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A native of Pine River, his parents owned a restaurant and he grew up working in the kitchen. When he was 18, he moved to Florida and learned from top chefs at hotels and restaurants. He even had the opportunity to cook for the elder President George Bush at the Points of Lights Convention.

After working 10 years in Florida, he missed living in Minnesota. "I love small towns," Eckart said. "Cornstalk weekend was a good introduction to the area," he added.

Eckart is gradually making changes to the menu. "Food fashions are changing all the time and the foods need to change with the season," he said.

Eckart has added a seafood buffet to bring in some Caribbean- style foods. He feels different foods and styles need to be added once in a while. He hopes to educate people with a few new dishes along with the normal, "safe" foods, giving customers a variety of options.

He said food looking good, that is 80 percent of the meal and tasting good is 20 percent.

He encourages people to come in and give his new meals a try. "I don't believe in people going away and being hungry two hours later," he added.

The kitchen at County Line is open 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with a limited menu until 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays. The County Line is closed on Sundays.

After Labor Day, the County Line will be closed on Mondays as well.