Our Middle Township reporter talked with developer Bill Juliano this week and confirmed that the chain restaurant Sonic is scheduled to go before the township's Planning Board next week looking for approvals for a new restaurant in Rio Grande, at the Grande Village (Wal-Mart, etc.).

Sonic, which bills itself as "America's Drive-in," is America's largest drive-in restaurant chain with 3,200 franchises. It has only one store in New Jersey (Waretown, Central Jersey), and the closest one to Cape May County is in Dover, Del. (Hey, we'll actually be getting something first before the rest of South Jersey!)

Sonic sells unique menu items, and delivers them to your car using what they call "carhops," or waiters on wheels (roller skates). They have burgers but they serve them on Texas Toast and call them Toasters. They have corn dogs, extra-long chili cheese dogs, salads, wraps (including a Frito's wrap that is stuffed with chili, cheese and -- yep, Frito's chips) and breakfast items like Toasters sandwiches, tater tots and kids meals. They specialize in fun food, but they also have salads for the health conscious.

Since it's a drive-in, we're assuming they'll have to build their own restaurant as opposed to moving into a storefront, so even if they gain township approval, it could take until summer to open. I'll check with the corporate people to see if we can get more information before the meeting.