'A recipe for success': Central Illinois restaurant continues after more than 75 years

Customers sat around a bustling horseshoe counter at the Busy Corner. A murmur of conversation filled the air, and after one patron left, another was informed his meal had been paid for.

In the kitchen, pieces of tenderloin were pounded to size by an employee. Nearby, cherry pie filling simmered over a gas stovetop as chicken sizzled in the frier.

A typical restaurant setting, perhaps ... if not for the film crews.

The Busy Corner welcomed "America’s Best Restaurants" on March 13. The longtime business highlighted its staple dishes, and owner Derek Vollmer spoke with host J Russell.

Previously: This beloved central Illinois eatery will be featured on 'America's Best Restaurants'

Continuing a longtime business

Vollmer began working at Busy Corner as a dishwasher in 2007. At the time, he said his teacher – Peg Selvey – owned the restaurant with her husband, Randy.

Busy Corner was first built over 75 years ago in 1947. Years later, Randy and Peg Selvey opened the restaurant’s current building – situated at 302 Eureka St. in Goodfield.

Before the Selveys, Vollmer estimated the business had been operated under six or seven different owners.

“(Randy and Peg) owned it for 40/41 years, I believe,” he said. “Yeah, so yeah, they really made it what it is today.”

Vollmer said he always had an entrepreneurial spirit. So, as he worked his way up the ranks at Busy Corner, he began to envision his future with the business.

“When I saw that this opportunity was here to actually run a very well established, successful business, I was like, ‘This could be my long-term plan,’” he said.

During his interview with Russell, Vollmer said he and his wife, Emily, knew owning and operating a restaurant would be difficult and stressful at times. Even so, they decided to pursue the opportunity.

Vollmer gradually bought into Busy Corner before taking full ownership in 2021. He has since added a patio space to the restaurant, which can seat 40 people. Inside, the establishment can accommodate just over 160 guests.

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This, however, is a drop in the bucket compared to the business’s typical number of visitors.

Vollmer said Busy Corner welcomes around 1,000 customers each day. Many people are regulars at the restaurant, but Vollmer said there are also those who are just passing through.

When asked about the establishment’s enduring success, Vollmer said:

“That's the hard question. It's like what's the magic thing that keeps us going? And I want to say that it's because of the staff that people come back.”

Some employees, Vollmer said, have worked at Busy Corner for 20 to 40 years. He said this consistency stands out to customers.

The pies, of course, are also a draw.

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‘Good, homemade, classic food’

The longtime restaurant’s pie was one of three menu items which was highlighted when "America’s Best Restaurants" came to visit.

Busy Corner offers customers a wide assortment of pies to choose from. Baked options include caramel apple, pumpkin, rhubarb, apple cinnamon, tripleberry and more. Cream pies include:

• Coconut cream

• Mocha silk

• Strawberry cream

• Turtle pie

• Chocolate silk pecan

• Andes’ mint

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Busy Corner also featured “Ron’s Homemade Tenderloin” and its fried chicken dinner during the visit. The menu items are listed for $9.99 and $12.49, respectively.

Vollmer described the tenderloin as “crispy” and “crunchy” after Russell considered the best way for a customer to dig in. While the tenderloin dwarfed the bun and toppings, Vollmer noted some restaurants offer tenderloins “even two (or) three times bigger than that, but we like our size.”

The fried chicken – offered as a special on Thursdays – was served alongside corn and a baked potato. As Russell tried the dish, he noted: “This is one of the best meals I've had on 'America’s Best Restaurants.'”

“It's just classic food. You know, it's nothing fancy, nothing special,” Vollmer said in response. “It's just good, homemade classic food.”

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‘A recipe for success’

Vollmer said he first heard from America’s Best Restaurants last fall. The marketing company – based in Kentucky – has filmed over 1,000 episodes for its online show.

At first, Vollmer said he was a bit apprehensive about appearing on the show – noting that the restaurant already draws in numerous customers each day. However, he said he realized the episode would ultimately benefit the restaurant.

Since announcing Busy Corner would appear on "America’s Best Restaurants," Vollmer said there has been “an incredible reaction” from the community.

“I've had people reach out to me from Arizona and Florida and other states that knew me or have worked here before and reached out,” he said. “So, that's been really kind of exciting – just to kind of get that spark reignited.”

The finished episode – which will air at a later date – will be available on a number of online platforms. This includes the website for "America’s Best Restaurants," its social media accounts and Busy Corner’s Facebook page.

Looking back, Vollmer said “being part of this legacy has been like awesome.”

He hopes to eventually pass Busy Corner on to the next owner, so its legacy continues. Until then, he told Russell the restaurant will continue as it always has – with “great food, great customers (and) great employees.”

Busy Corner, Russell ultimately noted, has found “a recipe for success.”

More: 'Wonderful' patron donates $18,000 to employees at Hearth Restaurant in Peoria Heights

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Central Illinois restaurant welcomes 'America’s Best Restaurants'