Abigail Hess.
Sonic Adventurer.

Check back here for posts about Abigal's visits to America's Drive-In.

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The Lincoln Motel and Sonic

Chandler, OK (September 27, 2011) - If you’ve ever driven the distance between Oklahoma City and Tulsa you’ve probably seen the exit signs indicating the small town of Chandler, OK. Until recently those signs didn’t mean much to me; I’d see them on my way to visit my parents in Edmond, think of Chandler Bing from “Friends,” fixate on how Matthew Perry has seemingly fallen off the radar since the show ended, and then find myself past the Chandler exit and on a completely different train of thought.

But I now know Chandler is more than just a slapstick character from a syndicated sitcom; Chandler is a quiet and charming community. And in the middle of that community there’s a Sonic.

My close friend and Chandler-resident, Kendall Ellexson, says it best, “Sonic really is at the heart of Chandler in many ways. For several years it was the only fast-food hamburger place in Chandler. Like most small towns there is always one place everyone goes after football games or band concerts and, that’s Sonic!”

My experience at the Chandler Sonic fell right into place with Ellexson’s description; even though I placed my order of a Diet Coke (with Sonic’s famous ice) and Jalepeno Strips at 2:00 in the afternoon, the place was surprisingly busy. A local cop, a man in business attire, and a busy mom all pulled up beside me during my brief stop; it truly seemed as if all walks of Chandler life filtered in and out of Sonic’s driveway.

That’s not to say Chandler residents don’t have options. In fact, Chandler’s main drag (it seemed like the main drag to me) features a number of chain and non-chain eating establishments including the aforementioned Sonic driv-in. It’s just that Sonic’s business rarely slows down, and Chandlerites seem to know that they’ll always be satisfied by a trip to America’s Favorite Drive-In.

The Chandler Sonic’s location itself is even somewhat unique; it stands proud next to the iconic Lincoln Motel, which I briefly visited after finishing off my Jalepeno strips. The motel is famous for it’s vintage sign and prime location along Route 66…and perhaps now because there’s a Sonic just a stone’s throw away. There’s also a sno-cone stand wedged between Sonic and the Lincoln Motel, but during my visit it remained vacant (and I can’t imagine it does much business even when its open, considering Sonic’s slushies are some of the best in the land).

Yes, Chandler is not just a somewhat comical character from Friends. It’s a quaint and charming little town, and it’s home to my (and America’s) favorite drive-in. So the next time you find yourself approaching the Chandler exit, give it a second glance. Because in addition to a friendly community and a bustling main drag, your favorite Sonic treat awaits you.
A Rockin’ Roller Coaster Sonic

 

Oklahoma City (July 11, 2011) - The Sonic at I-35 and NE 122nd is like most Sonics; inviting atmosphere, smiling carhops, and fast, good food. (Or is it good food fast?) But there’s one unique thing about this Sonic that sets it apart from all the rest.

Nestled atop a rolling hill, this Sonic overlooks Oklahoma’s most famous (only for all I know) thrill-ride theme park, Frontier City. And that means it has a slightly different role to play for its customers. Not only does this Sonic seek to quench the thirsts and appetites of the everyday Sonic-lover; it also acts as a watering hole for adventurers after a long day of testing their fates.

I visited this Sonic on a recent weekday afternoon, at which time Frontier City sat quiet and docile. The customers around me weren’t daredevils or thrill-seekers, and the atmosphere at America’s Favorite Drive-In was calm and subdued. But I can tell you from past experiences that things are quite a bit different when the park opens its towering gates.

Growing up, I visited Frontier City as often as I could when school finally let out and the weeks of summertime freedom arrived. And no matter how tired my fellow adventurers and I were after hours spent on the Silver Bullet, we always, always had to go to Sonic afterward. There’s just nothing more satisfying than a bubbling Sonic beverage and piping hot tater-tots following a day of screaming and laughing and pretending to be invincible.

I’m not the only one who felt this way. Every time I made a post-Frontier City Sonic run, the joint was jumping. Carhops were buzzing all around, delivering Route 44s to car-loads of people who had just left the park. I remember a certain sense of camaraderie on the trips to this Sonic in particular; it was as if all of the customers felt a little more alive after surviving one more jaunt to Frontier City, and the fact that all of us knew to end our day at this little hidden treasure called Sonic made us feel uniquely bonded to one another.


So, if you’re seeking a thrill and a tasty beverage to boot, look no further than the “Frontier City” Sonic and the nearby skyscraping coasters. And even if you’re not looking to turn your stomach into knots, this is a Sonic you can’t afford to miss; it’s a great stopping point for those traveling the states via I-35 or I-44 , and who knows…maybe the electricity of the park-goers around you will show you a daredevil side you never knew you had.