Sonic Drive-In

[Chris Hennes]

Sonic Drive-In is based here in Oklahoma City (in fact I was at their headquarters not two hours ago), so I feel like I should have some loyalty to the local company, eat at their place occasionally, etc. That, and they just opened a new location near me that makes them the most convenient food option when I am driving around near home. So finally, a few weeks ago, I stopped by. And have continued stopping by on occasion as I am out. But not because it's actually any good: as near as I can tell, everything on their menu is actually pretty crappy. But the convenience!! Surely there must be something worth eating at the Sonic, right? What is it? It's sure as hell not their bacon cheeseburger (today's mistake) or their fries (that was last week, they are terrible).

[onrushpam]

I just like their drinks... limeade or iced tea are my usuals.

[Tri2Cook]

There was one where I used to live. That was about 12 years ago so I don't know how much has changed. I usually only went there for the peanut butter shake or the banana shake. Both were made by simply blending peanut butter or fresh banana with vanilla ice cream and milk. I had the jalapeno cheeseburger a few times. Nothing to get excited about burger-wise but the simplicity of a burger, cheese, mustard and jalapeno slices in a bun was actually pretty tasty. I still make them sometimes, using a good burger makes it even better.

[Dave the Cook]

Sonic used to be a standby for me, as my youngest liked -- and this seems to be the trend on this topic -- the beverages. It's nice that they offer tots (executed reasonably well), and that's usually how I spent my dollar. But I think the real problem with Sonic is that they're like those restaurants that offer Chinese, sushi, wings, teriyaki and gyros (yes, there's one near me): they try to do so many things that they end up not doing anything very well.

[acautrell]

I can think of at least 6 Sonic stores within 20 minutes of my house, so I guess they're pretty popular around here.

The actual food is pretty mediocre to me. I don't like their burgers and the onion rings have this weird bitter aftertaste.

I do like their Limeades and shakes and the tots are okay. For me they're a place to go for a snack, not to actually eat.

[Chris Hennes]

Do those of you who stop there actually do the drive-in thing, or just drive through? I have never understood the appeal of eating in the car, so I just pick stuff up on my way home.

[GordonCooks]

It's the Hot Rod mentality. It's when you've spent more on your car than your house. For the younger, urban set, your car payment is more than your rent.

[Dave the Cook]

I admit to sitting in the car and eating. Since my son lived with his mom, it was a way to extend our time together before I dropped him off.

[Fat Guy]

It turns out there's a Sonic right near our friends in New Jersey and we're visiting them tomorrow. Any tips on what to order on what may be my one Sonic experience for the next decade?

[Holly Moore]

I'd get the coney with warm meaty chili. And wash it down with something blue - their Ocean water.

I pretty much order by Sonic's vast color palette.

[Holly Moore]

Hell yes, you eat in your car. Car hops are universally cool, especially at institutions like the Varsity in Atlanta. Plus you can listen to your music and nibble on your droppings on the way home. More to the point, it is part of Americana that needs to be sustained. Thanks to Sonic and a few others, drive-ins never went totally away. Bowling has been back for a while. Next, maybe, drive-in movies. Now that's a Saturday night!

[David Ross]

I happen to like the "cottage-cut" fries. Maybe that's just an oddball fry that they do at our local franchise. The limeade is good and so is the cherry cola (and sticky sweet for sure). And of course watching their 2010 version of a car hop on roller skates is pretty entertaining. I have to say they were really fast and really adept on those skates at the Sonic Drive-In I went to--albeit I've only gone twice.

[Fat Guy]

The one time I went to a Sonic, in Kansas City, I only had a beverage. It was across the parking lot from my motel, and I was thirsty. I must say, judging only on beverages, Sonic did a better job than any chain I've been to. Not only is the selection of soft drinks pretty amazing, but also they have really good ice. So I'll be interested to try the food, which seems less promising.

[Tom Gengo]

Everyday I get a Sonic Route 44 Low Cal Diet Cherry Limeade. That drink rocks. Food is not very good.

[Chris Hennes]

Sonic was voted "Best Happy Hour" by the readers of the Oklahoma City paper this past year. Made me want to cry, but maybe there's something to it.

[David Ross]

Sonic was voted "Best Happy Hour" by the readers of the Oklahoma City paper this past year. Made me want to cry, but maybe there's something to it.

"Best Happy Hour?" I do get happy about hamburges, fries and soda, but not really at Sonic--and I thought the term "Happy Hour" involved booze?

[rooftop1000]

The burger I had at a new Sonic in NJ was...Fine... the lettuce and tomato were very fresh and quite cold, so cold they promptly made that side of the burger cold. The jalepeno poppers were serviceable and they have Tater Tots. Haven't been back

tracey

[Dave the Cook]

We've avoided the jalapeno-garnished items. They're canned and/or pickled, and that's not a taste we care for.

[Chris Hennes]

"Best Happy Hour?" I do get happy about hamburges, fries and soda, but not really at Sonic--and I thought the term "Happy Hour" involved booze?

Yeah, well... welcome to Oklahoma. Sonic does have a "happy hour": they have half-price drinks and slushies every day from 2-4pm. And a dedicated Facebook page.

[nakji]

...but the drinks don't have any booze in them? I suppose that's the best policy, considering most people are consuming them in the car.

[Jaymes]

As a kid raised on A&W Root Beer stands, sometimes I get a real craving for a chili dog and root beer float. I think Sonic's chili dogs are fine. I don't like that runny orange stuff they call "cheese," though. But I never liked actual cheese on my chili dogs either, so I just tell them to leave that off. I have the chili dog with mustard and onions, and either a root beer float or, if I'm trying to "cut back" a bit, a cherry limeade.

A pretty fine junk meal.

[Dana]

The fish sandwiches are pretty good as far as junk food goes, but they are only available in my area during Lent, and after Easter, until they run out of the fish fillets.

Their fountain drinks and pellet ice are just the best - happy hour is 2-4. Drinks are half price.

[Fat Guy]

We never did make it to Sonic today. I tried to convince my son to go. I explained to him that they bring the food right to the car ("PJ, now we're going to go to the greatest restaurant in all of New Jersey. They bring the food to you in your car.") and he was like, "So what?" He chose to stay inside and play my friend Larry's bass guitar. Maybe next time.

[Susie Q]

I once ate at one in Arizona. I did not like it and would never give it another chance. Had a burger and onion rings. Both were awful.

[Chris Hennes]

I hade a Coney today for lunch. Not awful. Better than their burgers, in my opinion. It's not a great hotdog, but it's definitely edible. I agree that the bun is clearly microwaved, but I actually don't object to that texture. If the option is microwaved or cold, I'll take microwaved: it's an OK facsimile of a steamed bun.

I also had a lime limeade, which tasted a bit more like a Sprite than I would have preferred: they are made with real lime juice, so I was hoping more of that tartness would come through. Oh well.