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The Varsity

61 North Ave NW
Atlanta, GA 30308-2166
Phone: (404) 881-1706

Ratings & Reviews Summary for The Varsity

What Users are Saying:

  • Prompt seating
  • Good for kids
  • Good for groups
5 Star Rating
 
(47 reviews)
4 Star Rating
 
(23 reviews)
3 Star Rating
 
(12 reviews)
2 Star Rating
 
(14 reviews)
1 Star Rating
 
(16 reviews)

User Reviews for The Varsity

Citysearch (101), Judy's Book (1), InsiderPages (10), All (112)

3 Star Rating: Average

05/12/2008 Posted by hoodrich404

Wonderful, affordable food. Great and fast customer service. Crowded on the weekends, primarily Sundays.

Pros: A nice place to soak up some of Atlanta's ambience.

Cons: Not a good place to dine if you're counting calories.

1 Star Rating: Not Recommended

03/27/2008 Posted by vintheland

I went to the Varsity after a afternoon of sightseeing with my out of town guests. I had never been there and thought it would be another great way for them to experience Atlanta. WRONG!!!! I shouldv'e taken my initial reaction after stepping inside as a clue to turn and run. The staff was less than friendly and it had a high school cafeteria feel to it. I sat down with my burger and for a second, I thought "they must've forgotten to put the patty on the bun". But it was there. It was just so microscopic that it was actually smaller than than the bun. It was sloppy and looked very unappealing. Only thing I could compare it to is a McDonalds cheeseburger, which actually would've tasted and looked better. The fries were limp and heavy. The onion rings were good. The prices do not match the quality of the food. That burger should've been $.79. Do yourself a favor, skip this Atlanta "landmark" and go to Five Guys where $6 gets you great service, perfectly cooked freshcut fries and a juicy 1/2 lb burger.

Pros: good onion rings, lots of free parking, lots of seating

Cons: poor quality food, overpriced, overrated, unfriendly service

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/05/2007 Posted by davidhgay

It is always interesting to take someone to the Varsity for the First Time.... I do all the ordering and show them how to fix the dogs and steaks... A Heavyweight Chilidog, a Glorified ChiliSteak, a Large PC, a large FO, and on, and on... The very best anywhere! If you remember Flossie or Kirby Walker and the "tittle tot from Agnes Scott" jingle the Varsity ahs great memories for you! It is Great to be able to get a Varsity Fix in Cobb County, Gwinnett County and in Alpharetta, however the BEST IS STILL ON NORTH AVENUE! Bury me with a ChiliDig and a Fried Apple Pie...... I'll be happy for Eternity.....

Pros: GREAT and NOSTALGIC MEALS

Cons: Those dogs can "bark at night"...

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/07/2007 Posted by rpansa

Everytime I visit Atlanta I always stop at THe Varsity. It's a place where if your an avid hot dog, hamburger, or sandwich lover you'll be in heaven! THe people that work there are always very nice and try to help their customers in any way. If you don't know what something is on the menu ask...don't just order something that you think has a cool name. The french fries and onion rings are awesome...try this place and you'll come back again and again!

Pros: fast place

Cons: if crowded parking might be a little challenging

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/05/2007 Posted by atlcuisineguy

After every Braves game, their is only one place my kids love to go. We have a similar place in Chicago, but this place in Atlanta is a classic. Chili dogs, lttle burgers, french-fries, and greasy onion rings. My kids love those Varsity hats. This place makes us proud to be Americans.

Pros: Great All-American Drive In! Kids Love It.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/09/2007 Posted by jawjaboy

To all the "one star" heathen: we KNOW it's greasy! Personally, I cannot stomach the onion rings, but have grown to respect, nay, ADMIRE those who can and do and live to sing their praises. We KNOW it's filthy. I once watched a suited corporate executive remove his shoe there and in mid-sentence smash a [deleted offensive crawly thing] against the wall without so much as batting an eye. We KNOW the staff is rude. Their mock incivility makes us giddy with laughter as we swap stories about how badly they've treated us in the past. We already KNOW all the things you don't like about our beloved Varsity. But we go there anyway. Don't you always go home to see your family during the holidays? And as much as they drive you crazy, is there any place you'd rather be?

Pros: Always busy, yet always fast

Cons: No cardiac care facility within fainting distance

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/31/2007 Posted by emilyj2

It is what it is - a burger and hot dog joint. Don't have unrealistic expectations and you won't be disappointed. It's a wonderful throwback to an era when people didn't order salads instead of burgers or raisins instead of french fries. The service is lightning-fast, and they serve the best hot dogs ever. The french fries and onion rings can be hit-or-miss, but when they're good they're amazing. Don't miss the Frosted Orange - it's like a creamsicle shake.

Pros: All the food!

Cons: Heart attack on a plate

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/22/2006 Posted by janababy

If you love down home, deep fried road food, this is the place! Located conveniently off the interstate, it's easy to find and lots of parking. The decor is bright lights, big diner and the counter staff was trained by the "soup-natzi" (the censorship natzi's wouldn't allow the word spelled correctly!?), so be sure you're ready before you step up to order... The hamburger buns are freshly baked and the burgers hot and fresh. The onion rings are awesome, and save room for a peach fried pie. Wash it all down with a frosted orange (dreamsicle like beverage) and run for the alka selzer!!

Pros: Fresh, comfort food, FAST

Cons: not tons of healthful choices, but who cares!?

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

4 Star Rating: Recommended

08/18/2006 Posted by kcbrig

You can't eat there very often or you'll look like Subway Jared before the Subway. The rings are awesome and I highly recommend the chili cheese slaw dog. Slaw on a hot dog? Yes, in Georgia it seems so. Always an interesting mix of people - we saw a wedding reception group on our last visit.

Pros: price, the rings & the dogs

Cons: grease attack, but it's expected right?

4 Star Rating: Recommended

08/17/2006 Posted by showtime10ac

Loved the Onions rings very fresh cut. Didn't like the fries. The chili dogs where ok, didn't like the chili hamburgers. Good experience and love the free varsity hats. Always crowded but lines move fast.....

Pros: great onion rings, cheap eats

Cons: didn't care for the fries..

Editor's Review

North Avenue landmark serves up throwback fast food and neon-drenched, old-Atlanta nostalgia.  See the full editorial review.

Insider Tips

Know Before You Go

Study the menu before getting in line--the Varsity has its own menu shorthand. A "naked dog" is a Varsity signature hot dog without chili; a "bag of rags" is a bag of potato chips and an "FO" is an orange-flavored, slushy milk shake.

More Insider Tips

Restaurant Information

Parking

  • Lot

Hours

  • Sun-Thu 10am-11:30pm
  • Fri-Sat 10am-12:30am

Dress Code

  • Casual

Cuisines

  • Fast Food
  • Hamburgers
  • Hot Dogs
  • American (Traditional)

Payment Types

  • Cash

Meal Price

  • $

Amenities

  • Open 7 Days
  • Kid Friendly
  • Late Night Dining
  • Cheap Eats
  • Local Favorites
  • Group Dining
  • Lunch Spot

Recognition for The Varsity

2007 Editorial Winner - Family-Friendly Dining
2007 Editorial Winner - Fast Food
2006 Editorial Winner - Fast Food
2007 Audience Winner - Cheap Eats
2007 Audience Winner - Fast Food
2006 Audience Winner - Fast Food
2005 Audience Winner - Cheap Eats
2004 Audience Winner - Cheap Eats
2004 Audience Winner - Family-Friendly Dining
2004 Audience Winner - French Fries
2004 Audience Winner - Hamburger

Specialty ratings for The Varsity

Specialty Rating  
Cheap Eats 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended  

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