Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger

Loved this place during school. They recently moved to a spot a mile or so away, but still just as good. If you like a sloppy, greasy burger, this is the place! The burgers are thin, so you can get up to a quint, if I remember correctly. They are tasty! They also have a frier with all sorts of veggies like zucchini, mushrooms, onions, etc. If you visit Ann Arbor, must stop by!

The fact that Blimpy doesn’t have 5 stars is sad. This place is a gem. I come back from Chicago and always swing by Blimpy on Sunday night right before closing before heading back to Chicago. No line and can park right in front.
This place has changed locations and for a while I was scared I would never taste a blimpy burger again. But luckily they reopened to a larger location. Which I’m in favor of.
The rules are easy, just follow them.
The fried veggies and onion rings are the best! The fries I’m not a fan of but they’re steak fries and I prefer smaller. The options are endless but my go to burger is a triple (which isn’t thick even though it’s 3 patties) with cheddar cheese and a sesame seed bun. Lettuce, mayo, onion, and black olives. add a side of ranch for the veggies and I’m good to go. Go wild. Get whatever you want.
Tip: read the menu before going and plan out what you want. Get a couple doubles or even triples if you want two different burgers because the patties are so thin.
Tip: don’t tell the cooks what you want. Listen to their question and answer. They won’t forget you want cheese or ketchup. When the times comes they will ask. Don’t speak unless you’re spoken too kinda lol.
I always seem to go in there when I’m wearing my Spartan gear and I never get heckled so that’s a plus.
These guys are pros and have never messed an order up. Can’t wait for my next visit.
And that’s all I have to say about that.
Jackée

I have only been here twice and I was overcharged $ 6 one time and at least $ 10 another time. ALWAYS CHECK YOUR BILL WHEN YOU COME HERE. The employees working were men in their late 20’s.

The guy at the cash register was super nice and pleasant to deal with. The little lady cook wasn’t the most pleasant of people to deal with. I work in the service industry so I guess I’m a bit picky with customer service.
I just got two double burgers with ketchup hoping to be able to enjoy some nice flavorful patties. Extremely disappointed however. While the food was certainly edible it was nothing phenomenal like I had expected.
$ 10 for two hamburgers. Meh.

Went today with my husband for a late lunch and we both loved it! They made the burgers right in front of you where you build your own burger. They have a selection of fried sides, hamburger buns, veggies, sauces, and much more. A must try if you’re in the area!

Went here last night with my brother and a friend. We’re burger aficionados so we were excited to try since their move to new location about 1 year ago. 6 Triple Cheeseburgers + 3 fries + 2 drinks = $ 50. Seems a bit pricey and the food was just ok. Hunter House much better! Even Five Guys is much better… we all agreed. None of us will ever go back again.

Honestly the best burger I’ve ever tasted! Yes, they are greasy burgers (actually more juicy than greasy) but that’s what’s makes them so unique. The burger meat is unbelievably delicious, they grind the beef freshly each day. The fries are great too but I would recommend trying the fried cauliflower, it’s way more of an experience and so freaking awesome! I wouldn’t recommend getting the burgers to go, you have to eat em in house while they’re still piping hot. Trust me, I’ve been coming here (and the old location) for 20 years.

Apparently this place has a reputation for being rude. They were perfectly nice to me. The burgers we OK. Pretty greasy but lots of topping options. The reason for the low score is that they advertise it as «cheaper than food.» They were not cheap by my book…

SETTING:
Never been to the original spot before they moved. This location is pretty clean with lots of seating. Line forms to the left and up the ramp. Other than the menu and signs on the walls, there doesn’t seem to be much character for a place with such a history. Again, I’ve never been to the original location so I can’t really say what has changed.
Also who is Jim? Is he really crazy with a «K»? And what does «blimpy» really mean?
FOOD:
Should you choose to accept this mission, understand there are a few rules of engagement.
1) No cell phones in line (poor kid got yelled at, had to tell Mom he «had to hangup NOW»).
2) Take a brown tray at the counter if you are dining in.
3) Follow the directions. Find them on the wall and also displayed on the counter.
Those are the three cardinal rules if you want to get out alive without being ridiculed as a newbie or disrespectful customer.
Good news is, if you read this review and look at the photos of the menu others have posted on here, they won’t even know this is your first time. Just keep your cool and BE. CONFIDENT. Without question, they can smell fear penetrating through the delicious aroma of burgers and fried goodness. Keep calm & order on.
If you are ever unsure what’s next in the sequence, just wait for them to ask you a question to help build your order. The main sequence of events you need to know are as follows:
A) Do you want anything in the deep fryer (fries, onion rings, etc).
B) Number of patties (1 – 5).
C) Grilled toppings (eggs, bacon, onions, etc)?
D) What kind of roll (regular, onion, kaiser, etc)?
E) Cheese (american, provologne, bleu, etc)?
F) Condiments?
Warning: you WILL be caught (and slightly shamed?) if you do not obey orders. Also, only order for yourself, or it gets complicated.
Patties aren’t very thick. Two patties are equivalent to your standard single. I would recommend a double or triple if you want to get a side item. As for the side items, if you are a fan of onion rings, you got to get these. If you just want a burger and are hungry, go for a triple or quad. All in all, a very delicious (and greasy) meal.
SERVICE:
Some people might suggest the staff is rude, but just follow the aforementioned rules! You will have plenty of time to read the walls and signs before you order. The lines can get very very long. If you know the protocol, it’s not bad at all. It’s just the way it is here. Order and pay up front, bring your order back to a seat, clean up after yourself, and get out! Try as you might, understand only a few have survived without a few grease stains. That is a badge of honor. Mission accomplished.
IMPRESSIONS:
I would come back if I have a hankering for an artery-​clogger. The burgers are good sized and tasty. The onion rings are on point. It’s a perfect pick-​me-​up. Downside? Long wait and «rules». I’ll want to visit again for sure. I may have to read up on this review so I stay sharp.

When I was in college many, many, MANY years ago, I used to love Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger. It was located right across the street from where a class I hated was held. In order to get myself to go to that class, I frequently used to bribe myself with the promise of Blimpy’s afterwards. Or beforehand. And sometimes, instead of. I have fond memories of that tiny restaurant, where the service was a bit brusque and genial at the same time, but always a bit of a show & efficient.
Well, this is not the case now — at least, not on a football Saturday. I’d walked by a few times and rather than getting smaller, the line got longer. So, I figured I’d better get in line, figuring that, well, the lines at Zingerman’s move along, so this would as well. Not so. It was probably an hour and 20 minutes from the time I got in line until the time I finally got my food. I thought several times of leaving, but I’d already put in a lot of time, and I knew I’d be disappointed in my decision if I did that.
When I FINALLY made it to the head of the line, I ordered a double with grilled onions & mushrooms. After several minutes, the fry cook — who didn’t really seem to have a handle on things and whose pants were halfway down his butt — asked what I wanted. Knowing well Blimpy Burgers’ penchant for scolding customers who order incorrectly, I ordered the small combination platter, as it said on the menu. Well, the kid said, «You should’ve just said you wanted the mixed vegetables.» Hmmmppphhh.
While I was waiting, the cook who was in charge of the condiments noticed that the fry cook was falling behind and she jumped in to help him, so the cashier took over both the condiments and the register.
So, after waiting for so long, I was very hungry & eager to eat my burger & veggies. It did not disappoint. Yes, as others have said, it falls apart as you bite into it, and some of the stuff falls out. That is part of what makes it a Blimpy Burger, and part of why it is so good. I loved every bite. The veggies, however, were a bit greasy (which is to be expected, I suppose) and they were mostly onions. I wondered if perhaps, since the fry cook was so late in asking what I wanted (I assume he’s stationed at the front of the cook line for a reason, but it was the grill cook who asked what I wanted first), they threw in what would cook the fastest.
All in all, I was glad that I went back, and I would go again IF there was no line. But waiting that long for a diner burger was kind of silly — even if it WAS mentioned on both Diners, Dives & Drive-​ins AND by Jane and Michael Stern in «Roadfood».

I have been to Ann Arbor several times. I heard of this place, and first time I went. My kid and I walked to it from State Street.
It is totally legit — the vibe, the rules, are all awesome. It was a long line, but well worth it — sort of like a ride at Disneyland — you finally get there, and its an experience.
The burgers are thin, but incredibly tasty. One of the best. If you follow the rules, everyone working there is great.
I would say this is a can’t miss spot in Ann Arbor — and rivals some of the very best in L.A. (burgers).

A group of us found ourselves in Ann Arbor for the first time so we searched Diners, drive ins and dives to see if there were any around. Krazy Jims was on the list. Burgers sounded great so we went.
The line was really long. Basically out the door long. This is what we would expect if the food is great.
The tone was set when we were yelled at twice for having the door open. Seriously. Twice. They have signs like «no cell phones in line», «here’s how you order, you listen, we ask questions, we answer.»
Seems playful enough. Except the staff all have this same rude attitude about them. They were ultra rude. We all had memories of Seinfeld’s Soup Nazi episode. No joke.
Then we get to the food. Not great at all. The patties are really thin so they crumbled easily. The buns were really dry and also fell apart. The French fries were less than average. The fried vegetables were nothing to write home about either. There were six of us in our group and we were all shocked at how crappy the food was.
Nothing special. Not worth the notoriety. Skip it. Go to Zingermans instead. It’s in the same city and 500% better.

Institutions are traditions that elicit nostalgia and Pavlovian salavatory responses, and both are historically tied to Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger now located on Ashley next to another Ann Arbor institution: The Fleetwood Diner. The beauty of Blimpy Burger (you don’t have to say the whole name like A Tribe Called Quest or A Pimp Named Slickback) is that you call the shots, but you’d better read the FUC’N signs and get it right! I provide pictures of the instructions but needless to say, it’s all part of the fun.
You’ll quickly realize that your eyes are bigger than your stomach. That’s why I only ordered a double with cheddar so I could commit one of the seven deadlies later on. You know the one Unilocalers. What? Still need a clue? Try «gluttony»? As you know, another name for food coma is «sloth“‘ so it is entirely possible to violate ²⁄₇ in one go. Consider that the maximum amount of patties you can stack upon request is in the neighborhood of ten, or one full pound of beef as one of many signs points out. My favorite is the sign declaring the number of patties is commiserate to heart bypass surgeries. Ann Arbor humor!
Old staples of the former location seemed missing, however. Orange Crush was once the soda of choice to clear your arteries. Today gourmet root beers fill the cooler, and Mexican Coke, pop, not blow. No matter. Another trademark is being given change in two-​dollar bills and fifty cent coins. I received the latter.
Taste: there’s a reason for longevity. In short, screw White Castle, Habit Burger, McDonald’s, In and Out (sacrilege, I know) and Sonic to defamate but a few inferior burger joints. Blimpy Burger gives you so many options to customize your burger the only limitations are your budget and stomach capacity. Fresh patties, quality cheeses beyond yellow and white American, grilled veggies of all types and much more.
Come here and become a believer.

Hot damn tha pusha’ man! This place kicks ass! Great burgers, fries and shakes. The ordering system is chaotic. Ok, I get it, were not regulars… just get over yourself and take my friggin’ money already. Come early or the line can be out the door. Wish they served beer… or at least let me bring in my own 40s and boxed wine for ambiance…

Always fresh, often So Busy that I’ll go somewhere else — but, when I do wait in that crawling, line, it’s always worth it! The prep line is always enthusiastic, rock solid, and make it fun to stand in line for 20 minutes so you can move slowly in front of the prep line for another 10 minutes while you watch them cook and assemble your food.
The french fries & fried zucchini are awesome, the onion rings are a total trainwreck. Despite the onion rings, I’m giving Blimpy a 5 because, for many years, it’s been the best burger joint, ever, anywhere.
Now that it’s next to the Fleetwood, I just go next door and have Jeff drop an order of onion rings for me.

Great Burgers !!!
Do you know that food Network did a spot here???
On a Sunday it was nice and quiet with no line …

I went to Blimpy Burger once when I used to work in Ann Arbor, and absolutely fell in love with this special secret sauce they put on their burgers. It was perfect. So perfect that when I tried to go back awhile later and found out they had closed, I was devastated. That’s how good that sauce was.
I donated to their GoFundMe to help them raise enough money for a new location, just so I could one day get that sauce again. I waited over a year for them to reopen, and finally made it back out to Ann Arbor a few months later.
Guess what.
They don’t have the sauce anymore.

5+ stars for the food, 4 stars for the new location. I miss the old house but of course that can’t be helped (I do like that the new one has a ton more room, though. And a bathroom, lol).
I got my usual: cream soda, double with no cheese plus tomatoes and pickles (added mushrooms this time), and the onion rings. THE ONION RINGS. So good.
This was my first time back to blimpy since they reopened and I’m pleased to say the food hasn’t changed at all. The order was a bit wonky though — instead of fried foods first, we placed our burger orders, then the fry cook asked us for fried orders.
I think their prices went up slightly too but I can always get a double with a drink and fried food (usually onion rings) for less than $ 10, which is great. I paid with a 10 too and of course they gave me a fifty cent piece back — I swear they hoard those, haha.
Overall I’ll definitely be back though — love their burgers and onion rings, they’re the perfect blend of crunchy deliciousness.

After living in Ann Arbor for 15 years, we finally made it out last night to try this local institution. Today we’re wondering why it became such an institution.
Went for dinner on a Monday night during Christmas break – figured lines wouldn’t be too terrible while school wasn’t in session, but we were wrong. It stretched to the door, and by the time we left it was hooking around the back of the room. It took over forty minutes to get our food. The burger was OK. Just OK. If it weren’t for the wait, I could see going back sometime, but not when there are places around town where you can get a better burger for about the same price without the line. And where, for a few bucks more, you can get a truly excellent burger.
The onion rings I had would themselves be a good reason to go back (the breading is more like a dusting, the onions soft but not soggy), except for a) the line you stand in to order them and b) the 5 minute lag between when they put them on my tray and when we got our burgers. They were lukewarm when we made it to a table, at which point I discovered the my burger was missing the grilled onions I ordered. The staff did take care of that quickly, but all the while my burger and rings were cooling. When I finally tucked in everything was bordering on cold.
The pleasant surprise of the evening was the service. After reading about the rigid ordering procedure on b-burger’s web site, I was steeling myself for verbal if not physical abuse should I miss a step. Actually, the staff were very laid back and pleasant. Even they didn’t follow ordering protocol to the letter. Judging from other reviews, I guess my experience was an exception to the rule.
To be sure, Blimpy offers a unique burger experience, at least around these parts, and I think either people really dig that experience and so put up with the waiting involved (and perhaps think the experience enhances the food), or don’t and go someplace else. Count us solidly in camp #2.

Time to try the new location!.It’s cleaner and a little more «sterile». Same atmosphere as the original location (respond when addressed). Some of the same employees.
The only problem is that this restaurant does not have my «smell» approval, yet.
They have what looks like the original grill (just cleaner) that gives these burgers the same great teaste. ala… www.yelp.com/biz/greenes-hamburgers-­farmington#hrid:xjHc9sQ_HcObZefLYCsTRw/src:self
Same great burger!!!

Yes! Blimpie is back!
The menu is the same as the former location, it’s just in a different space. The space doesn’t quite have the same charm as the old location but we can’t quite fault them for that since space was a fabulous house that no longer exists. They’ve done a great job attempting to recreate what they could though – the seating feels/​looks the same, the images/​photos on the walls have been moved and rehomed, etc. The layout feels a lot more spacious than the last location which is an improvement.
It’s the first week since they’ve relocated and reopened and they have a bit of growing pains to work through. They’re not quite as dialed in as they used to be, and the wait is longer (but then again, so are the lines). But when you sink your teeth into that burger it makes the wait 100% worth it. So glad you’re back, Blimpie! Can’t wait to visit again!

Blimpie is back!
I brought my mom to the just-​reopened Blimpie to celebrate her birthday. She was thrilled to see the new place, right next door to the Fleetwood Diner.
The inside is bigger and seats more people. There is a ramp to get you up to the ordering area. Get a tray if you’ll eat in. First they’ll ask if you need anything from the fryer: fries, veggies, etc.
You can get two, three, four or five patties. They’re thin, so a double is about the equivalent of a quarter pound burger. Wait until your burger is cooked before you tell them what kind of cheese you want. They have a certain order for taking in your information, but they’re usually pretty forgiving if they know you’re a Blimpie neophyte.