Second Helpings

Sonic

Various locations/various hours
In small towns across America, cruising around the Sonic drive-in is a Friday night rite for the youngsters. Sonic's urban locations aren't exactly hotbeds of action, but you can enjoy oldies radio through tinny loudspeakers as modern-day carhops bedazzle you with fast food's finest array of fountain drinks, minus the roller skates. The shakes and malts taste almost hand-dipped, and a Route 44-sized limeade is just the ticket for caffeine-free thirst quenching. Foodwise, Sonic's foot-long chili cheese dog (onions on request) with a side of piping-hot tater tots is always a good bet.