The Pioneer Eats Here series went to Adams County last week and the winner of the voting was Fulton & Main Kitchen and Bar in Berne.
When the voting opened for Adams County, Fulton & Main took the early lead and ran away with it.
Fulton & Main fits the aesthetic of the small downtown restaurant perfectly. There are bears all around the restaurant, even one with a Santa hat on it. If you didn’t know, Berne’s town flag and seal has a bear on it. Berne was settled by Swiss immigrants in the late 1800s, and in 2005 they designed their flag based on the from Bern, Switzerland.
The restaurant hasn’t been around for very long but it’s clear that this place is turning into a local staple and is already one of the best restaurants in Adams County.
It was just three of us from the marketing team on this trip, but we made sure to get a few different options to satisfy any palate. Here are our thoughts on the meal and overall experience at Fulton & Main.
Callie – Chicken Tender Basket w/Straight Fries
“I loved the style of the restaurant. From the menus to the glassware to the overall color palette. It was clean and simple while also making you feel cozy and right at home.
When it came time to order, I was deciding between a salad and the chicken tender basket. I asked our waitress for her opinion on which I should try, but she knew her answer before I could even finish my question — the chicken tender basket. I am so glad I took her advice! These tenders were clearly made from scratch. They were juicy and full of flavor, even without dipping sauce. However, I did choose to enjoy them with their honey mustard sauce and regular fries.”
Hannah – Chicken Pesto Caprese Sandwich w/Curly Fries
“The sourdough was perfectly buttered and toasted with generous toppings of grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella, tomato and spinach. But the real showstopper was the house pesto and balsamic drizzle. The two spreads paired perfectly together. Although it was a cold winter day that we visited, the flavors took me to a beautiful picnic in the summer. The fries were also perfectly crisp and the perfect addition to the basket. The portions were generous, so I was excited to take some home and enjoy it a second time!”
Brice – Tenderloin Sandwich w/Truffle Fries
“The breaded tenderloin sandwich is an iconic sandwich in Indiana. This wasn’t your typical pork tenderloin sandwich where the meat is massive. The patty was a similar size as the bun, which made it more manageable. The breading gave it a nice crunch and it tasted great. The truffle fries might have outshined the sandwich. If you like truffle fries, you will definitely like these. They were seasoned well and fried to perfection.”
Team – Buffalo Cauliflower Bites & Beignets
“The cauliflower bites were great! They did a very good job at keeping the cauliflower inside soft and the breading on the outside crispy. The best of both worlds! I am not normally a buffalo sauce fan, but this dish may have converted me,” Callie said.
The beignets were amazing. They were the star of the meal. They were presented beautifully, and they were warm, crispy, fluffy and tasted like a raspberry cloud. They were a great choice to end a great meal.
“The best part of the lunch was the first bite into the beignets. They were served piping hot with raspberry melba sauce and powdered sugar. They were perfectly light but rich in flavor. I can’t recommend these enough. My only caution is to make sure to leave room so you can eat them all while they are fresh!” Hannah said.
“This is the kind of sweet treat that you could eat the whole plate before your stomach has time to realize how full you’ve stuffed it! Because of the croissant-like dough, the beignets were light and airy. I think this may be a great dessert option for someone who wants something fun without eating a total sugar bomb!” Callie said.
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 and Noble County.
Brice Vance is the copywriter for NEI and is a sucker for truffle fries.