Tetra Images/Corbis
Communion wafers are not typically considered a culinary garnish, but a Chicago restaurant is touting the sacred cracker as a part of a new monthly special.
Kuma’s Corner, a longstanding heavy metal-themed burger bar on the city’s North Side, features behemoth speciality burgers named for metal bands. October’s special is named for Swedish metal act Ghost B.C., a ghoulish-looking band known for performing in hooded robes. The lead singer, who calls himself Papa Emeritus, is clothed as a Roman Catholic Cardinal and wears skeleton makeup.
The $17, 10 oz. monstrosity is dressed with Ghost chile aioli, slow braised goat shoulder, aged white cheddar cheese, a red wine reduction — meant to symbolize the blood of Christ — and of course the body of Christ: the unconsecrated Communion wafer to top it all off.
(MORE: The Web Hates Burger King’s Fake Name Change)
But some diners are vexed by the burger’s religious references, and have taken to the restaurant’s Facebook page for a colorful discussion on whether it’s offensive. “It’s not a commentary on the state of religion or anything like that,” Director of Operations Luke Tobias told the Chicago Tribune. “It’s literally, ‘We like this band; we think what they do is cool.’”
Other burgers include the Iron Maiden, High on Fire, and the “Slayer,” a burger served on a bed of fries with chili, caramelized onion, andouille, cherry peppers, monterey jack, scallions and — anger.
Customers can opt to order the monthly burger sans wafer, but it may detract from the divine experience.