Mike Shubic (Mike's Road Trip)
Google
I've been coming to The Farm at South Mountain for years and always try to make a stop when I'm in this part of the Valley. It’s such a unique and special place—there’s nothing quite like it in Phoenix. The setting is peaceful and picturesque, with beautiful gardens, towering pecan trees, and charming pathways that make for a lovely walk before or after your meal. They even have chicken coops and scenic spots perfect for weddings. Many of the ingredients served at the restaurants come straight from the gardens, which adds to the farm-to-table charm.
One of the things that sets The Farm apart is how they’ve separated the dining experiences—there’s a spot for breakfast, another for lunch, and one for dinner. I've never been for dinner but have always wanted to go. For lunch, you order at a small venue near the front of the property and then head outside to find a table under the shade of the pecan trees or on the patio. It’s a casual, relaxed atmosphere.
That said, I was pretty disappointed with my recent lunch experience. While the setting was still beautiful, the food felt overpriced and underwhelming. My chicken salad sandwich on multigrain bread completely fell apart as I tried to eat it—the bread just crumbled, leaving me with a handful of chicken salad. The strawberry salad was tasty but small and lacking in variety. The iced tea was not cold, so when they added ice and served it, it was melted and watered down by the time we got to our table. Everything felt a bit minimalist for the price point.
Speaking of prices, lunch for three was over $80—with sandwiches at $18, small salads the same, and cookies over $5 each. And while I don’t mind tipping for good service, the presence of tip jars felt out of place when there's no real service being provided—you order at the counter, pick up your food from a window, and bus your own table.
I’ll always have a soft spot for The Farm and will probably continue to visit for the atmosphere, but I really hope they reevaluate the value and experience of their lunch offerings. It’s still a special place, but this time, the food didn’t live up to it.