Owner Tim Trusheim, America’s Best Restaurants host J. Russell, Haleigh Trusheim, Kari Trusheim, and Emily Trusheim in front of the Railhouse Pub & Grill. Photo by Connie Voss

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Gridley’s own Railhouse Pub & Grill was nominated for America’s Best Restaurants TV show. The show’s crew showed up on May 19.  

America’s Best Restaurants traveling west coast host, J. Russell, sat down with the Gridley Herald and answered a few questions. The America’s Best Restaurants company is based in Florence, Kentucky, while Russell lives in Phoenix, Arizona. On the current trip, Russell and his videographer Josh are travelling from Sacramento to Medford, Oregon. 

Some basic criteria need to be met, such as the restaurant needs to be a brick-and-mortar store, not just a food truck. 

“There are three ways to get nominated on the show. The first way is, a customer comes in, has a great time, and says ‘Hey this restaurant needs to be on the show.’ They’ll reach out by scanning our QR code on the back of our van. The second way is the restaurant can say ‘Hey, we think we deserve to be on this show.’ The third way is we’ll reach out to a restaurant and say, ‘Hey this looks like a phenomenal place.’”  

Tim and Kari Trusheim said, “someone voted for us,” And it was a total surprise. 

 “America’s Best Restaurants, what they’re about, is just helping spotlight local restaurants to the nation. 2016 is when they started,” said Russell. “This is my 149th episode in 29 states, and I have never seen a Tenderloin sandwich have two patties stacked on top of each other like they have here. My favorite item is easily the Mac ‘n’ Cheese balls.”

Russell said he judges restaurants by how long their staff has been with them, and the Railhouse employees have all been there for years. Employees Jessica and Liz confirmed this, as they have both been there eight years. They both emphasized that the best part of working there was “The owners!”

The Trusheims have 60 years of combined experience in hospitality. They have operated the Railhouse for eight years. Their daughters Haleigh and Emily work there too. 

The America’s Best Restaurants episode will air within three months, possibly as early as next month. 

Congratulations to the Railhouse.