Some places are worth an hour behind the wheel, and this tiny Iowa town of fewer than 100 people hides one of them. Tucked into the rolling hills above the Mississippi River sits a family-run spot that has been feeding travelers since the days of oil lamps and horse-drawn wagons.
Regulars from Dubuque, Des Moines, and towns far beyond keep making the trip for down-home cooking, generous buffets, and a welcome that feels genuinely personal. There is history in the walls, a scenic overlook down the road, and pie made fresh every single day.
Keep reading to find out why this humble roadside stop has become a destination all its own, and what makes the drive feel like the easy part.
Where To Find This Roadside Legend
Anyone chasing the famous broasted chicken should point the car toward 563 Balltown Rd in Sherrill, Iowa 52073. The restaurant is Breitbach’s Country Dining, and it sits in the small community of Balltown, perched high in the hills that shoulder up against the Mississippi River.
The population here is fewer than 100 people, which makes the crowds inside feel all the more surprising. Folks come from Dubuque, roughly an hour away, and even from Des Moines, all for a plate of homestyle cooking.
Getting here is part of the appeal, since the roads wind through some of the prettiest countryside in eastern Iowa. Many travelers pair a meal with a stop along the Great River Road.
It is an unfussy American restaurant with a country-tavern spirit, the kind of address you save in your phone and return to year after year. Once you have made the drive, you understand why so many people keep coming back.
More Than 170 Years Of History
Few restaurants in America can claim the kind of backstory that lives inside these walls. The establishment first opened its doors in 1852, which makes it the oldest food and drinking establishment in Iowa.
Jacob Breitbach purchased the business back in 1862, and the family has carried it forward through six generations. That is a remarkable stretch of continuity for any small-town business.
Today the place is run by the third and fourth generations working side by side, and the recipes passed down are treated like heirlooms. Regulars often say you can taste that heritage in the home-cooked favorites.
Being more than 170 years old means the restaurant has quietly witnessed enormous change in the world around it, yet the mission has stayed simple. Feed people well, treat them like neighbors, and keep the tradition alive.
History buffs traveling the Iowa side of the Mississippi River treat this spot as a required stop. The story alone makes the trip feel worthwhile.
The Broasted Chicken That Started The Trips
Let’s talk about the dish that lured you into this article. The broasted chicken here has earned a loyal following, with people willing to drive from Des Moines and back just to get their hands on a plate.
A three-piece broasted chicken dinner has been offered with the salad bar and a choice of potato at a friendly price point around fifteen dollars. That combination makes for a full, satisfying meal without much fuss.
You can even grab it as a to-go order from the bar if you would rather take it with you or eat it while soaking in the view down the road. The bar staff have a reputation for being friendly and helpful when you order.
Broasted chicken has a way of turning first-timers into repeat guests, and that is exactly what has happened here. It shows up again and again as a reason people keep making the drive.
Simple, hearty, and done right, it is the kind of dish that justifies a road trip all on its own.
Buffets Worth Loosening Your Belt For
Big appetites, take note. The buffet is one of the most talked-about features here, and it changes shape depending on the day.
A lunch buffet with salad bar has been offered around fifteen to sixteen dollars, loaded with entrees like roast turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, corn, barbecue chicken, fried chicken, and vegetable soup. That is a serious lineup for the money.
On Friday evenings, a seafood buffet has been available around twenty dollars, giving guests a different reason to make the weekend trip. The spread is restocked with hot items throughout service so it stays fresh.
Holidays bring their own celebrations, and the Easter buffet in particular draws praise for delicious, consistently replenished dishes. The kitchen keeps things moving even when the rooms fill up.
Value is a recurring theme, with generous portions that make feeding a large family or a hungry group easy on the wallet. For anyone who measures a meal by both quality and quantity, the buffet delivers on both counts.
Pie Made Fresh Every Single Day
Save room, because dessert here has a following all its own. Homemade pie is one of the most mentioned treats at this restaurant, and it is baked fresh daily.
The variety keeps things interesting, with options that have included a raspberry pie described as beautifully sweet and tart, plus a Snickers cream pie that has developed something of a cult reputation. Regulars keep talking about these long after the last bite.
Worth noting for budget planning, pie is typically an extra beyond the buffet price, but few people seem to mind. A slice of scratch-made pie is exactly the kind of splurge that finishes a country meal right.
The dedication to baking every day speaks to the scratch-kitchen philosophy that runs through the whole menu. Nothing here feels like an afterthought.
If you time your visit well, you might catch your favorite flavor before it runs out. Pie fans will want to make it a priority rather than a maybe.
A Scratch Kitchen You Can Taste
Homemade is not just a marketing word around here. The scratch kitchen turns out home-cooked favorites that regulars say clearly come from real cooking rather than shortcuts.
The menu stretches well beyond chicken and buffets, touching on comfort classics that keep the crowd coming back. Popular picks over the years have included pork tenderloin, hand-battered cod, prime rib, and a fresh-tasting patty melt.
Sides earn their own praise too, with crispy American fries showing up as a standout for people who like their potatoes done right. The kitchen aims to cook things the way you ask.
Freshness is a running theme, from the burgers to the salads, and the care in preparation shows up plate after plate. That commitment is part of why the place has held its reputation for so long.
Not every dish lands perfectly for everyone, since tastes vary, but the overall standard leans high. For fans of honest, made-from-scratch cooking, this is friendly territory.
The Overlook Down The Road
Your visit does not have to end at the table. Just a short walk down the street sits an overlook offering a wide view of the countryside and the Mississippi River below.
Balltown perches atop the great river valley, and the surrounding rolling hills make the whole area feel like a scenic stopover rather than just a meal. Many people build the view into their plans on purpose.
Locals and travelers alike recommend pausing at the overlook either before or after eating, turning a quick lunch into a proper outing. The scenery is a genuine part of the draw.
Because the restaurant sits along the Iowa side of the Great River Road, it fits naturally into a longer day of exploring the region. Road-trippers passing through find it an easy and rewarding stop.
Pairing good food with a memorable view is a rare combination for a town this small. It is one more reason the drive rarely feels like a chore.
An Antique Store To Browse
Hungry for a little browsing along with your meal? The property also features an antique store, giving guests something to explore beyond the dining rooms.
Poking through vintage finds is a fun way to stretch out a visit, especially if you arrive early or want to linger after eating. It adds a shopping layer that most small-town restaurants simply do not offer.
The mix of good food, history, and a browsable shop makes the destination feel more like an experience than a single stop. Families in particular can turn it into an afternoon.
It also fits the overall character of the place, which leans heavily on nostalgia and old-fashioned charm. The antique store feels right at home under the same roof.
For collectors and casual lookers alike, it is a pleasant bonus rather than the main event. Consider it the cherry on top of an already full day.
A Warm Welcome From The Owner Himself
Hospitality here is not outsourced to a script. The owner, Mike, is often on site and has been known to work the cashier station at the bar, shaking hands and thanking guests personally as they leave.
That kind of face-to-face engagement has become a signature of the experience, and it leaves a lasting impression on people who make the trip. Guests mention it as one of the highlights of the whole visit.
The rest of the staff carry the same spirit, with servers, hosts, and food runners checking in to make sure everything is cooked the way you wanted. Teamwork clearly runs deep here.
Small touches, like a water carafe brought right to the table, show a level of care that feels increasingly rare. It is service with genuine warmth rather than obligation.
Regulars who stop every year often point to the friendly welcome as the reason they keep coming. When the owner greets you like a neighbor, the food tastes even better.
Hours, Prices, And Planning Your Trip
A little planning goes a long way with this one. The restaurant is closed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, so aim your visit for later in the week or the weekend.
Thursday hours run from 11 AM to 2:30 PM, while Friday and Saturday stretch from 11 AM to 8:30 PM. Sunday service runs from 11 AM to 7 PM, making it a solid choice for a weekend outing.
Prices lean friendly, with buffets landing in the roughly fifteen to twenty dollar range and the broasted chicken dinner around fifteen dollars. Keep in mind that pie and tea are typically extra.
Weekends get busy, with lines forming even after tables fill, though many people report being seated quickly. The building has several rooms, which helps it absorb big groups.
Reaching for the phone or the website ahead of time is smart if you are bringing a crowd. With a bit of foresight, the visit goes smoothly from parking lot to pie.
Why The Drive Keeps Paying Off
All roads, it seems, keep leading back to Balltown. With a 4.8-star average across more than 1,600 opinions, this longtime family restaurant has earned its reputation as a destination worth the miles.
The combination is hard to beat, blending Iowa’s oldest dining establishment, generous buffets, daily fresh pie, and that celebrated broasted chicken. Add a scenic overlook and an antique store, and a simple meal becomes a full day out.
Groups of every size fit right in, from couples on a scenic drive to a party of 26 celebrating a 90th birthday. The rooms fill with families and friends sharing a relaxed weekend meal.
Not every dish will wow every guest, and busy nights can mean a wait, but the overall spirit of the place keeps people loyal. Warm service and real history do a lot of heavy lifting.
Point the car toward the hills above the Mississippi, order the chicken, and save room for pie. The drive back always feels shorter.
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