Last night Eileen, Nick and I went to Kuma’s Corner for dinner. I just returned from a business trip to Baltimore (more on that in a future post) and Eileen is departing for a 20 day trip to Ireland, Spain and Morocco this evening. After the insane storms in the afternoon that left many of the streets flooded, knocked trees onto unsuspecting parked cars near my house and flooded and closed Eileen’s school, the subsequent calm and balmy evening provided perfect weather for Kuma’s patio. They gave us a lot of "if you sit out there, it is at your own risk" talk when we sat down, but by the time we left the patio was completely full.
The server informed us that the taps were super warm and not recommended that evening. Turning instead to the bottle menu, we attempted to order about six beers that they were out of. Fairly annoyed, Nick ordered a Coke and I wound up with a decent, but certainly not new or exciting Great Lakes Elliot Ness amber lager. It seems like bars and liquor stores are consistently out of what we want lately. But the real reason for this trip was the incredible food at Kuma’s Corner. Famished, we got to ordering. Eileen ordered the "Iron Maiden" with chicken breast, avocado, cherry peppers, pepper jack, and chipotle mayo (I forgot to photograph hers). I ordered the "Neurosis" with a veggie burger, cheddar, swiss, sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions and horseradish mayo.
Nick ordered their stunning flagship burger, the "Kuma Burger." A half pound black angus burger with bacon, cheddar and a fried egg on top. A truly beautiful and impressive item. As Nick pointed out, it’s like putting the "whole barnyard" in your stomach. All of their burgers are served on delicious pretzel buns that are made by Labriola Baking Company in Chicago. Sadly, Labriola only provides their artisan breads to restaurants and hotels at the moment. Though, there seems to be talk of an eventual retail space.
As you can most likely gather from the assortment we ordered, the burgers can be made with traditional beef, chicken breast, chicken fingers or a veggie burger. They run between $10 – $12 and come with homemade chips or fries. Their ketchup is noteworthy as they add some subtle spiciness to it. Aside from the lack of a beer selection on this visit, Kuma’s has consistently impressed me with their food and beers. I keep meaning to order their "Make your own mac and cheese," but with 16 different burgers to choose from I always seem to end up on that side of the menu.
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jenz - I have heard great reviews about this place and will have to check it out. I have been enjoying your blog – keep up the great work!
twobitme - I’m obsessed with Kuma’s after a friend recommended it to us. We went that weekend and look for excuses to go back now. Friends visiting Chicago? Show ’em Kuma’s!
I wrote up our first visit there, where my girlfriend ordered the Pig Destroyer. She enjoyed it, if you can’t tell from the photos.
Debbie - kumas! i haven’t been there in so long. i loved it but for some reason my boyfriend hated it and now i must find some way to trick him into going. any ideas?
mary - In case you didn’t know, Labriola sells their bread (including the pretzel variety) at the Daley Plaza Farmers Market on Thursdays and at the Prudential Plaza Farmers Market on Tuesdays. Nice option for anyone who works in the Loop.