Review: Sonic in Southgate, Michigan

For a few years now, I've seen Sonic restaurant commercials here in Michigan, but never knew where one was. The first Sonic restaurant to come to Michigan is the Sonic in Southgate on Fort Street. Although I don't live in that area, I knew someone who did who was willing to take me.

When I first saw the Sonic restaurant, I was fairly impressed by its old-school style. It had carports around it where you park and order your food. They also had a drive-through, as well as an outdoor eatery.

My first trip to Sonic, my eyes goggled at the enormous menu. There was so much to choose from, so many combinations you could possibly have...and that was just the breakfast menu at Sonic. For example, in any combo at Sonic you have your choice of fries, onion rings, mozzarella sticks or tater tots. Not only do they have a very wide variety of drink choices, from regulars like soft drinks and coffee, they also have smoothies, slushies (in every fruit flavor you can imagine), shakes, limeades and floats.

The employees at Sonic are more than happy to mix different soda or smoothie flavors together. And I do mean happy. Every employee I have encountered in my multiple trips to the Southgate Sonic restaurant has been pleasant, friendly, and very capable. In fact, my order has not been messed up even one time thus far. Southgate Sonic employees happily carry your order out to your car on roller skates. For the service I always receive there, I always give a generous tip.

At Sonic, the menu is extensive. The restaurant serves the staples like burgers and chicken, but they also serve an expansive breakfast, desert and drink menu. In fact, most dine-in restaurants don't have a desert menu as large. Sonic serves wraps (like their chicken strip wrap, grilled chicken wrap or FRITOS® Chili Cheese Wrap). They have three different salads to choose, all in good portions. Chili, Coney dogs, sundaes and banana splits are just some of the treats they have that you wouldn't expect to find in a fast food restaurant.

Before ordering at Sonic, I would make a mental note that the portions at Sonic are not like that of your typical fast food restaurant. At Sonic, you are given much more food, but at fast food prices. Take their Breakfast Toaster sandwiches, for example. Sonic serves large, thick Texas-style toast over eggs, sausage, and lots of cheese. You also have your choice of sausage, bacon, or ham for your meat. Its absolutely delicious, especially when combined with hashbrowns shaped as tater tots. Their Chicken Club Toaster sandwich is about three to four inches thick and they don't give you small chicken portions at Sonic either.

The most remarkable thing about Sonic is that the combination possibilities are endless. I don't imagine they get too many orders that are exactly the same due to this. You'd think that that would slow the employees of Sonic down, but in fact, they are just as quick as a typical fast food restaurant. Southgate Sonic is more than happy to give you exactly what you want for a very reasonable and affordable price.

Since I don't live near the Sonic in Southgate, I relish every opportunity I have to go there when I am in the area. I have heard tell that a Sonic restaurant is planned in Clinton Township, MI, on Hall Road. Until then, I'm willing to make the trip now and then, because the food and the service is just that good. Bottom line: Sonic serves dine-in restaurant quality food at fast food speed and prices.