This Beloved Kentucky Restaurant Just Earned A Spot In The State’s Historic Dining Guide

Some buildings get old and boring, but this one just keeps getting cooler. Back in the day, folks came here to shoot pool and win bragging rights.

Today they come for the food, and the bragging rights are all about lunch. Your only real competition now is the person eyeing the last booth.

Grab it fast, because the tin ceiling above deserves a long, slow look. The burger still carries the old pool room’s name like a proud family heirloom.

It is patted by hand, which feels like a small act of rebellion these days. Kentucky noticed, too.

This cozy diner just landed in a guide to the state’s historic places to eat. That is basically the restaurant version of making the honor roll.

Save room for the apple dumpling, which shows up warm with ice cream on top. Bring a big appetite and leave your pool cue at home.

A Fresh Honor From The Kentucky Historic Dining Guide

Some restaurants chase trends, but this one simply kept the grill hot for decades. Billy Ray’s Restaurant has earned a place in the Kentucky Historic Dining Guide.

The guide highlights locally owned restaurants operating in National Register-listed historic properties that retain their historic character and meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

That is a tall order for any kitchen. Billy Ray’s checks every box without even trying to show off.

Picture a downtown corner where people have gathered to eat for nearly a century. The address alone carries stories older than most of the folks eating there.

You get more than a meal here. You get a chapter of eastern Kentucky history served on a plate.

The honor also shines a light on Prestonsburg itself. Travelers looking for authentic mountain dining now have one more reason to make the drive.

Locals, of course, already knew this place was special. Now the rest of the state is catching up.

So plan your stop with an empty stomach and a little curiosity. Ask about the building, look at the counter, and soak in the setting.

History tastes better when you are hungry. Lucky for you, that combination is easy to find at this downtown table.

A Pool Room With A Big Appetite

Long before anyone ordered pancakes here, people came to shoot pool.

The building at 101 N Front St, Prestonsburg, Kentucky, was completed in 1927 by a pharmacist named H.E. Hughes.

It first opened as a pool room and arcade. Locals knew it as Cooley’s Pool Room.

Here is the part that makes your jaw drop. Cooley’s reportedly served 90 to 100 pounds of hamburgers every single day.

Those burgers were famously plain. They came topped with only mustard and onions, and nobody seemed to complain.

Think about that number for a second. That is a lot of patties flipped on one small grill in a mountain town.

The burgers became a local legend as big as the pool tables. People came for a game and stayed for a second sandwich.

You can still feel that spirit in the place today. The building may have changed, but the burger story never left the room.

Knowing this history makes your visit richer. You are not just grabbing lunch, you are joining a line of hungry customers that stretches back nearly a century.

Next time you bite into a simple burger here, think of those early pool players. They were onto something good long before you arrived.

From A Cola Trailer To Front Street

Every great restaurant story needs a humble start, and this one began in a trailer. Billy Ray Collins was a Prestonsburg city councilman with a big idea.

He purchased the old pool room property in the 1970s. Then, in 1980, he ran a concession stand at Archer Park.

That stand operated out of an old Royal Crown Cola trailer. You have to admire someone who builds a dream from a soda trailer.

From there, he moved to the downtown location. Step by step, he turned the old pool room into a full service restaurant.

His goal was simple. He wanted a family friendly place where neighbors could share good, filling food.

It worked better than anyone could have guessed. The restaurant grew into a true gathering spot for the whole town.

That kind of patience is rare today. Many businesses rush, but Billy Ray built slowly and kept his promise to the community.

When you visit, you are enjoying the result of that steady work. Each plate carries a little of his can do attitude.

So raise your red plastic cup to a councilman who believed in his town. His name is still on the sign for a very good reason.

Rising Again After The 2002 Fire

Plenty of places could have closed their doors for good after a setback this big. In 2002, a fire caused by a leaky gas pipe destroyed the original building.

For a lot of owners, that would have been the end. Billy Ray Collins had other plans.

He vowed to rebuild. The whole town seemed to hold its breath waiting for its favorite diner to return.

The new restaurant opened its doors on January 12, 2004. Sadly, Billy Ray did not get to see that day, but his promise came true.

Think about what that grand opening meant to locals. Their gathering place was back, and it carried his determination in every brick.

You can feel that comeback spirit today. The rebuilt room honors the past while giving guests a comfortable, cozy setting.

Here is a fun way to enjoy your visit. Look around and remember that this building is a promise kept.

The Kentucky Historic Dining Guide honors places with deep roots. Few roots run deeper than a restaurant rebuilt by pure grit and love for a town.

Your meal here tastes a little sweeter once you know the story. Order something hearty and appreciate the hands that brought it back.

The Original Pool Room Hamburger Still Rules

Mustard and onions might sound plain, but that simple combo built a reputation. Billy Ray’s proudly calls itself the Home of the Original Pool Room Hamburger.

The patties are hand patted daily using a secret recipe. Nobody is sharing that recipe, so do not bother asking twice.

Tradition says to order it the old way. That means mustard and onions, just like Cooley’s served back in the pool room days.

Feeling fancy? You can customize your burger now, so add what you like.

Still, try it plain at least once. You will taste the same flavor that kept generations coming back for more.

Burgers are among the most talked about items on the menu. That says plenty in a place packed with comfort food.

Pair yours with fries and a cold drink in a red plastic cup. Fans even rave about the good ice, which is a small thing with big diner charm.

Here is a smart tip for first timers. Order two if you are really hungry, since the early customers clearly did.

Every bite connects you to nearly a hundred years of local appetite. Not many hamburgers can claim a family tree like that.

Hearty Mountain Plates For Every Hour

Bring your appetite, because tiny portions are not the local style. The menu covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with true home style cooking.

Mornings start with fluffy pancakes, country ham, bacon, eggs, and biscuits. Breakfast plates here are known for being generous.

Lunch and dinner bring out the big guns. Country fried steak, open faced roast beef, and prime rib all make appearances.

Craving something gentler? Try the chicken and dumplings or the grilled herb seasoned chicken.

Catfish, BBQ, and beef liver and onions round out the classics. Regulars also brag about the salmon patties and cornbread.

Then comes the coleslaw. Staff are known to nudge newcomers toward it, and fans call it a must.

Big groups love this menu for a practical reason. Picky eaters and adventurous eaters can both find something that makes them happy.

Prices are often described as reasonable. That makes it an easy choice for families or road trippers on a budget.

My advice is simple. Order one classic entree and share a side of slaw around the table.

You will leave full and probably carrying a to go box. That is the mountain way of saying thanks for visiting.

Save Room For The Famous Apple Dumpling

Dessert is not an afterthought here, it is the grand finale. Homemade treats are crafted fresh every day.

The star of the show is the Apple Dumpling. It starts with a deep fried Granny Smith apple.

Then the toppings pile on. Ice cream, cool whip, cherry cinnamon glaze, and caramel all join the party.

Warm and cold, tart and sweet, crunchy and creamy. Your spoon will not know where to go first.

Not an apple fan? Hot fudge cake, baklava, peach cobbler, and lemon cake are waiting.

Cakes get special love from guests. Some diners even regret filling up on breakfast before trying a slice.

Learn from them. Plan your meal so there is space left at the end.

A smart move is ordering dessert to share. One Apple Dumpling and a few forks can make a whole table smile.

You could also grab a slice to go. A piece of lemon cake makes a pretty great road trip snack.

Honestly, skipping dessert here feels like leaving a concert before the encore. I would never recommend it.

Your sweet tooth deserves this moment. Treat it right.

Three Generations Of Feeling Like Family

Family businesses carry a special kind of warmth you can feel the moment you sit down. Today, Sheila and Lee Collins own and run Billy Ray’s.

Their son Brian manages daily operations. That makes this a third generation legacy in the making.

Here is a twist you might not expect. Lee Collins and Billy Ray Collins were not related by blood.

Family here is about heart, not just last names. That idea shows up in how guests are treated.

The room blends southern charm with rustic decor. A prominent lunch counter anchors the space, and comfy chairs wait in the vestibule.

Staff are known for being welcoming and friendly. Many guests say the whole place feels like coming home.

Locals celebrate birthdays and milestones at these tables. Friends swap stories over coffee while travelers blend right in.

The restaurant enjoys strong ratings and plenty of loyal fans. It has truly become a town landmark.

So when you visit, slow down a bit. Chat with your server, sip from that red cup, and enjoy the company.

You may arrive as a stranger. Odds are good you will leave feeling like part of the Prestonsburg family.