In 1952 Gene and Betty Hoots purchased an ice cream stand in Mattoon, Illinois and called it the Frigid Queen. It was a hit, so they decided to add a kitchen and serve hamburgers and fries as well. While discussing what to call their new venture Betty famously suggested "Every Queen needs a King, let's call it Burger King." With their new name and a culture of "fast, friendly service" the Mattoon Burger King became a roaring success. In 1959, on the advice of a relative, Gene decided to trademark the name "Burger King" in the state of Illinois. Around the same time the chain Burger King started expanding in Florida. By the mid 1960's the chain had opened more than 50 franchise locations in Illinois and Gene and Betty had seen enough. They sued the chain for infringing on their Illinois trademark. The case made it all the way to the federal court who allowed them a 20-mile radius of protection around Mattoon in which to operate under the name "Burger King." The case set a precedent that is still cited in trademark disputes to this day. in 2017 Gene and Betty's longtime manager, Ernie Drummond and his wife Jodi purchased the business and still operate it to this day. They work hard to honor the longtime tradition of "fast, friendly service" and "fresh, never frozen" hamburgers. Stop in and see us today our history is cool, but our burgers are even better!!

Explore walking trails, observe wildlife, and participate in educational programs.

Downtown Charleston: Explore local shops, boutiques, and restaurants.

Local Restaurants: Enjoy a meal at popular spots like Roc's Blackfront Restaurant & Lounge, Jackson Avenue Coffee, or the Dirty's Bar & Grill.

Cross County Mall: Shop at a variety of stores or grab a bite to eat at the food court.

Local Restaurants: Dine at popular local spots like Alamo Steakhouse & Saloon, Villa Pizza, or Milk & Honey for coffee and snacks.