Our Server (I think his name was Lamar) was great, super accommodating, and personable. Our food was good, but I think I would go back just for the service.
(5)
Lindsey G.
We have eaten here numerous times. Always for breakfast, only once for dinner. Atmosphere is like Cracker Barrel with a small general store up front and than restaurant in back. Portions are huge and the cinnamon rolls are even bigger. Breakfast Food is all fresh and good. Dinner wasn't great (maybe 2-3 stars) but one of the only places around you can get burnt ends. Used to be a lot better but they are under new management who refuses to make substitutions even because of allergies.... even when the item is cheaper. They do cooking classes for kids the first Tuesday of every month and adult classes once a month. During warmer months, they do tractor rides on Sunday mornings.
(4)
J.R. A.
Our first visit was excellent. Second not as good. We were met at the door and seated right away on our first visit, second visit we had to find someone to seat us. Our first meals were traditional fried chicken for me and pot roast dinner for her. We were both impressed with the food and the service. The chicken is cooked faster than some places so it's not nearly as tender as it could be but the flavor is excellent. The pot roast was "just like mom made", which is high praise. Second meals were burnt ends for me and beef tips for her. Firstly, the flavors on both were excellent but I have a bone to pick about the burnt ends. Too many restaurants, including this one, use various parts of meat cut and cooked separately from the big cuts and are not cooked low and slow or even burnt (for the most part). These, while tasty, were fairly dry and tough. Before the meal starts, they bring out rolls and pumpkin bread (very nice) with butter and "fixin's, which consists of bowels of cottage cheese and cole slaw. All of this is in portions large enough to fill up two people before the meal starts. Sides include baked potato, baked sweet potato, french fries, and sweet potato fries, the only one of which we haven't tried is french fries. All have been good so far. We have a lot more selections to try and will update as we go.
(4)
Linda C.
This was our second (and last) visit here and this time I had to post my thoughts. IF you enjoy extremely over salted food you'll love this place. You get gravy whether you like it or not. Servers are NOT trained well and S-L-O-W. When I realized our server was not going to clear them I got disgusted and finally resorted to taking our piles and piles of dirty dishes and setting them on a table out of our way. NOT acceptable for the prices they charge. The menu looks scrumptious however the food just isn't. It's served family style which means you get your entree but the sides are large portions served individually. Ours were cottage cheese, cole slaw and some type of sweet bread broken into chunks. We enjoyed the slaw (it was superb!) and so was the bread. Cottage cheese was creamy and fresh so no complaints with the sides. The basket of rolls were warm and also good. The entree's we ordered were pot roast (EXTREMELY salty), 2 pce fried chicken (good but nothing exceptional...mashed potatoes I ordered DRY came slathered in SALTY gravy) and some kind of bbq'd chunks which were hard as rocks. All-in-all...very disappointing and to add insult to injury...cold. Once the food was placed the server disappeared otherwise I would have asked for those dry mashed.
(2)
Dustin F.
Very neat place. Old tractors and implements. Good old country music and everything liquid was served in a mason jar! Had the burnt ends pork and beef. Excellent! Sauce was good not too sweet. Pumpkin bread served before dinner...amazing! The fries were excellent too. Baked beans ehh. Not bad not Great. Wife had the pork chop. Tasty but a bit dry. Darn pork trying to be the other white meat! Overall very nice experience. Got there 30 minutes before close and the hostess was happy to seat us. Server too and this was Easter Sunday. Took a bit to get the check and the bill paid. Last ones there and it was late so we were ready to go and let the staff close. Had a cool store but no time to Check it out. We'd go back for sure. Breakfast menu look real good.
(4)
Tim T.
Been here several times, never disappointed. Ive ordered ribs,burnt ends, meatloaf, chicken pot pie,bbq, love the fried apples! Had french onion soup with the onion strings in the soup. Very tasty! Pie is good! Usually have refills on pop which they never charge. Prices are reasonable here. Portions are decent. Better than cracker barrel! Wish they would expand to my area!!
(4)
Peter T.
"Dedicated to the American Farmer" - was the slogan of a restaurant we used to pop into in Davenport Iowa. The "Iowa Machine Shed", just outside of town, served wholesome American food in large quantities. Today there are a half dozen Machine Shed restaurants in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The restaurant cooks from scratch and uses top notch suppliers. Some people might compare it to Cracker Barrel, and I guess there is a similarity, but Machine Shed is better, in my opinion. These places seat a big mess o people, so remember that when setting out to visit. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with slightly different menus at each meal. After your drink orders are taken, the server will bring the table complimentary "fixins", which is comprised of an ample bread basket with super soft large dinner rolls, a family sized bowl of slaw and one of cottage cheese. I love cottage cheese, and this has to be some of the best I have had, ever, anywhere. High milk fat content, small curd. This trip, I ordered the country fried chicken, which was nice and crisp on the outside and juicy inside. Dinners come with a vegetable and your choice of a large variety of spud preparations. I got fries and some nice gravy to go with it. If you're in for breakfast, or need a little sweet thing (besides Mrs. Burgerdogboy), they have these massive breakfast rolls in a couple of different varieties, and I swear, they must weigh two pounds. Next time I zip through the Upper Midwest, I'll angle to hit a Machine Shed at breakfast, as they have a platter which covers all the breakfast pork options. Nice. And BTW? There is no better place to be during summers in America than the farm belt. County fairs, small town festivals, block parties. The best. Typical dinner menu.
(5)
Ford M.
Fabulous. Like a Cracker Barrel only better! Quick service, friendly staff, hot and good food. Too much food to eat!! If in the area - you have to come here!
(5)
Heather C.
We moved to Rockford recently and decided we are going to take all of our visiting family here! Great home-cooking, awesome service, so much food! Complimentary bread basket, cottage cheese, and cole slaw served family style for the table was a nice surprise. The loaded potato soup is to die for! The coveralls and gingham worn by the waitstaff is a little cheesy, but fits the theme. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive. Also, they have a great little "Cracker Barrel" type country store with a lot of cute little gifts. Loved this place!
(5)
Sarah H.
Wow. We may have found a close favorite to Cracker Barrel. This was our first visit and we left happy and full (very full). We didn't realize we'd get all these additional goodies brought to the table besides the bread. But there was cottage cheese and coleslaw and corn. The pot roast was delicious, and a huge helping! The chicken pot pie was also very tasty (it looks small when you first get it, but then you start eating it and realize it's so filling that you can't finish it all after you've already eaten bread and side fixins). Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Meg S.
We have gone here off and on for probably 15 years. It has been at least 5 since we have been though since we don't travel this way that often anymore. It is still very charming and has a Cracker Barrel type feel to it since it has a gift shop and servers that are dressed to theme (overalls). The staff is friendly and welcoming, and it wasn't busy when we went (we were there at an off time on a holiday weekend). Our drinks were brought promptly and the server was very nice. We ordered our food and I wasn't crazy hungry so I ordered the soup (a version of fully loaded baked potato) and the salad bar. I love salad bars and being able to choose what I put on mine and have options for my meal. Not many places do a salad bar any more so I was excited to get it. My husband ordered a prime rib sandwich and my son had a cheeseburger. I should have looked at the salad bar before ordering. I really can't believe they offer it on the menu as a stand-alone option. It was iceberg lettuce, 6 or so types of dressing, croutons, cheese, carrots and a few other toppings, 2 types of fruit and a few other things but honestly I would be surprised if many people could fill a plate or make a meal out of it. I was highly disappointed. The food was fresh, so that part was good but there just wasn't a whole lot of options. I came back and ate and the salad bar items tasted fresh and fine but I was glad I got my soup to go along with it. The soup was very good and my husband enjoyed his sandwich and my son's burger was very average. I mentioned the salad bar to my server and how disappointed I was and the server said she would see what she could do, which I appreciated her listening to my concerns. She told me the manager took $2.50 off, which I thought was fair since I did eat some of the items from the salad bar. The server was a bit nonexistent at times and there was a delay in getting beverages refilled. I do like this place and I'm hoping that things were just off today and I learned my lesson about the salad bar. But these reasons are why I am giving it 3 stars. We will be back because we enjoy it but I was not completely thrilled with our visit.
(3)
Edricc O.
Good Midwestern farm food. Reminds me of the Cracker Barrel restaurant. I ordered the burnt tips and the portions are big. I left full and feel like I took home an extra meal. The decor could use an update but wasn't as ran down as some restaurants in Rockford.
(3)
Lynnette K.
This is definitely the place for big appetites. The amount of food you get is crazy. I am a huge fan of pork so I ordered the double pork chop. With it I also got carrots, potatoes and gravy, banana bread, roll, cottage cheese and cole slaw. I didn't eat even 1/3 of the food. The pork chop was so thick that I had a huge piece left over. I could have another full meal out of the leftovers. The food was good -- not anything super special but good enough. The potatoes were especially flavorful and I love any place that gives out free cottage cheese. I'd go back if I was in the area.
(4)
Ben D.
This place is Cracker Barrel on steroids. Great breakfast with huge portions. Biscuits and cinnamon rolls were the best. Didn't love the coffee but the food made up for it.
(4)
Kelli J.
I was really excited to try the Illinois Machine Shed since I love the Iowa version. My husband and I came here for lunch on a Friday afternoon. I ordered the catfish platter while my husband got the shepherd's pie. The sides that we shared were the cottage cheese and the apples, they were both very good. The bread we got at lunch was really good one was a biscuit that we both didn't eat because we didn't want to stuff ourselves and the other had this sugary stuff on top that was excellent and I would love to make it at home. I received fries and carrots with my fish. The fish was okay but I have had better and the fries were not good at all I only ate a few and the carrots were pretty bland as well. My husband liked his shepherd's pie he just wished it had a little more gravy to it since it seemed a little dry. The service was very good but I only wish we the food was a bit better, I think the Iowa Machine Shed is by far my favorite one so far.
(3)
Susan S.
Beer n cheese pretzel was amazing.Was a little beat up the decor. Had ordered fried catfish was kind of greasy. Upon lifting up the fish was sitting in a pool of oil, they brought out sweet bread white rolls with coleslaw and cottage cheese odd combo.
(3)
Jennifer H.
The Machine Shed is our go to breakfast stop when driving through Rockford. We have always received prompt service and the food has always been wonderful. Family favorites include the Cinnamon Toast French Toast and the Farmer's Daughter. Remember to say "I love eggs" to get an additional egg added to your platter.
(5)
Bob L.
We stop here about twice a year, it's good decent food, nothing out of this world, just average. I do like the "farm" concept. Cottage cheese is awesome. Service was good. I'll go back when in the area.
(3)
Cynthia C.
Truly enjoyed the walleye special. The cottage cheese given with the fixins is some if the best I've ever had and the breads are homemade and great.
(4)
Karen J.
I had chicken and biscuits, which was very average, but my husband had the grilled pork chop and loved it. I think your best bet is to go with something that has to be prepared fresh.
(3)
Lucy W.
I'd heard good things about the Machine Shed, and went with my parents who enjoy the Iowa version. It was a bit disappointing. We went on Sunday morning after church and had the buffet - which I think was our mistake. Should have ordered off the menu. The food was okay, but nothing to rave about and certainly not worth the $12/person price tag. The eggs, even with the add-ins, were bland. The biscuits were good. Glancing at other tables who did order off the menu, I wished we'd done so. The service was also sub-par. We were tucked back in a corner and it was Fathers' Day, so I wonder if the servers were just unusually busy - but we didn't get enough check-ins from our server to keep our coffee and water refilled. And I didn't have silverware to start and had to wait several minutes after coming back from the buffet for the server to bring our drinks so I could even ask for silverware - meanwhile my food was getting cold. Will definitely come back to give it another try, but probably not on a Sunday morning and not for the breakfast buffet.
(2)
Derek P.
Very good food. If you walk away from this restaurant hungry, its your own fault! Good soups, salads are generous, apple sauce tastes homemade, and the breakfast sausages are real sausages! Only negative point I have about this restaurant is that I feel sorry for the servers having to dress in the hideous bib-overalls. I think most would be happy in the serving staff wearing black pants or blur jeans and white shirts.
(4)
Bee G.
Food was good. Had the fish fry and enjoyed it. I did start with a side salad and I guess for the size and contents, $3.99 seems a bit steep. Would have enjoyed more rolls and more timely refills on my drink. Again, food was good, but service was lacking...especially when the restaurant was, at best, half full.
(4)
Michael L.
Went to Rockford for the weekend. Ended up eating here two nights in a row! Very good food! Fun setting! Service was great as well!
(4)
Dean T.
After a failed attempt to dine on Sea Bass at Francesco's and walking out due to their poor service...I found myself at the Machine Shed... and a good choice it was! Down home comfort food is much better anyway. I had a huge hunk of meatloaf and mashed potatoes and couldn't finish. Great meatloaf! Friendly waitress and great service. will return time and again.
(5)
Susan J.
A family favorite. Always good food, and they are kid friendly. This time, our waitress wasn't as chipper as they usually are, but it didn't ruin the experience. My only concern was my daughter's dinner came out on a scalding hot plate. The waitress did warn me and handed it to me, not by my daughter. And I asked for a separate side plate for her to eat off - that was room temperature, so everything worked out. We'll be back, often.
(4)
Luanne F.
That cinnamon roll was huge! And it was as good as it was big! We ordered one to share and also ordered breakfast. We didn't need both! My omelette was good but my husband said his gravy on his biscuits was a little bland.
(4)
Theresa D.
The 5 stars are because management took care of bad service we received from a waitress. My husband and I ate there for lunch during the week & the service was extremely slow-he had to get back to work. Even the couple in the booth next to us when we 1st got there kept looking over their shoulder for the same waitress when they were ready to leave. When we paid the bill, I told them about that, management said that was unacceptable and didn't charge us. I wasn't going to ever go back, but now I will. I totally didn't expect their response.
(5)
Robert P.
This is my restaurant of choice. Prime rib is unbelievably delicious and fairly priced. It's as good as Thunder Bay's (maybe better) at an affordable cost comparably. I am unfortunately reviewing here to give poor marks for their Pot Pie. $10.99 for a glorified cup of chunky chicken soup with a crust ONLY on top. Served in a cup, I had misgivings when the meal arrived. I was with a good friend and wasn't about to make a stink. When something like this happens, I just chalk it up to experience. However I feel I must save someone else from the disappointment I felt.
(4)
Kate M.
I think this is essentially Cracker Barrel with a different name. And that's not a bad thing! We needed somewhere to stop for breakfast on the way to Iowa and ended up here. Everything was good. The fresh fruit plate was huge, the hashbrown casserole was tasty, the eggs were perfectly done. It was a good solid breakfast. The service was good too. I feel bad for the female servers having to wear overalls. They were not flattering on any of them. Oddly, the men didn't seem to be wearing them. There is a cute little gift shop attached to the restaurant. You can get pretty much any kind of knickknack you might be looking for related to food. Next time I need food on my way to Iowa I'm going to take the time to stop here instead of going through a drive-thru. Major bonus: there's a Starbucks across the street for a drink to go after your meal.
(4)
Ashley J.
This place is awesome! The Breakfast and pies are the best! The pies are very reasonably priced and a hit at every dinner!
Very similar to Cracker Barrel. Prices are good. Home style country meals. Very large, can accommodate large groups. Cinnamon rolls are delicious!
(4)
Ben W.
A staple in The Rockford Dining experience. If you come for breakfast tell them you love eggs!!
(3)
John M.
Good basic comfort food. Had the chicken pot pie which was fresh and excellent. Service was good but some customers just take a long time to order which slows it down a bit.
(4)
Renee M.
My friend found this restaurant on an eating show and wanted to try it. Boy, am I glad he did. The food was plentiful and delicous. This is definately farm to table. I got a great omelete with sausage gravy over the bisquit. Delicious. My friend got the sunnyside up eggs with great hasbrowns. Our waitress was very friendly. I would definately recommend this place.
(5)
Keith K.
the second star was because the place was clean, that's the ONLY compliment. FOOD was terrible, Party of 9 please, 8 of which thought their food was either cold, bland or bone dry. One messed up order, and ONE HOUR TO GET OUR FOOD! Talked to "one" of the managers, her reply, "did you say anything to your waiter"? Um no I didn't, we already waited an hour for our food, ya think waiting another hour would have made us happier. She obviously did not care or didn't want to hear it. Have eaten their before and thought the food was good enough to return, not this time, it was that bad. So long MS.
(2)
Channing C.
Love this place. Wonderful food and wonderful country setting! Love their side big thing of cottage cheese coleslaw and their rolls!
(5)
Leslie B.
This country style restaurant has some really delicious food and an adorable gift shop. Their menu boasts all of your down home favorites such as meat loaf, pot roast, chicken and biscuits, and pot pie...and you start with a basket of fresh baked bread, Cole slaw, and cottage cheese. I'm not even a fan of Cole slaw, but I like theirs, as it is just lighter without all the mayo. I have been to this restaurant many times throughout the past 15 years, and once recently. I most recently ordered the chicken and biscuits. They started us out with pumpkin bread which was warm and wonderful! I was able to eat almost half of my entree, after having filled up slightly on the starters. Our server was prompt and cordial, and our food came quickly. My iced tea was readily refilled through the night, and we were given a large pitcher of water. We also attempted to share an apple dumpling for dessert, which was also delicious, and had a very "homey" sort of taste, but we could barely take a few bites after this huge dinner. I just love their gift shop. It is filled with lots of cute kitchen items, decorations, children's books and some toys. Many of them seem to be made in small towns in different parts of the country. I wish I could get to the Machine Shed before Christmas sometime to do my shopping! Though service was friendly, I do think they could just be a little more welcoming to go along with the county-style atmosphere and food. Also, if you do plan to stay and chat a long time, check the hours before you go because they close pretty early some nights. If I pass through again, I'll likely be back!
(4)
Craig D.
The wife found and selected this country-style establishment on our 2012 Trans-America trip. As many reviews have already noted, this place has overtones of the ubiquitous "Cracker Barrel" without the deep-pockets corporate feel or the appealing-to-multiple regions homogenization (I DO like Cracker Barrel, BTW, but it is what it is). I mean, c'mon, they have fried chicken livers as an appetizer ! I had the Shepherd's pie, and my wife had the Ale House Turkey Sandwich. It was hot, served quickly (slow seeming day), and we were both very happy with our meals. Portions were ample and satisfying !
(4)
Anthony C.
Great place, great food great price. Three of us had breakfast here today. Place is modeled on the Country Buffet, which Definitely a generous serving size, and the quality of the food was very good. Would definitely try this place again.
(5)
Brian G.
Family atmosphere! Good food! Even on a Saturday afternoon the wait wasn't very long. My wife said the potato soup was great! Kids actually didn't like their Mac & Cheese but loved drinking from mini mason jars! I would've rated higher if there was some sort of bread or rolls offered ...
(4)
Marc B.
I had a wonderful Sunday morning breakfast there this past weekend. The portions were huge and delicious, the coffee was great, the service was fast, our waitress was an absolute gem (considering she was serving 7 guys!) Got a great meal for $10. Just the thing to fill me up and get me ready for the long drive home. I will definitely eat here again when I am in Rockford
(5)
Gordon W.
We arrived Monday night and as always the meal was just the best. This visit we had the fried chicken and burnt ends dinners which were just great. The table service was good and the gent who served us courteous and responsive. However the front desk woman who showed us to our table was in desperate need of being shown how to treat customers. The fake smile and attitude was next to disgusting which was topped by her saying when we got to table "here" and walked away. If upper management know her, long black hair and on front desk about 6.00pm show her the right way to treat customers, they usually don't come back after being treated the way she treated us and the people at table next to us
(3)
David R.
Loved this place. My son had the French toast made from cinnamon roll! Decadent. Our server recommended we just get the kids size and she was right. They even supplied a tractor to play with. Was great place for him. I had veggie omelet which was good too.
(5)
Nathan N.
Exceeded expectations. Beer battered walleye was excellent - clean flavor, crisp texture. Fixins' were average but family style servings a nice touch. Applesauce bread a tasty intro to meal.
(4)
Paul K.
Down home comfort food with all the fixins! If you are a vegatarian this is not the place for you. Country fried steak, brisquet, fried chicken (pan and deep fried), it is a menu designed by a farmer. All the food is good and reasonably priced. I had the pan fried chicken and it was tender and tasty. The chicken grave was very good. This is safe food that is very filling. The pecan cinammon roll was incredible. Eat here everyday and you will die young and happy!
(3)
Jay L.
Good food at fair prices. Home cooking-type food that you don't usually think of at a restaurant. We went at 9pm on a Saturday and it seemed like the place had just emptied out as we showed up. My only complaint is they need to funnel their outgoing customers away from incoming since we hit a wall of people paying for their food in the shop and I got hit by someone putting their coat on.
(3)
Brayden K.
I wasn't sure what to expect at this homey, Midwestern comfort-style restaurant in Rockford. On its surface it looks like an overblown family style chain restaurant designed around pork and John Deere memorabilia. It even comes with a little gift shop, a la Cracker Barrel, where it sells lots of pork-related paraphernalia, including t-shirts touting the glories of bacon. The servers dress in overalls, contributing to a feeling of rural charm and friendliness but that look awkward to wear. My expectations about the food weren't that great. I fully expected to chow down on something country fried. But the food was better than expected, especially if you stick to something off the menu with pork in it. The opening appetizers of breads, cole slaw and cottage cheese was tasty but nothing special. I sat at a table with people who got a lot of different dishes, some of which seemed downright amazing and others that were simply ordinary. I recommend getting the pork chops. These massive chunks of porky goodness were the most amazing thing served at our table. I've never seen pork chops as large or as seemingly moist as these chops. The person who got them acted as if he'd died and gone to pork heaven. If I ever go to the Machine Shed, I'm definitely ordering the chops! I ordered the heartland combo, which included a small portion of three specialty items: roast pork loin, pork tenderloins wrapped in bacon and covered in BBQ sauce, and BBQ beef brisket. I really looked forward to the tenderloins and they were good but nothing special. The brisket was average but not bad. The real charmer of the combo was the roast pork loin, which was stuffed with some breaded, garlicky goodness and drenched in a delicious country gravy. Easily the best pork I've had in several months. Overall, I thought the food was above average, but the Midwestern rural charm was a little over-the-top for me. The service was friendly but slow. I would have enjoyed my experience more if I didn't feel like I was in a Wisconsin dairy theme park.
(3)
Erin L.
Yum this place is awesome and I felt priced very well. I remember coming as a kid and didn't think it was anything special but just went back as an adult and the food was outstanding and so was the service. I took my three year old daughter and they were great with her as well and they give kids a little tractor to play with as well as colors and a coloring place mat. Sound doesn't carry so while it is a big space it still feels somewhat quiet. The store is cute too and of course we bought a cookie and it was outstanding as well! Will surely be back next time I'm in Illinois
(5)
Pete B.
I used to enjoy this place when I was a kid. Went back recently with my fiance and we were very disappointed. First we find out that they were out of cinnamon rolls, which she was really looking forward to. Disappointing, but not a deal breaker. So we ordered breakfast and the food was just not that good. My eggs were overcooked and my sausage rock hard. Her biscuits and gravy had no flavor. On top of it, our waitress seemed to be bothered just to take our order, not very friendly at all. Don't see myself coming back here in the near future.
(2)
Bob K.
I had heard good things about this place and decided to give it a try. The location is convenient for travelers as it's just off of I39. It's similar to Cracker Barrel in the layout of the restaurant. There's a country store/gift shop that one walks through to get t the restaurant. You drink out of mason jars and feel like you're actually eating at a farm in the Midwest. Food tasted homemade and was provided in very large portions. We loved the turkey,pot roast and chicken fried steak. Breads were delicious and the slaw and cottage cheese tided us over until the main enteress arrived. I do feel sorry for the servers that have to wear those HORRIBLE uniforms that look like they belong in the 1980's.
(5)
Brant H.
Great food great service Often struggle though ordering carry out.
(4)
Catherine P.
Mr. Machine Shed, I loved you so. For many years, you pleased me. I would drive well over an hour to get to you. I would climb the highest mountains & swim the longest seas to enjoy your food. I have not been to you in about 4 years & had you so built up in my mind as a fantastic casual restaurant with killer food, a warm feeling, & spectacular service. You have destroyed my dreams of you & made me so sad. :'( My sister, our mother & I made a day trip out to Rockford this past weekend & shopped till we dropped & made sure to eat lunch at what has always been my favorite restaurant in Rockford for years & years. We pulled in at lunch time to find a pretty empty lot this past Friday. I wasn't too concerned. Being a weekday, how busy do they really get for lunch? We walked in & we greeted by a friendly hostess who seated us in a nice big booth. I love their bowling alley tables & huge benches fit for a king. Comfort for people of all shapes & sizes. I ran to washroom when we first got to the table so I missed the greeting but when I returned, the server had been there dropping off our drinks. I sat & she asked if we were ready to order. Seriously? I haven't even TOUCHED my menu yet. "I think we'll need a few minutes" Two minutes later, "are you ready to order?" "We're gonna need a little longer, thanks." I expected (& probably shouldn't have) her to drop off some bread, butter, cottage cheese & coleslaw like they always do. There were none of these things in site. We finally placed our orders: The pot roast for my sis (gravy on the side, veggies on the side, & mashed potatoes. Now this is a little weird. The pot roast comes with carrots & potatoes, but you also get a potato on the side & their veggie of the day, so she opted for mashed & was happy she did. There was only one little red potato with her pot roast. I guess because she ordered mashed, they assumed she didn't need any additional carbs. The chicken fried steak for my mama. No special requests for her. Our picky eating habits are courtesy of our father. Thanks, BTW, Dad! Servers across America hate your daughters. And I felt adventurous & opted for a Sheppard's Pie which I have never eaten in my entire life but figured it had to be pretty good at the Machine Shed....hell, the servers where overalls & plaid shirts. They probably make a pretty damn good Sheppard's pie, not that I have anything to compare it to. Did you know you can add a soup (or chili) for $.99 to any meal?? AWESOME!!! Of course, if you want to know about it, you'll have to search the menu long & hard to know about it. The server doesn't tell you which I find pretty weird because, that's such an easy up sell for them! If you can get every other person in any given group to order a soup or chili on top of their meal, they will make more in tips at the end of the day. Moving on..... The bread, butter, coleslaw & cottage cheese made its way to our table about 5 minutes after we placed our order. About 3 to 4 minutes later, our soup & chili hit the table. And about 2 to 3 minutes later, out comes the food. I am not exaggerating. This is exactly what happened. I was on my second bite of chili & was putting butter on my bread when the food was served. Now, I'm not an accountant, but we went from an empty table to a jammed pack table in about 7 minutes. We didn't get to enjoy our soup & chili because we didn't want to let our meals get cold. We barely touched the bread & slaw because the food came out so quickly. I was so annoyed. My mother & I enjoyed our meals. The veggie of the day was zucchini & was overcooked, but I was so enjoying my Sheppard's pie, so I didn't care much. My mother really enjoyed her chicken fried steak & potatoes. My sister overall did not have a great meal. Their "French onion soup" is called "French onion soup", not "baked French onion soup", so she didn't know it came with cheese baked on top or at the bottom of the cup, so she was let down. Our server DID stay on top of filling drinks. For this, I give her credit. My sister can down iced tea like it's a hot summer day 365 days a year, but this does not make up for the fact that the server stopped by the table about 4 times & asked "Everything good, ok? Good." Never actually "stopping" at the table but more asked in passing & not giving us an opportunity to say, "Actually, my gravy is cold" or "Can I please get some more...?" We were approached by the manager in the lobby while we waited for our mother in the washroom, & asked how everything was. My sister embraced this opportunity because he asked. She told him about the poor timing, the lack of attention & the cold food, & he offered us a free dessert coupon. Thank you, but no thank you; we live more than an hour away & the next time I come to Rockford, I will be going to Texas Roadhouse next door.
(3)
Mike U.
Great home cooked food. Always good specials and good service. It is unique with the atmosphere and the servers wear overalls. Great for bigger dinner parties because they have the space to put tables together and everyone can still have their own eating area. Great little store in front as well- we always find cool items when we are there.
(5)
Andy S.
Nice people and good food. Would definitely return!
(4)
Audrey C.
I've only had the breakfast here but it is not worth it! There are many better breakfast places in the Rockford area with better food and prices.
(2)
Brandon V.
I try to make a point of visiting the Machine Shed each time I'm in Rockford. It's like Cracker Barrel, except not as dark and depressing - and the food is a cut above as well. I do feel sorry for the servers that have to wear those HORRIBLE uniforms that look like they belong on Green Acres. On the bright side for them, I always tip a little more, hoping they'll go buy themselves a nice DKNY sweater after work. Yeah, probably not.
(4)
Mark H.
Nice place for a change of place. The glasses are old jars which is fun. The staff is nice but I feel like the whole place is in need of an update. Other than that the food is good, so if your in the area stop on by here!
(4)
Jordan L.
This place is like sister of Cracker Barrel that grew up on the farm. Definitely a must if you find yourself in Rockford.
(5)
Michelle H.
The place is very similar to a Cracker Barrel. Only much better on almost every level, from service, to food choices. We came in here around four in the afternoon on a Saturday evening. We were greeted at the door (of course, there is the whole "country gift shop" when you walk in.) and led into a dining room. There were only a few other patrons, even though the lot was jammed. It's because they have a total of three separate dining areas. The decor is "farm classic" with John Deere signs, old tractor seats, and axes and wheels covering the walls. A nice touch without going completely overboard. The waitstaff uniforms though, were a little over the top. All of them had to wear checked shirts with farmer overalls. Not becoming nor probably very comfortable, no matter what your figure is. But regardless of the uniform, staff was quick, efficient, and friendly. But on to the food. I started out with a crock of baked french onion soup. It was good, not anything special though. And moving on to the main course. I had the best smoked prime rib ever! Perfectly rare and juicy, and came with a very tasty horseradish side for dipping. I chose the garlic mashed potatoes as my side (meh, not garlicky enough for my tastes) and it came with a side of vegetables. They brought out a bowl of fresh green beans enough for two. (Even though my husband's pulled pork sandwich did not come with veggies.) I ended up bringing half of my food home, and I blame it on the tasty basket of cornbread, muffins and biscuits that were on the table for starters! So, you get a lot of bang for your buck here. Most dinner menu items come in full and half portions, so you don't have to stuff yourself. But trust me, you'll want to. The gift shop is a nice diversion for an after-dinner perusal. They had a whole end cap shelf dedicated to all things bacon. Bacon mints, bacon chocolate, bacon gum, bacon reed diffusers.
(4)
Elyse M.
Super-cute atmosphere, great gift shop!! Quick service on a trip between Chicago and Madison. The food was solid, nothing to write home about. If you're looking for an easy, moderately inexpensive breakfast or lunch stop, Illinois Machine Shed is a good choice.
(3)
Rachel P.
Great food, good service, and you need to order the onion rings!
(4)
MARK P.
Review is for breakfast only. It's a corn-fed Illinois version of a Cracker Barrel. Went there on a not-too-busy Saturday morning. The Midwest has lots of pigs, so the pork lover's special sounded like a winner. They managed a pretty neat trick...really fast service but not very hot food. Maybe they do a lot of prep ahead of time; if so, it didn't work. Breakfasts come with a choice of a potato side and a toast/pancake/biscuits & gravy side. Avoid the b & g--bland and pasty. Hash brown casserole was good but cold. The Bacon was excellent, I should have gotten just that. Bacon Bacon Bacon! The "sausage" was a split polish sausage, cooked on a grill to give char marks. Unfortunately, the charred parts were inedible, and this was cold as well. Will not repeat, other good options nearby.
(2)
Jaimie D.
The food is great. Everything is made from scratch! The servers are all very friendly. I have been to the Machine Shed several times and have always had a great experience!
(5)
Edward B.
Only four stars for not-the-best service for lunch, largely because the waitress had to wait on too many tables. But I demand a never-empty glass of diet soda or water when I dine out....so, sorry! As for the food? Very good. We went here because I noticed in their online menu that they're known for their "country fried" steak, what I call a Chicken Fried Steak. Since moving back to Chicago ten years ago after living in Houston for ten years, I SOOOOOOO miss a proper Chicken Fried Steak. Haven't found one here yet, but I also haven't hit the famous soul-food spots in Chicago yet..... The Machine Shed's country fried steak is the best that I've found so far in Illinois. Not quite a home-run, but close. The CFS itself was very, very crunchy - spot on - but the cream gravy wasn't quite on the mark. Maybe it just didn't have enough black pepper? Still thoroughly enjoyed it (and it was enough food for two meals). I also ordered the burnt-ends appetizer, but it wasn't true burnt ends, just cut up pork and beef. They bring rolls, cole slaw and cottage cheese as complimentary sides, which was a great touch.
(4)
Emily C.
Went here a few times. The first couple of times were okay. The third time a large party and I went out to eat here. 3 of the 8 people got sick including myself from our dinner. Quite can't remember what we ate that night, but it could be from undercooked meat.
(2)
Pam D.
I agree with all the comparisons to Cracker Barrel. Similar concept to the barrel, but CB is cosier and pulls it off better. We stopped for lunch on our way home from Baraboo, Wi. . I guess I had more expectations of the ambiance. I wanted something more cosy and corn pone, but it almost seemed a bit stark to me for being a themed venue. The food was ok. My chili was average and the BLT was pretty good. Chris had a pork chop sandwich which was decent, but the sweet potato fries that came with it were soggy. I don't think there will be a return visit.
(2)
Karl C.
The Illinois Machine Shed is outdated Americana meets John Deere. You're greeted by a huge John Deere tractor out front and a ton of John Deere paraphernalia. You have to walk through their gift shop before getting to the seating areas and the host wasn't there to greet us so we sat ourselves which, from the reactions from the wait staff, wasn't appreciated. Besides the initial dirty looks and confusion, the wait staff turned out to be nice enough. They all wore denim overalls over flannel which I found funny. At one point, one waitress ran out of the kitchen followed by another waitress yelling, "Jenny! I wasn't being serious! Come on, Jenny!" I still insist that it was a stunt but my girlfriend disagrees. Either way, the Blue Collar Comedy meets Melrose Place act was pretty entertaining. Their menu consists of a ton of continental American comfort food. I went with the Hired Man's Breakfast (assorted breakfast platter). With the machine shed's country vibe, I assumed that the portions would be humongous but they weren't which really surprised me as I was expecting to gorge myself, country midwestern style. I was disappointed with that but the food quality itself was okay. I stayed at the Radisson across the street and besides IHOP and Denny's, The Machine Shed was the only real breakfast place in the area. It's worth a shot but prepare yourself for an extreme hick atmosphere.
(3)
Valerie V.
Machine Shed- I want to love you, but I'm holding back on account of your slow kitchen! I've dined with you for dinner service a few times and breakfast thrice. Dinner has always been ok- great selection of sides, large portions, and country style menu. The service isn't speedy, but it's never been an issue with our business crowd. Breakfast, however, is inexcusably slow. The catch is that, though the kitchen is slower than dripping molasses, the food is superb! Eggs are perfectly cooked (I take mine over medium), thick, juicy bacon, great potatoes, pancakes and breads. But a breakfast trip for 2 people took over an hour. I can't do it in the morning and I can't recommend my fellow business people to do it either. Sorry, Machine Shed, hurry it up!
(3)
Michelle K.
Oh, Machine Shed. I love you so. I have many fond memories of eating at the Machine Shed in Davenport, Iowa, so I pretty much flipped out when I discovered they had a location in Rockford! I made sure to suggest it when my boyfriend and I made plans to meet up with friends for lunch. The waitress set us up with the rolls, banana bread, cole slaw, and cottage cheese that came with our meals. All of these things are amazing. I don't know how else to say it. And I realize that calling "cottage cheese" amazing might sound kind of strange, but believe me, it is damn good cottage cheese. Whenever I ate here as a kid, I always ordered "The Heartland Delight" (kids size): trimmed pork tenderloins wrapped in bacon. I almost got it this time, since it was always delicious, but I made myself try something (slightly) different. I went with the Roast Pork Loin, which is stuffed with country sage dressing and topped with gravy, and served with a baked potato and corn. It was very good (and that pork was soooo tender), but I found myself yearning for bacon-wrapped tenderloins. Oh, well, next time! My boyfriend's Country Fried Steak was crispy and delicious, too. If you haven't already guessed, this place is a carnivore's delight without (m)any meat-free lunch and dinner entrees; if you're veg, you may be out of luck. The service was fine. Ambiance is very "aw shucks"-Midwestern (I don't even know what that means, but it seems to embody the manufactured homey Americana of The Machine Shed), and there's a gift shop near the door with all manner of farm-inspired knickknacks. I've never been to a Cracker Barrel, so I can't speak to its level of similarity, but my companions said that this is nicer. Oh, and hot tip: I didn't have room for dessert during this trip, but in my previous experiences, the pies have been excellent.
(4)
Amanda Z.
So, yeah...Tuesday mornings = free apple dumpling day. Free. You don't pay. Appetizers for brunch are a great idea. Veggie skillet (light on the veggies) atop the cheesy hashbrown casserole with a side of biscuits and gravy make for a really lovely breakfast. The fat kid in me approves. Oh, and if you're not inclined to eat your entire day of calories in the morning, fret not. If you wrap it up for later, it makes an excellent "post-Mardi Gras" snack. Well, that's what I heard anyway.
(4)
Kevin T.
Oh my god so very good I have eaten here a few times and it always is amazing food
(5)
Katie M.
Okay food. My pre-k child really liked it and right now that is the most important thing is to find something he likes. Better than Cracker Barrel any day of the week.
(3)
Booda B.
I should not love The Machine Shed. The country-cutesy theme is taken way too far, with the requisite old-timey signs all over the walls and an overstuffed gift shop where you can buy a "Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Green Tractors" t-shirt. The perky waitstaff wears overalls over plaid shirts and says things like, "Your fixins' will be right up." By all appearances, this should be a hellhole (if hell decided to rip off the Cracker Barrel). But then the food arrives. First up are the "family style fixins," meaning big bowls of cottage cheese and coleslaw (the crunchy, vinegary kind, not the goopy, mayonnaise-y kind) and a basket of wheat rolls and big hunks of moist spice cake. It's all delicious, and eerily identical to what my small-town grandmother would set out on the dinner table every night. So yeah, I'd find the Americana nauseating in most circumstances, but it's actually genuine here. There was a table of farmers sitting next to me. Farmers! And the entrees are something to behold. Well, behold in your stomach. I've had dinner here several times over the past eight years, and they have never failed to delight me. Last night it was the Cattleman's Choice top sirloin, stuffed with Swiss cheese, mushrooms, bread crumbs, garlic, and "Pioneer sauce" (something creamy). It was divine. The side of garlic mashed potatoes tasted as though it had been recently made by a person, rather than scooped out of a 50-gallon drum of Garlic Potato Product. The side of steamed veggies had overdone squash, but the cauliflower and carrots were still acceptably crisp. The only thing less than perfect is that the drinks are overpriced - $2.09 for an iced tea and $2.19 for a soda. Give this place a try. Once you get past all the kitsch, you will be amazed by the delicious, fresh, well-prepared food. For me, it's worth the hour-and-a-half drive because I know I will never be disappointed.
(5)
Lindsey K.
"A salute to American farmer" says the menu. Okay, I'm into that. What's this? A family portrait of the owner? Restaurant started in Iowa? Midwestern values AND apple dumplings?? Call the Angel Gabriel, I think I found my chain restaurant heaven. I went to the one in Rockford, Illinois on a road trip from Chicago to Madison. When I saw the John Deere tractor parked outside and a three-foot-high ear of corn hanging around out front, I knew I had found my home. The decor? Exactly what you would expect. Old farmers lugging around oxygen tanks, sad waitresses forced to wear overalls and conductor caps, great place to be "seen" after church on Sunday! I had to go with the fried chicken livers. A classic. My PePaw got the fried chicken. So, really, anything fried is good. The baked potato soup was covered with cheese and bacon and tasted like, you know, if you put a baked potato in the blender. But my favorite? Gotta go with "grandma's recipe" Apple Dumplings with cinnamon ice cream. Huge, delicious, and just like lying in a corn field on a warm spring day. (I love farm metaphors.) Bonus: my grandma told the waitress it was her 56th wedding anniversary yesterday and we got our apple dumpling FOR FREE.
(3)
Ryan C.
Very similar to a cracker barrel restraunt but way better. We had seven people and the service was still good. They bring out family style cottage cheese, cole slaw and 2 types of bread. We weren't expecting this so it was a nice touch. I had the chicken fried steak and it was delicious. Food was reasonably priced. Gift shop had neat souvineers as well.
(5)
Amanda G.
you get a good home cooked meal. and lots of it service is good with a smile love to eat here
(5)
Rita M.
We've eaten here several times and also at the Iowa Machine Sheds as well. We stopped here on our way out west. We were the first customers of the day at 6am. My husbands poached eggs were almost hard boiled. They were not runny as they should be. My scrambled eggs were also over cooked. Thought service was slow with only one other person in restaurant. We didn't tell our server about our eggs since we didn't want to delay the already slow service. Don't think we'll be back.
(1)
Susan E.
I had the chicken livers for appetizer they were very good. Pot Roast for main course. Was impressed that they served a large bowl of fresh cole slaw, cottage cheese, and a basket of wheat rolls, and pumpkin bread. Pot roast was very tender and good. Wish they had given me more carrots as those were good also. I had the Coconut Cream Pie for dessert it was delicious! All their desserts are home made and the servings are huge. Nice country family atmosphere. Even though they served alcoholic beverages.
(4)
matteo h.
If you like strappin on a feed bag at The Cracker Barrel, you're gonna dig this place. Country fried steak , eggs , cheesy hash brown casserole, eggs and thats just breakfast! O and good B& G too. Staff is good , service is quick and the chow is tasty. Hit it for breakfast and you'll be full till the snacking hour. 3 and 1/2 stars
(3)
Mill V.
My mom LOVES this place. She grew up on a farm in the middle of nowhere, Iowa. And I believe this chain comes from Iowa. We have been here tons of times. The food is homey, and decent. You wouldn't think it'll be good. It's cute design, with alittle tourist trap shop in front (ugh, I dig fall in love with a lilac smelling candle, damnit) I've gotten the fried chicken livers too many times. They are yummy. I've had better south of the Mason-Dixon line, but oh well, it's all good. Gotten the fried chicken, too equally as decent. My mom and I love the sides. You start with cottage cheese, really yummy coleslaw, and bread and pumpkin bread. The pumpkin bread is dynomite. The mashed potatoes are usually good, no boxed here! Their breakfast is great here, too. SO HUGE! Cinnamon rolls are fully goodness. You can get your apple pie with cheddar cheese here. (I've never understood that.) But I've always wanted to try their apple dumpling. I've recently became obsessed with this Amish dessert, so that's on my to eat list.
(4)
Lia L.
The buildup to our dinner was really good. My husband chose barbeque sliders and my friend and I chose beer cheese fondue as appetizers. All were excellent, plus there were "fixin's" of cole slaw, cottage cheese, and a bread basket (all refillable). We noshed on all of this and were really enjoying ourselves. Then our dinners came and the meals themselves were too salty to be as good as our starters. Overall, it was a good dinner, but the appetizers and the free stuff were the best part. Our check was pretty pricy when all was said and done too, but that's our fault for choosing appetizers. There was no room (or money) for dessert, even though they have the pie display right as you walk in to try to entice you.
(4)
Jason Z.
We went here for a good down home breakfast. I guess the quickest comparison is The Cracker Barrel, but better (food wise, the design and layout are the same). When you walk into the restaurant, you walk into the "county store." Which I think is tacky. From there, the hostess will take you into one of several smaller dining rooms, which was nice, because no room was crowded or noisy. There is farm decorations everywhere, and the waitstaff are dressed in overalls and farmer shirts. I had the pork breakfast. I'm not sure what the actual name was, but it came with a large piece of ham, 2 strips of thick cut bacon (awesome), and a GIANT piece of sausage, oh, and 2 eggs. You also have the choice of pancakes, toast or biscuits and gravy. I love B&G, so I went with that, and it was by far the best I ate that day. The B&G were amazing. Our waitress was beyond nice, and came around any time our coffee was about half empty. The price, I felt, was a little on the pricey side for a breakfast, but not outrageous. We also went fairly early, so there was no wait, but I heard it gets crowded.
(3)
Kristan M.
Attentive staff, great home cooked food. I was surprised to hear about their catering options - and am looking forward to utilizing these services. Great place for business lunches and dinner out with the kids. Highly recommend!
(5)
Jason S.
Good breakfast. Portions very good sized. REVISED: portions still big, but quality inconsistent. First time was great, second not so much. Had my second time been my first, there wouldn't have been a second.
(4)
D J.
Always good food and decent service. I've been going there since they opened. I love the smoked prime rib.
(4)
Brian L.
I agree with Booda about all of the theme and waitstaff characterizations. Spot on!! MK and I actually hit this place for lunch on the way to the Dells (10/03/08). It wasn't that crowded and although I wanted to slap the waitress with her "perky fixin' type attitude", we ordered the "Sheddar" chunks which was a huge order of White Cheddar dipped in a beer batter and fried. It came with Ranch and BBQ Sauce and was fantastic! MK ordered "Our Club" which came stacked high and with a generous portion of home made potato chips. She said it was very good but she had to re-arrange the add'l bacon that she ordered as they sort of just dumped it on the bottom. Overall though, two thumbs up from her. I ordered the Pork Tenderloin Sandwich breaded (you can get it just grilled) but the breading is a good quality, thick breading which complimented the pork very well. I actually was worried that I wasn't going to like it as the pork was still pretty thick compared to how either I make it or how I've had it at other locations. It's thickness actually concerned me that it wouldn't be cooked all the way through but it was and I have to say that I enjoyed it immensely. I too had the chips and really enjoyed them. Waitress was good about bringing re-fills for our sodas and waters and all in all we left full and pleased. I recommend it for families highly.
(4)
Erin S.
One word: Breakfast I can't imagine that it's good for anything else. Delicious cinnamon rolls and I just got a normal 2 egg breakfast. Good hashbrowns and the eggs were done just the way I wanted them. Coffee, not so good. Atmosphere, a little tacky. But who cares about the atmosphere at breakfast?!
(3)
Dave J.
Four or five stars is a tough question for this place. We heard good things about this restaurant and decided to take a long drive down to Rockford. It was well worth the drive. Food and service were terrific. We'll be back again.
(4)
Sou P.
Three stars for food and service, four stars for fruit pies. Fried chicken can be crispy good or oily-soggy-yuck, depending on the day. This Illinois establishment is better than its Iowa counterpart (yeah, we went there to try it out). Chicken Pot Pie is usually good/safe. Meat portions are BIG...order single cuts instead of double.
(3)
Alanna K.
The Machine Shed is one of the places that have great food, and a great setting. It's definitely a place to take people who like down and homey restaurants than the hip and trendy ones. And even if you aren't into the country "Cracker Barrel" types of restaurants (even though it's sort of an insult to compare this to Cracker Barrel)...everyone loves good food, and this is definitely a place that has GOOD FOOD. Now, as everyone has said, you get very good portions, plus you get the "fixins" that are unlimited. I don't think I've ever had anything here that disappointed me! Something that I really love getting (although the name has slipped my mind) is a sirloin that is either split in half, or a really big steak folded, and stuffed with parmesan cheese and gravy and bread dressing. It is so scrumptious...it's one of those things when you say MMMmm after every bite! The prime rib is also VERY delicious, and they have a bunch of award winning dinners that are definitely worth a try. So I guess that sums it up, but remember to try and go there on a Wednesday night, because it's all you can eat St. Louis ribs! They are pretty amazing, and fall off the bone!!!! I would suggest wearing elastic pants, or oversized ones, because I can guarantee that you will have no problem keeping them up after eating!!!
(5)
Xan X.
Came for dinner with my sister and 2 small kids. I got the "burnt ends" dinner and my sister ordered the turkey with gravy. We shared with each other and the kids, and we all walked out STUFFED! Great "homey" food, really friendly staff, and amazing prices. The 4 of us ate like kings for around $30! I will definitely stop here the next time I'm in Rockford. I'd love to try the breakfast.
(4)
Timothy S.
Good to very good food. Large portions for some dishes. Plenty of room. Clean. Ample parking and good service. Good prices too. Close to a 5 for me but the food is a notch below when it comes to flavor.
(4)
janaynay n.
This place was a great breakfast place! my friends said it reminded them of cracker and barrel. I personally never been to C&B but this place is probably better than C&B just because of their apple dumplings. Although, my friend said it looked like C&B when we walked in because they had a little store area before the restaurant. Well anways, breakfast was great...I had the usual eggs, hash, and applewood smoked bacon. The eggs and hash tasted like the usual but the bacon was really good and crispy. I was hoping it had some apple flavor but it didn't...it was just a little sweet from regular bacon. I don't think they have this bacon in your typical ihop or dennys...even the pancake place by my house. It was delici though! The best thing I ever tasted would be the apple dumplings. This was the only thing I was looking forward to when I was at Rockford...since everyone here was talking about it! OMG...this apple dumpling was just heavenly.....and served with ice-cream to top it all off! If only they had this near chicago. The staff was very friendly. The dishes fit the setting of the place...like our jar cups and metal pitcher. It was cute and odd at the same time. The price of my meal all together was like 15. I got what I paid for. The other great thing about this place would be their $.99 pastries! (99 cents)!!! These pastries were HUGE...probably 2-3 people could of shared this. But they had a morning sale and I bought like 3. I got this big huge cherry danish, pecan bread, and pumkin bread. ALL three was delicious. Everyone there, I'm guessing, loves the pecan bread because they disappeared quicky after we got ours and people that were coming in were still asking for them. I would definitely come here again for them apple dumplings.
(5)
Michael E.
Good service, really good food espically enjoyed the family style starters before our lunched arrived. The. Potato soup is to die for highly suggest it. The pies look good didn't have enough room, but gladly ordered a piece to go.
(5)
Marty M.
Had breakfast here and everything was great save room for the cinnamon rolls also.
(5)
Marc H.
This restaraunt is the ultimate theme place. The decor is so hokey its almost distracting. It looks like the guys from American Pickers decorated this place. The country music is audible throughout the entire place. As far as the atmosphere, I could take it or leave it really. What really sells you is the food. It is down home country all the way. Pork any kind of way you like it, juicy burgers, turkey. This is as close to Midwestern home cooking as a restaraunt gets. I do have to admit, I did work at machine shed for a few weeks, it didn't work out. But i learned about the inner workings a bit. This place is exceptionally clean and has high standards with their food. The only problem I've ever had here is that they got my order wrong and didn't apologize, just took it away and brought out the right meal. A small complaint and I'm sure it's not common. All in all, Ive always enjoyed eating here and will continue to come back.
(4)
Barbara W.
I love the Machine Shed and always have to stop when we're near one. This one was great. I must mention the sweet potato fries--they were the best I've EVER had, and I've eaten lots. They were served with cinnamon butter, which was almost overkill but appreciated.
(5)
Greg O.
Expensive for just plain old american food. Food was not that great and we were very unimpressed. If you like dull and boring, with little to no flavor, this place is for you!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Nichole K.
Our Server (I think his name was Lamar) was great, super accommodating, and personable. Our food was good, but I think I would go back just for the service.
(5)Lindsey G.
We have eaten here numerous times. Always for breakfast, only once for dinner. Atmosphere is like Cracker Barrel with a small general store up front and than restaurant in back. Portions are huge and the cinnamon rolls are even bigger. Breakfast Food is all fresh and good. Dinner wasn't great (maybe 2-3 stars) but one of the only places around you can get burnt ends. Used to be a lot better but they are under new management who refuses to make substitutions even because of allergies.... even when the item is cheaper. They do cooking classes for kids the first Tuesday of every month and adult classes once a month. During warmer months, they do tractor rides on Sunday mornings.
(4)J.R. A.
Our first visit was excellent. Second not as good. We were met at the door and seated right away on our first visit, second visit we had to find someone to seat us. Our first meals were traditional fried chicken for me and pot roast dinner for her. We were both impressed with the food and the service. The chicken is cooked faster than some places so it's not nearly as tender as it could be but the flavor is excellent. The pot roast was "just like mom made", which is high praise. Second meals were burnt ends for me and beef tips for her. Firstly, the flavors on both were excellent but I have a bone to pick about the burnt ends. Too many restaurants, including this one, use various parts of meat cut and cooked separately from the big cuts and are not cooked low and slow or even burnt (for the most part). These, while tasty, were fairly dry and tough. Before the meal starts, they bring out rolls and pumpkin bread (very nice) with butter and "fixin's, which consists of bowels of cottage cheese and cole slaw. All of this is in portions large enough to fill up two people before the meal starts. Sides include baked potato, baked sweet potato, french fries, and sweet potato fries, the only one of which we haven't tried is french fries. All have been good so far. We have a lot more selections to try and will update as we go.
(4)Linda C.
This was our second (and last) visit here and this time I had to post my thoughts. IF you enjoy extremely over salted food you'll love this place. You get gravy whether you like it or not. Servers are NOT trained well and S-L-O-W. When I realized our server was not going to clear them I got disgusted and finally resorted to taking our piles and piles of dirty dishes and setting them on a table out of our way. NOT acceptable for the prices they charge. The menu looks scrumptious however the food just isn't. It's served family style which means you get your entree but the sides are large portions served individually. Ours were cottage cheese, cole slaw and some type of sweet bread broken into chunks. We enjoyed the slaw (it was superb!) and so was the bread. Cottage cheese was creamy and fresh so no complaints with the sides. The basket of rolls were warm and also good. The entree's we ordered were pot roast (EXTREMELY salty), 2 pce fried chicken (good but nothing exceptional...mashed potatoes I ordered DRY came slathered in SALTY gravy) and some kind of bbq'd chunks which were hard as rocks. All-in-all...very disappointing and to add insult to injury...cold. Once the food was placed the server disappeared otherwise I would have asked for those dry mashed.
(2)Dustin F.
Very neat place. Old tractors and implements. Good old country music and everything liquid was served in a mason jar! Had the burnt ends pork and beef. Excellent! Sauce was good not too sweet. Pumpkin bread served before dinner...amazing! The fries were excellent too. Baked beans ehh. Not bad not Great. Wife had the pork chop. Tasty but a bit dry. Darn pork trying to be the other white meat! Overall very nice experience. Got there 30 minutes before close and the hostess was happy to seat us. Server too and this was Easter Sunday. Took a bit to get the check and the bill paid. Last ones there and it was late so we were ready to go and let the staff close. Had a cool store but no time to Check it out. We'd go back for sure. Breakfast menu look real good.
(4)Tim T.
Been here several times, never disappointed. Ive ordered ribs,burnt ends, meatloaf, chicken pot pie,bbq, love the fried apples! Had french onion soup with the onion strings in the soup. Very tasty! Pie is good! Usually have refills on pop which they never charge. Prices are reasonable here. Portions are decent. Better than cracker barrel! Wish they would expand to my area!!
(4)Peter T.
"Dedicated to the American Farmer" - was the slogan of a restaurant we used to pop into in Davenport Iowa. The "Iowa Machine Shed", just outside of town, served wholesome American food in large quantities. Today there are a half dozen Machine Shed restaurants in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The restaurant cooks from scratch and uses top notch suppliers. Some people might compare it to Cracker Barrel, and I guess there is a similarity, but Machine Shed is better, in my opinion. These places seat a big mess o people, so remember that when setting out to visit. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with slightly different menus at each meal. After your drink orders are taken, the server will bring the table complimentary "fixins", which is comprised of an ample bread basket with super soft large dinner rolls, a family sized bowl of slaw and one of cottage cheese. I love cottage cheese, and this has to be some of the best I have had, ever, anywhere. High milk fat content, small curd. This trip, I ordered the country fried chicken, which was nice and crisp on the outside and juicy inside. Dinners come with a vegetable and your choice of a large variety of spud preparations. I got fries and some nice gravy to go with it. If you're in for breakfast, or need a little sweet thing (besides Mrs. Burgerdogboy), they have these massive breakfast rolls in a couple of different varieties, and I swear, they must weigh two pounds. Next time I zip through the Upper Midwest, I'll angle to hit a Machine Shed at breakfast, as they have a platter which covers all the breakfast pork options. Nice. And BTW? There is no better place to be during summers in America than the farm belt. County fairs, small town festivals, block parties. The best. Typical dinner menu.
(5)Ford M.
Fabulous. Like a Cracker Barrel only better! Quick service, friendly staff, hot and good food. Too much food to eat!! If in the area - you have to come here!
(5)Heather C.
We moved to Rockford recently and decided we are going to take all of our visiting family here! Great home-cooking, awesome service, so much food! Complimentary bread basket, cottage cheese, and cole slaw served family style for the table was a nice surprise. The loaded potato soup is to die for! The coveralls and gingham worn by the waitstaff is a little cheesy, but fits the theme. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive. Also, they have a great little "Cracker Barrel" type country store with a lot of cute little gifts. Loved this place!
(5)Sarah H.
Wow. We may have found a close favorite to Cracker Barrel. This was our first visit and we left happy and full (very full). We didn't realize we'd get all these additional goodies brought to the table besides the bread. But there was cottage cheese and coleslaw and corn. The pot roast was delicious, and a huge helping! The chicken pot pie was also very tasty (it looks small when you first get it, but then you start eating it and realize it's so filling that you can't finish it all after you've already eaten bread and side fixins). Can't wait to go back!
(5)Meg S.
We have gone here off and on for probably 15 years. It has been at least 5 since we have been though since we don't travel this way that often anymore. It is still very charming and has a Cracker Barrel type feel to it since it has a gift shop and servers that are dressed to theme (overalls). The staff is friendly and welcoming, and it wasn't busy when we went (we were there at an off time on a holiday weekend). Our drinks were brought promptly and the server was very nice. We ordered our food and I wasn't crazy hungry so I ordered the soup (a version of fully loaded baked potato) and the salad bar. I love salad bars and being able to choose what I put on mine and have options for my meal. Not many places do a salad bar any more so I was excited to get it. My husband ordered a prime rib sandwich and my son had a cheeseburger. I should have looked at the salad bar before ordering. I really can't believe they offer it on the menu as a stand-alone option. It was iceberg lettuce, 6 or so types of dressing, croutons, cheese, carrots and a few other toppings, 2 types of fruit and a few other things but honestly I would be surprised if many people could fill a plate or make a meal out of it. I was highly disappointed. The food was fresh, so that part was good but there just wasn't a whole lot of options. I came back and ate and the salad bar items tasted fresh and fine but I was glad I got my soup to go along with it. The soup was very good and my husband enjoyed his sandwich and my son's burger was very average. I mentioned the salad bar to my server and how disappointed I was and the server said she would see what she could do, which I appreciated her listening to my concerns. She told me the manager took $2.50 off, which I thought was fair since I did eat some of the items from the salad bar. The server was a bit nonexistent at times and there was a delay in getting beverages refilled. I do like this place and I'm hoping that things were just off today and I learned my lesson about the salad bar. But these reasons are why I am giving it 3 stars. We will be back because we enjoy it but I was not completely thrilled with our visit.
(3)Edricc O.
Good Midwestern farm food. Reminds me of the Cracker Barrel restaurant. I ordered the burnt tips and the portions are big. I left full and feel like I took home an extra meal. The decor could use an update but wasn't as ran down as some restaurants in Rockford.
(3)Lynnette K.
This is definitely the place for big appetites. The amount of food you get is crazy. I am a huge fan of pork so I ordered the double pork chop. With it I also got carrots, potatoes and gravy, banana bread, roll, cottage cheese and cole slaw. I didn't eat even 1/3 of the food. The pork chop was so thick that I had a huge piece left over. I could have another full meal out of the leftovers. The food was good -- not anything super special but good enough. The potatoes were especially flavorful and I love any place that gives out free cottage cheese. I'd go back if I was in the area.
(4)Ben D.
This place is Cracker Barrel on steroids. Great breakfast with huge portions. Biscuits and cinnamon rolls were the best. Didn't love the coffee but the food made up for it.
(4)Kelli J.
I was really excited to try the Illinois Machine Shed since I love the Iowa version. My husband and I came here for lunch on a Friday afternoon. I ordered the catfish platter while my husband got the shepherd's pie. The sides that we shared were the cottage cheese and the apples, they were both very good. The bread we got at lunch was really good one was a biscuit that we both didn't eat because we didn't want to stuff ourselves and the other had this sugary stuff on top that was excellent and I would love to make it at home. I received fries and carrots with my fish. The fish was okay but I have had better and the fries were not good at all I only ate a few and the carrots were pretty bland as well. My husband liked his shepherd's pie he just wished it had a little more gravy to it since it seemed a little dry. The service was very good but I only wish we the food was a bit better, I think the Iowa Machine Shed is by far my favorite one so far.
(3)Susan S.
Beer n cheese pretzel was amazing.Was a little beat up the decor. Had ordered fried catfish was kind of greasy. Upon lifting up the fish was sitting in a pool of oil, they brought out sweet bread white rolls with coleslaw and cottage cheese odd combo.
(3)Jennifer H.
The Machine Shed is our go to breakfast stop when driving through Rockford. We have always received prompt service and the food has always been wonderful. Family favorites include the Cinnamon Toast French Toast and the Farmer's Daughter. Remember to say "I love eggs" to get an additional egg added to your platter.
(5)Bob L.
We stop here about twice a year, it's good decent food, nothing out of this world, just average. I do like the "farm" concept. Cottage cheese is awesome. Service was good. I'll go back when in the area.
(3)Cynthia C.
Truly enjoyed the walleye special. The cottage cheese given with the fixins is some if the best I've ever had and the breads are homemade and great.
(4)Karen J.
I had chicken and biscuits, which was very average, but my husband had the grilled pork chop and loved it. I think your best bet is to go with something that has to be prepared fresh.
(3)Lucy W.
I'd heard good things about the Machine Shed, and went with my parents who enjoy the Iowa version. It was a bit disappointing. We went on Sunday morning after church and had the buffet - which I think was our mistake. Should have ordered off the menu. The food was okay, but nothing to rave about and certainly not worth the $12/person price tag. The eggs, even with the add-ins, were bland. The biscuits were good. Glancing at other tables who did order off the menu, I wished we'd done so. The service was also sub-par. We were tucked back in a corner and it was Fathers' Day, so I wonder if the servers were just unusually busy - but we didn't get enough check-ins from our server to keep our coffee and water refilled. And I didn't have silverware to start and had to wait several minutes after coming back from the buffet for the server to bring our drinks so I could even ask for silverware - meanwhile my food was getting cold. Will definitely come back to give it another try, but probably not on a Sunday morning and not for the breakfast buffet.
(2)Derek P.
Very good food. If you walk away from this restaurant hungry, its your own fault! Good soups, salads are generous, apple sauce tastes homemade, and the breakfast sausages are real sausages! Only negative point I have about this restaurant is that I feel sorry for the servers having to dress in the hideous bib-overalls. I think most would be happy in the serving staff wearing black pants or blur jeans and white shirts.
(4)Bee G.
Food was good. Had the fish fry and enjoyed it. I did start with a side salad and I guess for the size and contents, $3.99 seems a bit steep. Would have enjoyed more rolls and more timely refills on my drink. Again, food was good, but service was lacking...especially when the restaurant was, at best, half full.
(4)Michael L.
Went to Rockford for the weekend. Ended up eating here two nights in a row! Very good food! Fun setting! Service was great as well!
(4)Dean T.
After a failed attempt to dine on Sea Bass at Francesco's and walking out due to their poor service...I found myself at the Machine Shed... and a good choice it was! Down home comfort food is much better anyway. I had a huge hunk of meatloaf and mashed potatoes and couldn't finish. Great meatloaf! Friendly waitress and great service. will return time and again.
(5)Susan J.
A family favorite. Always good food, and they are kid friendly. This time, our waitress wasn't as chipper as they usually are, but it didn't ruin the experience. My only concern was my daughter's dinner came out on a scalding hot plate. The waitress did warn me and handed it to me, not by my daughter. And I asked for a separate side plate for her to eat off - that was room temperature, so everything worked out. We'll be back, often.
(4)Luanne F.
That cinnamon roll was huge! And it was as good as it was big! We ordered one to share and also ordered breakfast. We didn't need both! My omelette was good but my husband said his gravy on his biscuits was a little bland.
(4)Theresa D.
The 5 stars are because management took care of bad service we received from a waitress. My husband and I ate there for lunch during the week & the service was extremely slow-he had to get back to work. Even the couple in the booth next to us when we 1st got there kept looking over their shoulder for the same waitress when they were ready to leave. When we paid the bill, I told them about that, management said that was unacceptable and didn't charge us. I wasn't going to ever go back, but now I will. I totally didn't expect their response.
(5)Robert P.
This is my restaurant of choice. Prime rib is unbelievably delicious and fairly priced. It's as good as Thunder Bay's (maybe better) at an affordable cost comparably. I am unfortunately reviewing here to give poor marks for their Pot Pie. $10.99 for a glorified cup of chunky chicken soup with a crust ONLY on top. Served in a cup, I had misgivings when the meal arrived. I was with a good friend and wasn't about to make a stink. When something like this happens, I just chalk it up to experience. However I feel I must save someone else from the disappointment I felt.
(4)Kate M.
I think this is essentially Cracker Barrel with a different name. And that's not a bad thing! We needed somewhere to stop for breakfast on the way to Iowa and ended up here. Everything was good. The fresh fruit plate was huge, the hashbrown casserole was tasty, the eggs were perfectly done. It was a good solid breakfast. The service was good too. I feel bad for the female servers having to wear overalls. They were not flattering on any of them. Oddly, the men didn't seem to be wearing them. There is a cute little gift shop attached to the restaurant. You can get pretty much any kind of knickknack you might be looking for related to food. Next time I need food on my way to Iowa I'm going to take the time to stop here instead of going through a drive-thru. Major bonus: there's a Starbucks across the street for a drink to go after your meal.
(4)Ashley J.
This place is awesome! The Breakfast and pies are the best! The pies are very reasonably priced and a hit at every dinner!
(5)Kimberly C.
My fiancé and I used to love the Machine Shed. It was our favorite spot for a date night dinner, one of the servers even recognized us and said you must love it here!.Then we went with our daughter a couple weeks ago on a Saturday night and I almost left in tears because I was so upset. I guess we had a new waitress who took our drink order than disappeared. When we finally saw her at another table we where going to flag her down but a waiter came to our table and said she was new and he needed our drink order. After asking why she already took it we gave it again. He came back with drinks and took our order then he disappeared. We had ordered soup and it took almost 30 minutes to get the table fixings that usually come right away. So our food came right after and my fiancé ordered a beef tip dish that had 4 small tips in it...a sad amount for the cost. We continued to have nonexistent service throughout the meal and gave up on possibly getting a drink refilled. We had to go to front and ask for our ticket to even pay. $70 to be treated like we weren't even there and that's when the waiter showed up , no doubt looking for his tip. I said something to the girl at the counter and she just gave me a blank stare. I am so disappointed as we really did enjoy the restaurant but I won't pay to be ignored again :(
(1)Jamie L.
Very similar to Cracker Barrel. Prices are good. Home style country meals. Very large, can accommodate large groups. Cinnamon rolls are delicious!
(4)Ben W.
A staple in The Rockford Dining experience. If you come for breakfast tell them you love eggs!!
(3)John M.
Good basic comfort food. Had the chicken pot pie which was fresh and excellent. Service was good but some customers just take a long time to order which slows it down a bit.
(4)Renee M.
My friend found this restaurant on an eating show and wanted to try it. Boy, am I glad he did. The food was plentiful and delicous. This is definately farm to table. I got a great omelete with sausage gravy over the bisquit. Delicious. My friend got the sunnyside up eggs with great hasbrowns. Our waitress was very friendly. I would definately recommend this place.
(5)Keith K.
the second star was because the place was clean, that's the ONLY compliment. FOOD was terrible, Party of 9 please, 8 of which thought their food was either cold, bland or bone dry. One messed up order, and ONE HOUR TO GET OUR FOOD! Talked to "one" of the managers, her reply, "did you say anything to your waiter"? Um no I didn't, we already waited an hour for our food, ya think waiting another hour would have made us happier. She obviously did not care or didn't want to hear it. Have eaten their before and thought the food was good enough to return, not this time, it was that bad. So long MS.
(2)Channing C.
Love this place. Wonderful food and wonderful country setting! Love their side big thing of cottage cheese coleslaw and their rolls!
(5)Leslie B.
This country style restaurant has some really delicious food and an adorable gift shop. Their menu boasts all of your down home favorites such as meat loaf, pot roast, chicken and biscuits, and pot pie...and you start with a basket of fresh baked bread, Cole slaw, and cottage cheese. I'm not even a fan of Cole slaw, but I like theirs, as it is just lighter without all the mayo. I have been to this restaurant many times throughout the past 15 years, and once recently. I most recently ordered the chicken and biscuits. They started us out with pumpkin bread which was warm and wonderful! I was able to eat almost half of my entree, after having filled up slightly on the starters. Our server was prompt and cordial, and our food came quickly. My iced tea was readily refilled through the night, and we were given a large pitcher of water. We also attempted to share an apple dumpling for dessert, which was also delicious, and had a very "homey" sort of taste, but we could barely take a few bites after this huge dinner. I just love their gift shop. It is filled with lots of cute kitchen items, decorations, children's books and some toys. Many of them seem to be made in small towns in different parts of the country. I wish I could get to the Machine Shed before Christmas sometime to do my shopping! Though service was friendly, I do think they could just be a little more welcoming to go along with the county-style atmosphere and food. Also, if you do plan to stay and chat a long time, check the hours before you go because they close pretty early some nights. If I pass through again, I'll likely be back!
(4)Craig D.
The wife found and selected this country-style establishment on our 2012 Trans-America trip. As many reviews have already noted, this place has overtones of the ubiquitous "Cracker Barrel" without the deep-pockets corporate feel or the appealing-to-multiple regions homogenization (I DO like Cracker Barrel, BTW, but it is what it is). I mean, c'mon, they have fried chicken livers as an appetizer ! I had the Shepherd's pie, and my wife had the Ale House Turkey Sandwich. It was hot, served quickly (slow seeming day), and we were both very happy with our meals. Portions were ample and satisfying !
(4)Anthony C.
Great place, great food great price. Three of us had breakfast here today. Place is modeled on the Country Buffet, which Definitely a generous serving size, and the quality of the food was very good. Would definitely try this place again.
(5)Brian G.
Family atmosphere! Good food! Even on a Saturday afternoon the wait wasn't very long. My wife said the potato soup was great! Kids actually didn't like their Mac & Cheese but loved drinking from mini mason jars! I would've rated higher if there was some sort of bread or rolls offered ...
(4)Marc B.
I had a wonderful Sunday morning breakfast there this past weekend. The portions were huge and delicious, the coffee was great, the service was fast, our waitress was an absolute gem (considering she was serving 7 guys!) Got a great meal for $10. Just the thing to fill me up and get me ready for the long drive home. I will definitely eat here again when I am in Rockford
(5)Gordon W.
We arrived Monday night and as always the meal was just the best. This visit we had the fried chicken and burnt ends dinners which were just great. The table service was good and the gent who served us courteous and responsive. However the front desk woman who showed us to our table was in desperate need of being shown how to treat customers. The fake smile and attitude was next to disgusting which was topped by her saying when we got to table "here" and walked away. If upper management know her, long black hair and on front desk about 6.00pm show her the right way to treat customers, they usually don't come back after being treated the way she treated us and the people at table next to us
(3)David R.
Loved this place. My son had the French toast made from cinnamon roll! Decadent. Our server recommended we just get the kids size and she was right. They even supplied a tractor to play with. Was great place for him. I had veggie omelet which was good too.
(5)Nathan N.
Exceeded expectations. Beer battered walleye was excellent - clean flavor, crisp texture. Fixins' were average but family style servings a nice touch. Applesauce bread a tasty intro to meal.
(4)Paul K.
Down home comfort food with all the fixins! If you are a vegatarian this is not the place for you. Country fried steak, brisquet, fried chicken (pan and deep fried), it is a menu designed by a farmer. All the food is good and reasonably priced. I had the pan fried chicken and it was tender and tasty. The chicken grave was very good. This is safe food that is very filling. The pecan cinammon roll was incredible. Eat here everyday and you will die young and happy!
(3)Jay L.
Good food at fair prices. Home cooking-type food that you don't usually think of at a restaurant. We went at 9pm on a Saturday and it seemed like the place had just emptied out as we showed up. My only complaint is they need to funnel their outgoing customers away from incoming since we hit a wall of people paying for their food in the shop and I got hit by someone putting their coat on.
(3)Brayden K.
I wasn't sure what to expect at this homey, Midwestern comfort-style restaurant in Rockford. On its surface it looks like an overblown family style chain restaurant designed around pork and John Deere memorabilia. It even comes with a little gift shop, a la Cracker Barrel, where it sells lots of pork-related paraphernalia, including t-shirts touting the glories of bacon. The servers dress in overalls, contributing to a feeling of rural charm and friendliness but that look awkward to wear. My expectations about the food weren't that great. I fully expected to chow down on something country fried. But the food was better than expected, especially if you stick to something off the menu with pork in it. The opening appetizers of breads, cole slaw and cottage cheese was tasty but nothing special. I sat at a table with people who got a lot of different dishes, some of which seemed downright amazing and others that were simply ordinary. I recommend getting the pork chops. These massive chunks of porky goodness were the most amazing thing served at our table. I've never seen pork chops as large or as seemingly moist as these chops. The person who got them acted as if he'd died and gone to pork heaven. If I ever go to the Machine Shed, I'm definitely ordering the chops! I ordered the heartland combo, which included a small portion of three specialty items: roast pork loin, pork tenderloins wrapped in bacon and covered in BBQ sauce, and BBQ beef brisket. I really looked forward to the tenderloins and they were good but nothing special. The brisket was average but not bad. The real charmer of the combo was the roast pork loin, which was stuffed with some breaded, garlicky goodness and drenched in a delicious country gravy. Easily the best pork I've had in several months. Overall, I thought the food was above average, but the Midwestern rural charm was a little over-the-top for me. The service was friendly but slow. I would have enjoyed my experience more if I didn't feel like I was in a Wisconsin dairy theme park.
(3)Erin L.
Yum this place is awesome and I felt priced very well. I remember coming as a kid and didn't think it was anything special but just went back as an adult and the food was outstanding and so was the service. I took my three year old daughter and they were great with her as well and they give kids a little tractor to play with as well as colors and a coloring place mat. Sound doesn't carry so while it is a big space it still feels somewhat quiet. The store is cute too and of course we bought a cookie and it was outstanding as well! Will surely be back next time I'm in Illinois
(5)Pete B.
I used to enjoy this place when I was a kid. Went back recently with my fiance and we were very disappointed. First we find out that they were out of cinnamon rolls, which she was really looking forward to. Disappointing, but not a deal breaker. So we ordered breakfast and the food was just not that good. My eggs were overcooked and my sausage rock hard. Her biscuits and gravy had no flavor. On top of it, our waitress seemed to be bothered just to take our order, not very friendly at all. Don't see myself coming back here in the near future.
(2)Bob K.
I had heard good things about this place and decided to give it a try. The location is convenient for travelers as it's just off of I39. It's similar to Cracker Barrel in the layout of the restaurant. There's a country store/gift shop that one walks through to get t the restaurant. You drink out of mason jars and feel like you're actually eating at a farm in the Midwest. Food tasted homemade and was provided in very large portions. We loved the turkey,pot roast and chicken fried steak. Breads were delicious and the slaw and cottage cheese tided us over until the main enteress arrived. I do feel sorry for the servers that have to wear those HORRIBLE uniforms that look like they belong in the 1980's.
(5)Brant H.
Great food great service Often struggle though ordering carry out.
(4)Catherine P.
Mr. Machine Shed, I loved you so. For many years, you pleased me. I would drive well over an hour to get to you. I would climb the highest mountains & swim the longest seas to enjoy your food. I have not been to you in about 4 years & had you so built up in my mind as a fantastic casual restaurant with killer food, a warm feeling, & spectacular service. You have destroyed my dreams of you & made me so sad. :'( My sister, our mother & I made a day trip out to Rockford this past weekend & shopped till we dropped & made sure to eat lunch at what has always been my favorite restaurant in Rockford for years & years. We pulled in at lunch time to find a pretty empty lot this past Friday. I wasn't too concerned. Being a weekday, how busy do they really get for lunch? We walked in & we greeted by a friendly hostess who seated us in a nice big booth. I love their bowling alley tables & huge benches fit for a king. Comfort for people of all shapes & sizes. I ran to washroom when we first got to the table so I missed the greeting but when I returned, the server had been there dropping off our drinks. I sat & she asked if we were ready to order. Seriously? I haven't even TOUCHED my menu yet. "I think we'll need a few minutes" Two minutes later, "are you ready to order?" "We're gonna need a little longer, thanks." I expected (& probably shouldn't have) her to drop off some bread, butter, cottage cheese & coleslaw like they always do. There were none of these things in site. We finally placed our orders: The pot roast for my sis (gravy on the side, veggies on the side, & mashed potatoes. Now this is a little weird. The pot roast comes with carrots & potatoes, but you also get a potato on the side & their veggie of the day, so she opted for mashed & was happy she did. There was only one little red potato with her pot roast. I guess because she ordered mashed, they assumed she didn't need any additional carbs. The chicken fried steak for my mama. No special requests for her. Our picky eating habits are courtesy of our father. Thanks, BTW, Dad! Servers across America hate your daughters. And I felt adventurous & opted for a Sheppard's Pie which I have never eaten in my entire life but figured it had to be pretty good at the Machine Shed....hell, the servers where overalls & plaid shirts. They probably make a pretty damn good Sheppard's pie, not that I have anything to compare it to. Did you know you can add a soup (or chili) for $.99 to any meal?? AWESOME!!! Of course, if you want to know about it, you'll have to search the menu long & hard to know about it. The server doesn't tell you which I find pretty weird because, that's such an easy up sell for them! If you can get every other person in any given group to order a soup or chili on top of their meal, they will make more in tips at the end of the day. Moving on..... The bread, butter, coleslaw & cottage cheese made its way to our table about 5 minutes after we placed our order. About 3 to 4 minutes later, our soup & chili hit the table. And about 2 to 3 minutes later, out comes the food. I am not exaggerating. This is exactly what happened. I was on my second bite of chili & was putting butter on my bread when the food was served. Now, I'm not an accountant, but we went from an empty table to a jammed pack table in about 7 minutes. We didn't get to enjoy our soup & chili because we didn't want to let our meals get cold. We barely touched the bread & slaw because the food came out so quickly. I was so annoyed. My mother & I enjoyed our meals. The veggie of the day was zucchini & was overcooked, but I was so enjoying my Sheppard's pie, so I didn't care much. My mother really enjoyed her chicken fried steak & potatoes. My sister overall did not have a great meal. Their "French onion soup" is called "French onion soup", not "baked French onion soup", so she didn't know it came with cheese baked on top or at the bottom of the cup, so she was let down. Our server DID stay on top of filling drinks. For this, I give her credit. My sister can down iced tea like it's a hot summer day 365 days a year, but this does not make up for the fact that the server stopped by the table about 4 times & asked "Everything good, ok? Good." Never actually "stopping" at the table but more asked in passing & not giving us an opportunity to say, "Actually, my gravy is cold" or "Can I please get some more...?" We were approached by the manager in the lobby while we waited for our mother in the washroom, & asked how everything was. My sister embraced this opportunity because he asked. She told him about the poor timing, the lack of attention & the cold food, & he offered us a free dessert coupon. Thank you, but no thank you; we live more than an hour away & the next time I come to Rockford, I will be going to Texas Roadhouse next door.
(3)Mike U.
Great home cooked food. Always good specials and good service. It is unique with the atmosphere and the servers wear overalls. Great for bigger dinner parties because they have the space to put tables together and everyone can still have their own eating area. Great little store in front as well- we always find cool items when we are there.
(5)Andy S.
Nice people and good food. Would definitely return!
(4)Audrey C.
I've only had the breakfast here but it is not worth it! There are many better breakfast places in the Rockford area with better food and prices.
(2)Brandon V.
I try to make a point of visiting the Machine Shed each time I'm in Rockford. It's like Cracker Barrel, except not as dark and depressing - and the food is a cut above as well. I do feel sorry for the servers that have to wear those HORRIBLE uniforms that look like they belong on Green Acres. On the bright side for them, I always tip a little more, hoping they'll go buy themselves a nice DKNY sweater after work. Yeah, probably not.
(4)Mark H.
Nice place for a change of place. The glasses are old jars which is fun. The staff is nice but I feel like the whole place is in need of an update. Other than that the food is good, so if your in the area stop on by here!
(4)Jordan L.
This place is like sister of Cracker Barrel that grew up on the farm. Definitely a must if you find yourself in Rockford.
(5)Michelle H.
The place is very similar to a Cracker Barrel. Only much better on almost every level, from service, to food choices. We came in here around four in the afternoon on a Saturday evening. We were greeted at the door (of course, there is the whole "country gift shop" when you walk in.) and led into a dining room. There were only a few other patrons, even though the lot was jammed. It's because they have a total of three separate dining areas. The decor is "farm classic" with John Deere signs, old tractor seats, and axes and wheels covering the walls. A nice touch without going completely overboard. The waitstaff uniforms though, were a little over the top. All of them had to wear checked shirts with farmer overalls. Not becoming nor probably very comfortable, no matter what your figure is. But regardless of the uniform, staff was quick, efficient, and friendly. But on to the food. I started out with a crock of baked french onion soup. It was good, not anything special though. And moving on to the main course. I had the best smoked prime rib ever! Perfectly rare and juicy, and came with a very tasty horseradish side for dipping. I chose the garlic mashed potatoes as my side (meh, not garlicky enough for my tastes) and it came with a side of vegetables. They brought out a bowl of fresh green beans enough for two. (Even though my husband's pulled pork sandwich did not come with veggies.) I ended up bringing half of my food home, and I blame it on the tasty basket of cornbread, muffins and biscuits that were on the table for starters! So, you get a lot of bang for your buck here. Most dinner menu items come in full and half portions, so you don't have to stuff yourself. But trust me, you'll want to. The gift shop is a nice diversion for an after-dinner perusal. They had a whole end cap shelf dedicated to all things bacon. Bacon mints, bacon chocolate, bacon gum, bacon reed diffusers.
(4)Elyse M.
Super-cute atmosphere, great gift shop!! Quick service on a trip between Chicago and Madison. The food was solid, nothing to write home about. If you're looking for an easy, moderately inexpensive breakfast or lunch stop, Illinois Machine Shed is a good choice.
(3)Rachel P.
Great food, good service, and you need to order the onion rings!
(4)MARK P.
Review is for breakfast only. It's a corn-fed Illinois version of a Cracker Barrel. Went there on a not-too-busy Saturday morning. The Midwest has lots of pigs, so the pork lover's special sounded like a winner. They managed a pretty neat trick...really fast service but not very hot food. Maybe they do a lot of prep ahead of time; if so, it didn't work. Breakfasts come with a choice of a potato side and a toast/pancake/biscuits & gravy side. Avoid the b & g--bland and pasty. Hash brown casserole was good but cold. The Bacon was excellent, I should have gotten just that. Bacon Bacon Bacon! The "sausage" was a split polish sausage, cooked on a grill to give char marks. Unfortunately, the charred parts were inedible, and this was cold as well. Will not repeat, other good options nearby.
(2)Jaimie D.
The food is great. Everything is made from scratch! The servers are all very friendly. I have been to the Machine Shed several times and have always had a great experience!
(5)Edward B.
Only four stars for not-the-best service for lunch, largely because the waitress had to wait on too many tables. But I demand a never-empty glass of diet soda or water when I dine out....so, sorry! As for the food? Very good. We went here because I noticed in their online menu that they're known for their "country fried" steak, what I call a Chicken Fried Steak. Since moving back to Chicago ten years ago after living in Houston for ten years, I SOOOOOOO miss a proper Chicken Fried Steak. Haven't found one here yet, but I also haven't hit the famous soul-food spots in Chicago yet..... The Machine Shed's country fried steak is the best that I've found so far in Illinois. Not quite a home-run, but close. The CFS itself was very, very crunchy - spot on - but the cream gravy wasn't quite on the mark. Maybe it just didn't have enough black pepper? Still thoroughly enjoyed it (and it was enough food for two meals). I also ordered the burnt-ends appetizer, but it wasn't true burnt ends, just cut up pork and beef. They bring rolls, cole slaw and cottage cheese as complimentary sides, which was a great touch.
(4)Emily C.
Went here a few times. The first couple of times were okay. The third time a large party and I went out to eat here. 3 of the 8 people got sick including myself from our dinner. Quite can't remember what we ate that night, but it could be from undercooked meat.
(2)Pam D.
I agree with all the comparisons to Cracker Barrel. Similar concept to the barrel, but CB is cosier and pulls it off better. We stopped for lunch on our way home from Baraboo, Wi. . I guess I had more expectations of the ambiance. I wanted something more cosy and corn pone, but it almost seemed a bit stark to me for being a themed venue. The food was ok. My chili was average and the BLT was pretty good. Chris had a pork chop sandwich which was decent, but the sweet potato fries that came with it were soggy. I don't think there will be a return visit.
(2)Karl C.
The Illinois Machine Shed is outdated Americana meets John Deere. You're greeted by a huge John Deere tractor out front and a ton of John Deere paraphernalia. You have to walk through their gift shop before getting to the seating areas and the host wasn't there to greet us so we sat ourselves which, from the reactions from the wait staff, wasn't appreciated. Besides the initial dirty looks and confusion, the wait staff turned out to be nice enough. They all wore denim overalls over flannel which I found funny. At one point, one waitress ran out of the kitchen followed by another waitress yelling, "Jenny! I wasn't being serious! Come on, Jenny!" I still insist that it was a stunt but my girlfriend disagrees. Either way, the Blue Collar Comedy meets Melrose Place act was pretty entertaining. Their menu consists of a ton of continental American comfort food. I went with the Hired Man's Breakfast (assorted breakfast platter). With the machine shed's country vibe, I assumed that the portions would be humongous but they weren't which really surprised me as I was expecting to gorge myself, country midwestern style. I was disappointed with that but the food quality itself was okay. I stayed at the Radisson across the street and besides IHOP and Denny's, The Machine Shed was the only real breakfast place in the area. It's worth a shot but prepare yourself for an extreme hick atmosphere.
(3)Valerie V.
Machine Shed- I want to love you, but I'm holding back on account of your slow kitchen! I've dined with you for dinner service a few times and breakfast thrice. Dinner has always been ok- great selection of sides, large portions, and country style menu. The service isn't speedy, but it's never been an issue with our business crowd. Breakfast, however, is inexcusably slow. The catch is that, though the kitchen is slower than dripping molasses, the food is superb! Eggs are perfectly cooked (I take mine over medium), thick, juicy bacon, great potatoes, pancakes and breads. But a breakfast trip for 2 people took over an hour. I can't do it in the morning and I can't recommend my fellow business people to do it either. Sorry, Machine Shed, hurry it up!
(3)Michelle K.
Oh, Machine Shed. I love you so. I have many fond memories of eating at the Machine Shed in Davenport, Iowa, so I pretty much flipped out when I discovered they had a location in Rockford! I made sure to suggest it when my boyfriend and I made plans to meet up with friends for lunch. The waitress set us up with the rolls, banana bread, cole slaw, and cottage cheese that came with our meals. All of these things are amazing. I don't know how else to say it. And I realize that calling "cottage cheese" amazing might sound kind of strange, but believe me, it is damn good cottage cheese. Whenever I ate here as a kid, I always ordered "The Heartland Delight" (kids size): trimmed pork tenderloins wrapped in bacon. I almost got it this time, since it was always delicious, but I made myself try something (slightly) different. I went with the Roast Pork Loin, which is stuffed with country sage dressing and topped with gravy, and served with a baked potato and corn. It was very good (and that pork was soooo tender), but I found myself yearning for bacon-wrapped tenderloins. Oh, well, next time! My boyfriend's Country Fried Steak was crispy and delicious, too. If you haven't already guessed, this place is a carnivore's delight without (m)any meat-free lunch and dinner entrees; if you're veg, you may be out of luck. The service was fine. Ambiance is very "aw shucks"-Midwestern (I don't even know what that means, but it seems to embody the manufactured homey Americana of The Machine Shed), and there's a gift shop near the door with all manner of farm-inspired knickknacks. I've never been to a Cracker Barrel, so I can't speak to its level of similarity, but my companions said that this is nicer. Oh, and hot tip: I didn't have room for dessert during this trip, but in my previous experiences, the pies have been excellent.
(4)Amanda Z.
So, yeah...Tuesday mornings = free apple dumpling day. Free. You don't pay. Appetizers for brunch are a great idea. Veggie skillet (light on the veggies) atop the cheesy hashbrown casserole with a side of biscuits and gravy make for a really lovely breakfast. The fat kid in me approves. Oh, and if you're not inclined to eat your entire day of calories in the morning, fret not. If you wrap it up for later, it makes an excellent "post-Mardi Gras" snack. Well, that's what I heard anyway.
(4)Kevin T.
Oh my god so very good I have eaten here a few times and it always is amazing food
(5)Katie M.
Okay food. My pre-k child really liked it and right now that is the most important thing is to find something he likes. Better than Cracker Barrel any day of the week.
(3)Booda B.
I should not love The Machine Shed. The country-cutesy theme is taken way too far, with the requisite old-timey signs all over the walls and an overstuffed gift shop where you can buy a "Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Green Tractors" t-shirt. The perky waitstaff wears overalls over plaid shirts and says things like, "Your fixins' will be right up." By all appearances, this should be a hellhole (if hell decided to rip off the Cracker Barrel). But then the food arrives. First up are the "family style fixins," meaning big bowls of cottage cheese and coleslaw (the crunchy, vinegary kind, not the goopy, mayonnaise-y kind) and a basket of wheat rolls and big hunks of moist spice cake. It's all delicious, and eerily identical to what my small-town grandmother would set out on the dinner table every night. So yeah, I'd find the Americana nauseating in most circumstances, but it's actually genuine here. There was a table of farmers sitting next to me. Farmers! And the entrees are something to behold. Well, behold in your stomach. I've had dinner here several times over the past eight years, and they have never failed to delight me. Last night it was the Cattleman's Choice top sirloin, stuffed with Swiss cheese, mushrooms, bread crumbs, garlic, and "Pioneer sauce" (something creamy). It was divine. The side of garlic mashed potatoes tasted as though it had been recently made by a person, rather than scooped out of a 50-gallon drum of Garlic Potato Product. The side of steamed veggies had overdone squash, but the cauliflower and carrots were still acceptably crisp. The only thing less than perfect is that the drinks are overpriced - $2.09 for an iced tea and $2.19 for a soda. Give this place a try. Once you get past all the kitsch, you will be amazed by the delicious, fresh, well-prepared food. For me, it's worth the hour-and-a-half drive because I know I will never be disappointed.
(5)Lindsey K.
"A salute to American farmer" says the menu. Okay, I'm into that. What's this? A family portrait of the owner? Restaurant started in Iowa? Midwestern values AND apple dumplings?? Call the Angel Gabriel, I think I found my chain restaurant heaven. I went to the one in Rockford, Illinois on a road trip from Chicago to Madison. When I saw the John Deere tractor parked outside and a three-foot-high ear of corn hanging around out front, I knew I had found my home. The decor? Exactly what you would expect. Old farmers lugging around oxygen tanks, sad waitresses forced to wear overalls and conductor caps, great place to be "seen" after church on Sunday! I had to go with the fried chicken livers. A classic. My PePaw got the fried chicken. So, really, anything fried is good. The baked potato soup was covered with cheese and bacon and tasted like, you know, if you put a baked potato in the blender. But my favorite? Gotta go with "grandma's recipe" Apple Dumplings with cinnamon ice cream. Huge, delicious, and just like lying in a corn field on a warm spring day. (I love farm metaphors.) Bonus: my grandma told the waitress it was her 56th wedding anniversary yesterday and we got our apple dumpling FOR FREE.
(3)Ryan C.
Very similar to a cracker barrel restraunt but way better. We had seven people and the service was still good. They bring out family style cottage cheese, cole slaw and 2 types of bread. We weren't expecting this so it was a nice touch. I had the chicken fried steak and it was delicious. Food was reasonably priced. Gift shop had neat souvineers as well.
(5)Amanda G.
you get a good home cooked meal. and lots of it service is good with a smile love to eat here
(5)Rita M.
We've eaten here several times and also at the Iowa Machine Sheds as well. We stopped here on our way out west. We were the first customers of the day at 6am. My husbands poached eggs were almost hard boiled. They were not runny as they should be. My scrambled eggs were also over cooked. Thought service was slow with only one other person in restaurant. We didn't tell our server about our eggs since we didn't want to delay the already slow service. Don't think we'll be back.
(1)Susan E.
I had the chicken livers for appetizer they were very good. Pot Roast for main course. Was impressed that they served a large bowl of fresh cole slaw, cottage cheese, and a basket of wheat rolls, and pumpkin bread. Pot roast was very tender and good. Wish they had given me more carrots as those were good also. I had the Coconut Cream Pie for dessert it was delicious! All their desserts are home made and the servings are huge. Nice country family atmosphere. Even though they served alcoholic beverages.
(4)matteo h.
If you like strappin on a feed bag at The Cracker Barrel, you're gonna dig this place. Country fried steak , eggs , cheesy hash brown casserole, eggs and thats just breakfast! O and good B& G too. Staff is good , service is quick and the chow is tasty. Hit it for breakfast and you'll be full till the snacking hour. 3 and 1/2 stars
(3)Mill V.
My mom LOVES this place. She grew up on a farm in the middle of nowhere, Iowa. And I believe this chain comes from Iowa. We have been here tons of times. The food is homey, and decent. You wouldn't think it'll be good. It's cute design, with alittle tourist trap shop in front (ugh, I dig fall in love with a lilac smelling candle, damnit) I've gotten the fried chicken livers too many times. They are yummy. I've had better south of the Mason-Dixon line, but oh well, it's all good. Gotten the fried chicken, too equally as decent. My mom and I love the sides. You start with cottage cheese, really yummy coleslaw, and bread and pumpkin bread. The pumpkin bread is dynomite. The mashed potatoes are usually good, no boxed here! Their breakfast is great here, too. SO HUGE! Cinnamon rolls are fully goodness. You can get your apple pie with cheddar cheese here. (I've never understood that.) But I've always wanted to try their apple dumpling. I've recently became obsessed with this Amish dessert, so that's on my to eat list.
(4)Lia L.
The buildup to our dinner was really good. My husband chose barbeque sliders and my friend and I chose beer cheese fondue as appetizers. All were excellent, plus there were "fixin's" of cole slaw, cottage cheese, and a bread basket (all refillable). We noshed on all of this and were really enjoying ourselves. Then our dinners came and the meals themselves were too salty to be as good as our starters. Overall, it was a good dinner, but the appetizers and the free stuff were the best part. Our check was pretty pricy when all was said and done too, but that's our fault for choosing appetizers. There was no room (or money) for dessert, even though they have the pie display right as you walk in to try to entice you.
(4)Jason Z.
We went here for a good down home breakfast. I guess the quickest comparison is The Cracker Barrel, but better (food wise, the design and layout are the same). When you walk into the restaurant, you walk into the "county store." Which I think is tacky. From there, the hostess will take you into one of several smaller dining rooms, which was nice, because no room was crowded or noisy. There is farm decorations everywhere, and the waitstaff are dressed in overalls and farmer shirts. I had the pork breakfast. I'm not sure what the actual name was, but it came with a large piece of ham, 2 strips of thick cut bacon (awesome), and a GIANT piece of sausage, oh, and 2 eggs. You also have the choice of pancakes, toast or biscuits and gravy. I love B&G, so I went with that, and it was by far the best I ate that day. The B&G were amazing. Our waitress was beyond nice, and came around any time our coffee was about half empty. The price, I felt, was a little on the pricey side for a breakfast, but not outrageous. We also went fairly early, so there was no wait, but I heard it gets crowded.
(3)Kristan M.
Attentive staff, great home cooked food. I was surprised to hear about their catering options - and am looking forward to utilizing these services. Great place for business lunches and dinner out with the kids. Highly recommend!
(5)Jason S.
Good breakfast. Portions very good sized. REVISED: portions still big, but quality inconsistent. First time was great, second not so much. Had my second time been my first, there wouldn't have been a second.
(4)D J.
Always good food and decent service. I've been going there since they opened. I love the smoked prime rib.
(4)Brian L.
I agree with Booda about all of the theme and waitstaff characterizations. Spot on!! MK and I actually hit this place for lunch on the way to the Dells (10/03/08). It wasn't that crowded and although I wanted to slap the waitress with her "perky fixin' type attitude", we ordered the "Sheddar" chunks which was a huge order of White Cheddar dipped in a beer batter and fried. It came with Ranch and BBQ Sauce and was fantastic! MK ordered "Our Club" which came stacked high and with a generous portion of home made potato chips. She said it was very good but she had to re-arrange the add'l bacon that she ordered as they sort of just dumped it on the bottom. Overall though, two thumbs up from her. I ordered the Pork Tenderloin Sandwich breaded (you can get it just grilled) but the breading is a good quality, thick breading which complimented the pork very well. I actually was worried that I wasn't going to like it as the pork was still pretty thick compared to how either I make it or how I've had it at other locations. It's thickness actually concerned me that it wouldn't be cooked all the way through but it was and I have to say that I enjoyed it immensely. I too had the chips and really enjoyed them. Waitress was good about bringing re-fills for our sodas and waters and all in all we left full and pleased. I recommend it for families highly.
(4)Erin S.
One word: Breakfast I can't imagine that it's good for anything else. Delicious cinnamon rolls and I just got a normal 2 egg breakfast. Good hashbrowns and the eggs were done just the way I wanted them. Coffee, not so good. Atmosphere, a little tacky. But who cares about the atmosphere at breakfast?!
(3)Dave J.
Four or five stars is a tough question for this place. We heard good things about this restaurant and decided to take a long drive down to Rockford. It was well worth the drive. Food and service were terrific. We'll be back again.
(4)Sou P.
Three stars for food and service, four stars for fruit pies. Fried chicken can be crispy good or oily-soggy-yuck, depending on the day. This Illinois establishment is better than its Iowa counterpart (yeah, we went there to try it out). Chicken Pot Pie is usually good/safe. Meat portions are BIG...order single cuts instead of double.
(3)Alanna K.
The Machine Shed is one of the places that have great food, and a great setting. It's definitely a place to take people who like down and homey restaurants than the hip and trendy ones. And even if you aren't into the country "Cracker Barrel" types of restaurants (even though it's sort of an insult to compare this to Cracker Barrel)...everyone loves good food, and this is definitely a place that has GOOD FOOD. Now, as everyone has said, you get very good portions, plus you get the "fixins" that are unlimited. I don't think I've ever had anything here that disappointed me! Something that I really love getting (although the name has slipped my mind) is a sirloin that is either split in half, or a really big steak folded, and stuffed with parmesan cheese and gravy and bread dressing. It is so scrumptious...it's one of those things when you say MMMmm after every bite! The prime rib is also VERY delicious, and they have a bunch of award winning dinners that are definitely worth a try. So I guess that sums it up, but remember to try and go there on a Wednesday night, because it's all you can eat St. Louis ribs! They are pretty amazing, and fall off the bone!!!! I would suggest wearing elastic pants, or oversized ones, because I can guarantee that you will have no problem keeping them up after eating!!!
(5)Xan X.
Came for dinner with my sister and 2 small kids. I got the "burnt ends" dinner and my sister ordered the turkey with gravy. We shared with each other and the kids, and we all walked out STUFFED! Great "homey" food, really friendly staff, and amazing prices. The 4 of us ate like kings for around $30! I will definitely stop here the next time I'm in Rockford. I'd love to try the breakfast.
(4)Timothy S.
Good to very good food. Large portions for some dishes. Plenty of room. Clean. Ample parking and good service. Good prices too. Close to a 5 for me but the food is a notch below when it comes to flavor.
(4)janaynay n.
This place was a great breakfast place! my friends said it reminded them of cracker and barrel. I personally never been to C&B but this place is probably better than C&B just because of their apple dumplings. Although, my friend said it looked like C&B when we walked in because they had a little store area before the restaurant. Well anways, breakfast was great...I had the usual eggs, hash, and applewood smoked bacon. The eggs and hash tasted like the usual but the bacon was really good and crispy. I was hoping it had some apple flavor but it didn't...it was just a little sweet from regular bacon. I don't think they have this bacon in your typical ihop or dennys...even the pancake place by my house. It was delici though! The best thing I ever tasted would be the apple dumplings. This was the only thing I was looking forward to when I was at Rockford...since everyone here was talking about it! OMG...this apple dumpling was just heavenly.....and served with ice-cream to top it all off! If only they had this near chicago. The staff was very friendly. The dishes fit the setting of the place...like our jar cups and metal pitcher. It was cute and odd at the same time. The price of my meal all together was like 15. I got what I paid for. The other great thing about this place would be their $.99 pastries! (99 cents)!!! These pastries were HUGE...probably 2-3 people could of shared this. But they had a morning sale and I bought like 3. I got this big huge cherry danish, pecan bread, and pumkin bread. ALL three was delicious. Everyone there, I'm guessing, loves the pecan bread because they disappeared quicky after we got ours and people that were coming in were still asking for them. I would definitely come here again for them apple dumplings.
(5)Michael E.
Good service, really good food espically enjoyed the family style starters before our lunched arrived. The. Potato soup is to die for highly suggest it. The pies look good didn't have enough room, but gladly ordered a piece to go.
(5)Marty M.
Had breakfast here and everything was great save room for the cinnamon rolls also.
(5)Marc H.
This restaraunt is the ultimate theme place. The decor is so hokey its almost distracting. It looks like the guys from American Pickers decorated this place. The country music is audible throughout the entire place. As far as the atmosphere, I could take it or leave it really. What really sells you is the food. It is down home country all the way. Pork any kind of way you like it, juicy burgers, turkey. This is as close to Midwestern home cooking as a restaraunt gets. I do have to admit, I did work at machine shed for a few weeks, it didn't work out. But i learned about the inner workings a bit. This place is exceptionally clean and has high standards with their food. The only problem I've ever had here is that they got my order wrong and didn't apologize, just took it away and brought out the right meal. A small complaint and I'm sure it's not common. All in all, Ive always enjoyed eating here and will continue to come back.
(4)Barbara W.
I love the Machine Shed and always have to stop when we're near one. This one was great. I must mention the sweet potato fries--they were the best I've EVER had, and I've eaten lots. They were served with cinnamon butter, which was almost overkill but appreciated.
(5)Greg O.
Expensive for just plain old american food. Food was not that great and we were very unimpressed. If you like dull and boring, with little to no flavor, this place is for you!
(2)