The Varsity - One door closes; Another opens in Dawsonville

After 45 years in operation, the Varsity Jr. on Lindburg Avenue closed its doors last month, citing traffic woes and city bureaucracies. As they closed one location, the Varsity announced that they would be opening a 'junior' location right here in Dahlonega and Beyond country.

Come winter time, Dawsonville have a Varsity Jr., serving world famous chili dogs, Orange frosties, onion rings and their classic 'What'll ya have' calls.

For those of you not familiar with a Varsity Jr., it's a mini version of an Atlanta landmark and tradition, the Varsity restaurant and drive in. Located in the heart of Atlanta and in view of the Georgia Tech campus, the Varisty was founded by a Georgia Tech dropout who believed feeding the hungry Tech students would be profitable. And profitable it has been.

The Varsity has several Varsity Jr. locations, including one right in the heart of Ga. Bulldog country, Athens, Ga., but this is the restaurant's first venture into North Georgia. That was the bad news for Atlanta. The wonderful news for Dahlonega and Beyond is that a Varsity Jr. is coming to Dawsonville.

Stopping by the Varsity before or after a Braves or Falcons' game is a must-do for many Atlantans, and we must admit we've eaten quite a few Varsity dogs ourselves. Our family even celebrated our daughter's high school graduation with a trip to the Varsity!

Soon stopping by the Varsity Jr. will be a must-do for those who come all over the Southeast to shop at the North Georgia Premium Outlets, the shopping experience that's brought millions of dollars to Dawson county. Now we will have two world-renown restaurants nearby in Dawsonville - The Varsity Jr. and, of course, the legendary Dawsonville Poolroom and NASCAR exhibit.