Downtown Freeport restaurant to be recognized as one of America's best

This Is It Eatery in Freeport will host a visit next month from America’s Best Restaurants.

America’s Best Restaurants, a national media and marketing company focusing on local, independently-owned restaurants, will bring its ABR Roadshow to the restaurant on Dec. 4.

Popular dishes will be highlighted, along with an extensive on-camera interview with owner Greg Miller about the restaurant’s special place in the community. The episode will be aired extensively on social media channels at a later date.

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Miller, a lifelong farmer, got into the restaurant business after becoming a silent partner in a friend’s restaurant. When the friend wanted out, Miller and his wife Sheila bought him out and took over. He raises the beef that is served in the restaurant and says he receives many compliments from visitors on it.

“We’ve had people from all over the county come in. Numerous times someone will come in and say ‘We’re from New York and we’d pay $150 for that steak, and it wouldn’t be as good,’” Miller said.

“I feed our cattle ‘old school.’ I mean, there are cheaper ways to raise them, by far, but I’ve got a certification in nutrition. It’s like driving a Chevette or a Cadillac. You get what you pay for.”

This Is It Eatery’s menu boasts an array of burgers, sandwiches, salads and appetizers. Miller notes they have been nominated for many regional "best of" awards, and he credits his staff for his restaurant’s success.

The restaurant’s finished episode premiere date will be announced on their Facebook page and will be featured on America’s Best Restaurants’ website at https://americasbestrestaurants.com/rests/illinois/this-is-it-eatery.

Restaurants featured on the ABR Roadshow are found through customer nominations or by a restaurant applying to be featured at www.americasbestrestaurants.com.

This Is It Eatery is open Tuesday through Saturday at 16 N. Chicago Ave., Freeport

Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: America's Best Restaurants will feature Freeport's This is It Eatery