Bites Nearby: Sonic Drive-In

It's Spring. The pollen count is high, the snow has (hopefully) stopped dropping and the weather is finally warm enough to enjoy an evening outside. It is the perfect time to indulge a little bit and go to Sonic.

For those who don't know, Sonic is a Oklahoma-based drive-in fast food joint that has slowly crept into the Eastern Pennsylvania region. The 50-year-old fast food chain's name to fame is the unchanged format of its restaurant. Sonic is an old-fashion drive-in. Park your car, order your meal and have it delivered window-side by a rollerskating waitress.

The atmosphere makes for a great eating experience, especially for kids or those who have a craving for nostalgia. Music is blasting from outside your car, the parking lot lit by bright neon, muscle cars always hanging around as if they are getting ready to go race down by the quarry. It's all very 50s movie kitsch, but the consistent theme elevates Sonic from just any old fast-food burger joint to a nostalgic trip.

It also helps that the food at Sonic is usually pretty good. The burger combinations are big, greasy and cheap -- the way you usually want your burgers. Sonic's sides are pure comfort food, heavy on the heart but good for the soul. If you go, you simply mustn't leave without a side of chili-cheese taters.

The downside to Sonic is the price. If you have a large group, the bill could get rather high compared to other comparable fast food restaurants like McDonalds, Burger King or Wendy's. Even so, usually the atmosphere more than makes up for the price.

Sonic Drive-In is located at 147 Levittown Parkway in Levittown and is open 24 hours a day.