The End of An Era in Balltown

(L: CR Gazette file photo, 1991; R: DAVE KETTERING/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Yesterday morning Iowa lost its oldest & probably most unique restaurant. Breitbach’s Country Dining in Balltown (N of DBQ.) burned down after an explosion that occurred about 7:30 am. Normally Breitbach's is closed on Mondays during the Winter. 6th generation owner Mike Breitbach was there to prepare for a funeral dinner. He was there with his sons & a couple regulars who stopped by for coffee. He had just left the kitchen when he heard an explosion. According to some reports the explosion sounded like it came from the basement. However the actual cause is still unknown & under investigation.

The DBQ Co. Sheriff's Dept. was called & soon firefighters from Sherrill, Holy Cross/North Buena Vista, Farley & Asbury (all volunteer departments). The fire was under control by 10:30 a.m. but it was impossible to save the building. According to a report from KWWL-TV 7: "When firefighters arrived, they thought they had a shot at controlling the fire, but years of renovating and remodeling the building made it an impossible task."That type of structure with the many additions and the balloon type structure and starting in the basement with the explosion, it made it quite difficult," says Chief Joe Specht of the Sherrill Fire Department."

Breitbach's began on 23 August 1852 as a stage coach stop. In 1855 the Breitbach family bought the business. Jacob Breitbach operated it as a tavern & store until 1892 when Peter Breitbach took over. In 1923 son Victor took over. He ran it until 1957 when Mike's parents began running it. In 1981 Mike took over & has been run by him & his wife Cindy.

Anyone who has ever eaten at Breitbach's knows that a huge part of what made the place was its decor. & while some of the photos & keepsakes were saved, a huge part of DBQland history has gone up in flames. No 2 tables were the same. Eclectic is the best term to describe the furnishings & docor. Old feed signs, pictures of famous visitors, classic farm equipment & home cooking equipment all made up a part of the decor. 1 of the biggest losses was a wall mural painted by gypsies in the 1920s. It showed the Mississippi Valley as viewed from the restaurant. But while the ambiance was unique, it was the food that was the star. Every salad was homemade. The buffet had an excellent sampling of down home Iowa food as did the menu.

Last Fall The Food Network's Feasting on Asphalt 2 starring Alton Brown featured Breitbach's. It was also featured in Midwest Living .

& while it will be a while before the insurance, etc. are settled, Mike Breitbach & his family have said they hope to rebuild. I sincerely hope they do. & even though it won't quite be the same, it should still be a feather in DBQ Co's cap.

Also, as someone who grew in in a small town with relatives & friends who were members of the volunteer fire dept, I have to salute the brave firefighters who did their best to save the place. They work just as hard & train just as much as the pros. Without them Iowa's small towns would be nowhere near as safe.