Sonic Drive-In vs Steak 'n Shake: Menu Prices Compared (2026)

Updated August 10, 2026 8 items matched

The short answer

Sonic Drive-In is the cheaper of the two. Of the 8 directly comparable items we could match across both menus, Sonic Drive-In is cheaper on 6 of them, by an average of $0.53 per item.

Typical menu price: Sonic Drive-In $4.29 · Steak 'n Shake $5.79

Matched Items, Side by Side

The same item on both menus, priced against each other. Where names differ, we matched the closest equivalent — Sonic Drive-In's wording first.

Item	Sonic Drive-In	Steak 'n Shake	Difference
Grilled Chicken Sandwich	$6.99	$7.29	$0.30 cheaper at Sonic Drive-In
Crispy Chicken Sandwich	$6.79	$6.99	$0.20 cheaper at Sonic Drive-In
Chili Cheese Totsvs Chili Cheese Fries	$4.79	$5.49	$0.70 cheaper at Sonic Drive-In
Onion Rings	$4.29	$4.29	same
Sundae	$3.99	$4.49	$0.50 cheaper at Sonic Drive-In
Chili Cheese Coneyvs Chili Cheese Fries	$3.79	$5.49	$1.70 cheaper at Sonic Drive-In
Sausage Biscuitvs Sausage Egg & Cheese Biscuit	$3.49	$4.29	$0.80 cheaper at Sonic Drive-In
French Fries (medium)vs Fries (regular)	$2.99	$2.99	same

Sonic Drive-In vs Steak 'n Shake at a Glance

	Sonic Drive-In	Steak 'n Shake
Typical menu price	$4.29	$5.79
Average menu price	$4.66	$5.84
Cheapest item	$1.99 Snack Menu items — $1.99	Coffee — $2.29
Most expensive item	SuperSONIC Bacon Double Cheeseburger — $9.29	Chicken Fingers Combo — $11.29
Items priced	44	44
Menu sections	6	6
Price range	$	$
Founded	1953	1934
Headquarters	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	Indianapolis, Indiana
Locations	More than 3,500 drive-ins across the United States	About 400 restaurants, largely in the Midwest and South

Which One Should You Order From?

Sonic Drive-In has the lower typical menu price of the two — $4.29 against $5.79 — but a typical price only tells you where the middle of the menu sits. At the value end, Sonic Drive-In gets you in cheaper at $1.99.

Sonic Drive-In is strongest on Cherry Limeade, SuperSONIC Bacon Double Cheeseburger, Tots; Steak 'n Shake on Original Double 'n Cheese Steakburger, Hand-Dipped Milkshake, Garlic Steakburger. Neither chain's app prices match the counter, and both discount heavily through their loyalty programmes, so the deals below usually matter more than the few cents between the two menus.

Deals Worth Knowing at Both

Sonic Drive-In

Happy Hour from 2:00 to 4:00 PM every day takes 50 percent off all drinks and slushes — the single biggest recurring discount in fast food.
The Sonic app frequently offers half-price burgers on Tuesdays and free items with a purchase.
Upgrading to a Route 44 (44 oz) for $0.60 more is the cheapest per-ounce drink on the menu, especially during Happy Hour.

Steak 'n Shake

Most locations run half-price milkshakes in the afternoon — typically after 2:00 PM — which takes a $5.29 shake down to about $2.65.
Ordering at the in-store kiosk rather than through delivery avoids the platform markup, which at Steak 'n Shake is steep.
A double Steakburger combo at $10.59 includes two patties, fries and a drink — competitive with single-patty combos elsewhere.

About these prices: menu prices are set by individual franchise owners and change without notice. The figures on this page are researched estimates for 2026 and are provided for reference only. Confirm the current price with the restaurant before ordering. Menu Price Book is not affiliated with this chain.

Sonic Drive-In vs Steak 'n Shake — FAQ

Is Sonic Drive-In cheaper than Steak 'n Shake in 2026?

Sonic Drive-In is cheaper on most matched items — 6 of 8. Across the whole menu Sonic Drive-In is the lower-priced of the two, at $4.29 for a typical item against $5.79 at Steak 'n Shake.

What is the price difference between Sonic Drive-In and Steak 'n Shake?

On matched items the average difference is $0.53, or about 20% overall. Sonic Drive-In averages $4.66 across 42 priced items; Steak 'n Shake averages $5.84 across 44.

Which has the cheaper entry price, Sonic Drive-In or Steak 'n Shake?

Sonic Drive-In starts at $1.99 ($1.99 Snack Menu items) and Steak 'n Shake at $2.29 (Coffee).

Are these prices the same at every location?

No. Both chains let franchise owners set prices, so figures move by a dollar or more between markets and run highest at airport, stadium and highway locations. Treat these as the typical U.S. price, not a quote.