Kuma's Too

Has anyone yet been to the new Kuma's in Lakeview?

Kuma's Too
666 W. Diversey
Chicago IL 60614

I actually tried to go on Monday last week and was quoted a 2 hour wait at 2:00 pm for a party of 2. We didn't stay, but I'm curious to hear how it is as well.

Ursiform wrote:I actually tried to go on Monday last week and was quoted a 2 hour wait at 2:00 pm for a party of 2.

At 2 pm??? Wow! In two hours, you could walk the 0.8 mile to Edzo's, order, get served, eat, and walk back, and you'd still have another 30-45 minutes to wait before they were ready to seat you.

nsxtasy wrote:

Ursiform wrote:I actually tried to go on Monday last week and was quoted a 2 hour wait at 2:00 pm for a party of 2.

At 2 pm??? Wow! In two hours, you could walk the 0.8 mile to Edzo's, order, get served, eat, and walk back, and you'd still have another 30-45 minutes to wait before they were ready to seat you.

I wouldn't get too comfortable with that idea if I were you...we showed up at the LP Edzo's with a party of 7 at 3:30 in the afternoon--truly the witching hour--and were lucky to snag the only seats available in the joint. And all seats stayed filled throughout the time we were there--as someone got up, there was someone at the counter ready to sit down after placing their order. I'm guessing the lines aren't far behind.

nsxtasy wrote:

Ursiform wrote:I actually tried to go on Monday last week and was quoted a 2 hour wait at 2:00 pm for a party of 2.

At 2 pm??? Wow! In two hours, you could walk the 0.8 mile to Edzo's, order, get served, eat, and walk back, and you'd still have another 30-45 minutes to wait before they were ready to seat you.

Edzo's was closed that day or we would have! As it turned out so was the Bad Apple when we drove over there. Wound up at Big Jones, totally happy with a Pimento Cheeseburger.

Tried Kuma's Too last week, I haven't been to the original but very much enjoyed this one. We showed up at 5, they quoted an hour wait, it ended up being about an hour and 45 minutes but we spent the first 45 minutes at a nearby bar. With that wait I can't say I'll do it again in the next few months, but it's definitely an experience. I got the original kuma's burger and the mac & cheese, both were excellent (but it may have tasted better because I was starving at that point...).

I'm curious as to why Kuma's, with its tough guy image, opens up a second location within one of Chicago's arguably most cream puff neighborhoods?

rmtraut wrote:I'm curious as to why Kuma's, with its tough guy image, opens up a second location within one of Chicago's arguably most cream puff neighborhoods?

This might explain it:

Ursiform wrote:I actually tried to go on Monday last week and was quoted a 2 hour wait at 2:00 pm for a party of 2.

maxbrown wrote: We showed up at 5, they quoted an hour wait, it ended up being about an hour and 45 minutes

--Rich

I'm curious as to why Kuma's, with its tough guy image, opens up a second location within one of Chicago's arguably most cream puff neighborhoods

Tough Guy's can be Capitalist too!
Cream Puff's $$$'s the same color as psuedo-hipster's $$$........G R E E N !

In regards to other outlets- I'd "heard" that Kuma's was approached to open in Las Vegas as well.
Not sure where those conversations ever went......

Long Live- a Great Idea- that's not real "complex" ......well executed/and good (consistently)

Tough Guy's can be Capitalist too!
Cream Puff's $$$'s the same color as psuedo-hipster's $$$........G R E E N !

I know, I know... I get it. But, Kuma's will be jammed in any decent neighborhood, right? All I'm saying is that Kuma's locating in the heartland of Chad's and Trixie's doesn't add up for me. And okay maybe I'm just jealous that they aren't in my 'hood!!

rmtraut wrote:I'm curious as to why Kuma's, with its tough guy image, opens up a second location within one of Chicago's arguably most cream puff neighborhoods?

Kuma's has a lot of things, but a tough guy image isn't one of them. My friends aunt and her book club girls from Arlington Heights made the trek as have several of my very suburban cousins who won't go near any ethnic place I suggest.

Hombre de Acero wrote:

Cream Puff's $$$'s the same color

Uh-Huh...

Kuma's has a tough guy image? Never thought or heard that before. Now Hot Doug's, on the other hand, is straight gangster.

As the OP in the ur-Kuma's thread, let me say a few words here. The folks at Kuma's are all bark, no bite, when it comes to "toughness." They are, in fact, the real "cream puffs" as between them and their customers. And that is a good thing. They sell a desirable product and service in a heavy-metal themed restaurant. Kuma's wasn't always about heavy metal hamburgers, but now that they are, they have it down to a science. Getting a location with the address "666" was a stunning victory for a heavy-metal themed restaurant. They will thrive at both locations.

JimInLoganSquare wrote:As the OP in the ur-Kuma's thread, let me say a few words here. The folks at Kuma's are all bark, no bite, when it comes to "toughness." They are, in fact, the real "cream puffs" as between them and their customers. And that is a good thing. They sell a desirable product and service in a heavy-metal themed restaurant. Kuma's wasn't always about heavy metal hamburgers, but now that they are, they have it down to a science. Getting a location with the address "666" was a stunning victory for a heavy-metal themed restaurant. They will thrive at both locations.

Yes, Jim, I remember when you believe they had excellent biscuits. Those were the days!

MikeL wrote:...Now Hot Doug's, on the other hand, is straight gangster.

Excuse me, but I believe that's "Gangsta".

Buddy

Cathy2 wrote:

JimInLoganSquare wrote:As the OP in the ur-Kuma's thread, let me say a few words here. The folks at Kuma's are all bark, no bite, when it comes to "toughness." They are, in fact, the real "cream puffs" as between them and their customers. And that is a good thing. They sell a desirable product and service in a heavy-metal themed restaurant. Kuma's wasn't always about heavy metal hamburgers, but now that they are, they have it down to a science. Getting a location with the address "666" was a stunning victory for a heavy-metal themed restaurant. They will thrive at both locations.

Yes, Jim, I remember when you believe they had excellent biscuits. Those were the days!

Indeed. To be clear, I believed they had excellent biscuits because they did, in fact, have excellent biscuits. The cognitive dissonance between that fact and the tats and piercings, metal-themed presentation of the place was certainly part of its charm in those early days.

Wait, what is this I hear about Kuma's now offering cream puffs?

I'm thinking pastry cream, butterscotch pudding, caramelized mango, chocolate sauce, raspberry coulis, mascarpone, peanut brittle, banana chips and bacon? Called the Gland Squeezer or something.

Went last Friday night at about 9:00 after watching my alma mater at the Alumni bar down the street. Remembered Kuma's Too was nearby and threw it out there as we weren't looking for anything nice, but something better than the bar food where we were.

We were quoted 45 minutes but waited about an hour for our 4 top. It was good to recognize both bartenders as ladies from the original. There is definitely some cross over of employees.

The food was pretty spot on for Kuma's. All four burgers were cooked perfectly to order. Fries and chips were both the same. Only difference in the food was the mac and cheese was a much smaller portion than the massive serving you get at the original. But still delicious.

The place had cleared out by the time we left at 11:00. The space definitely has more of a manufactured, sterile feel compared to the original. I didn't think I'd go to Kuma's Too this early in it's operation, but it fit the bill for the evening and delivered. I'd still much rather go to the original, but it will quench your Kuma's-thirst if you're in the area.

I live right down the street from the original so I'm just hoping this new location leads to less waiting at the original. At most we go once a year because of the hassle. One good thing about living close by is I've been able to drive over, put my name down, and go home for an hour and a half instead of waiting on the street corner.

at 1220pm last saturday, was quoted 40min to 1hr wait for 2 people. was seated in 15 minutes.

my slayer was fine. the poppers were ok...not worth getting again.

my friend's burger, ordered medium, arrived well done.

We heard about the new location and were pretty excited-- it's a lot easier to get to if you're staying downtown without a car! We went last night (so a Wednesday) and arrived just after 5pm. No wait for a table, and quite a few empty tables. We were both jetlagged and so ate and ran, were out by 6 and there were still a few tables open.

Service was friendly as usual, and both our burgers were great. Husband's was properly rare and my veggie burger Iron Maiden was delicious as usual. I love that they offer all the burgers as a veg version, and really like the quality of their veggie burgers.

Only glitch was that they were out of rootbeer on tap, but that's no big deal.

Atmosphere wasn't as fun as the original, and it looks like a dentist's from the outside, but the fact that it's easy to get to and might mean less waiting means we'll definitely pick this one next time we're in town again.

This subject must have rotated off the top screens for me. I did get to Kuma's Too one evening in late February. I got there around 6:15 pm. I waited 25 minutes. A seat at the bar opened up then.
I had the Plague Bringer hamburger. In the spirit of Kuma's, I felt a photo of it in partial ruin would be more appropriate. I am reasonably sure I had three beers on tap also.

I agree with JimInLoganSquare that it might not have located in this neighborhood if it didn't get the 666 address.

Thought I would comment on the atmosphere. Before Kuma's Too was in this location, there was another high end Burger shop called "The Counter". They advertised themselves as Oprah's Favorite Burger, but I personally thought the burgers were incredibly mediocre for the price. The best sweet potato fries I've ever had though.

They were always packed, which is why their closing was puzzling to me. I believe the time between them closing and Kuma's Too opening was less than 4 months. All Kuma's Too did to the place was put a fresh coat of paint on it and add speakers -- the hardware in the front was identical to The Counter's.

I always wondered about what happened behind the scenes considering The Counter seemed so successful.

The biggest problem I have with Kuma's Too's atmosphere is the music. The restaurant is basically a box with hard metal surfaces everywhere; which means there is no acoustic dampening at all. The music just echoes like mad, which turns it into a wall of noise instead of anything resembling metal. Merzbow would be right at home here. I hope they add some dampening to the walls at some point.

Do they have a Merzbow burger? They should!

Chuu wrote:Thought I would comment on the atmosphere. Before Kuma's Too was in this location, there was another high end Burger shop called "The Counter". They advertised themselves as Oprah's Favorite Burger, but I personally thought the burgers were incredibly mediocre for the price. The best sweet potato fries I've ever had though.

They were always packed, which is why their closing was puzzling to me. I believe the time between them closing and Kuma's Too opening was less than 4 months. All Kuma's Too did to the place was put a fresh coat of paint on it and add speakers -- the hardware in the front was identical to The Counter's.

I always wondered about what happened behind the scenes considering The Counter seemed so successful.

The biggest problem I have with Kuma's Too's atmosphere is the music. The restaurant is basically a box with hard metal surfaces everywhere; which means there is no acoustic dampening at all. The music just echoes like mad, which turns it into a wall of noise instead of anything resembling metal. Merzbow would be right at home here. I hope they add some dampening to the walls at some point.

They had a The Counter there? There were a few of them in LA (I think they started a mini-chain), and yes, they were very mediocre. I had a friend who claimed they were LA's best though (I have a theory about him though - he likes a lot of mediocre places, and I think it's so that when he eats there he can feel like his cooking is better).

Oh, the best burger I've had so far (which isn't necessarily saying much) in Chicago has been at Kuma's Too - the one with a lot of garlic, but I still wouldn't call it great. Where can I get a great burger in Chicago? (I liked Edzo's for a fast/diner burger and thought Bad Apple was just ok).

mdpilam wrote:Where can I get a great burger in Chicago? (I liked Edzo's for a fast/diner burger and thought Bad Apple was just ok).

In the city itself (without mentioning the big steakhouses) try Owen & Engine (Irish Pub), Lockdown (Kuma's copycat), M Burger (for another fast/diner griddle type), or Big and Little's. I like Bad Apple and Kuma's, but I have had both amazing burgers and so-so burgers at both restaurants, so remember that you might have to go back to give them another chance, especially if cooked incorrectly. My first two Kuma's visits were ok, but the third was the one that did it for me. I also am a big Edzo's fan.

Owen & Engine (Irish Pub)

English, actually (sorry, for the pendantry). This is still my favorite burger in town.

=R=

mdpilam wrote:M Burger (for another fast/diner griddle type)

I personally prefer Wendy's to M Burger. Their burgers are just . . . so uninspiring. The fact they lie about their fries being fresh (They will tell you they're fresh because they're "fresh frozen") does not help. It still puzzles me why some people choose M Burger over Epic Burger at the Loyola Water Tower campus.