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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

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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]

In 2024, Kuma Holdings, the parent company of Kuma's Corner, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, blaming the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of the decision. The company plans to keep operating its restaurants while restructuring.[4]

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Kuma's serves specialty hamburgers.[1][5][6][7][8] Its burgers have been described as the best in Chicago,[9][10] as well as the best in the United States.[11][12][13][14][15] In 2014, Kuma's Ghost Burger was named one of the most influential burgers of all time by TIME Magazine.[16] The ghost burger included a ghost pepper aioli, and was topped with an unconsecrated communion wafer.[17]

Kuma's Corner has been credited with inspiring other restaurants to incorporate creative ingredient combinations into their own offerings.[18] In particular, Kuma's Corner played a role in popularizing the pretzel bun, now a staple in many burger restaurants.[1][5][6][7][8]

Media

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In 2013, Kuma's Corner was featured on an episode of the Travel Channel show Burger Land.

Controversy

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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.[19] 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.[20][21][22][23]

In 2020, the company faced accusations of racist and homophobic behavior by management. These issues were acknowledged publicly by the owner, Ron Cain.[24] 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.[25] Shortly afterwards it announced a new director of operations.[26]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Selvam, Ashok (August 7, 2015). "Kuma's Corner Interview: Ten Years In". Eater Chicago. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  2. ^ Hammond, Priya (January 14, 2015). "Will Kuma's Corner Open in Woodfield Mall?". Eater Chicago. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  3. ^ Hammond, Priya (May 15, 2017). "Kuma's Metal Bar to Open Next Week in the West Loop". Eater Chicago. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  4. ^ "The Parent of Kuma's Corner Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy". Eater Chicago. June 13, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Wallace, Amanda M. Faison (April 1, 2019). "Chicago's Kuma's Corner Will Bring Its Metal and Burgers to RiNo". Eater Denver. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Kramer, Lisa (July 27, 2017). "Kuma's brings its metal and burgers to the West Loop". Crain's Chicago Business. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Keilman, John (July 13, 2016). "Are fancy burger buns worth the extra dough?". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  8. ^ a b Schmich, Mary (September 24, 2009). "Heavy-metal burger heaven". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  9. ^ Martichoux, Alix; Patton, Alicia (December 28, 2022). "The Best Restaurant in Illinois, According to Guy Fieri". WGN-TV. Nexstar Media Wire. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  10. ^ Johnson, Mason (October 17, 2012). "Best Burgers In Chicago: Kuma's Corner". CBS Chicago. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  11. ^ "Chicago Burger Named Best in Country". NBC Chicago. May 24, 2013. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  12. ^ "Chicago Burger Voted Among Best in the U.S." NBC Chicago. June 5, 2014. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  13. ^ Kolenda, Kate (June 4, 2015). "The 101 Best Burgers in America". The Daily Meal. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  14. ^ Schmalbruch, Sarah. "The 50 best burger joints in America, ranked". Insider. Archived from the original on March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  15. ^ Welch, Jane (June 26, 2015). "And America's best burger goes to..." CNBC. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  16. ^ Begley, Sarah (January 10, 2014). "The 17 Most Influential Burgers of All Time". TIME. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  17. ^ Martins, Chris (October 4, 2013). "Ghost B.C. Burger Makes the Body of Christ More Delicious Than Ever". Spin. Archived from the original on January 28, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  18. ^ Leahy, Tim (August 2, 2018). "The History of Chicago's Most Iconic Burger Restaurants". Thrillist. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  19. ^ Harris, Jenn (October 4, 2013). "Just a cracker? Chicago restaurant tops burger with unconsecrated Communion wafer". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  20. ^ Keohan, Dan (June 6, 2016). "Should You Eat Kuma's Unholy Ghost Burger?". Thrillist. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  21. ^ Hirst, Ellen Jean (October 4, 2013). "After burger controversy, Kuma's Corner donates to Catholic Charities after burger controversy". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  22. ^ Johnson, Dick (October 9, 2013). "Catholic Charities Turns Down Kuma's Corner Donation". NBC Chicago. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  23. ^ Breslin, Susannah (October 9, 2013). "A Supposedly Sinful Burger Stirs Up Controversy". Forbes. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  24. ^ Pasbani, Robert (July 17, 2020). "Metal Burger Joint Kuma's Corner Responds to Racism/Homophobia Allegations, Promises To Do Better". Metal Injection. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  25. ^ Bloom, Mina (July 15, 2020). "Kuma's Corner 'Rebuilding' After Accusations Of Racism, Homophobia". Block Club Chicago. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  26. ^ "Kuma's Corner Appoints New Director of Operations". RestaurantNews.com (Press release). Chicago, IL. May 27, 2021. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
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