For years we were teased by those witty commercials of smart alecks casually bantering in their cars, snacking on tater tots and banana splits, knowing there wasn't a Sonic within 150 miles. Finally, Chicagoland's patience has paid off – a Sonic in the middle of suburbia!

For those unfamiliar with the popular Oklahoma City-based chain, Sonic Drive-In recreates that "American Graffiti" drive-in experience, except with a futuristic retro appearance.

Once you're parked and unbuckled, make sure the whole family can squirm around the mini-van to see the menu, because it's a doozy: burgers, chili dogs, corn dogs, cheese curds, onion rings, and virtually everything under $4. It's like a county fair in your car!

Finish your meal with one of the drive-in's classic "slushes," in cherry, grape, watermelon, etc., or with a banana cream pie shake. Sonic's "ultimate drink stop" claim is well deserved, with add-ons like cherry, vanilla, coconut, lime, and pineapple, among others. With something like 680,000 different possibilities, you could enjoy a different drink at Sonic every day until about the end of time.

One word of caution: If you hate the toils of suburbia, best to avoid Sonic on a weekend or holiday, or quite possibly altogether. For one, this particular Sonic is located in the midst of a Wal-Mart parking lot, and when this reviewer visited, there was a line zigzagging all over that parking lot of cars waiting just to get into the drive-in; a constant group of onlookers gawked at the scene, apparently having nothing better to do than watch Sonic workers bring out slushes.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: Andy Seifert