Known both for its staggering wait times and insanely good burgers, the heavy metal burger joint Kuma's Corner is about to sprout a whole new outpost in Lincoln Park.
On Wednesday, Chicago magazine reported the Avondale restaurant would open the much larger Kuma's Too at the heavy metal-approved address of 666 W. Diversey Pkwy. As Eater Chicago notes, Kuma's is taking over the space once occupied by The Counter. The fellow gourmet burger slinger closed its doors this weekend.
Kuma's owner Michael Cain reportedly applied for a liquor license on Monday and is eyeing a March opening for Too. Eater and Chicago Magazine both suggested the second location's beefed-up seating (Too will hold 73 burger fans) and larger kitchen will whittle the famously long wait times of the flagship.
Of course, the original Kuma's 16x6 foot kitchen isn't the only reason for the block-busting lines: the burger mecca has maintained mega popularity since it opened in 2005 (and both "Check Please!"and "Diners Drive-Ins And Dives" have filmed episodes there).
In August, there was speculation that Kuma's might open a suburban outpost in the decidedly un-Kuma's-like location of the Woodfield Mall. Kuma's shut the rumor down, and a naming mixup appeared to be the cause of confusion.
When Eater asked Caine about the Lincoln Park clientele — arguably not the target audience for a restaurant that loves to blast Sabbath and Sleep — the Kuma's owner was unfazed. It could always be seen a return to its roots: before the days of double-wide strollers and boutiques, Lincoln Park rocked a much scuzzier history as the home to Chicago punk label Wax Trax! Records, The Lounge Ax venue and the still-standing rock and roll dive, Delilah's.
Photo by MMChicago via Flickr.
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