Prospects of an East Meadow Sonic Appear Grim

Rumors have been swirling for months about a Sonic Drive-In opening its doors on fast-food-packed Hempstead Turnpike. The company is building a highly anticipated location in North Babylon this spring, but according to several sources, including Sonic Drive-In corporate headquarters, a prospective East Meadow location is not currently being considered.

“At this point in time we do not have anything planned or in the works for East Meadow,” Sonic Representative Becky Rickard said. “We do have the one on Deer Park Avenue in North Babylon. It won’t open until April of this year.”

Sonic Drive-In serves a variety of food that is normally available at fast food joints. The difference, according to many fans, is that they have special add-ons like chili, tater tots and regional items, as well as flavored soft drinks. The main attraction to the restaurant is the “drive-in” factor--carhops bring patrons’ food out to their vehicles, sometimes even on roller skates.

“I want a Sonic in East Meadow because the food looks so good on the commercials,” said Matt Viola, a senior at East Meadow High School. “I heard that it’s delicious.”

Long Island has been subjected to the restaurant’s television commercials for the past several years, despite the fact that the nearest location was in New Jersey. This left locals wondering when, and where, the company would open a location near them.

In July, the Long Island Press published an article stating that Sonic was “scouting” locations in Smithtown, Massapequa and East Meadow. After that story, the buzz started in full force with speculation as to where they would put the drive-in chain in the already densely populated town.

Nassau County’s press office confirmed that the only thing that they had heard about a potential Sonic was from the Long Island Press article and no additional information has surfaced since.

Allegedly, the location that was being considered was at the site of the old Rita’s Italian Ice building on Hempstead Turnpike, near and , possibly because of its large parking area and ample space available.

“Based on the address, the building department hasn’t seen any permits filed for that location,” said Susan Trenkle-Polkasky, Town of Hempstead Press Secretary, in regards to a building permit search run on that address.

While the future of Sonic Drive-In setting up a new location in East Meadow looks dim, residents have mixed feelings about the news.

“I think there are already too many fast food places on Hempstead Turnpike, so it’s unnecessary,” East Meadow resident Matthew Kaufman said. “Some others might like it, but not me. I have been to one in Oklahoma-- it is exactly what you would expect from cheap fast food.”

East Meadow High School student Mikhail Baker, 17, explained that Sonic has a variety of food, which “makes it easy to not get bored of the menu.”

“It would be especially great in the summer with their slushies and desserts,” he said.