Kuma's opens in Fountain Square with burgers inspired by heavy metal

When it comes to making the rockingest burgers, Kuma's Corner taps potent beats, power guitars and massive sound.

The Fountain Square burger joint, which opened Aug. 17, has a menu that reads like a heavy metal Top 10.

Take the Slayer, performing on a bed of fries, chili, cherry peppers, shredded jack cheese, green onions, caramelized onions, andouille sausage and, as the menu says, "ANGER!"

Blackening spice seasons, what else, the Black Sabbath with housemade chili, pepper jack cheese and red onion. Chipotle mayonnaise, pepper jack cheese and cherry peppers fire the Iron Maiden, also with avocado, lettuce, tomato and onion.

"Harshing your mellow since 2005" is the Chicago-based restaurant's slogan. The idea is to eat the burger and take interest in the band and vice versa.

Who wouldn't want to find out more about Lair of the Minotaur, which sounds like a forbidding place until you check its burger with brie, pancetta, caramelized onions and bourbon poached pears. With a little research, those who don't know the thrash/sludge band hear the music and discover that in 2011 it teamed up with Indiana's Three Floyds to create the brewery's Evil Power Imperial Pilsner, named for the band's 2010 album.

Kuma is the Japanese word for bear. A painting of a raging, electric-blue-eyed bear, mouth watering from sharp fangs caging a purple velvet tongue, hangs in the 100-seat spot, 1127 Prospect St. Another 100 seats are on the patio, heated during cool weather.

Servers wear a range of hair colors, and elaborate tattoos decorate many patches of skin, but Kuma's is not all show.

Cooks in the open kitchen will flip flame-grilled 10-ounce patties fashioned, and never frozen, from a "proprietary blend of beef cuts and served on pretzel rolls, said Luke Tobias, Kuma's Corner co-owner.

"You don't have to be a (heavy metal) fan; we produce the best burgers on the planet," Tobias said without a flinch.

Fans seem to agree. Social media lit up with excitement after Kuma's announced its first store outside of Chicago would be in Indianapolis.

The Kuma, with bacon, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion and a fried egg, is the most popular stack, Tobias said. Close seconds are Slayer and the Mastodon's bacon, cheddar, fried onions and barbecue sauce mix.

"A lot of times, we'll pick bands and build the burgers based on that. A lot of times, we'll build burgers and find an appropriate band to kind of tie with that," said Tobias, who is eyeing local bands for fresh inspiration.

Pork-barbecue-smothered fries under a melted jack cheese blanket and a build-your-own macaroni and cheese option that lets you choose from some 20 meat and vegetable additions are among selections on salad, sandwich and appetizer menus.

Expect local beers on tap and "a lot" of whiskeys, some on tap, a system that gets drinks to customers quicker, Tobias said. "I don't want to pin down (how many whiskeys) because it's going to fluctuate."

Launched in Chicago's Avondale neighborhood, Kuma's started as a corner bar. "Our ethos is simple," the owners state at kumascorner.com. "Support your community. Eat beef. Bang your head."

Kuma's chose Fountain Square for the neighborhood's community spirit. The company sources local food, regularly supports charitable causes and plans to contribute to Fountain Square development. Kuma's plan more locations, but Tobias wouldn't say where or if others are planned in Indianapolis.

Tobias is an Elkhart County native who, "on a whim," started working at one of Kuma's three Chicago locations about 10 years ago. He worked his way from the bottom to a co-owner. Yes, he digs heavy metal. His favorite band? Judas Priest.

Call Liz Biro at (317) 444-6264. Follow her on Twitter @lizbiro, Instagram @lizbirodish, Facebook and Pinterest.

Kuma's Corner

• Address: 1127 Prospect St., near the intersection of Virginia Avenue.

• Hours: 11:30 a.m. to midnight, Sunday through Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

• Parking: A few spots on-site and more dedicated spaces across the street at 1150 Prospect St.

• Price range: $9-$15.

• Contact: (317) 929-1549; www.facebook.com/kumasindy, indianapolis@kumascorner.com, Twitter @kumasindy, Instagram @kumasindy.