Originally Posted By momof4boys If all goes as planned, we will be staying overnight in Atlanta on our drive to florida in a couple of weeks. Is anybody from Atlanta and can suggest some places to eat? We should be there for dinner and lunch the next day. We would possible like one "sit down" place- like a Chili's price range and then a fast food type place. They have to be kid friendly. We are staying in Alpharetta- I understand that is a suburb of Atlanta and might be a bit of a drive- but a drive is fine ( we got what I think is a good deal on the hotel). The other meal we will be leaving World of Coke, so someplace around there would be great.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Unfortunately, I'm not all that familuar with the restraunts in the Alpharetta area. There are a lot of "chain" restraunts there as Northpoint Mall is there. So you will have your choice of Mexican, Italian, Steak or burgers.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I drove through Atlanta in May. I stopped at the famous Varsity, a hot dog joint. They have a few locations around the area (five, I think) but I ate ate the original location. The place is huge; apparently they serve approximately 11,000 dogs a day, and more Coke than any single location in the world. The dogs are good (in a fast-food tasting kind of way); I liked the slaw dogs. The onion rings were really good too.
Originally Posted By momof4boys Trailsend mentioned The Varsity in another thread. I looked up the menu and it looks perfect- just the type of place I was looking for! Thanks!
Originally Posted By DVC_dad I was born and raised in the Atlanta area. The Varsity is a great place, but I only reccomend the original location. It is RIGHT there on Intersate 75, headed south, into Atlanta at North Ave right across the interstate from GA Tech. It is SUPER easy access off the interstate and back onto the interstate. Here is something I found for you to read on some blog somewhere. The Varsity This local legend is billed as the world's largest drive-in and has been a staple on the Atlanta dining scene since 1928. Countless burgers, fries, shakes and more than two miles of hot dogs are served here every day, along with more Coca-Cola ... than anywhere else in the world! Dine in your car, or seat yourself in one of the many cafeteria-style rooms, or simply order your greasy lunch at the 150-foot-long stainless-steel counter and go. The white-tiled diner theme is a welcome throwback to days when drive-ins ruled the fast food scene. This place is the same way it was 50 years ago. We absolutely love it. We go about once a month. If you like the idea of a orange flavored milk shake, order the timeless "F.O." (forsted orange) or if you like chocolate milk, order a "P.C." Check this out... <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Varsity" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T he_Varsity</a> Also, I lived in Alpharetta for 2 years. It's a very nice place, high dollar area where most of the "ball players" (Falcons, Braves, Thrashers, Hawks) live. It's a straght shot down GA 400 to get to Atlanta, but during rush hour that drive will be "H.E. double hockey sticks" just so you know.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Another place you may consider, I send my friends from Pheonix to this place and they LOVE it, is... <a href="http://www.marymacs.com/" target="_blank">http://www.marymacs.com/</a> It is another place that is a great representation of fantastic southern classic dining. I would be hard pressed to choose between this one and the Varsity based on your budget, and time constraints. If the Varsity doesn't work out, this would be a great second place to go.
Originally Posted By momof4boys My son saw Mary Macs on the Food Network- it is already on our list of possibilities. The Varsity really sounds perfect for us. And it looks like the original location is right close to World of Coke- the one place we are going for sure. I'm glad to know Alpharetta is a nice place- I was concerned because I got a very good deal on the hotel- $64 a night at a Springhill Suites on a Saturday night. But then when I went to make a ressie for the next night ( my son's baseball team is really starting to mess up my vacation plans! But that is a whole other story- I almost strangled the coach tonight!)the price was $142! I guess it is much cheaper on weekends- but when I first got the good rate, I was really worried about the location, based on the rate.
Originally Posted By momof4boys Okay, we looked at the menu to Mary Mac's and now my husband is drooling. I think I feel my arteries clogging just reading the menu. With all we are eating on this vacation, it might be best if we just walk to Florida to burn off some calories! How dressy is Mary Mac's?
Originally Posted By BeautysBeast Atlanta ia great city for dining and fun..check out AAA for a a trip book on dining n such.
Originally Posted By Rsey103 It's been awhile since I was there, but my favorite place in Atlanta was always Buckhead Diner. Ask your question on the South board at www.chowhound.com and you'll likely get tons of recommendations from locals.
Originally Posted By ajnhollysmommy We just went to the World of Coke a couple of weeks ago, make sure you try the Beverly- an taste you will never forget!
Originally Posted By TMICHAEL ^^^NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I actually liked Beverly but I'm weird. Thought it would make a great mixer for cocktails.) As for the Varsity...OH HECK YEAH!!! The original is great but there is also a newer one in Alpharetta on Haynes Bridge Road near GA 400 and one near the UGA campus in Athens. GO DAWGS SICKEM, WOOF-WOOF-WOOF- WOOF-WOOF!!!!!!! Must haves at Varsity: CHILI DOGS, onion rings, and the above mentioned F.O.!
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Skip the white bread location off Haynes Brige and go downtown. Trust me on this. There is also a location in Kennesaw. The worst thing the Varsity ever did was expand. You just can't replicate 100 years of grease and grim buildup and the location of the original. As for locals... I was born, raised, and live in the Atlanta area. Of course this means that I know EVERYTHING about Atlanta LOL
Originally Posted By DVC_dad ^ ^ ^ I did live on Abbott's Bridge Rd for 2 years, so I know my way around Alpharetta. I would just be careful and ask when you book.... "hey this isn't one of those seedy places that people pay a weekly rate and sort of end up living in is it?" I would be HIGHLY SHOCKED if there are places like that in Alpharetta, it is easily one of the nicest places in all of Atlanta, (and I don't live in that area anymore) but you never know.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Marymac's is welcoming to all dress types, but I'd probably skip the "wife beater sleeveless T-shirt" and cut off jean shorts. I would wear something along the lines of what you would wear to "go out" on Friday night if you know what I mean.
Originally Posted By momof4boys Well, we had to adjust our plans just a bit- my son's baseball team made it to the championship game of state ( a feat I didn't think possible when I planned the trip) and that game is tonight. So all of our plans had to be pushed back a day- leaving us a little less time in Atlanta. We will be getting into Atlanta on Sunday evening- I think we will go to the Varsity for dinner since we will have travelled all day and probably won't be in the mood to dress up too much. I had to cancel our reservations in Alpharetta and we decided to splurge and stay at the Embassy Suites at Centennial Olympic Park. That way we don't have to fight the traffic in the morning and can just walk to World of Coke. We are going to World of Coke in the morning and then heading to Orlando. Thank you everybody for the restaurant suggestions. We are very excited about the Varsity. It sounds like our kind of place-just what I was looking for!
Originally Posted By momof4boys Well, I am posting here from the beautiful Embassy Suites in downtown Atlanta-waiting for the rest of the crew to wake up. We made it to Atlanta about 8:00pm and went straight to the Varsity. What a fun place- we tried the chili dogs, bacon cheeseburgers and chicken. And of course the onion rings. All was very tasty but we liked the chili dogs and rings the best. I almost completely forgot about the frosted orange! We were getting ready to leave and DS12 was begging for an icee. I told him we could get those back at home and I wasn't going to spend vacation money on one. Then I was reading an article about the Varsity at the front and it mentioned the frosted orange. I would have hated that I had left without one! DS12 was thrilled to get a cold treat that fit my vacation qualifications and we all loved it. We walked around the Centennial Olympic Park last night and are going to World of Coke this morning. Thanks for the recommendation of the Varsity- WE LOVED IT!!! Btw, my son's baseball team won their state championship so it was worth waiting around for!
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Fantastic News! Gratz on the win!!! Have fun in Orlando and post a trip report if you can!
