The History Behind Sonic Drive-in Restaurants
Before we dive into the Sonic Corn Dog, the Sonic history is so interesting and inspiring. Drive-ins were an iconic part of the landscape starting in the 1950s that eventually gave way to drive-thru eateries. Still, there’s nothing like a classic, which is why so many people get excited about Sonic.
Sonic first began as Top Hat Drive-In, a carhop service restaurant. When they say, “the third time’s the charm,” they may be referring to this fast dining experience since Troy Smith, the owner of Top Hat, had experienced 3 restaurant failures.
The key to its success was adding intercom speakers that allowed customers to place orders from their cars. Smith had seen this innovation while driving through Louisiana in 1954 and decided to follow suit.
The difference with Sonic Drive-In was that he added canopies to keep the diners and their vehicles covered from the elements. Carhops on roller skates were also hired to deliver food to patrons waiting in their cars. The jet age was all the rage back then, and by 1959, a play on words would lead to changing the name to Sonic. Back then, it was the quickest form of service, and as it spread across the land, Sonic became synonymous with nostalgia and delicious retro-future foods.
Inspiration for the Modern Era
These days, few places still run the way Sonic Drive-In does. Even Sonic has a drive-thru and dining area in some locations, but plenty of people still use the drive-in feature. It’s a slice of the past right here in the present.
You may find it faster to pull through a drive-thru and drive off with your bag of treats, but the charm of eating car-side hasn’t been entirely lost. Something about those burgers, hot dogs, and shakes tastes even better when it’s brought out to you while you’re setting up your favorite songs on the stereo. After all, Sonic Drive-In corn dogs will taste even better that way.
Where Did Corn Dogs Come From Anyway?
With an invention this delicious, it’s only natural that everyone argues over where corn dogs originated. They’re savory and sweet, and they come on a stick. Everyone knows that foods that are on sticks taste better, though no in is quite sure why.
A simple hot dog bathed in a cornmeal batter, then deep fried creates the perfect meal or snack. And this meat-on-a-stick has a wide span of 20 years where the creation of it is suspected to have occurred. Somewhere between 1920 and 1940, an array of vendors from California to Illinois claimed that the corn dog was their brilliant innovation.
While that part of the history is murky, many more can agree that corn dogs were originally baked and the addition of the iconic stick wasn’t a thing until the 1940s. The timeline certainly makes it easy to see how the corn dog became an integral part of Sonic’s menu and the Sonic corn dog.
When You’re Not Near a Sonic Drive-In
Unfortunately, you may live in an area where there are no Sonic Drive-In locations anywhere nearby. In that case, you can make your own Sonic corn dog yourself at home. You could even go eat it out in the car in your driveway, if you’re so inclined.
What’s the Best Dipping Sauce for the Sonic Corn Dog Recipe?
People often wind up in heated debates when it comes to what to put on their Sonic Drive-in corn dogs. Generally, there are those who are emphatically mustard people and those who are all about the ketchup.
Some can’t choose and seem to have an existential crisis. If that sounds like you or you’re serving up a bunch of these to a group, the best way to handle it is to set out an array of dipping sauces. Ketchup and mustard are the most obvious though honey mustard or even barbecue sauce could be a fun addition.
Making these Sonic Drive-in corn dogs will save you the trip of trying to find a Sonic location near you or help you fulfill the craving you miss. The sweet, pillowy cornmeal exterior paired with the savory, flavorful hot dog within is always a favorite, no matter what you dip it in!
Sonic Drive-in Corn Dog Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Medium Mixing Bowl For combining the ingredients
- 1 Whisk or Spoon To mix the sauce ingredients thoroughly
- 1 Measuring Cups and Spoons To measure the sauce ingredients accurately
- 1 Airtight Container For storing the sauce in the refrigerator
Ingredients
- 4 hot dogs
- 0.5 cup yellow cornmeal
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
Preparation
- Insert wooden skewers into the hot dogs, leaving enough stick to hold onto.4 hot dogs
- In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients: 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal, 1/2 cup flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.0.5 cup yellow cornmeal, 0.5 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 0.5 teaspoon salt
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup milk and 1 egg.0.5 cup milk, 1 large egg
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until well combined, ensuring there are no lumps.
Cooking / Creating
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or a heavy pot to 375°F.vegetable oil
- Once the oil is hot, dip each skewered hot dog into the batter, ensuring it's evenly coated.
- Carefully place the battered hot dogs into the hot oil.
- Fry the corn dogs until they're golden brown on all sides, which should take about 3-4 minutes each.
- As the corn dogs finish frying, transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
Serving / Presentation
- Serve the corn dogs hot, with your choice of condiments like ketchup, mustard, or your favorite dipping sauce.
- If you're setting up for a party, you can create a fun presentation by standing the corn dogs up in a cup or arranging them on a platter with the dipping sauces in the center.
- For an extra touch, you can garnish the plate with some fresh parsley or sprinkle a little bit of your favorite seasoning over the corn dogs before serving.
