Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin

The Sampler at the Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin comes with every kind of cookie they make, plus a mountain of ice cream on top.

When you live in Arizona, there is nothing better than snow.

As soon as the first snowflake falls from the sky, our phones are out as we record our desert scenery transforming into a winter wonderland. I mean, you havenโ€™t lived until you've tried to make the worldโ€™s tiniest snowman out of what little snow actually stuck to the ground.

While we get snow in Tucson once in a blue moon, Mount Lemmon, which is about 40 miles away, experiences snow days far more.

After a fun day of snowball fights, skiing down mountains and building actual snowmen, youโ€™ll want nothing more than to warm up with some good food and hot cocoa.

For those making the trip to have fun in the snow, Iโ€™ve complied a list of all the restaurants and cafes in Mount Lemmon to help make your snow day a delicious one.

Sawmill Run Restaurant

This family-run restaurant has its roots in Mount Lemmon. According to their website, the restaurant was named in honor of the two sawmills that were at this location, owned and operated by Mount Lemmon pioneer Tony Zimmerman. Now Zimmermanโ€™s son and great grandson own and manage the fast-casual Sawmill Run Restaurant.

Burgers, sandwiches and pizza are all on the menu. They even have poutine, which includes crispy fries topped with beef gravy, cheese curds and green onion, or you can order their Smokehouse Fries topped with pulled pork, barbecue sauce, cheddar cheese and chipotle sauce.

Location: 12976 N. Sabino Canyon Parkway

Check out their website for more information.

Iron Door Restaurant

After a long day of skiing and snowboarding, you might work up quite an appetite. Luckily, Ski Valley is home to the Iron Door Restaurant where you can grab a meal and warm up next to their giant fireplace.

Iron Door has both a lunch and breakfast menu with options like sandwiches, soups and pancakes. They are also famously known for their chili and cornbread.

Location: 10300 E. Ski Run Road

Check out their website for more information.

An employee from The Mount Lemmon Cookie Cabin Pizzeria and Bakery walks though two large trees beginning to change colors in front of the pizzeria and bakery in Summerhaven, Ariz., on October 8, 2020. 

Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin

No trip to Mount Lemmon is complete until you go to the Cookie Cabin.

This has been a local staple since it started back in 1990. Despite losing the original cabin in the 2003 Aspen Fire, the Cookie Cabin was rebuilt the following year and has been going strong since.

Stop by and get a giant (I mean as big as my head!!) chocolate chip, peanut butter or oatmeal cookie to go alongside your hot chocolate. Need something savory as well? The Cookie Cabin also makes cheese and pepperoni pizzas that can be sold in slices or by the whole pie.

Location: 12781 N. Sabino Canyon Park

Check out their website for more information.

Elevated Espresso

Itโ€™s never too cold for an iced coffee. At Elevated Espresso, you can warm up or cool down with one of their many drink options.

The menu includes everything from hot cocoa to peach matcha to a cinnamon roll latte. If you're not a coffee or tea person, try the orange creamsicle soda.

Location: 12903 N. Sabino Canyon Park

Check out their Instagram for more information. 

The Mt. Lemmon General Store sells fresh fudge, in addition to snacks and souvenirs. 

Mt. Lemmon General Store and Gift Shop

While this isnโ€™t a restaurant, it would be a huge disservice if you left Mount Lemmon without trying the famous fudge.

Since the Mt. Lemmon General Store and Gift Shop opened in 2000, their homemade fudge has the stayed on the minds of customers. Butter pecan, chocolate caramel nut, cookies โ€˜n cream and rocky road are just a few of the types of fudge made here. They even have special seasonal flavors that are just as delicious. It truly is a chocolate loverโ€™s dream.

Location: 12856 N. Sabino Canyon Parkway

Check out their website for more information. 

Pro tip: The Miner's Sweet Tooth in Ski Valley also has over 10 flavors of homemade fudge!

Mount Lemmon Lodge features games in the lobby, forest gardens, a gift shop, a Beyond Bread cafe and a Swedish sauna.

Beyond Bread

We're lucky to have several Beyond Bread locations in Tucson โ€” and now they have a cafe in Mount Lemmon too. Find the Beyond Bread cafe inside the Mount Lemmon Lodge for a selection of sandwiches, salads, soups and the mac and cheese that Tucsonans have fallen in love with. Don't forget the pastries!

Location: 12833 N. Sabino Canyon Park

Check out their website for more information.


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Jamie Donnelly is the food writer for #ThisIsTucson. Contact her via e-mail at jdonnelly@tucson.com