Sonic Drive-In is an American icon in many states. Offering a wide array of burgers, sandwiches, fries, shakes and many other menu items, the restaurant giant is one of epic proportions, having approximately 3,300 locations throughout the United States. Hungry patrons have been flocking to Sonic since 1953. The first location opened in Oklahoma.
That being said, Sonic Drive-In is a diet death trap. Even the best choices on the menu are still loaded with fat and calories- though less than their offending counterparts.
Worst Choices
1. Super Sonic Cheeseburger
This massive sandwich compares well to Burger King’s Whopper. A huge beef patty served on a bun the size of Texas, topped with cheese, mayo, mustard, ketchup, pickles, onions, tomatoes, lettuce and 980 calories, with a side of 64 grams of fat. Yikes!
A plethora of chicken and bacon makes restaurant-goers mouths water, but it also makes their arteries clog. With 740 calories and 46 grams of fat, the often more healthy choice of chicken instead of beef might as well be a big, greasy burger.
3. Chicken Strips Dinner
Breaded and fried chicken tenderloins, dipping sauce, fries and slaw are sure to sound enticing to anyone, but at 930 calories and 43 grams of fat, you’d better make this your only meal of the day.
4. Fritos Chili Pie
The name alone sounds horrific, but the numbers- 940 calories and 64 grams of fat- will surely make your skin crawl. Another reason why Sonic is a dieter’s (and a heart’s) worst nightmare.
Of course we know the bad nature of burgers, but sometimes they give us even more than we bargain for. With 780 calories and 48 grams of fat, this burger gives you a little something extra- a bad case of love handles.
You know the burgers are bad, and even to the uneducated eye, onion rings are never going to appear as health food. The amazing part about these rings, however, is how they have as many calories- 720 calories- and as much fat- 41 grams- as your favorite burger. Kind of makes the concept of a combo meal a bit less appealing.
Best Choices
1. Junior Hamburger
Obviously, the word ‘junior’ might be a good clue that this sandwich contains less food, and therefore less calories and fat, than a regular burger. Still a normal sized fast food burger, this is one of the best menu choices available, coming in at just 310 calories and 15 grams of fat.
Ordering a corn dog at a restaurant if you’re over the age of ten isn’t particularly common, but at Sonic, your options are a tad limited. And with just 210 calories and 11 grams of fat, it’s a whole lot healthier than many of the other items you can order.
3. Sonic Burrito
Beans and beef make this burrito both filling and satisfying, and it won’t kill your diet completely. With 370 calories and 18 grams of fat, this isn’t exactly health food, but compared to a thousand calorie burger, it’s a decent choice.
Next to a side salad, the regular size tater-tots are a good choice, with 220 calories and 14 grams of fat. In fact, order it with a corn dog and your whole combo is just 430 calories and 25 grams of fat, if you order a diet soda-which isn’t terrible for fast food that really is, well, fast food.
A smaller version of the Big Mac, this burger is delicious and juicy. It is, by far, NOT a healthy choice, but with half the fat and calories of its big brother the Sonic Thousand Island Burger, it’s a much better choice. With 430 calories and 27 grams of fat, it’s certainly not something you’d make a staple of- but once in awhile, if you don’t make it a combo, it won’t completely ruin your diet efforts.
Typically, I don’t add salads to these lists, but this one is so delicious I couldn’t not add it! A juicy grilled chicken breast simmered in spices atop a bed of green lettuce, cheese, tomatoes and tortilla bits, topped with a spicy southwestern ranch dressing. And with 430 calories and 20 grams of fat, it makes a great meal!
