Does a hamburger topped with a red wine sauce and a communion wafer sound tasty to you? If not, you’re not the only one who finds such a burger unpalatable. After popular Chicago burger joint Kuma’s Corner added the Ghost burger to their menu, many Christians are furious.
According to the description of the Ghost burger provided by Kuma’s Corner, the burger includes:
10oz patty
Ghost chile aioli
Slow braised Goat shoulder
Aged white cheddar cheese
Red Wine Reduction (the blood of christ)
with Communion Wafer garnish (the body of christ)
Yeah, it’s just a hamburger, but it’s easy to see why some folks would be a little ticked off. Kuma’s Corner does say the Ghost burger is paying respect to a heavy metal band of the same name, but there’s no doubt that they knew it would be found offensive. Considering the attention they’ve gotten over the burger, that was probably part of their game plan.
Do you find the burger in poor taste? Respond below.
After receiving numerous complaints on the Ghost burger, Kuma’s Corner issued a rather snarky statement on Facebook and offered up a $1,500 donation to Catholic Charities of the Chicago Archdiocese.
Don’t mistake the long-winded statement or donation for an apology, though, because Kuma’s Corner is pretty clear that is not what they’re doing, nor are they taking the Ghost burger off the menu.
Kuma’s Corner is aware that in some cases, people have unfortunately found reason to find offense at our recent special menu addition the Ghost. We make hamburgers for a living. We are a small nine table restaurant in the Avondale neighborhood of Chicago. And we love heavy metal. There is a band doing music that we enjoy particularly called Ghost….As with all of our burgers, the Ghost was created to pay homage to the music they’ve created.
However, in the haze of the past few days, we would like to express the following. We support the rights of every person in the United States as given to them by the Constitution, to do and say what they feel….we feel it is our obligation to not stand down in the face of threats but instead to stand up for something we hold to be much nobler; the First Amendment. If you are not familiar with it, let us provide the text for you:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
So, to be clear, the Ghost burger will be available at Kuma’s Corner throughout the month of October. In addition, Ghost will be on tour in the United States all month and we encourage you to familiarize yourself with this amazing band by supporting them at one of their shows across the country.
In standing with our policy of supporting charity and Chicago at large, we have made a $1500 dollar donation to the Catholic Charities of the Chicago Archdiocese as we understand that they share our mentality of serving anyone in need from any walk of life.
Long story short, Kuma’s Corner will continue with menu items that could be perceived as offensive, thanks to the First Amendment.
Kuma's Corner is really causing a stir. Makes me want to go to Chicago for a cheeseburger. And stay there. Not for the burger but for fall.
— Valerie Keim (@valeriekeim) October 5, 2013
@scottkleinberg Let the Boycott of Kuma's begin! This is absolutely offensive! #PeopleOfFaithUnite
— Fr. Manuel Dorantes (@TweetingPriest) October 4, 2013