Chicagoist: Kuma's Has A "F^(#!%g Valuable" Burger

Albanyparkour

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:40:11 -0600

Every burger I've had from there has traveled at least 20-30 minutes. Five minutes in a warmed up oven and they've been golden. It gets pretty hectic as the night wears on actually.

Scott the Jerseyist

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:09:14 -0600

Really. I've spent a past New Year's there, because there's no champagne toast or anything like that, there isn't much of a crowd. They DID close for a reason.

mickcube

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:43:00 -0600

I went at noon on a Sunday once and was immediately seated outside. My burger was delicious. All was well.

Libby

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:52:43 -0600

Only been able to eat in there once, in a back table that just happened to open up when we got there. It took over an hour to get us our food. Every time I've tried since been at least an hour wait. Methinks Kuma's should start looking for a new location with bigger kitchen and dining area.

Stealth

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:25:05 -0600

I'm usually the one complaining about how new people have ruined my favorite places, but I guess I should apologize to you for being one of "those guys" and ruining your place. I only went for the first time this summer and liked the food and went back... the wait, not so much. Now I'm going to follow you to Urban Belly. Sorry in advance... :)

Stealth

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:22:22 -0600

New Year's eve? Really? That would be the day I would stay the hell away from there with a passion.

Stealth

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:21:16 -0600

Well, i did say a "visit" to Kuma's, meaning more than just an in-and-out. I meant that if you plan on sitting down there and eating. And even with carryout, do the burgers travel well? But I noticed the sign outside. They're open until 2 or 3 a.m. depending on the day of the week. What's it like there on Wednesday at midnight? Just as packed?

Scott the Jerseyist

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:11:51 -0600

We thought we had an air-tight plan to make our return to Kuma's: we went on New Year's Eve. Alas, without any announcement or sign, they were closed.

Albanyparkour

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:07:22 -0600

"You have to plot out a visit to Kuma's like a military mission" Again, carry-out is available. I'm glad they're that successful, especially in this economy, but if I'm standing in line for an hour for something it better be a cash prize or sexual favors.

Stealth

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:58:05 -0600

I stopped in there yesterday and was tempted to try this but chickened out and got the Kuma burger. But next time... and after that, the Goblin Cock if I could work up the nerve to order it ("Yeah, I'll have the.... well, this one *points to item on menu*") As for the two hour wait... yeah it can take a while. We had to wait an hour but managed to snag a seat at the bar. But they've got a tiny kitchen and can't cook that much food at one time. I saw people sitting at a table who didn't get their food for almost the entire time I was standing there. An hour wait for a table + an hour wait for your food. Yeah, it takes perserverence. If they could find some way to expand the size of that kitchen, it might not take as long. You have to plot out a visit to Kuma's like a military mission ("OK, the doors open at noon... It's a Tuesday, not that many people off work so we should be fairly close to the front lines...We arrive at 11:10. You, Brooklyn and O'Toole take up establishing positions here, here and here....")

hotwater30

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:56:12 -0600

I love Kuma's food, but I think I am done dining in. My wife and I used to go pretty regularly before the current crush of people. I swear the have increased the music volume to more quickly turn the tables. I tried to go last Tuesday for lunch and they were quoting an hour. I then tried Urban Belly, which was great.

Albanyparkour

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:33:53 -0600

I've never eaten in at Kumas. Shrieking and blood-curdling screams masquerading as music does not for good digestion make. They're more than happy to give you your food to go. The November "Sleep" turkey burger was quite tasty.

theburden

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:15:51 -0600

Sounds good but how would anyone know when it takes 2+ hours to get a table?