Prog Digest – An Xperience Column

Prog Digest – An Xperience Column – by Klyde Kadiddlehumper.

What’ll ya have!?  What’ll ya have!? What’ll ya have!?

This is the siren call as you enter a wonderful southern legend – The Varsity.

For the uninitiated, The Varsity started as a college hot dog joint and now has eight locations. Get in line, figure out what you want, and when you are asked, “What’ll ya have!?” – you better be ready or get sent to the back of the line.  You read that right – not ready, you are NOT holding up the line – it’s long enough.

Now eight locations in and around Atlanta (the first within walking distance of Georgia Tech), it’s the OG.  I oughtta know – I have been there.

Before you start the whole – “But Klyde, what the hell does this have to do with prog music?” – food is much like music and the arts in ol’ Klyde’s book. Hear me out (shouldn’t that really be read me out?…anyway).

As any good New Yorker will point out – a dog should be on a roll with mustard. Cleveland also gets it, and the mustard there is killer.

The Varsity has a plain dog on a split top roll, add your own mustard.  The only things on the menu to add to the top are chili, slaw, or a combo of both. The chili dog’s rock ‘cause the chili is killer. Other than that – leave them alone.  More on the toppings debate later.

It’s a short menu overall. One chicken thing (nuggets), six dog items, four combos, fries and onion rings, chocolate and vanilla shakes, chocolate milk, five Coke products, and Varsity Orange. The super duper drink is the Frosted Orange – Varsity Orange mixed with a vanilla shake. Much like some bands, they have a limited number of things they do and they do them to perfection. Gutbusting perfection, but still, perfection.

If you can’t figure this out in time to order – you deserve to go to the end of the line.

In the food world, progressive, much as we have discussed about music before, is about styles and tastes. The adventurous of us we eat damned near anything. Haggis is a particular favorite. Constant Companion, not so much. You get the idea.

In NYC, other than the sidewalk cart dirty water dog, we are Gray’s Papaya folks. What do they have?  Dogs and Papaya drinks. Well, ok, there are a few more items, but those are the big draws.

We are lucky up here. We have Hot Dog Charlie’s, Gus’, and Famous Lunch (P.S.: the rice pudding is awesome). In Schenectady, First Prize Mike’s is the spot.

What they were thinking of in Chicago is beyond me. While there are many fine establishments, who the heck thinks a Chicago Dog is a good idea?  It has been commented many times – If I wanted a salad, I’d order a salad. And deep dish can be really great – calling it pizza is not something any self-respecting New Yorker would ever do.  Sheesh people.

Getting the gist here?

Plenty of styles. Plenty of variety. Plenty of space for everyone to have their own take on things. That I don’t care for it does not mean you should not. With perhaps the exception of Yanni (again – resolve one damned chord!  Just once!) nearly all music has a place and an audience and a reason for being.

I had a music professor in college, Ken Munson, who always said, “Listen to something. If you don’t like it, listen again. And again. In the end, you don’t have to like it, but learn to appreciate it.”

Duke Ellington had it right.

If it sounds good, it IS good.

Until next time.

Klyde

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