The Varsity...?

[izzizzi]

Is The Varsity really that good? I just am in Atlanta for only a few days and don't want to waste a meal at a mediocre fast food spot. What do you think?

[dallen]

No, not that good. If you want a good burger, go to Five Guys Famous Burger and Fries. They are made to order and probably the best burger I've had in town. Vortex is good too. There is also a place in the burbs, called The Brickery, which has great burgers.

[izzizzi]

yeah, we have five guys where I live and they are really good. Really fresh too.

[Dax]

I thought the Five Guys burger I had in Atlanta was kind of lame. Fries were ok but the burger meat was underseasoned and fell apart.

[alonzo]

The Varsity has three things on the menu that are good -- onion rings, fried peach pie, frosty o. The rest is nostalgia fast food that's no better than Wendy's and awfully greasy.

The frosty o (an orange sherbert concoction that reminds me of something I used to get HoJos when I was a kid) will not give you heartburn. The peach pie may not hurt you too bad. The onion rings taste good going down but they do lubricate the digestion awful fierce. (The puddle of oil that remains after the onion rings are eaten will explain your forthcoming heartburn to you)

The varsity is somewhat unique (thugh, if you've been to the Beacon in Spartanburg, it's not that different.) The Vortex is not as old, but its kind of unique too they make a far better (and bigger) burger, and you won't have to worry about a sudden sick feeling.

[Dax]

I agree, but if you get the rings, make sure you request an order right out of the fryer. The ones that have been sitting under the heat lamp are not very good and once a Varsity ring gets cold, it's not nearly as good.

[shallots]

When I was looking at colleges 40 years ago, we visited a number of 'big' cities. I remember the trips really clearly and ever so sadly must report that only The Varsity is still where it was, still serving the same food.
(I think the Beacon delivers more grease per food item.)

[laurendlewis]

I agree with consensus - it's just not worth the hype. Or the indigestion!

[jcreasy]

I think I might need to start a Varsity support group. "Hi, my name's Joy and I actually like the Varsity." [group] "Hi Joy."

It's a mediocre fast food spot for sure...and it will give you heartburn and a plethora of other gastrointestinal experiences, but the fried peach pie is a wonderful guilty pleasure. And the onion rings...oh, the onion rings.

My vote: have a light lunch elsewhere, go to the big V in the afternoon with a friend, hear them yell "what'llyahave, what'llyahave?!" split a pie/rings/frost, and pop a TUMS.

[KOK]

Count me in your group Joy. It's only a hot dog stand, so I don't know what people expect. Perhaps if I lived in Atlanta I wouldn't like it as much, but whenever I get to visit, a slaw-dog, onion rings and fried peach pie are a given. It's been a few years, I HOPE they still give away the paper hats.

It's not like that will spoil my appetite : )

Thanks,

Kevin

[Andiereid]

Lord, no. We lived in Decatur for 7 years and everyone who came to visit us made us take them there to eat. Ugh. The food isn't awful, but it's not good either. If you're in search of great food in the Atlanta area, you can do much better.

[Newcomb Girl]

Consider it a visit to a local tourist attraction. Get one meal between your whole group. It's hard to describe, but it's grease-laden in the best of ways IMHO.

[izzizzi]

thanks, that's what I was thinking. What about the Vortex? The atmosphere looks a bit blah, but I love a good burger...

[potterybliss]

The Vortex is great for burgers and bar food. Much better than the Varsity, which is a nostalgic fast food joint. The atmosphere at the Vortex is punk rock meets biker bar.

[sarahvagaca]

I second the Vortex! As potterybliss says, they have great burgers (beef, turkey, chicken and veggie) and a wide assortment of delicious bar food. The fried zucchini is sinfully good!

[Nanna]

My husband went to college in Atlanta 30 years ago and is all I heard about for years was the chili dog and a large orange-I think it is more nostalgia than good food. We did eat there 23 years ago and as you can tell, have not been back in 23 years

[birgator]

No, it's definitely not that good. Don't waste a perfectly good meal opportunity on it -- unless it's nostalgia time in which case I suppose it has its appeal. A certain mystique also surrounds it, but not deservedly so. JMHO of course.