Breitbach's Country Dining

Super busy Friday night but we got in right away. There was a line waiting after we were seated. For the amount of people it wasn't as loud as I expected it to be. Tables were closer to each other than I like. It was recommended to us that we get the buffet. There wasn't as much on buffet as my mind thought there should be based on how much everyone was talking about the place. Pie? Extra. The only thing they had was fluff, literally.
Orange fluff and pineapple fluff. The cheesy potato soup wasn't very cheesy and the brown gravy lacked flavor even after I added salt and pepper. Salad was romaine, dressing and croutons, no toppings. The popcorn shrimp was tender and I enjoyed it. I even had a piece of hand battered cod and I am not a fish fan. Rotini salad was good and tasted like my mother-in-law's. Waitress brings a water carafe to the table which is nice so if you are thirsty you can help yourself.

The owner was there and talked to us at the paying station. Nice guy.

Staff was very nice. Not overly loud like I expected for the number of people there. Nice location too. I thought the buffet would be larger with more selection. Had to wait for some of the options but was very busy. The food that was available was very good. Somethings I prefer a different way but that comes down to preference. Overall I would recommend but probably wouldn't go our of my way for a second visit unless the buffet menu was something specific I really wanted. If you are in a wheelchair getting to/from parking could be a challege depending on how busy. If you have never visited I would recommend going at least once.

This was the most gorgeous part of Iowa that I have seen. It is near Dubuque, which is a scenic part of the state. But this area is more pristine and beautiful. Breitbach's is located in a structure that was built in 1852. It is historic and interesting! My son and I were out on a quest for a breaded tenderloin. This was to honor of my wife, who passed away three years ago on this date, October 21, 2023.

Lovely restaurant. +171 years old and the oldest in Iowa.
Ordered a to go order from the bar. Had the 3 piece broasted chicken dinner that came with salad bar and choice of potato for $15.00. Bar staff friendly and helpful. Worth the drive from Des Moines.

We love Breitbach's. Family owned and family run. If Mike is in the building, he always comes to say hi. The staff are outstanding, friendly people. Truly "family" dining at its finest. Oh, and the food is always exceptional. That's a given.

This is such a great place on all levels!!! The scratch kitchen does EVERYTHING perfect!!! The paté on the salad bar was amazing. The buffet was well stocked, well attended to by staff and very fresh the entire time. The prime rib was perfect and the american fries were the best we have ever had (crispy just as requested)! The entire staff was so kind and worked very well together. Three (waitress, host and meal deliverer) checked on us to make sure everything was cooked as requested, tasted good and if we needed anything. Upon paying, the owner thanked us and wished us a great holiday season. You just do NOT find this engagement anymore. Well done and thank you!!!

Breitbach’s Country Dining, in Balltown, Iowa, originally opened in 1852, Iowa’s oldest food and drinking establishment. Jacob Breitbach’s purchased the business in 1862 has been in ownership for six generations with heirloom recipes that will warm your heart. The restaurant features a huge buffet of delicious home cooked favorites. The Balltown Community and restaurant staff is proud to host visitors and travelers atop the great Mississippi River. Definitely stop here and enjoy some comfort food!

Lots of history here in the oldest restaurant in Iowa. The staff was very friendly and offered really great service. They were extremely quick, especially considering that the restaurant was nearly full for the lunch hour.

The food was great! Our waiter even talked us into dessert which we took for the road and it was definitely worth it! So many good pie options and all of them that our group chose were delicious!!

Always love coming to such a historic place with friendly service and good food!

I'd give 10 stars on atmosphere if I could. And the drive to Breitbach's deserves 10 stars on the views! The Friday night buffet had great seafood and chicken. The fried shrimp and fried cod were outstanding. The food was excellent, the seating was ample, and this place is still a legend!

They have a buffet and salad bar. You can also order off the menu. The broasted chicken is so delicious

Our waitress was Nice and she knew what she was doing, she checked up on us like every 10 minutes. Food came in like 5 minutes and it was scolding hot and it was so great. Their pie is made fresh everyday.(Get The Snickers Cream Pie. 10/10😍) It Had A Great Atmosphere. It was decorated for easter. You Can sit outside. And if you walk down the street a little bit there is an amazing view of the country and the Mississippi river.

This place needs to be on your bucket list. A sizeable family owned restaurant in the very small town of Ballgown, Iowa. Read the amazing stories of the two devastating fires, determined proprietors, and can-do spirit of the townspeople who helped keep this pre-civil-war treasure open. Beautiful views of the Mississippi River Valley are very close by. Go. You'll thank me later.

We only get up here once it twice a year, but ALWAYS worth it! Nestled in scenic Balltown, this gem of old Germany with it's attentive and fun staff, CLEAN establishment, offers some of the tastiest food you could possibly hope for. Homemade salads of all flavors. Wow. We always leave fully satisfied!

This place is absolutely wonderful. It has a lot of charm and sits on a ridge overlooking the Mississippi Valley. The food is fantastic. Try the homemade pies they are the best.

We were on the way looking for fall colors, my husband found this place. We were first time here,beautiful restaurant, nice decorated for fall. It's lunchtime, crowded,long line but moved fast. We did lunch buffet. Fried chicken was so delicious. Service was very friendly. Nice view surrounded.

This is one of my favorite places to eat. The food is awesome and service is wonderful. It is unique and worth the drive!

They were the most kindest people with warm serve and a smile and they went out of there way to make us feel welcome and that means so much in this day and age it was most diffenitly worth the 45min drive from galena up there but even from our home on lake zurich IL we are coming back for a visit with as much of the family as we can bring along the food was amazing and the whole exprience over the top and well worth the drive

What mattered to me was the experience of dining at Iowas oldest restaurant. Established in 1852. That the food was good, especially the pie, the service excellent or ambience comfortable was just "icing on the cake".

The buffet food cost $17 per person. Atmosphere was nice but a bit loud with all the surrounding tables. I enjoyed seeing the old news papers framed in the hallway. Nothing really special here.