What began as a hangout for Georgia Tech students is now a legendary burger joint billed as the World's Largest Drive-In. It has branched out to 6 other locations in Atlanta Ga
The Varsity was founded in 1928 by Frank Gordy, a Georgia Tech dropout who had been operating his own hot dog stand for two years, saving the profits to build the first version of The Varsity. On his first day in business, he made $47.30, which was not a bad haul considering hot dogs cost 5 cents.
The two-story restaurant now seats 800, while the parking lot and drive-in stalls (5 total acres) hold 600 cars, and is the single largest restaurant point of sales for Coca Cola, in the world
The Varsity has nailed it's place in history as the origin of the car hop, because it's early waiters would hop on the running boards of cars as they pulled in, letting exuberance set the tone for the customers, and driving in repeat business
Clark Gable dropped in when he was in town filming Gone With The Wind
One of the best-known employees at the Varsity was Erby Walker, who worked there for fifty-five years, starting at the Varsity at the age of fifteen sweeping floors, and was noted for his ability to move the service line quickly, especially during the rush period right before a Georgia Tech football game.
His signature catchphrase was, "Have your money out and your food on your mind, and I'll getcha to the game on time!" In 2003 Walker was inducted into the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau Hospitality Hall of Fame.
Comedian Nipsey Russell began his entertainment career at The Varsity in the 1940s as a carhop. The creative and resourceful Russell would dress in a flamboyant style and pepper his order-taking duties with jokes and amusing songs, thereby earning him extra tips.
U.S. presidents Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama all visited The Varsity during their terms in office.
It also appeared in the movie We Are Marshall while the coaches are recruiting players.
It never closed from 1928 until 1983, for Gordy's funeral
https://www.southernthing.com/10-fun-facts-about-atlantas-varsity-worlds-largest-drive-in-restaurant-2617500751.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Varsity
https://thevarsity.com/
https://www.facebook.com/thevarsity/
So . . our favorite game of chance, here in Marietta, is to play "CAN I MAKE BACK BEFORE I CRAP MY PANTS". As the name suggests, we eat lunch at the Varsity down-town then pray the traffic gods smile upon you and that there's a stall open at the office. The ATL loves the Varsity so much they even put one in the International Terminal at Hartsfield Jackson, seems like long odds to me.
ReplyDeleteThe Varsity is a giant portion of the GT identity and the alum will defend it to their last breath. It's considered a right of passage to living in Atlanta, like going to the Clermont Lounge .
Jack Davis was one of the best ever. He had an amazing career spanning many decades. If I'm not mistaken, the fellow in the civil war hat in the upper left corner, with a paint brush in his mouth, is indeed Jack Davis himself!
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