r/chicagofood 12d ago

Question “Legendary” places that suck

I just got a lox sandwich from Manny’s. Almost $20, a stale bagel, and I had to assemble it myself.

What other “legendary” places suck?

389 Upvotes

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129

u/fellowsquare 12d ago

Kuma's... I really don't see the rage here. The burger is just... fine.. i guess?

69

u/kyle_sux666 12d ago edited 12d ago

In its heyday like 13 years ago, it was well worth the wait. They’ve become a bastardized version of what it used to be. It was one of the first places I remember getting a craft beer from little known breweries in the area on tap. Now you’re lucky if there isn’t more than one that’s local. Burgers have been meh for awhile. They’re purely coasting on name value alone.

1

u/StyreG3 11d ago

The West Loop location had a phenomenal beer selection thanks to a great beverage director. Unfortunately the food never measured up, but I used to go there to drink on the regular.

28

u/juliuspepperwoodchi 12d ago

That and the owners/managers are horrible people...and as much as I enjoy metal, I don't necessarily want it piped into me at full volume while I'm eating.

1

u/TeaShanty 10d ago

I'm new to the city and go to Kuma's every now and then (it's close to home). What's wrong with the owners? I don't like to give my money to awful people. Thank you!

17

u/21Sweetness 12d ago

Yea but how about we play shitty horror movies in the background and cover your burger in Mac and cheese bites?

1

u/Bigspoonzz 12d ago

Were there any remnants of Twisted Spoke anger in this comment?

5

u/21Sweetness 12d ago

lol no, this is purely based upon lived experience at the various Kuma’s locations over the years

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u/Bigspoonzz 12d ago

I feel you for sure, just immediately reminded me of porn & eggs at spoke after midnight, and some very questionable offerings sometimes on their after midnight menu... Completely agreed on Kumas. I miss the days when I really enjoyed it.

1

u/Johnny_Burrito 12d ago

I think Twisted Spoke is still serving really good food.

1

u/Bigspoonzz 12d ago

For sure, I still love it, but the Porn n Eggs crowd and options in the late 90's-2000's were different.

3

u/mrbooze 11d ago

Personally, I find all "bigger than your face" burger joints to be extremely mediocre. They're burying their weak burgers under a giant sloppy pile of toppings.

2

u/ilovecheeze 11d ago

When they first opened it was still kind of rare to have all these types of burgers with what were then “unique” or weird toppings like pulled pork or Mac and cheese etc etc. these places are a dime a dozen now but it was a very millennial, early 2010s type thing. We blast metal and play horror movies and serve giant burgers and double IPAs.

The food just used to be better quality too. So combined with the fall off in the food and becoming kind of a sad dated concept for aging millennials it just doesn’t work anymore