The Varsity

The Varsity is a restaurant chain, iconic in the modern culture of Atlanta, Georgia. [cite news|first=Pat|last=Conroy|authorlink=Pat Conroy|url=http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2004/edition_11-14-2004/featured_0 Chili|title=Cheese Dogs, My Father And Me|work=Parade|date=2004-11-14|accessdate=2007-08-03] The main branch of the chain is the largest drive-in fast food restaurant in the world.cite web|url=http://www.freeenterpriseland.com/BOOK/VARSITY.html|title=World's Largest Drive-In|publisher=Free Enterprise Land|accessdate=2007-08-03] There are now six branches across metro Atlanta and Athens, Georgia. [cite web|url=http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/ajc/swf/atlantaicons/varsity/Varsity2.swf|title=Atlanta Icons: The Varsity|publisher=Atlanta Journal-Constitution|accessdate=2007-08-03]

History

Originally named The Yellow Jacket, The Varsity was established in 1928 at the corner of Luckie Street and Hemphill Avenue.cite web|url=http://gtalumni.org/Publications/timeline/1920s.html|title=Tech Timeline: 1920s|publisher=Georgia Tech Alumni Association|accessdate=2007-08-03] Its founder Frank Gordy had attended The Georgia Institute of Technology, but dropped out in 1925. Then, as now, the restaurant catered heavily to Georgia Tech students. As the business grew, Gordy was forced to move the restaurant to 61 North Avenue (the corner of North Avenue and Spring Street) to accommodate the crowds; the present structure now covers two city blocks. It was here that the name was changed to "The Varsity," reflecting his desire to expand to other college campuses. During the drive-in era, The Varsity began its 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 by the North Avenue bridge.

The enterprise has since expanded to Athens, Kennesaw, Gwinnett County, and Alpharetta. [cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2002/06/10/story4.html|title=What'll ya have, Alpharetta?|work=Atlanta Business Chronicle|date=2002-06-07|accessdate=2007-08-03] The Varsity, Jr., a Midtown Atlanta location, is the only other of the chain to offer curbside service. In addition, it 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.Fact|date=February 2007 The restaurant also offers catering services to the metro Atlanta region for both corporate and non-corporate functions, going as far east as Conyers and Stone Mountain, Georgia.

There is also a mini-Varsity on the campus of Reinhardt College in Waleska, Ga. Frank Gordy met his wife, Evelyn, at Reinhardt in 1924 and then went on to Georgia Tech to finish his education. Their custom-designed home was later moved from Atlanta to the Reinhardt College campus.

On Monday June 23rd, 2008 long time employee Erby Walker died of cardiac arrest. He was a well known persona in the city of Atlanta for the catch phrase of "What'll ya have?" A longtime employee of 55 years even though he was nearly fired on his first day. He started at The Varsity at age of 15 sweeping floors soon graduating to the kitchen. He did retire in 2003, but came back 3 weeks later. In 2003 Erby 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 car hop. 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. [cite news|first=Joe|last=Holley|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/03/AR2005100301733.html|title=Rhyming Funnyman Nipsey Russell Dies|work=Washington Post|date=2005-10-03|accessdate=2007-08-03] Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton all visited The Varsity during their terms in office. Mad Magazine artist Jack Davis has done advertising for The Varsity.

Jargon

Over the years The Varsity has become synonymous in Atlanta's folklore with a clever and unorthodox catchphrase. Originated by frazzled cashiers as a way to keep the lines moving the blunt and abbreviated greeting "What'll ya have?" caught on with both staff and public and eventually became the restaurant's unofficial slogan. Today it appears on takeout boxes and cups as well as Varsity memorabilia and is the required greeting to all customers.

Along with 'What'll ya have?" the Varsity staff, as was common practice, developed their own jargon when calling out orders. Being a restaurant with an open grill, the customers could overhear the staff's slang and eventually began adopting it as their own when placing orders.Recognizing that the customers enjoyed being 'in on the joke' the Varsity eventually began listing its items with both their conventional and jargon references on both their overhead and printed menus.

See also

* Junior's Grill - another Georgia Tech dining tradition.

References

External links

* [http://www.thevarsity.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.atlantatimemachine.com/downtown/varsitya.htm Then (1953) / Now (2004) photo of The Varsity]
* [http://www.atlantatimemachine.com/downtown/varsity1.htm Then (1963) / Now (2003) photo of The Varsity]