We drove up to about the 8,000 foot mark for an 11am hike on Memorial Day. Traffic was moderate but never congested. Trail heads along the way were consistently half full. Bear in mind that Catalina Mountain sits in a national park and requires a parking pass for all the trailheads. We always get the annual national parks pass ($80) for our Saguaro Natl Monument and Sabino Canyon visits. The pass is good at many national parks across the country including our own Grand Canyon. Side note - the pass is not required if you're only going to Summer Haven and visiting the shops/restaurants. After our run-hike we headed up to Summer Haven and stopped at the Sawmill Restaurant for a bite and potty break. The venue resembles a (large) standard diner with about 20+ oak-ish tables and booths inside and another 10 metal tables outside on their two patios. While the restaurant was only 1/4 full at 1:30p the parking lot was 90+% full. We weren't famished so we decided to split their Sawmill smash burger ($15) and their interesting, flame grilled blue oyster mushrooms ($19). Sides, such as fries are all extra and we decided not to get any this time. Fountain drinks are bottomless and can be self-filled or (as in our case) waitstaff thoughtfully insisted on doing refills for us. Both entrees arrived in about 10-12 minutes and were quite good. The lone critique was how small each portion was but I understand how costly it must be to haul all ingredients and employees up/down Mt. Lemmon which leaves only two options - smaller portions or higher costs. On this unbusy Monday afternoon staff was friendly and attentive and tables and bathrooms were all clean. One small note: dogs are not allowed inside the restaurant but are welcome outside (signs are clearly posted and, as we left, one inbound couple with dog was politely asked to go out to the patio). read more

Sawmill Run Restaurant - Full menu 5/2026 - New American Near Me - Mount Lemmon, Arizona

The service was excellent, and the views from the patio were absolutely amazing, that was definitely the highlight of our visit. We ordered the cheeseburger, but the patty tasted like a frozen, pre-made burger and was a bit chewy. The fries also seemed like they were frozen rather than freshly made. We enjoyed the beers from Slow Body, but at $8 per can, they felt a bit overpriced. If you're looking for a great place to enjoy the scenery and a drink, it's worth a stop. However, I'd recommend going somewhere else if you're looking for a satisfying meal. read more

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This is a decent restaurant with good food. It is in Summerhaven on Mt Lemmon. IMO this area is a tourist area. So finding a restaurant that serves good food. And isn't over the top expensive isn't bad. The staff is usually friendly and efficient. They have a bar which serves drinks. A great patio where you can kick back and enjoy. The hamburgers are good. They have a good variety of food, drinks and desserts. A great place to stop and refuel yourself after a hike or drive in this beautiful cool spot that offers a respite from the city read more

Sawmill Run Restaurant - A cool coke with a view - New American Near Me - Mount Lemmon, Arizona

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We were there promptly at lunchtime, a little after noon, but they were out of almost everything we wanted to order. No Rueben, no beet salad, no steak sandwich, no cole slaw for the sandwich, etc. The pulled pork I (and another dining companion) ordered instead was soggy, and maybe the sauce was mixed into the pork, but no visible extra on top or on the side. Flavor was okay but couldn't taste the sauce, and maybe it really did need the cole slaw on it? Fries on the side were good. I tried the Cesar salad a different dining companion ordered, which was flavorful, but was missing the croutons. Another diner enjoyed her blt, her second choice. The iced tea was pretty good. What an uneven meh experience overall. We sat outside, which was lovely. And the service was good all the way around. One suggestion though, go the extra mile and give us all the cutlery! No knives were given to anyone, and forks weren't given to all. Kind of odd to decide who gets what when we all wanted and needed more ultimately. read more

Sawmill Run Restaurant - Prickly Pear Pulled Pork Sandwich - New American Near Me - Mount Lemmon, Arizona

This is probably the only restaurant in Mount Lemmon (that's open after 5pm anyway). Service is great! View is great! Food was pretty good too! We shared the chicken sandwich (and I'm glad we did because it was huge!) and it came with a boatload of yummy fries. I had a margarita and it was delicious! Definitely worth a stop. read more

Sawmill Run Restaurant - New American Near Me - Mount Lemmon, Arizona

The last time I went to the Sawmill was about six years ago and it wasn't very good. This visit was improved. The food is still OK. I went with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised that the food is somewhat improved. The customer service and the staff were all wonderful, welcoming and attentive, so my rating factors in the service. I ordered the classic burger, the grilled cheese on barrio bread for my daughter, and my husband ordered the braised beef with polenta from the chef's special menu. The food was all a-ok, my only suggestion would be to change the fries. They serve the battered type of french fry that I'm just not a huge fan of. If you haven't been before, do note that it is order at the counter. Grab napkins, disposable forks/knives, condiments etc. If you happen to order from the chefs menu special, you get a linen napkin and real silverware. We found that was funny but I guess they are trying to create a more elevated experience with their chef specials. read more

Our lunch was absolutely wonderful! I ordered the fire‑grilled oyster mushrooms, and they were incredible. If you love mushrooms, I highly recommend this dish. The flavor was outstanding -- the mushrooms were perfectly grilled and served with a sweet date glaze over a silky cashew purée. It completely blew my mind. As someone who adores mushrooms, this dish didn't just meet my expectations, it exceeded them. read more

Sawmill Run Restaurant - Fire-grilled oyster mushrooms- outstanding!!!! Try it if you like mushrooms! - New American Near Me - Mount Lemmon, Arizona

This place had some pretty good stuff about it over all to me. Service was alright. Prices were high, but not too bad for the area. I had the southwest burger. It was pretty good. My friemd had the reuben ans that was definitely good. What really sucked though was the onion rings. Greasy, bland and not crispy. Those managed to leave me with a bit of a queeze feeling. I can see returning to this place possibly, but definitely staying away from the onion rings. read more

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Stopped here for lunch and lucked out with a coveted table on the patio--definitely the best place to dine in the summer, as you can see. Service was quick and friendly. You order and pay at the counter, then they bring the food to your table and clear everything when you're done. Super efficient! Just a heads-up: no saving tables--you order first, then grab a seat. I went with the Bob's Burger, which came with lettuce, tomato, onion, green chile, and was supposed to include bacon--sadly, mine didn't. I didn't notice until later. The burger had good flavor, but it came with no condiments and was a bit dry, even after adding mustard and ketchup. I had asked for grilled onions, which it had, but oddly they were cold. On the bright side, I splurged on a crisp root beer instead of my usual water--and it totally hit the spot. We shared a side of onion rings, which were excellent--crispy, golden, and a generous portion for just $4. My husband ordered the Reuben with an Arnold Palmer and really enjoyed it. The sandwich looked fantastic and was generously packed with beef. Overall, it was a great lunch--solid portions, reasonable prices (especially for a resort area), and a lovely outdoor setting. read more

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Loved the experience! We had a veg sandwich, French dip & strudel. All very good ............... read more

Sawmill Run Restaurant - New American Near Me - Mount Lemmon, Arizona

Wow! Did not expect to have my mind blown at mt Lemmon Sawmill Restaurant but that's what happened ! My vegan lionsmane steak with chimchurri & carrot puree was a HIT ! Sooooooo yummyyyyy . Fantastic delicacy.Then off to try the lemon loaf & O M G , one of the best I've ever had . A must stop ! read more

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For hot, local food, I think I've found my favorite place on Mount Lemmon to eat! I was skeptical about all the reviews saying that this restaurant has the best chili they've ever had, so I had to try. Every review that says it's the best--THEY ARE RIGHT! I agree with them. I ordered a bowl of chili. When I got it, it smelled amazing. Lots of spices. After stirring it, I found steam, so I was glad I was getting a HOT bowl of chili and it wasn't just warm. The windows had great views of the snow on the community center's roof and the mountain full of snow. Perfect backdrop for a bowl of hot chili. But back to the chili! It's very hearty. A great combination of beans, meat, and veggies. It's not spicy hot, but it also doesn't taste like some stock tomato paste from a can. Definitely house made! And the chunks of tomato and sprinkle of cheese on top is the chef's kiss. There are tables and booths, even a bar. But the bar doesn't look to be open. The music playing is just the right volume. The patrons aren't shouting to talk over it. A great first experience! read more

Sawmill Run Restaurant - Bowl of chili and Diet Coke! So good! - New American Near Me - Mount Lemmon, Arizona

We had a fairly large group and the staff handled our order efficiently. We ordered at the counter and they gave us numbers to bring our food out to us as it was ready. I ordered the Rueben sandwich and asked for a few changes to meet my dietary needs. They were happy to accommodate those. The food came out in a decent amount of time and everyone got theirs within a few minutes of each other. My sandwich was good, with lots of meat. The meat was a tad dry, but still good. The salad was basically lettuce with some pickled red onions and lots of croutons. The staff did a good job of removing plates as people finished. The restaurant had kind of a rustic look, like you'd expect to see in a mountain lodge. It's a bit on the high priced side. read more

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Went a second time and tried the watermelon radish salad on mint sprouts- very tasty. Beautiful presentation too for the grilled Caesar salad, but chicken was very dry. read more

Sawmill Run Restaurant - Grilled Caesar salad - New American Near Me - Mount Lemmon, Arizona

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Great service, fast and friendly. The food was good. So good I forgot to take pics. The onion rings are thick and cooked to perfection. The peach strudel was delicious. Highly recommend. read more

Miserable and overpriced food. I got the PB&J burger and it had basically no peanut butter nor jelly flavor. Bottom bun was soggy and greasy, and the overall taste of the patty was underwhelming. The bacon was crispy at least. The fries were fine, but cost $4 extra. Truly a terrible experience for a $17 burger with $4 fries. This business knows they can overcharge for mediocre quality because they are one of few restaurants available on the mountain, as evident by the lack of passion in their food. Don't waste your hard-earned money on this shit - bring your own lunch up to the mountain. Grill something. Have a potluck with your family at the campgrounds. I promise it'll be better. read more

A great day to explore and have lunch. We sat on the patio. It's very rustic and it was a great day. You order and they bring it out. I had chicken finger and fries and yummy. The ranch is premade it's ehhh. The bbq sauce is good. read more

Sawmill Run Restaurant - Enjoyed the patio - New American Near Me - Mount Lemmon, Arizona

We stayed at the Mount Lemmon over the weekend and stopped by for an early dinner. The strawberry rhubarb margarita was so delicious and a new take (and the fruit syrup was made in house by the chef). The bartender (Cecilia, I believe) was attentive, funny, and really made it a great visit. I'm not sure how she managed making so many perfect cocktails and drinks AND running food. She was the definition of grace under fire! My partner had a burger and fries, and I had the prickly pear bbq pulled pork fries. The amount of food for my "appetizer" was enormous! The generous portion of pork was incredibly tender and flavorful. They close early in the off season, like our visit in April, so we needed to be done by 5pm. The outside was full of bikers and cyclists and tourists, with more families inside at booths and tables. Whoever was in charge of the music played a nice mix of dreamy, slower country that fit just right. It's clear that the chef has talent and a personal passion from what's offered on the seasonal menu. They had an espresso rubbed grass fed skirt steak, a light caviar and creme fraiche tart, roasted bone marrow, seared lion's mane mushroom and polenta, and lots more. There are also everyday options for all tastes. This is the most interesting place to eat up the mountain! read more

Sawmill Run Restaurant - Strawberry rhubarb margarita with a gold sugar rim - New American Near Me - Mount Lemmon, Arizona

It seems like they've recently revamped their menu to include more upscale options. My sister had the burger and thought it was just okay, which aligns with many other reviews. I'd recommend skipping the burger and trying their more unique offerings instead. The Salmon BLT (served warm) was honestly one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. The Henny wings were also incredible--probably the best wings I've tasted. I wasn't a fan of the Wild Mushroom with Pumpkin Coconut Purée, but my boyfriend enjoyed it. I wish I had noticed the Fall drink specials earlier. Instead, I tried the Mt. Lemmon Mule, which was just okay, and I didn't really enjoy the Loma Linda Rita. read more

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Fantastic food, hi quality. The burgers are prepared perfectly. Order the onion rings, best I've had so far. Service is friendly and attentive. Great decor, the smell of the wood grill brought the whole experience together. read more

Lunch for 4 last week, but eaten here many times. Ambiance is always nice, hard to beat the view from the patio. Surprisingly good bar service. Menu is eclectic, but mostly sandwiches. We tried the deep fried asparagus as an appetizer which was actually pretty good, but the breading was a bit heavy. I had the Bob's burger - the toppings were very good but the patty was pretty dry. My wife had the beet salad which was beautifully presented but could have used some fresh herbs or something to jazz up the flavor of the beets a bit. This is an "order at the counter" place, and our food came out in a reasonable period of time give the crush of cyclists that arrived before we did. Overall the service here is decent considering how hard it must be find someone a 45 minute drive from Tucson! This is still the best place in Summerhaven for lunch - it has it's issues, but better than all the alternatives. read more

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Food was good. Service was good with the outdoor seating. Great place to plan a day trip for lunch and check out Mount Lemmon's view. It would be great to be dog friendly. read more

I arrived maybe 10-15 minutes before closing and was informed that the dining room was closed so food had to be to-go which was what I had intended anyway (there were about 3-4 tables of people still eating in there). The dining room was decent enough, it felt like a proper mountain lodge. Cold outside, but beautiful scenery of the mountain town from the patio seating area. The food was bland unfortunately, my fries looked soggy and dull as can be seen from the photo but it was actually crisp and decent. The burger was disappointing though, it was dry and overcooked but I still ate it all anyway. I'll try something different from the menu next time and see about the dine-in experience. read more

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Good food, reasonable prices, and great service. The outdoor patio area is very nice and the surrounding scenery is also very pretty. This is a great place to escape the Tucson heat. read more

Stopped in for a simple snack and ended up ordering lunch. Service with a smile. Food was very tasty and good size servings. Did not go away hungry. Love the building design and mountain atmosphere. Everyone was so friendly. read more

My Ruben was good. Others enjoyed their burger, chicken strips and chicken Cesar salad. The service was friendly and quick. The restaurant was clean and inviting. Be sure to checkout their website for full menu items as other places have out of date menu for them. read more

Sawmill Run Restaurant - Ruben and side salad - New American Near Me - Mount Lemmon, Arizona

I have been to the Sawmill two times. I had a burger and tried one of the new dishes fries with pork on top. The burgers are excellent with a slight BBQ taste. The fries were excellent as well. You can make a meal from the fries alone. I will be back again! The service is friendly and efficient. The restaurant has a nice large outdoor deck too. read more

Several burger options, tasty mixed drinks, mountain top pricing. Poutine was excellent and full of cheese. Seasonal apple butter burger was okay, but not special, with a very small smattering of appl butter. Sweet potato tots were a hit with the table. read more

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A Disappointing Experience at The Saw Mill I took a special trip with my daughters to The Saw Mill restaurant for a relaxing Saturday meal. Unfortunately, our experience was ruined by an unpleasant interaction with an older woman who worked there. Before we received our order, I went to get a basket near the condiment area at the front of the restaurant. The woman abruptly and rudely told me not to take it, saying there were condiments on the table. It wasn't what she said, but how she said it -- her tone and manner were unnecessarily aggressive. I was shocked and disappointed. As a paying customer, I didn't expect to be spoken to that way. I returned to our table, but my appetite and the enjoyment of our outing were gone. I rarely write reviews, but I feel it's important to share this experience. Kindness and respect go a long way, and I truly hope the management addresses how customers are treated. Enid Yubeta Riesgo read more

My friends and I came here to eat after a hike, and overall it was ok. The sweet potato tots had a nice cinnamonny flavor to them that I don't normally get with sweet potato fries/tots, so that was good. The sandwich was a good size, and the pulled pork was decent. It came in a potato bun with bbq sauce and slaw on the side. I don't have any major complaints about the meal. It just was not anything particularly to rave about. There are not many food options up on Mount Lemmon, and this one was satisfactory for a filling meal after a tiring hike! read more

Sawmill Run Restaurant - Pulled pork sandwich with sweet tots - New American Near Me - Mount Lemmon, Arizona

I saw many positive reviews so we decided to try-there must've been a change in the kitchen since all the positive reviews because it was terrible. The "chef special" was terrible. The citrus salad I ordered was overpriced and came with huge pieces of lettuce with no knife and 2 pieces of citrus. The onion rings must've been someone else's order because they came out 2 mins after we placed the order and they were saturated with oil and cold. We then waited for 25 minutes for a burger and a stew. The burger did not have the "peanut butter gravy" or the huckleberry jam. I asked to have it added and it took another 10 minutes for them to send it back out with a dab of peanut butter (literally just a spoonful of it with no alteration) and still didn't have the jam. Oh! And the "candied" jalapeños were just regular sliced jalapeños. The burger was overcooked. The stew was full of fat and had no potatoes-only a few carrots. We will never go again. read more

Food was just okay, but that wasn't the issue. The service model is not something we're into. Stand in a (long) line at a counter to order the food, take a number and wait for someone to bring it, meanwhile it's packed and I just hope we get a seat so I had my wife wait at the table while I ordered, which inevitably leads to an incorrect order being placed. read more

The food! It was worse than fast food. Served warm and dry. Sweet potato fries were cold. The burger seemed like a frozen patty from the grocery store and the prices were very high for what you got. It is of course one of the only spots to eat. Would have definitely eaten before we went up the mountain. read more

Very disappointed with the experience, especially from a place that advertises itself as family-friendly. The customer service was incredibly rude and unprofessional. When I raised my concerns with the manager, she was just as dismissive and offered no real solution -- only excusing the behavior by saying her employee was "tired." That's not an acceptable reason for treating customers poorly. Definitely not the welcoming, family-oriented environment they claim to offer. I won't be returning. read more

For being a restaurant hidden at the top of the mountain, the food was pretty good! Classic smash burger was on point and the sweet potato tots were way better than they needed to be! Nice patio to enjoy the cool weather and a bar for a couple cocktails to make the experience even more enjoyable. read more

Very pleasant. I had blue burger, unique and delicious. Tasted mushroom and Caesar salad, also very good. Sat on patio, very relaxing and pleasant. Bar looked pleasant too. They have cool pies too. I highly recommend. Ramp for wheelchairs. read more

I hadn't been here before when I had been up to mt. Lemmon but I have a little bit of a mixed review. The inside is really charming, I also heard there's a lovely patio. The staff was friendly and helpful . We ordered burgers to go one of the nights and they were so delicious.. I forgot to take a picture! We literally just inhaled them! I definitely recommend the sweet potato tots! We went back for breakfast so the following morning, and I was a tad disappointed. I read about the biscuits and gravy and they sounded so good but I feel like my biscuit was kind of dry and there was not enough gravy and I wish there had been an egg on top. When I was also disappointed about is the cup of water I received that is so small like two sips of water (picture included) . I do feel like if I order a meal I should be able to get a real cup, especially if I am sitting and eating in the restaurant. ) Just my two cents. Otherwise good place with options for everyone. Also good to note they have a full bar and plenty of parking. read more

Driving to the top of Mount Lemmon works up an appetite. There are not many choices to eat here but this is a good place. I had the Rueben and my spouse had a burger. They were both quite tasty and definitely made the trip back down more enjoyable. read more

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The lions mane over creamy parsnip was fabulous and the fresh beet salad with pink grapefruit over hummus with a chipotle vinaigrette was outstanding! This is a walk up to order restaurant with comfortable seating. Great chef! read more

Sawmill Run Restaurant - Beet salad and lions mane - New American Near Me - Mount Lemmon, Arizona

On the road to the summit of Mt Lemmon. If you don't eat here, you better bring your own food. This is your only choice. Nice service. Excellent views. Clean bathrooms. Thats all pretty good. Menu is hamburger centric. Few other non meat offerings but not much. The salmon sandwich was decent. read more

Sawmill Run Restaurant - tables and chairs with umbrellas - New American Near Me - Mount Lemmon, Arizona