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 12th, 2013 at 11:34 PM ^
August 13th, 2013 at 3:46 PM ^
your right. But maybe you should keep you're opinion to you'reself.
August 13th, 2013 at 1:47 PM ^
well, yeah, it's overpriced greasey junk food. But it's overpriced greasey junk food that's been around since before a lot of us were born. So that makes it special, see? It's a part of the campus culture.
August 12th, 2013 at 10:43 PM ^
At least they are moving to a new location. I'm on a 3-month work assignment in Frederick, MD, and a colleague of mine from Denver, the other day, suggested "Five Guys." So we went for lunch. While he was Fred Jacksoning the burger before our order was up, I was telling him about Blimpy and how it has pretty incredible community support.
Five Guys was actually REALLY good. I guess they're a chain. The talk of the support surprised him. I'm glad to see that if they have to move, at least it's not closing. Now I'm just going to have to find it when I visit.
I know, I know. Cool story, bro.
August 14th, 2013 at 10:03 AM ^
I just wish the campus Five Guys had a better feel to it. The finishes, the lighting.... I feel like I am being punished when I walk in there. The basement is 100 times worse.
August 12th, 2013 at 10:50 PM ^
August 12th, 2013 at 10:55 PM ^
They're negotiating the lease. From what it sounds like, the "Last Supper" meals are a mostly way to keep the employees paid until the new one opens up.
Then again, Middle Kingdom was supposed to reopen with new ownership and the same menu about six months ago, and that hasn't happened yet.
August 13th, 2013 at 10:29 AM ^
Not exactly finalizing the details. I hope he gets a good spot, but it all seems to have gone very last minute and if this falls through I'm don't know if we can expect the next effort to be completed any time soon.
August 12th, 2013 at 10:56 PM ^
I'm glad you can't downvote me for telling you that I've never had a blimpy burger..
But I am deeply sorry for your guys' loss. Sounds like a campus staple.
August 12th, 2013 at 11:05 PM ^
Living in Ohio truly does suck.
August 12th, 2013 at 11:03 PM ^
My personal opinion is that Blimpy is overrated. I think their burgers lack flavor and the meat is overcooked, and I always hate when the cook smashes the burger patty into the grill, that destroys it in my eyes. It smashes all the juices out of the meat and leaves it dry when it's on the bun. Dry, bland meat, angry woman yelling and berating people equals not my preferred burger experience. Then again, I'm not a huge burger fan, so take my opinion with a grain of salt, though I find it to be accurate, especially when compared with other burger offerings.
August 12th, 2013 at 11:56 PM ^
Lol at someone claiming that Blimpy is dry. Tell that to the wet paper sack you have to haul those things out of the joint with. My dad was trying to convince the person that leases out the corner building that used to be Schneider's across from the Stadium (currently a Sprint store on the way out) to go after Blimpy. They would make a killing there.
August 13th, 2013 at 1:14 AM ^
August 13th, 2013 at 1:07 AM ^
August 16th, 2013 at 4:11 PM ^
August 12th, 2013 at 11:03 PM ^
This information, in general, has been known for quite a while. Spare the dolphin...
August 12th, 2013 at 11:16 PM ^
Good riddance. Over-rated burgers and deliberately nasty service isn't my thing. Never understood why anyone voluntarily went there, given the huge number of great food options in A2.
August 12th, 2013 at 11:45 PM ^
August 12th, 2013 at 11:46 PM ^
The days of deliberately nasty service have been gone for some time now, actually. The people working there now are pretty chill.
(The point of the nasty service in the first place was to keep the line moving, for the record. The lines can drag a bit more now.)
August 13th, 2013 at 7:36 AM ^
Good one last person in line in front of me. The nasty service is schtick, trying to copy the soup nazi from Seinfeld. It is fun, get over it.
August 13th, 2013 at 8:35 AM ^
In my opinion the rudeness was funny the first time around but after that it got old fast and I eventually stopped going there altogether.
August 13th, 2013 at 12:01 AM ^
Don't like long lines, don't like expensive food.
I'm a Mr. Spots man, like Coach Hoke and Tom Brady.
Spots all the way. Followed by BTB.
August 13th, 2013 at 12:08 AM ^
The thing I hate most about Ann Arbor, other than douchey MGoBlog users and students who walk in front of cars when crossing the street, is the "Ann Arbor Institutions". I hate Angelo's, Washtenaw Dairy, and Zingerman's, they are all overrated. I'm going to assume that Blimpy is in the same category.
August 13th, 2013 at 12:25 AM ^
I'm pretty sure the #1 fitness and training center in AA is pretty overrated, too.
August 13th, 2013 at 1:33 AM ^
Those three 'institutions' are more successful businesses than most of us can hope to build in our lives. Think of how many great Michigan alumns associate those 'institutions' with their alma mater. Memories, pictures all at those places: respect those places please.
I like those places and I don't like what you said. I will not be spending my money with you. In fact I expect all those that also like those places mentioned above to boycott your services. Perhaps in the future you should not accompany an unpopular, mean and pointless statement with a business card.
I doubt you get as many loyal plumpers to frequent your joint as they did.
August 13th, 2013 at 7:36 AM ^
forget that, its all about the food, the food, the food, not the memories or pictures. those places serve overrated food. I mean washtenaw dairy serves Strohs ice cream, you can buy that a kroger, go to kilwins instead. ive watched angelo's put my entire plate of food, toast and all, into a microwave because it sat in the window too long and got cold. and zingerman's, good for you if you want to spend the same amount of money as a sandwich at katz's for 1/4 the amount of meat
edit: how is it mean to hate a restaurant? it's mean to have an opinion on what is good food and what isn't?
also, i just train there
August 13th, 2013 at 7:43 AM ^
you are like the worst enemy of the townies who post on annarbor.com.
August 13th, 2013 at 9:39 AM ^
I don't think Washtenaw dairy is anything special in terms of icecream, they haven't made their own in ages. I go when I'm in Ann Arbor with my dad because he grew up in AA in the 50s and his family used to go there. When I lived near there for 1 year, I also ate way too many of their 50 cent donuts in the morning when I was running late to class.
August 13th, 2013 at 2:06 PM ^
I'm no White_Pony fan by any stretch, but anyone attempting to argue that Angelo's, Zingerman's and Washtenaw Dairy aren't overpriced and incredibly overrated is fighting a losing battle.
August 13th, 2013 at 2:17 PM ^
We used to be regular Zingerman's customers in the 80s and 90s. Back when it was a deli, before the Next Door and the fancy olive oils. There was a period when it all coexisted and the quality stayed great. Then it started to slip. The sandwiches got smaller, the prices got higher, and the consistency started to tail off. So we stopped going.
Every few years I'll stop in and get my favorite sandwich just to see if I was just being irrational. And each and every time, it's not even as good as the last one. I went a few weeks ago, stood in line in the new deli area, put in my order to some kid with an iPad, and paid even more than I ever have before for a sandwich that was the smallest Zingerman's sandwich I've ever had. It was pathetic. Easily a quarter the amount of meat as it used to be.
Hell, look at the Magic Brownies and tell me they're not half the size they used to be at twice the price.
They have a brand. It's a cool, unique, Ann Arbor thing. That's great. But those sandwiches pale in comparison to what Zingerman's used to be. It's the definition of coasting on your reputation, and people don't know any better.
I will, however, defend Angelo's deep-fried French toast to the death. Which will be soon, at this rate.
August 13th, 2013 at 2:21 PM ^
if I can be permitted to commit the greatest sacrilege possible on this board, Katzingers > Zingermans
August 13th, 2013 at 4:00 PM ^
But you used to get a sandwich that was nearly impossible to finish. Now you're left hungry after the meal.
August 14th, 2013 at 10:12 AM ^
I'm generally not a fan of the deli; it's too much of an "operation" to go there, even with their new set-up. And I too balk at the prices. But I have to disagree about the quality, or the idea that they "coast" on their reputation. I went recently with some out-of-town friends. The sandwich I got was pretty simple, ingredient-wise. But it was excellent because every single element was high quality.
Zingerman's isn't coasting. They're making changes all the time, not to "coast" but do to what they do better. They have enough food critics and other sophisticated people coming through on a regular basis that they'd get called on it if they slipped. I don't understand why you say "people don't know any better." They also have owners who stay very involved in their business. Neither of them strike me as guys who would enjoy just sitting back and letting things slide.
I completely understand not liking the food or the prices due to your own personal preferences. However, don't think your other claims about their values or quality are sound.
August 14th, 2013 at 3:38 PM ^
That they're serving the same size sandwiches as they used to. It was expensive then too, but at least you were getting a lot for your money.
August 14th, 2013 at 6:57 PM ^
There was a time when you literally had to squeeze the sandwich to get it to a reasonable height to fit it in your mouth and take a bite. The sandwich was freaking gigantic. Now, not so much.
Seriously, if you got served this thing twenty years ago, you'd be sending it back because they forgot to put the corned beef on. That's what they're serving up now. For $15+.
August 16th, 2013 at 4:15 PM ^
-1 Flamebait
August 13th, 2013 at 12:28 AM ^
I'm sad in the sense that its no good to see a loved local business have to shut its doors, even if there are hopes to reopen fairly soon.
However, I'm not exactly a lover of their burgers, and even less a fan of the price of their burgers for what you're getting. Some may see this as sacrilege, but oh well. I've been there 3 or 4 times, but I've learned that if I eat one then the rest of my day is done since I'll be spending it in a grease-induced food coma. Same goes for Five Guys really, I just don't really enjoy super greasy burgers. I'd rather have a burger that I threw on the grill myself any day.
But I know people love it and I feel for them since I'd have a major sad if something happened and I couldn't get my falafel sammich at Jerusalem Garden anymore.
August 13th, 2013 at 12:24 AM ^
August 13th, 2013 at 1:14 AM ^
Seriously, people. A forum thread is no place to express your opinion.
August 13th, 2013 at 6:39 AM ^
August 13th, 2013 at 1:18 AM ^
August 13th, 2013 at 6:59 AM ^
August 13th, 2013 at 7:49 AM ^
no thanks, sidetracks is overrated. I don't care if Playboy named them one of the top burger joints in america.
Here is an address of a place that is very underrated and under the radar.
Cubs AC
1950 S Industrial Hwy Ann Arbor, MI 48104
I see Michigan coaches there all the time, especially Coach Hutchins after softball games. She is perhaps the coolest coach ever. She will invite fans to sit with her and share a pitcher. I have also seen Mattison and Borges. The B1G selection of burgers is awesome, especially the Badger burger.
August 13th, 2013 at 8:11 AM ^
have you ever had a chick inn burger? somebody i know keeps trying to get me to go there with her, worth my time?
August 13th, 2013 at 8:15 AM ^
never been there before. I should check it out before the school ramps up and I lose all of my free time. thanks for the tip.
August 13th, 2013 at 9:39 AM ^
It's impossible for a decent Ann Arbor establishment to be underrated or under the radar. But yeah, there are many places in the area that serve hamburgers and I don't think Blimpy Burger moving to another (probably better) location is a tragedy.
August 13th, 2013 at 10:39 AM ^
Because they just want to be contrary to Blimpy's.
August 13th, 2013 at 11:41 AM ^
The two are hardly comparable.
August 13th, 2013 at 3:59 PM ^
To the other.
Unless you mean Sidetrack is no where near as good, then yes, they're not comparable in that way.