Cubs gain bar, not news. Bar has Kuma’s vet making burgers… that’s news. Wheel House Wrigleyville had its grand opening last night in the former Messner’s space at 3553 N. Southport, which before it was a bar, had long ago been a German meat market of that name. Jack Stankovic, executive chef at The Bluebird, who also did stints at Kuma’s, Aria and Bin Wine Cafe (what a combination), has devised the menu which is long on Kuma’s style monster burgers named for Cubs players like the Mark Grace (with a Chicago hot dog on it) and the Ernie Banks (pulled pork, bacon, caramelized apples and BBQ sauce). But it’s not all meat-orgy; there are also more sophisticated dishes such as mussels and frites and gumbo. There will also be beer and whiskey, we suspect, and televisions.
