What’s Cookin’

Charleston, United States

3.6

Closed now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wi-Fi

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 217-345-7427
Website:
whatscookin.info
Address:
409 7th St, Charleston, IL, 61920
Categories:
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
No
Delivery
No
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Good For
Breakfast
Parking
Private Lot
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
Yes
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Ambience
Casual
Noise Level
Average
Alcohol
Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating
No
Wi-Fi
Free
Has TV
No
Waiter Service
Yes
Caters
Yes

Today

Today 7:00 am – 2:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Charleston) 6:11 AM Saturday, June 28, 2025

Business hours

Monday 6:00 am – 2:00 pm
Tuesday 6:00 am – 2:00 pm
Wednesday 6:00 am – 2:00 pm
Thursday 6:00 am – 2:00 pm
Friday 6:00 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday 7:00 am – 2:00 pm
Sunday 7:00 am – 2:00 pm

Description

History

Established in 1980.

EIU graduates Bob and Therese opened What’s Cookin’ in 1980 on Lincoln Avenue in Charlesto, IL. The tiny restaurant had only 8 tables. In 1985, when they had outgrown the tiny building they rented, they bought the present location at 7th and Madison. The restaurant now has 72 seats and a meeting room for 40. On Saturday-​Wednesday evening you can rent the entire restaurant for your event!

Meet the Business Owner

Bob and Therese K.

Business Owner

EIU graduates Bob and Therese opened What’s Cookin’ in 1980 on Lincoln Avenue in Charleston, IL. Bob was a marketing major from Brocton, IL. Therese was a Speech communicaton major from Chicago, IL. After finding success on Lincoln Avenue, they moved the restaurant to 7th and Madison in 1985. In addition to their passion for the restaurant business, Bob enjoys skiing and woodworking and Therese is an actor and director who appears at various theaters in the area.

Vicinity

Near this location:
110
ft
Jamaican Tan
410 7th St
180
ft
Tofaute & Spelman
701 Monroe Ave
180
ft
Allen Andrew
701 Monroe Ave
190
ft
Erba Head Start
7th & Monroe
190
ft
Art Space
714 Monroe Ave
200
ft
Karate USA
505 7th St

20 reviews of What’s Cookin’

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Place rating: 2
O'Fallon, IL
Charleston was a half way point to meet up with a friend. We stopped into What’s Cookin to avoid a chain restaurant. The service wade mediocre at best for it not being overly busy. We ordered breakfast. Omelet and pancakes good, stay away from the biscuits and gravy. Not sure if they were out of biscuits, or if they don’t know what biscuits are. Their «biscuits» are simply doughy dinner rolls smothered in sausage gravy. Quite disappointed!
Place rating: 3
Charleston, IL
I have lived in Charleston for about 8 months now and this is so far my favorite place for breakfast. The Strawberry bread (homemade and served warm!) is absolutely to die for, and they sell it by the loaf to take home. The inside and décor is pretty typical of a small town diner, but they have small touches that I enjoy. For example, they have good coffee, sell homemade goods and pies, and keep raw sugar on the table. As far as the actual food goes, it is good diner cuisine, nothing too fancy. Servers are always friendly and I will remain a loyal customer!
Place rating: 4
Charleston, IL
Favorite place for breakfast, never had a bad meal. Happy friendly service and good prices.
Place rating: 3
Charleston, IL
They have great breakfast. Biscuits and Gravy are some of the best around. The rest of the menu have shrunk and their prices have gone way up. And we try not to go there on the weekend mornings as that seems to be when the we have working a couple of waitresses who are rude and rushed because they would obviously rather be smooshing with the regulars. Otherwise atmosphere is nice and on the weekdays there are several waitresses who have been here for years and are always welcoming and friendly.
Place rating: 1
Gurnee, IL
I have always shown love to What’s Cookin’, but yesterday’s visit left me with a sour taste in my mouth. My date & I arrived for a late breakfast. The food was on point, but the waitress was rude. She had an attitude — and would rather talk AT me than TO me. Not to mention, she would rush off before my date or I could even request anything additional we may have wanted. She barely even checked on us to see how we were doing with our meal. I love to eat out, so to deal with crappy service is definitely a buzzkill on the meal & experience.
Place rating: 3
Summerlin, Las Vegas, NV
It was homecoming and we had a party of 6. We watched as people arriving after us continually got seated before us. After waiting for 45 minutes on what should have been 5 – 10 we sat in an empty back room. I understand things are going to be a little hectic, but seriously, 45 minutes?
We ordered some bloody Mary’s one of which had a dead gnat in the celery. Disgusting.
The food arrived and was fine. I ordered the gyro and my friend had the charleston breakfast. All in all it just wasn’t what I was expecting. I’m giving it 3 stars because the food was good but the seating situation was brutal. Oh, and the gnat in my drink doesn’t help with Unilocal reviews.
Place rating: 5
Saint Louis, MO
I went to college in Charleston, and I can say without question that What’s Cookin’ is the best spot to grab breakfast/​brunch in Coles County. The strawberry bread is a staple that only enhances their incredible breakfast menu tenfold. If you’re stopping by Charleston to visit your kids, or if you’re a student simply looking to shake a hangover with some delicious grub, this is the place to do it.
Place rating: 5
New Lenox, IL
I love the food and the friendly environment. It was one of the best breakfasts I’ve had in a really long time.
The staff was attentive and kind. They were also so good at making sure everything was exactly what we wanted.
Place rating: 2
Charleston, IL
Slow service, average breakfast. They serve alcohol which is a plus (Bloody Mary’s & mimosas are a nice addition to brunch), but lincoln garden has their breakfast beat easily.
Place rating: 1
Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL
Wow. Where to begin. We walked in and there was a line wrapping literally out the door, why, I still have no clue. We waited a half hour in the threshold of hell only to see group after group walk ahead of us. Once we got a table, it took 10 mins to be approached by the waiter. He somehow took everyone’s drink order, except mine, even though I was in the middle of the table. Another 10mins later he came back with the watered down stool that they call chocolate milk. Literally 75mins later, we got our food that was cold and missing several items. The waiter was aloof and honestly looked stoned. He then avoided our table and we had to go ask for our check. It will be a cold day in Hell before I ever return. AVOID THIS RESTERAUNT AT ALL COSTS!
Place rating: 5
Saint Louis, MO
GREAT little place. Service, smiles, and service was everywhere. Took some strawberry bread home and the wifey loved it.
Place rating: 4
Albany, WI
Came in for breakfast on Sunday morning, the place was packed but we were still seated promptly. Service was first rate. Standard midwestern breakfast fare; eggs were properly done, hash browns are great, bacon as well. We sat and watched people for awhile as it was starting to clear out when we finished and the waitress made sure the coffee cups were full. A very pleasant experience.
Place rating: 5
Valier, IL
An amazing breakfast at an amazing price. First, the service is great and friendly. As for the breakfast, the hash browns are amazingly tasty and quite dense, which are perfectly cooked (not overly or underdone). The bacon is crispy and perfectly cooked. The eggs’ extra butter taste adds a little more love. As for the biscuits, they taste as if they are made from scratch. The only issue I have is that their sausage lacks flavor. Another plus at Whats Cookin is their coffee, which is quite smooth yet bold. Easily the best breakfast place in Charleston. I usually go early in the morning and never have a problem finding a seat.
Place rating: 5
Saint Louis, MO
What a great dining experience! Delicious food. Both breakfast and lunch options were delicious. Breakfast is served all the time. I had the crispy chicken salad with the staple honey mustard dressing. That dressing made my life complete. I want gallons of it in my kitchen. Most of my party got breakfast and I wish I could’ve had both an omelet and my salad. The strawberry bread is to die for. I’m not one for dramatics, but if I could eat a loaf a day for the rest of my life then I could die a happy man. And the bathrooms are so professional!
Place rating: 1
Woodridge, IL
Worst service ever. I mean EVER.
If there was another option we would have walked out after being ignored for 10 min. And no service during the meal… Never got my strawberry bread, but he never came around to see if everything was ok. Bad bad bad all around. Food not good either. Something is wrong here, hope you fix it.
Place rating: 5
Highland, IL
Great place, great service, tremendous food!
Place rating: 2
Indianapolis, IN
I ate at WC in the 80s and agree the breakfast was great. First place I ate Huevos Rancheros. Lived here in 2008. The baked goods are still good but for breakfast it is below average. I’m sorry but if your thing is breakfast don’t serve plastic tubs of syrup like I’m at a McDs drive thru. It isn’t expensive but it’s more than mcds. Coffee is blah, and if this is only option for visitors charge a bit more and offer better quality.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Best restaurant in central Illinois. And I’ve eaten at avanti’s!
Place rating: 5
Frankfort, IL
I actually began going to whats cookin at least 20 years ago. I have family in the area near EIU, and this was always a favorite stop of mine! After my road-​trip this past weekend and the good time here, I plan to visit a little more frequently.
It’s a pretty basic diner. They only serve breakfast and lunch, and I believe they close somewhere around 2:00. You can’t really go wrong with anything on the menu. Do yourself a favor and order some strawberry bread or a muffin! Even if you must take it to-​go. It’s worth every calorie!
The service is very friendly. However, the service is friendly just about everywhere in this town. They will also ship a loaf of the strawberry bread to you at home back in Chicago (order on their website). I have very little faith that I will fit into shorts this Summer if I order it though!
If you are on a road-​trip or visiting EIU for any reason this place is a real gem in the area!
Place rating: 5
Flossmoor, IL
Great place! Great strawberry bread
and good service! Don’ believe the local guy who called it a last choice, he is a mattoon local!