Sonic Drive-In Could Be Coming to Uptown

By Samantha Abernethy in Food on Aug 23, 2011 7:20PM

Ald. James Cappleman (46th ward) spoke with Chicagoist today about the plans developing for Sonic Drive-In to move into the Uptown neighborhood within the next year. Cappleman said representatives from Sonic approached him about moving into the neighborhood and spoke with community groups yesterday. "They want to see a location and everything decided by spring of 2012," said Cappleman. Neighborhood blog Uptown Update wrote about the community meetings today:

The main concern from neighbors seems to be safety and the people from Sonic Corporate said there would be a security guard on site and the security cameras could be tied into the Chicago Police camera system. They seem willing to adjust the layout to address any loitering or crime concerns.

This would be the first Sonic Drive-In in the city. There are a few in the suburbs, including Franklin Park, Lake Zurich, Palatine and Streamwood.

The two potential locations include the northeast corner of Kenmore and Wilson, which is currently a parking lot just east of the McDonald's, and at the corner of Sheridan and Wilson, the location of the shuttered El Pollo Loco. It would bring in retail and jobs to one of the Northside's troublesome areas, as well as tax revenue for the city.

It's not a done-deal yet, though. Cappleman says the next step is for Sonic to take their plan to the newly created 46th Ward Zoning Development Community to get the necessary . Being from Texas, Cappleman himself is no stranger to the drive-in (not thru) fast food joint. "I'm delighted to have it in the Uptown area," he said. "We want development in this area." Sonic attracts a cult-like following similar to that of Chick-fil-A, so if this goes through, expect folks to be lining up outside on opening day.