Leave it to the Sin City to jump on the chance to replicate the metal-and-meat formula of uberpopular Kuma’s Corner. Apparently the head honchos of the Venetian approached Kuma’s owner Mike Cain (right) about expanding to the recently completed second phase of their hotel, and they wanted Cain to bring his Slayer burger with him. “It’s just not who we are,” Cain says. “To be honest, I thought about it, and considered it, but we’re really into doing things with local charities and we’re all about locals and regulars. Real Vegas locals don’t go to the strip.”
So Vegas is out, but that doesn’t mean Cain’s not expanding. “Milwaukee, Cleveland, Pittsburgh…now those are possibilities,” he says. Working-class towns, including one that some consider a mini-Chicago (I’m looking at you, Cream City), seem a natural fit for Cain’s burgers, bikers, babes and brew shtick. But first, look for Kuma’s South, right here in Chicago. And before the name tricks you into picturing a Kuma’s sibling in Bridgeport or Pilsen, the name references the food, not the location (for what it’s worth, Cain says he’s looking at Rogers Park and Uptown as possibilities).
“I have this guy here, a cook, Dan, and he’s really awesome at making Southern food,” Cain says. “So that’s next. We’re gonna do barbecue, fried chicken, greens, that kind of thing. And come May, there’ll be plenty of empty spots so I’m just keeping my eyes open for the right one. I’ll know it when I see it.”
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I am a huge fan of Kuma’s, and I love that you guys decided against Vegas. Can’t wait to get my rabid carnivore claws on this forthcoming Southern food, Kumas-style!
Would you guys consider switching back to your fresh-cut fries?!? I miss them like HELL!
Ooooohhhh…. I agree on the fries…. I loved the fresh cut but can do without the waffle fries. The burgers though… I even dream about them!
EXCELLENT NEWS! I can’t wait for Kuma’s-style bbq! Thank you for thinking of Chicago first when you considered expanding.
I, too, REALLY miss your non-waffle french fries. I’d pay extra to bring them back!
KUMA’S MILWAUKEE.
Oh my god please make this happen someday.
Keep the waffle fries. The fresh cut were mushy and disgusting. Sorry. Love the burgers!
Dear Kuma’s — be ACTUALLY METAL for once and bring your goddammned delicious food to the ACTUAL south side. We don’t just like metal south of Roosevelt. We ARE metal.
PS — we also read magazines and we don’t all live in Pilsen or Hyde Park. Wink.
Thank you,
Grayson
Back of The Yards resident
+1 on keeping the waffle fries. I think they’re really good, especially the way they’re seasoned.
I agree with Grayson too on the idea of a South Side location, though of course I’d never dare suggest that you guys aren’t METAL!
You know, there’s a vacant Amoco station right across the street from the site of the old Thirsty Whale (8800 Grand Ave, River Grove). You could tear that piece of **** down and build your South Side Kuma’s right there! How awesome would that be?
Actually, that would be more of a West Side Kuma’s, but you get the idea…
I love Kuma’s and admire Mike for his integrity, but come on… it’s a restaurant dude! Mike could have made an outrageous offer and perhaps helped more “local” charities than we ever imagined! Time to move on and forward. A new place sounds great.