- Attraction: Busy Corner
- Location: 302 S Eureka St, Goodfield, IL 61742
- Industry: Restaurant
- Website: https://www.abusycorner.com
Seventy-eight years after first opening in 1947, this legendary family restaurant continues drawing travelers from across the Midwest with one simple promise:
Exceptional homemade pie and hearty comfort food that never disappoints.
What started as a modest corner diner has evolved into Central Illinois’ most beloved pie destination, attracting an estimated 1,000 customers daily from Peoria, Bloomington, and surrounding counties.
You’ll discover why visitors often make the drive specifically for dessert, with many claiming “best pie in Central Illinois” isn’t just marketing hype.
Current owner Derek Vollmer brings a remarkable story to the business – he started washing dishes here at age 16 in 2007, worked his way up through every position, and purchased the restaurant in 2021.
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Keep Exploring →This deep understanding of what makes Busy Corner special shows in every detail, from the consistently excellent food to the welcoming atmosphere that makes strangers feel like regulars.
Menu Highlights That Keep People Coming Back
The Famous Pies: With 30 different varieties made fresh daily, the pie selection ranges from traditional coconut cream and French silk to creative offerings like Toffee Heath Crunch, Peanut Butter Oreo, and Door County Cherry.
The coconut cream takes the top spot as their number one seller, followed closely by French silk, Toll House, triple berry, and apple. You’ll want to arrive early for the best selection, as popular flavors disappear throughout the day.
Ron’s Hand-Breaded Tenderloin: This homemade tenderloin claims the title as their top-selling single menu item, and for good reason. The massive, hand-breaded portion arrives golden and crispy, often requiring a to-go box since it’s too large to finish in one sitting. The quality and size make it a standout even in Illinois, where tenderloin sandwiches are a serious business.
The Skillet Corner: This breakfast creation features a bed of golden hash browns topped with your choice of two eggs, sausage, ham, vegetables, or western toppings, then covered with sausage gravy, cheese sauce, or both, served with toast. It’s comfort food at its finest, designed to fuel you through whatever your day might bring.
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Discover MoreLegendary Fried Chicken: The hand-battered fried chicken requires a 20-25 minute wait, but arrives hot, crispy, and worth every minute. Multiple reviews consistently praise it as “amazing” and some of the best they’ve experienced. The generous four-piece dinner portions often send diners home with leftovers.
Comfort Food Classics: The menu features hearty favorites like marinated ribeye steaks, BBQ ribs, whole catfish (weekend specialty), beef and noodles, and country fried steak. The chicken fried steak gets special praise for its perfectly peppery gravy that doesn’t overwhelm the dish.
Atmosphere & Setting
Modern Comfort: The current location, opened in 2005, offers a clean, modern facility with seating for 160 guests plus an additional 40-seat seasonal patio. The sparkling, well-maintained dining room creates a welcoming family atmosphere where you’ll see everyone from business travelers to multi-generational families enjoying meals together.
Strategic Location: Positioned perfectly where Interstate 74 meets Routes 150 and 117, Busy Corner serves as an ideal stopping point for travelers between Peoria and Bloomington. The convenient location next to a gas station makes it effortless to fuel up both your car and yourself during long road trips.
Pie Display Paradise: The restaurant’s entrance features an impressive display case showcasing the day’s pie selections, creating an irresistible visual welcome that immediately sets expectations for the treat ahead. The map in the entryway, where customers pin their hometowns, demonstrates just how far people travel for these famous desserts.
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Keep Exploring →Bustling Energy: Don’t let the crowds intimidate you – even when the parking lot appears full and people are waiting, the efficient service keeps things moving smoothly with typical wait times under 20 minutes. The lively atmosphere adds to the experience rather than detracting from it.
Other Considerations
Exceptional Value: Prices remain remarkably reasonable for the generous portions and quality you receive. Cream pies run $2.95 per slice, while fruit pies with ice cream cost $3.95 – incredible value for homemade desserts of this caliber. The dinner portions often provide enough food for both your meal and tomorrow’s lunch.
Family-Friendly Excellence: The restaurant welcomes everyone from toddlers to senior citizens, creating a genuinely inclusive family dining experience. The coffee alone earns rave reviews as some of the best served at any restaurant, making it perfect for lingering conversations.
Practical Details: Busy Corner accepts reservations and offers takeout, delivery, and curbside service. They accept modern payment methods including Apple Pay and Google Pay. Hours run from 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM Saturday, and 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM Sunday.
Perfect Timing: If you’re particularly interested in pie, consider ordering your slice at the beginning of your meal to ensure availability of your preferred flavor. Weekend specials often include whole catfish and other unique offerings not available during the week.
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Discover MoreBusy Corner
📍 302 S Eureka St, Goodfield, IL 61742
