Since the much-publicized Arby’s merger, Sonic has been definitely surprising me with its constant foodstuff experimentation — some good, some bad — that, lately, seems to be keeping them at the forefront of culinary innovations that are on the ironically thin cusp of making America just a little bit hungrier and a whole lot heavier.

From the Oklahoma-based group — with offices down the street from me! — this month’s bold idea comes in the form of bite-sized smatterings featuring both chili cheese and bacon mac and cheese, both reminding me of the vegetable-stuffed fried goods of my public school lunch-loving youth.

The Chili Cheese Bites and the Bacon Mac & Cheese Bites are an inventive, if not obvious, dedication to duty for Sonic. One that, whenever I’m in need of a quick unhealthy snack, I can always grab on the go.

Mostly roundish in shape but decidedly Boyardee in taste, the Chili Cheese Bites encompass everything that makes a toddler’s messy lunch tray so dang delicious to pick off of. The thickly breaded and fried casing on the outside holds in place a generous glob of chili and cheese that, of course, is the same that you would probably find on a Coney.

While it is a bit of a shock to not have the plump wiener as an all-beef buffer, these bites still work fabulously. And, if I may say so, they’re even better after being left in the refrigerator overnight for a well-meaning breakfast or pre-lunch snack.

From, I’d imagine, the frozen foods aisle to your flash-fried stomach, comes the long overdue Bacon Mac & Cheese Bites. They’re a collective piece of hungry art that is much larger than the Chili Cheese Bites and have more of a triangular shape, which, I imagine, is for the kids as well, wrapped up in a lighter bread coating.

With a harsh hint of bacon and over 700 milligrams of sodium, I’m really not sure the kids will love these as much as the adults will. However, the gummy macaroni and cheese is much more welcomed than it sounds, supplying a different kind of cheesy taste than we’re used to at Sonic. The bacon – I want to say applewood smoked, but I’m probably wrong — is a great accent that, as every bite goes on longer, becomes far more notable.

Between the two of these — both of which are delicious — I will probably give the edge to the Chili Cheese Bites, mostly because Sonic has found a way to make one of its most famous standbys into a vaunted snack again, one that I would probably order on the regular if I had low self-esteem. But, and I reiterate this, that blurb isn’t to knock the dandy candy of the Bacon Mac & Cheese.

Purchased Price: $1.99 each
Size: Small
Rating: 8 out of 10 (Chili Cheese), 7 out of 10 (Bacon Mac & Cheese)
Nutrition Facts: Chili Cheese – 40 calories, 14 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 25 milligrams of cholesterol, 550 milligrams of sodium, 22 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of dietary fiber, and 8 grams of protein. Bacon Mac & Cheese – 260 calories, 15 grams of fat, 6 grams of saturated fat, 25 milligrams of cholesterol, 700 milligrams of sodium, 22 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of dietary fiber, and 9 grams of protein.