Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Diners & Drive-Ins
260
The Varsity
Home of Yankee Dogs & Naked Steaks
Atlanta, Georgia
Billing itself as the world's largest drive-in
restaurant, the Varsity sprawls over two
full blocks of Atlanta real estate, close
to the Georgia Tech campus. From the
nearby highway intersection known as
The Connection, that gigantic red neon V
is a glowing nighttime landmark, along
with the neon-zipped contours of its drive-
in carport.
Founded in 1928, the Varsity—origi-
nally named the Yellow Jacket, after the
Georgia Tech mascot—really came into its
own in the drive-in era, when its zippy
service, cheap prices, and quick-cooked
menu items made it a natural for college
students and other diners in a hurry. In
fact, the Varsity still offers carhop curb-
side service at the main location. It has
four smaller branches around the Atlanta
metro area, as well as one near the Univer-
sity of Georgia campus in Athens (1000
Broad St.;
&
706/548-6325
), though the
drive-in section isn't really the giant part.
Most people eat inside this Art Deco-ish
hulk faced in crimson and beige, with its
front marquee resembling a vintage movie
house. That's where the real scene is, any-
way. You line up to place your order at a
150-foot-long (45m) stainless-steel counter,
where workers in bright red shirts bawl out
Occupying 2 full city blocks in Atlanta, the Varsity claims to be the world's largest drive-in restaurant.
