The Iowa Country Diner Where Fried Fish Nights Are Sacred
I first heard about Breitbach’s Country Dining from my grandmother, who swore their fried fish was better than anything she’d ever tasted in her entire life.
She wasn’t exaggerating.
When I finally made the trip to 563 Balltown Rd, Sherrill, IA 52073, I understood why generations of Iowans have been making pilgrimages to this legendary spot for over 170 years.
Iowa’s Oldest Restaurant Still Serving
Walking through the doors felt like stepping into a time machine that runs on butter and nostalgia.
Breitbach’s Country Dining has been feeding hungry travelers and locals since 1852, making it Iowa’s oldest continuously operating restaurant.
That’s older than the Civil War, folks.
The building has stories woven into every board, every window, every creaky floorboard that groans under your feet.
You can practically taste the history in the air, mixed with the aroma of fresh baked bread.
It stands proudly at 563 Balltown Rd, Sherrill, IA 52073, a beacon for anyone craving authentic Midwestern hospitality.
The walls hold photographs and memorabilia that tell tales of generations who have gathered here for celebrations, comfort, and community.
Standing there, I felt connected to something bigger than myself.
This place isn’t just a restaurant.
It’s a living monument to perseverance, family values, and really good pie.
Six Generations Of Breitbach Family Pride
Mike Breitbach greeted me with a handshake that felt like a warm hug wrapped in calloused determination.
He represents the sixth generation of Breitbachs to run this beloved establishment, a legacy that began in 1862.
That kind of continuity is rare in today’s world of chain restaurants and corporate takeovers.
You can see the pride in his eyes when he talks about the recipes passed down through the decades.
Every dish served carries the weight of family tradition and love baked right into it.
The Breitbach family didn’t just inherit a business; they inherited a responsibility to their community and their heritage.
They’ve honored that trust through wars, economic downturns, and even devastating fires.
Standing in the dining room, I watched Mike check on tables, remembering names and favorite orders.
This isn’t just customer service.
It’s family treating you like family, plain and simple.
Rising From The Ashes Twice
In December 2007, flames consumed the original building, reducing 155 years of history to ash and memories.
The community rallied, and the Breitbachs rebuilt, reopening in June 2008 with hope and determination.
Then lightning struck again, literally, in October 2008.
Another fire destroyed everything they had just rebuilt.
Most people would have given up, taken the insurance money, and walked away from such heartbreak.
Not the Breitbachs.
They rebuilt again, and the current building opened in August 2009, stronger and more beautiful than before.
The resilience shown by this family inspired volunteers, donors, and supporters from across the nation to help.
Standing in the rebuilt dining room, I felt the phoenix energy radiating from every corner.
This place refuses to die because the people who love it refuse to let it.
Friday Night Fish Fry Phenomenon
Friday nights at Breitbach’s aren’t just dinner; they’re a religious experience for fish lovers across the region.
The Friday Night Buffet features hand battered cod that shatters with each bite, revealing tender, flaky perfection inside.
Baked cod offers a lighter option, while catfish brings Southern charm to this Midwestern table.
Popcorn shrimp, broasted chicken, pasta Alfredo with shrimp, mashed potatoes swimming in gravy, and hot vegetables round out the spread.
People drive over an hour just to fill their plates with this sacred tradition.
I watched families arrive with three generations in tow, all eager to claim their spot at the buffet line.
The hand battered cod deserves its own fan club, honestly.
Crispy, golden, greaseless perfection that makes you understand why folks plan their weeks around Friday nights here.
I went back for thirds.
No shame in my game when fish tastes this divine.
Homemade Pies Worth the Drive
The pie case near the entrance stopped me dead in my tracks like a delicious roadblock.
Breitbach’s has been featured on Food Network’s Feasting on Asphalt specifically for their legendary pies.
Each one is made from scratch using recipes that have been perfected over generations of baking.
The apple pie features fruit that tastes like autumn condensed into flaky crust perfection.
Cream pies wobble enticingly under their peaked meringue towers, begging to be devoured.
Fruit pies burst with seasonal flavors that change throughout the year, keeping regulars guessing and excited.
I ordered a slice of cherry pie that made my taste buds sing hymns of gratitude.
The crust shattered perfectly, neither too flaky nor too dense, achieving that elusive golden mean of pastry excellence.
My server told me people order whole pies for holidays months in advance.
After one bite, I understood why completely.
German Heritage On Every Plate
The menu reflects the strong German roots of the Breitbach family and the surrounding community beautifully.
Sauerkraut arrives tangy and perfectly balanced, not too sour, not too sweet, just right.
German sausages snap when you bite into them, releasing juices that carry generations of flavor secrets.
Coleslaw appears crisp and refreshing, providing the perfect counterpoint to richer, heavier dishes on the table.
These aren’t afterthoughts or token ethnic items thrown onto an otherwise generic menu.
They’re central characters in the Breitbach’s culinary story, treated with respect and authenticity.
I watched an elderly woman order the German plate with a smile that suggested she’d been doing exactly that for decades.
The food connects people to their heritage, their memories, their ancestors who brought these recipes across the ocean.
Eating here feels like attending a delicious history lesson where every bite teaches you something about perseverance and tradition.
Scenic Great River Road Location
The drive to Breitbach’s Country Dining at 563 Balltown Rd, Sherrill, IA 52073 is half the adventure itself.
Located along the Great River Road, the route offers stunning views of the Mississippi River valley below.
Rolling hills painted in every shade of green cascade down toward the mighty river in breathtaking fashion.
In autumn, the landscape explodes into reds, oranges, and golds that look almost too beautiful to be real.
The winding roads take you through small towns and past farms that seem frozen in a gentler time.
Arriving at the restaurant feels like discovering a secret treasure hidden in the hills.
The location isn’t just convenient; it’s part of the entire experience that makes eating here memorable.
I sat by the window after my meal, watching the sun paint the valley in golden light.
The view alone is worth the trip, but combined with the food, it becomes something truly magical.
Weekend Buffets Beyond Friday
Saturday nights bring barbecue ribs that fall off the bone with the gentlest fork pressure imaginable.
The Saturday Night Buffet also includes hand battered cod, broasted chicken, popcorn shrimp, mashed potatoes, gravy, and hot vegetables.
Sunday Dinner Buffet switches gears with broasted chicken, roast pork, dressing, glazed ham, red cabbage, mashed potatoes, gravy, and vegetables.
Every buffet includes access to the soup and salad bar, which features fresh ingredients and homemade dressings.
The variety means you could visit three weekends in a row and have completely different experiences each time.
Families clearly use these buffets as weekly gathering traditions, claiming favorite tables and greeting staff by name.
I noticed how the buffet encourages sampling, letting timid eaters try new things without committing to full portions.
The broasted chicken deserves special mention for its impossibly crispy skin and juicy, seasoned meat underneath.
Buffets here aren’t about quantity over quality.
They’re about abundance prepared with care and love.
Award Winning Pork Tenderloin
In 2012, Breitbach’s won the Iowa Pork Producers Association’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest outright.
This isn’t some minor achievement in Iowa, where pork tenderloin sandwiches are taken as seriously as religion.
The tenderloin here is pounded thin, breaded perfectly, and fried to golden, crispy excellence.
It hangs over the edges of the bun like a delicious, meaty cloud that defies physics.
Each bite delivers crunch, followed by tender pork, followed by the satisfaction of eating something truly exceptional.
The Breitbach family donated their prize money to Hospice of Dubuque, showing their commitment to community over profit.
I ordered one after hearing about the award, and it exceeded my already elevated expectations completely.
The breading stays crispy without being greasy, a technical achievement that lesser kitchens can never quite master.
Paired with their homemade sides, this tenderloin becomes a meal worth planning road trips around.
Private Event Spaces for Celebrations
Breitbach’s offers private meeting and event spaces that accommodate groups up to 130 people comfortably.
The spaces work perfectly for anniversary parties, bridal showers, baby showers, rehearsal dinners, weddings, and business meetings.
The staff works directly with clients to create customized food and drink menus tailored to specific needs and preferences.
I witnessed a golden anniversary celebration during my visit, with three generations laughing and sharing stories around decorated tables.
The private spaces maintain the same warm, welcoming atmosphere as the main dining room without feeling generic or hotel like.
Large windows let natural light pour in, and the rustic decor provides charm without overwhelming your own decorations.
Hosting events here means your guests get exceptional food, attentive service, and memories tied to a historic location.
The Breitbach family treats your celebration like their own, ensuring every detail receives proper attention and care.
For milestone moments, this venue offers something chain restaurants and hotel banquet halls simply cannot replicate.
Warm Service That Remembers Your Name
My server, whose name tag read Sarah, greeted me like I was a regular despite never having met me before.
She recommended dishes based on my preferences, steered me toward the freshest specials, and checked back without hovering.
This balance between attentive and intrusive is difficult to achieve, yet every staff member here seems to master it naturally.
I overheard servers greeting returning customers by name, asking about family members, remembering dietary restrictions from previous visits.
This isn’t scripted corporate friendliness; it’s genuine care for the people they serve day after day.
The staff clearly takes pride in working at such a historic establishment, and that pride shows in every interaction.
When my water glass emptied, it was refilled before I could even think about looking for my server.
Sarah brought my pie with a knowing smile, saying it was her personal favorite too.
Leaving felt like saying goodbye to friends rather than simply paying a bill and walking out the door.
Community Heart That Keeps Beating
Breitbach’s Country Dining functions as more than a restaurant; it’s the beating heart of its community.
The establishment hosts events, supports local causes, and provides a gathering place where neighbors become friends.
After both devastating fires, the community rallied with donations, volunteer labor, and unwavering emotional support.
This reciprocal relationship between restaurant and community creates something rare and beautiful in modern America.
Local farmers supply ingredients when possible, keeping money circulating within the regional economy.
The restaurant employs local residents, many of whom have worked there for years or even decades.
I watched a table of elderly gentlemen who clearly meet there every week, solving world problems over coffee and pie.
Young families introduce their children to the same booths where they sat as kids themselves.
The Breitbach family understands their responsibility extends beyond serving food; they’re preserving a way of life.
Eating there means participating in something larger, more meaningful, more connected than just satisfying hunger.
