The Varsity — Restaurant in Atlanta

Some institutions need to fall. The Roman Empire. The Blackberry. Blockbuster video. They all ran their course. Just because they were nostalgic and were once great and useful, they all wore out their welcome. They didn't progress. The ignored the changing world and their value ceased. The Varsity is an institution. It is time it to go away. I am not from Atlanta but for most of my 41 years I have spend a good amount of time in the area. I've visited the main Varsity 8-10 times and grew up hearing all about it. It is on all of the travel guides and travel TV shows. It is an Atlanta landmark. Unfortunately, General Sherman isn't around to burn it to the ground. (for any waif reading this, I am making a joke. I don't want any harm or destruction to the innocent bystanders around the building!) We idealize history and like thinking about a "better time and place." I love old diners. I love restaurants with culture. I love the entire food service and hospitality business. A gas station hot dog can be just as awesome for what it is and what it is supposed to be as a Wagyu steak. I am no food snob. My main judgment on food is: is it good? is the price worth it? was the overall experience including service valuable? The answer to all of those questions in regards to The Varsity is: NO EFFING WAY. Lets start with the food itself. The aforementioned gas station hot dog that has been cooking in its' own juices for 36 hours on a bun that has been in the heat drawer is far superior to whatever The Varsity is serving. I think the tube of processed meat I ate was 2oz at best. I did not have the burger but someone I was with did and a Wendy's kids meal hamburger looked giant compared to what he was served. The Varsity burger also looked like it was a freeze dried patty that came from something a vulture would turn down. On my hot dog I had chili and cheese. I'm not the biggest fan of hotdog chili but I eat it occasionally because my fiancee likes it and we get the frozen tubs from the grocery store. I can say that I believe that The Varsity does not buy frozen pre-made chili and they make their own, because I would have loved to have something that tastes like grocery store chili. It would have been a vast improvement. Most cheese on hot dogs is melted or an American queso type of cheese. Not at the varsity. Nope, we got a quarter of a slice of unmelted cheddar cheese on top of the bun. The fries and onion rings were fine. Nothing memorable but nothing terrible. I do not understand their serving system which is fine. They have their way of doing things and I am only there once every few years. But if you do things that are not easy to follow, respect the customer enough to tell them what is going on. Basically, it was a bunch of trays and you have no idea which one is yours and which one isn't. 3 customers were served before us, which I understand because we had a group of 8. I get it. But there was no communication and no way for us to know what was going on. Lets get to the menu and ordering. There is a big board that shows all of the items and the value meals. That should be easy enough. But with no description on the pictures, the yellow sliver on the hotdog looks like it is melted cheese. In reality it is mustard. Further, everything is served with mustard and ketchup which is no clear to anybody from looking at the menu. Only 3 people with us got what they wanted. The rest of us did not because it was not made clear what we were ordering. I'll reiterate, I am no food snob. A street taco and a fast food burger make me as happy as escargot or rare truffles. I'm as comfortable in my swim trunks at a beach snack shop as I am in a coat and tie in a steak house. I WANT places like The Varsity to be around forever.....LIKE The Varsity. Not what The...

What a blast and nostalgic jaunt to a seemingly happier and more fun dining experience. I base my compliment on several things. All are key indicators of a community staple: great people, great food, and a great atmosphere.

While being in all its essence, just a great restaurant, it’s also the world’s biggest drive-in fast-food joint! Eating here jogs your memory to times that are seemingly much easier to love for whatever reason. Whether or not you associate nostalgia with a loved one that you miss, or the crusading energy of your favorite NCAA team during a past dynasty run. I’m a Michigan man, personally, so GO BLUE! It stands out to me quite boldly that the passion of both of those memories mirrors one another and makes a Gemstone like Varsity Atlanta really easy to celebrate and even easier to hold on to as a city.

While dining in, I laughed because I thanked God for always being true to his word. I told myself Saturday, after a long week, “I’m gonna get me some Varsity, as soon as I get paid.” I was so hungry when I said it. I was so thankful when I sat down. I took time to thank a Chef, a tall gentleman, named Erin. I told him that the food was great and why it was such an important meal to me that day. He stopped his work to hear me testify over a few minutes about how God had orchestrated everything leading up to my first bite of that Chili Dog. 🌭. I had the Number 2, that’s a chili dog, a chili burger, and one order of fries, with a fountain drink. I had the Orange drink with mine. Erin thanked me for his compliment, he agreed and confirmed that all I’d witnessed was truly something and that it was inspirational.

Here’s the best thing about it all. Before he, Erin, the chef walked off, he said, “Man you kind of look like Kobe Bryant. And when I saw you at the counter it kind of scared me. You never heard that before?” He questioned, as we laughed. I nodded and confirmed I had.

Powerfully, I cried this morning, because to be seen as anything other than a bum when you’re homeless, and Kobe Bryant of all people couldn’t have been more empowering. Thank you Varsity of Atlanta!

Mamba Forever.

Varsity Forever.

Yes, I'm going back today.

PS - I've attached some photos from the meal and some from the website. They’ve got their own lingo and everything! I promise, when you dig in, it only gets...

The Varsity is dine-in food, made fast, made to fill, made to cater to a “bar crowd” despite it not being a bar. It’s a step below diner formalities, but intimate enough to appreciate it as an Atlanta icon.

I’m from Chicago, so we tend to dress our hot dogs up with a bunch of vegetables. But I also know that my city means nothing here. At the Varsity, they dress their hot dogs way down.

You have a choice of a chili dog, a slaw dog, or a “heavy” dog (which is the chili dog with extra chili). I paired two chili dogs, an order of fries, and a chocolate shake to make for a fufilling fast food feast.

You order your food at the counter, and you stay with your server until you get it. Once you get your order, you’re treated to your food being served on a Varsity branded paper plate.

The chili dog, though unphotogenic in its textured-bumpy appearance, had its uptakes. It serenaded the chewier hot dog center quite well, with the bun being the perfect finish.

The fries had the salt of a hot dog stand’s, but the smoothness of In-N-Out’s fries. They clumped together as they lay on the plate, as if someone grabbed literally a handful of them.

The chocolate milkshake was immensely thick; I am genuinely curious whether or not they just put chocolate ice cream in the blender. And the large chocolate shake lasted me literally hours! I brought it all around town with me. My biggest regret is tossing it in the trash once I became too full! All in all, it was definitely a notch above a Wendy’s Frosty, despite the claims otherwise.

The spacious bi-level parking allows for easy, free access. Though it was not at all busy during the two weekend dinner times, I’d imagine during a football game business picks up.

This place definitely deserves visiting more than once, and so I returned!

On my second visit, I tried the pimento grilled cheese which was oily and underwhelming. But that’s the give and take in having a variety of options on the menu, I suppose. I paired it with the Orange Freeze and—my goodness—it’s the liquid version of an Orange Creamsicle. So good!

Definitely a hallmark of ATL. Definitely...