The Varsity
February 4, 2005
Located in Downtown Atlanta, GA only a few blocks from the area's largest interstate highway, is the epitome of American culture and everything in this country that could really benefit from change. Staffed mostly by lower to middle class African Americans trying to earn enough money to attend Universities like Georgia Tech and University of Georgia, The Varsity is frequented by middle to upper class white families, and they seem to like it that way. Every Sunday good Christian families drive their gas-guzzler Expeditions and Suburbans with W'04 bumber stickers downtown to attend the "after church rush."
As you enter The Varsity you become witness to one of the largest counters in fast food history. Standing in line you hear the employees yelling "Whata ya have?" to the customers and punching orders into the register. The food is what many people, from where I come from, would call disgusting. I personally find the food to be a cross between White Castle and McDonalds, buts its tolerable at the least. They don't have very high expectations, however. Even the picture of the Chile Dog with Mustard they print in the brochure looks like what i would get from Damitre the Hot Dog Vendor on campus, only I gaurantee Damitre's dogs are far better.
The Varsity is often so crowded that its difficult to find a place to sit. Families proudly sit around enjoying their greasy double hamburgers, french fries, onion rings and milk shakes made with neither milk nor ice cream. On the way out you have to remember to get your paper Varsity hat or buy some Varsity gear to remember your trip. And if you can't make it to the restaurant, the Varsity will cater your special event! I know I definately can't wait until the next wedding I go to where I get to eat greasy hamburgers and chile dogs.
Maybe the most interesting part of the Varsity experience is the de facto segregation that still exists... but then again this is the heart of the Conferacy so I guess it doesn't surprise me too much. Maybe its the fact that people are in love with such unhealthy, bad food... but we are the fattest country in the world so I guess that doesn't surprise me too much either. Maybe its the that going to the restaurant after church is a tradition of so many southern Christians... but I don't understand a lot of fundamental Christianity, so I guess that doesn't surpise me too much either. I guess its just the utter reality shock that such a place not only exists but flourishes in today's day and age. This one little fast food joint really can give us a nice interpretation of what our country really represents.
As you enter The Varsity you become witness to one of the largest counters in fast food history. Standing in line you hear the employees yelling "Whata ya have?" to the customers and punching orders into the register. The food is what many people, from where I come from, would call disgusting. I personally find the food to be a cross between White Castle and McDonalds, buts its tolerable at the least. They don't have very high expectations, however. Even the picture of the Chile Dog with Mustard they print in the brochure looks like what i would get from Damitre the Hot Dog Vendor on campus, only I gaurantee Damitre's dogs are far better.
The Varsity is often so crowded that its difficult to find a place to sit. Families proudly sit around enjoying their greasy double hamburgers, french fries, onion rings and milk shakes made with neither milk nor ice cream. On the way out you have to remember to get your paper Varsity hat or buy some Varsity gear to remember your trip. And if you can't make it to the restaurant, the Varsity will cater your special event! I know I definately can't wait until the next wedding I go to where I get to eat greasy hamburgers and chile dogs.
Maybe the most interesting part of the Varsity experience is the de facto segregation that still exists... but then again this is the heart of the Conferacy so I guess it doesn't surprise me too much. Maybe its the fact that people are in love with such unhealthy, bad food... but we are the fattest country in the world so I guess that doesn't surprise me too much either. Maybe its the that going to the restaurant after church is a tradition of so many southern Christians... but I don't understand a lot of fundamental Christianity, so I guess that doesn't surpise me too much either. I guess its just the utter reality shock that such a place not only exists but flourishes in today's day and age. This one little fast food joint really can give us a nice interpretation of what our country really represents.
