The Varsity Reopens for Drive-In Service Only in Midtown

The Varsity reopened its iconic drive-in on Tuesday, after closing entirely in March as part of the statewide dining room shutdown. However, the Midtown restaurant’s dining room on North Avenue (and restrooms) remains closed. Walk-up service is also available.

The 92-year-old Atlanta fast food institution, along with its Kennesaw, Dawsonville, Norcross, and Athens locations, is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For now, the Varsity only accepts payment via credit or debit card.

Frank Gordy opened the Varsity on North Avenue in August 1928, just east of Georgia Tech in Midtown. It’s now the world’s largest fast food drive-in, and has become one of Atlanta’s biggest tourist attractions. The restaurant is known for its car hops uttering the famous catchphrase, “What’ll ya have” when taking orders. The most oft-ordered combo is the chili dog paired with a frosted orange — a vanilla milkshake mixed with the Varsity’s original orange drink.

Over the last 92 years, the Varsity has served several presidents like Jimmy Carter, George H. Bush, and Barack Obama, and movie stars such as Clark Gable.

Eater Atlanta reached out to the Varsity for comment on the reopening, and to ask when the restaurant could resume dine-in service.

Stay home if sick. Check the Georgia Department of Public Health website for guidance and twice-daily updates on the latest number of reported COVID-19 cases.

• Keep Track of How the Coronavirus Is Impacting Atlanta’s Food Scene
• The Varsity dining coverage [EATL]