It may be a new location for Ann Arbor's Blimpy Burger, but the grill, the tables and chairs, the staff, and many of the customers were back for the restaurant's grand reopening Friday.

"It's like seeing an old friend after a long time. It's fantastic," said Joe Mitchell, who was dining with a group of friends.

Mitchell and coworkers Michael Pardo and Patrick McCarren waited for an hour and 20 minutes for their first taste of Blimpy Burger in over a year, but they said they didn't mind the wait.

"It was definitely worth it," said Pardo, who was a regular Blimpy customer before the restaurant closed in August 2013 after the building it occupied was sold to the University of Michigan. "It definitely lives up to the hype."

Mitchell said that the group had been planning their visit to Blimpy Burger for two weeks, and allowed for extra time, figuring there would be a big rush.

"We thought about coming to the soft opening but we appreciate this experience," said Pardo.

Related: Blimpy Burger's official grand reopening set for Friday

Eric Kalmbach didn't wait for the grand opening. He had his first Blimpy experience at the new location on Monday afternoon during the restaurant's soft opening, a move that got him in hot water with his wife, Nicole.

"She yelled at me for coming here without her," laughed Kalmbach. "I had to come back today with her to make it up."

For some customers, the Blimpy grand opening was a chance to experience the iconic burger joint for the first time.

"I’ve lived here for about seven years," said Piero Postigo. "Every day I kept thinking 'I’m gonna go today, I’m going to go today,' until the day when I was going to go, and it was closed. And then I was like, oh well, I guess I missed the train."

When Postigo read that the restaurant was celebrating its grand reopening, he decided he had to take advantage of the opportunity to rectify that situation.

But does Postigo know the Blimpy ordering protocol?

"Sure! Be quick, don't diddle and daddle," said Postigo. "Just be respectful, because they will yell at you."

David Wright and Jim Walter waited for a little over an hour for their lunch. Walter noted that the prices seemed pretty much the same as before, and the food hadn't changed a bit.

"It brings back old memories," said Walter. "It was perfect. This time I only got a double, which is unusual for me. I’m another year older now, and I can’t really put down the food like I could in college."

Wright also opted for a just a double this time, but for a very specific reason.

"I’m getting married tomorrow," laughed Wright. "And I need to fit into that tux!"

Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger can be found at 304 S. Ashley St., just south of West Liberty, and adjacent to The Fleetwood Diner. During the month of October, the restaurant will be open Monday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.