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Hours
Sun
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Mon
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tue
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wed
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thu
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Fri
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sat
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.0
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
CUISINES
American
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
features
Can a gluten free person get a good meal at this restaurant?
Details
About
In 1978, we opened our first Machine Shed Restaurant on the outskirts of Davenport, Iowa. We had just 100 seats, but we started with a powerful commitment. That was a five-word constitution: “Dedicated to the American Farmer.” That dedication meant we worked hard to have a restaurant that wasn’t just ‘farm themed’ but something that farmers could be proud of. We serve chef driven, farm fresh fare, inspired by the seasons. Our food is made from scratch, daily.
CUISINES
American
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
Contribute
4.0
448 reviews
Excellent
195
Very good
133
Average
70
Poor
31
Terrible
19
chelly320
2 contributions
Dec 2019 • none
Twice now my large family has had our Christmas party at this restaurant and they are so friendly and willing to let us commandeer a whole room the Saturday before Christmas. The food is delicious and we never feel rushed to leave. It's a great place to eat!
Written January 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MKSparkman
Hello, thank you for dining with us and sharing your great review. We are happy to hear our staff accommodated your large family and we hope to see you again soon!
Written January 24, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Shannon M
Oconto Falls186 contributions
Oct 2020 • friends
We went here for breakfast and we were seated right away we didn't have to wait at all which was extremely nice. The waitress was nice and on top of refilling our beverages we never had to wait long for our refills. We both decided to go with Traditional Eggs Benedict and shredded hashbrowns with cheese and onions. Our meals were so good they hit the spot. My friend took half of her hashbrowns and eggs Benedict and she said it was so tasty and good the next days as it was when it was fresh. They offer pies too but they didn't have any flavor i wanted but they offer pies. They also have a small little shop that sells a bunch of neat things you could buy for yourself or as gifts. Will so be going back to eat here again.
Written October 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MKSparkman
Hi Shannon, thank you for sharing your wonderful experience dining with us! We are happy to hear you enjoyed your Eggs Benedict and we look forward to seeing you again!
Written October 29, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Darrell_Parsons
Appleton53 contributions
Jul 2022 • solo
When I looked at their menu online I was excited to see they had biscuits and gravy. I haven’t had biscuits and gravy like forever. On July 14th, 2022 I went to the Machine Shed Restaurant to get an order of biscuits and gravy. The waitress was very friendly and kind. She got my order right in. It didn’t take long for her to come back with my breakfast of biscuits and gravy! She put the plate in front of me and I thanked her. The gravy was pretty good. Unfortunately the biscuits were like rocks. They were so hard you couldn’t tell that they were baking soda biscuits. It was such a letdown! The flavor was all right and I was thankful to have a knife because trying to cut them with a fork was almost impossible. I finished my average breakfast and went to pay. The gal asked me how many me yours and I said it was OK. She then credited me the $10.95 for the meal. I did object and told her it wasn’t terrible I said it was just OK. Because some meal wasn’t terrible I felt obligated to pay and besides, the waitress was so awesome I wanted to tip her. The gal reinstated the charge and I paid for the breakfast. The gal said she would let the kitchen know that they had to do a better job with the biscuits. If I go back I know I will not be getting the biscuits and gravy because I feel the meal was not worth the price. But the service there is outstanding!
Written July 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heart of America Group
Darrell, thank you for dining with us and providing your feedback! We apologize that the biscuits were not up to our normal standards, but please know that your review was sent to all of our culinary executives so they are aware and can ensure the quality going forward. We appreciate that you took the chance o let your server or manager know while you were dining with us - we always like to have the opportunity to make it right!
Written July 18, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mike L
Appleton3 contributions
Mar 2020 • none
This is a pricier version of Cracker Barrel with less selection and lesser quality. My son and I stopped in for breakfast this morning. He ordered the Buttermilk Pancakes. $6.99 for 3 pancakes and syrup was a fair deal. I ordered the Pecan Pancakes. $8.59 was the menu price which I obviously attributed to the pecans. When the food came out, my order only had 2 pancakes and there were a few pecans sprinkled on top of the them. So my order was 23% pricier with 33% less food. So for 'pecans' I paid a 58% premium for my meal. $4.30 per pancake! It's flour and water! That's called 'insult pricing,' and, yes, I was insulted. I also found it misleading. We won't be going back.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MKSparkman
Hello, I am sorry to hear about your experience. We take pride in our award-winning restaurant and it sounds like your meal was not up to our typical standards. I have shared your feedback with our culinary team so they are aware and can make adjustments. I hope you brought this to your server or manager's attention while you were at the restaurant - we are always happy to make it right!
Written March 6, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Wally O.
Arlington Heights15 contributions
Sep 2021 • none
Had the Double Apple stuffed Pork Chops on the bone , and they were amazing ! Almost enough for 2 people ! Also Bob W. the mgr. let me taste a fried chicken leg, so i could decide to buy a bunch of chicken for the crew coming to Lake house up north. The fried chicken was great , and the crew was really happy for the treat, as they arrived after 11pm that Friday night before Labor Day. i've been here before , and the quality of food and service is top shelf !
Come Hungry *****
Written September 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heart of America Group
Wally, thank you for the outstanding review! We take pride in our restaurant and we love to hear that everything has met your expectations. We hope to see you again soon!
Written September 9, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dimitri L
Phoenix112 contributions
Jun 2022 • family
Nice place to have a bite, if you're hungry. Nothing extraordinary about the food, bread, butter, Cole slaw and apple preserve aplenty before main course. I don't understand the need to dust the sweet potatoes with powdered sugar and cinnamon, it's not a dessert, it's a side dish!
Written June 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SunflowerDame
Appleton130 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
Great home-type, cooked, hearty meals in a farm country setting but our favorite is Sunday brunch. Be prepared for a wait due to popularity but well worth it due to the incredible variety. The gift shop helps pass time while waiting. Service is fantastic with friendly wait staff.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MKSparkman
Hello! We are so glad you enjoy our down-home cooking at the Shed! We have remained dedicated to the American Farmer since 1978 and make our food from scratch daily. We appreciate your patronage and that you took the time to post your amazing review!
Written February 25, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dave B
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • family
The meal started out with cola that tasted like bleach. My wife tried it and also tasted bleach. The waitress said she had ben drinking it and didn't notice any off flavor. That apparently ended the matter. My wife ordered pot roast, which turned out to be a thin, soupy concoction with very few vegetables. I had country fried chicken, which I had enjoyed many times in the past. This time the chicken was prepared with an abundance of salt. I tried a few bites to be certain it was that salty. It was, and I left the rest on the plate, along with a mediocre baked potato. This used to be a place I'd anticipated visiting on trips to Appleton. Next time I'll try somewhere else.
Written November 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HOA Marketing
Hi Dave, I'm very sorry to hear about your disappointing experience at our restaurant. We apologize for the pop issue and the quality of your meals not meeting our usual standards. We appreciate your feedback and will address these concerns with our team to ensure improvements in the future. We hope you consider giving us another chance to provide you with a better dining experience on your next visit to Appleton.
Written November 3, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
zeffantm
Dodgeville494 contributions
Apr 2024 • couples
From time moment we were greeted by Tasha, we were impressed. Her friendly and cheerful attitude really made the visit delightful. When asked, she offered some good recommendations. She was quite possibly the most attentive server I've ever had the pleasure of meeting!
The fried chicken, mashed potatoes with country gravy, and corn were all cooked perfectly and piping hot. For dessert, we opted for the Chocolate Ganache Cake to share. The two of us ate as much as we could and still ended up taking half of it home with us!
This restaurant is great, just like the one in Pewaukee, but the staff at this location are head and shoulders above the rest.
Written April 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HOA Marketing
We're thrilled to hear about your wonderful experience! Our team strives to provide exceptional service and quality food, and we're delighted that you enjoyed your visit. Thank you for your kind words - we hope to see you again soon!
Written April 18, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kenneth K
89 contributions
Sep 2023 • couples
We usually visit the Appleton area each year and our go-to place is The Machine Shed, A comfortable farm style restaurant with excellent food , ambience and service. Very good portion sizes and variety.
Highly recommended! Come hungry !
Written September 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lesley Von Tersch
Hello, we are so glad you enjoy our down-home cooking at the Shed! We have remained dedicated to the American Farmer since 1978 and make our food from scratch daily. We appreciate that you took the time to post your amazing review!
Written September 14, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
James B
Waynesboro115 contributions
Mar 2020 • none
The food is a plenty and very good. We ate breakfast and stuffed when we left. The staff is great and helpful with the menu. This is not a chain. Local cuisine and they have a neat shop inside for souvenirs and other knick-knacks. Definitely worth eating at, especially for breakfast. Be advised the cinnamon roll can feed 2 to 3 people, but wow is it good.
Review collected in partnership with DoubleTree by Hilton
This business uses tools provided by Tripadvisor (or one of its official Review Collection Partners) to encourage and collect guest reviews, including this one.
Written March 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MKSparkman
We are so pleased to hear you enjoy eating at the Machine Shed for breakfast! We were voted the best breakfast in America by the Travel Channel. Thank you for providing your review!
Written March 18, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Suza223
Green Bay557 contributions
Jun 2024 • family
My sister & I ordered the salad bar & soup. The salad bar was fresh, had a great selection of toppings ! The potato salad was delicious and I loved the two greens ( I’m a romaine person). My soup was the loaded baked potato - perfectly seasoned, thickness was spot on and yummy. My sister loved the baked French onion
Written June 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HOA Marketing
Thank you for stopping into the Machine Shed to dine with us! We are so glad to hear you enjoyed your meal. We look forward to seeing you again!
Written June 12, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jennette R
Leadville702 contributions
Oct 2020 • none
We stopped in not knowing it was a chain until we saw pictures on the menu. Its a take on Cracker Barrell. Nothing to write home about but I am giving 5 stars for the outstanding service. Sandy was amazing!!! just hands down nicest guy. We had the potatoes skins, french onion, and loaded potato soup. Again nothing to brag about but the service. Thanks Sandy!
Written October 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MKSparkman
Thank you for providing us with your review and feedback. We are so pleased to hear that you received such great service from Sandy! We have been dedicated to the American Farmer since 1978 and we make our food from scratch, daily. We appreciate the wonderful feedback and look forward to your next visit!
Written October 5, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
BranNich
108 contributions
Apr 2023 • none
It’s been awhile since we ate here. Stopped tonight in Appleton and we were so disappointed. We all ordered dinners but no bread or cottage cheese as we had received in past experiences. Although other tables had them.? Our waitress never stopped back after bringing our food until she brought the check. Food was just okay. We used to love this place but service and quality has gone way down. So disappointing.
Written April 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lesley Von Tersch
Thank you for providing us with your review. We are so sorry to hear that you did not get the true Machine Shed experience and that we dropped the ball. We will share your comments with our management team at our Appleton location to ensure we are training our team properly. We hope you dine with us again so that you can receive a 5-star experience from the Shed.
Written April 17, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Angelique L
Escanaba449 contributions
Aug 2022 • none
Food was good. Our waiter was attentive and Great! BUT the wait was long to sit and for food! They need more help or to work more efficiently. The waiters were both moving as fast as they possibly could without running someone over, but the rest of the staff seemed to be just doing their jobs.,
Written August 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heart of America Group
Hello Angelique, thank you for providing us with your feedback. I am sorry you waited awhile for your food, our staff is doing their best at the moment as we try to hire new team members. I assure you we will be using this as a training tool to ensure we continue to exceed expectations as we try to hire more staff for our team. However, we are happy to hear that the food was good and that your waiter was great!
Written August 29, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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