This Is The World's Largest Drive-In

One of the largest metropolises in the traditional southeast, Atlanta is filled with world-class international cuisine and award-winning restaurants. But if you haven’t visited The Varsity, you’re missing out on a one-of-a-kind, Atlanta dining experience. Covering two-city blocks, The Varsity is the world’s largest drive-in restaurant.

Originally established in Midtown, across from the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), the legendary greasy spoon was founded in 1928 by a student named Frank Gordy. The hot-dog shop was originally named the “The Yellow Jacket,” after the university’s men’s college basketball team. An instant success, his hot dogs and burgers were in major demand. Gordy had to relocate the restaurant to its current location. It was there that he renamed it The Varsity.

The Varsity, the world’s largest drive-in restaurant

It wasn’t until 1950 that the restaurant could claim the status of “world’s largest drive-in.” The Varsity was not only a popular hangout spot for young people, but working as a Varsity carhop was a coveted job as well. The Varsity employed over 130 carhops at that time. But by the 1970s, diners were coming inside to eat. The restaurant only employed 50 carhops then. Gordy responded to inside diners by expanding the dining room to sit nearly 650 people.

Hot dogs and onions rings served at The Varsity

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.