Since Rajexico wisely pointed out:



I figured I'd start a Kuma's thread since it's come up enough in the Hot Doug's and other foodie threads. Unfortunately, I'm gonna start the thread off on a somwhat dour note:

Kuma's is not dealing with the hype well at all. I went there last Thursday afternoon. First, there's a sign posted somewhere (might be on their chalkboard) that says something like "despite our popularity, our kitchen is still 6' x 6' and we can't cook the burgers any faster. Please be patient, we'll get them to you as soon as we can."

I'd be down with that normally. I like when a restaurant is frank and honest about wait times. As long as I know about it, I can adjust, relax, and have a few beers. But in this case:

(1) I ordered my first choice of beer. Waitress took a long time only to tell me they didn't have it in stock;

(2) I ordered my second choice of beer. Waitress took a long time only to tell me they didn't have it in stock. I gave up on fancy beers and ordered a PBR*, and then the waitress takes a long time to get to me;

(3) Now granted, this waitress was working the entire back courtyard (10+) tables, so she was really frantic. I'd forgive this, but this isn't the first time Kuma's was under-staffed;

(4) back to the waitress. She was really bitchy and huffy. I know you're having a hard day, but please don't take it out on me;

(5) I order a second beer mid-meal. It comes to me shortly before I receive the check.

Unfortunately the burgers were still awesome so I'll be going back. Hot Dougs takes a number of breathers during the year (and every Sunday). Maybe Kumas should take a lesson. Sit back, relax, enjoy the success. It'll make for a better product.


*And another thing, I don't like the soap-boxing on the menu against Miller and Budweiser. This is the third time I've been there when one of their "craft" beers wasn't in stock and I ended up with a shitty PBR. Every beer has its place. Please don't lecture me on the superiority of other beers.

I've been there a lot recently and I've found the service to be excellent 30% of the time, fine 50% of the time, and mediocre 20% of the time. I'm perfectly fine with those ratios as long as the food warrants it.

I recall seeing Kuma dude on some TV show where he admits they hire servers based on vibe/personality rather than actual serving experience/skills. Tattooed chicks are cool and all, but I want my beer. I haven't actually been there, just sayin'.

Nobodies, have you posted your issues on Yelp? One would think that a half-interested manager/staff would take a look at that (and their rating) from time to time, and might make some changes in response.

Nah, I never post anything on yelp...I just look to it for advice. Maybe I should be more proactive...but I think bitching on the SOMB is about as proactive as I'll get. Also, I probably should be a bit more positive about the place:

I've been going there for over a year now, and I've been 20+ times. I'd go back pretty much at the drop of a dime (if I have the time, I have no problem wasting a couple hours sitting around drinking beers staring at cute tattooed chicks). The service has generally been very friendly, even when its slow. I've just started to sense that the place is cracking a bit under the stress and pressure.

I think they'll work it out. They are in a tough spot though. What are they going to do, turn away the Thompson family that drove all the way in from Buffalo Grove so little Billy and Suzie could split a Goblin Cock, dominatrix posters and thundering Bolt Thrower album be damned? It's tough on top.

The only time i've gone all the servers seemed annoyed and the whole experience took 3 1/2 hours. But they did have good beer and it was in stock so that made things a little better. 3/5

Haven't been back to Kuma's lately. But, I think I first went about 3 years ago and I went through the same multiple beer selection process. So I can only imagine that they are having more difficulty keeping the place stocked. With all of these stories on here (well, maybe it is only this one) and from other people I know who live in the area, I am kind of afraid to go back and ruin the great experiences I had back then.

On another note, I still have not been to Hot Doug's. I need to make my way over there this summer.

Went two weeks ago with friends from out of town. We all ordered PBRs like losers but she kept 'em coming and was really friendly the entire time. No complaints.

nobodies: you are not alone in questioning their service.

I have been there about 5 times this year and the service has been quite crappy each time. One time in particular was bad....

my friend and i got there around 11pm at nite and all the tables were being used for people just to chill. They had a beer sitting in front of them, would leave to smoke then come back. The spots at the bar were full for beer drinkers too. So... not many people were actually eating, and a whole 2 tables didnt have food, just milked their beer.

I understand, they came first - no big deal.... but i asked to order our food since we were waiting 20 min and just hope a table opens up by the time its ready. The bartender rudely refuses to serve me unless i have a table. At this point, i'll just eat standing up. I just order my food to go, pay the $10 for the burger (hell no, i will not tip)
Also the hostess apparently let her friends come in and cleared a table for them and let them cut in front of me while all this was happening

I ate in my car instead.

The food is tasty and reasonably priced, so i recommend taking it to go and eating it outside or something.

Hot Doug's service is spectacular... Doug has even knocked off $1-2 off my bill a few times when i order a ton of food

edit: eh.... i dont mean to rant against Kuma's that bad. i was frustrated i couldnt get a table at 11pm, but i was just hoping the hostess could've at least cleared a spot for us somewhere

Kuma's service is 0 for 3 for me. If my burger's gonna take an hour or two, then at least keep the drinks coming and the water full, okay? Last time, we ordered second drinks, ordered them again after a half hour, then gave up.

But yeah, the burgers. One big bite of Mastodon, and all is forgiven.

By most accounts I've heard this place sounds terrible. I'll maybe go there in a year or two after the line thins out.

I don't like burgers enough to put up with what I've read about this place.

we've gone once and had no real issues. no line, in and out pretty quickly. i'd give it two forks up. still not sold on waiting in line for those damn hot dougs yet. maybe if they delivered.

just dont go on a WEEKEND
i guarantee thats entirely your problem.

weeknights are busy yeah but ive never had any problems
weekends are insanity


u are such a dork

Okaaay.

Wrong. I've been twice on a Tuesday and once on a Wednesday, and I've not waited more than a few minutes for a table. So that's not the problem.

yeah, my little story occured last Thursday at noon. Granted, it was July 3...but by the time we left there was a pretty long wait. I've also seen the hour + waits on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Still, the burgers keep bringing me back.

i hear you guys bitch and bitch and moan about this place, but the longest i have ever waited for a table is MAYBE 30 minutes. we went last saturday at 1ish and just sat immediately at the bar, had the awesome waitress (juno) and was out in an hour or so.


yea, its crowded a lot, but if you get there when it's crowded and are pissed off you have to wait, well fuck off. fucking enjoy your time there, have a beer, watch whatever weird shit is on the tv and chat with your waitress. it's always been super pleasant. SUPER.

hipsterburger streeteaming

You didn't read the bitching closely enough. Your experience had pretty much been my experience up until lately (although I've endured the hour wait a couple times). I have no problem chilling out and enjoying the company of friends and staff, with beer. However, sitting around for an hour and half and only getting two beers (one of which came with the check) is unacceptable. I'm an alcoholic, I need my booze.

you can substitute the burger for a chicken breast or pay too much money for make yr own Mac & Cheese

yea, well i dont read (see undo's latest thread). i just wanted to say that it's always enjoyable when i go, and the delay is tolerable given the crowd and size of the place. also, motherfuckinburgers.

ALSOALSO, last weekend there were approximately 10 people working in there. like, real employees.

talk to me when the food quality slides. until then i'm on the good ship kuma's. So what if one of the beers is out? they've got tons. that happens. its busy in the warm weather because their food service area is 2x as big as it normally is. and we all talk it up, so it's bound to have a wait. i aint listenin to you haters.



if you want your burger in 2 minutes then go to Good Burger. proper food takes proper time.

i give that reference an 8.5/10

excellent job

I've only been to Kuma's once, when the Hot Doug's line was too long on a Saturday afternoon. My girlfriend and I slid up to the bar without any wait. It was somewhat full but not packed. I like the vibe of the place--it felt to me like a bar that belonged more in Seattle than in Chicago, but I enjoyed that. I had no service issues, although the bartendress seemed to enjoy making double entendres on my Goblin Cock order a little too much. "Yes. I like the Cock. It's hot and juicy. Thank you." Come back when you have original material.

Anyway, the burgers were very good, made exactly to my specifications. If I had one complaint about the burgers, it's they're too fucking big. I'm more of a 50s diner-style 1/4 pound burger kinda guy, but, hey, when that urge for a gut splitting 1/2 pounder hits you, there's not much better than Kuma's to hit the spot. Add to that the excellent selection of beer and, all around, my kind of place except.

I went last night (for the first time) and it was fantastic. Not too packed and the service was great. Can't wait to go back.

ya basically some of u bitch too much

Or perhaps different people going at different times have different experiences at the same restaurant. Sounds crazy, I know.

To be honest, I'm kind of glad it's an ordeal. If the service was faster/friendlier, I'd be there every other night for those delicious meat circles.

Went last night, waited 45 minutes for a group of five (very reasonable). Waitress came by every time I emptied my glass. Food was great of course. Intentionally or accidentally she left a third of our beers off the bill. We gave her upwards of a 25% tip.


I know you already partly reneged on your criticisms Hero, but come on, you and I were both there once as part of a Beth LTTTS group and the service was very good. They allowed our sizeable group to sit as we arrived and went well out of their way to allow a very late person to sit and order, and even got his food out to him super quick so he was able to finish at the same time as everyone else.

Forgo and Kyle WO are otm.

A SALWAYS.

let's not bitch. let's talk aboutburgs.

as much as the high on fire is basically built to my pallette, the plague bringer, which i tried last week, was basicalyl the greatest thing ive had there.

PLAGUE BRINGER Roasted Garlic Mayo, Tortilla Strips, Chicago CO-OP hot sauce, Fresh Garlic, Pepper Jack, Sliced Jalapenos


HIGH ON FIRE Siracha Hot Chili Sauce, Prosciutto, Roasted Red Pepper, Grilled Pineapple, Sweet Chili Paste

I'm glad to hear that service has been good for most part even when the lines were long(er). That had always been my experience in the past. I'm hoping my last two experiences were anomolies (and even if they weren't I'd still endure bad service just for the burger).

I already have plans to go for my birthday. Wife is taking me to Ben Weasel (he's fucking playing My Brain Hurts in its entirety!!!) and Kumas. Although that's more than a month off so hopefully I'll make another trip before then.

My two favorites are the the High on Fire and the Slayer. I swear, the Slayer gets bigger every time I eat there. I used to be able to finish that thing. Have only gotten through about 2/3 that last couple times I ordered it. The High on Fire is perfect...although last time I ordered it I was having a cheese craving so I added some pepperjack. It worked out pretty nicely.

Wating aside I was kind of dissapointed by the burgers both times I went. 1st time I ordered my burger medium (I like em medium rare but I've found many "fancy" burger places give you really rare when you order medium rare) and it came back medium-well to well done. Lesson Learned. The next time I went I ordered it medium rare and it came back again almost well done. after waiting 45 minutes for a table and 30 min for the burger I wasn't about to send it back. I might go back on a weekday afternoon.

thats my only beef (lulz) with the place. i only eat rare burgerrs but, because the burger is probably off the grill adn sitting, waitbeing dressed and then on the counter, it cooks a bit and i get a pretty done burger, which i hate but that is more if a cooking time/ waiting thing i'd think.... binko would probably know better though. the cook isnt being as precise, or the waitresses cant get the burgers in enough time.

the High on Fire is definitely one of the best burgers ever made


And Kumas' service is sort of spotty at times. The time Raj mentioned upthread was a great example of just great service. Got everyone in and even made accommodations for the late arriver.

But a few other times I've gone, the service has been spotty. Most notably, my parents came up for my birthday and we wound up waiting over an hour to get a seat. Then again, to be fair, this was like 4 or 5 on a Saturday and I shouldn't have expected anything less than a full house.

And last time I went, the service was pretty great. It was about 4 pm on a Saturday and we got seats within 20 minutes (they had to divide our party up in to two separate tables, but it was totally worth it...I sat with my friend's family and teh rest of our crew sat at a table across the patio) and they brought our food out pretty quickly and kept drinks coming.

So yeah, I can't say I've ever had a bad Kumas experience. I expect it to be crowded and busy and to wait for a while to get a seat and get food. If I get anything less than a 30 minute wait for a seat, then it's been a highly successful trip. No complaints here.

Let's go to Kumas somebody!

good thought. do you order it rare? if so is it still at least a little pink when you get it. if you order rare at boston blackies that shit is literally raw in the middle.

Whoa, they cook burgers medium-well to well? Maybe I'll have to go after all. I tend to avoid fancy burger joints because, as was said upthread, they usually err on the side of bloody.

you'd dig it yancy, play hooky soon and we'll go over there for lunch.

I've had really good luck taking a long lunch and going during the week. I haven't had the guts to try the Slayer yet. That's what keeps me coming back - there's always a bunch of other burgers that I wanna try.

yancy likes his burgers well done!!! how appropriate

Want me to put a saddle on my ass or do you prefer bareback?

i always order rare, but most placves think i'm fibbing or jsut don't do it so i have succumbed to medium rare.

at kuma's the waitress always looks at me like "areyou sure? well allll right?" yea, i am sure. i hate when i order something and i am second guessed because im a girl or whatever. yes, i like rare burgers and hard liquor and can take it, give me my shit, dammit.

This place puts too much gimmicky shit in their food to disguise the fact that they're over-charging for decent food. Is it good? Yes. Is it great? It's good. Is it overpriced? Definitely.

But ppl will pay anything, apparently, to be at an annoyingly hip place that serves food with silly names and serves food that (fundamentally) clashes.

But it's possible that I'm just hungry and angry that I don't live closer.

Have I told you lately that I love you?

I'd stick with your latter sentiment. The pairings on all the burgers I've eaten (which is probably close to half the menu) all work briliantly. Even if you take away the fancy toppings, Kumas serves up tasty burgers.

And let's not forget to discuss the unsung hero at Kumas, the pretzel role. It is the perfect role for a burger. Salty, and slightly sweet. It's also has a great texture: chewy, but firm enough to stand up to the burger and condiments without ever turning into a sloppy mess.

I salute you, pretzel role.

Wow.

Yeah I hope no one reads Nobodies' post and goes to Kuma's expecting a burger that in some bizarre sense plays or performs the role of a pretzel and is severely disappointed to just get a burger on a pretzel roll.

our you serious?