Sonic2.JPG

Sonic: Staten Island's Drive-in. (Bloomberg photo by Daniel Acker)

(Bloomberg photo by Daniel Acker)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- How the tables have turned.

After news broke Wednesday afternoon that Sonic was finally going to open on Staten Island this summer, borough residents thanked the heavens.

Yes, Staten Island is in celebratory mode. All is well in the suddenly not-so-forgotten borough.

But not everybody is happy. New Yorkers in the other four boroughs, along with at least three media outlets, collectively groaned when they learned Sonic was coming to Staten Island -- make that the southern tip of Staten Island.

Time Out New York shared the news, cautiously alerting readers that they'd not only have to trek out to Staten Island, but they'd have to prepare to embark on a courageous expedition:

For those of you unfamiliar with Richmond County geography, that's on the side of the island not facing Manhattan, AKA an epic journey of Lord of the Rings-proportions away from the ferry.

Eater New York and The Daily Meal also wrote about Staten Island's upcoming Sonic. Both warned readers not to "get too excited," with Eater emphasizing the business' first New York City's drive-in is "still way the hell out in Staten Island."

Both publications said folks craving Sonic might be better off heading to New Jersey.

Gothamist also referenced the new borough eatery in a Thursday afternoon link roundup. They sound pumped: "Sonic finally comes to NYC...on the South shore of Staten Island."

(For those reading this who aren't from Staten Island: Ride the Staten Island Ferry to St. George, hop on the Staten Island Railway, get off at Richmond Valley and walk a couple blocks to Page Avenue. The public transportation trip is about 80 minutes. You'll survive. Many of us do it every single day.)

"staten island? this is a joke right!! who goes there?" wondered one guy on Time Out New York's Facebook post.

"Nobody!!! Such a waste of a store," read one reply.

A woman who wrote on Eater's page either didn't even know Staten Island was among the five boroughs, or questioned Staten Island's place in the city: "Then it's not New York City's is it. A Sonic would not be my choice anywhere in New York."

Meanwhile, another person made sense of Staten Island, the car borough, versus Manhattan's infrastructure: "Out to the 'Burbs is fine, but Manhattan doesn't need this."