The next stop in the Pioneer Eats Here series took us to my hometown of Albion. I lived there for more than half my life, but the Albion Ale House wasn’t around when I was growing up.
The voting for Noble County went back and forth between two different spots, including one that is of legendary status. However, the Ale House was able to pull out the victory and earned a visit from the NEI marketing team.
When you open the door, you knew you were at a local spot. We went around lunch time and the place was packed. Our waitress was working hard bouncing from table to table.
For as busy as it was, you would expect the food to be on the colder side, but it was quite the opposite. Everything was served hot. Not too hot, like burning your mouth hot, but the perfect temperature.
Our marketing team looked over the menu a few times and chose a few different items, including some appetizers. Here are their thoughts on their meal and overall experience at the Albion Ale House:
Team – Appetizers
As a group, we ordered the pretzel bites with beer cheese and the breaded pickles. Both dishes were piping hot when they came to the table. The pretzel bites were the perfect texture. They were “warm pillows of pretzel goodness,” according to Callie and the cheese was the perfect pair. The pickles were equally as good in terms of texture. They were crispy and could be dipped in either the ranch or the beer cheese. It sounds weird but don’t knock until you try it.
Callie – Boneless Wing Basket
“The wings were crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The perfect amount of the sweet Honey BBQ was layered on top of the chicken. The basket comes with crinkle-cut fries and cole slaw, but I omitted the slaw and added another side of fries. I enjoyed the french fries by dipping them into a side of honey mustard. The Alehouse has a friendly atmosphere, which is evident from the first step in the door. It’s obvious this spot is a local favorite.”
Brice – Doober Burger
“The Doober Burger is an odd name for a burger but is perfectly fitting when you find out what is on it. It’s a burger with bacon (pretty standard), jalapeños (OK, still fine) and peanut butter (odd). The combination does sound weird, but it works. It’s a mixture of sweet, spicy, salty and savory. It hits all of those notes and none of them are overpowering. Peanut butter can be overpowering in any dish but as a peanut butter lover, a fan of spicy things and a normal person who loves bacon, this was one of my favorite burgers.”
Ashton – Firehouse Burger
“My first thought was, ‘Wow, this place is packed for a Wednesday afternoon!’ The ambiance was inviting, and the overall vibe was positive. I really enjoyed the fried pickles and the Firehouse Burger, which was not as spicy as I expected but still good! Portion sizes were large, parking was easy, restrooms were clean, and overall, I had a good experience.”
Jonathan – Gringo Tacos Padlock Style
“The real surprise was they were topped with peppered mayo, which certainly made the tacos what they were, excellent. The grilled chicken had an excellent, marinated flavor and was cooked to perfection. I added a side of tots to it which were a perfect addition. Everything was clearly cooked with care, and I was so full after eating my lunch that I didn’t even eat dinner! I loved it.”
Of note, the Albion Ale House only serves people 21 and up. However, it is still a local spot that you should definitely hit up when you are of age. We did not try any of the beer on this trip but there is enough selection to surely satisfy any taste.
This blog series was created to highlight the best restaurants in Northeast Indiana. If you missed out on the voting the first time, make sure to follow our social media to vote for your favorite restaurant in one of our 11 counties.
Previous stops in this series: Steuben County
Brice Vance is the copywriter for NEI and loves peanut butter, which is no surprise to why he loved the Doober Burger.
