It's business as usual today at Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger
Flowers on the table are the only reminder of Blimpy Burger's brief transformation into Krazy Pierre's Bourgeois Burger that took place yesterday.
Edward Vielmetti | AnnArbor.com
Patrons of Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger were greeted by a familiar sight today — Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger. Gone is the sign reading "Krazy Pierre's Bourgeois Burgers." Gone are the white tablecloths and beret-sporting waiters. Back are the trays and cafeteria line service.
Yesterday, news spread across the city that the iconic burger joint had changed ownership, switching to a sit-down, white-tablecloth, French-inspired restaurant. Angry townies responded with disbelief and dismay.
"Sometimes I think a2 is falling apart all over the place," Amanda Kish wrote on the Downtown Ann Arbor fan page on Facebook.
"No way. That place has been there forever serving blimpy burgers...sad day in a2," Chris Kussurelis commented, also via the Facebook page.
But today, owner Rich Magner was back at the grill, flipping burgers and laughing with patrons while he prepared their lunches.
AnnArbor.com reached Joel Cronenwett, the Blimpy Burger staffer who originally broke the story of the ownership change.
"White tablecloths? New owner? What are you talking about?" he said.
Jessica Webster oversees Food & Drink coverage for AnnArbor.com. Contact her at jessicawebster@annarbor.com.
Comments
frankfrank
Mon, Aug 12, 2013 : 12:03 a.m.
...[continued] It is/was a rather intangible thing, but eating at Blimpyburger had a rather surprising Southern California "feel" to it. (Anybody else notice this?) Maybe they having the "chili size" had a little to do with it, but it was more than that, but I can't explain it well. I guess I'll have to put Blimpy Burger in my personal Hall Of Fame, in the middle between the Old German and Leo Ping's seats. the Flame Bar deserves honorable mention, too. (Whatever happened to the old WPAG-TV clock that hung in the rear of the bar for all those years? Anybody know?)
frankfrank
Sun, Aug 11, 2013 : 11:57 p.m.
Are they really closing...for good? Last time I was there, at the end of March...after all, I live nearly 500 miles from Blimpy...they told me they thought a reopening might happen later this year near Thompson or Maynard (on William Street). I don't see a hint or mention of that happening. A pox on my alma mater for stealing what was the best hamburger place on the planet, and the former owner of the property for caving (to, I guess, an impossible-to-refuse offer, so I blame UM more...)! Are there any angels in Ann Arbor who are impressed enough with the quality at that place, that they're willing to help it rise like the Phoenix, from the ashes of their former lease? This isn't [wasn't] just an ordinary burger joint...I'm using past tense because I cannot get back to Ann Arbor until at least September 16, which is too late. It was with some sadness that I ate there for the last time on April 6 - I "kind of" - not really, but kind of - felt like the condemned prisoner who is eating his final requested meal. I didn't "just" find this place recently, either. I can remember eating there as far back as **1958** - or around the time that they had a second location right smack in downtown, I think it was near or on the site that City Hall stands on now. I have eaten more Blimpy Burgers in my lifetime in that one little building - because we usually went to the Division/Packard location even when there was a choice right in downtown - than from ALL other sources, including at home, in my lifetime. I did four years on campus in the Sixties, staggered a semester off customary schedules. In other words, January = first semester, .December = 8th semester. If something changes and they manage AND decide to find and move to a new location, even if there is a period of hiatus, I hope I have a way to find out about the move. I'm not sure they can replicate the ambience of 619 South Division, though... [Post will continue]
bhall
Tue, Apr 6, 2010 : 12:16 a.m.
Pretty funny. But then again, I think most of the stuff on your site is b.s....
Chrysta Cherrie
Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 2:48 p.m.
Thanks for the tip, Juliew. Up in the post I added a link to the photos.
Juliew
Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 1:58 p.m.
This was so much fun! The staff really worked hard and made it a great event for everyone, even the people who really had no idea what was going on. There are pictures on the Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger Facebook page.
Phil Dokas
Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 1:46 p.m.
God I love Blimpy's. Are there any pictures of the decor yesterday?