The mac and cheese is a meal in itself, and a must try.

Is it true that good things come to those who wait? We were wondering while we spent 80 minutes in line at Kuma’s Corner over weekend, so we asked you, “how long is too long?”

The Twitter responses we got were all over the board. Some folks are willing to do whatever it takes to get good food, while others prefer to avoid the hassle and eat whatever is readily available.

In the end, it all comes down to managing expectations. I didn’t mind waiting for my Kuma’s burger one bit because I’d planned to wait. Kuma’s is very popular and doesn’t take reservations, so it’s a sure thing that it’s going to be tough to get a table quickly, especially on a holiday weekend. If I was famished and wanted something right away, I wouldn’t go there.

The only time a long wait at a specialty restaurant bugs me is when people who arrive after me mysteriously get seated before I do, or when the front of the house doesn’t have its act together enough to keep the line moving.

During this visit, the Kuma’s folks were on top of the influx. Those of us loitering around the front door became brothers-in-arms working toward a common goal, as we waited for our names to be called and sipped on drinks from the Burger King down the street to tide us over.

Our patience was even bolstered by passersby.
“It’s worth the wait!” one driver called from his open window.

Was it? For me, absolutely. My goal was to go to Kuma’s that day. I was in no hurry… I had nowhere else to be. And when we finally got in the door, the burgers were just as good as I remembered. What a rare thing!

The mac and cheese was fantastic too. But I do wonder if it would stand-up well on its own. That’s because at Kuma’s the mac and cheese is all about adding extras like sun dried tomatoes or caramelized onions to the mix to create a dish of your liking. I suspect that without additions, it would be frightfully bland.

I highly recommend sitting on the back patio if you can manage it. The pounding tunes played inside make conversation a challenge, but the patio lends itself to lingering. (The patio is also wheelchair accessible, and the back door has a ramp.) It’s a perfect place to kick back with friends while you enjoy your long awaited and well deserved burger and brew.

My Judas Priest Burger did not disappoint.