Sonic Drive-In — Restaurant in Key West

My fist experience to the new Sonics, a well anticipated and very much talked about, among the locals here in Key West (and my first time to a Sonics anywhere)

It was an unplanned stop, but I wanted to experience the new reaturant on N Roosevelt Blvd (US 1) here on this small Island.

I never been to one before, I biked in wanting to give it a try. Pulled out my phone in the parking lot and Google Sonics menu. First thing on the Sonic website was a Special for 1.00 All American and also for the Chili Cheese hotdog for today on September 19th only & all day!  The pictures looked so appealing and I knew I had to try these now!

How could I loose 2.00 for two items to try, what a great experience this will be, I thought to myself.

I parked in the only bike /moped/ motorcycle place at the joint and it was all the way, and the furthest away from the tables for the outdoor seating area they had, and at that they only four small spots that I could see. They did have a menu board but it was being used for a customer and for some time. OK, maybe that have a window or small inside order area, went up to see and I was told no.

Not a big deal, I will go back and wait to order & knowing that my food was to be delivered at the end of the lot far away from the seating area, I decided I would just sit on the concrete sidewalk.

I ordered, and had to figure out its not a touch screen, I finely seen a red button to push to order. Ok, it's not technically fluent I had exected, but a voice was willing to take my order, and I did so.

I verified the specials for the dogs, All American and chili cheese 1.00 each & I know that was going to be first experience with Sonics food. I asked for catsup mayo and mustard, was asked on the side and I replied yes on the side is good and for a cup of water. The menu board showed 3 options cash, credit or debit. I hit debit, it was 2.67. The nice lady from the speaker at the board never responded back. 2.67 not 2.17, OK not a deal breaker but wondered what the condoment's did cost at this joint!

So I sat on the concrete sidewalk waiting for my order to arrive. I let the nice woman next to me know about the special today they had for the 1.00 All American and the chili cheese hotdogs. She seemed hooked as I was, but her man us quite at terms as they didn't get their order correct and had issues that seemed unresolveable to fix it, he got the wrong orger again. He expressed frustration while not wanting anything to do with any 1.00 All American hot dog as this was his fourth experience of receiving the wrong order at this recently opened joint down here on this small island already.

I sat on the concrete patiently waiting thinking that I would likely grab a few chili cheese dogs on my return trip back to have and saver later for a midnight snack.

There was some confusions about this guys order, but I patiently waited & after som time I heard a nice voice mention my name with a tray with a cup and a bag on it. I smiled and waved to her, thats me. She said that would be 2.67. I said I paid at the order board. She said cash only. I said I put my debit card in at the order board. At this time I was sure, and expected her to say, sorry it's down at the moment but instead opened her hand and said tips are cash here with her open hand and waited for me. I felt a bit ackward not knowing routine here and with the menu board should have given the option as I would have, but didn't know the procedure here. I paid with debit and never been to a place that didn't allow you to give the tip when paying. She held out her hand unpatently looking at me and if she was smiling I couldn't tell as I was on the spot looking deep into my wallet.

Alass, that ackward moment was over and I had a bag hoping to contrain two hot & juicy Sonic dogs and some water to wash it down. I peered in to the bag, then reached in to pull out... yes a hot dog with some onion and relish and a chili dog with cheese on it and two condiment packets of catsup, mustard and mayo each. I was happy!

(TO BE CONTINUED) -...

Ok, so I have waited until the initial grand opening rush has subsided to try the newest corporation to invade KW just to see if their corp. model works any better than the rest....bwahahahahaha! Not one car in front of me on a friday night at 11:30 place my order, upon completion am given a smirky comment of "have a super-sonic day!" not really knowing the attitude of a Sonic, I drove around thinking that this is normal protocol. I find the staff cackling laughing at an otherwise pedestrian joke and am told "oh, didn't expect you to the window so quickly" 10 minutes later, I am given my Dr. Pepper with yet another not so clever remark of " a Dr. Pepper for a docta" five minutes later, " it's coming, but can I see your receipt?" To this I reply, "no because you never gave me one nor my change" Having had a great day & politely annoyed, I am handed a bag of food which was not what I ordered, was asked to wait for my $0.42 in change, and sarcastically called sir by the 12 year old running the drive through...I said "keep the change, but maybe remember next time" and drove away. Moral of the story, this local will not be back, every other local that asks me will be told this story, and to the franchisee, I say good luck with your staffing and carve out plenty of time for complaints from tourists & locals...

Want to start out by saying I love sonic. BUT this sonic Is brand new to this area. This sonic I have been to 4 times in the last 2 months. Of those 4 visits they have got my order wrong twice Leaving out itemsThat should have been provided with a combo meal. I am sure this saves them money. Tonight's Order was the last Straw. Ordered a combo Meal. Got a Sandwich and a drink And nothing else But was charged for each individual item totaling $8.15. When I asked about Where the tater tots were and why I was charged individually for the items instead of as a combo I was told it was my fault for not ordering the combo. I then asked Sense I did ask for the combo if it could be fixed on my Bill. And was told I could get the rest of a combo if I was willing to pay for it.

I will try back in a year or 2 if you're still in business. This is a small community which is what sonic has always been good at. They should know that if you alienate yourself in a small community You will not survive as a business.

The hamburger bun was like eating leather very tough bun. The Hamburger was extremely small. Smaller than any Burger I have ever got from Sonic.

Extremely...