Varsity in Atlanta

DoubleEgger said:

GATraveller said:

If you want real hole in the wall Southern soul food then hit Beautiful Restaurant on Cascade.  True southern cooking. 

If it's on Cascade, it's the real deal. Just make sure you are packing...

Why?

It's worth a trip to say you did it but like many things in life, if you didn't grow up on it, it won't seem very good.  I remember hearing about it from all of my Atlanta friends at school and then when I finally tried it I was disappointed. After 15 years of living in Atlanta I have grown to like if not love it.  All that being said, there are some other great restaurants in Atlanta worth checking out. Fox Bros BBQ or Heirloom Market come to mind.

+1 for Vortex burgers and +10 for fox bros BBQ. Best brisket in town (other than an egged brisket of course). Folk Art in Inman Park is a hole in the wall and has first rate food and a great bfast. They know how to do grits right. Flying Biscuit is also good for Bfast. The Sun Dial downtown on top of the Westin Peachtree Plaza is a good place for a drink. Jeans are allowed in the bar but not in the restaurant, Best view in the city...the entire restaurant rotates, food sucks and is way overpriced. If you happen to be a club corp member the Commerce Club is on top of the 191 Peachtree Tower and has surprisingly good food an awesome bar and another amazing view. Like you can see multiple states type of view. Manuels Tavern at the corner of North and North Highland is great little hole in the wall for bar food with a nice beer selection. Many celebs frequent here also.Tons of history at Manuels, especially civil rights history. Some say it's the unofficial headquarters of the civil rights movement in Atlanta. Get there before 6 on a weekend. Obama visited Manuels in March of this year. 

Finally, the original Krispy Kreme donuts is on Ponce de Leon in midtown. Another must do if the "hot" light is on. I've said enough...enjoy our great city. 

DaveRichardson said:

If you are going to do the Vortex, then do the Little 5 Points one, the people watching is much better!  The one on Peachtree and 10th is across from a gay club.....  I'm just saying......; not judging!!!!

I agree Dave.  The Little 5 location is is the original and the building is much cooler. 

DaveRichardson said:

And they are now not allowing anyone under 21 in the establishment effective Jan 1

Good to know- they have never allowed kids but I guess they raised it from 18-21?  They are pretty strict with that from what I hear.

That is one thing about the Vortex is they have all these "rules" printed on the menu.  It is sort of a hipsterish "we are so cool we don't even care about your business" vibe.  However, I don't actually feel that vibe from the staff when I go there.  Every time we have gone the service has been great, the staff polite, and most of all it is just a fun place.  Oh, and the double coronary bypass is legendary.  

What'll you have, what'll you have?

ksmyrl said:

The Varsity is more than a restaurant, it's an experience. The dogs are just okay I agree. But the history, the ambiance, you just have to go. I grew up going downtown to the Varsity with my dad, some of my best memories. Your order is below, this is a must...an absolute must. Yell your order to the order taker as fast as you can and they'll think you are a native Atlantan.

2 all the way chili dawgs (onions etc etc)
onion rings (fries are good too, but the rings are the bomb)
Frosted orange to drink (an absolute must)
Fried peach pie for dessert. (worth the entire experience)

Anything else is blasphemy. 
Edit: also, keep a look out for celebrities. Several movies are being filmed in the ATL right now. One is huge budget Paramount production, just a few miles from the Varsity.

That is a good post... Never been to Atlanta, but this is what I would do if I had the opportunity to go there.

I second Fat Matt's. My son and I ate there while he was attending GA Tech. Pretty darned good BBQ. 

Chilli slaw dog, onion rings and a PC. PASTEURIZED CHOCOLATE,  chocolate milk served over ice, awesome.  For mexican, go to Nuevo Laredo, another great meal.

theyolksonyou said:

DaveRichardson said:

If you are going to do the Vortex, then do the Little 5 Points one, the people watching is much better!  The one on Peachtree and 10th is across from a gay club.....  I'm just saying......; not judging!!!!

But for tranny hookers this is the spot!  Walk 1 block west and BOOM!  That was a bit eye opening for my wife and kids one game day a few falls ago. Some decent people watching in midtown. Just a different variety from little 5

Not sure what all that meant, but I think I picked up a piece or two to get the drift. When that happens I am so happy I live out here in the boonies of IL where there are no street lights and we can see the stars - REAL stars, that is, at night! LOL

Also, if you are the type to partake in local brewing of adult beverages, theres tons of local breweries around that have tastings throughout the week.  Sweetwater, Second Self, and my favourite just south of the city in Hampton, Jailhouse Brewing.  If you want to check them out, let me know and I'll see if the warden will open off schedule!  Also some local distillers are around the 4th ward area.

When I'm in Atlanta I always try to eat at Hal's Steakhouse.