Y’all already learned in a previous Southern Delicacy column that I am a big fan of the big hair bow, but did you know that growing up I did competitive gymnastics, too? We traveled a lot around the Southeast for meets, and my mom always tried to build in fun stops along the way. One of the stops we made when in Atlanta was a very famous landmark restaurant: The Varsity!

For those of you not familiar with The Varsity, its downtown location is the world’s largest drive-in (or World’s Largest Drive-In, I suppose, since it does hold the official title!). Opened in 1928, it sits on more than two acres and can accommodate 600 cars and over eight hundred people inside. On Georgia Tech football gamedays, up to 30,000 people visit The Varsity. Holy cow!!

My favorite part of visiting was the vintage decor and nostalgic “What’ll ya have” greeting from servers. A visit to The Varsity will definitely send you back in time!

Vue Photography

Ready for a few numbers? Every day, The Varsity goes through two miles of hot dogs, a ton of onions, 2500 pounds of potatoes, 5000 fried pies (peach and apple), and 300 gallons of made-from-scratch chili. The original owner, Frank Gordy, insisted on fresh ingredients, and three to six deliveries per day is still routine. According to The Varsity’s website, when asked what he did with leftovers, he responded: “We don’t have any.” Love that!

Something else fun involving numbers: The Varsity has always managed its extensive drive-in business by numbering cars and employing “car hops,” or “curb men.” These fellows sang and danced while reciting the menu (awesome!), and some even used their time at The Varsity to launch a career in Hollywood!

Finally, my favorite fact about The Varsity has to be that it has its own lingo. A few of my personal favorites: the Naked Dog (a plain hot dog in a bun), Walk a Dog (a hot dog to go) and the Mary Brown Steak (a plain hamburger without a bun). Take that, In-N-Out!

Tell me: Have you ever been to The Varsity? Ever considered serving their goodies at your wedding like our cute couple above? They do cater!

Ooh, y’all! This post is bound to make you hungry (just ask Emily!), so I’d like to give you fair warning before you scroll down.

Ready? Beignets are a pastry made of fried dough, traditionally served with powdered sugar on top. Though fried dough can be found internationally (and at most state fairs!), the origin of the term beignet is specifically French — it means “bump”! Perfect for these pillowy treats, no?

Top two photos by Jamie Beck, photo on left by Jim Franco from Southern Living, photo on right by Ryan Benyi from My Recipes

In the South, beignets are most closely associated with New Orleans, which makes sense, since these delicacies were introduced in America by the Acadians (French colonists) in the 18th century. They were quickly incorporated into home-style Creole cooking, and NOLA still reigns supreme as the U.S. home of the beignet.

The most famous beignet spot is Cafe Du Monde, a coffee stand on Decatur Street that opened in 1862 (and is now open 24 hours a day — good for satisfying cravings at all hours of the morning and night!).

Photo by Rachel Thurston via Southern Weddings

Fun fact: Beignets were declared the official state doughnut of Louisiana in 1986. I’m a fan of any state that has a state doughnut!!

These light-as-air sweets would make a perfect late-night snack at a wedding – especially served with hot cocoa or coffee! For an extra fun twist, ask your caterer to cut the dough into heart shapes!

Heart beignets from The Sweetest Occasion, mini beignets from Martha Stewart Weddings, beignets with coffee from The Jewels of New York

Of course, there are many ways to serve beignets, including my personal favorite: the “biscuit beignet”! Yes, you heard me right! Just last week I had my fair share of them at Another Broken Egg Cafe. To die for!

Looking to try your hand at these puffy treats? Our favorite Southern cook (besides Lara’s mama, of course), Paula Dean, has a great recipe for French Quarter Beignets. You can also buy beignet mix from the Cafe Du Monde online shop — and they have a page of baking tips, too!

Tell me: Have you ever tried your hand at making beignets? Or have you been to Cafe Du Monde itself?

Y’all may not know this, but I’m completely obsessed with Goldfish, Cheez-Its, and any and all other variations of cheese crackers. When I was a little girl, I went through a month-long stage when I refused to eat anything BUT Cheez-Its! So when Emily and I were brainstorming Southern delicacies, I knew cheese straws was going to be one of my favorites!

Recipe and photo from the Food Network

Cheese straws are traditionally served as a cocktail snack, and pair perfectly with wine, beer, spirits on the rocks and savory mixed drinks. Though they’ve been baked for centuries and enjoyed for a long time in the South, cheese straws have made a comeback in recent years. Which is appropriate, we think, because they’re perfect for the Southern hostess to have on hand — that way, she can be ready with a bite to eat for unexpected guests at a moment’s notice!

Cheese straw recipe and photo from MyRecipes.com and fancy cheese straws from Southern Living

There’s not much history on these yummy little guys, but they are credited as a Southern invention. According to one story, they were dreamed up by a frugal cook who mixed leftover biscuit dough with some cheese, and formed the result into long, narrow strips.

Southern welcome bag (including cheese straws!) from Martha Stewart Weddings and cheese straw recipe and photo from Paula Deen’s son Bobby!

A basic recipe includes flour, grated cheese, a teaspoon of salt, and baking powder, but I think I’d rather try PD’s son Bobby’s recipe!

Beyond serving these cheesy treats at cocktail hour, we love the idea of including them in welcome bags or as a late night treat! Yum!

Are cheese straws one of your favorite Southern snacks? Emily thinks they’re too dry, but obviously I love them!

During baseball season, I spend the majority of my nights talking myself out of eating ballpark food. The smell of funnel cake and caramelized pecans can be quite persuasive, y’all! I’m lucky to have made some amazing girlfriends from around the world in the stands, and we all try to hold strong together. One of my best girls is from Minot, North Dakota.

Yes, our accents are very different, and so is our culture. Y’all, she had never had a boiled peanut! What? I know! This summer I took it upon myself to introduce her to this yummy delicacy – she thought they tasted like little potatoes!

Clockwise from top: Recipe and photography by Our Life in the Kitchen, recipe for Hot Spiced Boiled Peanuts and plain Boiled Peanuts, both from Southern Living

Originally called “goober peas” (LOVE!), boiled peanuts have been a staple in the deep South since the 19th century. When the peanut crops were ready, unsold stock would be prepared in a “boiling,” and extended families and neighbors would gather to share conversation and food. Sounds just like the South, right? Unsurprisingly, boiled peanuts are still a symbol of Southern culture and cuisine.

Raw (or “green”) peanuts in the shell are put in a large pot of very heavily salted water and boiled, generally from four to seven hours and using several gallons of water. A tip: green peanuts cook faster and tend to be better tasting! Modern cooks sometimes use crock pots, but I still think it would be fun to make a day of it and invite your friends and neighbors over for an old fashioned boiling! Interesting boiled peanut fact: on May 1, 2006, Governor Mark Sanford signed a bill making boiled peanuts the official snack food of South Carolina! Closer to home, they are also an all time favorite of our own Ms. Lara!

CWF Photography

We love the idea of boiled peanuts as wedding favors or late night snacks!

Will you be incorporating boiled peanuts in to your wedding? Do you have a favorite Southern food? Let me know in the comments below!

I have fond memories of going through the Krispy Kreme drive-through for a special treat as a little girl. Of course, it was even more special if the “hot donuts” sign was on! I even went on a field trip to my local store once to see how those divine donuts were made (yes, that’s what we do in the South!).

As I grew up, I frequented the store less. That is, until I began working for a large corporate company a few years back – then, it became a tradition for a few of the girls and I to celebrate successes on our lunch hour with a little Krispy Kreme indulgence! What can I say? They’re addicting!

Then I lived in Winston Salem last summer, and had to pass Krispy Kreme’s headquarters on a daily basis. Talk about an exercise in self-restraint! Let’s just say when it comes to this Southern Delicacy, I’ve eaten my fair share.

The Scultzes via Southern Weddings

A few fun facts:
– Krispy Kreme was founded by Vernon Rudolph in 1937 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
– Rudolph bought the secret recipe for yeast-raised doughnuts from a New Orleans French chef.
– While Krispy Kreme sells an assortment of flavors, their signature glazed doughnut (traditionally served warm!) continues to be a best seller and customer favorite.
– Krispy Kreme is a part of not only Southern culture, but American history! Some company artifacts have been donated to the Smithsonian Institute’s Museum of American History.
– People like to get creative with their Krispy Kremes! The Krispy Kreme Challenge began as a dare between a few NC State students in 2004. Eight years later, runners still try to complete the entire five mile course AND eat a box of 12 Krispy Kreme donuts in under one hour. Whoa!

Bella Grace Studios via Southern Weddings, Whitebox Weddings via Southern Weddings

We love the idea of serving these sugary delights in lieu of a groom’s cake, as a late night snack, or as a favor for guests to take on the road. Yum!

Before you go, I wanted to share one more delicious-looking treat. While prepping this post, the awesome Ms Ayer came across a recipe for Krispy Krème Brûlée! What?!

Even if you want to get fancy with your Krispy Kremes, we’ve got you covered. Did you or will you be serving a late night snack at your wedding? If so, will it be these delightful treats? And, if you’ve participated in NCSU’s Krispy Kreme Challenge, you must comment and tell us how it went!