“What’ll ya have? What’ll ya have?” The cashier shouts as the next customer walks up to the quick order counter. The Varsity in Atlanta, Georgia is a downtown landmark and a staple in any trip to the dirty south.
Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, directly across the interstate from Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium, The Varsity opened its doors in 1928 and was originally called “The Yellow Jacket” in honor of Tech’s mascot. Later changing its name to The Varsity, this restaurant has created a language all its own. When patrons address the cashier they can order a plain hot dog to go, or they can use the restaurant lingo and order a naked dog—walkin, either way they will be given the same thing. Did you want hamburger with mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato? Then what you want is a Glorified Steak. Say you like onions but you don’t want a lot of them, you can order your meal sideways and the onions come on the side.
The restaurant takes up two city blocks and has a two story parking deck, making it a massive structure in the middle of the city. The Varsity even has carhops who will take your order at your car window and deliver your food to you.
Nationally known for its hotdogs the restaurant offers a few different options that are a must try. The Chili Dog comes loaded with chili and a squirt of mustard, while the Slaw Dog is a hot dog drowning in simple coleslaw. Both of these options go great with a side of batter fried onion rings. The onion rings The Varsity makes are not your typical breaded thin cut rings. These onion rings are the size of a sweet Vidalia onion cut in half and deep fried in batter (no bread crumbs involved) creating a truly southern treat. Finish your meal off with a Frosted Orange and you will have experienced the highlights of what this landmark has to offer. The F.O. is a frozen orange drink that has a sweet orange flavor all the way down and the texture somewhere between ice cream and a slushy.
So when you are asked, “What’ll ya have?” just know the answer may not always be simple!
Don’t forget to take a free paper hat on your way out!
Check out this cool video that takes you inside The Varsity:
