Sonic critique

From time to time I hear positive comments about Sonic. Your thoughts please.

There are no sonics in my area, but I've eaten at several on roadtrips. I'm not a ff burger joint fan in the first place, but I vastly prefer Sonic and Backyard Burgers to McDonalds, Wendy's and the like. I think Sonic is a little more innovative than the aforementioned and more variety on the menu. And I loveeeeeeeeeee the Cherry Limeades.......always been my main draw to them. The burgers and such are definitely fast food, but a bit more tasty to me. I don't know how I'd feel though if one was readily availiable.

I can give you my opinion and aftger all an opinion is just that.

Sonic use to be real good and I do not know what happened but they are not the same. I wonder if it is green shades?

Their burgers use to be real good and their grilled cheese use to be real good but it is not anymore. They have gone way downhill in my opinion.

Family use to stop by there after church on Sunday but after the last few meals that were way below subpar, they did not go anymore.

Sorry Sonic but just my opinion.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Way to over rated, over priced, and some of the dumbest commercials.........

The Sonic nearest me is in Ruidoso, NM, about 35 miles away.Haven't stopped in but looks far more appealing than the McDonalds almost next door. Very close by is the Trolley. We're talking road food burgers, so if its burger time, I go there.
What about the menu offerings at Sonic, they seem interesting(flyer in todays newspaper)??

Although they recently opened a Sonic within a few miles of where I live I've not yet made it there. I have, however, eaten at a Sonic about 70 miles south of here a number of times and have found it to be pretty good. I like their extra long chili cheese coney, and I enjoyed their jalapeno burger. I can't get my mind around their tots, however.

On a hot day, a cranberry lime slush can't be beat.

About a year ago, I went through their drive-thru in my area. No onion rings were available. Whether that was just for that day or whatever, I never went back. The staff made no explanation to me as to why the ORs were not available. Whatever. Nothing lost; nothing gained. The End...

I like their iced tea, and the type of ice they use for their drinks.
Cant stand the little shoestring fries.

We pass by the food at Sonic. However the Limeade and Slushes are the best traveling beverages at ANY FF location. As said by someone, The Cherry-Limeade or Cherry Lime Slush is my favorite and Janet loves the Strawberry-Lime Slush. In the "Hiway 44" size(44oz). When purchasing between 2 and 5 pm on a weekday the drinks are half-price. One of those Slushes will last 100 miles even in the New Mexico Desert !! We got one in Texarkana Sunday evening and they still had some flavor at Little Rock (125 miles up the road).

Locally there is a Sonic in Jeffersonville IN that is right next door to a Popeye's Chicken. Now there is a good combination! A 4 piece 'spicy' dinner, then cut thru the Sonic drive-thru for a Slush!! Not a bad combination of sweet and spicy !

Agree, their Limeade's are the best reason to stop, and the kind of ice they use is my favorite kind. Is there a name for that style ice?

quote:

Originally posted by signman

Agree, their Limeade's are the best reason to stop, and the kind of ice they use is my favorite kind. Is there a name for that style ice?

Very good point signman. Their ice is outstanding and there has to be a name or style of that type of ice.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Sonic Ice is called cubelet ice, others just call it pebble ice.

I used to be a big fan of Sonic, but the last few times I have been there, I have been dissatisfied. I know their Chili Cheese Coneys aren't as good. But, I like their Cherry Lime-ades enough to pull in anytime I see a Sonic.

Had Sonic for lunch today. I ordered a #1 Sonic burger w/onions, lettuce, tomato and mayo plus a Rt. 44 Diet Strawberry Limeade. The burger was (and usually is) good. I sip on the Limeade all afternoon at work. I always ask for extra onions and the burger cut in half and this assures me it will be fresh. The limeade has huge slices of strawberries that sink to the bottom.

I use to love their steak sandwiches which they don't serve anymore. I also noticed that they only offer a footlong hotdog and not a regular size. When I order a BLT I ask for the bacon to be real crisp. If I don't then I get limp bacon, and I hate limp bacon.

I used to enjoy Sonic while in the service in the late 70's, actually the one I knew of in Blythville Ark was the hang out spot, when they started opening them around here the past couple of yrs I went a good number of times. Recently Ive found the portions smaller, the burgers and tater tots not upto the same quality. About the only reason I stop now is one of their drinks b4 heading to the beach

Luv those Cherry Slushes!

but now that there's a Sonic less than a mile away, haven't made the trip
there yet!

quote:

Originally posted by rmcielwain


Luv those Cherry Slushes!

but now that there's a Sonic less than a mile away, haven't made the trip
there yet!

I have totally ignored the one that recently opened up in the town where I live, also. I will continue to do so.

It's not that I've totally ignored it....just haven't had any free time open
up to get there and see what the fuss (of a regular Sonic, not the mall location
I was used to) is all about.

Now next time when we get KFC, a short walk over to Sonic will be mandatory
(right next to each other, along with the new Arby's on the other side), since
I'm in a drought when it comes to cherry slushes!

I enjoy Sonic's. I think they are somewhat pricey for what they offer, but the quality is usually good. I had my fair share a few years back as I use to mystery shop and they were one of the places on the list.

The one thing I always have an issue with is tipping the folks who bring out the food. I assume these folks get at least minimum wage and not the wage of servers. I just don't feel obligated to tip someone for doing what is required.

quote:

Originally posted by jajarino68


The one thing I always have an issue with is tipping the folks who bring out the food. I assume these folks get at least minimum wage and not the wage of servers. I just don't feel obligated to tip someone for doing what is required.

I believe you assume incorrectly. They live on tips, the same as any other server in the industry.

Not so Mike. They make minimum wage. The fact that they have roller skates is a bonus. Regardless, why would anyone tip at a FFR?

quote:

Originally posted by Adjudicator

Not so Mike. They make minimum wage. The fact that they have roller skates is a bonus. Regardless, why would anyone tip at a FFR?

I just got of the phone with a friend's daughter, a high school junior, who is working at the new Sonic near me. (One I've yet to get to.) She said she gets $3.89 an hour, plus tips -- and she hasn't been able to use roller skates yet because of the snow and ice.

Who knows.......maybe it varies by state or region or franchise owner. I know I asked one of the waitresses in the Ozark , Arkansas Sonic about wages and tips and her reply was just a tad lower @3.50 about 6 years ago. I admit, I have no problem tipping someone who has to come outside and serve in all kinds of weather, while I sit my hiney in a cushy seat and listen to tunes I like.

quote:

Originally posted by Adjudicator

Regardless, why would anyone tip at a FFR?

This is what I should have stated. It's a confusing issue for me is all.

There are a few items I like on the Sonic menu.

The coconut cream pie shake is good. Loaded with calories, but good. I also like the southwestern grilled chicken salad. It gets me out of the burger rut I fall into from time to time.

Love their ice! A large diet coke helps me make it through the afternoon.

I do tip.

We don't get Sonic in the San Francisco Bay Area, but there are plenty once you get into the Central Valley. Love their Limeade, along with the concept of serving burgers at 7 AM. I wouldn't go out of my way to hit a Sonic, but their burgers aren't bad.

We were on our way to Fresno last July and stopped at a Sonic in one of those little burgs along 99. I must say, it was the crappiest hockey puck I've ever tried to eat.
Never again, not when there are Carl's Jr and Gag in the Bags out there aplenty.

My aunt was a car hop at Sonic in the mid 70's in Dodge City Kansas. I remember getting a "bag" of fries when I ordered them. I think I only paid a dollar for a portion roughly the size of 6 portions of Mc D's regular fries. They were fresh, hot, and made to order. We also had a A&W drive through and I remember getting a frosted mug of root beer instead of a plastic or paper cup. By far the best root beer I ever had! They used to pour the syrup themselves so sometimes it had a little extra or a little less but it was always refreshing and good. We didn't have a lot of money growing up so anytime we got to go out it was a treat.

David O.

Boyardee65,
We didn't have a lot of money either. Sometimes not two nickels to rub together. But on the other hand we were rich!