Is It Tasteless Or Totally Fine To Top A Burger With A Communion Wafer?

Patrons of a heavy-metal themed burger joint in Chicago are used to wild, wacky and out-of-the-box creations. Such is the realm of heavy metal music, so it follows that burgers designed with that genre in mind aren’t going to be your usual fare. But the newest offering has some customers upset over the unconsecrated communion wafer resting atop the burger.

Kuma’s Corner named the burger The Ghost after Swedish metal band Ghost B.C., and designed the burger with that in mind: a 10-ounce burger topped with a red wine reduction and that controversial wafer, reports the Chicago Tribune. The band is known for its secretive nature, with members wearing hooded robes while the lead singer dresses as a Roman Catholic cardinal.

The joint’s director of operations says some customers have been offended so far, but it doesn’t sound like he’s ready to pull the burger.

“People have been kind of upset,” he said. “The thing with this is, the communion wafer is unconsecrated, so until that happens, it’s really just a cracker.”

He adds that the restaurant isn’t trying to convey a larger message with its choice of topping.

“It’s not a commentary on the state of religion or anything like that,” he explained. “It’s literally, ‘We like this band; we think what they do is cool.'”

One naysayer includes a Catholic food blogger, who admits that while the wafer isn’t consecrated, it’s still not a great move to include it on a burger.

“It’s not the Eucharist, but it’s still symbolic,” he said. “For us as Catholics, the Eucharist is more than a symbol, it’s a sacrament. At the same time, it doesn’t mean that symbols aren’t important. … It is a mockery of something that is holy. The same thing could be said of the band itself.”

Many of Kuma’s Facebook fans are on the other side of the fence, writing things like: “I find it offensive…that I’m 900 miles away and can’t eat one of these” and “Sacrilicious!”

Any customers who don’t want the wafer garnish can order the burger that way — or for those who really like the taste of unleavened bread, customers can always order extra with their meal.

What do you think?

Latest burger at Kuma’s: Tasty or tasteless? [Chicago Tribune]

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