A Slice of Downtown Decatur: Coney McKane’s American Eatery

Outside of Coney McKane's

Tucked into the heart of downtown Decatur, Coney McKane’s American Eatery has been serving up more than just meals for nearly three decades; it’s been serving up community.

“Originally, Coney McKane’s started as a bakery just over 30 years ago,” owner Nick Cox says. “It was a bakery in Moweaqua, then moved to Martin Luther King before it made its way downtown. Since it’s been downtown, it has expanded and doubled its square footage and occupancy. It went from seating about 30 people to now over 100, plus a patio that fits another 30.”

That growth reflects more than just good business. It’s the result of a deep connection between the restaurant and the people of Decatur.

“My biggest thing is that anytime we can bring people downtown, whether that be to Coney’s or any of our neighbors, that’s a win for all downtown,” Cox says. 

At the center of it all is Grandma Flo, the 91-year-old matriarch who’s been baking pies since the very beginning.“She comes in every day, around 4:30 or 5 in the morning,” Cox says. “She gets more done before seven than most of my staff gets done the whole day.”

Grandma Flo, the heart of Coney McKane's, featured on the walls of the establishment.

Flo’s pies have become a favorite delicacy for all of Decatur, but it’s her spirit that truly defines Coney McKane’s. Two of her daughters and two of her great-grandchildren also work in the restaurant, making it a true family affair.

“A lot of places try to tell you they’re a family restaurant,” Cox says. “We are a family restaurant.”

That sense of family extends beyond the staff. Coney McKane’s has become a second home for many regulars, creating bonds that go beyond the dining room.“We love our regulars to the point where they know when it’s a staff member’s birthday before they even get here,” Cox says. “They know who’s getting married, who had babies, they know everything about us.”

Coney McKane’s has also become a cornerstone of downtown Decatur, helping drive the area’s revitalization. “Decatur knows where Coney’s is, even if the people don’t,” Cox says. “Being on the corner where we are is a huge benefit. We’ve been downtown for 28 years, and there are only a couple of restaurants that have been around longer. We’re here for the long haul. We’re proud to be part of downtown and to reinvest in it. We’ve watched the resurgence over the last few years, and we’re really excited about it.”

For Millikin students, Cox hopes Coney McKane’s can be more than a restaurant. Cox wants it to be a comfort away from home. “What Millikin students can get from coming here is an affordable meal that feels like a home-cooked meal,” he says. “You’re not just getting a sandwich or grabbing something in a hurry. You can sit down, have a meal for less than 20 bucks, and not feel like you’re order number 26.”

For Cox, success isn’t just about serving good food; it’s about creating a place people want to be. “When I started in restaurants, my goal was to own my own,” he says. “But I never wanted to own a restaurant that people wanted to work at. I wanted to own a restaurant that people wanted to stay at. The biggest compliment I get is turning around every day and seeing the same faces, the same employees who choose to be here year after year.”

And that, perhaps, is what makes Coney McKane’s special. It’s more than a local eatery. It’s a living piece of Decatur’s story, one slice of pie at a time.

For more information or to check out the full menu, visit Coney McKane’s American Eatery at 104 E Prairie Ave, Decatur, IL 62523. You can call (217) 475-1111 or explore their menu at coneymckane.com.