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Images of America: Georgia
The Varsity
Just the name The Varsity can set generations of mouths watering. What started in 1928 as one man's efforts to bring affordable food to students, grew quickly into a fast food institution. The world's largest drive-in since the 1950s, The Varsity's menu has changed little since Frank Gordy opened its doors near downtown Atlanta. It has set records for its vast quantities of hot dogs, hamburgers, onion rings, and fried pies served daily. Gordy was a visionary in developing both the food he served and how he served it. It is impossible to imagine the countless numbers who have enjoyed a heavy dog walking (hotdog with extra chili to go) or an F.O. (frosted orange shake) over the decades. The Varsity is also where the term carhop was first used. Servers hopped on the running boards of cars in an effort to get the orders in quickly.
128 pages, Paperback
First published October 24, 2011
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
August 5, 2014
The Varsity (http://thevarsity.com/) is the World's Largest Drive-In, between GA Tech and All Saints Episcopal Church, where I grew up. We would skip Sunday School intending to go next door. More regularly, our family ate here after church, with huge crowds. I soon discovered the delights of Varsity food at odd times early and late, Downtown and in satellite locations, The Varsity Jr. and in Athens.
This photo history is also a biography of founder Frank Gordy and his extended family and fine employees.
I must say, I never thought, "No Food over 12 Hours Old" was much of a slogan... and wasn't it 24 back in the 1960s-70s? Gordy meant from delivery from suppliers, but I never understood that. I did understand and appreciate a little handbill he had, where you might expect a cigarette machine back then, reading "Flip top box for smokers," meaning a coffin box. Gordy's office, too, was festooned with taped-up images and notes, and it's a photo sorely missing here: of jackalope pictures, and postcard gags, and my first sighting of the 'dogs playing poker' graphic. Though the photo of former Varsity carhop Nipsey Russell is here, as well as a superlative recent Jack Davis caricature, that suffers in B&W repro from color print. Anyway, if you love The Varsity, put this on the shelf next to What'll You Have, the 2005 authorized coffee table book, in color.
Recommended.
This photo history is also a biography of founder Frank Gordy and his extended family and fine employees.
I must say, I never thought, "No Food over 12 Hours Old" was much of a slogan... and wasn't it 24 back in the 1960s-70s? Gordy meant from delivery from suppliers, but I never understood that. I did understand and appreciate a little handbill he had, where you might expect a cigarette machine back then, reading "Flip top box for smokers," meaning a coffin box. Gordy's office, too, was festooned with taped-up images and notes, and it's a photo sorely missing here: of jackalope pictures, and postcard gags, and my first sighting of the 'dogs playing poker' graphic. Though the photo of former Varsity carhop Nipsey Russell is here, as well as a superlative recent Jack Davis caricature, that suffers in B&W repro from color print. Anyway, if you love The Varsity, put this on the shelf next to What'll You Have, the 2005 authorized coffee table book, in color.
Recommended.
Displaying 1 of 1 review