Machine Shed Restaurant

The place is right off the interstate. It has a great décor and is decorated with farm tools that goes with the concept. Fried chicken is the house specialty. It was over done. Adequate at best. My wife had the beef brisket. It was so tough that she took the meat off the sandwich and had to cut into small pieces. The only good thing was the rolls and the service.

From the moment I walked in, I thought Cracker Barrel! We had a large group, about 9 and they were pretty busy but it took about an hour for our food to come out. I asked for a chocolate milk to drink (kid at heart) and that took her about 20 minutes to bring out to me after everyone else had their drinks.
The food, however, was delicious! I had the soup special: chicken corn chowder. Makes me hungry thinking about how good it was. I also had a half portion of the turkey sandwich which was fabulous as well.
All in all, if you don’t mind waiting a while, don’t hesitate to come here and have a great meal!

Well we went there for our 25 the anniversary. They weren’t busy at all the waitress was rude as can be and the food wasn’t too bad.

Called ahead and was told there was a 20 minute wait. Told the lady I had a group of 5.
Showed up 20 minutes later and the hostess rudely informed us they weren’t taking walk in’s.
I explained that I just called and was told to come and expect a 20 minute wait, and again she said «Well, sorry. No walk ins.»
I’ve been a regular here for a long time, but I’ll find somewhere else from now on.

I hope the American farmers appreciate all the calories I put on at this place eating the food they raise and grow.
Normally, at a sit-​down restaurant, you get a great entrée but measly fries and meager sides. I mean, if that’s what you’re into, be my guest, but don’t expect that here!
I got the sirloin tips meal and it comes with a feast: two refillable sides you can share with the table. (We never figured out what the bowl of carrots came with) We gorged on bread, the burnt ends app, and cottage cheese and ‘slaw — and we hadn’t even gotten our meals yet.
(The only downside was the bread could have been better, but it was still soft and the butter was good.)
Also, they didn’t just rely on their entrees to carry the meal. The fries were crispy and delicious! I totes judge eating places by their French fries.
After the meal, the server — helpful, efficient, friendly throughout the meal — asked if we wanted to look at the dessert menu. Haha haha ha. Yeah, right. We almost had to be rolled out.
Man, my one regret was that I didn’t try the chicken rice soup. Sigh.
If you are in the Quad Cities and looking for a filling meal, go here!

Excellent food, friendly service, amazing prices! I don’t understand why the reviews are bad? Ordered the pan fried chicken. They give you two free appetizers! We got the cottage cheese and spiced apples, super delicious. The chicken came out piping hot and crispy! Boyfriend got the steak tips with mushrooms and cheese. Stole some and it was also a tasty dish! Very good home cookin’.

Food is great, service is good, portion sizes are large and delicious. Bread basket came and included banana bread! BBQ fan or not they’ll have something you like. Full rack of ribs is large. I got the pork combo and only got through half after the family shared bowls of coleslaw, glazed carrots and cottage cheese (you get to pick), the bread and sharing some of my wife’s baked beans. Definitely will stop again and look for the other locations!

We stopped here for breakfast when we were passing through. I got the breakfast wrap which comes with a side of fruit which was decent. The other two of us got a stack of pancakes with bacon and the hired hand. They were more than satisfied. We got a cinnamon roll to go to munch on in the pickup. Wow! It was huge and tasty! I really enjoyed what they had in their store. We had a great server and an overall good experience. I would like to try their lunch or dinner sometime!

Came here based on a recommendation while visiting Quad Cities and I loved their breakfast. I usually stay away from steak and egg breakfast items but decided to give it a try here and was blow away by the quality of the steak. Everything was made perfectly.
We also shared one of their famous cinnamon bun which was awesome as well.
We had to wait 20 mins to be seated but enjoyed looking around the little gift shop inside the restaurant. Will definitely visit again the next time I’m in Quad Cities!

Been here a few times, and each time we leave suggesting we should try someplace else.
It’s not bad, but there’s so much better.
Recent afternoon visit, my son ordered a slab of ribs — man were they dry.
Other son ordered a burger — nothing special
Wife and I had a steak-​tip special on a bed of mushrooms and onions, smothered in white gravy. Not much in the way of meat, and with the onions, everything was soaking in grease.
Service was decent, atmosphere is quaint, and prices aren’t too bad, but the food could be so much better.

Best down-​home country food, extra-​generous portions (couldn’t finish my country chicken friend chicken, probably because I started with their famous potato soups (so delicious), and the service was excellent. Our waitress (wish I had gotten her name) was so friendly — checking on us — and right on top of everything. We waited 15 minutes for a table just like they said, but we shopped in the cool country store. All in all I would give them 5 stars, and will return to try other good menu items!
Jacquie — Davenport

Def stop here! We went with 14 ppl after a crossfit competition and everyone got something they loved. I personally got the burnt ends which were delicious and came with 1 side; I got the sweet potato fries which really weren’t that good but the apple sauce, slaw and breads that were served before dinner totally compensated for that :)

After missing the exit for Cracker Barrel, we decided to try the Shed or whatever the real full name of this restaurant is, out. This restaurant definitely has a country feel to it, from the shop they have right when you walk in, just like CB, and the way the waitresses dress and décor of the place. We arrived for a late dinner and had to wait about 20 min. When we were seated, our waitress took our drink order and eventually our dinner orders. I decided to be adventurous and ordered the Shepard’s pie, was tasted okay. The first few bites were the best, but the more and more I ate, I realized how mushy the pot roast was, which probably means it’s over cooked. My hubs ordered the beef tips that came with a side of green beans with bacon bits and a choice of a choice. He got mashed potatoes with beef gravy. His brother ordered the chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes with country gravy. Our dishes came with «fixin’s» and we ordered a side of «slaw”-coleslaw and applesauce, that looked like apple pie filling and tasted like potpourri.
The beef tips were okay but probably would’ve been better if all of our dishes came out at the same time. My hubs and his brothers dishes came out first and finally my dish arrived 20 min after, so needless to say, their food was bordering between cold and lukewarm. The waitress apologized, which I appreciated but I would’ve thought they would comp our drinks (sweet tea and a lemonade). When I went to pay, the cashier asked how everything was and my response was ‘okay.’ Guess they really don’t care to find out why it was just okay. Usually I would say good or great in a higher pitch tone, meaning I’m being nice and it really wasn’t, but figured, hey I’ll be honest. We definitely won’t be going back. Not only because we won’t ever be back in the area, but I would much rather go to CB, where service is prompt and the food is much better!

I was driving from Chicago to Des Moines and stopped here for dinner. I can’t imagine there being a better deal on I-​80. The portions are huge and inexpensive. If your looking for a vegetarian lo cal option, this is not it. So sit, eat, and loosen your belt buckle. This place has every American Classic dish you can think of. I had the Chicken Fried Steak which may have weighed 2 lbs. It’s was solid if not great. Enjoy the cheesy Americana décor and corny uniforms the waitress wear. Yes, it’s corny. Yes, it’s a little over the top. But who cares. The kids will love it and you ll leave full for the same price you ll spend at a chain restaurant.

It does not get much more comfortable than this!
I have been here a several times and walk away each time with that satisfied feeling. The fried chicken and mashed potatoes are so good the Colonel might want to watch his back. We always go with the applesauce and the cole slaw for starters. The slaw tastes fresh made and the apple sauce is more like the best pie filling you ever tasted.
I took a gander around the restaurant, and these are some of the most ample waistlines in the Midwest, so we limit our visits to one every 6 months or so.
The servers are great — and please remember its OK to tip more than 20% when your meal cost is only $ 10 –they work their tail off!

The Machine Shed was the last stop on our two day long cross country odyssey; we found it using my trusty Unilocal phone app and dropped in for dinner before heading over into Illinois and my home for the next week and a half.
We were greeted and led through a little country themed gift shop and seated in the large back dining room by a waitress dressed in a pair of blue denim overalls, a red shirt, and a red and blue cap — A cute way to keep the country theme going. She brought us a beat up looking metal pitcher full of ice water, which we poured into jelly jar glasses, and a basket of fresh baked bread with real butter. There were two types of home made bread, white and an apple brown sugar bread. Both were soft and warm and the apple bread was slightly sweet.
Tyoni and I each ordered the special of the day, the baby back ribs «all you care to eat» which came with baked beans’ a choice of side (applesauce, coleslaw, or cottage cheese) and a choice of rice or potato (baked, sweet, mashed, garlic mashed, or French fried).
I settled on a sweet potato and Tyoni ordered a baked, and we were told that since we both ordered the same entrée we had to choose a side together to share. Can somebody PLEASE explain to me why the choice of sides had to be a group decision? We chose the coleslaw — it was okay.
The ribs were fall apart in your fingers tender and covered in a spice rub. The ribs tasted like they’d been cooked in a smoker but the rub was a little bland. Tyoni asked for barbecue sauce on the side trying to dress it up a bit.
The baked sweet potato came with brown sugar butter and was the HIGHLIGHT of the meal — truly excellent, best sweet potato I have ever had.
The food was good, the ribs (usually $ 19) were on special for $ 12.99, and the atmosphere was fun. The waitress was pleasant and kept everything refilled. I’d come back, but would probably order something other than the ribs. There wasn’t anything wrong with them and they were cooked perfectly, the rub was just a little bland.
PS — I bought a bacon ring in the shop on my way out — those who know me will understand.

Absolutely love this place! This is such a great destination and place to have brunch and even dinner.
Pros:
Huge servings.
Friendly atmosphere.
Quick service.
Great farm memorabilias.
Bacon as thick as you can get.
Just say «I love eggs» and they will give you an extra egg on your order for free.
Delicious and huge cinnamon roll.
Kids menu is so fun.
The store has lots of interesting stuff such as cooking supplies, candles etc.
Cons:
NONE… That’s how good this place is!

Driving from Philly to Denver I was looking for a place with some local Iowa flavor. While this is a chain, I think it fit the bill pretty nicely. You first walk into their large gift shop, which is great if you’re looking for a uniquely midwest gift, or maybe a tongue-​in-​cheek t-​shirt.
In the dining area there is plenty of kitsch to set the mood. Fast forward to the entrees — I must say I was a little disappointed to learn that creamed chicken and biscuits is really just a poor man’s chicken pot pie — next time I’ll know. While it was good, I’m sure that crust would’ve been better. They were out of the larger pork chops so my guest had the Parmesan crusted chop, and had no complaints.
The kicker of the meal was the Raspberry Pie a la mode. I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but it was soooooo good. A must try.
Our waitress was a real doll and I was struck when I first sat down how happy everyone in the room seemed. Must be an Iowa thing. I’m used to Philly where no one ever really lets their guard down.

Holy kitsch, batman!
This place has examined «country» and gone for it whole-​heartedly! The plank wood walls are plastered in flour bags, farming equipment, pages from seed catalogs, posters for agricultural equipment, etc. The dining room is lit by the sort of lighting you’d find in a barn. The all-​female wait staff is dressed in blue-​jeans and checkered shirts. I’d be willing to bet they wear daisy dukes in the summer, but I was here in the winter. Drinks come in tin pitchers.
The service is fast, the food is hearty, and WAY better than Cracker Barrel, Bob Evans, or the like. There’s a large dessert selection of pies and cakes. This would be a great place to take kids.

I’m reluctant to write a review just yet, because I understand that the meal that makes this place the rave of the country is its breakfast…
However, since dinner is when I was there, I’ll rate that for now, while assuring myself that I WILL get to try this place for breakfast soon.
The comparison of this restaurant to a Cracker Barrel is not far off when it comes to ambiance. I’d say it was an «upscale» Cracker Barrel… similar decorations, similar style. That said, I’d say that’s where the comparison ended for me. Never would I have ordered a steak at Cracker Barrel, but I had to try one here… the meat selections on the menu are really quite impressive, as is the design of each recipe. Saturday nights, they have prime rib. Alas, it was Sunday… but no worries, because there was a lot to choose from either way.
My main dish was very good… I got the stuffed sirloin, which is thoroughly filled with a hearty filling, with some gravy for good measure. As my husband commented, it’s one of those meals that really «sticks to your ribs». To that aspect, I felt like I’d just killed a month’s worth of dieting. The gravy was great, but I’m sure it was the same type they make from bacon grease… (which of course is why it ends up tasting good!). It came with a choice of potato.
Hubby had the meatloaf… OMG… I have never seen such a meatloaf… it was probably stacked about eight inches tall, with mashed potatoes, crispy onions, and gravy. The loaf itself had a really interesting mix, with onions, peppers, etc, in it. I took a pic, which I’ve added into the photos here.
All the meals came with family-​style side dishes (choice of two): cottage cheese, coleslaw, or homemade cinnamon apples. There was also corn (quite possibly canned, maybe frozen… meh. it was corn) and a really nice assortment of fresh breads.
Considering the fare, the meals were very reasonably priced.
The service staff was very nice and helpful. There was one really grumpy man in the corner making a scene about something he had experienced during his meal, and despite being really rude to his waitress, I watched her react very graciously, fulfilling his needs even as he bellowed, «Gimme some mayo!!» across three tables to her.
So, on that note, this place is NOT a five-​star restaurant, in the more traditional sense of the word… no tablecloths, and plenty of folks who have a different attitude than they might in one of the Zaggat restaurants…
…BUT my family and I enjoyed our meals. I really look forward to returning for breakfast.