Lakeshore Restaurant

Saguaro Lake is uniquely Arizona, according to John Hauskins.

Hauskins has a good idea what he is talking about. He owns the Lakeshore Restaurant at the lake. Every day, his views include that unique Arizona scenery: cactus, blue sky, water, and lots of birds.

“When you live in the desert, you are drawn to water,” Hauskins said. “The restaurant takes complete advantage of the beauty of the lake. We not only have wonderful scenery, we have great food.”

The restaurant is a place where you can stop by on your way to spend the day on a boat or when you want to have a quiet meal surrounded by beautiful scenery.

The Lakeshore has been around about 40 years.

People come from all over the world to eat at the restaurant and enjoy the views. Surprisingly, most of the visitors from other countries visit in the summer; winter visitors are here to escape the weather in places like Illinois and Minnesota..

The casual atmosphere of the restaurant is friendly and inviting. The food is plentiful and interesting, with dishes such as pan-fried walleye pike, chipotle pork tenderloin or baby back ribs. There is all you can eat fish and chips on Wednesdays and Fridays and all you can eat crab legs each Saturday from 4 p.m. to closing.

Breakfast features omelets, waffles, pancakes and eggs. Lunch offers a variety of sandwiches including burgers, chicken salad and barbecue pork. The establishment also offers desserts and has a full-service bar.

“The restaurant has been around a long time,” one of the managers, Becky Bashaw, said. “There have been changes in ownership and changes in menus, but what is so wonderful is the scenery hasn’t changed.”

The scenery is one of the attractions to the restaurant. Views of the Goldfield Mountains, Bulldog Cliffs and of course, Saguaro Lake make visitors want to sit and take it all in.

The outdoor patio is nearly always full, including in the summer when misters provide cooling. And in the winter when heaters are set up around the deck.

Bashaw said another reason people like the restaurant is because of the staff.

“We have a great staff,” she said. “They work hard to give our customers a memorable experience.”

Hauskins and his wife, Kim, who is restaurant co-owner, are assisted by John’s parents, his brother Dave and their four children. Rob Engle, the kitchen manager, makes sure the food is first-rate, Hauskins said.

The Lakeshore Restaurant is open Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The restaurant is located off of Highway 87 (Beeline Highway) at the Bush Highway, then to Saguaro Lake Marina. Call (480) 984-5311 for information. Reservations are taken for parties of eight or more.

This story was featured March 2007 .