First Watch

Love this place! You can eat your normal yummy pancakes, eggs & bacon or eat really healthy! They have gluten free options too. The menu offers so much. Clean, nice employees & prices are good, so is the coffee! I believe I’ve had most of the food on the menu! I started eating at First Watch when they opened years ago in Sarasota, hence the Siesta Key Cocktail, yum! If you haven’t tried this place it’s a must, it will not disappoint.

1^st time here and we where pleasantly surprised. We’ve passed it so many times and finally decided to try it out and now it’s our favorite breakfast spot. I get the hash skillet and my wife orders a omelet usually and we love both locations we’ve been to.

A bit pricey but the service is stellar and the food is frikken fantastic. Join the email club and get coupons for discounted meals. Yum!

This is a great breakfast place that serves healthy food fast. The prices were not too bad compared to the quality of food, and the service was great! I will definitely be going back soon and would recommend it for breakfast or brunch.

Needed to treat myself after a long weekend of working overtime. I had the Florentine Eggs Benedict and was surprised by the powerful flavors. Everything was perfect, order came out quickly and server was attentive and made welcoming suggestions. Was even given a cup of coffee «to go».

hoooly wow! what a great place for breakfast! My breakfast bowl was fresh and hot and delicious! no doubt ill be back!

Was here early, like shortly after they opened, and service was efficient and food arrived surprisingly quick. It was excellent breakfast at a reasonable price. In fact, was cheaper than other breakfasts I have had a similar places. I had the juice of the day and an omelet as well as a side of bacon. My only complaint was that the crispy bacon was not really crispy and so I am knocking one point. At nearly a dollar a slice, I should be able to get the bacon cooked the way that I like it, and when I specify crispy and crunchy they should take the hint that does not mean limp and soggy.

My husband picked this place out because conveniently it was right across the street from our hotel (which I will next write a review on).
This restaurant is located in a shopping a center and the inside is so cozy!
Their menu has ALOT of variety & let me tell you I was pleasantly surprised. I had some waffles with bacon and house potatoes and it was very very good. I tasted some of my husbands oatmeal pancakes and they were very good as well.
Must try if you’re in the mood for a healthy breakfast.
Enjoy

I’ve visited a few other First Watch locations, but wasn’t overly impressed with the Fowler restaurant. I met a friend here last weekend for a late brunch. You’d be hard-​pressed to find this place without a wait. This was my first time dining here, but she mentioned that it had been redecorated since she had last visited. The interior is very country chic, with wooden accents and sleek black light fixtures.
We had put our names on the waiting list through the NoWait app, so we were seated pretty quickly once we arrived. I’m lactose intolerant, so I was hoping for a dairy-​free milk substitute so I could enjoy an iced coffee. Now it isn’t a deal breaker if a place doesn’t offer one, because I rarely drink coffee anyway and I understand the demand isn’t high. When I asked the server, she informed me that there wasn’t one available. however, I could use the creamer packets on the table since they were dairy-​free. I thought about it and decided I’d give it a shot. I guess she was confused, because she told me she couldn’t make one without milk once I had decided to ask for the iced coffee. Well, okay. I guess water will do.
I decided to go with the traditional breakfast, which came with two eggs, a choice of meat, seasoned potatoes, and an English muffin. I also substituted my English muffin for fruit. The fruit cup was underwhelming. It contained three small grapes, a piece of pineapple, and a chunk of melon (and I don’t eat pineapple or melon. darn). Luckily, my friend ordered more than she could finish so she gave me her cup. My eggs were over easy as requested, but a bit under cooked. However, the potatoes and turkey sausage were both very good. Everything
It’s really hard to find restaurants that offer healthy choices that are also delicious. I’m happy to be surrounded by so many First Watch restaurants, because I know I can always find fresh food at a good price.

The rare FIVE STARS! Breakfast doesn’t get much better than this. Allergy friendly, substitute most items without issue, and the meal starts with free coffee. I had the veggie omelet, egg white substitution at no extra charge. The kitchen omitted dairy for my allergy and offered to substitute the bread with fruit. How nice! The greens on the plate are lightly dressed and delicious. I had the Morning Meditation juice– I could drink it all day, every day. Soooo good. My guy had the Bacon Avocado omelet and loved it. Best of all, 3 people (3 entrees, one pressed juice, one OJ, added side potatoes) bill was $ 39. Service was fast even in a packed house. This place warms my heart. You can feel the love and see the effort. Thanks to management. We’ll DEFINITELY be back.
UPDATE!!! The coffee at the table will SEEM complimentary, but it’s NOT. $ 2.69 per person. Not awesome when it’s so misleading, as free coffee is available in the front waiting area. Not a fan of surprises. Would be bad for a family on a budget.

This is the third location I have visited and the most underwhelming location at that. We came during the lunch rush so that may be why service was a little slow (when we initially walked in I watched patiently as a few patrons just stood at the front to check out… it took what seemed like forever for someone to come upfront).
I’ve never been disappointed with a meal I’ve had from First Watch; however, I didn’t think the power wrap was good at all. Also, we requested no toast yet add tomatoes on the other meal & it still came with the toast (not a big deal but it was a waste, especially considering there was a needy man outside that could have benefited from it; if I knew he was out there I would have given it to him so it wouldn’t go in the trash). Needless to say, First Watch is still one of my favorite restaurants.

Have been a fan of First Watch since they opened many years ago and have regularly gone to different locations. This is my favorite… very consistent and efficient. Today The Florida French Toast was overflowing with bananas, strawberries and kiwi and was perfect. My sons waffle was thick and crusty, but airy, as a waffle should be.
We used the online app No Wait and was pleased to arrive and have our booth waiting despite the crowd. Cory was our server and he too was attentive and provided attentive service.
Way to go First Watch!

Since the change in décor the place is too loud. I don’t want to hear everyone’s conversations when I’m trying to eat. Especially when people are cussing.
The food is still and the service is fine.

This is the place to go for a healthy and delicious breakfast! I had the Elevated Egg Sandwich and it was PERFECTION! The bacon was so good and the eggs were great. It came with potatoes. So yummy. Also, splurged and got the carrot cake pancake! It’s huge and tastes so great. Moist and flavorful. They redid the place and it looks great!

Despite not being able to spend thanksgiving together, I was able to meet up with my twin sister the day before in Tampa. She found First Watch online so we met up for brunch before heading to Bush Gardens. My sister and her boyfriend actually went here for dinner the night before but said it was so good that we had to do breakfast there the next morning as well.
My only complaint was the temperature in the restaurant. The breakfast menu was impressive but almost all the entrees had eggs which is one of the only foods I do not eat so I wasn’t very interested until I noticed the avocado toast. Simple and crazy delicious with evoo lemon and blasted sea salt. The entrée actually came with eggs so I asked for just the toast and was very surprised to see I was still charged full price but whatever I am still craving that damn toast. I also ordered a side of bacon and seasoned fries. The bacon was perfect, thick cut and limp just like I like it. My sister loved the bacon so much she ordered two sides of it. My wife was hesitant about her order of the smoked salmon frittata but ended up clearing her whole plate.
Apparently there are multiple First Watch locations throughout Florida. I really wish there was one in NC because this place is truly breakfast at it’s finest.

This was my third time to First Watch and I had a great experience. The food was fresh, and our sever was friendly and helpful when it came to suggestions. And we didn’t have to wait! We were seated right away. I would go back

My friends want to have clean diet lunch near the USF area. I was able to locate one since I have been to the first watch near USF.
My friend is a picky eater and he is not a vegan but he watches his diet carefully. It is challenging when one of your group people want a clean diet food. I only can think a few choices. We are great able to accommodate his need. I saw the first thing he has order is the kale tonic. It is kale, cucumber, lemon and Fuji Apple. Very healthy. No sugar added. The trick is always adding some type of fruit to sweeten it up. In this case is Fuji Apple. The lemon is to add the twist of the taste. Nice touch.
This afternoon I have the smoke Salmon and Roasted Vegetable Frittata. It has the roasted shallots and tomatoes in the egg that create the sensation of the taste. Good touch. It also has some chive in there to enhance the taste. It serves with ciabatta toast and sweet jam.
We have 5 people in our group but we are in and out the restaurant in 45 minutes. They are well prepare for the lunch crowd since their lunch time is short.

Eggs Florentine (Score 3) — The english muffin was toasted with a slice of tomato on each one but then it gets a little crazy. Spinach was uncooked, which is okay, and there were diced avocados thrown on top as if it turned into a salad. Then the eggs were neatly placed to top it off with little hollandaise sauce. The point of having this dish is to incorporate all the flavors (felt like our server was going to drop off salad dressing). Needless to say, with me, I took it all apart and spread the avocado cubes on the english muffins then layered the tomato and so forth. I wouldn’t order this again just because I know I’d have to fix it. «SLICES» of avocado on top of the tomato with layers of spinach then the egg would make the breakfast — with just a tablespoon more of hollandaise on each egg.
Fresh Fruit Crepes (Score 5) — Was exactly as it explains. Again, kicked myself for not ordering it. The crepes were Great. The fruit was fresh and as sweet as it can get. Wife gave up her cup of granola, which was home made and wonderful.
This is our sixth time here and will always go back. It’s usually after an appointment. Today it was ~9:30 in the morn’. So, this place was dead and service was great. The last thing I’d like to add is that my flatware had leftovers on both the fork and knife.

Today was one of those mornings I woke up and wanted to be productive. For me that means eating well — No greasy, fatty foods. First watch is on that short list of healthy food with fresh ingredients.
They were packed, but their workers were friendly. One of their charms is their well partially visible kitchen so you know they keep it tidy. Speaking of tidy, my waitress looked like she walked out of a warzone. She was the only one and everyone else looked easy, breezy in their polos. So she was having a rough day but kept it together.
We ordered the salmon benedict from their seasonal menu and my personal favorite, their floridian french toast. From the little I tasted the salmon benedict was delicious, the eggs and salmon were perfectly soft and savory. Historically their seasonal menu has always been consistently exciting and delicious.
As for my floridian french toast the fruit ratios were a little off. I didn’t get that much kiwi and we are actually in the middle of kiwi season. Maybe they were low in stock? Otherwise it was great. Their syrup is usual artificial corn syrup, but I don’t need it anyway, they have some berry topping that works much better.
Have to hand it to first watch, I always am happy with the experience.
That said, it irks me that their Unilocal gallery is filled with commercial pictures. People go to Unilocal for the everyday experience, not to be flooded with advertisement. This makes me want to dock a star, but it would be a disservice to their hardworking staff on the ground. By the way the real food actually looks good.

First Watch is so simple and so good! I really enjoyed coming here, especially when our hotel only offered free continental :/​lol
I checked my trusty Unilocal app to find near by places and First watch was at the top of the list. Unilocal you have never steered me wrong! First Watch gives a family, at home feel. Everything was fresh and the service was great. Managers and servers were walking the floor and they were really welcoming.
I ordered the wheat germ pancakes, scrambled eggs and bacon. The pancakes were awesome. They make the batter themselves with their special recipe. I know what you’re thinking, yuck, grainy, but it wasn’t! This pancake was sweet but not so much that you feel like you’re having dessert for breakfast. Eggs were fresh, though they weren’t organic, they were really great quality, Egg Lands Best quality, actually (I asked the sever). Bacon was well cooked, toasty but not burned. Overall a simply delicious breakfast.
My daughter enjoyed the huge chocolate chip pancakes which she devoured without letting me try them lol. Best of all everything was reasonably priced for the quality. We came back the next day, that’s how good the breakfast was. If you’re near Bush Gardens, stop for some fuel at First Watch before hitting the parks.