Sonic Drive-In

I typically like sonic, but — this has to be their worst property EVER!
I stopped for a quick «late lunch» last Friday, at about 2:00. With the heat at about 110 outside, no one was eating at the drive-​in… and they were either at the drive-​thru or eating inside. I went inside for as long as I could take it, as the air conditioning was set at a level so high, that I was sweating and uncomfortable, while I was trying to eat.
I was just starting to look at the menu board and the male server told me that I needed to order then or he had other things to do – I told him that I would need a minute, so he left. When I was ready to order, he was just standing around talking, and it took what seemed like forever to get him back, even after I had his attention. I ordered a chili dog, onion rings, and a chocolate shake. I was told I would need to order a chili dog with cheese… and I told him that I didn’t need to order cheese to get a chili dog. I asked for honey mustard or another sauce for the onion rings… and I was told that they only offer catsup.
The food arrived and the hot dog was good, the shake was tolerable, and the onion rings were among the worst I have ever tasted. I know that Sonic claims that they change the oil every day… but this was way too early in the day to have this much nasty aftertaste, to include all fried products that are offered by Sonic. I finally took the remainder of my food home with me.
I would recommend to others that they buy drinks here in the evening, when the prices are discounted; however, I will never return to this location.

Every time when I come here to eat a Sonic blast. They always get the wrong order. Two years ago, I would always order the caramel & brownie master blast, they would always forget the caramel. Then in the same year, I ordered the triple chocolate master blast, guess what, they forget the brownies. Why do they always forget things? Never coming back again.

I’m in out of town this place need to learn how to make hamburger I got a burned hamburger never again

Called corporate yesterday. This place is in dying need of new management and upkeeping! As soon as we walked in, it smelled terrible. The whole place smelled terrible. The floors were dirty, as if they have been mopped with a dirty mop. The walls are stained and dirty. The wall «art» was peeling off. The display menu signs aren’t even lighted. The ice cream machine was out because the manager had not ordered in time (an employee said). In the 45 minutes we were there at least 5 customers came in asking for sundaes, ice cream, etc. The restroom did not have soap (women’s). We ordered anyway, and the food was terrible. The food tasted like pure oil and the lettuce was old and limp. Not your regular fresh crisp lettuce. I did not see a grade sign posted up anywhere near the register (you would see a grade letter, such as «A» for excellent cleanliness). The only thing that was good from our experience was the Cherry Limeaid. As a long time customer I was very dissatisfied and disappointed in the quality of Sonic nowadays. It is definitely not what it used to be several years ago.

The food here is terrible. I have yet to find anything edible I like. I only come for the drink specials. When I’m craving a large cherry limeade for cheap I come here.

Update the signs with current prices. Stop overcharging people. Thanks for being nice to the homeless man outside your restaurant. I’m giving you stars for that.

Never again!!! Sonic in El Centro sucks. The food was cold. The tater tots were frozen, how the hell is that even possible.

Place smelt horrible and it was filthy! The company does a wonderful job of marketing itself however, the restaurant does not live up the the hype. I will not be going back.

Anyone rating this over 2 stars must be an employee or something. Absolutely the worst sonic I have ever seen. Ate inside and had to stare at a pile of trash the entire time while the employees sat at a table in the back drinking sodas. Everything is filthy here. I mean ceiling tiles are cheap at home Depot people. Will never come back.

CONSUMERS BEWARE! Two coworkers of mine went through the drive-​thru and ordered up their food. A couple of hours later they both ended up in the hospital due to poisoning. Unable to prove if it was just food poisoning or if there was mal intent involved. Regardless, read the other reviews and piece it all together… this place is dirty and gives TONS of people a bad stomach at the very least.

DAUGHTER AND NEIGHBOR BOTH GOT FOOD POISONING LAST WEEK!!!
I am not deleting my original post. It stays… but I am definitely updating it… Original post was made on 12.30.13, late at night. This post is about 12 hours later, morning, on 12.31.13.
UPDATE TO POST — 12.31.13
I received a call this morning from what probably was Corporate Sonic, out of San Diego. Alicia. Very respectful, nice woman. The call started with a sincere apology for being ignored by the manager of the Sonic in El Centro. It was then explained that he was ill for 4 days with this West Coast bug going around. That didn’t fly with me, someone should have returned my call. When it was determined that she this occurred 10 days ago, another apology and yes, Alicia agreed, I definitely should have received a call.
Long and short of it… we spoke about 20 minutes. She listened to me rant and rave and be a mother. I learned that Sonic, to include this particular Sonic, changes oil in their fryers daily. So I give them this… sometimes it happens. And that was not the reason I was so angry. Yes, it’s food service… sometimes in spite of all our efforts, people do become ill. My anger stemmed from being ignored. Which… Alicia took care of very well.
The effort that was immediately put into making this right has changed my feelings to the point that yes, I will return to Sonic in El Centro. And I’m even raising my original 1 star up to 4. I am indeed a fan of Sonic.
Alicia…you turned me back to the good side.
Thank you for taking the time and making the effort to contact me make it right. I am looking forward to receiving that all-​important call from my daughter telling me that Sonic called her and apologized. THAT is what is most important.
Thanks!
ORIGINAL POST –12.30.13
I am so upset over this. My husband took my daughter to Sonic… wonderful Sonic… we love Sonic. She got her beloved popcorn chicken. A few hours later this little 12 yr old was face first in the porcelain throne. I am almost 1,000 miles away and I sat here on the phone with her while she went through the many phases of food poisoning. At around 2:00am, she announced…“Mommy, I think it’s over. I need a hug.“
During the course of my sitting on the phone with her, I learned a neighbor up the street had dropped by and said she could only stay a few minutes because she ate at Sonic and had food poisoning… had to rush back home.
The next day I phoned and spoke with the Asst Mgr. She was so apologetic and understanding. Oh yes, she would tell «Mr. Valencia» first thing the next day when he got in. Oh yes, he would call and make it good. That was a flippin week ago and NOTHING. I’m sure the health department will do something about it. Not sure Corporate gives a darn, but social media. it’s a very good thing.
I hope this place is shut down. What an insult to even call it a restaurant. If they both got food poisoning, the place is filthy!
STAY AWAY FROM SONIC IN EL CENTRO, CALIFORNIA… unless you enjoy pukin your guts out.
Nasty place. Just nasty.

Stay away from this place. I had the displeasure to talk to Gabriel Valencia, who represented he owned the place. Once I checked in, Unilocal showed a coupon on my phone for a free lime-​aide … happy days. Gabriel Valencia treated me like I was a criminal, declaring there could be no offer that he was not aware of. He refused any effort to verify the offer and had no interest in seeking a resolution. Unilocal,Sonic, my opinion of you has declined.

Was extremely dirty, restaurant smelled horrible. Service was decent. I recommend only going here for drinks. I would not recommend eating here in fear of contracting a food borne illness due to the lack of cleanliness.

I love this place, especially since at the moment I’m addicted to Coke Zero and they have it in that huge Route 44 tub of goodness. The bacon cheeseburger is my favorite, I also love their strawberry limeaids. My only complaint is always the long lines, but I guess they can’t help it right?

Always loved coming here for a late night drink. Always nice and respectful. Loved it.

I get a tummy ache every time I eat at Sonic, but I keep coming back for the drinks. When I visit Sonic I’m usually on the road for work in some hot, dry place and cherry limeade or a watermelon slushee can make my day.

This place isn’t bad, plenty of parking and they will bring the food out to your car. If you like shakes and different drink combos then this place is for you.
Not much else to say about this place, Just another fast food joint.

Wtf is the big deal about Sonic? Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing but on a drive from San Diego to Phoenix, my bf and I decided to stop here b/​c we’d seen commercials for this place (although there weren’t any local ones) and we knew of some San Diegans who drove from SD to El Centro for some good olé Sonic.
«Good,» you say? How about hardly…
The food was mediocre at best. My «fresh banana» had some brown spots on it (FRESH, SONIC??? FRESH???). I’ve had better breakfast burritos at taco shops that were literally one block from where I live but I did like their blueberry slushie.
It also took forever for the cashier to take our order. He was mopping the seating area outside so of course, that was understandable but understaffed anyone???

After a fun filled road trip to Arizona, I found myself back at the El Centro Sonic Drive-​In across the street from one of the worst Walmarts known to man. I had to stop here to receive my free tater tots (I had a coupon ’cause it was my birthday.) The four of us got tons of food for only 28 bucks and they still bring out your food in roller skates. A couple of minor disappointments, but no harsh feelings Sonic:
1) The light in the ladies room is almost burnt out. I had to do my business in near darkness.
2) You forgot my husband’s coney, but we did order a lot of food and I think your computer had a glitch or something because a lot of other people’s orders that came after us were either delayed or missing.

Driving through the Desert going to eat me a lot peaches. moving throught the desert and going to eat me a lot of… peaches? OH no, thats the Presidents of the United States, and they are driving down the country not desert.
Well we drove down to the desert and stopped by a Sonics Burger Stand!
It was the Twins Mosh and Lace. How FUN! We pulled in with the beast. and parked. As we all walked in to use the facilities there was a mob of young explorer border patrols. Holy Cow. Thats a whole lotta kids… We sit out side and order our food.
A few mistakes were made but still worth the low prices that was there. 2 meals and an oreo shake for under 10 bucks. the meal was good. Burger tots and a dr. pepper. basic just like i remember when i was a child.
i recommend the road trip! its worth the hour drive sometimes.