Bill's Toasty — Restaurant in Taylorville

We ate at Bill's for the first time because I saw the good reviews. This is not a fancy, yuppy, uptown place to eat. Understand that. It is a tiny diner that will transport you back 100 years to small town America. But I'm telling you, if you don't care about atmosphere, and just want a damned good cheeseburger cooked on a grill in front of you for a cheap price, or a luscious milkshake made out of real ice cream, hand dipped and put in a stainless steel cup to eat with a spoon, and just a simple conversation with the workers behind the counter and a friendly, "have a wonderful day!" as you walk out the door, this is your place. They are friendly and just want to cook you good, diner food just the way you want it right in front of you. Nothing fancy, just good. You won't leave hungry or unhappy. There's no vegan menu or cocktails...go elsewhere. It's the same as it was 90 years ago when it opened. It's open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week no matter what. The cheeseburger was the best I've had in years. I'm vegan, but just had to have a good ole burger. They are huge, so I would suggest the small or regular size unless you're a football player with a huge appetite. They also serve breakfast all day. I didn't have the omelette, but watched one being made and it looked fabulous. Go here if you are in town and just want good old fashioned diner food. There are very few seats, so don't go during the lunch rush or you might have to get it to go or eat at one of the picnic tables outside. To find it, plug in the police station...it is next door. It is...

You can't have a hick town without a hick dinner. Small town so im not gonna tell stories. If I lived out of state I would that way people wouldn't retaliate against me. I sound paranoid but thats small towns. They all are either related or know eachother. Its just weird & very awkward like dating your cousin or distant relative. One would think it would make the town one big fam. Nope... Just makes people more distant because the family is sick & dysfunctional. That said you really get to see that at three places here. 1 bills toasty 2 cork & keg 3 Kroger. Just the other day a friend of mine ran into an ex of hers there. Like I said hickville. Great place to leave. The food is greasy & soaks the bag it comes in. If you eat there on a Friday or just whenever alot of drunks are out. dont go here unless you want a 6'2 drunk wanting a fight. Either that or strange exenctrics come out late & then you gotta put up with that. Its been this way for over 15+ years ive lived here. It hasn't change a day. Kinda like the town. Open up the paper & see which cousin got a DUI or arrested for meth. Like I said cork & keg too. Its just kinda the whole east side of the square is like this. Bills is north but it borders alot of the bars. For some reason drunks are attracted to it like roach at night. If I want a burger with no drama or dunks ill just go to reynes or Wendy's or heck ill just drive to Springfield & get a burger from steak & shake for 6$ with fries. Cant beat that deal. Im done ranting gotta go buy some yummy gummies...

Took a chance on the way home from fishing at Lake Shelbyville on getting a burger. AND I am very glad I did!

Hadn't eaten much today and had seen signs for burger places and almost went to another BUT this place looked friendly AND reasonable.

The cook suggested the special which is a burger, fries and soft drink for $6.35? I watched as he put a huge, half-pound hunk of burger on the grill and started the process. That included fries and putting the condiments I desired on it: ketchup, Mayo, pickles, lettuce and a huge hunk of a tomato slice!

He also grilled, or toasted, the bun before adding them and when the burger was done (unseasoned) placed it atop the rest making for a BIG BURGER!

I had left my cell in the car so no pictures but suffice to say that I'll be back and it was as good, and even better that the ones I use to get from the W.T. Grant store's back home in Champaign at their lunch counter 60 years ago....GOD, I am getting old!

Anyway, it was the basic half-pound burger one desires but never gets anywhere else and for that price, it beats the Hell out of a BIG Mac Combo, and costs less too.

Actually, you can't even compare the two as this my friends was a BURGER AND FRIES!!!

PS They only serve Pepsi products. Next time I'll try...