The Ate-TL: The Varsity with Joe Saunders

"The Ate-TL: The Varsity with Joe Saunders" is Episode 225 of *Doughboys*, hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger. "The Ate-TL: The Varsity with Joe Saunders" was released on October 17, 2019.

## Synopsis

For the third week of **Octdoughberfest 2019: The Ate-TL**, the 'boys are joined by Joe Saunders (*Comedy Bang! Bang!*, *The Breadcast*) to review The Varsity, an Atlanta-founded chain serving chili dogs and burgers. Plus, a local edition of Drank or Stank.

## Nick's intro

*"He who turns the other cheek will get hit with the other fist."*

This quip, delivered during the ongoing protests of the Civil Rights Era, was one of many pithy one-liners crafted by the late comedian, Nipsey Russell.

Born in Atlanta in 1924, Russell supplemented his formal schooling with a voracious childhood reading habit, becoming a master of wordplay. His signature on-stage bit was reciting, and sometimes improvising, short comedic poems, so it was fitting that a rapper, the late Nipsey Hussle, would draw his stage name from the comic.

In the '60s, Nipsey Russell became one of the first African-Americans to co-star in a sitcom, in the hit series *Car 54, Where Are You?,* and he was also a staple of panel shows like *Match Game* and *To Tell The Truth*. In the '70s, Russell established himself as a favorite of Johnny Carson and would frequently guest on, and occasionally guest host, *The Tonight Show*. And in the '90s, Russell gained a new generation of fans via regular appearances on *Late Night with Conan O'Brien*.

But before he became famous entertaining audiences on stage and screen, Russell had paid his dues entertaining patrons at an Atlanta fast-food restaurant where he'd spent four years working as a carhop after serving overseas in World War II. Russell would later credit the crowd work he engaged in at the eatery keeping hungry customers happy as key to crafting his comedic voice.

And there was no shortage of customers to banter with at this burger and hot-dog stand founded in Atlanta in 1928 by Georgia Tech dropout, Frank Gordy, adopting a collegiate theme inspired by its proximity to the owner's alma mater. The restaurant was an overnight success and thrived even during the Great Depression that would cover the bulk of its first decade of operation. In 1962, the Atlanta original added another location and more would follow; now totaling seven across the Peach State.

And today, as throngs of hungry customers await chili dogs, onion rings, and Coca-Cola - which it sells in greater volume than any other restaurant in the world - the chain's workers still greet them with the same catchphrase once delivered by a young Nipsey Russell: "What'll ya have? What'll ya have?"

This week on *Doughboys*: The Varsity.

## Fork rating

* Slaw Dog
* Glorified Bacon Cheese Burger
* Chili Cheese Fries
 Mike Mitchell
* Chili Cheese Slaw Dog
* Glorified Bacon Cheese Burger
* French Fries
 Joe Saunders
	+ Onion Rings
	+ Coca-Cola
 shared
* Fried Peach Pie
* Sweet Potato Pie

With these scores, The Varsity makes the Golden Plate Club!

## Drank or Stank

In Drank or Stank, The Doughboys have a drink and decide if it is 'good' or 'bad'.

For this episode of **The Ate-TL**, they try Georgia Peach Coca-Cola.

They all seemed to enjoy it quite a bit.

 Mike Mitchell
 Joe Saunders
 Emma Erdbrink

## Quotes

**Nick**: Fine! We'll do that. You can lie down like a fucking weirdo and creep out our guests.
**Mitch**: Maybe I'll put up some bars around my bed and make it a big crib and wear a diaper while we record. What do you think of that?
**Nick**: Maybe I'll change your ass!

## #hashtags

* #SticksToTheRoofOfYourMouthAndYourBrainPan or #SticksToMyRibsAndMyMind or #Unfoodgettable

## The Feedbag

Do you have any moments like that that really stick with you?

## Related Episodes

* 223. The Flying Biscuit Cafe
* DD. Peaches and Scream
* 224. Moe's Southwest Grill
* DD. The Doughboys Went Down To Georgia
* 225. **The Varsity**
* DD. Deliveryance
* 226. Krystal
* DD. Biggie Feedbag XV
* 227. Cook Out
* 20. Starbucks
* mini. Doughlympics Opening Ceremonies
* AD. After Dough with Joe episodes 1, 2, 3
* DD4. Chicken Fight: Fat Chance Kitchen 4
* 100. Nugget Power Hour
* DD45. Star Wars Fantasy Auction
* DD. Doughlympic Winter Games
* DD. May-Ow: Pepe, Fiona, and Meryl
* 225. **The Varsity**
* THON21. Doughathon 2021
* DD. The D'ohboys
* DD. BOWL: Bread Dead Redemption

## Photos

Glorified Bacon Cheese BurgerChili Cheese FriesTwo Chili DogsGlorified Bacon Cheese BurgerSlaw DogFried Peach PieFrosted Orange ShakeIce Cream