Machine Shed
Where the Midwest Comes to the TableDedicated to the American Farmer
It started with 100 seats and a simple promise.
When Machine Shed opened in Davenport, Iowa in 1978, we were not trying to build a restaurant chain. We were trying to build a gathering place that honored the farmers, families, and hardworking people who make the Midwest what it is.
That promise still drives everything. The ingredients we source, the recipes we protect, the teams who show up before sunrise to make sure your breakfast is worth getting out of bed for.
We are not farm-themed. We are farm-rooted. There is a difference and you will taste it.
Today, five Machine Shed locations serve communities across Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin with the same commitment we made in 1978: put honest food on the table and treat every guest like a neighbor.
Food Worth the Drive. Worth the Wait. Worth Coming Back For.
Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, scratch-made every day. From award-winning cinnamon rolls to slow-roasted pork chops, every dish that leaves our kitchen is made the way it should be.
The Shed Is Ready When You Are
Machine Shed offers private dining spaces and banquet catering across five Midwest locations. Host your event at the Shed or let us bring the food to you. From corporate lunches and family celebrations to rehearsal dinners and group gatherings, our events team handles the details so you can focus on the people across the table.
Five Locations. One Commitment.
No matter which Machine Shed you walk into, you will find the same scratch-made food, the same warm atmosphere, and the same Midwestern hospitality that has kept guests coming back since 1978.
Appleton, WI
Bringing farm-fresh, scratch-made dining to the Fox Valley. Our Appleton restaurant is open daily and offers private dining and catering services for everything from corporate lunches to family celebrations.
Davenport, IA
Where it all began. Our original Davenport location has been welcoming guests since 1978 and remains the heart of the Machine Shed story. Join us daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and ask about our Davenport banquet rooms for your next event.
Pewaukee, WI
Serving the greater Milwaukee area from our Pewaukee location. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with banquet and private room facilities ready for your next private event.
Rockford, IL
Serving the Rockford community and the greater northern Illinois area. Our Rockford restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with private event spaces available for gatherings of all sizes.
Urbandale, IA — Serving the Greater Des Moines Area
If you are in Des Moines or anywhere in the metro area, our Urbandale restaurant is your Machine Shed. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and fully equipped with private event and catering services for the Des Moines community.
Great Food Scratch-Made Every Day
Real butter, real ingredients, no shortcuts from the prep table to your plate.
Rooted in American Farm Country
Locally sourced ingredients and honest, hearty recipes Midwestern families have counted on for generations.
Award-Winning, Neighbor-Approved
National recognition from the National Pork Producers Council and a loyal following of Sunday regulars.
Questions About the Shed? We Have Got Answers.
Does Machine Shed take reservations?
We welcome walk-ins at all five locations and seat guests on a first-come, first-served basis for our regular dining room. For private events, banquets, and large group dining, we absolutely encourage you to reach out ahead of time so we can make sure everything is ready when you arrive. Contact your nearest Machine Shed location to get the conversation started.
Is Machine Shed good for large groups and family gatherings?
It is honestly one of the things we do best. Our dining rooms are spacious, our private banquet rooms are available at all five locations, and our menu has something for every age and appetite. Whether you are bringing the whole extended family or organizing a group outing, the Shed is built for exactly that kind of gathering.
What is Machine Shed known for?
A few things tend to come up when guests talk about us. Our Baked Potato Soup is made from scratch every single day and has a loyal following that plans visits around it. Our hand-breaded Pork Tenderloin earned a feature on the Travel Channel. Our award-winning cinnamon rolls come out of the oven fresh every morning. And our Sunday Brunch Buffet is a Midwest tradition that guests look forward to week after week. Beyond the food, people come back because it feels like a place that actually cares about the people sitting at its tables.
Do you offer a Sunday brunch buffet?
Yes, and it is one of our most beloved traditions. Our Sunday Brunch Buffet is available at our locations and features the same scratch-made quality you find across our entire menu. It is the kind of Sunday morning that makes the rest of the week feel manageable. Check with your nearest location for current hours and availability.
Does Machine Shed offer catering for events outside the restaurant?
Yes. Our catering services bring the same farm-fresh, scratch-made food to your event, whether that is a corporate function, a rehearsal dinner, a company picnic, or a community gathering. Reach out to the Machine Shed location nearest you to discuss menus, logistics, and availability.
Does Machine Shed offer gluten-free or have dietary accommodation options?
We do our best to accommodate guests with dietary needs. Please let your server know when you are seated and our kitchen team will work with you. Because our food is made from scratch in kitchens that handle a full range of ingredients, we encourage guests with serious allergies to speak directly with a manager so we can give you the most accurate information for your situation.
Where is Machine Shed located near Des Moines?
Our Urbandale, IA location serves the greater Des Moines metro area and is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Urbandale sits just minutes from downtown Des Moines, making it a convenient stop whether you are a local or visiting the area. We also offer private event and catering services for Des Moines area gatherings of all sizes.
Recognized Nationally. Loved Locally.
We are proud of the recognition Machine Shed has earned over the years. But if we are being honest, the regulars who show up every Sunday mean just as much to us as any awards.
- Named one of the Best Breakfasts in America
- National Pork Restaurant of the Year – National Pork Producers Council
- Hand-breaded Pork Tenderloin featured on the Travel Channel
- Decades of loyalty from guests across Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin
“The Baked Potato Soup alone is worth the trip. I have been coming here since I was a kid and it never lets me down.”
Guest review, Davenport, IA
“We hosted our company holiday party in the banquet room and everything was perfect. The food, the service, the atmosphere. We will be back every year.”
Guest review, Rockford, IL
“Best Sunday brunch in the Des Moines area, hands down. The cinnamon rolls are legendary.”
Guest review, Urbandale, IA
What’s Going On At The Shed
News & Events
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