The Varsity, Atlanta

The critics need to get a life. The Varsity is what it is, a place to go once a year to get a chili dog with extra onions, fried onion rings and a frosted orange. It should be compared to Wendy's and Burger King, not Ruth's Chris and Chops.

Unique Suggestions: Don't go there expecting a fine meal. Go when you want to wallow in good tasting grease. If you are a health food nut, stay away. Don't get a cholesterol test the next day after a visit. Or even the next week. It is an Atlanta institution and we know it is bad for you but it sure does taste good.

Fun Alternatives: The Vortex has the best burgers, great fries and onion rings, one of the best beer selections and a good helping of attitude. A little less grease. Down the hill from the Varsity is the Silver Spoon and Bobby and Junes for real southern meat and threes. Both are better than the current version at Mary Macs and far better than Pitty Pats Porch.

The Varsity. I've passed this restaurant on my way to the train station every day for the past eight months, and have eaten there once - and once was one time too many. While Atlanta is known for it's great restaurants, The Varsity is certainly not one of them. Poor quality food for your money.