I\u2019ve made an effort in the past few years to eat more fruits and vegetables. I\u2019ve even cut back a little on my meat consumption, but I will make an exception for one place \u2013 the Varsity. It is one of my life\u2019s goals to eat at every Varsity.<\/p>\n
I read recently that the Varsity had purchased some land in Cobb County to build another restaurant. I will be one of the first in line when it opens.<\/p>\n
For readers who might be grease-challenged, I should clarify that the Varsity is the \u201cWorld\u2019s Largest Drive-in,\u201d has been operating since 1928 on North Avenue and is one of Atlanta\u2019s most historic spots. Like many significant cultures, it even developed its own language (Naked dog walking, an FO and a bag of rags …).
\nThe article reported it will be the Varsity\u2019s fourth restaurant, but as I count it, I\u2019ve eaten at six already. I fancy myself as a Varsity connoisseur \u2013 two words that have probably never been printed next to each other.<\/p>\n
In fact my first childhood memory is sitting on the front steps of our apartments, at the intersection of Peachtree and Spring streets and crying hysterically as I waved good-bye to my family as they drove off down Spring Street. I thought they might be driving off forever. Turns out, they were just heading to the \u201cGreasy V\u201d for a few chili dogs and fries. Maybe I\u2019ve felt deprived ever since.<\/p>\n
A big moment in my life occurred when the Varsity branched out closer to my neighborhood and opened the Varsity Jr. on Lindbergh (which I think serves the freshest food and has the snappiest service). Two more locations were built in Athens and became mandatory stops on the way to Georgia football games as a child or late at night after visiting friends attending college there. A great tragedy occurred when the company decided to close the famous downtown location right across from \u201cThe Arch.\u201d<\/p>\n
I was among the first visitors when a Varsity opened in Gwinnett County. I was most impressed by the conveyer belts that transport the food from the \u201cchefs.\u201d They were a color I had never seen before at other Varsitys: white!<\/p>\n
I have sometimes suffered in my goal to eat at every Varsity. When I attended one of the first events at the Georgia Dome I had already eaten a big meal. But when I spotted a new Varsity Express I found the fortitude to eat another.<\/p>\n
When I lived in other states during the early part of my career I would always look for a suitable substitute for my favorite meal: a chili dog, chili pickle steak \u2013 both with Vidalia onions \u2013 a fry and a ring and a Frosted Orange. But there was none. Thus, any return to Atlanta started \u2013 and ended \u2013 with a stop there.<\/p>\n
Not everyone shares my obsession. Once I took a college friend there and she was horrified by the experience. Years later we were in a group and someone mentioned the Varsity. I overheard her say, \u201cSomeone took me there a few years ago. I can\u2019t believe anyone would take me to such a place.\u201d<\/p>\n
When my friends Charles Driebe and Mike Egan and I threw a joint 40th birthday party, we didn\u2019t hesitate on choosing the caterer. Susan Gordy of the Varsity Jr. pulled a truck up into the Egan\u2019s driveway and set up a deep fat fryer. We served onion rings, French fries and fried pies to all our friends and families \u2013 even to my Mom, brothers and sisters who had driven there without me years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n