The Varsity

I had heard about this place before and decided to stop in here for lunch one day. I went to the counter where I ordered and received my food and then went and sat down at my table. I ordered a number one combo which consists of two chili dogs and fries. I also got a Coke zero float. The fries and hotdog were good. I thought the float had way too much ice cream compared to soda. Overall, the food was good and it was a cool atmosphere. I would definitely recommend trying this place.

Okay so the place is a lot of fun but the food is not so good. I mean it's greasy and I love greasy food and the actual onion rings were amazing. But the chili hamburgers were pretty nasty. Super small and not good quality. Then I saw a woman order a fried peach pie which wasn't cheap so I decided to try it as well and it was so bad that I had to spit it out.

Coming to the Varsity feels a bit like stepping back into time. The menus are simple and you know what you’re getting into: fresh cut fries, burgers, and hot dogs. We recommend the chili dog and can’t go wrong with a cheeseburger. It’s nothing that you haven’t had before but is a good place with free parking to dine downtown or with kids. Note, if you’re looking for a place with lots of toppings this isn’t it: they keep things simple and classic here.

My very first time visiting this location. Years ago I went to the Norcross location called the Jr Varsity. I was near here years ago when I visited Apache Cafe. I had to visit to see the food menu for myself and see how it's hitting. I got a #1 2 chilli dogs with onion rings and a orange soda. I also got a #2 chilli cheese dog and burger with onion rings. The food is delicious! This is their staple the way that they prep and prepare the food they got to be doing something right for this long!I also got a peach pie and a apple pie delicious! Look at how long they have been in business and still going strong. I visited on 8-22-2025.

My husband and I finally made it to the iconic Varsity for a quick dinner! We went on an off time for an early dinner on a Tuesday, and it was super low key. While we know we’ve had better burgers and dogs, we didn’t leave disappointed. Everything was tasty, and I especially liked the chili cheese fries. My husband described the burger as being better than a regular McDonald’s burger but not as good as a quarter pounder. The place was clean and I would keep it in mind for a quick and easy meal again while in midtown ATL.

If you are a baseball fan then this should be a stop. Just know the food hasn’t changed in 20 years. I had the slaw dog and it was a good choice on a hot dog. My husband’s chili dog however? Not good at all.

What a blast and nostalgic jaunt to a seemingly happier and more fun dining experience. I base my compliment on several things. All are key indicators of a community staple: great people, great food, and a great atmosphere. While being in all its essence, just a great restaurant, it’s also the world’s biggest drive-in fast-food joint! Eating here jogs your memory to times that are seemingly much easier to love for whatever reason. Whether or not you associate nostalgia with a loved one that you miss, or the crusading energy of your favorite NCAA team during a past dynasty run. I’m a Michigan man, personally, so GO BLUE! It stands out to me quite boldly that the passion of both of those memories mirrors one another and makes a Gemstone like Varsity Atlanta really easy to celebrate and even easier to hold on to as a city. While dining in, I laughed because I thanked God for always being true to his word. I told myself Saturday, after a long week, “I’m gonna get me some Varsity, as soon as I get paid.” I was so hungry when I said it. I was so thankful when I sat down. I took time to thank a Chef, a tall gentleman, named Erin. I told him that the food was great and why it was such an important meal to me that day. He stopped his work to hear me testify over a few minutes about how God had orchestrated everything leading up to my first bite of that Chili Dog. . I had the Number 2, that’s a chili dog, a chili burger, and one order of fries, with a fountain drink. I had the Orange drink with mine. Erin thanked me for his compliment, he agreed and confirmed that all I’d witnessed was truly something and that it was inspirational. Here’s the best thing about it all. Before he, Erin, the chef walked off, he said, “Man you kind of look like Kobe Bryant. And when I saw you at the counter it kind of scared me. You never heard that before?” He questioned, as we laughed. I nodded and confirmed I had. Powerfully, I cried this morning, because to be seen as anything other than a bum when you’re homeless, and Kobe Bryant of all people couldn’t have been more empowering. Thank you Varsity of Atlanta! Mamba Forever. Varsity Forever. Yes, I'm going back today. PS - I've attached some photos from the meal and some from the website. They’ve got their own lingo and everything! I promise, when you dig in, it only gets better at Varsity!

Not sure how anyone would eat at the varsity and expect anything but the varsity. In this instance you can’t rate a place on what it isn’t. It isn’t the best burger you’ve ever eaten but it will be the best varsity burger you’ve ever eaten. I say that because 30+ years after I ate my first varsity they still deliver. Of course the fries are a little limp, they aren’t processed crap…they are fresh potatoes. The onion rings are battered there on the spot. If you go to North Ave you might still see them in there peaking and cutting. Combo numbers shouldn’t be on the menu at the V but times have changed and I see them. I hate that the old school “crowd to the front ordering” doesn’t exist anymore. You used to have to fight your way to the front and try to make eye contact with someone behind the counter if you ever hoped to eat. In some cases you’d get to the front and realize you were in the fry and ring only line. Eat here if you’re visiting but know what it is. It is The V! I’m partial to a couple of dogs (they should come with chili unless you ask for them naked), cheese stake (because I liked the way they smash them to melt the cheese) and rings. Always ask for a side (which should mean some chopped onions in a little piece of wax paper) and don’t skip the frosted O or PC on ice and a pie.