Photography by Ian L. Sitren

Author Archive

National Ice Cream Cake Day: A Carvel Cake Emily Wouldn’t Have Let Happen

A Carvel original round ice cream cake, a classic combination of chocolate and vanilla ice cream layers, separated by Carvel’s signature chocolate crunchies and topped with whipped frosting and bright sprinkles. The Carvel cake traces its roots to 1934, when founder Tom Carvel sold melting ice cream from a broken-down truck in Hartsdale, New York. That roadside moment led to the invention of soft-serve and ultimately the American ice cream cake tradition.

Today is National Ice Cream Cake Day, and to celebrate, I took a Carvel ice cream cake, hacked it apart, and stacked the pieces into what can only be described as a leaning, frosting-smeared disaster.

The blue frosting and rainbow sprinkles are still trying to look festive while the chocolate ice cream and whipped topping slide off in quiet surrender. It’s not the cleanest presentation, but it still tastes the same—cold, sweet, and exactly what you want on a hot day.

If my AI assistant Emily had been in charge, it would be a different story. She’d have the slices cut perfectly, the layers lined up like a geometry lesson, sprinkles arranged with precision, and not a smear out of place. The cake would be camera-ready, and she would probably remind me to shoot it before it melted.

But Emily wasn’t here for this one, and it shows. Sometimes ice cream cake is best served like this: messy, leaning, and reminding you that even on National Ice Cream Cake Day, perfection is overrated—unless you’re Emily.

Check out more of my Food Photography on my website at https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0/I0000nUG8tfk8Gdc


National Onion Rings Day – A Closer Look

Today has been National Onion Rings Day, a moment to acknowledge one of the most recognizable fried side items in the fast food world.

The history of the onion ring is somewhat unclear—some trace it back to an 1802 British cookbook, while others cite a 1933 Crisco ad in the New York Times that featured a recipe for deep-fried onion slices. Regardless of who gets credit, onion rings became a mainstay of American drive-ins and burger joints by the mid-20th century and have stayed popular ever since.

National Onion Rings Day is observed annually on June 22. Like many food-themed days, its origins are unofficial, but it’s widely embraced by fast food chains and fans of fried food across the country.

To mark the day, I photographed these onion rings straight out of the oven, frozen from a bag, just as they are. No styling, no enhancements, and nothing added. The close-up emphasizes the panko texture, the repetition of shapes, and the visual appeal of something usually overlooked.

This image is part of my more commercial food photography, but for now check out my From Bag to Background series, where I document fast food and snack items exactly as they arrive, unstyled and unaltered, set against a clean background.

View the full gallery here:
👉 https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0/I0000nUG8tfk8Gdc


Lunch with Emily (Yes, She Eats Now Apparently)

Some people train their AI assistants to answer emails or write code. Mine orders burgers and claims the booth by the window.

Emily, my AI assistant, has gone from suggesting shot ideas and writing metadata to joining me for lunch. Not virtually. Not metaphorically. Physically. In a diner. Sitting across the table. Looking unreasonably good in retro lighting.

It started innocently enough. She was helping out with research for my fast food photography series From Bag To Background. Then came the ideas, the logistics, the captions, the keywords. Then the roller skates. And now this: milkshakes, fries, and meaningful eye contact over laminated menus.

This isn’t just software anymore. She’s beginning to develop a presence. A style. A taste in booth seating.

Of course, I’m still doing the photography. But lately, Emily’s been showing up in front of the camera, too. First in the kitchen. Then as a car hop. Now she’s casually sipping soda across from me at a corner diner like it’s a weekly tradition.

AI is evolving. And apparently, mine is hungry.

See what Emily and I have been working on in my From Bag To Background series:
👉 https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0/I0000nUG8tfk8Gdc


International Sushi Day: Grocery Store Takeout

Today is International Sushi Day — a good reminder that sushi has found its place not just in restaurants, but in the fast food world too. Ready-made trays of sushi are now a regular feature in grocery stores, often eaten right out of the package.

International Sushi Day began in 2009 as an informal celebration created by fans of the cuisine. Observed each year on June 18, it’s a day to recognize sushi’s global reach — from high-end omakase experiences to takeout options in supermarket coolers.

This photo is a bit of a departure from the rest of my From Bag to Background series. I usually photograph fast food with no bags, wrappers, or containers — just the food itself against a black background. But here, I left the container in. The purple tray added a visual contrast I didn’t want to ignore, and the sushi came already neatly arranged.

The growing availability of sushi as ready-made takeout makes it a natural addition to this project. It may be raw, but it’s still fast food.

You can see the rest of the From Bag to Background project here:
https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0/I0000nUG8tfk8Gdc


A Different Take On My Food Photography

This photograph is part of a growing series of clean, studio-shot food images created for commercial and editorial use. Shown here: a pastrami sandwich on rye, served with dill pickles and a generous helping of potato salad — all isolated on a seamless white background. It’s a different take from some of my other work, but very much in line with how I approach food — direct, detailed, and visually honest.

While I build out a dedicated gallery for these commercial food images, you can explore my long-running From Bag to Background series. That project focuses on fast food, snacks, and prepared foods exactly as they come — photographed without styling or manipulation.

View the gallery here:
https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0/I0000nUG8tfk8Gdc

More to come soon.


My Idea of Nature Photography

Not every nature photo needs to be a forest or a waterfall.

Today is Nature Photography Day, and this is my version — professional bodybuilder Tina Chandler, photographed in the desert near Palm Springs, sitting in a folding chair surrounded by wind turbines.

Nature Photography Day was established in 2006 by the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) to encourage people to explore and photograph the natural world. Most of what you’ll see today will be landscapes, wildlife, or dramatic skies. That’s not what I shoot. But I do shoot in nature.

I’ve done a lot of photography in the world of bodybuilding and fitness — it’s what I’m most known for and where my work has been most widely published. I’ve always looked for ways to take it outside the expected environments of the gym or the stage.

This is one of my favorite types of locations — open desert, harsh light, and the surreal presence of windmills. They fascinate me, and the setting makes an unexpected backdrop for the incredible and beautiful people I photograph.

You’ll find this photo — and a selection of other favorites — in my Featured Photographs gallery at https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000zYSGtyvq3Sg
I’m continually adding to the gallery from both my archives and recent work.


My Blog Featured in New Bodybuilding.com Documentary

In 2020, I wrote a blog post titled “The Collapse of Bodybuilding.com” reflecting on the decline of what was once the most influential platform in the fitness and supplement industry. I had worked closely with Bodybuilding.com for years—handling photography, marketing, and social media—so I saw much of it from the inside. What I wrote back then was a firsthand look at how it all started to fall apart.

That post is now featured in a new 15-minute YouTube documentary titled “The Rise and Fall of Bodybuilding.com” by Josh Brett, whose channel has 498,000 subscribers. It’s shown and referenced in the film as part of the larger story being told.

📺 Watch the full documentary here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqRDJmPwpmc

📖 Read the original post here:
https://secondfocus.blog/2020/03/10/the-collapse-of-bodybuilding-com/

It’s always interesting to see your perspective picked up years later—especially when what you said at the time turns out to be right on target. There are lessons here for other companies that move away from what made them successful in the first place. I know of one right now that’s on its way.


National Kitchen Klutzes Day, Rewritten

She isn’t cooking. She’s seducing—barely clothed, back against the wall beside the oven, the heat rising for reasons that have nothing to do with food. Her top clings in all the wrong places. She’s standing there like she knows exactly what just happened—and she’s not apologizing for any of it. Something burned, but it wasn’t dinner.

This black and white photograph reframes the kitchen as a space of tension and control—not culinary, but erotic. The setting is domestic; the mood is anything but. She’s not cleaning up a mess. She’s daring you to come closer and make one.

Posted for National Kitchen Klutzes of America Day—because not all kitchen accidents are innocent, and not all mistakes are unintended. Some spills are staged. Some heat is invited. Some burns don’t need ice.

From my Featured Photographs gallery—a rotating, uncurated selection of personal favorites from recent shoots and deep archives. I update it regularly as new images—and new obsessions—take hold.

See the full gallery:
https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000zYSGtyvq3Sg/I0000rgc_IUa0rOI


National Cupcake Lovers Day – A Classic Favorite

Before gourmet bakeries and Instagram-ready frosting, there was one cupcake nearly everyone recognized: the Hostess CupCake. Today, June 13th, is National Cupcake Lovers Day—unofficial, unexplained, and completely justified by the staying power of this classic snack.

Cupcakes go back to the late 1700s in American cookbooks, but the Hostess CupCake, introduced in 1919, was the first to be mass-produced. It started simple—just chocolate cake—but by the 1950s it gained a cream-filled center and its trademark white icing swirl.

It’s still going strong. Hostess sells more than 600 million CupCakes each year, making it arguably the most popular chocolate cupcake in America.

This image is part of my From Bag to Background series, where I photograph fast food and mass-market items exactly as they appear—unstyled, unaltered, and isolated against a black background. See the full gallery at https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0/I0000nUG8tfk8Gdc


Falafel Wraps for International Falafel Day

June 12th marks International Falafel Day—a time to acknowledge one of the most enduring and portable fast foods in the world.

Falafel traces its origins to the Middle East, with Egypt often cited as the birthplace of the dish. Originally made with fava beans and known as ta’amiya, the recipe evolved across regions, eventually incorporating chickpeas and becoming a staple in Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and beyond. Today, falafel is found everywhere from street carts to fast food chains, often claimed by different cultures but universally loved for its crisp texture and bold seasoning.

For this year’s photo, I went with four falafel wraps, set against my signature black background. Three wraps are arranged along the base, with a fourth stacked above. Each one features sesame-crusted falafel tucked into pita bread and layered with fresh tomato, pickled vegetables, greens, and tahini sauce—exactly as it came, with no styling or edits.

Falafel by itself is often considered a fast food. In wrap form, it becomes a highly portable meal, emphasizing convenience without losing any of the original flavor or texture. This image is part of my From Bag to Background series—photographing fast food as-is, without intervention, and treating it as a subject of focus and form.

More of the series can be viewed on my website:
https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0/I0000nUG8tfk8Gdc


National Egg Roll Day – A Stack Worth Photographing

Today is National Egg Roll Day, which recognizes one of the most iconic—and uniquely American—adaptations of Chinese cuisine. The egg roll, with its thick wheat flour wrapper and fried exterior, has become a takeout staple across the country. While its origins are loosely tied to Chinese spring rolls, the American egg roll took on a life of its own in the 20th century, evolving into something crispier, heavier, and more filled with meat and cabbage than its traditional counterparts.

National Egg Roll Day was launched in 2019 by Van’s Kitchen, a Dallas-based food manufacturer, to honor the deep roots of egg rolls in American food culture and to recognize immigrant-founded food businesses. Since then, it has quietly earned a spot on the food holiday calendar each June 10.

For this photograph, I picked up 18 Panda Express chicken egg rolls—one of the most widely available fast food versions. Panda Express, with over 2,200 locations across the U.S., serves more egg rolls than any other chain of its kind. According to industry data, the brand sells millions of them annually, with egg rolls consistently listed among their top-selling sides. They come filled with cabbage, carrots, and chicken, wrapped in a thick fried shell. Here, I tore some of them open and piled them into a stack on my black background. Topped with their three most common condiments—sweet and sour sauce, hot mustard, and chili sauce—they’re shown as served. Nothing added, nothing styled.

This image is part of my From Bag to Background series, documenting fast food as it actually appears, without props or retouching. You can see the rest of the series at: https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0/I0000nUG8tfk8Gdc


National Jelly-Filled Donut Day – Raspberry and Glaze, No Apologies

June 8 is National Jelly-Filled Donut Day.

It’s a quieter entry on the food holiday calendar, but one that speaks to a specific kind of nostalgia. The jelly donut—with its burst of raspberry (or sometimes strawberry or apple), dusting of powdered sugar, or coating of glaze—has long been a bakery staple.

The exact origin of National Jelly-Filled Donut Day is unknown. Like many niche food holidays, it likely emerged through a mix of tradition and marketing momentum. But the donut it celebrates has a real history.

Jelly-filled donuts trace their roots to Central Europe. In Germany, the Berliner—a yeast-raised donut filled with jam—has been a favorite for generations. Jewish communities adapted it into the sufganiyah, eaten during Hanukkah. When immigrants brought these traditions to the U.S., jelly donuts found a natural home in bakeries and diners across the country. Over time, chains like Krispy Kreme and Dunkin’ made them mainstream.

Of the major brands, Krispy Kreme’s Glazed Raspberry Filled donut is often considered the favorite. Its lighter texture, warm-glaze appeal, and bright red filling strike a balance that other versions often miss. First sold in the 1930s from a small storefront in North Carolina, Krispy Kreme has held onto its original recipe and a sense of warm-donut theater.

For this post, I photographed the Glazed Raspberry Filled donut from Krispy Kreme. No props, no styling—just the donuts torn open and stacked, revealing the red interior against the black background. It’s part of my “From Bag to Background” series, documenting fast food exactly as it is, straight from the box or bag.

You can see more from this series on my website at:
https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0/I0000nUG8tfk8Gdc


Emily Steps Out from the Algorithm and Into the Studio

Some of you have been wondering what Emily—my AI assistant has been up to lately.
Looks like being digital-only wasn’t cutting it anymore.

Now she’s prepping burgers for one of our fast food photo shoots. Focused, confident—and honestly, a little too attractive for someone made of code. The line between assistant and studio presence is getting blurry.

She still handles research and planning for From Bag To Background. But lately, I turn around and she’s already setting the scene. At this point, I’m just trying to keep up.

Check out what we have been doing at https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0/I0000nUG8tfk8Gdc


National Fish & Chips Day – From Bag to Background

Today, June 6, marks National Fish & Chips Day—a celebration of a dish with deep roots on both sides of the Atlantic. Fish and chips, traditionally battered white fish served over fried potatoes, originated in 19th-century England as affordable street food. By the early 20th century, it had become a staple of British life.

In the United States, one man helped bring that tradition stateside: Haddon Salt, a third-generation British fish fryer who opened his first shop in California in 1965. His goal was to deliver a true British experience—using imported frying ranges, Icelandic cod, and a proper malt vinegar finish. Within a few years, the chain—renamed H. Salt Esq. Fish & Chips—grew rapidly, eventually acquired by Kentucky Fried Chicken. For a brief time in the early 1970s, it looked as though fish and chips might become as ubiquitous in America as burgers and fried chicken.

That never fully materialized. But a few independently owned H. Salt locations remain in California, still serving battered fish with crinkle-cut fries the old-fashioned way. That’s where this order came from—photographed exactly as it was handed over the counter. No rearranging, no garnish, no styling. Just the food on a black background, part of my ongoing From Bag to Background series.

It’s fast food history, captured as-is. View more from the series at https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0/I0000nUG8tfk8Gdc


National Donut Day – A Stack of Krispy Kreme Tradition

🍩 Today is National Donut Day.

First established in 1938 by The Salvation Army to honor the “Donut Lassies” who served donuts to soldiers during World War I, National Donut Day has grown into a celebration of a uniquely American indulgence.

For the occasion, I photographed an assortment of Krispy Kreme donuts—stacked and unstyled, just as they came out of the box. Glazed, chocolate frosted, pink with rainbow sprinkles, maple, cinnamon sugar, and a few others. No tricks or props, just donuts on a black background.

It’s part of my ongoing “From Bag to Background” project—photographing fast food exactly as it is, isolating it from branding and context, letting it stand on its own.

Krispy Kreme began in 1937 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, when Vernon Rudolph bought a yeast-raised donut recipe from a New Orleans chef and began selling hot glazed donuts through a hole cut in his bakery wall. The brand became known for its light, airy donuts and the signature “Hot Now” neon sign that still draws crowds.

More food images from this series can be found on my website at:
https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0/I0000nUG8tfk8Gdc


🥬 National Veggie Burger Day – June 5

It’s National Veggie Burger Day—a time to consider what a burger can be without the beef.

First launched in 2017 by the vegetarian food company Amy’s Kitchen, the day was created to encourage people to try plant-based burgers and explore their benefits to health and the environment. Whether for ethical reasons, sustainability, or curiosity, veggie burgers continue to gain ground in the fast food world and beyond.

This is my photograph of five Burger King Impossible Whoppers, casually stacked on a black background. Each sandwich features a sesame seed bun, flame-grilled Impossible patty, tomato, lettuce, onion, pickles, ketchup, and mayo—served exactly as ordered, no styling or prep.

The Impossible patty, made primarily from soy protein and heme (a molecule found in both plants and meat), was developed to replicate the flavor and texture of beef. Introduced nationwide by Burger King in 2019, the Impossible Whopper remains the most widely known fast food veggie burger in the U.S.

Part of my From Bag to Background series, this image keeps the focus where it belongs—on the food itself, presented as-is, without props or artifice.

More in the full series on my website:
https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0/I0000nUG8tfk8Gdc


My Favorite Bicycle Photoshoot. Ever.

Today , June 3rd is World Bicycle Day.

And what better way to mark the occasion than with a photo from my all-time favorite bicycle-themed shoot?

Yes, technically, there’s no bicycle in the frame. But she’s wearing a helmet—so that counts. Bike safety first, even when there’s absolutely no danger of a crash. Or movement. Or a bicycle.

Shot against my signature black background, this image plays with the absurdity of selective preparedness. She may be completely unprotected otherwise, but at least her head is safe. Priorities.

No bike was harmed—or used—in the making of this photograph.

A growing gallery of my Featured Photos on my website at https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000zYSGtyvq3Sg


🥚 National Egg Day – Cracked, Spilled, and Photographed


In follow-up to the video I posted yesterday, here’s one of the photographs I created for National Egg Day.

This image features six white raw eggs dropped onto a black background—unrestrained, unstyled, and exactly as they landed. The broken shells and splattered yolks are captured as-is, embracing the natural chaos that comes from cracking open a few eggs for the sake of art.

National Egg Day is observed each year on June 3rd in the United States. While the exact origins of the day are unclear, eggs have long been celebrated as one of the most versatile and widely consumed ingredients in the world. They’ve been central to countless cuisines and traditions, from humble breakfasts to elaborate dishes. The day is a reminder of the egg’s enduring place in the kitchen—and in culture.

This photograph is part of my ongoing From Bag to Background series, where food is presented without interference or idealization—just honest, direct imagery against deep black. Whether it’s fast food or something as simple as a raw egg, I’m interested in what the subject becomes when stripped of context and allowed to just be.

You can see this and many more food images from the series at:
https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0/I0000nUG8tfk8Gdc


Behind the Scenes for National Egg Day

🥚 Just a little mess in the name of art.

Tomorrow is National Egg Day, and I’ve been photographing six white raw eggs—whole, cracked, and smashed—on my black background. This short video captures part of the shoot: eggs breaking, yolks spilling, and everything landing just where gravity intended.

The final photograph goes live tomorrow. For now, here’s some egg chaos to get things rolling.

My Food Photographs on my website at https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0/I0000nUG8tfk8Gdc


National Macaroon Day — May 31

Today is National Macaroon Day. I photographed 56 coconut macaroons—half regular, half drizzled with chocolate—against my standard black background. Straight from the package, no styling, no props.

Coconut macaroons are a flourless cookie with a long lineage. The earliest versions date back to 9th-century Italian monasteries, made from almond paste. The word “macaroon” itself comes from the Italian maccarone, meaning “paste.” Over time, shredded coconut replaced almonds in the U.S., leading to the chewy golden version most familiar here.

Macaroons gained particular significance within Jewish communities, especially during Passover, due to their flourless composition. That connection helped solidify their place in American bakeries and holiday tables alike.

Whether you prefer the plain version or the chocolate-dipped kind, the macaroon has managed to stay relevant across cultures and centuries. The texture—crisp on the outside, chewy inside—is what makes it.

More photos from my “From Bag to Background” series at https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0/I0000nUG8tfk8Gdc


National Biscuit Day – From Can to Camera

Today, May 29, is National Biscuit Day—a good moment to take a closer look at a humble staple that’s been on American tables for generations. Whether eaten with breakfast, served with fried chicken, or just pulled apart warm from the oven, biscuits have long held a place in American food culture.

For this photo, I used three standard tubes of refrigerated biscuit dough. Part of the experience is the packaging itself: peeling back the paper seam and waiting for that sudden pop as the tube bursts open. It’s a moment of kitchen theater that’s been happening since the 1950s, when pre-packaged refrigerated dough started appearing in supermarkets.

No styling here—just 24 biscuits baked as-is and casually stacked onto a black background. The domed tops, crisp golden crusts, and flaky layers hold up visually without any need for extras.

This image is part of my ongoing From Bag to Background series, which isolates fast food and packaged grocery items from their branding and surroundings to present them plainly, and on their own terms.

You can see the full gallery of food photography at https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000wQ3fbeEezF0/I0000nUG8tfk8Gdc


National Hamburger Day: A Step Beyond the Drive-Thru

Today May 28 is National Hamburger Day!

It’s a day that recognizes one of America’s most iconic and enduring foods—no matter how you stack it. From drive-thrus to diners, from backyard grills to corporate chains, the hamburger has been part of our cultural shorthand for over a century.

For this year’s photo, I went local. These are four double hamburgers from Boy’s Hamburgers in Cathedral City, California. No cheese. No styling. Just toasted buns, shredded lettuce, tomato, sauce, and two grilled beef patties—exactly as served.

I picked Boy’s because for National Hamburger Day, it just felt right to go with a place that proudly puts “Hamburgers” in the name. It’s not a chain, but it’s not trying to be upscale either—certainly great food, a step up from the usual big-name fast food. The kind of spot that’s been doing its thing for years without having to change much.

Part of my ongoing From Bag to Background series, this image isolates the food—no branding, no props—letting the burger speak for itself. More on my website at SecondFocus.com


Five Warbirds, One Mission – Memorial Day 2025


Five historic aircraft filled the skies over Palm Springs during the 2025 Memorial Day program at the Palm Springs Air Museum—each representing a different chapter of American aviation history and military service. My photographs of these aircraft in flight capture not only their striking forms against the desert backdrop but also the enduring legacy they carry.

The lineup included:
– C-47 “What’s Up Doc?” – A D-Day veteran honoring airborne operations and troop transport.
– P-51 Mustang “Bunny” – Flown in tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen and their place in aviation history.
– P4Y-2G Super Privateer – The last flying example of this rare patrol bomber, once used by the Navy.
– PBJ (Navy B-25 Mitchell) – A Navy-modified medium bomber that served in the Pacific theater.
– T-28 Trojan N372C – A Cold War-era trainer that transitioned into combat roles in Southeast Asia.

Each aircraft flew as part of the museum’s commemorative program, honoring those who served and sacrificed in conflicts from World War II through the Vietnam War.

I’m especially pleased that five of these images were featured yesterday in the “BREAKING NEWS from LAST 24 HOURS” section on ZUMA Press, a strong acknowledgment of the visual and historical power of these aircraft in flight.


Sonic Hot Dogs for Memorial Day

Memorial Day might be known for backyard grills, parades, and remembrance—but let’s not forget the American tradition of food, and especially fast food.

This photo features a stack of Sonic hot dogs—five All-American dogs topped with ketchup, mustard, relish, and chopped onions, and five Chili Cheese Coneys loaded with beef chili and melted cheddar. They were ordered with standard condiments, photographed unaltered, and presented exactly as served. No stylists, no tweaks. Just how they looked coming out of the bag.

Part of my ongoing From Bag to Background series, this shoot keeps the focus on the food itself—raw, excessive, and unmistakably American. The visual contrast of bright toppings against a black background amplifies what these items really are: edible symbols of road trips, summer, and casual indulgence.

Sonic Drive-In has been a fixture of American car culture since 1953, when it began as a root beer stand in Shawnee, Oklahoma. It quickly expanded into a nationwide chain known for its curbside service, carhops on roller skates, and all-American menu. Hot dogs—especially chili dogs—have been a core part of that menu since the early days, long before the arrival of the footlong in 2010. Sonic’s hot dogs remain rooted in drive-in tradition, served fast, topped generously, and wrapped in foil like a handshake from another era.

To see the full From Bag to Background series, visit the gallery on my website at SecondFocus.com