Seamus wrote:In short, we never made it to Kuma's.... We couldn't bear the thought of driving another 45 minutes only to wait for a table with an antsy 3 year old and a 6 year old whose patience would surely run thin.

The patrons of Kuma's thank you!

Standing-room only at midnight last evening.

Did anyone else jump on Kuma's create-a-burger challenge? I did myself and never heard back which is no big deal, but then I found a eerily similar burger on the menu a couple of weeks later. So I ordered it out of "I told you so spite," but I think they pulled it off a little better than I had laid out for them. Deliciously deceitful bastards!

whiskeybent wrote: Other new additions include the Minsk, with pastrami, sauerkraut, onions and brown mustard.

The Minsk is a burger of beauty in typical over the top Kuma's fashion and, from my taste of of ReneG's, seemed in surprising harmony.

Minsk


I would have gone with the Minsk, but a new burger, The Plague Bringer, called ny name, garlic, hot sauce, chipotle mayo, fresh jalapeno, pepper jack cheese, tortilla strips. I added an egg.

Plague Bringer


Mussels were fresh and plump in a noticeably spicy broth, which my bride, who likes some heat, but not mouth searing, pronounced delicious.

P.E.I. Mussels, Allagash White Belgian-style Ale, Garlic, Butter, Chiles


No wait for a table Sunday at 9:30pm and the service, which seems to come up in reference to Kuma's, was friendly, smooth and professional. The only slight downside to Kuma's is it's not conversation friendly, but one knows that going in.

Enjoy,
Gary

G Wiv wrote:

whiskeybent wrote: Other new additions include the Minsk, with pastrami, sauerkraut, onions and brown mustard.

The Minsk is a burger of beauty in typical over the top Kuma's fashion and, from my taste of of ReneG's, seemed in surprising harmony.

Minsk

Dear lord.. First a Teuben at Doug's (and Fred's if you are in those parts) and now, just a few blocks down California, The Reuben burger. All I can say is that I have two very nice NY Strips marinating in vacuum bags but they are going to have to wait a day longer cause I'm-a-geetin-me's one-a dem!

G Wiv wrote: I would have gone with the Minsk, but a new burger, The Plague Bringer, called ny name,

And can I be the first to use my Nelson voice (from the Simpsons) and say," HA HA, you got a Plague burger!" Seriously though, it looks delicious and I'm way over do to take the .75 mile trip up the street to Kuma's.

Continued documentation of the Waiting Game @ Kuma's: Pulled up last night at 7:30, desparately seeking a Plague Bringer. "Hour and a half wait, folks."

whiskeybent wrote:Continued documentation of the Waiting Game @ Kuma's: Pulled up last night at 7:30, desparately seeking a Plague Bringer. "Hour and a half wait, folks."

I will go on the record as saying Kuma's is to burgers as Hot Doug's is to hot dogs (except better, IMO, since you can drink great beer and listen to metal while you eat). Folks just need to accept the fact that if you visit during peak hours, you're going to wait.

johnny wrote:

whiskeybent wrote:Continued documentation of the Waiting Game @ Kuma's: Pulled up last night at 7:30, desparately seeking a Plague Bringer. "Hour and a half wait, folks."

I will go on the record as saying Kuma's is to burgers as Hot Doug's is to hot dogs (except better, IMO, since you can drink great beer and listen to metal while you eat). Folks just need to accept the fact that if you visit during peak hours, you're going to wait.

I like going for lunch. No crowds, and I have all day to work off the massive beef coma.

YoYoPedro wrote:I like going for lunch. No crowds, and I have all day to work off the massive beef coma.

Beef coma . . . . aaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!! going to have to make the trip from the western burbs sometime soon.

I had some friends who are burger (AND heavy metal) fans come down from the burbs last Saturday. There was a two hour wait at 8:00pm and it was packed 3 deep around the bar. We wound up hitting Fat Willy's instead.

Talk about teasing your friends. All I heard for the rest of the night was "dude that place even smelled awesome".

As others have said, plan on lunch or an early dinner. I've gone a couple times at 4 or 4:30 on a weekend and snagged a table. After 5:00 it's a crapshoot unless you can squeeze your way onto a barstool, but those burgers can be tough to handle even if you cut them in half.

You know, I'm glad they aren't lacking the business, but I kind of feel sorry for the folks at Kuma's. I can't imagine it's pleasant to tell people about that kind of a wait....

Tree Hate Me wrote:
Talk about teasing your friends. All I heard for the rest of the night was "dude that place even smelled awesome".

Oh man, that's gotta go on a t-shirt!

Behold - February's burger special created by Mrs. Johnny:

Lair Of The Minotaur



Bourbon-poached pears + grilled onions + pancetta + brie cheese atop a burger.

johnny wrote:Behold - February's burger special created by Mrs. Johnny

Is it just the picture that makes the bun look charred? Sounds good, though! Interesting choice with the pears!

johnny wrote:Behold - February's burger special created by Mrs. Johnny:

Lair Of The Minotaur



Bourbon-poached pears + grilled onions + pancetta + brie cheese atop a burger.

I'm sure thats a great combination of flavors--

But if I can't see the burger underneath the pile of toppings
thats not usually a good thing. Thats over-compensating. USUALLY.

But I am sure Kuma's will prove me wrong soon....

But I am sure Kuma's will prove me wrong soon

I'm thinking ROTJ here - either "you were right about me, Luke; tell your sister, you were right!" or "and then, young Skywalker, you...will...die..."

GardenofEatin wrote:
Is it just the picture that makes the bun look charred?

Yeah, the picture quality isn't the greatest.
Although, the buns have taken on a darker color as of late.
Not charred at all - just how they arrive from the bakery.

We had given up on making a play for dinner based on burgers because the result is so often disappointing. However after reading so many page of love for Kumas we were obliged to give it a try.

The space is great. I do not like the death metal or whatever music was playing but the volume was perfect and the place had a noisy atmosphere without being disruptive to conversation. The low lights, original art and omnipresent smoke from the gril were all very appealing.

The menu is basic and the beer selection great. Disappointingly the first 4, yes 4, beers I tried to order were unavailable. I don't know if it is providence or my uber typical preferences but I was pretty annoyed after the 4th rejection. Not that it is a big deal or that I was unhappy with the porter on tap but I can't recall that happening before and it got me wondering if the menu was outdated or what.

For the food we started with an order of chips then had two burgers. The chips were good but not warm or heavily seasoned. The first burger was a neurosis medium with a side salad. The ceaser was good but strangely sweet, very sweet. The neurosis was cooked right and had all of the necessary parts though we would have preferred mustard which was not offered.

The second burger was the iron maiden with jalepenos. It was ordered med rare and arrived med well. I checked the receipt to make sure it was ordered correctly and our serer had it marked with the MW. I was underwhelmed by the cherry peppers as they seemed to be more sweetly pickled than what I was looking for but the avocado was generous and sliced perfectly. The fries were copius and good.

All in all the food was good and the ambiance is top notch. But, I still don't feel strongly about this place. We will have to go back for brunch before making a real decision. Until then I am still looking for my favorite 12 burger.

third coast foodie wrote:The menu is basic and the beer selection great. Disappointingly the first 4, yes 4, beers I tried to order were unavailable. I don't know if it is providence or my uber typical preferences but I was pretty annoyed after the 4th rejection. Not that it is a big deal or that I was unhappy with the porter on tap but I can't recall that happening before and it got me wondering if the menu was outdated or what.

Assuming you visited on Monday, this seems common after a busy weekend. I guess it's the result of attempting to offer microbrews instead of the standard Bud, Miller, etc.

johnny wrote:

third coast foodie wrote:The menu is basic and the beer selection great. Disappointingly the first 4, yes 4, beers I tried to order were unavailable. I don't know if it is providence or my uber typical preferences but I was pretty annoyed after the 4th rejection. Not that it is a big deal or that I was unhappy with the porter on tap but I can't recall that happening before and it got me wondering if the menu was outdated or what.

Assuming you visited on Monday, this seems common after a busy weekend. I guess it's the result of attempting to offer microbrews instead of the standard Bud, Miller, etc.

Isn't more likely that they aren't ordering enough beer? The problem third coast foodie is describing is not uncommon. I have had to go to at least my 3rd choice of beer on multiple occasions. Out of stocks happen but at Kuma's it seems like it more of the rule. It is the only negative thing (to me) about the place, luckily they have a good beer list and I can always find something I want eventually.

With great expectation I went to Kuma's late last Friday with a group of four. When we arrived it was packed, standing room only, one hour wait, and the music was so loud I could barely hear myself think. Really really loud. Screaching metal guitars, thundering bass, pounding drums. So loud I was shouting to the people next to me to be heard.

Then again, it was 9:00 on a Friday night.

Still, I didn't expect that based on reading most of this thread.

We were planning on having a long conversation over the meal, which, given the music volume, just wouldn't have worked, so we moved on. Ended up having a decent meal at Chief O'Neals, but I was really looking forward to those burgers. What I saw of the food looked great. Next time I'll stop by on a weekday, or maybe just earlier in the evening.

I love this bar. I went just once last summer and it took me a while to decide which burger to get. I got the Sabbath, which is something like blackened seasoning, chili, pepper jack, etc. Outstanding all around--size, cooked nicely to medium, quality bun, good fries, great beer selection, nice little patio.

I've spent many an afternoon drinking at this bar, and occasionally I'll try the food . I can't imagine having any complaints here. I am about the least metal person on the planet (I'm studying for the CPA currently) and i still feel like it's fine for me to be there. I would just hope that other geeks like me will give Kuma's a chance even though it is known as a metal bar.

Mrs. Johnny has informed me the burgers have increased in size from 8 ounces to 10 ounces - to accomodate a larger pretzel bun.
Damn you, Kuma's. My stomach curses your name!
Were they really only 8 ounces before?

johnny wrote:Mrs. Johnny has informed me the burgers have increased in size from 8 ounces to 10 ounces - to accomodate a larger pretzel bun.
Damn you, Kuma's. My stomach curses your name!
Were they really only 8 ounces before?

My gosh, they'll be huge! They were big before! When did this happen?

johnny wrote:Mrs. Johnny has informed me the burgers have increased in size from 8 ounces to 10 ounces - to accomodate a larger pretzel bun.
Damn you, Kuma's. My stomach curses your name!
Were they really only 8 ounces before?

Will prices remain the same?

wak wrote:What I saw of the food looked great. Next time I'll stop by on a weekday, or maybe just earlier in the evening.

As a general rule of thumb - if you're just out throw'n beers down, any time of day for a bar will do.

If you're looking for food at a bar or tavern, visit during the weekdays in the afternoons - no later. Bars/taverns have no choice but to naturally shift their atmospheres based on the intentions of the majority. At 9:00 p.m on a friday night, i would bet that the dinner crowd was on their way out and the majority were there to start their night of drinking. Kuma's is probably no exception to this rule.

I ate at Kuma's last wednesday at 1 pm. Awesome service, ate at the bar, got my burger perfectly done (YOB - roasted garlic mayo, gouda cheese, roasted red peppers, bacon, so good.) and one good beer to wash it all down.

djenks wrote:At 9:00 p.m on a friday night, i would bet that the dinner crowd was on their way out and the majority were there to start their night of drinking. Kuma's is probably no exception to this rule.

In fact, all the tables were full of people eating, and the standing room only crowd was mostly waiting for a spot to open. Hence the 1 hour wait for a table. All this despite the bone-shaking metal. When I spoke to them they said that the kitchen is open until 1 am.

Not that there wasn't a lot of drinking going on too...

They seem to have a good thing going. It just wasn't what we had in mind for the evening. Based on past posts I was expecting some loud music, but something over which you could have a conversation without shouting. That wasn't the case when we stopped in. I posted more as a word of warning to anyone else that plans to stop by at that time. The atmosphere seems quite different from what you get at other times of the week.

Maybe the music is a way to ration demand.

teatpuller wrote:Maybe the music is a way to ration demand.

Maybe the music is just the way they like it.