Holy S**t': Is Heavy Metal-Themed Restaurant's 'Communion Burger' Taking It Too Far?

Restaurants are always trying to come up with catchy names that will capture customers' interest and attention. And Kuma's Corner, a heavy-metal themed eatery in Chicago, Ill., is no exception. But the establishment's "October Burger of the Month" is creating some controversy over its use of religious imagery.

The hamburger -- dubbed by CNN as a "communion burger" -- was created in honor of the band Ghost, a Swedish group that "performs satanic songs in Catholic clerical garb." An official description on the band's Facebook page adds: "Ghost records and performs pop hymns that glorify and glamorise the disgusting and sacrilegious."

Named after the band, the meal (also called "Ghost") comes along with many of your traditional ingredients: white cheddar, a 10 oz. meat patty and a bun.

But there's also some elements that differentiate this burger from most others: It's garnished with a communion wafer and drizzled with some reduced red wine. To be sure that these toppings are Eucharist-related, an image of a cross and a crown are present on the tiny disc.

Plus, the restaurant even admits to its play on religious sentiment.

Screen shot from the Kuma's Corner Facebook page

"Okay Mortals, it's the first of the month and we are proud to announce the following: In the spirit of our undying reverence for the lord and all things holy, we give you the Ghost which we think is a fitting tribute to the supreme blasphemous activities carried out by the band itself," read the official announcement on the restaurant's Facebook page.

In an interview with CNN, the restaurant's director of operations, Luke Tobias, said that the business isn't trying to offend the masses.

"If there is a God, I'm sure he has a sense of humor," he said, noting that there is no religious statement at the center of the communion burger.

He added that the wafers are not consecrated and are, thus, not truly holy. They are simply crackers with crosses on them.

All things considered, there has been a mixture of opinions surrounding the burger. While some have lambasted Kuma's Corner, others find its antics comical.

"There are a lot of great places for burgers in Chicago that don't have to put a religious wafer on their burger for a lame publicity stunt," wrote one disenchanted individual on the restaurant's Facebook page.

"I'm a Catholic. Your food must not be very good if this is how low you have to stoop to sell a burger," added another."

Photo Credit: Kuma's Corner

Others, though, shot back, claiming that people were taking their angst over the hamburger entirely too far.

"I find it offensive...that I'm 900 miles away and can't eat one of these," quipped one supporter.

Some even accused Christians were overreacting. One guy, in fact, said that a boycott by believers would be something he'd welcome.

"I'd say from the amount of crybaby [C]hristians whining over this burger and how they'll never come back, that makes the place a christian-free dining establishment," the man wrote. "More than enough of a reason to go. I'd eat there on principle."

Some responses, though expletive-ridden, struck a middle ground. One guy added, "Holy s**t you line crossing motherf***ers! Sacrilicious!"

Did Kuma's take the joke a bit too far? Let us know in the comments section.

(H/T: CNN)

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