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    The Sawyer

    3.9 (180 reviews)
    Closed Closed

    The Sawyer Photos

    THE SAWYER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - The Sawyer

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    Reviews With Photos

    Burger
    Stephanie Y.

    If you have kids, The Sawyer has been a great spot for some fun family dining a bit outside of town in Truckee. Nestled in the private community of Schaeffer's Mill, the Sawyer is the "club" for those that live there, but for us normies that don't live in the gated community, it's a restaurant open to the public ONLY with reservations (that are limited times). Seemingly you can only get a rezzie before 5pm. Fine with us. Beautiful views, surrounded by trees, the outdoor patio dining in the summer was a treat. The food is a solid 4, but between ambiance and service, it's really great. Inside is large and airy, and quite popular, with a beautiful bar area, as well. It's nestled on the 'Square', a green space, where we enjoyed our drinks while the kids played with a ball we always have in our car, while we waited for our food. Adjacent is a great playground for kids. Foodwise - really good. I've had better, but honestly, for Truckee, it's good and prices comparative as dining in town. The blueberry watercress salad with salmon was great, the steak baguette was more served on Dutch Crunch vs a French baguette and was huge and indulgent, the burgers have been solid and the kids loved the kids menu with pizza and burgers. I wouldn't order the Caesar again, but that was just me. We did back to back Friday nights at The Sawyer and we agreed: a great spot for family friendly dining.

    Crispy bird
    Jill C.

    Recently came back to the Sawyer again for another dinner. They warned us (both the hostess and the server) that the kitchen was really backed up and food could take upwards of 25 minutes. Not ideal, but we figured we'd get drinks and see how it went. We ordered the burrata board to start with a blueberry bourbon smash cocktail. Cocktail was tasty but noticed the blueberry garnish still has stems on it. Burrata board was very tasty - the berries and tomatoes were so fresh and lovely. The crackers were plain but we loved the toasted baguette slices. For entrees we got the steak sandwich and the millionaire burger. Both were cooked beautifully and as we asked. The steak was one solid piece which felt an odd choice for a sandwich (rather than chopped or sliced) but was tasty. Atmosphere was lively - we were seated near a fireplace closer to the bar area. One note: the booth we were seated in could have used a wipe down and vacuum...lots of crumbs in the corners. Overall a great place to go for a bite when we are feeling too lazy to cook.

    Short rib
    Mary D.

    We came here to celebrate my wife's birthday and we sat at the bar. The bartender (teresa?) was lovely. She was super friendly and knowledgeable. She makes excellent drinks as well. I ordered the short rib and it was heavenly. The restaurant is located in a gated community and gold course. Nice restaurant with good vibes. Will definitely make a trip back here when we are in town.

    Lauren L.

    Came here twice in one week on vacation. First with our son, all the food was impeccable. Waygu burger was beyond, tied for my favie burger ever. Towards the end of the week we came back again, just my husband and I. After a very long day driving around the lake because of a visit on the trashy south side of the lake, I didn't want to go to our reserved restaurant and instead wanted to return here. It was another delicious meal. One of the best!

    Blueberry and watercress salad with crispy salmon filet
    Adriane M.

    The food was great and servers were on top of it. We ordered a mix of salads, entrees, apps and the cookie skillet for dessert. We had an energetic toddler in our party and the staff were patient and friendly with her too.

    Steak
    Amanda M.

    Excellent Food & Service. Chef knows what they are doing! Beautiful restaurant. Try to snag outdoor table overlooking the golf course. Definitely would return & recommend to all!

    Chicken fried chicken
    John K.

    Excellent place to take in a view for an early dinner. Great pizzas. Burgers. And fried chicken. Place is nice enough for date night or a special occasion and also casual enough for the kids or to watch a game. Go early (before sunset) because the views are amazing! Friend chicken A- Burger A+ Pizza B+ Brussels C+ Gabby was our server and she made the experience so enjoyable and fun. Thanks gabby!

    Burger

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    Omg! The rib appetizers might just be the best ribs I've ever had. We'll be back for sure.

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - The Sawyer

    Visiting from Bay Area and want to treat our Truckee friends to lunch. Need warm outdoor seating. Have a small dog who can be crated if necessary.Reservations?

    Hello Jomary, We will be happy to welcome your party to The Sawyer! Can you let me know how many… Read more

    Are dogs allowed on the patio?

    Yes dogs are allowed on the patio if leashed and quiet. I've seen several people bring their leashed dogs and they sit under the tabLes outside. So nice. They can't allow them indoors

    View All 3 Questions

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    Truckee Tavern and Grill - Roasted carrots

    Truckee Tavern and Grill

    3.8(608 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$$

    We keep coming back to Truckee Tavern every time we're in town, and it keeps earning it. The food…read moreis reliable across the board, which is harder than it sounds for a full-service bar and grill. The mushroom quinoa veggie burger and the half-pound cheeseburger are our go-to orders and have never let us down. The coffee roasted carrots are genuinely worth ordering. They're not what you'd expect, and they're good enough that we've ordered them the last two times. The 10 oz. bistro filet is worth trying if you're in the mood for something more substantial. Portions are solid without being excessive. The bar is a real draw. Full bar, decent wine list, and the service at the bar is attentive without being pushy. The cocktails are well made. The old fashioned in the photo says everything you need to know. What surprised us most: the to-go orders are actually good. We've been burned by to-go from places we love before, so this was a pleasant surprise. Quality holds up. They take reservations and handle groups well. Go ahead and book ahead if you're coming on a weekend. Get the carrots. Order a cocktail at the bar while you wait for your table.

    Usually our absolute fave! But quality is slipping. Not sure why... and so sad about it!…read more This place has been so special to us for years. Amazing service. Dynamite and delicious food. The best roasted carrots (usually!) But the other night we took friends there after raving. Hats off to the amazing host for seating us even though we accidentally made the wrong reservation date (their friendly service is still stellar!!) My pork chop was overcooked even after saying let the chef decide how to cook it. Dry and hard to cut. The normally amazing roasted carrots? Meh. Had a strange taste we didn't like. Maybe the coffee rub? Just seemed hard and flavorless. And my husband and son shared a ribeye that was overdone even though they asked for medium rare. Too tough on outside for sure. The mashed potatoes still rock. And they were out of TWO their signature cocktails. Poor planning? Or take it off the menu. Not sure if the chef or management has changed but I really really hope they get it back together. As I said, this place has meant a lot to us over the years. Hope it was just an off night?

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    Truckee Tavern and Grill - Beautiful bar - amazing bourbon selection!

    Beautiful bar - amazing bourbon selection!

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    Alibi Ale Works - Truckee Public House - beer, food and friends

    Alibi Ale Works - Truckee Public House

    4.2(404 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$
    Large group friendly
    Free parking

    I don't normally leave reviews on first time visits, but I felt compelled based on the outstanding…read morevisit. This is possibly the best experience I've had in 2026. They have an excellent and diverse selection in beers. They have something for every beer drinker! Angela the bartender is an amazing and very knowledgeable bartender. I suggest you go in and ask for her! Food was delightful. I had the trout sandwich and stated off with a flight! All the people here were welcoming and engaging! I am ready to come back tomorrow! I love the people here! Darn! I forgot to get one of their homemade pretzels!

    While visiting Truckee, I decided to stop by Alibi Ale Works for a beer and a pretzel…read more Unfortunately, the mustache pretzel was a little greasy this time--I think they may have gone a bit heavy on the butter. It wasn't quite as good as I remembered. That said, the cheese sauce and ground mustard were great complements. On the beer side, I tried their Contradiction (Golden Mocha Stout), which was very good. I also had their Hazy IPA - Chance of Clouds, and that was excellent as well--actually better than I remembered. As we were leaving, they were getting ready for a Friday night trivia event and the place was starting to fill up quickly. It had a fun, lively atmosphere. Overall, I'd recommend stopping by and would definitely return.

    Photos
    Alibi Ale Works - Truckee Public House - Wide range of tasty Alibi beers

    Wide range of tasty Alibi beers

    Alibi Ale Works - Truckee Public House
    Alibi Ale Works - Truckee Public House - Heated outdoor seating in large beer garden

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    Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar - Brunch is bomb

    Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar

    3.5(811 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$$

    A delightful local spot to take in sunset overlooking downtown Truckee. My friend suggested this…read moreplace for my visit and this place has apparently been around for years. I was a little concerned on my drive up to the spot, since you turn off the main road, go up the hill and onto a side street with more than its fair share of potholes. We had a later reservation (7:30 pm) and even though it was a Friday night, the dining room was fairly quiet by the time we arrived. I was seated next to the window and my server, Lee, introduced himself. I was there in time to see the sun dip below the hills and the lights come up on the Main Street below. It really does offer a picturesque view. My friend arrived and she ordered their "famous" Caesar salad and I got the crispy chicken sandwich. We were both quite happy with our choices. I tried hers and the dressing had a touch more anchovy than I prefer, but that's why I don't order Caesar salads. My chicken sandwich came with a generous heap of fries, lightly spiced, and I enjoyed the cabbage and the fact that the bun held up to the contents well. There is a decent wine selection as well as a full bar and signature cocktails, for those who want to imbibe. I went with a cup of Earl Grey, since I'd driven up from the Bay Area and needed a drop of caffeine to stay alert. We shared their carrot cake for dessert and it hit its mark. Not overly sweet, a hint of cream cheese in the frosting. Lee's service was friendly, but not intrusive. We were well taken care of. The food is more than decent, not groundbreaking, but perfect for a good meal after travel or a long day. It also feels like a local's place, not trying too hard to attract tourists. Don't miss stepping outside on the deck. There's a vintage red neon sign that announces Hilltop Lodge that makes for a fun photo op and another great view.

    It was difficult finding a restaurant for dinner, however, we got lucky with a cancelled…read morereservation! Highly recommend making one as it can get very busy! Nonetheless, the service was still attentive. It was quite busy so it took approximately an hour for our food to come out Unfortunately my friend did not like her pasta as it did not have enough salt and the noodles were over cooked. Luckily our server took that off our check! The steak AMAZING! By far the juiciest & cooked to perfection The onion soup was great as well and full of flavor! I wish they gave bread on the side or in a bread bowl The ambiance was medium to loud noice level. This restaurant is medium to large size party friendly

    Photos
    Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar - Bar side interior

    Bar side interior

    Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar - Onion soup & pasta

    Onion soup & pasta

    Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar - Cute hilltop vibes

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    Jax At The Tracks - Half strawberry Belgium waffle

    Jax At The Tracks

    3.5(2.1k reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    Pretty good brunch spot. They were popular on a Memorial Day holiday - we waited 20 mins for an…read moreoutside table. Good varied menu. They have all the classic brunch items. We ordered huevos rancheros which was really good. It came with tortilla chips and that really helped. Also they gave an entire avocado! Half inside , half outside. The staff was attentive. The only downside is it's next to an Amtrak railway (hence the name). We had a sleeping toddler in the stroller and the loud bursts of the horn woke her up. Plus side is you can watch the train go by.

    I have been here before and thought the food was good so I didn't hesitate to recommend this to my…read morehusband for dinner one night- granted I had been here about 25 years ago prior. Love the idea of this place, it was quiet and had the place to ourselves it seemed. The service was fantastic! But the food fell a little short of our expectations! The banana milkshake was great. The burgers were good according to my husband and son but the BLT was such a disappointment and the onion rings had burned bits all in the bottom of the tray. I don't like their "plates"- not sure how they clean and maintain the cutting board they serve the food on but seems like a breeding ground for bacteria? Just not a fan. I was hoping after being on Diners Drive-ins and Dives that the quality should be there, even something as simple and basic as a BLT should be stellar or just take it off of the menu. Sadly I won't be coming back- prices were high for the quality.

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    Jax At The Tracks
    Jax At The Tracks - Fried Zucchini

    Fried Zucchini

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    Vanila caramel shake

    The Sawyer - newamerican - Updated June 2026

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