Fax: 330-893-4757
The Berlin Farmstead Restaurant “really” cooks it up
By Ann Swinderman
Whether it’s the aroma of warm cinnamon rolls dripping with gooey frosting or their signature fork tender roasted beef, as soon as you walk into The Farmstead Restaurant you are surrounded by goodness. And this is not just any goodness but traditional Amish-style, down-home cooking and customer service that will leave you planning your next visit!
The Farmstead Restaurant is located in Berlin, the heart of Holmes County Amish Country, yet it is situated away from the mainstream of the hustle and bustle, allowing the plain and simple lifestyle to be truly experienced. For seven years, the eatery has set itself apart from other Amish-style restaurants by the way it prepares its food. Under the watchful eye of experienced Amish cooks, who pride themselves on using only the best ingredients available to prepare dishes that are pleasing to the eye as well as to the taste buds, if it’s traditional Amish fare you’re looking for, The Farmstead serves it.
“We have our own unique taste,” explained manager Cindy Swartzentruber. “Just as every family cooks different, we cook different than other area restaurants. We pride ourselves in making most of our menu items completely from scratch. We have the real mashed potatoes and the real pickled eggs.”
And that’s what The Farmstead is all about—being real. Just this past summer at the Berlin Harvest Festival and Rib Cook-off, The Farmstead was the recipient of the People’s Choice award for their mouth-watering barbecued ribs.
Not willing to give away any trade secrets, Swartzentruber revealed, “It’s in the sauce. It’s our own homemade sauce. And that’s all I can say. The ribs are slow cooked to perfection.”
But it’s more than just the sauce that made the People’s Choice award so good. For The Farmstead crew, it was the type of award that was something special to hang their aprons on. You see, the people, those folks who dine at The Farmstead and other area restaurants, voted on this award. So winning is a special nod for the kitchen staff and the entire Farmstead family.
“It is special since the locals and tourists are the ones who taste tested the ribs. And that meant the ribs were well liked by the people who matter the most—our guests,” the manager said with pride.
Hungry rib connoisseurs don’t have to wait until the annual Berlin Harvest Festival and Rib Cook-off to get their hands on the ribs. The restaurant currently holds Rib Night every Thursday from 4-8 p.m. And if you’re lucky, on certain occasions, the ribs make a guest appearance on the popular dinner buffet as well.
Aside from the award-winning ribs, The Farmstead Restaurant has all the delicacies that you’d expect in Amish Country. There’s the oven roasted chicken made with the restaurant’s own unique blend of herbs and seasonings, homemade noodles and dressing, green beans and one of dozens of homemade pies. With the on-site bakery, there’s always something coming out of the oven ready to be served. You can’t get it much fresher than that. Are you hungry yet?
But if traditional Amish cuisine isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other options that will keep you coming back for something new every time you drop by. If you are hungry for it, chances are it’s on the menu.
While all restaurants in Amish Country hitch their buggies on the fact that their food is the best, Swartzentruber is proud of the staff, The Farmstead family, because it is truly the people who make a difference.
“Just as I want our guests to be comfortable and at home when they come into the restaurant, I also want them to feel at ease with our staff. We have a trained customer service staff. Most of the staff lives nearby, which makes it very convenient when our out-of-town guests have questions. We love to recommend local hotels and places to visit in Amish Country,” the manager stated.
Now you may be thinking that a restaurant like The Farmstead will surely be packed and there will long lines waiting for a table, making dining out more of a chore than a pleasurable experience, but then you’d be wrong. The Farmstead is by far one of the larger establishments in the Berlin area. The main dining room seats 250 plus a banquet room that seats an additional 100. Large groups and buses are encouraged to call ahead.
But even if there is a line for a table, there is more to do at The Farmstead than just look at your watch and listen to your stomach remind you of your hunger! Outside the restaurant, you will be amazed at the beautiful landscaping around the white eatery. Sarah Yoder is the lady with the green thumb. She has the flowers bright and vibrant in the spring and throughout autumn and when she’s not outside, she’s in the kitchen. Yes, that’s right, she’s a cook.
In addition to the landscaping, antiques from the collection of John and Rita Yoder, owners of The Farmstead, complement the décor throughout the restaurant.
The Farmstead Restaurant is open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and is one of the few local eating establishments also open on Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Located at 4757 Township Road 366, Berlin, just off US 62, the restaurant is just a few blocks from the popular Berlin shopping district. Banquet rooms are available for larger groups, meetings, and tour bus groups. For more information, contact The Farmstead Restaurant at 330-893-4600.
