Do you tip at Sonic?

[Maridw]

If I go through the drive thru, then I don't tip, but if they bring the food to the car then we usually do. We have one girl that is very friendly and always talks to us for a minute because we usually take our dog and one of our cats with us.

 

[SnootyBear]

Sonic in this area doesnt have a drive up window (I saw one with one in GA once) We tip the car hops, always have. Worked at one in highschool, and was tipped there too. I guess as Sonic expands to areas that it wasnt in before, the tipping car hops didn't carry forward with the expansion. Oh well Ill continue to tip.

 

[MamaJessie]

The one coming to CT is in Wallingford. Unfortunately, not to close to the RI border.

I am simultaneously happy and scared that Sonic is coming to my town. It is the messiest part of Rt. 5 to begin with and adding Sonic is going to make it a nightmare. DH, I'm sure, will be one of the crazies there

Interesting about tipping though. We went to a Sonic on vaca and I never even thought about tipping...

 

[kelly1218]

Only if we pay cash.

 

[Bluestars]

I always tip since the employees have to walk out to my car and deliver my food.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm don't know anything about the area. I am in Cranston but figured if she could go from Pawtucket I could from here...lol
I know I read the lines were ureal people waiting an hour just to pull in the parking lot. I thought it was straight up rt 1 but not sure.

Oh, okay, easy.

95 north into Massachusetts. At some point it becomes 95 north/128 east. Stay on it. Exit onto Route 1 South in Peabody (I'll get you the exit number as soon as I can; I know there is one, I just never paid attention to it). Stop at the stop sign at the top of the ramp. As soon as the road is clear, go and get over to the left lane IMMEDIATELY. Make a U-turn before the light - perfectly legal. If you can't get over to the far left fast enough, you can certainly make the U-turn at the light, just if you can skip it, it's faster.

Now you're on Route 1 north. Go past Holiday Inn, past the 128 exit ramp, past Bertucci's, past the gas station/7-11 store, past Brothers restaurant, past the pool place, under the overpass (don't panic, these are all pretty much next to each other, and in the order listed), I think there's another business just beyond the overpass, then there's Sonic, be sure to turn correctly, the "H" hotel (might be Homestead?) just beyond doesn't want Sonic customers using its driveway to enter.

If you miss Sonic's entrance, go past the two hotels just beyond it, getting into the "right turn only" lane and turning, well, right, onto Dearborn Road. Take your first right - just past the hotel - and get into Sonic the back way, by driving past the backs of the two hotels and taking another right. BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!! Once you pass Sonic's driveway on this back road, the road turns into a one-way - and you'll be the one going in the WRONG direction!

In fact, ignore my Dearborn Road directions. If you miss Sonic's driveway, pull into the Wendy's just beyond the hotels, instead Okay, no, seriously. Ignore Dearborn Road. Take the NEXT right, just before the traffic light, used to reverse direction. It's familiarly called 'the jug handle' with the traffic light known as "the jug handle lights - for those of you who listen to the Boston-area traffic reports but have never been up this way. Stay to the right. Proceed under that same overpass. Stay to the right, following the signs for Route 129 - don't go under the underpass. As you proceed, things should look familiar - you're approaching that same traffic light/turn from where you first entered Route 1. Stay to the left, U-turn before the lights, follow the instructions above.

Hold on, let me see if I can do this more easily. 95 north/128 east to Route 1 NORTH. Long ramp. Stay to the left at the first choice (left toward Route 1, right toward Route 129). Stay to the left at the next choice - I think it brings you back onto 95 south/128 east. Move to the right and take the NEXT exit - Route 1 north. Stay to the left and take your ONLY left - back road into those businesses. Just after the double yellow line starts, turn left into Sonic!

 

[Silent1CB]

I went to Sonic with the kids for the first time last week. When the nice girl came very quickly with our food I gave her a $3-4 tip. She looked totally shocked and kept asking if I needed change. The order came to about $17.00 and she was very efficient.

Does anyone else tip? I mean she did bring the food to our car..

Did you go to the new one in MA that opened last year? Peabody I think?
I haven't gotten out that way yet but want to.

 

[Sparx]

I usually never eat at sonic, but if I stop in for a drink (LOVE cherry limeade) I'll tip a little bit, but I mean, it only comes up to one or two dollars, so the tip isn't huge.

 

[melisandes]

I tip them at sonics always. 10% if by foot and 20% if by skates. Hey if they can get my soda to my car without dropping it they deserve 20%

 

[shortbun]

I tip at Sonic. Our waiters come out on skates. That alone makes me tip them, lol. I always tip for service. I don't tip at Sonic like I would for table service.

 

[ElliePeters]

Not sure, didn't know it was a concern.

 

[luvmy3]

I have only been through the drive-thru but I would probably tip if they came back and took my tray of garbage. I don't consider bringing me food wrapped in packages as "waiting" on me, but if they have to clean up my mess then they should get something for that.
BTW after spending 30 minutes (and sadly thats not an exageration) in the drive thru last week I doubt I'll be back. I can't imagine how long the wait will be when the weather gets nice and they are really busy

 

[Heidict]

I am simultaneously happy and scared that Sonic is coming to my town. It is the messiest part of Rt. 5 to begin with and adding Sonic is going to make it a nightmare. DH, I'm sure, will be one of the crazies there

Interesting about tipping though. We went to a Sonic on vaca and I never even thought about tipping...

I will probably be one of them also, but I think I will wait for the excitement to die down and hopefully it won't be as crazy.

 

[ols386]

I've been to Sonic a few times, and I tipped $2-$3 each time, depending on how much we ordered.

I do the same thing at Applebee's, when I call ahead for Curbside pick-up. They are bringing the food to my car, and they are always polite and cheerful.

 

[happygirl]

Yes, I tip at Sonic usually 5-7% If it's really hot or really cold I will tip more

 

[kim929]

kaytieeldr, thank you so much for the directions. I think I will surprise them next weekend with a road trip..

Kim

 

[MrsPete]

We don't really eat at Sonic -- it seems awfully expensive for what it is -- but we do occasionally get their drinks during half-price hours (right after school). We always go through the drive-through to avoid this very question.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I have only been through the drive-thru but I would probably tip if they came back and took my tray of garbage. I don't consider bringing me food wrapped in packages as "waiting" on me, but if they have to clean up my mess then they should get something for that.

Ah, so you don't consider remaining in your vehicle, placing your order, and having somebody deliver that order directly to you, "waiting on" you? Cool. Don't tip. If you don't mind being asked though - what do you consider it?

 

[ReneeA]

If they bring me my food, absolutely. It doesn't matter to me how much somebody gets paid. Not my business.

Us, too.

 

[AKL_Megs]

Nope, don't tip.