What'll You Have: A History of the Varsity

by Dick Parker

For the Atlanta What could be more Atlanta centric than a coffee-table book about The Varsity? Such is the case with WHAT'LL YA A HISTORY OF THE VARSITY (Looking Glass Books, $24.99), a glossy retrospective on Frank Gordy's quintessential hamburger stand. Fast food and even faster service aren't necessarily American virtues, but Dick Parker writes the Varsity's success story with admiration as plain as, in the restaurant's own lingo, a naked dog walking. Still, the Varsity qualifies as a genuine institution in a city with little regard for its own history, and What'll Ya Have includes enough colorful details, nostalgic reminiscences and scrapbook-style mementos to make it an appetizing present to any longtime Atlantan on your list.

123 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2003

About the author

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Reviews

[Debbie Nicoletti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having lived on the Georgia Tech campus back in 1978 and a frequent Varsity customer, I found this book to be super interesting. Parker provided a window back into time with all the fabulous touching stories and photos of not only the history of The Varsity, but the impact hard working Frank Grody had on Georgia Tech students, downtown Atlanta and the fast food industry. Looking forward to my next curbside visit and favorites: Chili Steak, Ring One, Skeet and of course a peach hand pie!

[Tye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great book.

I'm an Atlanta native and I can really appreciate the story of the Varsity more knowing the history of this place.

This was a delight to read. I read it in two days.

[Michael Tuggle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever, the best onion rings I will ever eat and a lasting part of my childhood!

[Garrett Cash · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adequately provides the history of the revered Atlanta fast-food joint, but frequently slides into pure advertisement.