“America’s Drive-In” opens its only city shop on page avenue
by Jessica Jones-Gorman
Anthony Cirillo didn’t know much about drive-ins and fast food, but in 2007, after reading an article in Restaurant Magazine about Sonic—one of the country’s fastest growing hamburger chains—the restaurateur flew out to the company’s headquarters in Oklahoma and signed on to open a store…all in the same week.
“I used to own the Old Mill Inn in Spring Lake, a restaurant which also handled weddings and other events on the weekends,” Cirillo recalled. “But when I read this article about Sonic, I knew it was something that I wanted to be involved in.”
He now owns four locations in New Jersey and recently opened his newest franchise on Page Avenue in Tottenville with partners Paul Montella (of Nucci’s fame) and Ron DelGaudio. The restaurant occupies in the enviable position as Sonic’s only New York City outpost (the Brooklyn storefront at 546 Chauncey Street is now closed).
“I lived in Brooklyn and Staten Island prior to moving to New Jersey, so I know this market,” Cirillo said of his reasons for opening in the borough. “We opened on September 26 and have had wonderful, steady crowds ever since. The restaurant is really doing well here.”
Famous for its ice cream, burgers and old-fashioned drive-up service (servers even wear roller skates), Sonic was launched in 1953 as a small root beer stand called Top Hat in Shawnee, Oklahoma. In 1959, after successfully operating a handful of Top Hat locations, Troy Smith and partner Charles Pappe christened the existing locations Sonic to represent their slogan, “Service at the Speed of Sound.” There are now more than 3,500 franchises in 44 states serving more than 3 million customers per day. The company’s slogan is “America’s Drive-In.”
“The buzz surrounding the opening in Tottenville has been great and the crowds have been big,” Cirillo said. “I know the lines have been long, though,
Famous for its ice cream, burgers, and drive-up service, Sonic was launched in 1953 as a small root beer stand called Top Hat in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
and I’m sorry for that; it’s simply that we have so many items on our menu and are still in a training phase. That, and Staten Islanders are excited about having a Sonic so close to home.”
Cirillo says Island customers are impressed by the ice cream and boneless wing offerings, and the concept of having everything packed to go (whether one eats at the patio or drive thru) is particularly alluring to busy borough residents.
“That’s what’s so great about this place,” Cirillo concluded. “We offer a menu of delicious food, all packed and delivered right to your car. No sweat.”
Sonic
148 Page Avenue / 718.317.6642 / sonicdrivein.com