Sonic America's Drive-In
Last inspected: Apr 16, 2026
100
Score
Across the available record, Sonic America's Drive-In has six inspections on file, the first dated 2024. The latest inspection on file is from Apr 16, 2026. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around two violations compared to roughly seven violations earlier on.
Looking across the full record, “physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean” is the recurring theme, flagged five times.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Lithonia restaurant scores 87. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 16, 2026
Routine
No violations found.
100
Oct 7, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: Observed the 3 compartment sink hanging off the wall. The water pipes are keeping compartment sink from falling. Observed meat deep freezer seals in disrepair. C/A: 511-6-1.05(6)(a) - Good Repair & Proper Adjustment (C) (6) Maintenance and Operation. (a) Good Repair and Proper Adjustment. 1. Equipment shall be maintained in a state of repair and condition that meets the requirements specified under subsections (1) and (2)of this Rule. 2. Equipment components such as doors, seals, hinges, fasteners, and kick plates shall be kept intact, tight, and adjusted in accordance with manufacturer's specifications. Advised to have repaired.
511-6-1.05(6)(a)
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed the outside of the chicken warmer drawers unclean with heavy grease build up. Observed outside and inside cooler seals and reach in freezer and meat deep freezer unclean with debris build up. Observed shelves inside reach in cooler unclean with debris build up. Corrective Action: 511-6-1.05(7)(a)2,3 - Equipment, Food/Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils, food-contact surfaces of cooking equipment & nonfood-contact surfaces free of accumulations (C) 2. The food-contact surfaces of cooking equipment and pans shall be kept free of encrusted grease deposits and other soil accumulations. 3. Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. Advised to have deep clean and increase cleaning frequency.
511-6-1.05(7)(d)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed floors under fryers with debris build up. Wheels and hoses on Prep top table, fryers with heavy grease build up. Walls near 3 compartment sink with black residue build up. Observed broken tiles through out main kitchen. C/A:511-6-1.07(5)(a),(b) - Good Repair, physical facilities maintained; Cleaning, Frequency & Restrictions, cleaned often enough to keep them clean (C) (5) Maintenance and Operation. (a) Good Repair. All physical facilities shall be maintained in good repair. (b) Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions. 1. The physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean and by methods that prevent contamination of food products. 2. Except for cleaning that is necessary due to a spill or other accident, cleaning shall be done during periods when the...
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
86
Apr 16, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed floors under fryers with debris build up and light fixtures and screens with dust debris build up. C/A:511-6-1.07(5)(a),(b) - Good Repair, physical facilities maintained; Cleaning, Frequency & Restrictions, cleaned often enough to keep them clean (C) (5) Maintenance and Operation. (a) Good Repair. All physical facilities shall be maintained in good repair. (b) Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions. 1. The physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean and by methods that prevent contamination of food products. 2. Except for cleaning that is necessary due to a spill or other accident, cleaning shall be done during periods when the least amount of food is exposed, such as after closing. Advised to have floor deep cleaned and increase cleaning frequency.
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
17D - adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: Observed 2 lights out in main kitchen. C/A:511-6-1.07(3)(f) - Lighting Intensity, adequate in food prep, storage & service areas (C) (f) Lighting Intensity. The light intensity shall be: 1. At least 10 foot candles (108 lux) at a distance of 30 inches (75 cm) above the floor, in walk-in refrigeration units and dry food storage areas and in other areas and rooms during periods of cleaning; 2. At least 20 foot candles (215 lux): (i) At a surface where food is provided for consumer self-service such as buffets and salad bars or where fresh produce or packaged foods are sold or offered for consumption; (ii) Inside equipment such as reach-in and under-counter refrigerators; (iii) At a distance of 30 inches (75 cm) above the floor in areas used for handwashing, warewashing, and equipment and...
511-6-1.07(3)(f)
90
Oct 7, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 6 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 7 violations
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed ice cream machine unclean to sight and touch. Black substance on machine dispenser. Corrective Action: 511-6-1.05(7)(b) - Food Contact Surfaces and Utensils - Cleaning Frequency (P, C) (b) Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces and Utensils. 5. Except when dry cleaning methods are used as specified under subsection (7)(e) of this Rule, surfaces of utensils and equipment contacting food that is not time/temperature control for safety food shall be cleaned: (i) At any time when contamination may have occurred; (ii) At least every 24 hours for iced tea dispensers including nozzles and consumer self-service utensils such as tongs, scoops, or ladles; (iii) Before restocking consumer self-service equipment and utensils such as condiment dispensers and display containers; and (iv) In equipme...
511-6-1.05(7)(b)
13A - posted: permit/inspection/choking poster/handwashing
Inspector notes: Observed both restrooms without handwashing signage. Corrective Action: 511-6-1.07(3)(d) - Handwashing Signage (C) (d) Handwashing Signage. A sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands shall be provided at all handwashing sinks used by food employees and shall be clearly visible to food employees. Advised to place handwashing signage in restrooms.
511-6-1.07(3)(d)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: Observed cutting board at ice cream station unclean with debris build up. Corrective action: 511-6-1.05(6)(b) - Cutting Surfaces (C) (b) Cutting Surfaces. Surfaces such as cutting blocks and boards that are subject to scratching and scoring shall be resurfaced if they can no longer be effectively cleaned and sanitized, or discarded if they cannot be resurfaced. Advised to have deep cleaned.
511-6-1.05(6)(b)
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed the outside of the chicken warmer drawers unclean with heavy grease build up. Observed outside and gaskets of reach in cooler, reach in freezer and meat deep freezer unclean with debris build up. Observed shelves inside reach in cooler unclean with debris build up. Corrective Action: 511-6-1.05(7)(a)2,3 - Equipment, Food/Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils, food-contact surfaces of cooking equipment & nonfood-contact surfaces free of accumulations (C) 2. The food-contact surfaces of cooking equipment and pans shall be kept free of encrusted grease deposits and other soil accumulations. 3. Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. Advised to have deep clean and increase cleaning frequency.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed floors under fryers, drink machines, dry storage, unclean with debris build up. Floors near fryer are no longer easy cleanable with missing grout which allows for pooling water in main kitchen. Corrective Action: 511-6-1.07(2)(a) - Floor, Walls, & Ceilings, Cleanability (C) (2) Design, Construction, and Installation. (a) Floors, Walls, and Ceilings, Cleanability. Except as specified under subsection (2)(d) of this Rule and except for antislip floor coverings or applications that may be used for safety reasons, floors, floor coverings, walls, wall coverings, and ceilings shall be designed, constructed, and installed so they are smooth and easily cleanable. Advised to have floor deep cleaned and or replace grout.
511-6-1.07(2)(a)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed vent near ice machine unclean with dust build up. Corrective Action: 511-6-1.07(5)(a),(b) - Good Repair, physical facilities maintained; Cleaning, Frequency & Restrictions, cleaned often enough to keep them clean (C) (5) Maintenance and Operation. (a) Good Repair. All physical facilities shall be maintained in good repair. (b) Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions. 1. The physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean and by methods that prevent contamination of food products. 2. Except for cleaning that is necessary due to a spill or other accident, cleaning shall be done during periods when the least amount of food is exposed, such as after closing. Advised to have deep cleaned.
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
17D - adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: Observed light bulbs in walk in freezer not working. Corrective Action: 511-6-1.07(3)(f) - Lighting Intensity, adequate in food prep, storage & service areas (C) (f) Lighting Intensity. The light intensity shall be: 1. At least 10 foot candles (108 lux) at a distance of 30 inches (75 cm) above the floor, in walk-in refrigeration units and dry food storage areas and in other areas and rooms during periods of cleaning; 2. At least 20 foot candles (215 lux): (i) At a surface where food is provided for consumer self-service such as buffets and salad bars or where fresh produce or packaged foods are sold or offered for consumption; (ii) Inside equipment such as reach-in and under-counter refrigerators; (iii) At a distance of 30 inches (75 cm) above the floor in areas used for handwashing, wa...
511-6-1.07(3)(f)
67
Apr 4, 2024
Followup
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed gaskets inside reach in prep top cooler unclean with black substance build up. Advised to have deep cleaned.
511-6-1.05(7)(d)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed floors under fryers unclean with grease build up. Advised to deep clean fryers.
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed dry storage units unclean to sight and touch.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
86
Mar 7, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 9 minor violations. 5 corrected on site.
View 11 violations
6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed hot dogs(44), pulled pork (46) stored in reach in cooler with an ambient for 47F not holding a TCS temp of 41F or below. COS- hot dogs and pulled pork were discarded. Advised PIC cooler shall not be used to store TCS food until serviced.
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
2-2D - adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: No paper towels available at front hand sink. COS- PIC provided paper towels.
511-6-1.07(3)(b)
17D - adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: Observed light bulbs in walk in freezer not working.
511-6-1.07(3)(f)
4-2A - food stored covered
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed multiple items in reach in cooler stored without covers. COS- all items were covered and advised cover shall remain on food items at all times.
511-6-1.04(4)(c)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed floors under fryers unclean with grease build up. Advised to deep clean fryers.
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
12A - contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, display
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed syrup for soda stored on floor. COS- syrup was moved to shelf.
511-6-1.04(4)(q)
12B - personal cleanliness
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed employee wearing 2 bracelets and apple watch in main kitchen. COS- arm jewelry was removed and hands were washed and sanitized.
511-6-1.03(5)(g)
13A - posted: permit/inspection/choking poster/handwashing
Inspector notes: Current inspection report was not posted.
511-6-1.02(1)(d)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: Observed pooling water in bottom of prep top cooler advised to have serviced.
511-6-1.05(6)(a)
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed gaskets inside reach in prep top cooler unclean with black substance build up. Advised to have deep cleaned.
511-6-1.05(7)(d)
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed inside of reach in freezer unclean with food debris. Advised to deep clean.
511-6-1.05(7)(d)
50
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sonic America's Drive-In last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sonic America's Drive-In on file is from Apr 16, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sonic America's Drive-In?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Sonic America's Drive-In.
How does Sonic America's Drive-In compare to other restaurants in Lithonia?
Sonic America's Drive-In most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Lithonia average of 87.
Has Sonic America's Drive-In's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Sonic America's Drive-In have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Sonic America's Drive-In means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Sonic America's Drive-In inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Sonic America's Drive-In is inspected around three times per year on average.
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