Great local breakfast joint! Easy to find off 17, lots of space for larger parties. My husband loves their sausage gravy!

The Sawmill Grill is probably one of our favorites. Their grouper bites are excellent.Mac and Cheese is always good Good choice of sides. If you have room after your meal,great desserts,including cake,pie, and cobbler The staff are always cordial and very efficient. A lot of locals eat there,which is always good. We used to eat there every Sunday after Church but they got so busy (good for them,bad for us) so usually go during the week now. We understand they have an early bird but seems like we never eat until later. You can't go wrong,something for everyone! Hard to believe wait staff received such poor marks,they are always very nice when we eat there. We had a group of 15-20 last Wed night and everyone received their food within a reasonable time and staff was very helpful. read more

The food was ok, but the service was awful. Took 45 minutes to get my chicken and waffles. Mind you, it was chicken tenders not actual fried chicken. I came in to eat with my family and ended up watching them eat while I waited for my food. To add insult to injury, I had to sit and wait another 30 min just to get my check. I definitely Connor recommend! read more

Whenever relatives are in town, they always ask to go here. Nicely cooked, homemade tasting food. Reasonably priced. Casual atmosphere. Friendly, hard working wait staff. read more

If you don't read my review, know this, the food is great and the employees are really nice except their manager Henry. He is a complete jerk! ******** Had a bad experience today at one of my favorite restaurants in Hampstead, NC. Now mine you I am a local of Wilmington and I have been to many restaurants here (Wilmington/Burgaw) and surrounding areas. Today my husband and I went to the Sawmill Restaurant in Hampstead. Been going there for years but I don't think we will be going back to this particular Sawmill unless their manager Henry is gone. We came in right after a party of three and gave the young lady who greeted us our name. The three who were in front were seated at a table by the manager. We were supposed to be next. The manager, Henry, kept sitting all the folks behind us but us. We were right up front! Finally he came back to get another one behind us. I stopped him and asked did we need to call in first to get a seat. He said "Did you get your name on the list?" My husband said yes and the manager went to the cashier and asked them about it. Sure enough, our name was there. The jerk manager did not even apologize just said "I sit them as I see them." Go figure. After we finally got a table and was waited on and served, I noticed the table in front of me where the party of three was seated and the lady from the table went to the counter. A few minutes later the jerk of a manager was at her table arguing with her and was jerking his finger in her face. I could hear him raising his voice to her. It was quite disturbing! He left and she got up to talk to one of the waitresses and he came over to tell the waitress not to talk to this lady. Found out as we were leaving, the customer he fussed at tried to tell him that her waitress and ours had waited on us (my husband and me) before them. I can't go back to this Sawmill. My stomach is still upset from this jerk of a manager. read more

The word I would use for this place would be: meh. Fried stuff comes apart from the breading, usually really soggy too. Food in general is flavorless, old woman with the long pony tail was rude af. Waitresses & waiters being high school students who aren't properly trained, just a not so good experience. The only time we willingly got food from here was after the hurricane, when nothing else was open for food. Save your money, or go like 15 minutes down the road into Porters Neck for better food. read more

Not sure what all this Cracker Barrel talk is about, I come here for lunch. My go-to meal is the pulled pork sandwich with fries and a sweet tea, but I have tried the club sandwich as well. I wouldn't expect anything other than great North Carolina BBQ from a small country style restaurant and Sawmill certainly doesn't disappoint. It's a well liked establishment by the locals for good reason, so if you're a tourist (and a Yankee one at that), you probably just don't get it. read more

Nothing fancy just good ole food. Reminds me of when my dad took me to the depot grill in idaho. Regular people wanting a good meal in a simple place. The crab omlette with cheese is the way to go. read more

Food was really good, can definitely tell it's "home cookin". Service was really fast and we also got a good pretty quick. Our server was super sweet and very helpful when we asked for recommendations on fun things to do! We will definitely eat here again and every time we come to visit. read more

The sawmill grill is one of those places that has become a tradition every time I am in North Carolina. The food is awesome. Home cooked and inexpensive. I've been going there for the last 4 years. The people who run the place they are the most friendly people I've ever met. The oysters are to die for, if you like fried oysters. Can't say enough about the fried chicken. And that's too many times for me to even get into. I love this place. read more

The establishment is incredibly clean. We came in for breakfast. My OM eggs were perfect, my friends omelette was wonderful he said and my son had scrambled w/cheese that wasn't oily or a hard lump of something yellowish orange!! The 3 different breakfast meats were all good and not swimming in grease ! Now to the most important thing-- the service-- AWESOME- did not catch her name but a woman in young 50's that was professional and a tad personal. Personal w/out telling us her life story!! AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, but she didn't call us " honey", " sweetie ", " sugar" I CANT TELL YOU how BADLY that eats at me( save terms of endearment for YOUR loved ones). Back to food. Did have 1 complaint and it was that they do not peel the potato for the hash browns-- Breakfast came quickly and was just like I set at my table at home-- GOOD JOB TO ALL THE STAFF AT SAWMILL GRILL read more

If your looking for some real southern comfort food this is the place for you, there prices are good and the service is amazing everyone is so nice and welcoming and really make the experience exceptional read more

The 4 star is relative for the area. There's not a ton of places to eat out. The food was good country food. Prices are low. Your expectations should reflect that, as opposed to $25 prime rib and craft beer. Veggies are well seasoned and tasty. Most entrees are good, but you should expect a lot of fried food or smothered with gravy. Service was absolutely fine. I wouldn't trust the reviews complaining about drink refills and high school workers. Prissy snobs love to write reviews and degrade blue collar workers. It makes them feel better about themselves, and forget for a few that their daddy didn't love them. read more

This place is always delicious, never had a bad meal here. I was diagnosed with breast cancer back in Feb of this past year, and my family and I would always travel from Jacksonville to Wilmington to my oncologist appointments...Sawmill Grill was the place we would stop for breakfast/lunch for a nice, warm meal. Wonderful variety, great daily specials -- excellent prices. Portions are on point, usually would have enough to take home. Staff always friendly. Highly recommend Sawmill Grill to anyone wanting some good home cooking. read more

Went to eat at Saw Mill Grill which was busy. Well we waited for a table to be seated and the guy got out tea which was cool. When here is where it startes, Leigh was our waitress and forgot all about us. We were never acknowledged. Well the couple that was behind me and my visiting family was being served quick, well I brought it to Leigh attention and she argued they were there first due to she had seated them. Well she had a attitude when she came to take my order and then took the couples order. We got salad, chicken wings, grilled cheese and sub samwich, while the couple was having fish and livers. I stressed my concerns to Debbie. Well Debbie told the manager, while i observed Leigh laughing and talking to another waitress about putting the couples order in first. The manager Henry which Ive seen a couple of times came and ask mr if there was a problem. I said no because I knew Leigh and I was going to say something to how I felt we were being treated. Well she came to my table gave me my food and I was out of tea and sat the glass of on the end of the table which she reached over to place my food in front of me. Well she walked away, well I waited 5 mintues to see if she was going to return but no. So I got up and asked Jayme for tea and waited. Well Leigh was offened and I was too my the service we where recieving. Well Henry came and placed my check on the table and said, Leigh would not be back. Well I said a few unchoice words to this disrespectful manager Henry and he was all up on my 4 year nephew and I told him to get off him yelling at me and he said no. Well I was ready to punch him. Thats no excuse for his action. Well he told me to leave. Well I finished eatting and after I went to tell a waitress Ive know for 19 years and he told her not to talk to me. We the couple behind me that got served before me ask me if Henry was saying and all over my nephew and agreed with me. The said they were extremely rude to you because you were right. So with this said I give Sawmill Grill in Hampstead big fat 0. read more

My family loves to go to Sawmill because there is such a wide variety of food and the price is mostly reasonable. My biggest complaint is the consistency of the food quality. Sometimes it is amazing and sometimes it's not good at all. We will be back but I wish they would work on the quality of their menu and focus less on the specials. read more

I've been to the Sawmill for breakfast,lunch and dinner and never had a bad meal. The breakfast of my choice is eggs cheese and bacon on a biscuit with a side of grits, out of this world. I've also brought friends staying with me from NY here and they also loved the country atmosphere and home style cooking. read more

I love this place. The food is great southern cooking, service is incredible and prices are good. I will come here all time. I think you should deffinately try this. I love this place and there is nothing bad on the menu. read more

This is your typical greasy spoon breakfast spot. I wasn't expecting much but a got a whole lot less! Service was extremely slow and rude. We were a party of 8 but the place was empty so there was no excuse. My husband ordered the corned beef hash with poached eggs. The hash was from a can, looked and tasted like Dog food ( not even Hormel in a can) and the poached eggs were swimming in water . . . yuk! I had the Philly omelet, meat was tough and the omelet was tasteless. My daughter had to wait an extra 10 minutes after everyone got their food because they couldn't get a simple order of chocolate chip pancakes right. Toast came with all of our orders but didn't arrive until we were almost finished. The rest of our party were also dissatisfied with there meals as well. I will not be returning. read more

Food is great. I always enjoy the Hamburger Steak with gravy. We've eaten there several times and the food never disappoints. I would suggest a higher grade wait staff though. Our last several trips have been terrible in regards to service. Food surely makes up for it though. read more

Never disappointed when we visit the Sawmill Grill. This is our "for sure" stop when we go to Wilmington. You can be assured to get good friendly service, good food, large portions, and great prices. I cant say anything negative about it. Its a local stop where you get good southern cooking and a down home feel. In fact, its not uncommon for a few of us at work to reminisce abour our last visit while planning our next. Its a great place. You wont get fancy here, but you will get a good taste of the South! read more

If you want a good breakfast this is the place to go in Hampstead. Service is friendly (didn't say fast, but this is the South) and the breakfast menu hits the spot. read more

Let me start by saying, I LOVE the food. All of it!! Every single thing I have ever tried. But I HATE that they are always so busy that we can never get in on Sundays for lunch. Every single time we pull up, people are lined up. Every-single-time. So, overtime it puts a bad taste in my mouth that they don't have enough room to accommodate more people. And by more people I mean me. But that is just my "angry southern lady" self mad that I can't get inside to fill my belly full of their delicious food. There is a reason they are so busy (if you have ever pulled up and had trouble getting in). The food is great. Breakfast, lunch....doesn't matter. You will absolutely love it. So if you come by and they have a wait and don't want to wait, then definitely come back and try again. You won't be disappointed. read more

Breakfast = 5 stars but dinner is more like 2 or 3. Breakfast is great southern style food. Portions are big and prices are low. Staff is very nice. Highlight of dinner are the free hush puppies! I will continue to enjoy weekend brunches at you sawmill grill. read more

Enjoyed the food, but our party of 7 was "welcomed" by a rude, round middle aged woman with glasses, long grey hair. This person who was tasteless enough to cause a scene infront of my four children and the entire restaurant because she was irritated 6/7 people where present. She told us to sit, then retracked her seating telling us it'd be a "long wait". With several open 6 tops, her irrational inconsideration was shocking. We had a 13,10,9 & 3 year old in our party and were waiting for our active duty brother to arrive. When assuring her that we were sitting and would be waiting for drinks, she shouted out loud her hostesses to not serve us any drinks. After I heard this from 15 ft. Away, I confronted her telling her how inappropriate she was and reminded her our party was 70% CHILDREN. Her behavior was appalling enough that then tables around us of senior citizens said they were sorry for her treating us in the manner she did since she apparently made the party that tried to sit leave prios to our arrival? Not sure if this place priorities Hampstead locals for seating, but living in Wilmington, we looked forward to this brunch as we had just lost my mother in law, so my husband, his brother and our kids expected to enjoy a nice breakfast, not to be greeted by such an ugly hearted " lady". I'll be sure.to never recommend or promote this establishment because of the bad apple ruining our morning. I hope the manager, Jayme, confronted her on her low class behavior. read more

My husnand and I ate lunch here today with another couple. We chose it because we saw lots of cars in the prkng lot on a weekday for lunch. We are here for vacation. Hushpuppies, fried green tomatoes are light, and marvelous. Pulled Eastern Carolina Pork, chicken salad, Brunswick stew....all absolutely delicious. All soups/ stews homemade right there. Potato salad great, too. All homemade-and home style. Good local cooking at fantastic prices. Very very clean. Wait staff are so nice and happy you'd like to go home with them. read more

Stopped in for breakfast before the beach and got seated right away so that was a plus. There were flies in the building and around our table that were pretty annoying. The food was good. Service was OK , took a while for our food and the waitress' were more interested in talking to one another then filling our drinks. Also the women's bathroom stalls have locks that don't work so I assumed I had to lock the main door so I could use the restroom in peace and not be busted in on. When I left there was some overweight older rude waitress who said to another rude waitress one "I don't know why they lock the restrooms" well because maybe we don't want people seeing us use the restroom because people don't know how to knock? Or maybe your restaurant you work for should replace them , they're probably what a couple bucks at Home Depot? I won't return because of her snarly comment , the dogs and the wait on the food plus the waiters just congregating instead of working. Biscuits and gravy was good though don't get me wrong ! Just won't return. read more

Stopped on the way home to Durham after visiting my brother. Loved the home style atmosphere. Service was good and friendly. Prices average portions large. Largest fried oysters we have ever had and perfectly cooked. Great coleslaw which is a must with seafood. We'll be stopping by the next time we visit. read more

Just left sawmill. Service was terrible I got up to refill my beverage because no one came to check on us . My Food was not good . Am assuming it had been warmed all day. Could not eat the vegetables--collards were too salty--peas out of a can. Perhaps we came at a bad time. Not to worry! Will not come again! read more

I ordered a family meal deal to go. A meal deal is an 8 piece chicken,pint of BBQ, 2 sides, and 1/2 gallon of tea. I called the order in at 7pm and was told it would be about 20mins before it was ready. Arrived at 7:30pm to pick up food. It was not ready until 8:00pm. The employee then did not give me tea. When I asked for it, she then scrambled around to make the tea, which took an additional 10 minutes. When I complained to manager "joe " he acted like he could care less. He said,"oh well, we have been busy." Went home and the 8 piece chicken was actually 4 pieces with a bunch of random stuff that looked like was what was left in there fryer at the end of the night. This included fish sticks, hot wings, a few French fries, and a few shrimp! Disgusting! Went the next day and told the manager on duty who claimed the owners would call. Never received a phone call. I do not recommend! read more

Good food, larger than average portions and reasonable prices. Breakfast is GREAT. Seafood is excellent, they have a large variety that pleases everyone in our family. We ate here 4 times during our last 1 week visit to the area and will go back. read more

After a sorry week of finding nothing but tourist trap garbage to eat on Topsail Island I was determined to find someplace serving up some real Southern food. We found the Sawmill just off of teh google map and really lucked out. Walking in, we finally found ourselves in a well-patronized restaurant full of local customers. Bingo! Sawmill is the real deal. Hushpuppies were bona fide and pretty much everything put on the table for our group of 4 was delicious and good quality. I think some of the veggies are probably canned/frozen but other than that everything seemed fresh and well prepared. The fried okra was spot on. My pulled pork was perhaps not top-level NC BBQ but was tasty and good. My wife's fried catfish however was as good as we've had - absolutely fresh, light as a feather and delicious. When you're done there is a big case of fresh-made cakes and pies and both of our choices were homemade quality and yummy. They have a big menu including all kinds of sandwiches and based on our companion's meals, some good, well-prepared seafood. Don't be fooled by my current Brooklyn location. We're all Southerners and well schooled in the art of meat and 2 veg, etc local cuisine. Obviously some other reviewers enjoyed their choices less or had bad service. Our experience was outstanding in every way including the friendliest, most welcoming and quick/competent service we had on our whole vacation. If you're in the Topsail area and looking for some good local food I'd say definitely give the Sawmill a try. We missed out on trying them for breakfast as we left the following morning - but that will be something for next time. read more

Went for breakfast on a Sunday morning. It was not packed. Ordered 2 simple breakfasts and coffee. First....hard to get refill on coffee.... then when food delivered without toast ordered. Waitress said, "will be right back with your bread." Waited over 5 minutes and had to ask her again for our toast. Her apology , "sorry about that" when I said our food now cold. Funny, guess we are odd for wanting our toast WITH our over easy eggs!!!!!! read more

Sawmill Grill has been around for a while now and there is a reason for that! Their waffles are delicious and so is their bbq, fried chicken and wraps! Good southern home cooking! read more

I don't get the raves about this place. I guess if canned or frozen food is your thing this this is definitely the place for you! The breakfast is ok but how hard is it to mess up breakfast. Lunch and dinner on the other hand no way! read more

Good country cooking. Tables are not too close together so you do not feel crammed into the place. A great breakfast, but I have had better hash elsewhere. Biscuits get two thumbs up! The wait staff was very friendly. read more

Not sure who bakes the cakes for the grill in Hampstead, but they are not very reliable or customer oriented. Two weeks ago we requested to purchase, for a party we are going to, a whole cake that we had tried in the grill. We requested to pick up the cake on Feb. 23. We called today to verify when we could pick up the cake on the 23rd. The grill called the baker today, Feb. 21, and they said the baker would not bake the cake for us because she did not have time. That is a fine time to tell us. If we had not called, we not have known. Some service??! The grill should re-think using this person. I understand that the grill is not a fault but they are represented by this baker. Pretty poor excuse for taking responsibility. A simple phone call would have been appreciated. read more

Delicious breakfast this morning with 4 friends. Our orders were served hot and prepared perfectly as requested. Our server was attentive and friendly. We frequently recommend Sawmill to friends and always take out of town visitors there. We're thankful we have a local restaurant with local flavor. We are a big fan. read more

Been there for lunch 3x...usually after a morning of hard work. Each time I had fast friendly service. Large portion sizes make this a great value if you have built up an appetite. I always order the Po'Boy with flounder + extra slaw. Pretty good. This restaurant is not going to ever be a 5-star place...but it is a good place to go for a solid meal, large portions, and friendly service. read more

Great fried chicken! Place to go to when you want good home cooking. Have not had a bad meal there yet! Highly recommend the SWG.