Kuma's Corner
Kuma burger at Kuma's Corner
Restaurant information
Established2005
Food typeHamburger restaurant
CityChicago
StateIllinois
CountryUnited States
Websitekumascorner.com

Kuma's Corner (Kuma's) is a burger restaurant with a heavy-metal theme based in Chicago, Illinois.

History

Kuma's Corner first opened in 2005 in Chicago's Avondale neighborhood.[1] Since then Kuma's has opened locations in Chicago's Fulton Market, as well as in Schaumburg and Indianapolis,[2] as well as a second Chicago location in Fulton Market.[3]

Kuma's serves specialty hamburgers.[1][4][5][6][7] Its burgers have been described as the best in Chicago,[8][9] as well as the best in the United States.[10][11][12][13][14] In 2014, Kuma's Ghost Burger was named one of the most influential burgers of all time by TIME Magazine.[15] The ghost burger included a ghost pepper aioli, and was topped with an unconsecrated communion wafer.[16]

Kuma's Corner has been credited with inspiring other restaurants to incorporate creative ingredient combinations into their own offerings.[17] In particular, Kuma's Corner played a role in popularizing the pretzel bun, now a staple in many burger restaurants.[1][4][5][6][7]

Controversy

In 2013, Kuma's Corner faced criticism from Chicago’s Catholic community over the so-called "Ghost Burger" which was named after the Swedish heavy-metal band Ghost and featured a communion wafer on top.[18] Despite Kuma's offers to donate portions of the proceeds, the Archdiocese of Chicago and other Catholic organizations expressed their offense and called for a boycott of the restaurant.[19][20][21][22]

In 2020, the company faced accusations of racist and homophobic behavior by management. These issues were acknowledged publicly by the owner, Ron Cain.[23] The company responded publicly by announcing steps such as third party training on subjects such as diversity and interpersonal relations, and introducing measures for staff and managers to communicate about their concerns. Chef and manager of the Indianapolis branch, Luke Tobias, announced shortly afterwards he was parting ways with the restaurant.[24] Shortly afterwards it announced a new director of operations.[25]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Eater Chicago: Kuma's Corner Interview: Ten Years In
  2. ↑ Hammond, Priya (January 14, 2015). "Will Kuma's Corner Open in Woodfield Mall?". Eater Chicago. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  3. ↑ Hammond, Priya (May 15, 2017). "Kuma's Metal Bar to Open Next Week in the West Loop". Eater Chicago. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  4. 1 2 Wallace, Amanda M. Faison (April 1, 2019). "Chicago's Kuma's Corner Will Bring Its Metal and Burgers to RiNo". Eater Denver.
  5. 1 2 Kramer, Lisa (July 27, 2017). "Kuma's brings its metal and burgers to the West Loop". Crain's Chicago Business.
  6. 1 2 Keilman, John (July 13, 2016). "Are fancy burger buns worth the extra dough?". Chicago Tribune.
  7. 1 2 Schmich, Mary (September 24, 2009). "Heavy-metal burger heaven". Chicago Tribune.
  8. ↑ WGN TV: The Best Restaurant in Illinois, According to Guy Fieri
  9. ↑ CBS Chicago: Best Burgers In Chicago
  10. ↑ "Chicago Burger Named Best in Country". NBC Chicago. May 24, 2013.
  11. ↑ NBC Chicago: Chicago Burger Voted Among Best in the U.S.
  12. ↑ "The 101 Best Burgers in America". The Daily Meal. 4 June 2015. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  13. ↑ Insider: The 50 best burger joints in America, ranked
  14. ↑ "And America's best burger goes to..." CNBC. June 26, 2015. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  15. ↑ TIME: The 17 Most Influential Burgers of All Time
  16. ↑ "Ghost B.C. Burger Makes the Body of Christ More Delicious Than Ever". Spin. 4 October 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  17. ↑ Leahy, Tim (August 2, 2018). "The History of Chicago's Most Iconic Burger Restaurants". Thrillist.
  18. ↑ Harris, Jenn (2013-10-04). "Just a cracker? Chicago restaurant tops burger with unconsecrated Communion wafer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
  19. ↑ Keohan, Dan (June 6, 2016). "Should You Eat Kuma's Unholy Ghost Burger?". Thrillist. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  20. ↑ Chicago Tribune (October 4, 2013). "Kuma's Corner donates to Catholic Charities after burger controversy". Chicago Tribune.
  21. ↑ "Catholic Charities Turns Down Kuma's Corner Donation". NBC Chicago. October 9, 2013.
  22. ↑ Breslin, Susannah (October 9, 2013). "A Supposedly Sinful Burger Stirs Up Controversy". Forbes.
  23. ↑ Pasbani, Robert (2020-07-17). "Metal Burger Joint Kuma's Corner Responds to Racism/Homophobia Allegations, Promises To Do Better". Metal Injection. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
  24. ↑ Bloom, Mina (2020-07-15). "Kuma's Corner 'Rebuilding' After Accusations Of Racism, Homophobia". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
  25. ↑ "Kuma's Corner Appoints New Director of Operations | RestaurantNews.com". 2021-05-27. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
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