The Varsity

It was greasy as usual the little orange icy everybody raved of. Could do without it. My bf loves they hot dogs but u won’t be eating anything from here. Nothing has changed since I’ve been as a kid.

Let’s face it — Varsity won’t win any awards for great burgers or shakes or their FOs. However, if you’re visiting Atlanta and want to mingle with the locals, stop by. Coming from CA, it’s funny to listen to their ordering lingo (e.g. naked dogs running through the garden… I’m like What!?) Everything is greasy. FO is waaay sweet. Didn’t have the stomach to try their apple pie people rave about. Come here for the Atlanta experience, not for their food.

Terrible. How it became famous… I don’t know. Burger reminded me of my high school hamburgers. Shakes were soft serve. Avoid this place as it ain’t so good…

WHAT YA’LL HAVE WHAT YA’LL HAVE?
Initially, I thought, why are these girls screaming at me… but alas, it’s there way of welcoming folks. Apparently, this is an ATL staple for cheap, fatty foods. It’s a burger joint… lol not much more to say. Try it out for the sake of saying you went there.

This place is AWESOME! When I first saw the menu my first thought was eeewww hamburger with chili but it turns out it was delicious and ive been missing out. I had a cheese burger with chili, onion rings, and a chili cheese dog with coleslaw. I even bought a can of chili. I will definitely come here again.

The varsity is a classic. just like the legend you’d imagine. Amazing hotdogs… great atmosphere right next to ga tech. and of course, whadya have… and great stop before a jackets game

This place is known for chili meat hot dogs BUT for past few years the meat chili is diluted with soy protein and maybe other fillers. Just but a can of the varsity brand of chili and read the ingredients. Long lines, semi-​fast wait time for order, and sometimes you have to shout your orders. Behind the counter you can see the cooks with no gloves in their hands, cooking large batches of fries that are both greasy and soggy, rarely crispy. Orders are not always correct when served. Since the meat chili is not entirely meat and spices, I have intentionally not eaten or ordered the food. I had fried buffalo wings here once which were chewy and hard. Varieties of ice cream is also served and parking goes around the building without security.

Always good… went for dinner before the Drivin’ N’ Cryn’ show @ Terminal West. Was wishing it was open after midnight cause we were craving it again after the show ;)

I understand that The Varsity is an Atlanta staple/​institution/​legend, much in the same way The Clermont is: sleazy, greasy, and fast. It did not disappoint. The group I was with all insisted that The Varsity in downtown Atlanta was MUCH better, so I’m willing to give them another chance. I have to say that I expected a little better than what I got for an $ 8 bacon double cheese burger: it was cooked to hell, chewy, and the bun was smashed flat. The fries were decent. The onion rings were drowning in so much grease that I almost wanted to dive in and save them. The Frosted Orange was the highlight of the meal BY FAR. The wait for our food was absurd, especially considering the quality. My father in law ordered the chili slaw dogs and LOVED them, but I confess to fearing for his safety while he ate. I can understand the charm of The Varsity, and I wasn’t expecting fine dining… which might be the only reason I wasn’t completely horrified. The food is unremarkable, greasy (I can’t seem to stress this enough) and fast-​ish. As long as you go in with the expectation of greasy, sleazy food you won’t be disappointed. The heart wants what the heart wants… and if your heart wants arteriosclerosis, then The Varsity in Athens is the dive for you.
p.s.
Bring Gas-​X or Tums… you’ll need it.

Greasy food and a fairly unclean building may seem like turn-​offs, but somehow The Varsity makes it all work. The greasy (as stated earlier) food is way more delicious than any other fast food place such as Burger King or McDonald’s. I usually just get a bacon cheeseburger and french fries. The burger is very fattening, but still very tasty. The fries are probably the best I’ve ever had. Also, they have those cute little paper hats that you can wear while you eat, which always make me feel sort of nostalgic.

Good burgers. Horrible fries. Crazy packed but people are friendly. Five Guys is better in my opinion

This is the worst place ever to eat. To start all Georgia residents are proud of this crapy and greasy food place to eat because they said is an icon for them. It’s a nasty place to start the food is bad and gross and it’s over price you get the same thing in sonic or Mac Donald’s for better prices and better quality of food. Be aware of this place food is disgusting.

We love going to the varsity you can’t go to atlanta and not go to the varsity. The food is great and or kids love the environment.

Really cool place to hang out to watch a game with family if ur not looking for a bar type. the food was really good but not to come back. it taste home cooked but small portions. If i come back for food it will be for the chili chesse fries and cheeseburger

Went because it is a «staple» but nothing special. Okay hotdog and chili and fries nothing special. The orange shake was the highlight of the meal. After eating make sure to schedule some nap time as you will find yourself in a food coma. Tried it once and good, but not sure if I’ll go back unless it’s to to check off a touristy spot.

Place is overpriced with rude staff that like to rush the customer to place their order!
Bottom line… only things that taste good here are the fried pies and the frosty orange drink! Not sure about others but i didn’t just go for the nostalgia…

I love it here! The carhops really know their stuff and get your order right the first time!
The hot dogs are great, onion rings are GREAT and the fried pies are just as greasy as my grandma made so, yeah, their AWESOME!

It’s a lot of hype… Went here because we saw it on food network and it’s just an experience. The burgers don’t look appetizing and lack flavor. But what would one want at a glorified fast food restaurant.

This place was great! My fiancé and I visited here when we were down in Atlanta. We had been walking around in the area and decided on a whim to try it — we’re not much for the «snooty”/high-priced places. So this was perfect for us.
I loved the setup in the middle of the restaurant, with school desks facing a big screen TV — very cute nod to the restaurant name.
Service was quick, and the ladies at the counter were very efficient — maybe almost TOO efficient for us «novices»!
Also, this place had the best onion rings I’ve ever had, hands-​down. The burger was great — maybe not the «best» burger I’ve ever had, but very good quality for the price! The onion rings take the cake, though.
I’d easily come back here the next time we’re in Atlanta!

I echo everyone’s sentiments in that going The Varsity is definitely for the experience, not the food. It reminds you of eating lunch in the classroom in fourth grade, but it would be like eating the lunch that your parents gave you in pre-​school portion wise.
I got a slaw dog and a double chili cheeseburger. Both were good, albeit not filling at all. I literally had to ask the guy at the register if mine was a double because the patties were so thin that it looked like a small single cheeseburger from McDonald’s. It’s THAT bad. Even though the prices are low, expect to spend about 10 bucks to actually get remotely full for a guy my size (athletic, 200 pounds).
I’ll certainly be back with friends for the experience, but will probably eat a snack before hand.