One of the oldest restaurants in the midwest is located right here in Iowa! Breitbach’s Country Dining, in Balltown, has been serving Iowans for over 165 years! Despite tragic fires, the restaurant has persevered, and its history is unlike that of any other restaurant and bar in the state.
Breitbach’s Country Dining opened in 1852. Millard Fillmore himself issued the liquor license!
Facebook / Breitbach’s Country Dining Iowa’s Oldest Bar and Restaurant is located at 563 Balltown Rd. Sherrill, IA 52073 .
Jacob Breitbach purchased the restaurant and bar just ten years later. Since then, the restaurant has been family owned for six generations!
Facebook / Breitbach’s Country Dining
You’ll always feel welcome when you sidle up to the bar, where you can make yourself at home. This bar is so famous that even Norm from Cheers has been here.
Tripadvisor / MMM_and_MPM
If you’ve got a larger party, head to one of the long, family-style tables in the main dining room.
Tripadvisor / ELS20
If you’re looking for more than just a good drink, you’re in luck! Breitbach’s serves delicious buffet-style food for lunch and dinner.
Flickr / SD Dirk
They also have a hearty, homestyle menu as well, where you can order something to warm you up, like this beef and barley soup.
Tripadvisor / Illinois Kate 1
Or even one of the best tenderloins in a state that’s really known for making them.
Tripadvisor / ImaLadyBiker
On a nice day, grab a brew and enjoy it with friends out in the Beer Garden - or as they call it, the Bieer Goarden. You’re bound to come away with some great stories.
Tripadvisor / Dix_M123
Sadly, there’s some tragedy in Breitbach’s story. On Christmas Eve, 2007, an explosion in the basement caused the original building, pictured above, to burn to the ground.
Flickr / SD Dirk
People came from all over the Midwest to help the Breitbachs rebuild. After all, this restaurant is a piece of American history!
Tripadvisor / Medwards40
Sadly, another fire badly damaged the building less than a year later. Once again, it was rebuilt with help from the community.
Tripadvisor / Bearded Bard
Breitbach’s never closed - at the time, a small building across the street became The Gathering Place" for locals. Now, it’s a place to sample their best wines!
Tripadvisor / OTR_Again_IM
As you wander through Breitbach’s admiring the murals and decoration, you’ll find an entire section of wall dedicated to headlines and newspaper clippings from the rebuilding of Iowa’s oldest bar and restaurant.
Tripadvisor / Dix_M123
The new building is just as welcoming as the old, and you’ve got to make it a point to visit Iowa’s oldest bar at some point this year.
Flickr / SD Dirk
Have you visited Breitbach’s Country Dining? It’s located on the Wisconsin border, just half an hour north of Dubuque and an hour and a half from Cedar Rapids. People do come from all over the Midwest to dine here, though, so it’s worth the drive from anywhere in the state!
Facebook / Breitbach’s Country Dining
Iowa’s Oldest Bar and Restaurant is located at 563 Balltown Rd. Sherrill, IA 52073 .
Tripadvisor / MMM_and_MPM
Tripadvisor / ELS20
Flickr / SD Dirk
Tripadvisor / Illinois Kate 1
Tripadvisor / ImaLadyBiker
Tripadvisor / Dix_M123
Tripadvisor / Medwards40
Tripadvisor / Bearded Bard
Tripadvisor / OTR_Again_IM
While you’re catching up on your Iowa history, see if you knew the stories behind any of These 10 Amazing Restaurants In Iowa That Are Loaded With Local History!
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