact, the Lair of the Minotaur burger is perhaps both the best named and best tasting burger I have ever had ANYWHERE. Pretzel buns. 10 oz. burgers. Cooked perfectly to medium rare. Friendly service. Just go! All in all I sampled the YOB burger, Lair of the Minotaur, and the burger of the month for August - the Nails burger. Yes. I hate 3 burgers in one sitting. They were that good. Note: There is loud and aggressive metal playing for atmosphere so if that's not your thing, perhaps order to go if that's an option - the food is worth it. All I could hear was the sweet music of my burgers though!
(5)
Megan S.

the burgers were good, but our server seemed a little annoyed because we didn't fit in with the crowd well enough. Music is a little loud, so it made it a little hard to keep a conversation. But, all in all, they have make our own mac and cheese so i can't complain
(3)
Egle M.

Love the original Kumas on Belmont. However, this new location seems too sterile. Waitresses don't hurry. Food is tasty. Found a stack of highchairs. Kumas is not a place for children. $30 for lunch is just too spendy. Will be back for take-out only as work down the block.
(3)
Anne M.

I stopped in for a late lunch on a Tuesday. I'd heard great things about the original Kuma's so I thought I'd give it a try. I was underwhelmed. The food was okay. Decent burger but far from the best I've ever had. The French fries are skin-on and salty; no complaints there. What I don't think they do very well here is ambiance. It was 3pm on a Tuesday and they played loud screamo music the whole time I was there. Also, another major drawback for a solo diner: no wifi. I won't rush back.
(2)
Mark Z.

You will wait. You will hear loud heavy metal music. You will have an incredible burger. These are three things that you will probably have every time you come here. Anybody who complains about the first two things are simply avoiding reality. Those two things shall happen. I hate heavy metal. Well, I used to like Metallica (I bet heavy metal listeners will virtually slap me when they read that), but that's about it. I really really had an unpleasant auditory experience here. So what, I was here to fill my belly with absolutely astonishingly delicious burger. I did. I ordered the Neurosis burger and my wife ordered the Yob. Both were delicious. Mine was some combination of sauteed mushrooms, onions, cheese, horseradish mayo, and a few other things? The thing tasted like french onion soup on a burger. I like french onion soup. I only ate half, and get to enjoy half tomorrow for lunch. My wife was so ticked that she enjoyed her burger so damned much because we know at some point in the future we're going to have the urge to have a damn fine burger but will have to wait, and will have to listen to terrible music (only because I don't like metal). You know what though? It's what we will expect, and at the end our belly will be full, and it will be happy. Kuma's gets five stars because it's about the burgers here. The burgers are five star burgers, and I've had a lot of burgers in my life. These are legit, and they get every star I can possibly pick.
(5)
Jen R.

Called to place a lunch order and the girl who answered the phone was super snotty! OK then, I won't be getting your $15 hamburger??
(2)
Stuart B.

food and beer selection great, the music / attitude keeps me from coming back.
(3)
Jay B.

Not sure how this place managed to be a disappointment but it was. The original is somehow better. No reason it should be, but it is. Been going to the one on Belmont for 7 years... will continue to take my business to that location.
(2)
Michael D.

Love Kumas Korner, was excited about Kumas Too opening. I called to ask a few questions and was extremely disappointed at how rude the girl was who answered the phone. I won't be frequenting this establishment.
(1)
Kevin M.

Plague Bringer is fantastic
(4)
Toni T.

I couldn't tell you how good the food was because we left! The place was so dirty I couldn't even stomach the thought of eating there. I've never seen a restaurant with floors that dirty. The table needed to be wiped off. What a disappointment! It doesn't deserve one star but I couldn't post it otherwise
(1)
Kay S.

I like the idea of this place. I love loud music and an "alternative" atmosphere placed in the middle of a not-so-alternative part of town. However, the music is so ridiculously loud that you have to scream at the top of your lungs just to place an order. This place makes me wish I knew sign language so I wouldn't leave with strained vocal cords every time I go there. That being said, their mac n cheese is phenomenal. The pretzel buns are amazing but sometimes there's so much on top of the burger that you need to use a fork and knife and it turns in to a messy jumble of food. Great selection of beer/spirits. The service is hit or miss. Not a bad place to check out if you've never been.
(3)
Mason C.

Rating is really 2.5 stars. This is just my opinion, but it was only decent. I told my friend, "How good could a burger be?", and I was right. This place totally didn't live up to the hype I was hearing. Not only did it not live up to the hype, it flopped pretty bad in my book. We came after work and there was no wait at all so that was awesome. I ordered the original kuma burger just to get the feel of kuma's style. When the burger came out I was delighted. Big portions and for a reasonable price! The burger was on a pretzel bun served with a 10oz beef patty, egg, bacon, onions, and some lettuce type vegetable. The beef The patty itself was very bland in flavor and I couldn't really taste beef at all. I even ate pieces of the patty by itself to be sure it wasn't the other ingredients interfering with the flavor. The patty also had a strange processed look to it. Texture wise, it was similar to the turkey patties that trader joes sells. It looked like someone bought ground beef and ran it through a high powered blender to mush everything together. Other than that it was cooked pretty well. The bun Pretzel bun? really? Pretzel buns are cool, but i kinda wished they had the stereotypical style buns cooked to a crisp with butter. Yum. Instead, the burger comes with a monstrous pretzel bun that doesn't complement the beef that well. First of all, the pretzel bun was very dense and thick. If I wanted to go eat bread I would have went to Panes bread cafe. Because of the high bread content, it helped to cover up even more of the beef flavor. The fries I guess they were ok. Nice portions and everything. I've had better fries at a brunch place called "batter and berries". That is pretty sad.... Things not included in this rating (because I didn't care enough for this to effect my ranking) -music didn't feel like it belonged. I know the original kuma's had a certain feel and style to it, but this is lakeview. Seemed like they were trying too hard to act cool. I think I would be more interested if I was greeted by oompa loompas when I entered the restaurant. -Kuma burger had bacon + beef + and egg. Why is this considered the original kuma's burger? Surely it can't be because it tastes good. Because it doesn't. I love bacon, I love beef, I love eggs. Combine the three and you get something analogous to throwing every color of the rainbow into a bucket hoping to get the color white. The flavors of these three ingredients hide the intricacies of each ingredient and does not improve it! The only reason I didn't include this in my rating is because I specifically ordered this(since it was the famous kuma's burger). TLDR; no beef flavor. too much bread. ok fries. no oompa loompas.
(2)
Shane E.

Kuma's Corner, the original location, has a special feel and incredible food. As such, I was initially worried that an additional location would potentially detract from the overall brand. That said, this location was great. The burgers are incredible here, just like Kuma's Corner, and the beer list is extensive. Given the insane lines to eat at the original, a second location was warranted if they did it right (they did).
(4)
Andrew L.

WHAT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU! Prior to this discovery, I tried to go to the O.G. Kuma's a few times and was never able to convince my stomach to wait 1-2 hours for sustenance. Out with two friends, we moseyed to K2 and were promptly seated. I knew the atmosphere of Kuma's was loud and on this summer night you could hear the metal blasting out of the open garage door window. The burgers were quite good. My buddy had the classic with an egg and bacon. Can't go wrong with that. Tip: Medium rare = rare. I went with the Pantera--mexican flavors with a burger in the middle. My lady friend opted for the healthy offerings of a salad and chili. I did my duty and sampled these non-artery clogging dishes. The spinach salad was tasty but not mind blowing. The chili tasted like pre-ground pepper. Not a ton of different heat/flavor. Our server was friendly and helpful. The vibe unfortunately sabotaged (is that a metal band?) my otherwise good experience of food and service. So if you want to shout/not hear your dinner company, no issues. But if you like to talk and listen, it'll be tough at Kuma's. Good burgers, albeit a bit pricey.
(3)
Max T.

Same good ass burgers just in a more commercially appealing spot. I prefer the original location but it was nice to check Too out and as first to not have to experience a Kumas line. I did notice that this place will most likely experience summer crowds with the garage style window in front and I would like to check that out. Same everything though really so either One or Too should do.
(4)
Thomas N.

WOW! What an amazing burger and ambient space! I come from a long lineage of metalheads and took my mother, sister, and father here today; the original metalhead. They played all of Vulgar Display of Power by Pantera, and when my father asked to turn up the volume, they didn't even hesitate! On top of this, our waitress was amazing. Chris or Kris was a gorgeous blue-haired beauty and I hope to cross paths again. I will be back here for the burgers, the metal, and the belladonas!!
(5)
Jul N.

This review is mostly about the mac! Tho more $$ than other places, the mac and cheese loaded with whatever you'd like is great - creamy with a thin crumb topping and plenty of it. Good beer list. Not so much a fan of this type of restaurant's loud ambiance, but I'm including it in my mac and cheese favorites list because it's that good.
(4)
Isa A.

If anyone bitches about the music of this place, then go somewhere else and quit bitchin. Burgers- awesome. People- awesome. Everything else- awesome.
(5)
Ryan B.

I've been to Kuma's Too a few times. It doesn't seem to get as busy as the original Kuma's, but the menu is the same. Burgers are good and VERY filling. I usually take half home for later. I'm a big fan of the Iron Maiden. The burgers are well seasoned and they're topped well. The beer selection is pretty good too!
(5)
Brett H.

Everyone talks about Kuma's as if it's a mythical place - like it was the "Hot Doug's" of burgers. Maybe Kuma's 1 is better, I don't know - I certainly had a perfectly fine burger - The Pantera - housemade ranchero salsa, bacon, shredded Monterrey jack, roasted poblano, tortilla chips. Like I said, a perfectly fine burger, not exactly nuanced or exciting, but not bad either. I figure I'll go back and try something else, perhaps I'll just go to the original. I just spotted a review out of the corner of my eye that mentions the special of the month for Sept. being a buffalo maple fried chicken sandwich with bleu cheese, applewood smoked bacon and pickled celery. That sounds pretty tasty, actually. I don't have tattoos, am not that into martial arts films (screened on the TV when I was there) and don't enjoy metal to the degree that the owners do, so I guess I'm not their target audience. The waitstaff at the bar was attentive and friendly, so that's all good. Like I said, I didn't hate it so I'll give it another shot.
(2)
Yen L.

Very good burgers. Really found mine delicious and am glad we decided to go here for lunch. I had the Yob and my boyfriend had the Neurosis, and we were both very happy. Mine was an easy pick (they don't call me Garlic Girl for nothing), but it had some unusual twists like the roasted red pepper flat patty that elevated the taste for me. As for ambience, I had heard about the metal music so I was prepared and therefore it didn't bother me quite as much, but I still think it's a little unnecessary. The service was very good. Sometimes these metal-y places kind of incorporate aloof/difficult service into their whole shebang, but not in this case. Very attentive, helpful, and perfect timing. All around great! Wouldn't go for dinner, personally, as it's just a very quick experience. I'm an incredibly slow eater and even given that fact we weren't there for more than 35 min. But for a nice weekend lunch it was wonderful.
(5)
Aubrey W.

Several people told me to grab a burger from this place. They did not disappoint! The food was great. The burger was delicious also try the Mac and cheese it is amazing!
(5)
Lillian S.

As usual the burgers are great, but there is a very, very noticeable moral issue amongst the staff. It's easy to blame the attitudes and general demeanor of the serves and hosts, but it's clear that there is a serious lack of effective management. I witnessed a manager berate an employee on the floor, in front of other patrons recently and I am sure I am not the only one who was made to feel uncomfortable by this exchanged. Completely unprofessional. No wonder the staff seems so miserable. A boss does just that, boss others about. But a leader inspires by setting the president and the example. Success begins at the top. Get it together or forever continue to witness lousy reviews based upon the complete lack of acceptable customer service.
(2)
Jason B.

I was really surprised to see the wait was only 30 minutes on a Saturday night, but maybe it's always like that? In all actuality, the wait for this burger was about 2 years long....and yeah, it's a great burger, but the burger was outshined by the amazing pulled pork on top of it. I have been to the original Kuma's once before, on a cold winter night at 10:30 and the wait was over an hour long so we just decided to go somewhere else. At that point, I kind of forgot about Kuma's for awhile. No burger could possibly be worth a 90 minute wait (and I still believe that) in fact I went to Portillo's that night and I was just fine. I saw they opened a new location and put it back on my list of things to try out. I was a little terrified to get there around 6:30 on a Saturday, but there was a small gathering of people in the entry way, and nobody outside, so I didn't think it could be that bad.....and we were sat within the 30 minutes they told us it would be. Not bad. Service was good, great even. I'm a big fan of never having an empty glass of water or soda, and refills were plentiful and very well timed. Our waitress was good and very thorough as well. Time for the food. I kind of expected the best burger I've ever had...based upon the rave reviews of people on Yelp and friends who have been there. The burger was great, but not quite the best burger I've ever had....not even the best burger in Chicago. I got the Led Zeppelin burger with the house chips. The chips were nothing to write home about, so let's talk about their burger.....the reason people go to Kuma's. The burger was decent. Great beef flavor, seasoned well, but nothing that blew me away. The bun was more of a pretzel roll kinda thing....which I've never liked, but it was decent as well. The thing that made this whole burger great was the pulled pork. I don't know if I've ever had pulled pork this good. The combination of the pulled pork and the burger was amazing. Is it worth waiting 90 minutes for? Not quite. Is it worth waiting 30 minutes for? Absolutely.
(4)
Joe L.

So I have never been to the original, so I am just basing this off a new burger joint. Hands down it was the best burger I have had in the city or maybe just in a long time. I had the YOB which has Roasted Garlic Mayo, Bacon, Smoke Gouda, Roasted Red Pepper, Lettuce and Tom. The combination was amazing, it also helps that I had 2 12% beers before dinner so that might have something to do with it. I liked the feel of the place. Music wasn't loud at all, barely could hear it to be honest. To the reviewer below that blasted this place cause of the tourist and yuppy scum you my friend are a complete idiot. I would hate to go to the places you frequent if the people that are eating around you are ruining your mood so much. Well anyway I am happy I could check this off my bucket list for Chicago places and glad I didn't venture out to the original and wait 2 hours for a burger. No food is worth waiting that long, I don't care what it is.
(5)
kat v.

I am SO GLAD that Kuma's opened a second restaurant! Absolutely the best burgers in Chicago. Yet, as I said in my previous review, the service was lacking at the original Kumas because they had gotten too popular and the staff couldn't keep up. The new Kuma's has the same food and beer list, but there is no wait! SWEET! No, it's not as dark and dungeon-esque as the original Kuma's, but when my belly is full when I want it to be full, then I am happy. Horray for Kuma's Too, 666, mark of the beast!
(4)
Pari P.

Yeah, we get it. It's not like the original. Get over it. The food is just as good and you're just being a @#$. I came intentionally to Kuma's Too for the following reasons: 1. I don't want to wait 2 hours for a table or wait 45 minutes for the food. 2. Get stares from people just because I'm not wearing a black t-shirt, skinny jeans, and covered in tattoos. 3. I wanted to actually hear the people in my party because the music isn't at an ear bleeding volume. 4. Get yelled by someone because I was in their spot just because they're a regular. 5. I don't want to feel someone's pelvis against my back because they are waiting for my seat. We ordered the Slayer and the Lair of the Minotaur and both were excellent. I had a totally different experience but the food was top notch. Check out the art work in the hallway to the bathrooms - it's exotic and risquÃ© which goes perfect with metal and burgers. Kuma's still stands as my favorite burger joint in Chicago and for the record I prefer Kuma's Too.
(5)
Rose J.

I've been to kumas corner multiple times, and in my opinion, kumas too taste just the same! Unlike kumas corner, you don't have to wait hours to get a table in a crowded, smoky room! Kumas too is very spacious, not smoky, and you don't have to wait for a table. My group of 6 was able to walk in with no wait. The burgers are huge and always comes with a huge side if fries. In my opinion, dmk burger has better quality and taste than kumas. Best burger on Chicago is at ditkas steakhouse from their lunch menu (I always get a burger there even at dinner)
(4)
Kathleen K.

I came to Kuma's Too on a date and absolutely loved it! My only complaint was that I looked very unsexy putting a huge burger into my mouth! :) I ordered the Goatsnake Burger (contains herbed goat cheese, poblano corn relish, cholula lemon vinaigrette, buttermilk breaded frizzled red onion) and it was perfectly cooked. The lemon vinaigrette was very inventive and in opinion, made the burger extra juicy and delicious. It was heaven in every bite. My date said his burger was pretty incredible too. (he wanted lots of bacon and got just that!) The service was good and the vibe was fun (heavy metal music plays loudly and all burgers are named for metal bands). Service was timely and there was no wait. (It was a Wednesday night around 7pm). I think this is a neighborhood joint that everyone should check out.
(4)
Gus L.

Ahh Kuma's Too. I love you. Staff is super attentive, burgers are huge and their side salad is the biggest I've ever had. Not mention a killer local beer selection. I have eaten here countless times since I've been to the city and always have a great experience, even when I've brought a date who wasn't crazy about music choice. I see a lot of negative reviews for the music choice and what movies they show. Didn't you know what you were signing up for? It's like going to Disney and saying "There was too much Mickey Mouse and not enough Bugs Bunny". If you haven't been, go. That is unless you absolutely hate metal music (they won't change or turn it down), no bullshit service or think your Yelp reviews will serve as your resume to write for Zagat's, who by the way gave Kuma's Too great marks.
(5)
Christina A.

I've been frequenting Kuma's other location for about 3 years and have always had incredible food and a wonderful time. Unfortunately, Kuma's Too is not the same. Yesterdays afternoon visit to Kuma's new location had been planned with my brother, sister, mother, and husband (all Kuma's fans). I was a bit hesitant of going to Kuma's Too after reading the reviews in the morning but my brother had been over the weekend with a freind, sat at the bar and reported having a good experience. I should've listened to the reviews. My husband and I got there first and were shocked to see a half empty restaurant. We were quickly informed that we can be sat once everyone arrived. No biggie. We grabbed a couple beers at the bar. The female bartender was wonderful. If there weren't 5 of us, we would've stayed at the bar. Once everyone arrived, the hostess offered us our choice of two tables, one in the back and one near the window. I guess I should've asked which had the better, more experienced server. Once we were sat, it was a few minutes before our server arrived to greet us and take a drink order. My husband and I already had drinks but the others didn't. We weren't in any particular hurry since we were happily catching up and enjoying each others company. Once the drink order was taken, Miss Ana disappeared. After 10 minutes she arrived apologizing and said she was taking care of a problem at another table. Were we ready to order? We still didn't have drinks but we're a forgiving group... Ok. After ordering, another 5 minutes go by and finally my brother asked her if he should go get his own drink. Surprise! Our drinks arrived quickly thereafter. The food took forever. The original location has a tiny kitchen and is always crazy busy so the wait is understood. This place was empty. Maybe 5-7 tables were taken up. Burgers still took over 30 minutes. Even that would've been forgiven if they had arrived hot and perfectly cooked. As soon as it was dropped off, I touched a fry and it was luke warm at best. I said it out loud but was ignored by our server. In passing, she asked us how everything was. My brother told her his burger was over cooked(ordered medium, it arrived well), she turned around and walked away. I know Kuma's has a "we don't give a f@*%" attitude so I didn't bother speaking to a manager. But I will not be going back to that location and will be telling everyone I know why. I hope you don't make the same mistake I made ignoring all the bad reviews here on Yelp. Skip this location and go to Belmont.
(1)
Cosme P.

Decent joint in LP. With all the gourmet burgers being the trend, it's not unique as it used to be. I ordered the Kaijo and it was amazing It's a bootleg hipster joint with loud music, so don't think about having a conversation here. Parking = Umm, you're in the city. Food = Legit. Service = Our server was cool, but the wait time took forever. Also, they were out of the beers my friend desired. Atmosphere = Too loud for my taste. Sorry, I'm not "metal" enough for you.
(3)
Curtis H.

Word to the wise...listen to me and not to other insolent folks that have no taste. No, this location is not as gritty or "authentic" as the original, but that also means you can walk in on most weekdays without a wait and not have to drive to an inconvenient neighborhood (in my humble but accurate opinion). The burgers are meaty, delicious, and full of interesting flavors. The mac n cheese is phenomenal. Sure the prices are a little hefty "for a burger", but these burgers aren't your average nondescript beefy fare by any stretch. My burger was ordered medium and came out medium. My burger was not overly salty. My burger was totally satisfying. Definitely check them out and dare to be adventurous. The Kuma burger (cheddar, bacon, and an egg) does sound delicious, but there are soooo many other more interesting options. I dare you to expand your horizons!
(4)
Megan H.

Five stars for the food and service. Three stars for the atmosphere. Grunge and hard core rock which just wasn't my scene. Naked chick drawings and some pretty hard core graffiti in the bathroom so don't bring the kiddos. Seriously, delish food tho!
(4)
Stephanie H.

I live much closer to Kuma's Too than I do to Kuma's Corner. Prior to trying Kuma's Too, I heard Kuma's Corner was MUCH better. Honestly, I like Kuma's Too much more! The menu is the same, the place is bigger and brighter, and it's not as noisy as Kuma's Corner. I know other reviews said the service was horrible, but I didn't have this experience. I went starving and ordered Our Famous Kuma and could only finish half but it was sooo good. Give it a try, and let your taste buds run wild!
(4)
Chris J.

I love going to this place. IMO best burger in Chicago. Maybe best burger ever. I like the heavy metal music and the decor. Everything fits the brand very well. Great place to go for a casual biz meeting or to bring friends from out of town.
(5)
Louie N.

I came here for friend's recommendations. I visited a few days to a lukewarm waitress but voiced my issues with general manager, Ron, reached out & asked for details. He stated that I should give them another try which I did & the waitress, Tara S , were fab. Attentive service with HUGE portions equals good times. The music is loud and the decor is wild, which makes great times. The bathroom was clean as well as the rest of the restaurant.
(4)
Madison C.

The food is AMAING!!! I absolutely loved my hamburger that had bre and poached pear - so good. Loved the combination. They get 3 stars because the survive was a pain. They told us it was going to be 10 minute wait - it turned out to be a 40 minute wait. Then our waitress was so nice but forgot to make a couple orders correctly and the Asian waitress was rude the whole time. Threw us our drinks at our table and didn't even look at us when she got to the table. She just was bitchy. It was gay pride parade today, so it was pretty crazy day but the survive could have been a bit better.
(3)
Alex Z.

The ABSU at Kuma's Too Monday night was damned cold but it didn't keep me from meeting my friend who I hadn't see in 17 years. Of course I suggested Kuma's Too where we were later joined by Max Bravo at the best address in Chicago. For those who do not know this place is world famous. There are no reservations except unless you are Ozzy or Lemmy. Lady Gaga even waited almost 3 hours to be seated. As usual the wait staff was friendly, attentive and very attractive. This is nothing new but it's a nice consistency. We had a badass bartender named Kristie and our super cool server was Caitlin and their service alone was well worth the visit. My old friend Rob was in town from NH on business and when he wanted to reunite of course Kuma's was the one and only suggestion. He is a burger and beer snob abd after his first bite he swore it was thhe greatest meat he'd ever had. I also broght along fellow Man B Que Alum Max Bravo who also had his first experience at Kuma's Too. All in all, Kuma's definitely serves up the best burgers in Chicago. The restaurant is cramped and plays music so loud you can't hear yourself speak, let alone the people you're with, but who cares about talking to your friends when you've got something this delicious in front of you. Plus, the city now has double the Kuma's now that Kuma's Too has opened on Diversey. Honestly, I can't find a single reason for you to NOT go to Kuma's. So, you know, go I planned on having the Neurosis I however decided against the in fave of the KILLER Absu. Kuma's Corner's ABSU burger Breaded deep fried chiles Queso fresco Red onion and avocado relish Pepperjack cheese Tomatillo salsa 10 oz. beef patty Pretzel bun The ABSU is a somewhat eclectic, yet suitably regional burger with very vibrant, mild ingredients which tease the palate with all kinds of flavors with some astringency, pungency, a tangy hint and a piquant kick. Without a doubt the most interesting ingredient is the trio breaded deep fried chiles which are still somewhat crunchy inside the thick breading. Hard to say exactly what kind they were, but they were on the milder side and are so great that I just wish they had them as an appetizer. Nothing as decadent as the Fried JapaleÃ±o Poppers just something to munch on absentmindedly while headbanging to the great music inside. The queso fresco once again evaded my taste buds like it did with most of the Mexican-inspired burgers and I'd like to think that the crumbles of cheese just kind of meshed with the red onion and avocado relish, allowing the two different textures of the relish's vegetables to blend together into something somewhat cohesive. If that's the idea, then it works, because the mild and buttery avocado chunks really added some character to the raw red onions. The pepperjack cheese kicks up the spiciness up a notch, while coating everything with the mild, melty coat of cheese, which covers the tomatillo salsa below. The salsa is also simple and refreshingly pleasant with green, tangy tomatillos, some onion and what felt like serrano peppers, though I'm not 100% sure. This green salsa really takes all of the other ingredients to a whole new level and adds more of the same but in a way that unites all of the vibrancy, especially when it comes to the relish. In the end, the ABSU's boldness falls the citric, vivid nature of the Goatsnake and the pungent spice of the Plague Bringer, and the best words to describe its flavor is reinvigorating and refreshing. If you are a fan of Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes and love your chiles, you should ABSUlutely give this intriguing burger a shot if you are not into the too extreme. I will be back again and agian and again. Thanks again to Kristie and Caitlin who wwere so great we stayed till last call.
(5)
Adriane P.

"We're number two!" "We're number two!" How appropriate that it's in the name and they are the second location of the legendary Kuma's. And that I'm giving them a 2 star ranking. Total disappointment. We ordered: A beer and a delicious cider Plague Bringer A medium rare burger on a pretzel roll with roasted garlic mayo, tortilla strips, house made hot sauce, fresh garlic, pepper jack, and fresh sliced jalapeÃ±o. Fries on the side. It was good, I liked it had the crunch of the tortilla strips. The jalapeÃ±o kinda overwhelmed the other flavors. Led Zeppelin A medium rare burger on a pretzel roll with pulled pork, thick bacon, cheddar, and pickles. I subbed a dinner salad for the fries for an additional $2. I really liked my burger. All the flavors really complimented each other well. Both of our juicy 10 oz. burgers were cooked perfectly. I do wish they had a smaller burger option. They only had one kind of salad dressing (?) basil which luckily wasn't bad but made everything on the salad taste like basil. We both liked the salad and it was a good portion. Kumas is all about rock and roll; you can tell by the loud metal blaring. The sound system is kind of bad IMHO so you can't tell what songs they are or what they are saying. The atmosphere, other than the metal posters, is musak. Very boring. Bright dark orange painted walls (ugh!) and awkward cheap little tables and chairs. My biggest issue with the place is the SERVICE which is slow and phoned it. We had to wait forever for everything. It took maybe ten or fifteen minutes to be greeted by her. It took 30 minutes for our medium rare burgers to arrive. The service was off putting. On thing that really bothered me was we were brought a flimsy cheap To go box for the left overs and just handed it. Kinda tacky. I mentioned to the server we were having trouble and she flippantly said "I think he can handle it." Then walked away. Um no. The box never shut! Invest in good to go containers for your burgers and lids for the sauces like almost every restaurant in the world and maybe have servers who care about guest service, it makes you guys look low rent! It is nice that even though they dont take reservations you can leave and they'll text you to come when the table is ready. They only serve craft beers and imports. Neither of us were impressed so the name Kumas TWO is true..."meh we've experienced better."
(2)
Erik O.

Metal Blasting on stop, Great juicy burger greatness all named after great metal legends!
(5)
Meg S.

Who cares about the music...for a burger like this? It's worth it. I always order the Led Zepplin which is basically a pulled pork sandwich and a bacon cheeseburger combined...nope I have no regrets. I've yet to try their mac and cheese but I hear it's amazing. Maybe next time.
(5)
Jennifer M.

Finally got to try Kumas!!! Was not disappointed. I got the neurosis and my boyfriend got the goatsnake. Perfect medium rare. I don't know what everyone is complaining about the service, our waitress was so great! Will definitely be back, soon!!!
(5)

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Address : 666 W Diversey Pkwy
Chicago, IL, 60614
Phone (773) 472-2666
Website https://www.kumascorner.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 10

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 : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Very Loud
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : No

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Kuma’s Too

666 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL, 60614

Kuma’s Too Menu

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Burgers

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