This Quirky Michigan Burger Counter Is Back With Stacked Double Cheeseburgers

Each patty here weighs just one-tenth of a pound, so a five-patty burger only reaches a half-pound. That math makes stacking feel almost reasonable. I love a menu that does the arithmetic in your favor.

The beef gets ground fresh in-house every day. Then a cook smashes it on the grill right in front of you. You call out your order step by step, and skipping a step might earn some teasing.

This Michigan counter closed for months while new owners renovated the space. Now the grill is hot again, and the old rules still apply. I can’t imagine a better comeback story for a burger joint.

So what happens when a counter famous for attitude reopens its doors? You get stacked cheeseburgers, odd change in your pocket, and a little friendly pressure. Ready to practice your order?

Know Your Order Before The Cook Looks Up

Ordering here works like a pop quiz with a delicious reward. You tell the cook what you want, one step at a time.

First comes the patty count and bun. Then you call your cheese and any grilled toppings. After that, you move down the line for the cold toppings and sauces.

The house rules are clear about the stakes. Skip a step, and you might not hear the end of it. Cooks have long been known for a gruff, teasing style that fans count as part of the fun.

Here’s the good news for nervous newcomers. The instructions are posted, so you can study while you wait. Reading them before your turn makes the whole thing smoother.

A little practice goes a long way. Try saying your order in your head, in order, like a tiny speech. Bun, patties, cheese, grilled extras, then cold stuff.

I think the system turns a quick meal into a small performance. You become part of the show for about thirty seconds. Then you get to step aside, proud and hungry, while your burger sizzles nearby.

Ashley Street Is Where The Burger Rules Begin

Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger is at 304 South Ashley Street in downtown Ann Arbor, Michigan. Approach the southern downtown street grid toward Ashley Street near its intersection with William Street.

The historic burger stand occupies a compact storefront next to Fleetwood Diner, with its signature bear imagery and Blimpy signage marking the correct building. It is not a drive-through restaurant or an outlying highway stop.

Use legal downtown parking and walk to the entrance at 304 South Ashley Street. The restaurant reopened in late October 2026 under new ownership; follow its ordering instructions before stepping up to the counter.

Five Buns, Seven Cheeses, And A Lot Of Choices

Picky eaters, rejoice, because the build-your-own menu is wide open. Bun choices include plain, sesame onion, Kaiser, pumpernickel, and gluten-free.

Cheese gets even more interesting. You can pick American, Swiss, Cheddar, Provolone, Pepper Jack, Bleu, or Feta. Feta on a burger sounds unusual, and that’s exactly why it’s tempting.

Next come the grilled toppings. Bacon, salami, fried egg, grilled onions, mushrooms, and banana peppers all cook on the same grill. Salami on a cheeseburger feels like a bold, slightly rebellious move.

Cold condiments cost nothing extra. Lettuce, tomato, pickles, raw onions, ketchup, and mayo are all fair game. Mustard comes in yellow, spicy, or Dijon, and there’s a house sauce too.

That adds up to a huge number of combinations. A pumpernickel Triple with Swiss and mushrooms is one idea. A Kaiser Double with Pepper Jack and banana peppers is another.

My advice is to pick one wild card per visit. Keep the rest familiar so you can taste the new thing clearly. Then come back and test a different twist next time.

Save Room For Onion Rings And Steak-Cut Fries

Burgers grab the spotlight, but the fryer deserves a bow too. The menu lists hand-battered and breaded onion rings alongside steak-cut French fries.

Steak-cut fries are the thick, chunky kind. They give you plenty of potato in every piece. Onion rings bring a crunchy, sweet contrast to a cheesy stack.

Can’t decide between them? Grab both and share with the table. That’s a classic move at any good burger counter.

The kitchen also makes homemade soups and chili. A cup of chili beside a Double sounds like a smart choice on a cold Michigan day. Ann Arbor winters make a strong case for it.

Sweet tooth calling? Cookies and brownies sit on the menu for dessert. A brownie after a Triple feels like a well-earned victory lap.

I like that the sides stay simple and classic. Nothing here tries too hard to be fancy. It just rounds out a burger meal the way a good side should, with plenty of crunch and comfort.

Not A Burger Person? The Sandwich Board Has You Covered

Plenty of people come for patties, yet the sandwich list holds some sneaky stars. The Pepper Steak Bullet Burger leads the pack with a name that sounds ready for action.

Fried chicken fans can try the Nashville Hot Fried Chicken Sandwich. That one promises heat, which pairs nicely with a cold soda. Spice lovers should keep it on their radar.

Classic options round things out. You’ll find a BLT, a Turkey Sandwich, and a Fried Egg Sandwich. Each one keeps things familiar and easy.

Grilled cheese gets two versions here. There’s the Plain Grilled Cheese and the Ultimate Grilled Cheese. Kids and cheese lovers alike will appreciate the upgrade path.

This variety matters for group trips. Not everyone in a car full of friends wants a burger. Now nobody has to sit out the fun.

So bring along the friend who always orders chicken. Bring the one who swears by grilled cheese too. Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger makes room for them, and everyone still gets to brave the ordering line together.

Your Change Might Arrive As A Two-Dollar Bill

Pay with cash, and you might walk out holding something unusual. The counter is known for handing out two-dollar bills and fifty-cent pieces as change.

Most people rarely see either one. A two-dollar bill feels like a tiny souvenir you can actually spend. Fifty-cent coins feel even rarer in daily life.

That quirky habit fits the restaurant’s personality perfectly. It’s playful, a little old-school, and memorable. Plenty of places give receipts, but few give conversation pieces.

The long-running slogan adds to the charm. For more than 50 years, the motto has been cheaper than food. It’s a joke that somehow makes total sense once you’re holding a burger.

Kids especially might love this part. Hand them the odd change and watch a burger trip become a lesson in coins. It’s a fun way to keep little ones busy while the grill works.

I’d suggest tucking that two-dollar bill away instead of spending it. It makes a great bookmark. Every time you find it, you’ll remember those stacked patties and the counter that gave you something weird for lunch.

Seven Decades Of Burgers Lead To A Brand-New Chapter

Back in 1953, Jim Shafer started flipping burgers in Ann Arbor. His shop became the city’s oldest burger joint.

The original spot sat on South Division Street. In 2013, that property sold to the University of Michigan for graduate housing. The burgers went quiet for over a year.

Then came a comeback in October 2014. Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger reopened at 304 South Ashley Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104. That’s still home today.

Rich Magner started working there in 1969. He took over from Shafer in the early 1990s and kept the spirit going for decades. He passed away in March 2025.

A new ownership group stepped in during March 2026. The team includes Noah and Ethan Kaplan, Pete Levin, and Doug Botsford. Botsford serves as the hands-on operator.

The restaurant closed for renovations during the handoff. After permitting delays, it soft reopened on October 24, 2026. I love that a place this old got another shot instead of fading away, and the stacks are back where they belong.

TV Cameras Found This Counter Long Before You Did

Fame came knocking more than once for this little burger spot. Food Network featured it on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

It also appeared on Man v. Food. The Travel Channel showed it on Hamburger Paradise too. That’s quite a resume for a counter with a gruff reputation.

Television loves a place with personality. A cook who expects you to know your order makes for great viewing. Stacked patties sizzling on a grill don’t hurt either.

Those shows helped spread the word far beyond Michigan. Burger fans from other states started adding Ann Arbor to their road trip lists. Some came just to see the ordering ritual for themselves.

Still, the core stays refreshingly simple. Fresh beef, small patties, and plenty of toppings drive the whole thing. The cameras just caught what was already happening.

I think the fun part is comparing the show to the real thing. You get to stand in the same line those hosts did. Just remember that nobody films your order, so stumbling over your cheese choice stays your little secret.

Plan Your Visit Around These Hours And Family Perks

Timing matters, especially after a fresh reopening. Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger opens at 11 a.m. most days.

Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, service runs until 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday stretch to 10 p.m. Mondays are closed, so don’t plan a Monday craving.

Hours could grow soon. The new owners have talked about late-night service, possibly until 3 a.m. Digital ordering and delivery are also part of the plan.

Families get some helpful perks. High chairs are available, and there’s a kids’ menu. That makes the trip easier for parents juggling little ones and big burgers.

The setup is cafeteria-style, which keeps things moving. You order, grab your tray, and find a seat. It’s casual in the best way.

Downtown Ann Arbor sits right around the corner, so you can stroll after eating. Checking hours before you go is smart since things may shift during this new chapter. Then head over, rehearse your order, and claim the stacked Michigan cheeseburger you’ve been thinking about this whole time.