The Varsity
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- The Varsity is also the name of the oldest student newspaper at the University of Toronto.
The Varsity is a restaurant chain, iconic in the modern culture of Atlanta, Georgia. The main branch of the chain is the largest drive-in fast food restaurant in the world.
In 1928, it was established as The Yellow Jacket at the corner of Luckie Street and North Avenue. Its founder was Frank Gordy, who dropped out of Georgia Tech in 1925. Then, as now, the restaurant catered to Georgia Tech students. The business grew rapidly and Gordy had to move to 61 North Avenue (the corner of North Avenue and Spring Street) to accommodate the crowds (the restaurant now covers two entire city blocks). At the same time, he changed the name to "The Varsity," reflecting his desire to expand to other college campuses. During the drive-in era, The Varsity began curbside service, which continues to this day.
The location at 61 North Avenue in Atlanta is now adjacent to the Downtown Connector's interchange with North Avenue. Directly across the Connector is Georgia Tech. The restaurant is connected to the Tech campus not only by the North Avenue bridge but also by a tunnel under the Connector.
The Varsity has since expanded to Athens, home of the University of Georgia, Kennesaw, Gwinnett County, and Alpharetta. The Varsity also has a smaller restaurant called The Varsity, Jr., which, besides the downtown Atlanta location, is the only location to offer curbside service.
The downtown Atlanta location is responsible for more retail sales of Coca-Cola on an annual basis than any other single location in the world, a record which has stood for many years running.
Comedian Nipsey Russell got his start at The Varsity in the 1940s working as a car hop by making his customers laugh for tips.
Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton all visited The Varsity during their terms in office.
The Varsity is known for the cashiers shouting "What'll ya ha-ave?" and for their special terminology:
| Naked Dog | a plain hot dog in a bun |
| MK Dog | a hot dog with mustard and ketchup |
| Regular C Dog | a hot dog with chili, mustard, and ketchup |
| Red Dog | a hot dog with ketchup only |
| Yellow Dog | a hot dog with mustard only |
| Yankee Dog | a Yellow Dog |
| Heavy Dog | a hot dog with double chili only |
| Walk a Dog (or Steak) | a hot dog (or hamburger) to go |
| Steak | a hamburger with mustard, ketchup, and pickle |
| Chili Steak | a hamburger with chili |
| Glorified Steak | a hamburger with mayonnaise, lettuce, and tomato |
| Mary Brown Steak (or Dog) | a plain hamburger (or hot dog) without a bun |
| Naked Steak | a plain steak |
| Sally Rand Steak | a Naked Steak |
| N.I. Orange | a Varsity orange without ice |
| F.O. | Frosted Orange |
| Joe-ree | coffee with cream |
| P.C. | plain chocolate milk (always served with ice) |
| N.I.P.C. | A P.C. without ice |
| All The Way | with onions (on a hot dog, hamburger, etc.) |
| Bag of Rags | a bag of chips |
| Ring One | order of onion rings |
| Strings | french fries |
| Sideways | onions on the side |
See also
- Junior's Grill - another Georgia Tech dining tradition.
References
- Conroy, Pat. ["Chili Cheese Dogs, My Father And Me."] Parade. November 14, 2004.
External links
- [TheVarsity.com], official website
- [World's Largest Drive-In] article
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