AVONDALE — Well, there's a feather in your cap, Kuma's Corner.
Time Magazine, better known for its list of most influential people, named the metal burger bar's Ghost burger among the 17 "most influential burgers of all time."
Topped by the White Castle slider, McDonald's burger and In-and-Out burger, in first, second and third place, respectively, the article put the controversial Ghost burger in the 16th place slot in an article published Tuesday that cited "burger historians and experts."
"The dish sold well, but angered Catholics (and garnered national headlines), prompting the owners to donate $1,500 to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago," the article noted.
Catholic Charities rebuffed the donation, however, and promptly refunded it.
Luke Tobias, director of operations for Kuma's Corner, was both flattered and perplexed by the Ghost burger's inclusion.
"Yeah, I guess, I mean it's an honor," he said with a laugh Wednesday afternoon. "I mean, what's the criteria, you know? How do you gauge what's an influential burger?"
Tobias said the restaurant's intention was to create a memorable and innovative burger and not stir up a national controversy, but said he was still happy to be on the list.
"It's certainly an honor to be included," he said. "I wish it would have been more about it for the food and not whatever perceived stance people were taking on it, but we're appreciative of any positive feedback we get, or really any feedback we get."
