Business
Business

A surprise on The Varsity’s menu, and what comes next

By Matt Kempner
Feb 15, 2016

Guess which is currently on the menu (and has been for years) at The Varsity, Atlanta’s iconic chili dog palace:

— Fish fillet sandwich

— Barbecue

— Garden salad

Answer: Garden salad. Even regular diners I talked to were surprised and befuddled when I pointed out my discovery. The Varsity, after all, has survived 86 years offering a menu focused primarily on greasy fare like chili dogs, burgers, onion rings and fries, even as some rivals have expanded into lighter fare.

Now, the mom and two kids whose family founded The Varsity chain are contemplating big changes, just weeks after closing their Alpharetta location.

But don’t expect a dramatic shift in the menu to be part of the changes, said Gordon Muir, The Varsity’s president and grandson of founder Frank Gordy. Muir said they might add a salad or two and delve into more seasonal items.

What has grabbed more of his focus is how and where to develop more restaurants. Check out what Muir and a brother-in-law are aiming for, in my latest Unofficial Business column on myajc.com.

About the Author

Matt Kempner is an award-winning journalist who seeks out intriguing twists about people and subjects beyond what the AJC might typically cover. A former columnist and editor, his past assignments have included business investigations, energy, the economy, entrepreneurs, big business, consumer spending, politics, government and the environment.

Follow Matt Kempner on facebookFollow Matt Kempner on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

The Home Depot corporate headquarters in Vinings, site of some of the company's planned expansion. (David Goldman/AP)

Credit: David Goldman

Home Depot seeks tax break for more than $100M project in Cobb County

Home Depot is seeking a tax break for a more than $100 million project that would expand its Vinings headquarters and improve other office properties in the area.

1m ago

Alpharetta-based veterans nonprofit receives $10M cryptocurrency donation

Hire Heroes USA will use the funding to help about 14,000 veterans and military spouses with one-on-one career coaching and to establish a new fintech pathway for its clients.

Trilith teams up with comedy hitmaker to expand focus beyond blockbusters

The partnership will allow American High to scale its output and guarantees Trilith a steady slate of productions occupying its stages.

The Latest

Andrew Cornelia, president & CEO of Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging North America, speaks to guests and media members during unveiling the first station charger in North America on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez

Opinion: Charging EVs away from home keeps getting easier

Hyundai’s Georgia electric vehicle plant: What you need to know

OPINION

EV tax credits end in September. Here are the cars that qualify.

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com

A Braves fan took a ball to the face. The team may be liable, judges say.

The Atlanta Braves and former right fielder Jorge Soler face a lawsuit by a fan hit in the eye with a ball during a World Series game at Truist Park in 2021.

Joro spiders multiply across Georgia, spinning their pesky webs

The invasive species has multiplied rapidly in Atlanta in the last three years, research shows.

Ford settles billion-dollar Georgia lawsuits over fatal wrecks

Ford Motor Co. has settled two Georgia lawsuits that elicited record-setting jury verdicts of $1.7 billion and $2.5 billion, ending more than a decade of litigation.