The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (kevincad)

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:05:04 GMT

Baah Ben

Georgiadogs - I believe I saw a story on the Beacon on FoodTV and they actually have a water line coming down from the ceiling because they sell so much sweet tea? They fill these industrial urns with sweet tea. They also have an old timer who calls out your order to the production people while you stand in line?

It looked like a great place....that's too bad you didn't like it. I am still determined to try it next time we are in Greenville. It's 35 miles away. I'll take a shot. Maybe this winter.

The Varsity has good onion rings..Dogs...Just ok.

I'm thinking that georgiadogs is perhaps a bit one sided, so he probably doesn't like anything southern.

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (kevincad)

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:02:16 GMT

georgiadawgs

[id="quote"]quote: Originally posted by anselmo1

A few years ago, I ate at the Varsity downtown near Georgia Tech. Needless to say, I was quite disappointed with the hot dogs and hamburgers. The positive thing were that the onion rings were very good.

What makes the Varsity such an institution in the Atlanta area?

I'll probably get slammed for this, but oh well just my opinion...Being a northerner, I think the Varsity is such a big deal down here because it's an one-of-a kind place in GA, and because the food in general here sucks!

Up north places like the Varsity are a dime-a-dozen and usually much better. But down here it's like some kind of special attraction you won't find anywhere else!

Yeah, you should be slammed. I come from western NY and am transplanted in the south. I love Atlanta and all that it has to offer. I love southern food, flavorful, historic and just plain good! Every time I go back to western NY I remember all of the bland food the area has to offer. Hardly any regional specialties, just boring meat and potatoes. Give me some bbq, brunswick stew, cornbread and 'nanner puddin' any day!

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (MellowRoast)

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:48:42 GMT

I'm curious who supplies The Varsity's top-split buns. I like them even better than the New England style buns I've had.

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (speechpeach)

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:07:59 GMT

I still crave chili cheese dogs (made with pimento cheese like they used to make them, now I have to ask for it instead of american cheese) from The Varsity or a dog with slaw and onions. They used to serve a good sandwich made with ham and barbecue that is no longer available, and when the onion rings are hot and I am hungry they put a smile on my face. Fried pies are usually a bit too greasy for me, and last time I checked, they no longer serve almond toffee ice cream, as Mayfield is the supplier now it seems.

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (carolina bob)

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:39:55 GMT

I love the sweet tea at the Beacon, and their onion rings are some of my favorites.

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (georgiadogs)

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:15:16 GMT

If I hadn't been there and seen it with my own eyes I would not have believed it myself, saw 'em pour the syrup in the tanks and mix it up. You could tell by the flavor also. Thats just blasphemus below the mason-dixon line.

Re:The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (bigd)

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 23:40:44 GMT

The Varsity is plain bad. Hasn't been good for years. It is living on it's name. locals with any taste would never go there.

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (Baah Ben)

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 23:24:43 GMT

Georgiadogs - I believe I saw a story on the Beacon on FoodTV and they actually have a water line coming down from the ceiling because they sell so much sweet tea? They fill these industrial urns with sweet tea. They also have an old timer who calls out your order to the production people while you stand in line?

It looked like a great place....that's too bad you didn't like it. I am still determined to try it next time we are in Greenville. It's 35 miles away. I'll take a shot. Maybe this winter.

The Varsity has good onion rings..Dogs...Just ok.

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (georgiadogs)

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:50:27 GMT

If we are talking about the same Beacon in S.Carolina the onion rings were tastless and the tea was made from a syrup base. You just don't do that in the south !!!

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (Large Man)

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 22:52:38 GMT

While I love the Beacon, especially the Beacon Burger aplenty ( that is a burger with everything plus a pound of fries and a pound of onion rings piled on top - feeds a family of four), I do belive the Varsity is cleaner and has better chili dogs. The rings are a draw. The V has fried pies, the Beacon great homemade pie. Beacon has great sweet tea on crushed ice, The Varsity serves the best Coke on crushed ice. The best Varsity is the original in Atlanta by the North Avenue Trade School (that's GA Tech for you outsiders) I could easily eat at either!

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (carolina bob)

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 22:35:32 GMT

I can't agree with you about the burgers at the Beacon, badbyron722. I was there early last month and had the chili cheeseburger and onion rings that I've had numerous times before. I love this burger and consider it far better than the one that I had at the Varsity some years ago. It's true that dining at the Varsity is a roadfood experience, but a meal at the Beacon is much more rewarding.

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (Large Man)

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 22:23:42 GMT

Had the V for lunch today. Chili cheese dog with mustard extra raw onions, chili cheese burger with extra raw onions, onion rings and large Coke (not the diet type - wouldn't be right). Might not be the best ever but it sure did satisfy my itch. Remember - every roadfood place can't always be the best there is, it just has to be better than the national chains. Let me see you order a chili cheese dog at the arches!

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (SassyGritsAL)

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:38:58 GMT

Went to my great nieces graduation (a whole 12 in her class) and after graduation Friday night we went to the Varsity.

I had my usual two chili slaw dogs and the fries. They were all great. I ate too much and wished I had only ate one dog as I was wanting a peach fried pie. Oh well, there will be a next time at the Varsity.

My two grandgirls conned me into buying them each a Varsity t-shirt ($15 each but they sure looked cute in them). One got a pink one with a retro car on the back, and the other got an orange one with advertising the orange frosty drink).

My niece lives in Powder Springs, GA which is about 25 minutes from Atlanta so we always made a trip to the Varsity.

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (badbyron722)

Tue, 26 May 2009 20:21:57 GMT

The Varsity in Atlanta and The Beacon here in Spartanburg are a lot alike.Burgers are average at best,but man the Onion Rings ar the best.Ate at The Beacon today and it was so so,but worth it just for the rings.Best Burger here in Spartanburg in my opinion is Ikes Korner Grill in the Beaumont community.

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (exsquidao)

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 22:08:15 GMT

Not for nothing and understanding the Varsity's history but when I watched the FN episode on them (granted it was a couple of years ago) thier hotdogs did not look all that great to me, then again I grew up eating Hummels (to this day) Weber's and Roesslers (sp).

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (Adjudicator)

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:52:11 GMT

ULVER

Born & raised in Atlanta... My dads's law partner did a lot of work for Frank Gordy. He was who suggested that Frank make cayenne pepper available. Makes the fries work. And believe me, most times they need the help. When done right, the onion rings are a whole other story.

Speaking of done right: the North Ave. location has been dropping the ol' (Ga. Tech) ball for a while now... I have had stale buns, under-done fries, and over-done rings. The last couple visits my onions were without a doubt, of the formerly frozen variety. Slippery slop. And to be sure...you are not safe wandering anywhere, even in the parking lot. I worked Zone 5 for many a year, and it is no better than in the past. Even with off-duty officers, you may very-well have a crackhead stumbling through any of the eating areas.

The 50's were the 50's. It's not the 50's any longer. The Varsity will always be an Atlanta icon. But it's not what it used to be. Period.

That was my impression a couple of years back when I did my review on it here. I walked down from the Holiday Inn where I was staying; about three blocks, etc. I had my PPK in my coat pocket so I wasn't really worried about being accosted. The food was just plain nasty. Period. Atlanta icon or not; the food sucked.

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (ULVER)

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:04:03 GMT

Born & raised in Atlanta... My dads's law partner did a lot of work for Frank Gordy. He was who suggested that Frank make cayenne pepper available. Makes the fries work. And believe me, most times they need the help. When done right, the onion rings are a whole other story.

Speaking of done right: the North Ave. location has been dropping the ol' (Ga. Tech) ball for a while now... I have had stale buns, under-done fries, and over-done rings. The last couple visits my onions were without a doubt, of the formerly frozen variety. Slippery slop. And to be sure...you are not safe wandering anywhere, even in the parking lot. I worked Zone 5 for many a year, and it is no better than in the past. Even with off-duty officers, you may very-well have a crackhead stumbling through any of the eating areas.

The 50's were the 50's. It's not the 50's any longer. The Varsity will always be an Atlanta icon. But it's not what it used to be. Period.

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (MellowRoast)

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:59:21 GMT

SassyGritsAL

I too love the Varsity. Their cilli slaw dog is great. My grandaughter went to Atlanta this past weekend and called me Sun. afternoon and said
"Guess where I am Nanny?" I said I bet you are at the Varasity! and she was. She is 12 and loves the Varsity too. I told her to eat a chilli slaw dog and eat a pile of those great greasy rings for me. I sure was jealous all the rest of the day.

Yes, those chili slaw dogs are my favorites, too. Just give me 2 with a Frosted Orange and I'm set.

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (Adjudicator)

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:27:16 GMT

eldo7709

I would drive 4 hours from Tallahassee to Atlanta just to have two chili-dogs and one double chili burger from the Varsity

Be my guest. Report back to us, please.

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (SassyGritsAL)

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:08:29 GMT

I too love the Varsity. Their cilli slaw dog is great. My grandaughter went to Atlanta this past weekend and called me Sun. afternoon and said
"Guess where I am Nanny?" I said I bet you are at the Varasity! and she was. She is 12 and loves the Varsity too. I told her to eat a chilli slaw dog and eat a pile of those great greasy rings for me. I sure was jealous all the rest of the day.

Re:The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (Gumbo191)

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 21:44:19 GMT

http://eatoutnwa.blogspot.com/
What’ll ya have, what’ll ya have? Driving through downtown Atlanta there is one restaurant that can’t be missed; since 1928 the Varsity in Atlanta is a true road food experience. The world’s busiest drive in serves up to 30,000 diners on a good day, outside pull up for curb side service and place your order with one of the Varsity’s renowned car hops or make your way inside and place your order at the counter when you hear the infamous “What’ll Ya Have?” request from one of counter servers.

Glorified Steak (burger with lettuce and tomato), Heavy weight sideways (chili dog w/ extra chili and onions on the side), order of rings (onion rings) and strings (hand cut fries) walking (order to go). All accompanied by a coke and a frosted orange (whipped frozen orange drink). When in downtown Atlanta you can’t miss the Varsity on North Avenue across from Georgia Tech University. You can visit one of the Varsity’s other locations for the food but visit the original Atlanta location for the experience..

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (MellowRoast)

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 07:15:22 GMT

I can only speak for the chili slaw dogs, fries, and Frosted Orange. Love the joint and have for nearly 40 years.

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (waiterhell)

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 06:03:52 GMT

So, seems as if on the way to fame this site just neuters ANY dissent.....

Man, I hope the Sterns and hangers-on make enuf to justify these tactics.....to us, the original base, and THEMSELVES

What a shame.........

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (Bill Reynolds)

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 01:35:09 GMT

The thing about the Varsity is that if you sit in the parking lot long enough you almost certainly will be given a chance to buy a Rolex for one heck of a price. I have been there two times and got the offer both times.

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (Oneiron339)

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 16:40:22 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by big g in joisey

A few months back on public television they had a documentary about fast food restaurants,one that I thought was very interesting was the Varsity and the tradition of both UGA and GA Tech after they play each other in football a lot of the fans and alumni go to the Varsity to celebrate.I believe they said that they sell between 40 to 50 thousand hotdogs on gameday.

The "Greasy V" as it's known is supposedly the world's largest drive-in and for the number of hotdogs, onion rings, and cokes sold.

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (big g in joisey)

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 15:23:43 GMT

A few months back on public television they had a documentary about fast food restaurants,one that I thought was very interesting was the Varsity and the tradition of both UGA and GA Tech after they play each other in football a lot of the fans and alumni go to the Varsity to celebrate.I believe they said that they sell between 40 to 50 thousand hotdogs on gameday.

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (ULVER)

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 12:49:11 GMT

You do the Varsity, because it's unique and an institution, and downtown, which is kinda neat. On a good night, the chili dogs are decent. The onion rings, too. Both the hamburgers and french fries are tasteless.

Zestos blows The Varsity away, when it comes to burgers. And, it can be an "experience" too, late on weekends. Ah, Glock 17 for me, with Gold Dot +P's.

Now, if you REALLY want a grade-A burger, and an entertaining dining experience, you head to Little Five Points, and hit The Vortex. Simple as that... The place has won "Atlanta's Best Burger", from more publications, more times, than I can count.

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (john c)

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 12:29:32 GMT

Regarding Varsity's:
Everyone knows it started in Atlanta, on North Ave. and Spring St.
Luckily, I grew up in Athens, GA (Hi, Ort.!). The first AThens Varsity was downtown, right across from UGA campus archway. The second one opened up near milledge and broad St. many years later.
Then we moved to Atlanta, and a Varsity Jr opened up on LaVista Rd at (Lenox Rd?), then the rest of the suburban ATL sites opened years later.
It's just so infrequently I know something about something, I just had to add my two cents....

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (Oneiron339)

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 07:18:59 GMT

The Varsity now has about 5-6 "Varsities" in metro ATL. Some people called them Jr. Varsity because they were smaller than the original. Athens was the first one, then at LaVista & Cheshire Bridge , now about 4-5 others dot the metro area, in Cobb, Gwinnett, and Clayton Cos. There may be a few others, but, as they say, "I don't get around much anymore." (Actually, ATL is growing so fast, the metro area has zoomed beyond my prowling grounds.)

RE: The Varsity---Near Georgia Tech (Xu)

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 00:17:12 GMT

Don't they have "Varsity Junior" restaruants scattered all around Atlanta anymore?

I did eat at the real one, on North? Avenue years ago, the onion rings were good, I was kind of disappointed in the FO, I remember they put pimento cheese on the burgers.