Georgia

Just the name The Varsity can set generations of mouths watering. What started in 1928 as one man's efforts to bring affordable food to students, grew quickly into a fast food institution. The world's largest drive-in since the 1950s, The Varsity's menu has changed little since Frank Gordy opened its doors near downtown Atlanta. It has set records for its vast quantities of hot dogs, hamburgers, onion rings, and fried pies served daily. Gordy was a visionary in developing both the food he served and how he served it. It is impossible to imagine the countless numbers who have enjoyed a heavy dog walking (hotdog with extra chili to go) or an F.O. (frosted orange shake) over the decades. The Varsity is also where the term carhop was first used. Servers hopped on the running boards of cars in an effort to get the orders in quickly.

Food is at the heart of Atlanta, and here discover iconic dishes, notorious restaurants, and the rich culinary history of this Southern city.

Atlanta's cuisine has always been an integral part of its identity. From its Native American agricultural roots to the South's first international culinary scene, food has shaped this city, often in unexpected ways. Trace the evolution of iconic dishes like Brunswick stew, hoecakes and peach pie while celebrating Atlanta's noted foodies, including Henry Grady, Martin Luther King Jr. and Nathalie Dupree. Be transported to the beginnings of notable restaurants and markets, including Durand's at the Union Depot, Busy Bee Café, Mary Mac's Tearoom, the Municipal Market and the Buford Highway Farmers Market. With fourteen historic recipes, culinary historian Akila Sankar McConnell proves that food will always be at the heart of Atlanta's story.

Savannah's remarkable cuisine is a reflection of its unique history. Delicate local ingredients are balanced carefully using time-honored techniques to produce unforgettable dishes. Initially a colonial experiment of sorts, Savannah became not only the first capital of Georgia but also the capital of all Lowcountry cuisine. From the insolvent freed from debtors' prisons to help seek new cash crops for England to the religious refugees from Austria-Germany and the Scottish Highlanders, Savannah's eclectic European influences mix neatly with traditional Gullah techniques, surprising local ingredients and world-class seafood. Follow authors and award-winning Savannah Taste Experience Food Tour operators Stu and Donald Card on their journey to find the roots of Savannah's famed dishes and the current restaurant renaissance.