Kuma's Corner and Rosebud, still looking

From the title, it becomes obvious that I am talking about burgers.
I have eaten a bunch of the most recommended burgers on this site and I still believe there is a better burger out there, waiting for me to find it.
Rosebud's burger is made from high-quality meat (as burgers go), but I want my burger to taste like a burger, and not a steak...
Plus, it is too large to eat, no matter how hard you squeeze, the burger isn't compressible enough to fit into a normal human mouth...

When I first went to Kuma, I thought I found the perfect burger.
Unlike Rosebud, it tasted like a burger -- juicy, big but compressible, meaty, I thought I had found the one...
She looked so good with her egg on top...
But I think I was rating her too superficially, basing too much of my opinion on the smooth curves of her pretzel roll and the yellow, runny, yolk that oozed into my mouth upon my second bite...
After going back several more times, I started to realize that this burger was underseasoned and though I am far from an expert and cannot explain what seasonings it needs to be seasoned better, I know enough to know that this burger is lacking in taste...
Were it not for the fried egg and pretzel roll, I fear that few would be talking about it with such high praise...

Now here is the big surprise...
I went to RJ Grunt's the other day and I had their burger...
The seasoning was good (definitely the right amount of salt, for starters) and I thought, hmmm, if you mixed RJ Grunt's burger with Kuma's rendition, then you might be closer to finding the best burger in Chicago...

As an aside, I just ate some leftovers from Kuma and had some of the burger cold, straight from the fridge...
Something that I have found is that the mark of a good piece of meat, whether it be a burger or a steak, is that it tastes good even when cold, and the Kuma burger did not fare very well, as the meat, which was only "minimally" flavored to begin with, was now completely bereft of flavor.

I have also been to the grafton and jury's and ran into the same problem...
Erwin was definitely seasoned , but malseasoned, and incompressible to boot...

Can anybody recommend a burger that is large, juicy, compressible enough to eat comfortably, and seasoned something like RJ Grunt's burger?

Does anybody else out there agree with me or am I just nuts?

Thanks,
B

I love this place, cannot get enough of it.

To explain this, for those who do not know, they have a listing of different hamburgers named after heavy metal bands with a variance of ingrediants from goat cheese, cherry peppers to blue cheese and bacon and you can order each sandwhich to be a burger, chicken, turkey burger or veggie burger. I've had one of each and I have to say they are all very delicious and cooked perfectly and I'll agree that the pretzel role is probably a high percentage of my satisfaction.

I highly recommend everyone checking this place out, that is if you enjoy a different atmostphere.

Shaggywillis wrote:I love this place, cannot get enough of it.

To explain this, for those who do not know, they have a listing of different hamburgers named after heavy metal bands with a variance of ingrediants from goat cheese, cherry peppers to blue cheese and bacon and you can order each sandwhich to be a burger, chicken, turkey burger or veggie burger. I've had one of each and I have to say they are all very delicious and cooked perfectly and I'll agree that the pretzel role is probably a high percentage of my satisfaction.

I highly recommend everyone checking this place out, that is if you enjoy a different atmostphere.

For a long running discussion of Kuma's, see here.

Best,
Michael

Shaggywillis wrote:I love this place, cannot get enough of it.

Shaggy,

I'm a fan of Kuma's, like pretty much everything about it, burgers, atmosphere, people. Oh, alright, you caught me, I can live without the Heavy Metal music, but I suppose that's part of the charm.

Enjoy,
Gary

I was going to link to a lengthy past Kuma's thread, but see that Michael already did so.

While it's been too many years since I've had an RJGrunts burger to recall their seasoning, I'd recommend giving the burger at The Atlantic Bar and Grill a try. I had one the other day and it was perfectly medium rare and had a nice char to the outside. It was a surprisingly good burger.

bsmooth7 I agree completely with your assessment of Kuma's. I WANT to love it...it looks like I'd love it (cooked to a perfect temp, beautiful egg waiting to burst open, etc) but there's something about it that just DOESN'T QUITE DO IT for me.

This summer I've also tried the burger at:
- Rockit - Kobe beef, brie, date aioli (use the same pretzel roll as Kuma's). Very good, loved the date aioli. $19.
- Hot Chocolate - bacon, cheddar, and you can choose egg or no egg (did egg of course). Better seasoned than Kumas, comes with house made potato chips. Thought the cheddar was a little gloppy, but the burger was tasty.

Still...I haven't found that perfect one yet.

I'd recommend trying the burger at Dunlay's in Logan Square (can't vouch for their Lincoln Park location). It's not huge, nor are there many variations. However, it's well seasoned, generally cooked to specification, and overall a very good burger. I live in the neighborhood and am generally ambivalent about that restaurant (especially compared to its adjacent neighborhood stalwarts, Johnny's Grill and Lula Cafe), but their burgers consistently deliver. The kitchen puts a little bit of mustard and mayo on the bun, with lettuce, tomato, onion, and a thin pickle slice. On Wednesdays they are half price ($4). They come with thin fries, which are good but not terribly noteworthy.

If you're ever in Northbrook, definitely make your way to Charlie Beinlich's. Their burgers are lightly formed (by machine), greasy, and absolutely delicious. Last time I was there the fries were very crispy and very good.

Moody's often fails to serve my burger at the requested doneness of medium rare, but when it is cooked properly it's quite good. When it's cooked medium or more, you still can't complain because of the wonderful outdoor surroundings in their MASSIVE beer garden, not to mention the pitchers of Anchor Steam and the insanely low prices.

Dunlays on the Square
3137 W. Logan Blvd
Chicago, IL 60647
773-227-2400

Charlie Beinlich's Food and Tap
290 Skokie Blvd
Northbrook, IL 60062
Tues-Sat: 11:30 am-10:45 pm
847-714-9375

Moody's Pub
5910 N Broadway
Chicago, IL 60660
773-275-2696

My best burger experience has been at the Pepper Cannister - a bar on Wells St. Several standard burger options, but my favorite was called The Unrepentant Sinner with Blue Cheese, Green Olives, BBQ Sauce, and Bacon. Last time I went the food seemed a little off, but they had just opened for the evening so maybe the kitchen didn't quite have their act together yet.

Pepper Canister
509 N. Wells St.

Full Menu is here: http://www.restaurantrow.com/ShowPics.c ... 2&state=IL

Whisk wrote:bsmooth7 I agree completely with your assessment of Kuma's. I WANT to love it...it looks like I'd love it (cooked to a perfect temp, beautiful egg waiting to burst open, etc) but there's something about it that just DOESN'T QUITE DO IT for me.

This summer I've also tried the burger at:
- Rockit - Kobe beef, brie, date aioli (use the same pretzel roll as Kuma's). Very good, loved the date aioli. $19.
- Hot Chocolate - bacon, cheddar, and you can choose egg or no egg (did egg of course). Better seasoned than Kumas, comes with house made potato chips. Thought the cheddar was a little gloppy, but the burger was tasty.

Still...I haven't found that perfect one yet.

Thanks for understanding, it's nice to know I'm not the only one still looking for an excellent burger...

listerine wrote:I'd recommend trying the burger at Dunlay's in Logan Square (can't vouch for their Lincoln Park location). It's not huge, nor are there many variations. However, it's well seasoned, generally cooked to specification, and overall a very good burger. I live in the neighborhood and am generally ambivalent about that restaurant (especially compared to its adjacent neighborhood stalwarts, Johnny's Grill and Lula Cafe), but their burgers consistently deliver. The kitchen puts a little bit of mustard and mayo on the bun, with lettuce, tomato, onion, and a thin pickle slice. On Wednesdays they are half price ($4). They come with thin fries, which are good but not terribly noteworthy.

If you're ever in Northbrook, definitely make your way to Charlie Beinlich's. Their burgers are lightly formed (by machine), greasy, and absolutely delicious. Last time I was there the fries were very crispy and very good.

Moody's often fails to serve my burger at the requested doneness of medium rare, but when it is cooked properly it's quite good. When it's cooked medium or more, you still can't complain because of the wonderful outdoor surroundings in their MASSIVE beer garden, not to mention the pitchers of Anchor Steam and the insanely low prices.

Dunlays on the Square
3137 W. Logan Blvd
Chicago, IL 60647
773-227-2400

Charlie Beinlich's Food and Tap
290 Skokie Blvd
Northbrook, IL 60062
Tues-Sat: 11:30 am-10:45 pm
847-714-9375

Moody's Pub
5910 N Broadway
Chicago, IL 60660
773-275-2696

Thanks for the recs, I will try out Dunlays first and get back to you...

I no longer work there and can vouch that the burger can be inconsistently cooked at times (for a better rendition, don't go at lunch, but rather in the evening on a Monday thru Wednesday), but for my money, Poag Mahone's still has one of the best burgers in the city. Well seasoned, big and juicy, tastes like a burger, not fancy but deeply satisfying.

Poag Mahone's
333 S. Wells St. (in the Insurance Exchange Bldg)
(312) 566-9100
Open Monday thru Friday 10:30am-9pm

Went to Illinois Bar n Grill today on Taylor and got the cheddar bacon burger medium rare....

Very large burger, juicy, lots of bacon and overall, an 8.5/10...

Definitely worth trying, though not elite.

IMO, the best burger I've had in Chicago is the double bacon cheeseburger at the Diner Grill (or Dinner Grill) depending on which side you read at Irving Park & Ashland.

This is a different family of burger than Kumas as it is not as beautiful, big or complex. But when you taste it you will recognize it's genius is it's simplicity. The proportion of burger / bacon / grilled onions / pickels is absolutely perfect. If you choose to bring them home (for god's sake eat it there) will be transparent upon arrival.

The Diner Grill:


Mass Diner Grill Double Bacon Burger Preperation Pictures That I Found:




Probably not what you are looking for, but worth trying if you haven't yet.

The Diner Grill
1635 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 248-2030

Great pics and I agree, Diner Grill makes an admirable diner burger.

I have to say, as someone who loves burgers and has been trying all of the places people mention on this site, the best burger I've so far had in the Chicagoland area has been at Culver's. The absolute key is to make sure and order the Jumbo, and then tell them to put whatever you want on it. Everything from the bun, to the meat. Honestly I have not had better.

I know it's great to want to love the mom and pop and specialty shops, but I'm just being honest here. In a blind taste test I will take a Culver's Jumbo made to order over Kuma's, Rosebud, Erwin's, Grafton, and all the other places I've tried that people talk about on here.

I know taste is subjective, but I think people too often are looking for a secret hole in the wall that no one else knows about but us elite and that we discovered something unique. This thinking is appealing to the ego but maybe not to the taste buds. I think the same applies to this burger search. It's fun, but give me a Culver's Jumbo made to order any day over all of these places. I've probably spent over $100 just in burgers the past couple months and "discovered" the Culver's Jumbo made to order on accident.

Just my two cents.

Duke of Perth

Not bad, not bad at all but too much bun and I ordered medium-rare and got medium...

once again, a very good burger, but not elite...

yoyoniner wrote: a Culver's Jumbo made to order

So if u ask for it rare, they will make it rare for you? I didn't know they did that nowadays.

gp60004 wrote:

yoyoniner wrote: a Culver's Jumbo made to order

So if u ask for it rare, they will make it rare for you? I didn't know they did that nowadays.

Maybe I mis-spoke. I don't think they'll make it rare considering it is a potential health hazard.

If you are still looking for a good burger try Mother Hubbard's. Their burger has a lot of seasoning as well as onions and green peppers on the inside. They boast about it being old fashioned and it's pretty on point. I'm kind of old school and it really does remind me of the burgers I ate growing up.

The Diner Grill's double bacon cheeseburger w/fried egg on top is one of the greatest burgers out there, but is in a different category than fresh, hand-made patties in my opinion. The Dinner Grill uses frozen frisbee burgers that can only be cooked well. It's kind of like comparing Taco Bell to real Mexican food.

I've been to Kuma's a few times and I still don't see the mass appeal for their burgers. I've found the meat to have absolutely no flavor whatsoever. The toppings certainly make the burgers, but I enjoy a well-seasoned patty. I'll continue to experiment with their offerings, but I'm never blown away by what I receive.

Hand made patties eh? How about Boston Blackies? I remember loving the burger there so much that I was willing to follow their ridiculous dress code. (no hats!?!? at a burger place?!?!)

Max wrote:The Diner Grill's double bacon cheeseburger w/fried egg on top is one of the greatest burgers out there, but is in a different category than fresh, hand-made patties in my opinion. The Dinner Grill uses frozen frisbee burgers that can only be cooked well. It's kind of like comparing Taco Bell to real Mexican food.

I've been to Kuma's a few times and I still don't see the mass appeal for their burgers. I've found the meat to have absolutely no flavor whatsoever. The toppings certainly make the burgers, but I enjoy a well-seasoned patty. I'll continue to experiment with their offerings, but I'm never blown away by what I receive.

It seems like you are in my "Kuma's burger is underflavored camp"
Do you have any recommendations?

By the way, I stopped by RJ Grunts the other day and once again, the burger's flavor did not disappoint...

edgewaterglutton wrote:IMO, the best burger I've had in Chicago is the double bacon cheeseburger at the Diner Grill (or Dinner Grill) depending on which side you read at Irving Park & Ashland.

Edgewater,

Terrific pictures!

I'm a fan of Diner Grill myself.

Enjoy,
Gary

edgewaterglutton wrote:(no hats!?!? at a burger place?!?!)

A rather unusual request from a place whose logo is a hat, don't you think?

Went to Dunlay's on Clark today... OUTSTANDING Burger!!!

I wasn't expecting too much, mainly because I have a cold and my gustatory perception is well below par, but the medium-rare bacon cheeseburger I had today was simply outstanding.

I will even go so far as to state that it was the best burger I have had in Chicago thus far.

There was nothing special about the bun, it wasn't my favorite (pretzel) variety, but it had a nice eggy taste and held up well underneath the force of my clawing hands.

The burger itself was cooked absolutely dead-on medium rare -- so much so that immediately after picking it up, there was a steady drip onto the plate, which picked up in velocity after taking the first bite.
The thing was literally cooked to the exact optimal second -- I almost suspected the involvement of some novel burger-cooking technology.
The heat from the outer edge of the burger mixed exquisitely well with the tomato, pickle and mayo (an underrated condiment on any burger).
The bacon was heavenly -- the best bacon I have had on any burger.
I don't have any memory of the cheese, other than it was cheddar.

The meat itself had to be between 75% - 80% lean, the flavor was very powerful (beefy, buttery, appropriately salty) and even caught me a bit off guard, as my trembling legs shook the chair beneath me.
Had I not been suffering from an upper respiratory infection, I may have needed to be revived after a brief episode of syncope.
The size of the patty was perfect, just big enough to induce a moderate amount of satiation, though small enough to wrap my jaws around without hyperextending my temperomandibular joint.

I have had many burgers from Kuma and a couple from Rosebud -- though there are certain qualities of both of those burgers which might rate higher than the Dunlay burger (bun, cheese, some Kuma condiments), overall it was no contest.

Dunlay's on Clark has the best tasting burger in Chicago!