Lost In Time

This is a unique restaurant in Fairbury Il. It is an old bank building with lots of character. We have eaten there so often, I’ve tasted almost everything on the menu and it is all delicious, much of it made with local food products. There is usually a lunch special as well as soups, salads, sandwiches and absolutely delicious desserts.

Very poor experience from start to finish. I have visited this place for the last time. There was just one waitress and she admitted she was also the person making both soups in the kitchen for the lunch crowd so she said, «pardon the slow service and dirty tables». There were more dirty tables than clean ones which looked bad to the new customers walking through the door i would think. The owner was there but she never stepped out of the kitchen. The cook that made my omelette needs a lesson on how to make them also. Their eggs are so small that my omelette was flat as a board. The inside was the best part of it. I ordered what was called the grasshopper which was spinach, mushroom, and swiss. My moms poached egg was very very small and so dry it was like an over cooked hard boiled egg. So i asked for an over easy egg for her and they brought another poached which was way underdone! It was very gross looking! Her toast had gotten cold waiting on the waitress to come to the table to show her the egg and when they brought the new egg they just put her old toast on a new plate. Only two refills of coffee. Very poor experience and they have lost my business and not just with me but i think my entire family. A waitress shouldnt be the one making the soup in the kitchen when she has customers to wait on.

Love love love this place. Just passed through the town and checked my phone for places to eat, this popped up. Their Cheddar Cheese Soup was fantastic, so was my husband’s salad and we shared the Raspberry Jam/​Pecan Grilled Cheese. So different and so good. We also shared the Blue Cheese/​Bacon Grilled Cheese. Again so good. We’d love to try everything on their menu but will have to wait until we take another trip out East through Illinois.

We visited for Saturday morning breakfast and there were quite a few people there, but not enough to warrant how inattentive and unfriendly the server was. When she approached the table, she began handing out menus without speaking a word or welcoming us whatsoever. After an awkward length of silence, someone at our table had to greet her. Water and coffee glasses sat empty for long periods of time until she was flagged down for refills and once our food was out, she never returned for a «how is everything?» check. (I’ve been a server on a Saturday morning — it can suck, but you’ve got to suck it up and be friendly to guests.)
The giant cinnamon roll was tasty, but if it were warmed before coming out it would be amazing. We were glad we ordered this and it came out right away, because we waited 45 minutes for our food — french toast, biscuits and gravy, and a skillet (which was incredibly sub-​par — Eggs were brown from dirty oil and the homefries were missing). Extra attention to each meal is something to be appreciated, but this wait time for simple breakfast items is unacceptable. It was almost lunch time by the time we were out of there.
The food was great for the most part and the place is pretty neat, but the wait time and unfriendly server will keep me from returning.

I was in town for work and the wonderful
veterinarian I was working with sent me here for a good lunch !
Friendly staff who sat me at the only seat left in the house. The little dessert bar :)
The staff all visited with me, very nice of them to do that .
So I asked what to try and they each had a different suggestion. I went with the grilled blue cheese and bacon sandwich and added avocado … WHERE has this been all my life ??? Get in my belly ! Freakishly good !!! They mix a delish mild blue cheese with cream cheese and spread it on before adding the perfectly cooked bacon … Mmmmmmm Lawd I can still taste it

I was here about a month or two ago. I was impressed by Lost in Time, and surprised to find a restaurant this good in little Fairbury. The service was great by two girls working that day and the food was excellent. If I visit Fairbury again I’m definitely dropping by.

Outstanding food, atmosphere and service. We had the chicken salad and the Italian Beef. Both were excellent. Our sever, Jordy was perfect.
They also have a bakery next door. We brought home cookies, bread and the best and biggest cinnamon rolls ever.

Interesting place for me to review. A buddy and I were working on a job in Fairbury and wanted to get a local lunch. We get so tired of fast food eaten in the van driving between jobsites. Some of the staff at the location we were working suggested Lost in Time. For all you who’ve never heard of Fairbury. Go to the middle of nowhere in north central Illinois and you’ll find it. It’s a quaint historic farm town with the atmosphere from a bygone era. If you didn’t have a reason to be there, it’s not a town you would likely travel to. Lost in Time may make you change your thinking on that one.
Fifty years ago, this place would best be called a Ladies Tea Room. It’s built in an old early Victorian corner building that used to be a bank. You burly construction guys may feel like you’ll crush everything in the place, but the portions are adequate and you won’t leave hungry. Just bring your good manners, and wipe your feet before you come in. Mother’s watching!
Menu consists of home made sandwiches and salads with some specials each day. What’s really special is that everything is made on premises. The quality of the food was excellent. Service was a little pokey but hey, this is small town Americana. Put your iPhone down and take in the atmosphere. Have a conversation and be one with the history and nostalgia of the restaurant. There’s lots of stories in those walls, and it fun to imagine life in a bygone era. Pick any of the salads or sandwiches and enjoy. They all looked good. Then, brace yourself, the best is yet to come. Homemade desserts! I had a cream puff that was right out of a dream. They were awesome! Not too sweet or gloppy. Just right. Found out that they have a bakery behind the restaurant where they make all their bread and goodies. That thought gnawed at me all afternoon while we were finishing up our work. Had my buddy swing back by and we went in the bakery. Yep, hit the mother lode! Homemade cinnamon rolls some the size of a dinner plate. No exaggeration! It was at least 6“x9″! Cookies galore, muffins, scones, cheesecakes, loaves of homemade bread and other assorted goodies too numerous to mention. The owner was right there making caramels from scratch! I got a cinnamon roll, a couple muffins, and some cookies to take home. I told my buddy that if he took a plate of those cinnamon rolls home to his wife he might «get lucky». He wasted no time picking them up along with some other items! All these were amazing! Cookies didn’t make it past the van ride home.
I admit I’m a bread snob. I hate all brands of grocery store bread. She had some loaves of homemade bread and I picked up loaf of her sourdough. Pretty awesome! I would go back just for the bread.
If you’re in central Illinois and looking for nice day’s adventure head to Fairbury and have lunch at Lost in Time. Stop in the bakery and take a few items home. You’re in for a great meal, and some yummy treats over the next few days.
By the way, I don’t know for sure how my buddy did with the cinnamon rolls, but he had a smile on his face and was very chipper the next day. :)

What an awesome gem in a little town. Just stumbled upon it. Service was quick, yet very customer service oriented. Food was great. The old time soda was fantastic. Great place to eat!

This place was excellent. I had the chicken salad and it was delicious. They have old fashion style soda in bottles. I got a thomas kemper ginger ale, it was really good.

What a wonderful place to eat! The atmosphere is so peaceful and nostalgic. And the service was gracious and given with a smile.
Be sure and check out the bakery. The coconut cream pie is «out of this world». Perfect in every way. We can’t wait to go back!
We wish Lost In Time much success.

Everything here homemade and they have the greatest desserts! Favorite sandwich is the Hamdinger! Great laid back atmosphere fits in perfect with the town and the remodel is amazing!
Love it!

I was thrilled to find Lost In Time! Great atmosphere! This used to be a bank about a 100 years ago and they harken back to that through their charming remodeling.
And they have… drum roll please… free Wi-​Fi! Now you probably wouldn’t think that’s a huge deal, but in Fairbury it truly is! With the closest Starbucks about 30 – 40 minutes away, this was a true life saver.
As for the menu, they have the most incredible soups, sandwiches and salads. If you are looking for something other than artery clogging fried stuff — this is the place!