Avondale's Heavy Metal Burger Bar
Kuma's Corner on Belmont in Avondale is the city's heavy-metal burger bar — burgers named after metal bands (the Slayer, the Black Sabbath, the Iron Maiden), properly-rendered patties, and a sound system that earns its reputation rather than feeling forced.
The cooking is American burgers at proper restaurant standards. Patties properly rendered, considered toppings, hand-cut fries, the kind of disciplined craft that distinguishes a serious burger from a casual one.
What to Order
The Black Sabbath — the cookout-classic with chilli and pepper jack. The Slayer — the heavily-loaded benchmark. The Lair of the Minotaur with the more adventurous toppings. The beer programme is unsurprisingly metal-heavy.
The Format
The wait is part of the experience. Kuma's does not take reservations and weekend evenings can run two hours. The bar absorbs some of the wait; off-peak weekday lunches are the gentler route.
Best Occasion: Solo Dining
Kuma's is one of Avondale's most natural solo-dining rooms. The format requires nothing of the diner; the heavy-metal register is unintimidating; the price point sits in the bracket where lunch is a regular ritual rather than a special occasion.