Ring a Ding Ding

Maddie LaKind  

Blimpy's Perfect O's

As a senior at the University of Michigan, there are a number of Michigan bucket list traditions I’ve checked off over the past three years; stepping on the brass block M on the Diag after my first (successful) blue book exam, cafeteria-tray-sledding on a snow blanketed Palmer Field, and dabbling in an accapella group. However, until this past weekend, I had never visited the legendary Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger. I know, a sacrilegious confession for any real Ann Arbor foodie. However, now that I’ve finally been immersed in the full Blimpy experience, I can see why it has garnered such legendary local status.

My trail to burger-dom began with a somewhat lengthy wait in a line stretching out the front door of this shoebox size establishment. Once inside, and stationed at the front counter, you take a tray and order, but not any old ordering. Oh no. Think in light of the famous Seinfeld “Soup Nazi” episode; food must be ordered the krazy way or you’re out. Well, not really, but if you do it right you will definitely avoid some serious death stares from the curmudgeonly grill master. The proper and approved ordering method is as follows: first, any fried food you desire (fries, onion rings, tempura battered broccoli or cauliflower, etc.). Second, choose the number of patties you’d like on your burger. Third, bun type. Fourth, grilled toppings. Fifth, cheese type. And, lastly, cap it off with condiments and any fresh toppings.

While the grease-drenched, epic size burgers are obviously the main draw of this dive, my eyes were set on a different fatty find; onion rings. Now I’ve definitely eaten my share of onion rings, some good, some bad, but Blimpy’s o’s take on a whole new genre of fried perfection. Thick, hefty slices of yellow onions are lightly dunked in a layer of batter and deep-fried until reaching a rich golden hue. That’s it. No muss. Following a brief draining stint after being plucked out of the fryer, this monster tangle of onions is stacked high in paper basket ready to be accompanied by a choice of ketchup, bbq sauce, or ranch dressing.

After tracking down a spot out on the patio, I immediately bypassed my burger and dove into the crown jewels of onion awesomeness before me. Unlike most cookie cutter, over-battered, minimally onion flavored onion rings you find at normal burger joints, these onion rings actually tasted how an onion ring should—mildly sweet, tender to the bite, and most importantly, super crispy. Paper thin almost to the point of transparency, these rings maintained an airiness I’ve never experienced with such a royally caloric dish.

At first bite, the softness of the onion intermingles with its battered counterpart, making for an ethereal contrast of textures. As soon as I finished one clump of rings, my hand immediately gravitated back for another, and another, and another. It’s this deceptive sense of lightness that led me to cap off the basket—with the help of a friend—too fast for comfort.

My fingers grease-stained and seams ready to burst, I felt I had done my first Blimpy experience proud and left with the satisfaction and excitement of conquering yet another Ann Arbor must-eat spot.

So, whether you are a Blimpy virgin—like my former self—or an avid regular, the epic mound of onion rings at Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger is more than worthy of its own moment in the spotlight. Just make sure to come early (aka pre-lunch or pre-dinner rush), memorize your order (in order), don’t agitate the staff, and always order your fried fare first thing.

Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger 551 South Division Street Ann Arbor, MI 48104