Have you ever experienced eating a meal that makes you say “yum” or “omg” after each bite? Cosmo Burger will do just that.
The simplistic menu offers just a few times: a single or double burger, veggie burger, tots and homemade pickles. My roommate and I had made a pact to try Cosmo Burger together. When we finally found a night that worked for both of us, I did what every millennial does: stalked their Instagram page counting down the hours until we would go.
We both ordered a double burger, tots to share, and a pint of their homemade pickles. Right when we got home from picking up our order, we opened the bag as if it were a race. The mouth-watering aroma filled our dining room instantly. Even my dog took notice and rushed to my side, longingly staring while I unpacked our food.
Located inside Dodson’s Bar & Commons in Waldo, Cosmo Burger is the newest ghost kitchen to pop up in the neighborhood. What is a ghost kitchen you might ask? Funny enough when Chef Jacob Kruger decided to open Cosmo Burger, he did not know either. Kruger had not heard the term until Cosmo Burger was described as one by its customers. A ghost kitchen is a restaurant that operates without a dining space and specializes in take-out or delivery.
From the beginning, Kruger wanted to make Cosmo Burger’s operations as safe as possible for customers and staff during the pandemic. To do this, he used an online only ordering system to minimize contact. You could say that Cosmo Burger became a ghost kitchen out of necessity - an organic creation rather than a purposeful design.
Kruger was born and raised in Kansas City, Mo. He has worked in the food industry since he was 16 in a variety of different positions and places ranging from sandwich shops and pizza parlors to coffee spots and music venues. Throughout all of those jobs, above everything else, Kruger’s main passion was cooking.
Prior to opening Cosmo Burger, Kruger was the general manager at Bier Station. Last summer Kruger decided to make a change in his career and was truly thinking of leaving the restaurant industry. Around this time, Eric Jones, Kruger’s friend, former colleague and general manager of Dodson’s Bar & Commons, was buzzing in his ear about doing something together.
Eventually, they started talking about burgers and from there, Kruger started testing burger recipes nightly in his home.
Between July and September 2020, he ate A LOT of burgers - and not just his own. Kruger went around town comparing different spots and identifying differences between menus and burgers. Once he had the method down, Kruger started delivering burgers to friends to get their opinions. After that, he tested his recipes in Dodson’s kitchen, making sure everything was just right.
Kruger notes that he kept a “cautiously optimistic outlook knowing that this had been very troubling time,” while operating a ghost kitchen during the pandemic. Despite that rocky road the restaurant industry was facing, Kruger believed in himself and what he could accomplish through Cosmo Burger.
The response from the Kansas City community has blown Kruger away. Although Cosmo has been operating for less than six months, Kruger already has regulars. Through social media and word-of-mouth, new customers are coming in every day.
“I’ve been very happy to hear that others enjoy my burgers as much as I do” Kruger said.
Through his passion for cooking, Kruger ensures every customer receives a consistent and quality meal every time.
“Make it simple, make it right,” is the mantra Kruger has always followed with this business. In these not so simple times, Kruger hopes to offer a simple concept that folks can appreciate. And so far, they are!
Cosmo Burger will continue to operate out of Dodson’s Bar for the foreseeable future. Dodson’s is still closed for bar service, but they are offering cocktails to go!
To keep up with operating hours and stare at pictures of burgers, follow Cosmo Burger on Instagram @cosmoburger_kc .