The Varsity has been feeding Atlanta since 1928, and it’s been feeding my family for a while too. This was my fourth visit, my husband grew up going to The Varsity, and it was our son Jordyn’s very first time. Spoiler: we left full, happy, and with a paper hat he refused to take off.
If you’ve been searching for The Varsity near me, wondering what to order, or trying to figure out if it’s worth a stop on your next Atlanta trip, this post covers everything. The history, the locations, the menu, the prices, the famous lingo, and my honest review of our visit.
The Varsity is a family-owned fast food institution that opened in downtown Atlanta in 1928 and calls itself the world’s largest drive-in restaurant. The original location at 61 North Avenue covers two city blocks, seats 800 people, and is famous for chili dogs, onion rings, and a drink called the Frosted Orange. It’s cheap, it’s fast, it’s loud in the best way, and yes, it’s worth visiting at least once.
Home > Eat & Drink > The Varsity Atlanta Review
DISCLOSURE: This is not a sponsored post. I may receive a commission through my links if you decide to make purchases at no cost for yourself! Check out our disclaimer for more info on how it works.
What Is The Varsity?
The Varsity is a fast food restaurant chain in Atlanta, Georgia, best known for its chili dogs, hamburgers, onion rings, and Frosted Orange drinks. The original location in downtown Atlanta opened in 1928 and has been owned and operated by the same family, the Gordy family, ever since.
The Varsity isn’t just another one of the many restaurants in Atlanta. It’s a piece of the city’s identity. The downtown restaurant sits on two city blocks near the Georgia Tech campus and can seat around 800 diners inside, which earned it the title of the world’s largest drive-in restaurant. On Georgia Tech game days, the restaurant reportedly serves over 30,000 people, according to the Atlanta History Center.
The moment you walk up to the long stainless steel counter, you’ll hear the famous greeting shouted at you: “What’ll ya have? What’ll ya have?” That phrase has been the soundtrack of The Varsity for generations, and hearing it in person is half the fun.
The History of The Varsity
The Varsity history starts in 1928, when a Georgia man named Frank Gordy opened a small hot dog stand called The Yellow Jacket near the Georgia Tech campus, aimed at hungry college students. As the business grew, Gordy moved it to 61 North Avenue and renamed it The Varsity.
Gordy started with roughly a $2,000 nest egg and what he called million dollar taste buds. His formula was simple: fresh food, made fast, at prices students could afford. Almost 100 years later, that formula hasn’t changed. The slogan is still “fresh food fast,” and the Gordy family still runs the place.
A few pieces of Varsity history worth knowing before you go:
- Comedian Nipsey Russell worked as carhop number 46 in the 1940s and later credited The Varsity with helping him develop his comedic timing.
- The restaurant has served Elvis Presley, Clark Gable, Muhammad Ali, and multiple U.S. presidents, including Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
- At its peak in the 1990s, The Varsity reported serving two miles of hot dogs, 300 gallons of chili, and thousands of fried pies every single day.
- The Atlanta History Center featured The Varsity’s number 1 combo, which is two chili dogs, onion rings, and a Frosted Orange, in its Atlanta in 50 Objects exhibit in 2016.
Not many fast food places can say they’re a museum exhibit. The Varsity can.
Where Are The Varsity Locations?
The Varsity currently has eight locations across the greater Atlanta area, according to the company’s own locations page. The Varsity Georgia footprint includes the original downtown restaurant, several suburban metro Atlanta locations, and two spots inside the airport.
Here’s the quick breakdown:
- The Varsity downtown Atlanta: the original, at 61 North Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. This is the big, famous one near Georgia Tech, and it’s the location I’m reviewing in this post.
- Suburban metro Atlanta locations: The Varsity has expanded over the years into surrounding communities, including spots north of the city. Check the official locations page for the full current list, addresses, and menus for each.
- The Varsity Atlanta airport: yes, there are two. If you’re looking for restaurants in Atlanta International Airport that are actually worth your layover, The Varsity has a location in the International Terminal Concourse F food court and another in the Domestic Terminal near Gate C21. You can get a chili dog without ever leaving Hartsfield-Jackson.
So if you searched The Varsity near me from anywhere in metro Atlanta, odds are good there’s one within a reasonable drive. But if you can, make the trip downtown. The original is the experience.
What Is on The Varsity Menu?
The Varsity food menu is classic American fast food done the old-school way: hot dogs, burgers, fries, onion rings, fried pies, and shakes. Everything is made fresh throughout the day, which has been the whole point since 1928.
Here’s what The Varsity is known for:
- The Varsity hot dogs: this is the headliner. The Varsity hot dogs in Atlanta are legendary, and the chili dog is the most famous order on the menu. You can also get a slaw dog, a naked dog (plain), or a chili cheese dog.
- The Varsity chili: the chili itself is a nearly century-old recipe, and it shows up on dogs, burgers, and fries. It’s more of a smooth, seasoned meat sauce than a chunky bowl of chili, and it works perfectly on a hot dog.
- The Varsity burgers: the burgers are thin, griddled patties in the classic style. Order a Glorified Steak and you’ll get a burger dressed with mayo, lettuce, and tomato.
- Onion rings: hand-dipped and fried fresh. Locals will tell you the rings are non-negotiable.
- The Frosted Orange: a creamy orange shake, often called an F.O. It tastes like a dreamsicle in a cup and it’s the drink to get.
- Fried pies: peach and apple, fried until crispy. Save room.
Part of the fun is the lingo. When the counter staff asks “What’ll ya have?”, regulars answer in Varsity speak. A few translations:
- Naked dog: a plain hot dog
- Walk a dog: a hot dog to go
- Rings: onion rings
- Strings: french fries
- F.O.: Frosted Orange
- All the way: with chili, mustard, and onions
Don’t worry, you can order in plain English. But knowing the lingo makes you feel like a local.
The Varsity Menu: What to Order
One of the best things about The Varsity is that it’s still genuinely affordable, especially for downtown Atlanta. I’m not going to list exact prices here since they can change and vary a bit by location, but if you’re searching for The Varsity menu with prices, the official website has downloadable menus for every location with current pricing.
Here’s a quick guide to the classics and what you’re getting:
| Item | What it is |
|---|---|
| Chili dog | The signature order, a hot dog topped with Varsity chili and mustard |
| Chili cheese dog | The chili dog plus melted cheese |
| Slaw dog | A hot dog topped with creamy coleslaw, a Southern classic |
| Naked dog | A plain hot dog, in Varsity lingo |
| Hamburger and cheeseburger | Thin griddled patties, old-school style |
| Glorified Steak | A burger dressed with mayo, lettuce, and tomato |
| Onion rings | Hand-dipped, fried fresh, and non-negotiable |
| French fries | Cut in house daily |
| Frosted Orange (F.O.) | The famous creamy orange shake |
| Fried peach pie | Crispy fried pie, the classic dessert |
Whatever you order, expect a filling meal at a fair price. It’s one of the most budget-friendly sit-down-and-eat options among restaurants in Atlanta GA downtown, which is part of why families keep coming back generation after generation.
My Visit to The Varsity in Downtown Atlanta
Now for the actual review. We visited the original Varsity downtown on a Saturday, and this trip was special for us. It was my fourth time at The Varsity, but my husband has been coming here since he was a kid, so for him this place is pure childhood. And it was Jordyn’s first visit ever, which made it a little bit of a family milestone. Three generations of Varsity memories in one booth, if you count the stories my husband told over lunch.
First impression: the building is huge. Photos don’t prepare you for a fast food restaurant that takes up two city blocks. The giant red V on the sign has been an Atlanta landmark for decades, and pulling up to it feels like arriving somewhere, not just grabbing lunch. It also has its own parking deck, which is a rare gift in downtown Atlanta. More on that at the end.
Ordering at The Varsity is an experience in itself. The counter stretches way down the room, staffed by a line of cashiers, and the “What’ll ya have?” greeting is real and loud. My tip: look at the menu boards while you’re in line and know your order before you get to the front. The line moves fast because the whole system is built for speed. Fresh food fast isn’t just a slogan, it’s how the room operates.
We grabbed a booth in one of the dining rooms. The Varsity famously added TV rooms back in 1948 when television was brand new, so people could watch broadcasts while they ate, and the tradition of themed dining rooms continues today. The walls are covered with old photos and memorabilia, so take a lap around before you leave.
Every order comes with the option of the classic red paper Varsity hat, and if you have kids, just accept that the hat is now part of your life. Jordyn put his on immediately and treated it like a crown. My husband wore one of these same paper hats as a kid, so watching Jordyn do the exact same thing decades later got me a little emotional, not going to lie. If you want to take home more than a paper hat, The Varsity shop sells real merch too, hats, shirts, hoodies, and collectibles, both at the restaurant and through the online gift shop on their website. It’s honestly great souvenir material for anyone who loves Atlanta.
Now, the food. The trays came out fast, and everything was hot and fresh. One thing that surprised me even on my fourth visit: you get a lot of food with your orders. The portions are generous for the price, so come hungry. If you’re a lighter eater, splitting sides between two people is a smart move.
Jordyn went with a chili dog, fries, and milk, and this order was a big deal in our house. He is a huge chili dog fan, just like Sonic the Hedgehog, so bringing him to the home of the Atlanta chili dog felt like taking him to the source. The chili dog is exactly what it should be: a soft steamed bun, a snappy dog, and that signature Varsity chili. This was also his first time trying mustard on his dog, and to my surprise, zero complaints. He cleaned his tray. The fries are cut in house and fried fresh, and you can taste the difference.
My husband ordered chili dogs and fries, his same order since childhood, and confirmed they taste exactly like he remembers. That consistency is kind of The Varsity’s whole thing. The chili is smooth and savory rather than spicy, so even kids and mild-food people can handle it. Between the three of us, the onion rings disappeared first, which tells you everything.
The Frosted Orange deserves its own sentence: get one. It’s creamy, citrusy, and the perfect thing to cut through all that chili. If you order one thing outside your comfort zone at The Varsity, make it the F.O.
Two practical wins to end the review. First, the size: even with a Saturday crowd, seating was never a problem. Second, the parking: The Varsity has its own parking deck attached, so you’re not circling downtown blocks or paying a fortune at a nearby lot. Just note that on Georgia Tech game days, parking switches to paid event pricing and fills up fast, so plan around the football schedule if you can.
What Are The Varsity Hours?
The Varsity hours at the downtown Atlanta location are Sunday through Thursday from 10:30 am to 8:00 pm, and Friday and Saturday from 10:30 am to 9:00 pm, according to the official Varsity website as of July 2026.
A few extra notes on hours:
- The downtown location is closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
- It closes early, at 6:00 pm, on Halloween, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and Super Bowl Sunday.
- The old drive-thru and curb service at the downtown location are closed, so plan to park and go inside. Honestly, going inside is the whole experience anyway.
- Hours can differ at the suburban and airport locations, so check the official site for the one you’re visiting.
The downtown Varsity takes cash, credit and debit cards, and wireless payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Is The Varsity Worth Visiting?
Yes. The Varsity is absolutely worth visiting, especially the original downtown Atlanta location. It’s affordable, the food is fresh and fast, and the atmosphere is unlike any other fast food restaurant in the country.
Is it fine dining? No, and it’s not trying to be. The Varsity fast food experience is about tradition: the shouted greeting, the paper hats, the chili dogs, the Frosted Orange, and the feeling of eating in the same booths where generations of Atlantans have celebrated game days and family outings since 1928.
If you’re building a list of must-try restaurants in Atlanta, put The Varsity on it. Locals should go at least once for the history. Visitors should go because you cannot say you’ve done Atlanta without answering “What’ll ya have?”
FAQ About The Varsity
What is The Varsity known for? The Varsity is known for its chili dogs, onion rings, and Frosted Orange drinks, and for being the world’s largest drive-in restaurant. The original downtown Atlanta location opened in 1928 and has been run by the same family ever since.
How many Varsity locations are there? The Varsity has eight locations in the greater Atlanta area as of 2026, including the original downtown Atlanta restaurant, suburban metro locations, and two inside Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Is there a Varsity at the Atlanta airport? Yes. The Varsity has two Atlanta airport locations: one in the International Terminal Concourse F food court and one in the Domestic Terminal near Gate C21. It’s one of the best quick options among restaurants in Atlanta International Airport.
What should I order at The Varsity? Order a chili dog, onion rings, and a Frosted Orange. That combination is the classic Varsity order, and it was even featured in the Atlanta History Center’s Atlanta in 50 Objects exhibit as the number 1 combo.
Does The Varsity have parking? Yes. The downtown Varsity has its own parking deck attached to the restaurant. On Georgia Tech game days, parking becomes paid event parking and fills quickly, so arrive early or visit on a non-game day.
Final Thoughts
The Varsity earns its icon status. Nearly 100 years in, it’s still doing exactly what Frank Gordy set out to do in 1928: serve fresh food fast at a fair price, with a side of Atlanta personality you can’t get anywhere else. Four visits in for me, a lifetime of visits for my husband, and now Jordyn’s first, and the place delivered for all three of us. He’s still wearing the hat, and he’s already asking when we’re going back for another chili dog.
If you go, order the chili dog, get the rings, don’t skip the Frosted Orange, and answer confidently when they ask what you’ll have.
Planning more Atlanta food adventures? Check out my other guides to eating your way through the city here on ATLAgenda.
Related post:
- Stoney River Steakhouse + Grill Review
- Peachtree Corners Town Center: A Hidden Gem in Gwinnett County
- 15 Must-Have Travel Accessories for Visiting Atlanta This Fall
- Monastery of the Holy Spirit: A Peaceful Hidden Gem in Conyers, Georgia
- Discovering Costley Mill Park: A Hidden Gem in Conyers, GA
Did you find this post helpful and inspiring? Want to come back to it later? Save THIS PIN to reference later!
