Sonic gets big welcome Julie and Kara Salanicky are true connoisseurs of the Sonic brand, and their dedication proves it. The Oswego sisters have made several long trips to Peoria -- up until Tuesday the nearest place to score messy Coney dogs and more than 168,000 drink combinations via car hop service -- before the grand opening of Aurora's own Sonic drive-in diner at Kirk and Butterfield roads. It's the first Sonic in the Chicago area.