'I would get this any day': Goodyear blimp pilot tries BLIMP sandwich at Diamond Deli

Tawney Beans, Akron Beacon Journal

Updated Fri, January 12, 2024 at 4:15 PM UTC

1 min read

Goodyear Blimp Assistant Chief Pilot Adam Basaran gets ready for his first bite of the BLIMP sandwich at Diamond Deli in downtown Akron.

Looks like just about everyone, including Akron-based Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co ., can enjoy a nice sandwich.

That was certainly the case for assistant chief blimp pilot Adam Basaran, who visited Diamond Deli and judged the new menu special, the BLIMP, for himself Thursday. He was, of course, in uniform (proper blimp-eating attire).

The sandwich originated from University of Akron philosophy professor Chris Buford, who shared his creation — a sandwich with bacon, lettuce, mayo and pepperoncini — on the Akron subreddit after realizing the acronym for the ingredients spelled BLMP.

Eric Brewer, a sandwich maker at Diamond Deli, saw Buford's post and tried his hand at making it at the shop with the addition of Italian dressing to complete its BLIMP status. It was soon added to the deli's menu as a special.

Story behind the BLIMP: Thanks to Reddit, University of Akron professor's sandwich idea finds life at Diamond Deli

Diamond Deli sandwich maker Eric Brewer talks with Goodyear Blimp Assistant Chief Pilot Adam Basaran as he makes the BLIMP sandwich for Basaran at the Diamond Deli in downtown Akron.

After enjoying his afternoon lunch, Basaran, who would normally order a BLT, only had good things to say about the BLIMP. He advises those who may not like pepperoncini peppers or mayo to look past the ingredients because the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

"I would come back and I would get this any day," Basaran said. "That was a good way to spend a non-flying day here in Akron, Ohio."

Tried the BLIMP? Let us know your thoughts on Akron's latest dive into the sandwich scene. Contact Beacon Journal reporter Tawney Beans at tbeans@gannett.com and on Twitter @TawneyBeans. And follow her food adventures on TikTok @akronbeaconjournal.

Diamond Deli line cook Eric Brewer and University of Akron Philosophy professor Chris Buford pose for a photo with their shared creation, the BLIMP sandwich, which is made using bacon, lettuce, Italian dressing, mayonnaise and pepperoncini.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Goodyear blimp pilot tries BLIMP sandwich at Diamond Deli in Akron

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