Hot dogs at the Varsity
T is for tasty hot dogs! Eating hot dogs at the Varsity should be a mandatory experience, if you like hot dogs, that is. The Varsity is both a tourist attraction and a tradition in Atlanta. The hot dogs are said to be the best in the city. Yes. They are good, and addictive, so be careful. I think, however, that the car hops and servers make the Varsity what it is.
“What’d have? What’d you have,” they shout. “Everybody please step down so that we can get you out of here.”
They are funny, gritty, and no nonsense. It’s sort of like eating at your favorite greasy spoon, if you know what I mean. The Varsity is actually the World’s Largest Drive-In restaurant. The downtown location can accommodate 600 cars and 800 people inside the store. That location is at:
61 North Avenue
Atlanta GA 30308
You can get various types of hot dog-dog combinations with chili, slaw and cheese. Over two miles worth of hot dogs are sold every day at the Varsity. The hot dogs range from a plain hot dog to a chili-slaw hot dog. Of course the following hot dogs are also sold:
- plain
- chili
- cheese dogs
- chili-cheese dogs
You can go heavy on the chili if you want to. Burgers, sandwiches, salads, frosted drinks, chocolate shakes, sweet tea (gotta love it) and soft drinks are also sold at the Varsity.
One thing about it, unless you are going to sit in your car and let a car hop serve you, you can’t be shy at the Varsity. It’s loud, brassy, and fun. The original location opened in downtown Atlanta in 1928. There are now several locations to choose from.
Hours for the downtown location of the Varsity are:
Sunday-Thursday 10:00am-11:30pm
Friday-Saturday 10:00am-12:30am
Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Christmas Eve hours 10:00am-9:00pm
Other metro Atlanta locations for the Varsity are:
Alpharetta
1000 West Broad Street
Athens GA 30606
Athens
11556 Rainwater Drive
Alpharetta GA 30004
Atlanta (This is a Varsity Junior, not the original)
1085 Lindbergh Drive
Atlanta GA 30324
Norcross
6045 Dawson Blvd.
Norcross GA 30093
Kennesaw
2790 Town Center Drive
Kennesaw GA 30144
Photo Credit : Afroswede, Flickr Creative Commons License
11 Comments
The last time I was in Atlanta, I specifically requested this place after hearing about it for one of our lunch outings. And you’re right, you better know what you want beFORE you get in line. It’s what keeps that long line moving!
[...] The Atlanta Traveler, Claudine tells us that T is for Tasty Hotdogs at the Varsity, a favorite place for locals and [...]
[...] The Atlanta Traveler, Claudine tells us that T is for Tasty Hotdogs at the Varsity, a favorite place for locals and [...]
[...] The Atlanta Traveler, Claudine tells us that T is for Tasty Hotdogs at the Varsity, a favorite place for locals and [...]
[...] The Atlanta Traveler, Claudine tells us that T is for Tasty Hotdogs at the Varsity, a favorite place for locals and [...]
[...] The Atlanta Traveler, Claudine tells us that T is for Tasty Hotdogs at the Varsity, a favorite place for locals and [...]
[...] on the list. And Happy Birthday J-Michael! * At The Atlanta Traveler, Claudine tells us that T is for Tasty Hotdogs at the Varsity, a favorite place for locals and tourist. * At The Chicago Traveler, Matt says that Chicago is all [...]
[...] Tasty hotdogs is a subject you might expect from The Chicago Traveler, but Claudine at The Atlanta Traveler tells us about the world’s largest drive-in restaurant and her favorite home town dog. [...]
[...] Atlanta Traveler, Claudine tells us that T is for Tasty Hotdogs at the Varsity, a favorite place for locals and [...]
[...] The Atlanta Traveler, Claudine tells us that T is for Tasty Hotdogs at the Varsity, a favorite place for locals and [...]
I had the pleasure of doing a story in The Cranky Princess! What a wonderful fun store!