If you're going to Atlanta, and someone tells you to go to The Varsity...

[boagman]

...I can actually recommend it! Or at least I can recommend the entity known quite prominently in the South as a "slaw dog", which for all practical purposes is just a (pretty darned good) hot dog, topped with cole slaw. I know, I know...it doesn't sound like anything dynamic or eye-opening, but believe it or not, it's an institution for a reason, I'd say. I had two, along with onion rings and a Coke (do *not* ask for a Pepsi...) and I enjoyed what I had. It's certainly not highbrow chow or anything of the kind, and the onion rings aren't going to be going up against Scotty's or RCT's or anything, but the slaw dog? That's pretty good eatin', I'd say.

I'm *always* leery when people get fixated on local "institutions" as, usually, they're overblown exaggerations of regular food. I'm not saying that it's a revolution in hot dogs at all...I'm just saying that they serve quite a tasty example of their mainstay, and that that part of their reputation is well-deserved. My only real quibble would be that I wish that my actual hot dogs had been a bit hotter, temperature-wise, but that's about it.

No frills kind of place, which definitely milks the whole "we're a local institution" thing, a la Ed Debevic's in Chicago, not that that's a bad thing. So long as your expections are realistic, it's a worthy stop for those on vacation in Atlanta.

[martyparty]

1. Why would anybody ever ask for a pepsi???

2. Seeing as how the V is 2 blocks from Coca-Cola world headquarters, it'd be pretty rude/stupid for them to serve pepsi.

3. This is Atlanta. Coke money pays for all manner of philanthropic efforts. We serve Coke.

Not meaning to be rude, but Coke is even more of an institution here than the Varsity ;)

PS: I do Looooove a chili-only dog and some fries slathered in ketchup.

[jboeke]

Plenty of people don't know Coca-Cola HQ is in Atlanta. I certainly didn't know before I moved here. If you haven't seen this before, it's an interesting study on the regional terms for soda/Coke/pop: http://strangemaps.files.wordpress.co...

[Aabacus]

I enjoy the Varsity once in a while. It's tasty and reasonably priced. As you say, it's not going to change your faith or cure cancer but you won't be disappointed. If you are passing through Atlanta then the Varsity is a good quick stop without question.

[bobstripower]

me too. love the car hop meal as a true flashback experience--and theyre good with kids--give them a nice hat.My fav is the chili dog, also get 2 and the friend pies--yeah --no pepsi here, i facr wen i first moved here in 87 if youd want a soft drink, youd have to ask for a coke,then theyd ask you waht kind,then you could get a 7 up or whatever