A Year Later, Sonic Is Long Island's Drive-In

Sonic celebrated its on Wednesday and new customers from all over Long Island are still traveling to North Babylon to experience 'America's Drive-In.'

When Sonic first opened on April 25, 2011, cars backed up the southbound lanes of Deer Park Avenue as customers waited in line for up to three hours to grab a bite of a burger or shake from a roller-skating employee.

Customers rarely have to wait in line very long anymore, but being the only Sonic location in New York State, has turned the fast-food joint into a Long Island novelty. Before the restaurant opened last year, Long Islanders had to travel as far as North Bergen, NJ to get a Sonic fix.

Julie Kare drove out from Freeport with a friend on Wednesday during the restaurant's one-year anniversary to have her first bite of a Sonic burger. 

"I'm very excited. It's my first time here," she said while ordering a bacon cheeseburger at the drive-in. The verdict? "Definitely worth the drive out here."

Bob Harman also had his first taste of a Sonic meal on Wednesday, a treat one-year in the making. "I came here a year ago and the line was so long, you couldn't get near the place. The food comes quick," he said as a server on roller skates handed him his order.

While Sonic is still new for most Long Islanders, local families continue to enjoy the friendly hot spot. 

Abe Kaplan took his twin daughters Lilly and Addison, 4, for lunch before school during the anniversary. As the girls scarfed down Sonic’s popular tater tots, their dad said his daughters’ favorite thing about the restaurant is setting up their truck at the drive through on weekends for a family dinner. “On a Saturday night, this is the place to be.”

So far, the biggest hit on the menu has been the No. 2 Super Sonic Double Cheeseburger. However, popcorn chicken is a close runner-up and will become part of the full-time menu in about week due to its popularity. 

“It’s been an exceptional year,” owner Bob Fanelli said. “It’s been great the way we’ve been accepted into the community.”