Results tagged “Sonic”

Totowa: 156 NJ-17, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
Hasbrouck Heights: 244 US-46, Totowa, NJ

Yesterday I reported on Totowa's Sonic opening, the second New York City Area Sonic to open after the recent opening of their Hasbrouck Heights location.

Today, Second Helpings reports that the newest location, while having the same number of drive-in berths (20), will let you wait your turn. This represents a vast improvement over the Hasbrouck Heights location, where I had to park three lots away and walk to Sonic's pickup window on the shoulder of Route 17, and where some other customers "crossed railroad tracks and navigated a path of boulders stretching across a creek and bordered by barbed wire fencing".

North New Jersey Sonic-mania will probably die down by August, after which the new Sonics will probably be able to handle their demand. But for now it's good to know that if you want to have the true Sonic experience (drive-in), you can wait in Totowa in peace instead of driving endlessly in loops until a police officer lets you in in Hasbrouck Heights. 

Location Reviewed: 156 NJ-17, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
2nd Location: 244 US-46, Totowa, NJ

This past Saturday I had lunch at the first New York City Area Sonic in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, which had opened the previous Sunday. Traffic at this location has been beyond describable, so today's news (via Sonic's official Twitter) that a second location opened today in Totowa, a mere 13-mile drive away, should bring some much-needed relief.

I arrived at the Hasbrouck Heights Sonic with a friend of mine at around 3pm Saturday, looking to have a combination breakfast/lunch/dinner. As I anticipated, the lot was full and police offers were waving potential customers away. I did see the occasional car enter, so we tried twice to enter the lot, which due to the nature of the divided parkway-style road took about ten minutes.

Eventually we ditched the car three lots down at the intersection of Malcom Avenue and the NJ Transit rail crossing. From there we walked back about 50 yards to the Sonic and used the "walk up" option, which still requires you to talk to a menu board, just like as if you were in the drive-in or the drive-through. It took about 15 minutes until it was our turn to order, as we weren't the only ones who had used the "ditch and walk" method.

I ordered a Ex-Long Chili Cheese Coney, a Chicken Club Toaster Sandwich, large fries, and a large (32oz) limeaid. The limeaid (as most other fruity drinks) was 50 percent off for "happy hour," which runs from 2pm to 4pm every day. Don't even think about nutritional value when visiting Sonic. While there are some healthy-branded options, this chain is focused on the "eat your heart out" food consumption practices of yesteryear. I later estimated that this meal (once again, the only of my day) clocked in at around 1,800 calories. Since Sonic has hundreds of fruity drink combinations, it's almost a sin not to order one and instead go with a Diet Coke to save calories.

As can be expected with that caloric value, the meal was rather delightful. The Ex-Long Chili Cheese Coney was huge and very tasty. The Chicken Club Toaster was pretty good as well, but nothing too special. The fries were great as well. Hopefully my opinion hasn't been swayed too much by the storyline leading up to this meal (first meal of the day, getting there, waiting in line, etc.).

I hope to return sometime next month, when hopefully the crowds have died down somewhat, to have the true Sonic drive-in experience.

Photo Credit: Alipyon. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 Generic Licence.

The first NYC Area Sonic opened this past Sunday in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, and people apparently "crossed railroad tracks and navigated a path of boulders stretching across a creek and bordered by barbed wire fencing" to get there. (NorthJersey.com Article)

Here's a quick drive by of the madness I found on YouTube: