First Watch

My recent visit to First Watch left me with mixed feelings, largely due to the disparity between exceptional service and disappointing culinary execution.
From the moment we arrived, Taylor, our server, set the tone for a pleasant experience with her attentive and friendly demeanor.
However, the overall impression was marred by several shortcomings in the kitchen. Despite a relatively short wait, I found it puzzling that we had to linger at the podium after receiving the "table ready" text.
Furthermore, the decision to charge for coffee, particularly when it falls short in quality, struck me as an unfortunate oversight for a breakfast spot. My order of Biscuits & Turkey Sausage Gravy with Eggs arrived with burnt biscuits and improperly cooked eggs, despite requesting them over hard.
Similarly, the Holey Donuts were disappointingly greasy, as if they had been sitting in oil for too long.
Even the French Toast, a seemingly simple dish, was undercooked and cold upon arrival, hinting at a lack of attention to detail in the kitchen. However, amidst these culinary missteps, Taylor's exemplary service shone through.
She promptly addressed the issues with my dish, demonstrating genuine concern and ensuring that our dining experience was salvaged to the best of her ability.
Taylor's professionalism, coupled with her genuine care for her customers, elevated our dining experience from merely satisfactory to truly memorable.
It's rare to encounter a server who embodies hospitality with such grace and sincerity, and for that, Taylor deserves the highest commendation. The ambiance of the restaurant was relaxed and inviting, with thoughtful lighting and decor contributing to a pleasant atmosphere.
Yet, it's undeniable that the heart of any dining establishment lies in its kitchen, and in this regard, First Watch fell short of expectations. While the exceptional service provided by Taylor compels me to consider giving this establishment another chance, the subpar quality of the dishes leaves much to be desired.
For a dining experience where every element should harmonize, the inconsistency in food quality remains a significant concern.
First Watch has the potential to excel, but improvements in kitchen operations are imperative to ensure a consistently satisfying experience for patrons.

I’m terribly disappointed in both the food and service.
I placed an order online for pickup and requested “no ice” for my drink.
I made this specific request because I knew it would take me a few minutes to get to the restaurant and I didn’t want my drink sitting on the shelf and getting watered down due to the ice melting. After picking up my order, I had to speak to two different people to correct my order.
First, one item was missing.
Then, my drink had ice.
I showed them my order confirmation that requested no ice.
Instead of remaking my drink, they just poured it into a kiddie’s cup and removed the ice.
The problem with that is that the drink had been sitting for awhile so it was watered down.
Now, I’m stuck with a $5 drink that just tastes like lemon water.
It would have been such a simple fix to remake the drink, especially since the error was on the restaurant’s part and not mine.
Instead, they chose to be dismissive about it.

A quick stop for brunch with a friend.
I went in March during their Fresh Year promotion.
I had the barbacoa bowl for dine-in and the blueberry lemon cream french toast for take-out.
Syrup optional, definitely not necessary. Neither option disappointed