I'm generally not a fan of the international chain of Burger King (though I do like tomato on my burger and McD's hasn't done that in years) so I was super excited to get to a Burger King that ISN'T PART OF BURGER KING. No, this isn't a copy or a McDowell's (shout out to the Coming To America film). This Burger King predates the international chain arriving in the USA and so I had to check it out. A friendly high-school aged young lady took my order and a few minutes later, my number was shouted. I dug into a fabulous grilled "smashed" cheeseburger and some crispy hot fries. Delicious, topped as I requested and fresh. This was nothing less than five stars tasty! [Review 1284 of 2024 - 211 in Illinois - 22307 overall] read more

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The food was classic - double cheeseburger everything combo meal. Definitely would order again. Only issue went there a half hour before closing girl at register wasn't real pleasant or helpful on making choices. Definitely would go back maybe would go to different register next time. read more

This Burger King staff was very attentive and thoughtful. They made sure to get me in and out quickly! read more

Burger King - Welcome - Burgers Near Me - Mattoon, Illinois

It was wonderful to order with a smiling person. They have cherry, vanilla, and chocolate syrup for your drinks. The burgers are great and made-to-order. We tried fries and onion rings. Both were fabulous. The food came out hot. We finished with lemon ice cream. If they ask, get the eyes!! They remind me of the raindrop candy from childhood. It was so fun to finally try the Original Burger King. While the place is small, the noise is not bad. We had three at the table and it was easy to talk to each other. We look forward to returning. Honestly, we were so hungry we thought of ordering another burger. Now that we waiting a few minutes, our tummies are full. read more

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Everything was delicious! Cheese burger, double cheeseburger, strawberry shake, glacier, onion rings, and fries! No changing table in the bathrooms. read more

Stopped by Mattoon just to try this cute spot. The prices are just like I'm back in California at an In-N-Out. Burgers are around 4 bucks and regular fries are about 2 bucks. The food here was super good. I got a king burger and a pound of fries. The fries are super crispy and well seasoned. The burger was also so good. It's kind of like a big mac, but the flavors were much stronger (probably because they don't have to mass produce food like mcdonald's). I also got their cute ice cream with the candy faces. I got the swirl, which wasn't anything mind blowing. Just ice cream with some candies on top. Service was quick. I ordered and waited about 5 minutes before the food came out. Overall, I'd definitely stop here again for a quick meal if I'm ever passing through again! read more

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Driving on I-57 Atlas Obscura brought our attention to this joint. This is a step up from the fast food chain. The Original Burger King is an original. The Hooter with everything is their version of a Whopper, with fresh veggies and a crisp skirt on the smash burger. The fries were crispy and delicious and great handmade milkshakes. The strawberry shake had huge chunks of strawberries. The place was packed. Just as much for the ice cream as the great priced burgers. Glad we stopped. read more

Burger King - Large combo Hooter, fries Strawberry Shake - Burgers Near Me - Mattoon, Illinois

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As soon as we walked in the service was great, counter girl took our order and with in a few minutes our food was served. The burger was excellent a great smash burger washed it down with a great Milkshake only down side was the fry's would of liked to had some fresh cut instead of your average at best frozen read more

This place is so cute! Loved the family pack burgers and fries! Fries were so delicious. Loved the soft serve as well.

THE BEST FRIES you have ever had ! Abit crunchy and just melt in your mouth. Burgers are delicious ! Must try if you are in the area or if not, you still should drive here and try this burger & fries joint! read more

Burger King - Burger & Fries - Burgers Near Me - Mattoon, Illinois

This place is what the national chain should of been. I rather have this Burger King over the multimillion dollar one. A burger king that has great five star service, good restrooms, good food and items like hot dogs with great history too. It was absolutely worth the stop. I came here originally to stop in Casey illinois and I learned about this place and I had to stop here. Did not regret it! I would happily drive back to patronize this business again. You can't beat the "OG" Burger King read more

Probably some of the best burgers in central illinois hands down! This is the original Burger King location that had to fight to keep their name and is nothing like the chain restaurants. Food is delicious and prepared fresh to order. Burgers are smash burgers which are a favorite of mine. It's like crack cocaine of hamburgers to me and I could eat em like Wimpy from Popeye's! read more

Burger King - O.G. Location! - Burgers Near Me - Mattoon, Illinois

Always delicious and friendly. I love stopping here when I'm in town. I love their fries with cheese sauce

Not to be confused with the major burger chain, this place goes back to the 1940s! It is said that the people who started this had to fight hard to keep the name, and I believe it was a judge that ruled they can keep it since the Burger King we all know existed afterwards. I was in Mattoon on a short road trip and I knew I had to check this one out. Read a lot of great reviews on their burgers and fries. But, in the end, I found them to be well, not too different than what I get at other places. Example: the burger tasted like something I could get at Freddy's or Culvers. The fries were okay. They weren't crinkly or blatantly the frozen kind - instead, they were more breaded. I also ordered a big cheese sauce which added to the flavors. I was still hungry afterwards so I got an Oreo blizzard (I know that's not what they call it but similar). The only thing I was really disappointed in besides the food was the look. Everybody notes the nostalgic-ness but the building surprisingly didn't look that old, nor did it bring any old vibes. But oh well...at least I can say I've eaten here! read more

Thee best. We ordered the junior cheeseburger, double cheeseburger, fries, chicken strips, a small lemon cone, and a small banana shake. Cheeseburger was excellent. Perfect thinness and combination of toppings. Thin shaved onion tomato and lettuce. I think they make their pickles and those have a great vinegar dill freshness too. Fries were crispy, the lemon ice cream was creamy and not too sweet, and the banana shake was made with fresh bananas. I wish there were more places like this around and less of that other place that goes by the same name. Burger King of Mattoon, IL is truely the king of burgers. read more

Burger King - Junior cheeseburger - Burgers Near Me - Mattoon, Illinois

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This isn't your normal Burger King. I mean that literally as this isn't associated with the chain. It opened 1 year prior to the first "have it your way" BK. The food here is simple, and you get what you order. I ordered the Bacon Cheeseburger with everything on it, and that's what I got. I would compare it to a Butterburger from Culvers. The fries were also well done. Obviously when you go to a place that sells ice cream you have to get it. We went with the twisted cone and this bad boy was huge! It's just a simple half and half cone, but it did the job. This place is like you are walking into a time machine and going back to a mid century diner. If you are driving through this town take the detour and get this food. read more

Burger King - Bacon Chesseburger and fries - Burgers Near Me - Mattoon, Illinois

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The food was delicious and the staff were extremely friendly. One of the best smash burgers I've ever had, and the fries were the best I've ever had! read more

My all time favorite burger. Always and forever. I've come here since I was a child and now I bring my kids.

They have the absolute best cheeseburgers ever. I do not even eat meat but I have definitely made an exception once or twice for this place. Their fries are better than any fries I have ever had, and they have pretty good ice cream too! read more

Burger King - Burgers Near Me - Mattoon, Illinois

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The food is always good! I highly recommend a double cheeseburger and Onion Rings. Best Ice Cream in town.

Quick Service. Burger was mediocre wish it was served a little hotter. We also enjoyed ice cream it was good.

Burger King. Before there was "Burger King." Yep, before all of the various and sundry hamburger chains began dotting the American landscape, this burger joint began operations in 1952 in the central Illinois burgh of Mattoon. In fact, its establishment predated the big chain Burger King and, through a landmark trademark case, allowed the little guys here to keep BK outside a twenty-mile radius of this restaurant location. Beyond the historical footnotes, this restaurant puts out a steady stream of tasty burgers, fries, shakes, and ice cream. Food is ordered at the counter before you carry out or sit at a table as you please. The burgers are on the thin side but well put together with the regular condiments you'd expect: ketchup, mustard, garden veggies, pickles. Service is friendly as you'd expect in this slice of the Heartland. read more

This Burger King puts the chain to shame! Their burgers and fries are simple, yet so delicious and you cannot beat the prices! The staff was friendly and the food was fresh. read more

Burger King - a hand holding a hamburger with a bite taken out of it - Burgers Near Me - Mattoon, Illinois

This place is literally subpar. You might as well go through a drive-through. When you say you want everything on a hotdog they put mayonnaise on it. So we asked for Chicago style and this is what we got on and hotdogs for burgers are good and are similar to Culver's. Otherwise the service was great and the tables are clean outside read more

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No whoppers here! As they say "this is not A Burger King, this is THE Burger King". Est. 1952 around 10 years before the Burger King franchise came to Illinois. They sued the franchise given they had copyright of the name, but lost that battle, however to soften the blow there was an order put in place that still exists today, where no Burger King franchise could be within 20 miles of this Burger King! It's an old school fast food joint that my hubby used to go to when he was in college in Charleston, so we had to stop and get cheeseburgers, fries and icecream for nostalgia memories. 4 cheeseburgers and a pound (yes a pound!) of fries that are super crispy unlike any I've had before for $10! Cheeseburgers are like better versions of McDonald's cheeseburgers (or what I remember McDonald's cheeseburgers tasting like... I haven't had one for years!). Friendly service and always nice to go to a historic place like this :) read more

Burger King - A pound(!) of fries and 4 cheeseburgers for $10! - Burgers Near Me - Mattoon, Illinois

I know they use fresh locally produced ground beef from the Morgans Meat Market. It's a great family Burger and Ice cream shop with great tasting food. Service is great also! It is much like it has been since the sixties and has a family oriented Ambiance. I personally do not know anyone who doesn't go there. read more

I love this local burger place, but for the out-of-towners it's not what most expected. Here is a link to the story. https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/illinois/original-burger-king-il/ read more

This place used to be the best!! Lately it consists of kids running it, and everyone standing around eating on the clock. So disgusting!! The manager does not wear gloves, and he is very rude! He also eats while he is packing the orders up. We also watched staff on break eating then they returned back to handle food with out washing hands or wearing gloves! So disappointed! Definitely not the way it used to be! We will not be back!! read more

This original Burger King started in 1952! My Hubby used to live in this area and was always telling me about this little burger joint! We drive over at least once a year to eat here. The hamburgers are simple, small and taste like childhood. This time they had upgraded a bit and put in a drink fountain station. I think some of the tables and chairs are new too. But thankfully the burgers and fries haven't changed a bit! So much in life changes, it's fun to go to a place you remember and it still be exactly as it was. We take a road trip and head East and stop at all our favorite places and always eat at Burger King! The employees are always friendly and your order comes out fast in paper sacks. The milkshakes are thick and creamy and we especially like the strawberry. This is not the Burger King franchise you think. This is the original. If you are ever near by, stop in and check this place out! read more

Good food, good service employees are nice didn't mess up anything overall good experience

Very cool place. Prices are cheap and food is delicious. Will absolutely be making a return trip again when I'm in the area!

I used to love eating here. However, last time I was there I had stuff floating around in my drink so I had to pour it out. I don't think they are cleaning out the soda fountain like they are suppose to. Please if anyone is reading this CLEAN THE MACHINES! It's so gross! Now I'm afraid to eat there for fear of things not being cleaned properly! This place deserves to stay in business just needs proper care and maintenance! read more

THE ORIGINAL BURGER KING! Besides Villa, this is the other place to be when you are in Mattoon (or so the locals tell me). I'll take the burgers and fries here any day over the chain restaurant. The burger was tasty and the fries were crispy! I think the fries must have been coated in something to make them extra delicious. They also have an assorted array of desserts...which I will try next time I stop by. read more

This is it for me--hamburger Mecca. Not to be confused with Burger King, the chain, Mattoon's The Burger King is a completely seperate entity (establish first) and has no relation or resemblance--and its hamburgers put the chain's charbroiled slabs of meat to shame. Here is the home of thin, greasy hamburgers and amazing crunchy french fries worth driving miles and miles for. I usually get a double cheese and top it off with a hand-made cherry Coke or if I'm really indulging, a chocolate cherry Coke (yes, they MAKE their own). The food is relatively cheap, the building is the original diner-style, there's a jukebox, and the nasally guy calling out your numbers make this the ultimate nostalgia trip for those remembering the good old days of big cars, big tunes, and savory fast food. Sure, you'll probably earn a coronary from a meal there, but it's oh-so worth it. The ice cream and shakes are also well worth diving into, but I'm usually so full from my burger and fries, I don't partake in it. A vanilla shake is a great treat in the afternoon just by itself. read more

I always stop in the Burger King when I'm in Mattoon. They're not associated with the chain Burger King. The burgers are cooked on a flat grill and are very thin. The fries are breaded. I've had most of their menu offerings and love them all. The fish and chicken are good too if you don't like burgers. During COVID they're requesting masks until you're at your table and have outdoor dining. Tip: When you enter there are two lines. The two cash registers to the left are for food and the window straight on is for ice cream orders. read more

Best fast food hamburger I've had in quite awhile. The Original Burger King is The Undisputed King of Burgers!

This place has always been Great ! Thank you for staying Home town Proud ! From the Band Days to Family Days ! So Glad You are still Here ! Great Service and Fabulous Food ! Stop and Enjoy the Good Nostalgic of the Eras ! Hugs ! read more

Not the home of the WHOPPER. No whoppers here. Old sixties feel, and menu. Burgers hand flattened and grilled crispy edges. Great food friendly service. We each had DOUBLE cheese burger. Very good. read more

went in on a Sunday night and got ice cream. the young lady sacking with pink hair was a delight. my pro to pup was superb. not to mention the orange dole whip was TO DIE FOR. read more

The "original" Burger King. Read about it, decided I had to stop by. It's not much of a detour from the interstate. The bun is fine but nothing special, miles better than those thin, floppy McDonald's buns for sure. The patties aren't that big, similar to fast food patties, but they are somewhat crisp-looking and just feel much better. I think you can get mushrooms on the burger, I should've asked for some. I got onion rings on the side, and that was one big minus - you really don't get that many for the regular size, definitely not enough to justify $3. I also got some soft serve. Flavor of the week (?) was cotton candy. I think I kept thinking about bubble gum since they're both blue ice creams, and they are definitely not the same. I think the disappointment there was just what I was expecting. It's a huge cone for $1.29 or whatever though. read more