The line snaking around 304 S Ashley St in Ann Arbor isn’t just a queue; it’s a local rite of passage that has defined the University of Michigan experience for generations. Since 1953, Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger has been operating with a strict, high-energy, cafeteria-style ritual that transforms tiny, silver-dollar-sized patties into towering icons of Michigan food culture.
It is a place where the scent of the deep fryer and the rhythmic clack of the spatula create a symphony of greasy, delicious anticipation.
At Blimpy, the grill crew has a finely tuned system, and they expect you to follow it with the precision of a seasoned regular. If you hesitate or try to order your toppings out of turn, you might get a taste of the legendary “Blimpy BS”, a playful (usually) heckling meant to keep the line moving and the burgers flipping…