Thrillist picks the best burgers in Ann Arbor, East Lansing and a dozen other Big Ten campus cities.
Kristin Hunt writes:
The Big Ten schools don't half-ass anything. Not teams, not tailgates, and definitely not signature burgers. So while their football players are battling for NCAA glory, we're crowning the best burgers in all 14 Big Ten towns.
East Lansing's standout is the Peanut Barrel, 521 E. Grand River. As a MSU grad, I have fond memories of the place. It used to have an all-you-can-eat fried fish night on Tuesdays, and I was not shy when it came to the all-you-can-eat concept. I could put away quite a bit in those days.
But more importantly, before they shrunk the square footage of the place, I did my first standup comedy routine at the Peanut Barrel my senior year. I think I did pretty well, but chose to continue pursuing journalism.
Here's what Thrillist posts about the Peanut Barrel burger, quoting Joe Rexrode of the Detroit Free Press:
"The Peanut Barrel is where The State News staff would always wind up on Thursday night after wrapping up the final edition of the week. Most love the Rodeo Burger there, a half pound of ground beef topped with cheddar and bacon. But I still haven't found olive loaf that comes close to the Barrel's recipe. Best olive burger I've ever had, hands down, and you have to get it on rye."
In Ann Arbor, Thrillist picks Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, 304 S. Ashley St.:
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger might sound like a weird off-brand children's show, but it's actually the name of a long-running Wolverine lunch hub. If you've ever ordered a cheesesteak in Philly, you know what to expect from the line -- speak fast and clear, then move on before you get yelled at. And although we think you should go for the triple on a plain roll with grilled onions and peppers and American, you've got many options here. Over 2 billion, in fact, by Krazy Jim's own estimation.
