Chicago Weekend Fun!

The first (Aurora) Sonic Drive In burger restaurant in the Chicago area is set to open in today August 19th. The address is 2974 Kirk Rd. in Aurora, IL 60502. Right by Fermi Lab. I wonder what impact Sonic Burgers will have on particle colliders and atomic research in the future?

I have never been to a Sonic because of their out-of-Chicago locations but anything that gives us more commercial opportunities to see TJ Jagodowski on TV can’t be all that bad. Sonic Burgers are known for being yummy, creative and fast food (like all ther burgers). So, what makes the Sonic Drive Ins so popular in the rest of the country? (besides TJ the Chicago improv comedy god?) Well for one thing they have a shake called the Fried Ice Cream Blast. In a city known for it’s deep dish pizza, hot dogs and love of all things fried, Chicago will love that one.

Or maybe you will come to love Sonic for their angus bacon cheeseburgers, the super sonic breakfast toaster or your ultimate drinkstop that allows you to combine as many different carbonated pop flavors, syrups and other add-ins to make custom drink combinations. Sonic also has “Coneys” which are basically hot dogs with chili on them. Chili-Dogs? Chilli Cheese Dogs? I hear it’s a Ohio thing.

Anyway, Sonic Burgers and Drive In will bring some needed excitement and creativity to the fast food and greasy spoon restaurant category in Illinois. And of course being human we want anything we have never tried before a few times before we get tired of it. I think Sonic will do a tremendous business at first but I wonder if they will be able to sustain that high level beyond 6 months or a year?

I remember Culver’s being a huge deal and now the parking lot looks empty every time I go by. (seriously who eats something called a butter-burger with custard? doesn’t that spell instant heart attack?) And we all know how McDonalds has had to completely re-brand after that whole Super Size me debacle a few years ago. They are just getting people to forget about how unhealthy their unbelievably cheap food is three years later.

So will I visit the Sonic in Aurora? Yes. I want to try it just like anyone else. But fast food is not a staple in my diet so it probably won’t be a habit for me. But I will enjoy the TV commercials. For more info visit their site at sonicdrivein.com/offers/index.jsp