It’s a dark, dreary night on the Palouse — 11 p.m. to be exact. With multiple exams looming on the horizon, my studying has drained me of energy.
I’m long past the hunger pangs, the food cravings and the sense of personal accomplishment that comes with cooking a meal in my own kitchen — not that I get much of that anyway.
Restaurants and fast-food joints are starting to close down. I’ve missed the crucial 9 p.m. window for chicken tenders and a shake from Zip’s. I need more than a standard, utilitarian burger and fries. All hope seems lost.
What if I want it all? I can picture the food, but I don’t know what to do.
Out of nowhere, a voice pops into my head —a beacon of hope shining in the night. I hear one simple word, “Sonic,” and I know I’ll be OK.
Max Rothenburg | Argonaut
Many places keep the menu simple — a burger and fries, chicken meals like sandwiches and nuggets, maybe an onion ring or milkshake thrown in for good measure.
Sonic is a jack-of-all-trades.
If I want a foot-long, chili cheese coney and stains on my nice shirt, I know where I’m headed. If I want mozzarella sticks and the ever elusive pickle O’s, the decision stands. The same can be said for shakes, malts and SONIC Blasts — the list goes on and on.
Sonic isn’t perfect, but this is one example of how this fast-food chain set itself apart.
The service is surprisingly fast and each customer tailors their own experience. If I want to eat in my car where no one can see me, that’s perfectly fine. Plenty of tables are also available outside, presumably for warm, sunny days. Personally, I would still choose the car.
Even for more traditional fast foods, Sonic does a satisfactory job. Burgers and chicken sandwiches have plentiful toppings, and there are a number of available varieties.
And don’t get me started on drinks. While I previously mentioned shakes, Sonic knocks it out of the park with their assortment of frozen drinks, lemonades and “ocean water” — although I still have no idea what that is.
It’s important to keep a level head and not go in expecting a masterclass in cooking. The food is very good but not revolutionary, and I’m sure some might be slightly disappointed with the flavors. Yet, some food just isn’t for everyone.
My only real gripe isn’t even with the food, but it raises an important question. I really just want to see the skating carhops in action, and I haven’t yet had the chance. So, what exactly happens in winter? I suppose I’ll have to keep going to find out.
So next time you overlook dinner, don’t panic. Take a deep breath, and first understand you shouldn’t have skipped it initially. Once that’s out of the way, remember everything will be OK — Sonic is calling.
Max Rothenberg can be reached at [email protected]