Quad w/ Cheese Blimpy - Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, Ann Arbor, MI

Small, kind of dirty, rubbing elbows with the cook, but an experience not to be missed. This describes a trip to Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger in Ann Arbor, MI (Boo Wolverines! ....Sorry, I am a State fan). Serving the fans in Ann Arbor and the student body of the University of Michigan since 1953 (which they also claim as the oldest burger stand in the AA), Krazy Jim's is a local favorite. Just look for the place with Snowbears in the winter at the corner of Packard & S. Division. Krazy Jim's is one of those places that lets the customer design the burger for themselves. They claim that a Blimpy Burger can be ordered in over 2 BILLION combinations! The math behind this number derives from the choices as they have "four burger sizes, six cheeses (you can order all of them, some of them, or no cheese at all), four different bun types, nine different grilled items (you can get all, some, or none of them) and twelve different condiments (again you can get all, some, or none)." Therefore, a Blimpy Burger is more a personal thing. Let me take you into MY Blimpy Burger.

First, I was instructed on how to order. Grab a tray. Then move down the line and answer questions as they are fired at you. First choice: Do you want something from the fryer? Fresh cooked fries and onions rings. Mmmmmmmm.......That is all I have to say about that. Next choice: how much meat? I, feeling adventurous, ordered the "quad" [4 patties] not knowing exactly how big the patties are. I was glad that I ordered the quad because each patty is a little ball approximately 1-1.5 inches in diameter. This is then smashed flat with a spatula and cooked to medium/medium-well (there is NO room for medium-rare in these). I am not really a fan of this method of patty making as the meat can be overly tough, but I figured I would give it a chance. I chose a kaiser bun, added some bacon, and requested provolone cheese rounded out with mayo, mustard, and ketchup. Not a fancy or overly ornate burger, but I can tell you that I was salivating like a rabid dog. Some of that could possibly be due to that fact that they make you stand and watch your burger being cooked less that 5 feet from your proverbial piehole. You are just standing there waiting and watching your burger cook in all it's goodness. Thankfully the staff is incredibly friendly and entertaining, so it goes by pretty quick. Finally I get the burger and dash for a seat. It should be noted at this point that Krazy Jim's proudly proclaims that they "grind their own meat fresh daily". This is a statment the I fully believe. The burger, while being a little over cooked, was delicious. It really tasted more like they had ground up a good steak and made hamburger out of it. Still juicy, full of savory flavor, and just a bit crumbly. It was a beautiful thing. The rest of the burger complemented the meat well, however I will add a caution. The meat is very savory and quite salty. I don't know if it was the particular combination I ordered or if it is just the style of burger at Krazy Jim's, but I got a bit overloaded on the saltiness of the meal. Perhaps a different combination might alleviate the issue. Overall, though, the burger was a winner. This is definitely a place I will visit again, and I have a feeling a champion may exist in Krazy Jim's menu. Maybe Bo was actually thinking of Krazy Jim's when he made his infamous sign --> "Those who stay [and find the magic combination of burger and toppings] will be CHAMPIONS!"

Quad w/ Cheese Blimpy - 8/10 ********

Other perks of Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger: Ann Arbor is a really cool place [if you can get over all the Wolverines walking around ;)], very friendly staff, an interesting atmosphere, and old school bottled root beer, fresh from the fryer steak fries and onion rings (MMMMMMM, yeah!).

Cheeseburger - Five Guys, Arlington, VA

If you have ever lived in the D.C./Arlington areas you will know about Five Guys. This summer I visited my brother in McLean, VA and of course asked him where to get the best burger in the area. >He immediately introduced me to the semi-legendary status of Five Guys. Found in shopping malls, strip malls, and probably other types of malls Five Guys have been busting out fresh cow meat since 1986. In that time they have expanded from a sole mecca of charred heaven to over 300 locations in 25 states. To me that deserves a looking-into.

When it comes to their burgers Five Guys stand by several tenets which are a source of inspiration and pride. 1-The burgers and toppings are never frozen. There are no freezers in a Five Guys shop, only coolers. 2-In relation to #1, the burgers are always fresh and cooked to order. 3-They use only the tastiest peanut oil for their awesome fries. 4-Their fries are made only from Idaho (YAY IDAHO!) potatoes. In fact, the day we went to Five Guys there was a sign stating the fries were from Driggs, ID that day.

Having surveyed the rules, I would have to say that they live up to the standards of their claims. The cheeseburger at Five Guys was great! When you bite into a Five Guys burger don't expect to stay clean. The juiciness and the salty-savoriness of the meat hits you will full force. The burger, which is not wimp at about a 1 inch thickness, is cooked beautifully even though was not medium rare. The toppings were fresh, crisp, and juicy in their own right. To be perfectly honest, I wouldn't be able to tell if the burger was ever frozen because of the sweet fattiness of the meat, but the lettuce, tomatoes, and onions spoke loud and clear. The bun was nothing special, but thankfully didn't disintegrate in the river of luscious flavor. The one bone I have to pick is the cheese. Everything about Five Guys screams fresh backyard BBQ. Everything but the cheese, that is. The cheese was definitely of the American processed types. Don't get me wrong, the cheese was melted beautifully and incorporated into the burger as you ate it. However, the savory-saltiness of the meat and the 'cheese' got to be a bit more than I would like by the end. That being said, the cheeseburger at Five Guys is a wrecking ball of flavor and deliciousness. Five Guys....welcome to the Top Ten.

Five Guys Cheeseburger - ******** 8/10

Other perks of Five Guys: It was super fast and cheap, they are expanding rapidly, and the FRIES WERE GREAT! (peanut oil, fresh, just thick enough, and they were from Idaho).

Bonnie Burger - Bonnie's Place, Lansing, MI

I have to admit something. I had to eat this burger twice because I just wasn't sure. Bonnie's Place, circa 1988, is an approximately 20 x 80 brick building on the corner of Saginaw and Cedar streets in Lansing. The building itself is very unassuming, which definitely matches the interior. The inside feels as small as the outside looks with MSU paraphernalia lining the walls and at least a thin veil of cigarette smoke. It has the feel and look of a place that regulars guard with unfettered loyality.

The burger. Oh, the burger. As stated earlier, I had to try this one twice to wrap my head around it and to make sure I was getting the real deal at Bonnie's. The Bonnie Burger is definitely made to satisfy a real man's hunger. As usual I asked for a medium-rare patty. Both times I received a very medium cooked burger. However, I was pleasantly surprised. I can not say that I have ever had a juicier, more tender burger that has obviously been cooked pretty hard. The meat was succulently savory and seemed to sort of melt in your mouth. This is only to be complimented by the slices of ham included on the Bonnie Burger. Top it with some lettuce and tomato (which could have been fresher) and then tie it all together with a thick helping of REAL cheddar cheese. This sort of concoction could go terribly wrong, but not in the hands of the staff at Bonnie's. They have balanced everything as if in a majestic buffet where you can taste everything, but it all comes together into a synergistic melt of savory. You will notice that I have not talked about the bun. This is where the Bonnie Burger takes a downward turn. When it comes out it gives not indication as to what is in store. The bun looks very normal and appropriate in size. However, about half way through the burger you will suddenly notice that you are eating a diabetic version of the burger -- VIOLA, NO BUN! The bun has completely disintegrated and you are left to fend for yourself with the meat. While I can not say that the bun is the most important component of a burger, it is a necessary part. All in all, the Bonnie Burger definitely impresses, but don't forget your napkin. As such it has earned itself a spot on the Top Ten. Welcome Bonnie!

Bonnie Burger - ********* 9/10

Other Perks of Bonnie's Place: Beer, a "unique" atmosphere, and a 1/2 all burgers on monday nights.

Champp's Cheeseburger - Champp's, East Lansing, MI

THE CHAMPP REIGNS SUPREME!!!

Before I ever thought of starting a burger blog I never imagined that a national chain would claim the top spot in a burger blog. Somehow it just seems inherently wrong. Nevertheless, my I manage to avert my bias and judge the burgers for what they are. And when you are at Champp's, you get what you are looking for.

Standing just outside the Eastwood Towncenter in East Lansing, MI, Champp's is a beacon of Americana. Beer, burgers, and sports. That pretty much sums up Champp's. Love or hate it, it is what it is.

Where do I start about Champp's Cheeseburger? Start with "USDA Choice Angus Beef" that boasts a wopping 60 grams of protein per patty. Cook that delicious slab a meat perfectly! Seared quickly to lock in the flavor, but leaving a warm red center so that you don't kill the taste. If there was nothing else, this burger would be creeping into the Top Ten. But they didn't stop there. Put that beautiful slab of meat on a sesame seed bun that is crispy enough to keep everything in and not disintegrate, but sweetly supple to handle the meats beauty. Lettuce, tomato, and REAL cheese. To reiterate - REAL cheese (your choice of cheddar, provolone, or pepper-jack). If you want bacon, you will get 'thick, peppered bacon from heaven'. Combine this with brew that is just a little bit slushy because it is so cold, an always friendly (and usually easy on the eyes) wait staff, and a cool atmosphere (including several big screens with your favorite sports). That is a recipe for Nirvana-like delight. The only downside of the Champp's Cheeseburger is that when you are done you won't have room for another!

Champp's Cheeseburger - ********** 10/10

Other perks of Champp's: Cheap drinks, instead of fries you can get those crisscross things (awesome!) or sweet steak fries, you can watch all the PPV events on their big screens, and the prices aren't bad!

Cheeseburger - Daddy O's Bar and Grill,Chicago, IL

Located along the illustrious magnificent mile in downtown Chicago, the Hyatt Regency Hotel is both a delight and a comfort away from home. The Hyatt is more than just a hotel...it is an experience. In fact, given enough money you could live quite well without ever leaving the complex. It includes gift shops, fitness centers, access to a subterranean mall, and of course alcohol and food. Just past the golden doored elevators of the west tower sits the cozy Daddy O's Bar and Grill (Irish) which, as any establishment claiming to be a bar, serves a hefty burger.

The Cheeseburger at Daddy O's was an interesting one. Even now as I write this blog entry I am a bit torn as to whether I really liked it, or whether it was just kind of weird. There were several very good things about the burger. It was thick and juicy, but not over the top greasy and just a slab of meat. I asked for a medium-rare, and I definitely got a perfect medium-rare, which unfortunately is all too rare (ha ha, get it?). The bun was great! Toasted and a little bit crispy on the outside, and beautifully white, supple, and absorbent on the inside. Yet the crispiness of the outside did not succumb juices and held strong!!! This burger included one of those "choose 2 of the following:..." statements, which as you know if you read this blog is not a good thing. I went safe and picked cheddar cheese and grilled onion. I was pleasantly surprised by thick cheddar and delectably grilled onions. Now comes the confusing part. It came with a side of mayo, which is always GREAT in my book. However, it turns out that this was not your ordinary mayo. In this mayo was a substance that I still can not define. All I got was the smell and a to a lesser extent flavor. I can only describe it as something that was fermenting. Now, this is not an automatic disqualifier. I love sauerkraut on my brats and I love the fermentation of the field. But this was neither beer nor kraut. Perhaps another kind of cabbage, or something altogether different as only the Irish could do. However, after much debate and thought, I still cannot place it in the category of either great or glop. Perhaps, I shall never know what that substance was, and perhaps I don't want to know. For now, though, I must blog on.

Daddy O's Cheeseburger - ****** 6/10

Other perks of Daddy O's: Awesome (and I do mean awesome) spinach artichoke dip appetizer, cool atmosphere, and you don't have to even leave the Hyatt to get it if you are staying there.

Cheeseburger - Clara's Restaurant, Lansing, MI

A beacon of a time near forgotten, Clara's Restaurant, sits on Michigan Ave in Lansing. A rennovated train station, built in 1903, Clara's has been a restaurant icon in Lansing since 1978. Clara's boast an extensive (and I do mean extensive) range and number of dishes in it's menu. Ranging from Mexican to Italion to Ribs and, of course, burgers.



Clara's, as most American restaurants, offers at least 5-7 burgers of various craftsmanship. However, this eccletic restaurant does not claim any as a signature burger, therefore I ordered the good old Cheeseburger. As usual I ordered it medium-rare, and I was feeling especially saucy this night and asked for the pepper-jack cheese (this was one of 4 choices). When the burger came out I almost asked if I got the wrong dish. What sat before me was a slab of black meat with cheese of unknown origin upon an actually above average bun. That is it (aside from a scanty pile of mediocre fries) As I pulled out the 'medium-rare' tag stuck in the patty I knew I was in for a treat. The black exterior of the meat was only surpassed in it's beauty by the full cooked, and slighty dry, meat contained therein. While I know I ordered pepper-jack cheese, I can scarecly recall the taste of any sort of cultured dairy product while stomaching the burger. The burger included no lettuce, onion, tomato, pickles, and only a mostly empty bottle of ketchup set entirely too far away for me to reach. The only positive thing about the burger was the bun. Clara's claims that in imports bun's for their burgers from somewhere in Chicago. This I can believe, because it was actually very good. Crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, and just a hint of sesame flavor. All-in-all Clara's cheeseburger should come with a warning to those with taste bud's for real burgers.

Clara's cheeseburger - *** 3/10 (all for the bun)

Additional perks of Clara's - Cool atmosphere (you can eat in an old rennovated train car), there is something on the menu that will appeal to everybody (I can't comment on whether it will taste good, though), and I hear they have a great brunch.