Mom, Auntie Ruthie, Melissa, her daughter Molly, Dylan, a friend's nephew, and I came to The Varsity on a hot July day on the way to The World of Coca-Cola. When one enters The Varsity, you are greeted by chrome counter tops and red and white tile that brings tears of nostalgia to the people who grew up in the 1950's and will bring back fond memories of poodle skirts (OK, Mom we know you didn't wear them growing up!) and bobby socks to them. It was near noon when we got there, but the place was hopping busy with tourists and workers from downtown on their lunch breaks. The menu at the Varsity is very simple: Hot dogs, hamburgers, and grilled chicken which is the most expensive item on the menu and most likely not a very popular menu item.

Usually I don't touch the mystery meat that is called a hot dog and neither does Mom, but we were on vacation and all ideas of dieting were shot to hell after bellying up to The Varsity's chrome counters. Mom got the Two Chili Dog meal with fries while I got the Slaw Dog meal with Onion Rings. Dylan got the Two Chili Burger Meal while Melissa, Auntie Ruthie, and Molly got Hamburgers and fries. It is quite a production at the Varsity and service is very quick and orderly. Our cashier would ask you after you said your choice if you wanted fries or onion rings and then what you wanted to drink. He wouldn't let you order fast in order to make sure the order was right. You can see the food being made and put on trays right from the counter since the kitchen can be fully seen from the counter. Seeing the onion rings and fries made me drool in anticipation for my meal.

Within five minutes, Mom and I had our food and sat down in a booth with the rest of the family. Mom said her chili dogs and the sauce reminded her of the hot weenies we used to eat growing up in Rhode Island, but spicier, and my slaw dogs were something I never had. Hot dogs with yummy coleslaw on top were great, and you get your bread, meat, and veggies and don't need a fork. The fries and onion rings were hot and fresh and tasted great, and for about $16, Mom and I enjoyed a nice meal complete with Diet Coke to wash it down.

Tables were full at The Varsity, and after we finished eating, there was a man and his kid waiting patiently for our seat so they could eat. The Varsity is open seven days a week from 10-10 during the week and later on the weekends. They cater to local businesses and everything is made fresh and on location. Mom and I enjoyed our short time at The Varsity and would like to return there someday, and I very highly recommend that anyone who visits Atlanta check out The Varsity, too, for it's simple food and nostalgia! That evening, Mom had an upset tummy from her chili dogs, but eating at The Varsity was well worth all of the Pepto Bismol and Tums in the world!

I go to The Varsity as often as I can get into town. The food on the menu includes burgers, hotdogs, fries, chili burgers, onion rings, and Coca Cola. Plus, add the popular fried peach pies and yu have a meal that anyone visiting the local greasy spoon would envy.

The Varsity claims to serve more onions per day than the rest of the world uses in total. They are also the leading user of peaches on a daily basis. Even for a heavy eater, you can easily get out for less than $10. I ordered two chili cheese burgers, one chili dog, onion rings, a large coke, and a peach pie with ice cream. I paid about $7 and left with a pleased expression on my face. What a meal!

Be careful of the time you arrive. Lunch and supper crouds get very heavy, and t can be confusing if you are not aggressive in the lines.

Enjoy!

The varsity is far from low fat - a double cheeseburger with onion rings and the requisite Coca-Cola (we are in Atlanta, so no Pepsi here!) is not for those on a strict diet. But for the unique experience and fresh from the fryer onion rings it's worth getting your entire daily fat allotment from one meal! The chili burger and chili dog with fresh cut fries is another classic meal, available as a combo with a soft drink. However, I'd consider a Frosted Orange instead of a soft drink for a few cents more. Frosted Orange is a signature Varsity staple - kind of a like an Orange Julius, but better.

If you have young kids, ask for a paper varisty cook's hat (like they used to give out at McDonalds years ago) for your kids to wear while they eat.

Visit The Varsity online.