Sunday, March 02, 2008

Sonic boom

There are two kinds of people in the country: People who have Sonic Drive-Ins where they live, and those of us who just see the TV commercials (which run constantly, even in areas where there are no Sonics) and occasionally visit them in other states.

There are still no Sonics in Washington state* but it looks like my home state of Minnesota is getting one, despite its most un-drive-in-like weather. Rob and I have a message for all our Minnesota friends: Familiarize yourself with the Sonic icy drink menu. The food we've tried? Well, let's just say it's fun to explore the menu, but it's no In 'N' Out.

Online sources have many recipes for the famed cherry limeade, if you're interested. It's unbelievably simple, but it's better at Sonic, with their super-crushed ice.
*Whoops, turns out there ARE some Sonics in Washington state, just nowhere near me. Didn't mean to slight you, Spokane! I will hoist a cherry limeade in your honor next time we get over there.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Since we have the HQ here in Oklahoma City, we have them almost every mile or so. Love them! Used to get the Cherry Sprite, but then they rolled out the Sweet Tea and I haven't looked back since. Seriously, it is so bad that I know which ones in my vicinity sweeten it enough and which I have to adjust. I think I am going to have to start budgeting for it, as my bank statement is every other line (or more) Sonic - $1.94. Ha!

Anonymous said...

You're right--it does taste better with the crushed ice. Unfortunately, all of the Sonics in my area (North TX) have been using regular ice for about six months. I have no idea why they switched, but it really makes a difference!

Emily said...

I don't know how I feel about this. On the one hand, at least the commercials will seem a little less pointless but on the other, frozen drinks that aren't from Dairy Queen in the frigid north? I don't know how well it will do. Plus, much-hyped chains finally coming to MN aren't always met with success (see: Krispy Kreme, which is leaving the state).

Anonymous said...

We just had our first Sonic open last week in my hometown. It's insane, the traffic through there. Last week they actually put traffic cones across the entrance and exit at noon because they were completely full and the drive-through was out onto the street.

While I enjoy a good slushy (and to me that's what the cherry limeade qualifies as) there's no way I'm idling in line for 30 minutes to get one. It's also sort of a sad commentary on my town, that a new fast food joint is the main focus of interest.

Anonymous said...

We have a Sonic here in Spokane, and I guess there is one in Kennewick (WA) too. I can't speak to the food and drink, though, since I've never been there. I'll have to go.

Anonymous said...

THERE IS ONE! It's in Spokane. I know you Seattlites don't consider this side of the mountains part of Washington, but there is a Sonic here.

Anonymous said...

Actually, there is a Sonic now in Richland, WA. It just opened sometime in January. They skate, too, even in the snow!

Anonymous said...

Strawberry limeade is way better than cherry limeade. You get lil chunks of strawberry and the tartness of the lime. I grew up in a state without any Sonics and was surprised to open up the cover of the drink and find that they put a real half of a lime in the slushie (even though my friend says the lime taste mostly comes from some kind of lime juice they put in the concoction, not the actual fresh lime)

Anonymous said...

I'm with you on the food thing. The cherry limeaid is the best thing ever but Sonic food is pretty awful. They may have some good stuff now, I hear the breakfast burritos are good, but I can't risk trying anything else. I did once have a really good burger there, I was pretty drunk at the time though. Imagine my surprise when years later, and stone cold sober, I ordered one thinking I was in for a real treat. Yikes.

Anonymous said...

I want one in Minnesota! When it does open, I'm so there. I've always wanted to go to one. Last summer we took a long road trip. I'm a notorious bad car sleeper who also gets carsick (yeah, I'm fun) and the only time I actually slept in the car during the 2 days in the car was the only time we drove past a Sonic, the one and only we saw. My darling husband faced a Sophie's Choice dilemna and decided to let me sleep rather than wake me up and stop. Needless to say, he's still paying for that one...