352884 Tue Dec 19 21:23:45 -0800 2006 11 8 Midwest 0 2113956 Help an out-of-region Chowhounder find the hamburger heaven described in a national news broadcast (CBS News? 60 Minutes? CBS Sunday Morning? I really don't recall) as being located at an intersection of two farm roads in Downstate Illinois. It was so remote and unknown that the producer and reporter on the story had a great deal of difficulty finding it. Sorry, that's all I can recall from a story I saw in the past 3-4 years. Any help is most appreciated. Tue Dec 19 21:23:45 -0800 2006 43116 noikea 1 2114363 It's called Moonshine, in Martinsville, Il. You won't get there by accident. There's a long thread about it on another forum I frequently lurk, but I'm not sure of the protocal about linking from one place to another. It includes directions. I haven't been to Moonshine yet, haven't been close enough to that direction to make the detour. But when I'm head anywhere within 75 miles of the place next time I'm going to hunt it down. I carry the directions in my glove compartment. Tue Dec 19 23:22:12 -0800 2006 2113956 16756 Scott D 1 2144712 Yes, I have been there several times. Get directions carefully, I have gotten steered incorrectly from Mapquest. It is amazing the crowds that have arrived after the CBS feature. One time there must have been 85 people there. Note: The grill is closed down at 12:30 SHARP!! No exceptions. That being said, the burgers are good, and it's 10/10 on the Americana scale, but I've had better burgers in Champaign, IL where I live, about 90 miles away from this place. Tue Jan 02 05:24:01 -0800 2007 2113956 31825 ddfry3 1 2177857 Noikea, you might want to check first before driving there. I was told recently that the Moonshine store had closed (I do NOT know that for a fact though). If your near East Central Illinois, here are a few of my suggestions: Danville Il. - Grossburgers Located on Route 1 in Westville just south of Danville and I-74. Family owned. They grind thier own beef fresh daily. I always go for the "Triple Special" It reminds me of Steak N Shake burgers when they were still good. Best of all you can get a Triple Cheeseburger, Fries and a Large drink for $5.00! Also in the Danville is a hidden treasure called the Moonglow. It's an old roadhouse just a stones throw from the Indiana State line. They have great steaks and the best breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches I have ever had, but the real star is the "Moonburger" They are HUGE! Whenever we go, my wife can never finish all of hers and always brings some home (Which she has to fight me for!). Get off I-74 at the Perrysville Road exit and head south. Turn left at the stop sign and stay on the road for about 4 miles until you get to the Moonglow. Even with being in the middle of nowhere, don't be suprised if you have to wait for a table on a Friday or Saturday. Mattoon Il - The Burger King I know what your thinking...Burger King? No it's not the Burger King chain, but one that is family owned and operated. Gene Hoots and family have run this long before the Burger King Chain ever got started. Gene's dad started an ice cream stand on the site years ago and added hamburgers and sandwiches. They changed the name to The Burger King and have been serving up killer burgers since. Gene has articles posted all over the walls of the resururant about how he has had to defend himslef over the years from lawsuits from the Burger King Chain. They have sued him trying to force him to change the name, but because he had it first he has won every time. In fact, Gene sued them several years ago when the chain violated an agreement not to locate within 50 miles of his Burger King (he won that too!). Gene is a colorful guy who is also a singer. You'll find his albums for sale in the dining room. After you order your food. you are given a number. When Gene calls your number he sings it! They also have homemade ice cream and a soda foutain. Try the Cherry Coke...it's great! Just get off I-57 at the Mattoon exit and go west until you see The Burger King. Thu Jan 11 18:14:30 -0800 2007 2113956 66055 doodledad 2 2180854 Had not heard that about Moonshine. It would be hard to believe, unless the owners just got tired of the huge crowd. Honestly, I had been there on days when there were 75+ people there. It was unbelieveable. Thanks for the Grossburgers tip. I used to have a church job in Danville...which I had known then. I am not sure I'd drive from Champaign, but will definitely try the next time I am in the area. I will second the Moonglow. I have heard about the "Burger King" place, never managed to eat there. One other good burger place in Danville is this little bar called O'Brien's, on Main St. I believe. Looks like a dive on the outside, but the inside is a kind of cool roadhouse type affair, and the burgers are excellent! Fri Jan 12 13:21:39 -0800 2007 2177857 31825 ddfry3 3 2587179 Moonshine is still open.Real easy to find. Take the Martinsville exit off of I70. Go south through town and as soon as you cross the RR tracks take the road that cuts right. follow that until it tees and turn right, then take the next left. You can't miss it. I was there the day they had their first helicopter stop in for lunch. The burgers are OK but the uniqueness of the place makes it a must see. Grossburgers are pretty tasty too, I haven't had a Moonburger yet but plan on trying one soon. My favorite place to get a burger is the Corner Tavern in Marshall, IL. It is on the northwest corner of the courthouse square. The hot pepper cheeseburger basket is tops! Sun May 20 20:03:48 -0700 2007 2180854 100056 mellowman131313 4 2587698 Good to hear that Moonshine is still going. I went to Moonglo this past week (Moonburger). They are big, but that's about it. It's pretty much just unseasoned crumbly hamburger, albeit a huge one. I'll have to try Grossburgers next time I am in the Danville area, or decide to drive the 35 minutes from Champaign! Mon May 21 06:06:32 -0700 2007 2587179 31825 ddfry3 4 2587703 I should clarify...by "crumbly" I don't mean a maid-rite...it IS in a patty! Mon May 21 06:07:20 -0700 2007 2587179 31825 ddfry3 2 2605038 Stopped by Gross' Burgers earlier this week. Definitely worth the stop. Great tasting burgers, nicely seasoned fries, and good shakes. It's several miles south off I-74, so you have to keep an eye out. It's on the left if you are heading south. Definitely worth a stop if needing a meal break heading east or west on I-74! Sat May 26 18:17:45 -0700 2007 2177857 31825 ddfry3 3 2614359 wow, I may actually have something to look forward to on my next trip through there. I once had a very good tenderloin in Martinsville. the diner had purple martins painted on a mural on the wall outside. Is this the same place? Wed May 30 13:16:19 -0700 2007 2605038 19466 lyn 4 2615344 Nope, it's a little country store type affair...no martins that I know of. Maybe you are thinking of something in Griggsville, IL? Wed May 30 17:49:16 -0700 2007 2614359 31825 ddfry3 2 3508578 DANVILLE IL AREA: If you like Grossburger then you have to try Mike's grill. This place has home cooked burgers with great shakes. Not to mention an old fashion drive up, where they bring your food out on a tray and hang it off your window. Mike's is on Georgetown road, the West side of the street. Grossburger and Mikes are about a mile apart from each other. If you are coming from Danville and you see Grossburgers on the East side of the road you have gone past Mike's. Great food, very friendly people! Decatur IL: Krekels, good burgers and great home made ice cream Mattoon IL: Villa Pizza killer pizza on the square downtown Mattoon. Whenever my kids play sports down there we pick up a pie for the drive home. They say they have an awesome brunch on the weekends. Have not made it down there for the feast. Fitz Wed Mar 19 14:26:54 -0700 2008 2177857 176134 Fitz6163