IOWA

We’ve been sitting on 42 states since last June, but a couple weeks ago we spent a weekend doing what we do best…old tavern hunting! We started out by flying to Des Moines via Chicago where we picked up our Hertz Kia Soul rental. We immediately headed due east over a lovely 215 miles of corn fields to Balltown, Iowa. Balltown is the home of Breitbach’s Country Dining. Brietbach’s, established in 1852, is the state’s oldest continuously operating bar and restaurant. Unbelievably, it has been owned by the Breitbach family for SIX generations since 1862!

During the three and a half hour drive to Balltown we desperately needed a bathroom break; moreover, we were getting pretty parched. So I raised my Toucan Sam nose in hopes of picking up the scent of a nearby watering hole. My beak did not let me down as we quickly found the Black Squirrel Tap in Swisher, Iowa. What a great place! Linnea behind the bar was amazing! If you are a regular reader you’ll know that I have my Mount Rushmore of bartenders. Well, Linnea quickly had me carving out a fifth spot on the mountain. She was funny, spot on with the food and beverages, kept the place looking immaculate, and had this wonderful rapport with the regulars…and with us newcomers, as well. They had a great Happy Hour (11 to 5, M-F) and all the regulars were super friendly. We considered ourselves truly blessed to have caught the Black Squirrel that day!

After departing Swisher we continued our ride to Balltown, population 72. Arriving at Breitbach’s it seemed that the town’s population regularly doubles or triples around dinner time. We quickly settled in at the restaurant’s attractive bar and celebrated our 43rd state! There were so many nice things to say about this bar. Ben the bartender was cool, made an excellent Old Fashioned, and was very informative. We also met the owner, Mike Breitbach. With a hand towel hanging down, he was pitching in everywhere while hustling back and forth between restaurant and bar. We would have loved to chat with him, but we could only catch speedy Mike for a moment to grab a quick picture. The food at Breitbach’s was impressive. During our weekend journey we came to find out that eating establishments in the Midwest pride themselves on their pork tenderloin sandwich. We first experienced the delicacy at Breitbach’s and were instantly hooked. Their version is huge and delicious! Last, but most importantly, the customers at Breitbach’s were the nicest group of people we have ever met during our tavern travels. We met one of the regulars, Mike, who bought us a round, gave us some great info, and then near the end of our visit he casually mentioned that the rest of the people in the bar were all related to him. Another gentleman bought us a round, while suggesting we get the pork tenderloin. We were thankful for both! We were so impressed about just how nice the people in Iowa were. Unfortunately, the bar was closing, so we said our goodbyes and headed for our night’s lodging after a very very long day.

P.S. On our connecting flight from Chicago to Des Moines we sat next to a wonderful young man, Alec. Alec was going to Des Moines to pop the question that evening to his beautiful college sweetheart, Maya. We understand that all went according to plan and he sent us the proof (see below). We wish all the best to Alec and Maya, and pray for them to have a lifetime together of love, joy, and prosperity.