New restaurant opens in former Taylor’s location

Franklin County lost a favorite spot when Dot Taylor decided to close Taylor’s Restaurant in Russellville, but hungry locals have something new to try, as Hilltop Diner opened Monday in the same location with a similar style and setup.

Hilltop Diner will be a meat-and-three restaurant with a cafeteria-style setup. Plate lunches anchor the menu offerings, and Hilltop Diner will also serve fan favorites like barbecue, smoked chicken and burgers.

“We are excited to give the people of Russellville a meat-and-three option like this inside of city limits,” said owner Byron Cheek.

Cheek is not new to the Russellville restaurant scene; he has owned The Grind Café and Coffee Shop right down the street for two and a half years.

Cheek said he was happy with his setup at The Grind, but when Taylor asked if he would be interested in re-opening a new business in her location, it was an offer he could not refuse. He will continue to own and operate the café along with this new dining venture.

Although Hilltop Diner is not the same as Taylor’s Restaurant, several former employees of the Taylors’ are now employed at Hilltop Diner to keep some of the same recipes.

“We hope to keep some of the same favorites they were known for,” Cheek said.

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Director Cassie Medley said it is great to have people like Cheek who are willing to invest in Franklin County.

“It’s always nice to have options to eat,” Medley said. “I think they are really enhancing Russellville and also Franklin County because they are here.”

Medley said it is apparent how hard Cheek has worked to re-open the building and bring new life and excitement.

“They go above and beyond,” Medley said. “I think they are going to be really successful here.”

Cheek said he and his wife acquired the restaurant in November and have worked hard ever since to remodel it.

There will be new meat-and-three options regularly. Cheek said he hopes for a smooth opening, and he plans to adjust the menu once everything is fully in gear.

Hilltop Diner is now open after having its grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony Monday.

Hours will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Monday through Friday, closed on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

Franklin County

RCS holds annual Black History Month program 

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: American Legion Posts 64 and 120 – ‘Veterans Strengthening America’

Franklin County

RHS graduate crowned Miss Northwest Shoals

Franklin County

RHS graduate crowned Miss UNA

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: In memoriam – Monuments honor the fallen of Franklin

High School Sports

RHS senior chosen as Bryant-Jordan Region 8 Scholar winner

High School Sports

Russellville High School ladies soccer team members participate in annual Night to Shine

x