There’s nothing quite like a late-night malt craving.  Fortunately, you can always pop the baby in the child seat and run over to Sonic for drive-in service. 

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I was quite surprised, though, to see a big change in the menu.  No, they haven’t done away with malts or shakes or foot long chili cheese Coneys… but there are some rather radical changes.  The biggest — or at least the one that was most prominently displayed — was the availability of bananas and string cheese as healthier options.

Sonic has also started to offer smaller portions in a new dollar menu, including a Junior Deluxe Burger, a Chicken Strip Sandwich, and a Junior Candy Sundae.  Now, I don’t really know how much healthier a Junior Frito Chili Cheese Wrap could be.  But I can report that the Chicken Strip Sandwich is about a time and a half the size of the similar KFC Snacker — and seemed to be a crispier chicken to boot.

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That being said… lots of places seem to be making the move towards smaller foods.  TGIFriday’s is offering a “right portion, right price” menu, Burger King gives diners three options on side sizes, and tapas style restaurants like Capi’s are starting to thrive.  Will the trend continue?

And while we’re talking about it — are you making moves to eat healthier?  Class info on the jump.

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Suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that Sonic serves bananas now — after all, it’s not a far cry to determine that they’re already available for splits and sundaes and could be sold separately.  But string cheese? 

I suppose I will have to consider the option.  After all, it is cheese.

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