This review is based on the service. As soon as we walked in (first time here), a 'short gray-haired' waitress loudly asked from across the restaurant if we were picking up. We said no, and she told us to sit, saying she wondered why we were "just standing there." While ordering, she was impatient, didn't make eye contact, and gave off a rude demeanor the entire time. When paying, she was holding on to the tablet which had a 20% tip pre-selected, we changed it to $1 due to the poor service. As we were leaving, she came outside, yelled for us to never come back, and flipped us off. We were polite the whole time, so this was shocking and uncalled for. Terrible customer service. Clearly caters to regulars, not new customers. read more

Not located on a corner but busy nonetheless. As I get back to exploring and the crazy of the world settles down, it's also time to try new items and popular favorites. My girlfriend and I were wanting breakfast and I was asking around what sounded and looked good. She suggested Busy Corner and I had thought she meant Cobbler Corner. Nope, there is a Busy Corner and a Cobbler Corner in Pekin. We showed up around 9am and it was still busy with the breakfast crowd. I guess this is why it's called Busy Corner. We parked in what appears to be a closed business' parking lot next door and headed in. Upon entering, I was shocked at how open the place is. With it being so busy, I didn't feel it was appropriate to take a photo from the entrance but trust me when I say that the dining floor is a square room with nothing but tables and chairs. A hostess (or something) came out from the back and nodded at an empty table for us to sit at. We grabbed the seat along the right wall and were given menus. Emily gave me a rundown of what she knew on the menu and her experiences here. She ordered her usual John Wayne breakfast skillet thing. I noticed a Bacon Waffle on the menu and debated on if it was a waffle that came with bacon or a waffle with bacon in it. Our waitress cleared the air on what it was when it came time to order. Can you guess what I ordered? BACON WAFFLE! It's a waffle with bacon in it. What a fun novelty. It took a little while for the food to come out due to how busy it was. Once it came out, I was impressed with how well the waffle looked with bacon in it. Emily's meal that the Duke loves looked just as good. I grabbed the syrup and poured a ton of syrup on both sides. I dug in and have to say this novelty of a meal is just that. I'm no food snob or professional but after a few bites, I knew the type of bacon they used didn't mesh with the waffle mix at all. I believe it was a hickory-type bacon used and it didn't go well at all with the generic waffle mix. Despite that, it wasn't bad at all. I put the whole thing down and each bite was just a confusing taste of bacon and waffle that tasted separately with each bite. Due to some recent food allergies, I had to decline the butter that came on the waffle. Maybe that would help bind the flavors together? While the flavor was odd, the portion size was huge. It was nearly as big as the plate it was served on and with my voracious appetite, I had only the waffle and the filled me up until early afternoon (and a whole front/back yard mow). Emily couldn't finish her John Wayne breakfast and had to take half home with her. As for why this place as a meal named or based on The Duke or John Wayne, I am at a loss to explain why. Maybe it's mentioned on the menu and I somehow overlooked it or maybe it's just a known fact... I will never know. If you know and want to share, leave a comment below. I had mentioned this place was an empty square. This works for jamming in as many tables as you can but also causes some slight claustrophobia-like feel because your neighbor sits a bit closer than a normal restaurant. With that in mind, it does make having a conversation a bit difficult due to everyone's voice filling the room. I repeatedly had to go 'huh?' 'what?' more so than normal. But... I'm glad my initial skepticism was extinguished once we sat down and had our food. Just goes to show that you can't judge a book by it's cover. read more

See all

Fantastic food, great waitresses, large portions, great homey feel. Parking free and close. We go eve week for an awesome breakfast and friendly banter. read more

First time here ever and it did not disappoint! All in our group had breakfast besides myself, in which I opted for the special for the day...Rick's Chop. Dear employees, owner, cooks, whomever is in charge.... Put that on the menu! It was amazing. Very large tender pork chop breaded and fried (not quite a tenderloin) served with white gravy. Honestly, may just be one of the best I've ever had. All of the others enjoyed their breakfast as well. We will for sure be back! read more

Busy Corner Restaurant - Rick's Chop with mashed potatoes, gravy and corn. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Pekin, Illinois

Great food and service. New menu is expansive with reasonable prices. Great staff. I have a great meal there at least weekly.

Great food . They got a new system to take your order now and it takes awhile so allow time if a family is meeting with separate checks .That's the only reason it's a 4 rating .Everyone working are good servers there .We always get great service when we go .Other than that it's a good place to go . read more

Stood in line for a few minutes and was able to see the crowd and the food they were eating. Noisy people and the food looked very sloppily made. So the wife and I went to another place read more

Clean bathroom, good prices, nice staff, good food. Nice small town restaurant. Family friendly and family friendly prices!

Family diner fast friendly service good price good food. Nice people. Great prices. Plenty of light. I was surprised by how friendly it felt inside. Not much parking though. read more

Indoor seating with "most folks wearing masks in and out". I had the lunch beef Manhattan and enjoyed the mashed potatoes most of all. Heat and eat beef..... I was expecting a little homemade diner type food. Maybe breakfast is better?‍ read more

A little bit of hype surrounding this place, but if you want good food and a local down home feel then come here. You can always wrap up the meal with a great piece of pie. read more

The pancakes I recommend and the Service was the best service I have seen I can't wait to go there again

Excellent food, pies and customer service! Will definitely be back again. Great family restaurant

Went for breakfast for the first time! I love it ! I ordered the biscuit and gravy half and it was plenty For me and delicious while my Husband had an unlimited supply of pancakes that were delicious and huge! I would go back! read more

We went for breakfast. The place was mostly full, the décor screamed 80s diner, but the service was friendly and you could tell most people were regulars. The dining area was clean and there is a semi open kitchen in the back that you can see into. The food was sub-par. I was very disappointed that this was not home cooked food. Now, other people with me chose omelets, and they really enjoyed theirs, so omelets may be the way to go for breakfast. I had a Big Boy breakfast. I was very disappointed with the biscuits and gravy. Both tasted like they had come from Sysco or Sam's Club. The gravy was obviously a mix and the biscuits were dry and definitely not homemade. The hashbrowns were bland and needed seasoning. Our waitress was very friendly and the food was filling, I just wish it would have been home cooked food, as one would expect from a mom and pop diner like this. read more

Breakfast was delicious. Staff was very friendly and service was very quick. Our server seemed to appear every time I took a sip of coffee to refill my cup. We were there about 10am and it was about half full or a little better. Will definitely be back when I am in the area and hungry! read more

I love the simple diner feel. The food is good, well prepared, service is fast and friendly and the prices are very reasonable.

We went back for a second time and tried lunch. Lunch was just as good as our breakfast experience. My double bacon cheeseburger was huge! When making it a basket i got ff and baked beans. The beans are delicious....not too sweet....just perfect. The hamburger was juicy and the toasted bun made the sandwich over the top according to my taste buds. The small horseshoe was perfect size and the cheese sauce was a perfect consistancy. What a place to get a burger! I overheard a woman say how good her fantailed shrimp was. Dont miss out on this place! read more

Busy Corner Restaurant - Double bacon cheeseburger basket - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Pekin, Illinois

See all

The food is great home-cooked meals great portions great service and the pies are to die for. Thank you for having the home feeling inside your restaurant. read more

I eat here all the time, I'm not sure what is going on behind the scenes. The sausage patty they were serving for the last two to three weeks changed back to the cheap one they used to serve for quite some time till recently. Also the pancakes were back to a different mix I'm sure of, they were not what they had been in recent weeks, because the ones I liked were moist and sweet these were very plain. I have to say a good greasy spoon place but I'll just have to go back to the omelets. read more

Went in for breakfast ,the wait staff was friendly and stayed on task. The prices were great but was kinda disappointed in the food I ordered the Duke breakfast and it was a great portion just not very tasteful. Will definitely give them another try though might have just been an off day. read more

This is one of my favorite places to eat breakfast. Every time I come to Pekin Illinois to vacation I always come here. Quality is always 100% here. read more

If you are eating here, you are in for a local treat! Please try the corned beef hash with sunny side up eggs. The yolk mixes well with hash and can scooped up with rye toast. This place is a total greasy spoon, but it puts out quality food for cheap prices. read more

Welcoming staff and generous portions at moderate prices made for a great breakfast. We'll be back!

Delicious food. The John Wayne Breakfast is my favorite thing to get here. I've never had an empty glass. The waitresses are attentive and friendly. read more

we have had terrible service the last couple times we went there once we sat 20 minutes and did not even get waited on t.finally walked out there was only about 10 customers , the last time we did not get in the door and was told sorry we close in 20 minutes and was told to leave ,mind you i was a waitress years ago my self this is totally uncalled for and both times it has been the manager on duty .always loved going in there great food but i have never had such crappy service , i don't know where the owner is but he needs to get a handle on his employees , thanks Bug read more

Best breakfast place in Pekin. Great service. Usually busy but never wait longer than 10 minutes for a table.

This place used to be exceptionally good...note I said used to be...been going downhill since new guy took over. He also owns ernie's n both places r terrible. Wont be going back. read more

I'm in love with this place! Came here with my husband to visit his family and we have eaten here almost every morning. The people are so friendly, the food is DELICIOUS, and the prices are unbelievably cheap. If you're in the area you have to check it out! read more

Pretty good! The food is great, decent prices, and good portions. Overall I really enjoy it. Didn't give it 5 stars just because sometimes the staff isn't super friendly, and also the atmosphere is lacking. read more

I love a hole-in-the-wall. They so often have the best food! Had a late morning breakfast /lunch here the other day and it was pretty darn good. I had a very tasty BLT with plenty of bacon. Also had the stuffed pepper soup which tasted homemade. Very good. Daughter had an omelet that she enjoyed. Coffee was also great, and I'm picky about that. Waitress was friendly and helpful. Small and bustling place, dated in all the best ways. Would definitely visit again. read more

Reasonably priced, quality breakfast. Menu has some interesting options. No frills on the atmosphere.