After weeks of anticipation among students, the Reitz Union food court’s newest addition is finally open. Sonic, the iconic fast-food chain famous for its burgers and chili cheese Coney hot dogs, is ready to take your order.
Hannah Burdzy wound up behind a long line of students on Monday night, waiting to place her order at one of the Sonic kiosks. The 18-year-old UF microbiology freshman said she was eager to try Sonic for the first time.
“I’m definitely excited,” Burdzy said. “It’s nice to have a burger place in the union. I think it diversifies it.”
Burdzy wasn’t the only student ready to dig in. Despite lacking a traditional Sonic’s roller skating servers, crowds of students flocked to the new location, with dozens of students constantly waiting in the pick-up area for their orders.
To prepare for high demand, Sonic held soft openings and trained staff on Oct. 9 and 10. Students who passed by the restaurant when the line was open could join for a free item. Monday and Tuesday, the restaurant closed from 2 to 4 p.m. to have a shift change and reset after the lunch rush.
Dylan Montoya, an 18-year-old UF criminology freshman, ordered the classic double cheeseburger combo during the evening shift on Tuesday. His biggest complaint was that the location didn’t accept meal plan retail equivalencies.
“Workers are nice, but they’re getting a lot of overload right now,” Montoya said. “The wait time will probably get better.”
Like Burdzy, this was Montoya’s first taste of the Sonic chain. For others stopping by, the new location brought the taste of nostalgia.
“Sometimes back at home, I would get it with my mom,” said Victoria Medina, a 19-year-old UF psychology junior. “It’s nice to have it here, too.”
Sonic is one of several new options available to students, staff and visitors at the Reitz Union food court this Fall. Other additions include Mac Shack, The Nosh Spot and Shake Smart’s new location upstairs.
After its temporary opening schedules, Sonic will now be open from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on weekends, the latest hours of any Reitz Union dining option.
Emily Moreno is a contributing writer for The Alligator. Contact her at emilymoreno@ufl.edu.
