What a time to be alive! Fast-food giant Sonic has opened yet another outpost in its slow but steady takeover of New York City, making suburban nostalgia (and an unsatisfied yearning for a cherry limeade) increasingly a thing of the past.
The chain’s sixth location is now open in the Bronx, joining those in East Harlem, Crown Heights, Williamsburg, East New York and Long Island City as the burger and slush empire expands across the five boroughs.
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Unlike the classic suburban drive-ins Sonic is known for, the Bronx location is tailored for city life, offering counter service, indoor dining and third-party delivery rather than carhop service or a drive-through. For now, the restaurant is open 10am–10pm, with plans to expand into breakfast and late-night hours. (They’re also still hiring for select positions.)
As expected, the menu sticks to the over-the-top combinations that have helped Sonic build a nationwide cult following. Customers can expect hand-smashed burgers, footlong hot dogs, loaded tots, shakes and the chain’s famously customizable drinks and slushes, which the company claims can be mixed into more than 10,000 combinations.
Sonic first arrived in New York City with a Staten Island drive-in concept, but the brand’s newer city-format restaurants reflect how chains are adapting to urban neighborhoods where most customers arrive on foot instead of by car.
The company is also using the Bronx opening to spotlight its education initiative, Limeades for Learning, which donates a portion of proceeds from drinks, slushes and shakes to support public schools through the Sonic Foundation.
For Bronx residents craving cherry limeades, mozzarella sticks and a blast of road-trip nostalgia, Sonic’s latest opening promises to be a repeat summer destination. After all, what better way to spend a summer afternoon than with a purple Sprite and an adult grilled cheese? And hopefully with a side of the iconic tater tots.
Sonic Drive-In is located at 3260 Boston Road in the East Bronx. It is open daily from 10am to 10pm.