Charlie Parker’s Diner was established in 1992. The current owner Bill Pope is the sixth owner of the restaurant. Bill purchased Charlie Parker’s Diner April 1, 2017. Charlie Parker’s Diner is a proud, locally owned, independent restaurant that has been in the same location since 1992.

In October of 2007, Guy Fieri, visited Charlie Parker’s Diner to film an episode for Diners Drive-Ins and Dives on the Food Network. The episode aired for the first time in March of 2008 and has been shown repeatedly over the years. Since that time, Charlie Parker’s Diner has received many other national and local awards and citations. We were featured in the Chicago Tribune in 2009, WGN’s Skydives, 2010, Wall Street Journal, 2010, Food Network Magazine, Best Breakfasts 2010, Popular Plates Quick Eats magazine, 2011 (Best of the U.S. Top 125 Road Stops). Where the Locals Eat (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), Talk of the Town (4.5 star rating Excellence in Customer Satisfaction, 2010, 2011, 2012), Talk of the Town (5 star rating Excellence in Customer Satisfaction, 2013). Named as an "Enjoy Illinois Delicious Destination" by the Illinois Department of Tourism. Received the 2016 Illinois Governor's Conference on Travel & Tourism "Best Culinary Focused Marketing Campaign" award.

Charlie Parker’s Diner was named Grand Champion in the Thomas’ Hometown Breakfast Battle, a contest with 135 restaurants from across the nation. Charlie Parker’s Diner entered a breakfast horseshoe on an English muffin. After six weeks of on-line voting and a trip to New York City where previous owner Mike Murphy cooked the breakfast horseshoe on Fox & Friends national morning show, Charlie Parker’s was declared the National Grand Champion.

Local awards include Illinois Times Best Breakfast (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. 2015, 2016), Best Restaurant Off the Beaten Path (2011), Best Hangover Food (2011), Best Place Where Kids Eat Free (2013, 2014, 2015). The State Journal Register Best Breakfast (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017) and Best Diner (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)

Customers are always curious about our building, a Quonset hut. Between 150,000 to 170,000 Quonset huts were manufactured during World War II. Quonset huts were meant to house people and protect materials at far-flung bases. The building needed to be inexpensive, lightweight, and portable so it could be shipped anywhere and put up quickly using hand tools. A crew of six experienced men could build a hut in a day. After the war, the U.S. military sold the surplus Quonset huts to the public for around $1000 each. We are not sure when the Quonset hut arrived at this location, but it has not always been a restaurant. It was home to Woodside Township Maintenance shed, trucking company, plumbing and heating business and even a bait shop for a short period. We think it’s perfect as a restaurant and are happy to be here.

Come by and see us anytime Monday-Saturday 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or Sunday’s 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.