The owners of a Dubuque County restaurant will receive the Iowa Restaurant Association’s top honor this fall.

Mike and Cindy Breitbach, of Breitbach’s Country Dining in Balltown, have been selected by the association as the restaurateurs of the year.

Breitbach’s celebrates its title as the state’s oldest food and drinking establishment, having opened in 1852. The Breitbach family has owned the business since 1862. 

The Breitbachs will be honored during the restaurant association’s 27th annual Celebrating Excellence ceremony in November in Des Moines. 

Another local business also will be highlighted during the event. 

Kathy Conway and Teri Link, owners of Knockout Melts and of Rock Salad in Dubuque, were selected for the Faces of Diversity Award, according to a press release.