Varsity Drive-In, Atlanta
If you’re ever in Atlanta (we’re here right now for the Catalyst conference) and want to check out the local cuisine, at least once you need to experience the Varsity Drive In. I’m not talking about its suburban cousins in the outlying communities, but the original, located on the edge of the Georgia Tech campus in downtown Atlanta. Founded in 1928, the Varsity is the largest drive-in restaurant in the world. It covers two city blocks, and serves 8,000 hamburgers, over two miles of hot dogs, and a ton (literally) of onion rings every day. It also serves more Coca-cola than any other single outlet in the world.
The Varsity is an eating experience that begins when you walk in the door. It’s like a step back in time. The order counter is massive, and behind it is the most fun and amazing collection of fast-food servers in the industry. More than 20 Varsity employees have worked there over 20 years. (Try to find that at a McDonald’s!) If you want a tiny sense of what it’s like, click here and just listen.
From the minute you get near the counter, you’ll hear that famous Varsity chorus. It sounds like chaos, but it’s actually its own delightful symphony, set to the rhythm of hurried city life. And resounding through the melee is, “What’ll you have, what’ll you have?”
Like any landmark, the Varsity has had its share of famous patrons. But what makes it so special is that it levels the playing field, and makes anybody feel special. Leave your credit cards at home – they don’t take ‘em. But it doesn’t take much cash, either.
There is a place more special than the Varsity. Even less expensive. That takes even greater pleasure in bringing delight to its patrons. That serves up more in terms of value and worth than you could ever imagine. Where the ground is level and the experience is, well, out of this world. From above the noise and distractions of this life you can hear His invitation, “What’ll you have, what’ll you have?”
But you can also find tender reminders of what you already have that He’s given you. Of how incredibly wealthy you are today because of His extravagant grace.
And not even the Varsity could ever compete with that.
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I remember when you took us there one time….I was scared to death of ordering (I’m pretty sure you had to order for all of us!) Great Analogy! Wish I was there with you! I miss you and you being in Atlanta makes me miss you even more!!!!
Brent wanted to see it up close and personal, so we went by there for a shake after dinner tonight. Same as always… but now they take credit cards.