OT: I want to punch a dolphin -- Blimpy Burger is closing
http://annarbor.com/business-review/blimpy-burger-to-close-aug-14-plans-to-host-fundraising-meals/
The restaurant has to close after the University of Michigan purchased the Blimpy Burger building and surrounding properties to make way for a 600-bed graduate residence. Blimpy Burger must vacate the building by Aug. 31.
I'm sure we can find a way to blame Dave Brandon for this.
I know, I know -- it's moving somewhere else. But...man. This place is an icon. No longer will insatiable coeds be able to trudge through the snow from West Quad to indulge in a quint and get acosted by the fry lady.
August 13th, 2013 at 8:25 AM ^
I ate at Blimpy Burger. It's a shame to see it move, though this thread title is unnecessarily terrifying.
August 13th, 2013 at 9:15 AM ^
That being said, if the school ever buys out the property rights on, say, BTB, Back Room, Mr. Spots, or God forbid, Rick's, then we might have a serious problem on our hands.
August 13th, 2013 at 10:45 AM ^
Has it even been there ten years? Nothing wrong with liking their food, it's fine, but it's just cheap Qdoba or Moe's. And Panchero's (in the taco chain level) is better. There, I said it.
Back Room is just that for the Brown Jug, which really matters. Mr. Spot's is special. Rick's being condemned would be a public service.
August 13th, 2013 at 10:41 AM ^
ONTOPIC
- Anything Michigan sports related
- Anything related to other Big Ten teams or upcoming opponents
- Stuff about the blog itself
- University of Michigan topics that don't relate to sports
GRAY AREA
- College sports in general
- Ann Arbor
August 13th, 2013 at 9:48 AM ^
The biggest landlord in town pays no property taxes and gets lots of gifts to help build new facilities. And nobody complains about that when a landmark is displaced. Instead we member with nostalgia about how it used to be and we harpoon currency based on today's standards.
Maybe the menu is overpriced and the product is overcooked , but that happened because the numbers supported it, and thats because the locals and mostly students who frequented it found quirky quaint and turned it into what it was: an old-fashioned corner store lunchoenette.
As I recall, nobody ever thought Blimpy's was healthy or served great food. On the other hand, nobody ever thought about not going there because it didn't. They just liked something about it. And that's how life is in creating institutions on college campuses. Time and nostalgia makes great bedfellows.
August 13th, 2013 at 10:41 AM ^
August 15th, 2013 at 7:32 AM ^
Don't blame the university, blame the landlady who sold the property to the university. The University did not use Emminent Domain to aquire the land. I get tired of the university being pictured as a big bully by some tree hugging townies on AnnArbor.com. The fact is Ann Arbor, would be similar to Brighton if the University did not chose to move out of Detroit in the early 19th century.
August 13th, 2013 at 11:04 AM ^
It should be known that I don't actually condone dolphin-punching.
August 13th, 2013 at 12:30 PM ^
Went there this weekend to have it before it closes down. Line took nearly an hour but it was worth it as always. It's a real bummer that it's being forced to move after 60 years. It better be a freaking amazing building going up there. That projects football broadcasts onto the sky or something.
August 13th, 2013 at 1:05 PM ^
Dolphins are not the most friendly of creatures. They can be quite nasty and in fact 2 males have been known to "kidnap" a female from a pod and use her for sex and food gathering.
Sounds like Utopia to me, but the act behind it is too sinister.
August 13th, 2013 at 2:16 PM ^
...during their hiatus to think long and hard about customer service. Now that there's Five Guys and talk of In-n-Out expanding nationally (btw, way to sit on your butts while Five Guys took all your business), Blimpy's is doomed unless they do a 180 on customer service. Five Guys and In-n-Out taste just as good (better to some people, worse to others, but generally equivalent), but they are clean and the people are friendly--two things I can state factually that Blimpy's are not.
If I owned Blimpy's, I would consider us out of business and, therefore, all employees are let go. When a new location is determined, bring the same food concept but redo customer service model.
Not taking customer BS is one thing; being rude and mean is another. The fry lady, especially, needs to go way away. She once yelled at my buddy's three year old. C'mon, man!
P.S. I scoff at the judgment skills of anyone who waits an hour in line or pays $100 to eat there.
August 13th, 2013 at 3:00 PM ^
screw that, I like the customer service of blimpy. It is like stepping into an episode of Seinfeld and eating at the Soup Nazi. People who have issues with the customer service need to lighten up.
August 13th, 2013 at 4:05 PM ^
And I certainly don't think Five Guys was doing all that better. But Five Guys clean?!? The place that has peanuts and shells all over the place? That's CLEAN??
Five Guys wants to be Blimpy's but truly is an overpriced chain.
And In and Out is a non-starter. It's fast food (awesome fast food, but fast food) and not only have they NOT yet expanded, but there hasn't been anymore more fast food than Subway in downtown Ann Arbor in what's going on decades.
August 13th, 2013 at 6:08 PM ^
"way to sit on your butts while Five Guys took all your business....Five Guys...are clean and the people are friendly--two things I can state factually that Blimpy's are not."
Isn't that like saying "way to sit on your butts Argiero's while Olive Garden took all your business by offering coupons for endless breadsticks and salad"? Apples/oranges.
When I went to Blimpy, I wasn't looking for Five Guys. When I go to Five Guys, it's because there was one closer than Wendy's or whatever same shit.
And all that excessive sterilizing with bleach and what not at those places to make sure they always look the same is probably more unhealthy than the food. Gimme grimey and unique over the same old dull program any day of the week.
August 13th, 2013 at 7:03 PM ^
August 15th, 2013 at 7:35 AM ^
The University bought the land from the owner of the property who was willing to sell. There was no eminent domain in this case.
August 16th, 2013 at 3:33 PM ^
At the price the University was offering, at least, was threatened with eminent domain, and they then came to an agreement.
August 14th, 2013 at 8:49 AM ^
I find the tall grill guy to be quite pleasant. Never heard a bad word from him.
The cashier last night, on the other hand, was a total dick. But he knew he could get away with being a dick, because people were waiting 2.5 hours in line to eat. What are they going to do, protest and leave?
August 13th, 2013 at 3:09 PM ^
when back in A2 for a while starting next week. And yes, you know this is all Dave Brandon's fault.
August 13th, 2013 at 10:31 PM ^
hate to tell you, but blimpy's last day for the public is tomorrow...
August 13th, 2013 at 5:22 PM ^
I lived across the street from Blimpy's my senior year (2000-01). The place had to shut down for a couple months due to a grease fire. Best burger joint ever. I'm glad they will be reopening, but it won't be the same in a different location.
Also, the comparisons to In-N-Out and Five Guys are ridiculous and need to stop. I live in LA, and In-N-Out, while solid, has no variety or options to their burgers. I don't understand the obsession with Five Guys - its a decent burger. The fry portions are dumb, and who wants to eat peanuts with a hamburger?
August 13th, 2013 at 5:37 PM ^
August 13th, 2013 at 8:46 PM ^
I hope Blimpy opens up in a location that can better move the line through. Ever since it was on that show with Guy Fieri, I have been there maybe 10 times total. The line got to a point where it was just too much, even though it's a great burger place.
August 13th, 2013 at 11:14 PM ^
I doubt punching a dolphin would help, but I bet riding a dolphin would cheer you up