This is my contribution to Epinions member minorthreat78's Guilty Pleasures W/O. The objective is to write a review on a product that you hate to love. What could be a better example than a "greasy spoon" restaurant just brimming with nostalgia?

As one of Atlanta, Georgia's oldest landmarks, The Varsity restaurant is celebrating it's 75th anniversary this year. The franchise was opened in 1928 with a mere $2,000 investment by Georgia native Frank Gordy. Today, the restaurant has 4 locations in the metropolitan Atlanta area and one in Athens, Georgia near the campus of The University of Georgia. The original location is on North Avenue at I-75 in downtown Atlanta, across from the Georgia Tech campus.

Atmosphere

The casual atmosphere is one of The Varsity's main attractions. The basic theme of the restaurant is a 1950's style diner with college sports themes prominently displayed. Customers order from the large soda fountain style counter with posted menus. Diners can eat inside, or outside at one of the world's largest drive-ins. Inside this anachronistic, Art Deco style building, employees are distinguished from the customers by their red and white paper hats. The Varsity really stands out against the modern neo- classical Atlanta skyline.

The Food

Although it is primarily known for it's "greasy spoon" reputation, The Varsity also has a "lite" menu that consists of salads and sandwiches, several of which have under 13 grams of fat. However, they are most well known for their double cheeseburgers, chili dogs, and those fabulous onion rings, literally dripping with oil. Other items on the menu include a grilled chicken sandwich, (7 grams of fat) chicken salad sandwich, (10 grams of fat) egg salad sandwich, (13 grams of fat). BBQ sandwich, (8 grams of fat) fried peach and apples pies, (you don't want to know) and their famous frosted orange soda. They also serve hot wings and chili. Beverages include the Orange Frost, Coca-Cola products, shakes, chocolate and plain milk and coffee. Most of the combo plates range from $4.50-$6.50, with individual sandwiches ranging from $1.60-$2.00 each. An order of onion rings or fries is $1.40, and well worth it.

An Original

Due to it's longevity and unique appeal, The Varsity has developed it's own variety of slag. Below are a few examples:

Ring One-An order of onion rings

Sideways-Onions on the side

Strings-Fries

Walk A Dog-A hot dog to go

Joe-Ree-Coffee with cream

N.I. Orange-Orange drink with no ice

Bag Of Rags-Potato chips

The restaurant even has a gift shop with various forms of memorabilia and apparel for sale. These items are also available on the restaurant's official website www.thevarsity.com.

Recommendation

This is a must stop if you are visiting the Atlanta area. However, it you are there during a Georgia Tech home football game, beware-they serve over 30,000 customers on game days. Even though it offers some low fat food items, The Varsity is well known as one of the best pig out places on the planet. I certainly don't stop in for the health food menu. The food is always fresh and high quality for typical "greasy spoon" fare. The atmosphere is great, the staff friendly, and it's, well- a great Southern institution! Ya'll come!

Please see the reviews of the other participants in this W/O: panguitch, voxopoptart, treeseed, beckytcy, jordan_tar, pduval69, thegeniusx, anvrill, gatorgirlie, pmills1210, disinclined, minorthreat78, and cryptosicko




Recommended: Yes

Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: No
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations One of Atlanta's oldest and most recognizable instutions
Best Suited For: Kids and Families