Our local Machine Shed Restaurant opened in 1978, just a couple of years after we moved back to central Iowa. It’s been a favorite through the years, the perfect place to celebrate an event or share with out-of-towners.
We’ve enjoyed lunch there with cousins Larry and Leora Wilson Willoughby, then living in Oregon. Leora was the daughter of Delbert Wilson (the oldest of the five brothers who served in WWII). Several years later their son Jeff Willoughby (from California) visited Iowa for the first time, toured “everything Wilson” (Dexter, Guthrie Center, and Perry), and experienced the Machine Shed.
I’m so grateful that the Machine Shed has carried my books for sale since late 2019. And even hosted book club for breakfast–they’d all read Leora’s Letters.
Our American Stories came to Iowa one July for a special evening at the Machine Shed, with WHO-Radio personalities and an evening of stories. Favorites were chosen, with great prizes.
Retired folks from the Des Moines Control Tower meet there for breakfast once a month.
Duane Wilson is a first cousin of Jeff Willoughby. He and his son Jordan Wilson drove up from Arkansas to see the Dallas County Freedom Rock (Duane and Jeff’s grandfather was Delbert Wilson). I couldn’t do the “Wilson tour” with them, so Gloria was their tour guide–after lunch at the Shed.
Earlham classmates (1962) have met there for a mini-reunion, as have our Neal cousins.
Last year I met authors Craig Matthews (March) and Robin Grunder (April) for the first time. That meant Machine Shed treats with them.
And just us We enjoy regularly having lunch there, greeting long-time favorite waitresses (one who lives on our street and rides her scooter to work when the weather cooperates), all wearing bib overalls. We had dinner there Sunday. Yes, there were leftovers!
It’s always good to have a special place like that.
It sure is, Dennis!
It’s good to have a favorite place. There is a Machine Shed located north of Milwaukee that we visited years back, but it’s a little too far to travel for a meal. Would love to have a good old Iowa pork chop!
That’s what my Favorite Guy had Sunday!
Sounds like a delightful place, Joy. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, John! Sorry I didn’t share some tidbits off the menu for you. Favorite Guy had the double-cut pork chop and I had beef pot roast.
What an awesome name for restaurant. Outstanding story.
Rich, you’d love it! Thank you.
The Machine Shed sounds like a local institution! Your town is fortunate to have it.
Thank you, Liz. There are only five of them. The original is in eastern Iowa. We stopped there on our way home from a trip to Ohio (Air Force Museum) and Indiana (Guy’s brother). There’s one in Wisconsin, I think. The owner has family here in town, so we get to see him occasionally. He’s also a private pilot so he enjoyed chatting to the retired controllers earlier this year. The Shed’s apple dumpling recipe was his mother’s!
You’re welcome, Joy. What fun!
Joy! I’ve loved your references to The Machine Shed but had no idea there was more than one location! One in Rockford??? Not that far away from us! Loved reading about the history in the link you provided…and the old fashioned apple dumpling recipe????
Yum! ❤️😘❤️
And the bib overalls! Thank you, Vicki!
Xo! 😘
If ever I get to meet you, I want the “Wilson Tour, ” if possible, and a visit to the Machine Shed, for sure!
Alas, I/we’re too disabled to do the Wilson tour anymore. I had to give up book talks a couple of years ago, even locally. (Favorite Guy is starting more potent meds for Parkinson’s this week.) But since getting Crohn’s under control, last fall, I can still visit the Machine Shed. And even enjoy eating!
My treat! Do they do takeaway?
I think we’ve done that once, but it’s more fun just to go there!
Looks like a great place to gather with friends!
It sure is, Janet! Thank you. It’s sure a treat for just the two of us as well.
What joyful photographs!
Thanks so much, Anne!
It’s great that you and family members go there, Joy. It’s wonderful that they have your books for sale.
Thank you, Tim. It used to be a favorite place for my mother, as well. Chicken fried steak for her!
😋
Love these images! Machine Shed restaurant sure looks like a fun place to get together with friends. Your books would be wonderful memorabilia for travelers passing through. 🙂
Thank you, Nancy!
I go to the one in Davenport and it’s excellent.
Thanks, Edward! Yours is the original.
You’re welcome. Yes, and it’s a great place to go with the family.
This sounds like a wonderful place, Joy. I love a place where the people make it special.
I love it! So special.
Thanks, Lori!