Step inside Iowa’s culinary time machine.
Breitbach’s Country Dining in Sherrill isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a legacy. Since 1852, families have gathered here, drawn by generous portions, warm hospitality, and a buffet that seems to go on forever.
Plates piled high with comfort food make every visit feel like a celebration.
The scent of roasted meats, fresh-baked bread, and sweet pies hits you the moment you walk through the door. Servers move with practiced ease, refilling dishes, smiling, and keeping the energy lively without ever rushing you.
From fried chicken to mashed potatoes, each bite tastes like tradition. The all-you-can-eat buffet isn’t just about quantity—it’s about savoring the flavors that have kept generations coming back.
Step in hungry, leave full, and leave a little enchanted by a restaurant that proves age only sharpens flavor.
A brief history and legacy since 1852
Breitbach’s Country Dining opened in 1852, long before cars found these ridge roads. The building served neighbors, farmers, and travelers winding along the Mississippi River bluffs.
You feel that history the moment you step inside, with photos, stories, and a sense that time moves a little slower here.
Six generations have kept the doors open, passing down heirloom recipes and a reputation for hospitality. That continuity matters when you are choosing where to drive on a Saturday.
You get a place that remembers names, pours coffee quickly, and cares about the little details that make a meal memorable.
The restaurant survived fires, rebuilds, and the changing tastes of decades. Through it all, the focus stayed on generous portions, honest ingredients, and community.
You taste it in the buffet and hear it in the easy chatter at the bar.
Today, the legacy is both a badge and a promise. Oldest in Iowa is not just a headline, it is a responsibility the team embraces daily.
When you sit down, you are part of a long story still being written, fork by fork, pie slice by pie slice.
Planning your visit and hours
Before you head out, check the hours because this is not a seven day operation. Breitbach’s is closed Monday through Wednesday, then opens Thursday 11 AM to 2:30 PM, Friday and Saturday 11 AM to 8:30 PM, and Sunday 11 AM to 7 PM.
Call +1 563-552-2220 if you want to confirm details or ask about the buffet lineup.
Weekends draw the biggest crowds, especially Friday fish and Saturday prime rib fans. Arrive a bit early to avoid peak waits and to enjoy the calm before the rush.
If you do catch a line, it tends to move with small town efficiency and friendly guidance.
Parking is ample, but it fills quickly during prime times and scenic drive weekends. If accessibility is a concern, plan for a short walk depending on how busy it is.
The staff is helpful, so do not hesitate to ask for assistance.
Consider pairing your meal with a stop at the nearby overlook for sweeping valley views. It makes the trip feel like an occasion rather than an errand.
Check the website for updates and holiday schedules so you never miss your window.
What to expect from the buffet
The buffet is the star that keeps shining, with homestyle staples rotating by day and season. Expect pan fried chicken, hand battered cod, hearty soups, and sides that taste like Sunday dinner.
Everything is replenished often and kept tidy, which matters when you are going back for seconds.
You will notice the salad bar includes fresh greens and some unique house items. Pickled carrots, beets, and even a liver or pâté style spread appear, depending on the day.
It feels like someone curated a family reunion table and invited you to help yourself.
On busy nights, items can run low, but the crew hustles to refill. Pace yourself, sample widely, and save room for pie.
The buffet is not the largest you will ever see, but the quality to price ratio is what wins hearts.
Think simple, made from scratch comfort rather than flashy trends. Warm gravy, crisp edges on potatoes, and chicken with satisfying crunch.
You leave full and content, with a plan to return when your next comfort food craving hits.
Signature dishes you should not miss
Start with the pan fried chicken, praised for its crunch and juicy bite. Slide over to the cod on Fridays and you will understand why regulars rave.
When Saturday rolls around, the prime rib is a plate sized cut that turns heads.
Do not skip the American fries, crisped to order and seasoned just right. A cozy soup like cheesy potato or spaghetti soup can anchor your first plate.
For sandwich lovers, the pork tenderloin and patty melt hit classic Midwestern notes.
Balance the richness with fresh greens and those pickled sides from the salad bar. A spoonful of ham salad brings nostalgic charm in the best way.
If you see popcorn shrimp or a special rib or roast, grab it while it is hot.
Seasonings lean comforting rather than flashy, letting the meats and scratch cooking shine. Ask your server what is tasting best that day, because they know.
Build plates that mix textures and temperatures, and you will leave perfectly satisfied.
Pie, desserts, and sweet traditions
Pies are a love language here, and the case tempts you the minute you walk by. Raspberry pie gets plenty of affection for its sweet tart balance.
Locals will nudge you toward cream pies, including a decadent Snickers version when available.
Fluffy dessert salads show up sometimes, with nostalgic orange or pineapple fluff. They are playful and light, a cheerful counterpoint to hearty mains.
If you grew up with church basement potlucks, you will smile at the memories.
Crusts lean flaky and tender, the kind that shatters softly under your fork. Whipped cream is generous but not overpowering.
Share a slice if you must, but you will likely order your own.
Save room by pacing your buffet rounds, because dessert deserves focus. Ask which pies are fresh from the oven or most requested that day.
Leaving without pie would feel like skipping the overlook, which you should not do.
Atmosphere: country charm and community
The vibe is modern country with deep roots, a balance that feels welcoming. Wood tones, old photos, and a lively bar set the scene.
Conversations hum without getting too loud, even when the dining room is full.
Staff move with purpose and kindness, refilling water and checking in often. You feel looked after without fuss.
The owner frequently greets guests at the bar, shaking hands and trading stories.
The setting overlooks rolling farmland and the Mississippi River valley nearby. It adds a sense of place that makes your meal feel like a small adventure.
Come as you are, whether on a motorcycle ride or a family outing.
There is room for big groups and quiet corners for two. The energy says small town pride with big heart.
You leave feeling like you visited friends, not just a restaurant.
Price, value, and portions
Breitbach’s sits in the comfortable range, and value shows up on the plate. Portions are generous, whether you are carving into prime rib or piling buffet sides.
You get the feeling that nobody leaves hungry here.
Quality is steady, with scratch cooking and attentive buffet care. On peak nights, patience pays off as pans get refreshed often.
The price makes sense for the quantity and the whole experience, from service to scenery.
If you want to stretch dollars, timing matters. Lunch on Thursday offers a shorter window and can be lighter on crowds.
Friday and Saturday dinner bring the most choices, and Sunday feels like a tradition.
Pie is usually extra, so plan for it in your budget. Consider the cost of a scenic drive and an unhurried afternoon as part of the value.
You are not just eating, you are getting a slice of Iowa history.
Scenic detours: the overlook and Great River Road
Make time before or after your meal to visit the nearby overlook. The Mississippi River valley spreads out in layered blues and greens.
It is the kind of view that slows your breathing and makes dessert taste sweeter.
Breitbach’s sits near the Great River Road, a classic Midwest drive. Riders on motorcycles and families in SUVs all find reasons to pause here.
The winding approach builds anticipation as fields give way to bluffs.
Bring a camera, or just lean on the railing and soak it in. Sunsets glow, mornings feel crisp, and every season paints a new backdrop.
The meal becomes part of the landscape, not just a stop on a map.
Pair the overlook with a stroll past the antiques next door when open. It adds texture to the visit and makes the experience feel complete.
Good food and a great view is an easy yes any day.
Insider tips: timing, lines, and accessibility
Arrive early on Fridays and Saturdays if you want the smoothest experience. The line can build quickly, but the staff keeps things moving.
A short wait is common, and it is usually worth every minute.
If accessibility matters, aim for off peak windows and closer parking. The lot can get busy, so give yourself time to navigate comfortably.
Ask the host for seating that suits your needs, and they will gladly help.
Check social posts or call for buffet highlights before you drive. Knowing if prime rib or a favorite soup is on can make planning easier.
Consider Thursday lunch for a quieter vibe and quicker seating.
Bring an appetite and a flexible mindset. The buffet changes, and that is part of the fun.
Keep an eye on dessert timing, because fresh pies can disappear fast when the room is buzzing.
Contact, location, and quick facts
You will find Breitbach’s at 563 Balltown Rd, Sherrill, IA 52073, perched above the river valley. Tap the website at breitbachscountrydining.com for updates and menus.
The phone number is +1 563-552-2220 if you want to check hours or buffet details.
Google lists a 4.8 star rating from more than 1,500 reviews, which tracks with the steady crowds. It is classified as an American restaurant with a homestyle buffet.
Price sits at $$, a fair bracket for the quality and portions.
Hours shift by day, with Thursday lunch, Friday and Saturday full days, and Sunday dinner hours. Monday through Wednesday the restaurant is closed, so plan your trip accordingly.
A quick map search makes the scenic drive straightforward.
Set your GPS to 42.639107, -90.869232 if you like precise coordinates. Bring friends, or go solo and make friends at the bar.
Either way, you will leave with a full belly and a new favorite Iowa tradition.