I really like this restaurant. They tend not to have average diner breakfast and lunch items but instead do interesting versions of classic dishes. My favorites are the bacon, tomato, and avocado hash as well as the whole grain pancakes. As I said you want find corned beef hash or country ham and gravey but the dishes they do serve are tasty and tend to be healthier than the average breakfast Faire. Be warned that the UCF location is popular on weekends so be ready for a wait. A pro tip is to download their app and put your name on the list before you head over.
(4)
Alden K.
It was early and we were craving good food. My wife gave the Eggs Florentine a shot, it came with a flat iron steak. It was portioned in what is probably a healthy portion, but I always want more! It was tasty and she seemed to enjoy it, not enough to share much. I ordered the Beefeater. This has been on the menu for some time. It is always good. The potatoes are never really awesome, but they're usually fairly good. This time they came back a little burnt, which threw off the flavor of the entire plate. I should note that I like crispy, but this was charred. Actually, I usually even like charred, especially on something like a steak. But this was beyond that. I'm fairly certain they would have fixed the problem if I mentioned it, but I was in a rush. Despite the occasional mishap, this place rocks. The portions are just filling enough. I definitely recommend checking this place out.
(4)
Cecille R.
After my lackluster visit back in the fall, I am happy to say that our visit this time around was much more relaxed and an overall positive experience. We had about a short 10 minute wait on a Sunday morning (they take your cell phone number and text you when your table is ready) but from the time we were seated, we placed our orders and received our drinks and entrees pretty quickly. I ordered the Trifecta and customized mine to have scrambled eggs, 2 links of turkey sausage and a cranberry nut pancake. Everything was delicious. The pancake was so filling and hearty on its own. I didn't even need any syrup as the butter was more than enough to sweeten it. I ordered an iced coffee but wasn't a fan. It tasted like premade out of a carton so I barely touched it. And it was way too sweet. Good to know for next time! Upon checkout, I had a special gift credit to use and the girl ringing us up didn't know how to enter it in the system so she decided to ask the 4-5 employees next to her and they all went back and forth over if they could take it or not. That was slightly annoying but they eventually honored it and I went on my merry way. Overall, I would eat here again but would definitely try to arrive early to beat the crowds especially on Sunday!
(4)
Jaimie C.
Highly recommend trying this place. The place actually seems like it could be an optometrist office just because their sun logo looks similar to an eye contact solution. I highly suggest trying the Pesto Chicken Quinoa Power Bowl. So good and perfect portion for breakfast or lunch. Also the Kale Tonic was really delicious too. Makes you feel awake and energized. Overall, service is very nice, welcoming, and polite. The setup seems like an upscale Denny's but of course the food here was way more delicious and better for you. All their items sounded very good. Definitely recommend this place!
(5)
Armando L.
This restaurant is really good. Everything is fresh from the juices to there entrees. This is one of those breakfast and brunch place where they close at 2:30pm. The entree that I got was called the pest power quinoa chicken bowl, which was very very good. Packed with protein and very filling. I also got their Day Glow juice, which had carrots, oranges, lemon and fresh ginger, this was also very good. And lastly me and the wifey shared the lemon ricotta pancakes, which again was delicious. The customer services was excellent and the food came out pretty fast as well. The only bad thing about this location is that the parking lot is to small for what is all around it. There's a lot of other restaurants and even a gym right next to it causing it to be packed with cars. So you would have to go to a different parking lot once it's packed. I will definitely go there again to try the other entrees!!!
(4)
Yi Jing L.
First time here. Everything seem quite nice. Food was decent. Coffee was good. Reason for 3 star because it's just normal standard. Nothing special about the place. I could go to Ihop and it would be just great if not better. I was told the foods there was organic ? Maybe that's why for the higher price. Overall, it's not a bad place to drop by every so so often. Or to make yourself feel better because you are eating some organic made pancake.
(3)
Bray L.
Affordable healthy options for breakfast. Good service, but always packed and there is a wait most times. I like how they can text you when your table is ready. The parking is horrible and they do not allow call ahead seating.
(4)
Kimberly K.
This place is PERFECT for brunch! Just time yourself accordingly because it was a full house when I came in around 1pm and they close at 2:30pm hehe. My friend, Sean, and I didn't have to wait too long though! It was only ten minutes. I was pleased with the fast service. The menu is a little pricier than your usual IHOP or Denny's, but everything is so much more healthier, tastier, and FRESHER! I had a tall glass of OJ, which was $4 but SO WORTH IT. You can totally tell from the first sip that their orange juice is 100% freshly squeezed, just perfect to prepare for day two of EDC for me! I ordered their Belgian waffle with scrambled eggs and a sausage link. By golly, their description didn't lie when they said "airy light Belgian waffle". It really was fluffy and light! If you get full by half of a Belgian waffle, you'll be able to gobble this up with no problem, on top of those scrambled eggs and savory sausage link! I didn't feel the need to force myself to finish the last bites of my meal, I happily did so and felt perfectly recharged! Also, the berry spread and butter they serve with the waffle amped it up! I love when a diner serves some GOOD REAL whipped butter, and the berries gave it a nice little tangy kick. Perfect waffle combo, I must say.
(5)
Sarah F.
Love breakfast but nutrition in a good meal can be a problem. First Watch has a wide variety of healthy food options such as whole grain, egg whites, turkey and quinoa. The whole grain carrot cake pancakes are amazing (Trifecta with egg white and turkey sausage as well), it huge so half was enough. I also got OJ/ carrot fresh juice which was refreshing. Topi don't feel lethargic after your meal here which is a great feeling! Recommend for all the people trying to stay healthy! If you don't care about that...there are a ton of other places I prefer (check previous reviews ) 4 stars for healthy options.
(4)
Valencia R.
After the UCF You Can Finish Race, a group of us ladies decided come here for a bite to eat. Once we pulled in the parking lot, I knew from the amount of cars that we were going to have to wait. Our group was told that we had a 30 minute wait which really was bad. We had a party of five in our group. The restaurant was packed to the max, so 30 minutes was doable. Once we finally got seated, our waitress quickly returned with our drink orders. However, taking our orders was a different story. Actually one of the ladies in my group thought we had ordered already because we were waiting so long. As some point we all placed our orders and waited for what seemed like eternity for the food to come out. I ordered the eggs benedict with turkey and avocado. The egg was a bit funny tasting & cold. I am not sure if that was the way they would normally make it or not. Needless to say, I have had better elsewhere. After the meal was a fiasco. We all were given our checks at the table and had to go back to the hostess counter which was already cramped with patrons trying to come in to eat. We had to go through mazes of people that probably assumed that we were skipping them in line just to pay our bill. I would suggest someone comes up with a better strategy in the near future.
(2)
Rachel W.
It was busy but they were able to get us a table quickly. Everyone was working very diligently. Erica was our server and she was absolutely wonderful! She was so friendly and helpful. Our food came out quickly and it was DELICIOUS. We ordered the Floridian French toast and the avocado toast with eggs - so good! We will definitely be returning for more.
(5)
David K.
The other day I was in a rush to get from one appointment to another and only had a small amount of time to eat in between. I was craving a good sandwich but I had no idea where to get one along my route on University Blvd, which is mostly filled with pizza and burger joints. A few sub shops and Mexican places are thrown in there for good measure. Aside from Panera there weren't too many places that instantly came to mind. A quick search on my phone brought up a place I hadn't been to in awhile, First Watch, and a brief overview of their menu led me to order a Reuben with a side of Cream of Chicken and Wild Rice soup. After placing the order I headed that way and was there in 20 minutes, finding my sandwich and soup ready for me. Most days I would have been ok with waiting a few minutes if I had to but the fact that it was ready when I got there that day was perfect. At first glance, this looked more like a melt than a sandwich. The marble rye bread was buttered, and it looked like it had been pressed, but the end result was more satisfying than I could have imagined. The bread was crisp, but it wasn't so crisp that you had to chew through it hard to get to the meat, in fact it basically gave way around the meat and provided enough crispiness to add varying texture and crunch but let you enjoy the deliciousness wedged inside. The corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss and thousand island dressing were proportioned perfectly, letting each add it's own flavor without overpowering the rest. This sandwich was the comfort food I needed that day. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I tried the soup. Suddenly I wished I had an entire soup pot full of it, and that it was about 30 degrees colder. This is the kind of soup you'd have on a cold day and it would both fill you up and leave you feeling warmer inside. Whoever came up with this recipe did this soup justice by not overdoing it with salt like most other restaurants do. The ingredients they use have the chance to "do the talking" without feeling like you're slurping down on a salt shaker. The final reason this meal left me so happy was that it only cost $7.99 + tax. Do you hear that Fresh To Order?? I can get a WHOLE sandwich and a cup of soup for less than you charge for a 1/2 sandwich 1/2 soup combo. That kind of value combined with it's amazing taste moves it from "hard to beat" to "unbeatable". Way to go First Watch! I will definitely be back for more!
(5)
Sarah K.
This location is always a little busy but I imagine all of them are. Consistently great fresh food, friendly staff, and always clean. I recommend this place to anyone looking for a filing breakfast that won't leave you feeling weighed down.
(4)
Wayde T.
Wheat germ Cranberry Pancakes were the best. The atmosphere was chill, clean, friendly, fast staff! Will return.
(5)
Melinda W.
Slow. Food is ok but not worth the wait. Potatoes were burned and ice cold when they arrived. Pancakes crumble very easily. Not good in my opinion. This is my second visit to this location. On the first I had to send my food back as it was ice cold in the middle. My sons French toast was very good.
Came here because I received a free entree of my choice for my Birthday. This is located on the UCF strip of eateries. Parking was pretty full so I assumed great things about the place! The wait time was 5 minutes for a table and the cafe was pretty packed of diners. Got seated and was presented a menu along with the regular menu is a seperate summer menu items thats limited. Im into anything eggs benedict so I opted for their summer special of BLT Eggs Benedict! The young lady was pretty nice. I noticed she always wants to make sure I want anything extra with my order felt like it was a commission sales thing lol! As I got my eggs benedict I noticed a few things that Im not used to from other areas Ive gotten eggs benedict from .. 1) The portion was like an appetizer sized portion 2) Wheres the hollandaise sauce?!! It was so little I barely saw it and tasted it! 3) the ciabatta bread was so hard I was afraid I may break a tooth chomping in it! 4) The poached eggs were NOT RUNNY but soft boiled?!!! WTH?!!! 5) Too much greens that covered the whole experience of eating the entree! I pointed out the above flaws and I sent it back to the kitchen to have it redone! I requested runny yolk on my poached eggs and softer ciabatta bread please! I shouldve requested more Hollandaise sauce! Ugghh!! The entree came with a fruit bowl which consists of pineapple, watermelon bites and grapes - my bowl in particular consists more of grapes n some still had stems on it! When the server took my 1st entree that was sent back she also took along my other utensils - She never offered a new utensil packet back so All I had to work with is a fork to eat with! I had to request a new set of utensils so I can use a spoon to eat my fruit bowl! Thank god this entree was FREE because I was not a happy camper! The 2nd round was a tad bit better but I just felt the portions of it all is not worth $$. Small eggs barely any hollandaise sauce - SMH what a shame! I may try out Peach Valley or Keke's next time!
(2)
Pam H.
I feel bad that I was the person who suggested First Watch to my group as a post-race meal. I've eaten at several locations, and always enjoyed the food, so I thought this would be a great spot. I guess this really shows that service and quality can vary by location. It was a Sunday morning, so we expected a wait with the church and brunch crowds. When we were finally seated thirty minutes after arriving (which was pretty good, considering how crowded the waiting area was), we were all starving and ready for all the food and all the coffee. Our server started out ok, taking our drink orders. Once our drinks were brought over, she vanished for what felt like a very long time. At one point I noticed a server carrying a tray of food and realized it was not for our table, because we did not order yet! Talk about disappointment! Once we ordered, there was another lengthy wait. Again, it was a busy Sunday rush, but the wait still felt quite excessive. Our food came out in spurts, with one friend in our group waiting quite a while for her dish. This is breakfast, not a gourmet dinner, so I would think they can time eggs and potatoes so we can all eat at the same time. I was disappointed in my meal, but was so hungry I didn't bother asking for something else. Waiting so long after a 5 mile run will do that to you! The Key West Crepegg was more like an over-cooked omelet with hardly anything inside. It was very dry, and I only recall and few bites of avocado, which was more than the turkey or bacon that should've been included. My friend pointed out that the potatoes tasted boiled, almost to mashed potato consistency. No crispiness or flavor. Major bummer! I did enjoy a bite of the muffins my friends ordered as pre-meal snacks. Those were tasty and held us over somewhat until our food arrived. But that's not really enough to bring me back to this location, so I'll stick to Winter Park or Maitland in the future.
(2)
Leslie S.
Shaleane is knowledgeable. She even odered for me. I felt the service could have been better as although they weren't that busy, it took time to get drinks and to go boxes. The pancake is larger than the plate it's served on. Don't put syrup on the entire thing as you'll be taking the rest home. The shroom omelette had lots of onions in it. I just would have preferred more Swiss cheese. I love the variety of teas offered. Eat here if you'd like a healthier option for breakfast.
(3)
Michael K.
My latest visit was noteworthy and deserving of an updated review. The dine in staff really know how to take care of their guests. Going for breakfast on the weekends will likely result in a wait for a table but once you get seated everything else goes quick. We were greeted by our server right away and provided with our drink orders. Then not long after placing our food orders, each one of our orders came out. Breakfast entrees and sandwich and soup combos were hot and fresh for us. My order of the Traditional Breakfast with crispy bacon and eggs over medium came out as expected. Continuing to do these things right is what will bring me back.
(4)
Jennifer R.
There is NEVER not a wait... yes I double negatived that, but it's the truth. Typical great food but how anyone ever gets to eat it is beyond me with the wait you have to endure. I love this place, you just have to come prepared and not starving.
(4)
Cassie Q.
Our food has not been great the last two times we went here. And the coffee is expensive. There are better breakfast places around.
(2)
Ms. S.
Perfect place for a nutritious bite. The restaurant was very inviting, clean, and cozy. The staff were very attentive and provided great customer service. Love the coffee, Gluten-Free Menu options and the Day Glow orange-carrot juice. I enjoyed the French Toast made with raisin bread. Two things I didn't get to enjoy were my side dishes, the Turkey Sausages and the avocados. The sausages were a bit dry and cold and the avocados were really ripe and blackened. Overall my family and I enjoyed our visit and the food.
(4)
Mia P.
Typically I love this place for brunch or breakfast. I know that a lot of people love this place and it's very popular. I expect to wait a bit to be seated and know it is going to be busy on the weekends for brunch. The location near University Boulevard is just not managing their peak time very well, I'm sad to say. The waiting area is full of people trying to check in and get their name on the list with the hostess and then you have all of the departing people trying to check out and pay at the front register--it's a disorganized mass of people. There is no flow or signs for queuing as to where to go to check in or check out. The restaurant should fix that or put a hostess station in a specific area away from the cashier. I came here on a Sunday morning with friends and I'm glad I was with friends because we had over an hour to sit at a table to talk while we waited for our order. Our order took an extremely long time to come out and it was even to the point where we saw people who have been seated at least 15 or 20 minutes after us had already received their orders earlier than we did. It did appear that the servers were working hard and trying to meet all the customers needs, but they just fell really short in my opinion. At no point did our server explain why the wait took so long or say "hey you're food will be coming out soon", or apologize for it taking so long in general, nothing was acknowledged. I had to ask for coffee refills and basically we were handed our checks before we were done eating since the place was so busy. Some of the food looked like it had been sitting a while and some parts looked a little undercooked. We were so hungry that no one wanted to send anything back because we had waited so long. Probably not gonna go back to this location but I've had a great service at the location Altamonte Springs, maybe they could use some training from that location.
(2)
Joel P.
I just finished having breakfast here. It was good. Very tasty Eggs benedict. One thing I did not like was the avocado was not prestine. It would have been nice if the side of avocados looked fresh. We definitely enjoyed the atmosphere and the staff, and the Day Glow orange-carrot juice was surprisingly good and refreshing.
(4)
Thysis R.
This place has become my favorite weekend breakfast spot. I love the variety that they have to offer. They really focus on healthy cooking but also offer items that are not considered totally healthy. It's a great place to come with the kids as they have a pretty decent menu. Their pancakes and waffles are enormous! I can usually only eat 1 pancake. They are so good especially since they are made with a homemade batter. They offer seasonal specials which are usually pretty good. If you're coming here on the weekends expect to wait. This place is very popular but it's worth the wait. They are also busy during the week but not like the weekend. The staff is pretty helpful. They definitely strive for good customer service. So happy to have First Watch on the Eastside of town!
(5)
Bill S.
Friendly service & great value to go with variety. Not your everyday breakfast, I had the crab cake benedict and it was excellent. Just enough extras to bind the lump crab meat.
(4)
Earl H.
Amazing service! Amazing food! Nuff said. I had a cranberry pancake with poached eggs and my friend had an egg white omelet. We highly recommend and we will be back!
(5)
David G.
I love coming to this place when I'm in the mood for having an upper scale brunch after mass or some type of special occasion. Everyone is really nice and they have great customer service. I love the Parma Hash (my go to), but their entire menu is all great to choose from. PS ask for Tim, he is my favorite server.
(5)
Marlon S.
This place always has great food and service. They usually are busy on the weekends, so be prepared to wait a little. The food quality is above average. Ingredients seem very fresh every time I have visited. The servers are well mannered and take care of you well. I would recommend to anyone looking for great breakfast, brunch, or lunch to visit First Watch. The waffles are awesome, make sure you don't sleep on it!! The trifecta is my personal fav, and sometimes I get the chickichanga. Try it out, see for yourself!
(5)
Gabrielle L.
Coffee is super good. Also, one of the servers had almost disturbingly short shorts on. Good for me. Not so much for the lady with the elementary school children next to me.
(5)
Nawal B.
Excellent service and food, A+. I loved the healthy options, prices. Ate with 6 friends, everyone's food was perfect!!!!!!
(5)
Sarah D.
I've heard nothing but good things about First Watch, but my experience was a let down. Food took 2 hours to come out, and my pancake was under cooked :( On the bright side they have really healthy options.
(2)
Katie L.
Good price for a great brunch. Definitely plan ahead though because it's usually packed and the parking is a slight issue but it's worth the 20-30 min wait. Staff and management is very friendly as well. Overall, great experience.
(5)
Emilie M.
It's been a couple of years since I last tried First Watch, but I definitely will be back more often. When I first walked in, all the tables seemed to be full and it was 8 am on a Wednesday. I had the Acapulco express omelet with a side of fruit. My meal was delicious! I loved the avocado in my omelet. I think what I really enjoy is also having your own pot of coffee per table. No annoying servers topping off your already perfectly proportioned coffee & creamer mix every time they walk by The food was fast, service was good, and it's a quiet place to enjoy breakfast.
(4)
Mark Gil P.
I had hair in my food today. Other than that, it's generally a good place to eat. As I was eating here, I told my friends that I liked this pace better than Keke's. That was before I saw the hair in my food. The Belgian Waffle is great. The coffee is good. The food tastes fresh and the menu is health conscious. The staff is friendly and good looking. Not too good looking that they act snobby though. They are all approachable. Because they are all generally good looking, I assume they bath regularly and that is why I'm not upset about the hair in my food. Clean hair is clean hair. Food is made by hand - clean hands. If they were un-washed dirty hands then that is upsetting. I tried to smell the hair to find out what kind of shampoo they used, but the pancake batter was too over powering. They did comp the pancakes, so I'm happy I got free Hair pancakes. It's like winning the lottery. Thanks First Watch!
(2)
Luca C.
Love this first watch, the employees and management have been great on multiple occasions, and always keep us coming back. The food doesn't disappoint and I love the open policy to sharing for those who know they won't eat full portions or who want to share different items. Management has been great here, the one time we had an issue he was incredibly attentive and sensitive to the situation, and made sure we didn't pay for the item and were return customers. Also went the extra mile contacting my fiance's school to get her purse back after she forgot it there that same day, very nice guy. :)
(5)
Paul S.
This is one of our go to stops for breakfast on the weekends. Since the kids have us up early we are usually lucky enough to miss the crowds. We have been visiting this location for a while now and I have to say they are pretty consistent. Always a good meal and good service.
(4)
Christina H.
First Watch is one of our favorite weekend breakfast places. We usually try to get there early so we don't have to wait as long for seats. Also if the weather is nice sitting outside will get you seated faster. This past weekend our server was Lea, she was really outstanding. She was very sweet, checked on us frequently, not pushy when we took a long time to order, just really great. I never say this, but I will ask for her section when we go back. Breakfast choices are really typical stuff. I love the Eggs Benedict with Avocado, but this weekend I went with the seasonal pumpkin pancake. It was a huge pancake with a nice pumpkin flavor. Sides were an egg and apple chicken (maybe turkey... some sort of poultry) sausage. The sausage wasn't all that, but the pancake was amazing. And they had pumpkin spice coffee creamers, but I used them all up at our table. Hope the refilled them for the next group. My youngest daughter loves the fruit crepes, and she always requests specific fruit filling. Amazingly, the servers always accommodate her moods (i just imagine they're having to pick all of the berries out of the fruit salad for her.) But that's nice, and a pretty healthy breakfast option for the kiddos. (The other kids are all about french toast, one even got a french toast Monte Cristo...) So overall, great food. Consistently good service. Can't go wrong with First Watch.
(5)
Trina S.
So my son, a UCF student, has been talking about this place for months. We tried to come on our last trip bust was packed. We finally made it. The food was very good. The pancakes were huge. I definitely will do one pancake next time. The staff were very nice. Will come back
(5)
Melissa C.
For those who have been to First Watch you know the line that most likely awaits you. We took a day off and decided to try FW during the week and am so glad we did. There was no wait when we arrived and since the weather was FANTASTIC we sat outside. Every time I've been I think I've ordered an omelette so I was on a mission to try something else. I opted for the energy bowl with granola (though you can get muesli) sliced almonds, pecans, craisins, wheat germ and raisins. All of this comes topped with fresh fruit (strawberry & banana today). It's also served with low-fat organic yogurt - a little sweet so I think it was vanilla flavored. The BF ordered the pancake special which was 2 eggs done your way, a link of Aidell's chicken & apple sausage, and a pumpkin pancake bigger than your head! Seriously, see the photo.. Unlimited coffee, great service, and a slow, easy morning made for a very nice visit.
(4)
Ar Z.
I loved the place. Healthy choices. Host were awesome rest of staff- so so... I will go back for sure.
(5)
Lisa K.
I love First Watch. It's packed on the weekends, so I usually avoid going because I hate waiting, but during the week you can get in and out with not worries. The food is wonderful. It is always fresh and never greasy. I have been getting the triathlon, which isa healthier option, but fantastic. I've enjoyed the Florida French toast in the past. This is my go-to breakfast stop when I have out of town guests and no one has ever been disappointed.
(5)
John F.
Fast and polite service. Clean and homey feeling environment. Freshly made food along with freshly squeezed orange juice, not minute maid, vegetarian options major plus. Food is both presentable and tasty. Definitely beats major breakfast chains like ihop which is a block or so down. Only down side is that its relatively small so you can feel a little clustered inside, they do have outside seating, which Ofcourse I chose.
(4)
Michele V.
Good food, okay portions. Had special harvest breakfast and pumpkin pancakes. Price was a bit much for portion sizes. Liked it, but won't go back because of the price per meal.
(3)
Nick G.
I've been a returning customer here for a long time! Clean and welcoming atmosphere! Food is great and healthy! They have options for anyone! I love super foods and healthier options! This is a MUST!! Be aware for long wait times on Saturday/ Sunday morning! I would recommend this to everyone! btw I Love the chicken- quinoa dish! It's GREAT!
(4)
Angela M.
Simply, amazing. The perfect place for brunch any day. The staff and GM will go above and beyond to make your experience wonderful. And of course, the food was DELICIOUS!! I wish I could eat here everyday.
(5)
Rachel C.
My friend and I were choosing one from first watch and IHOP since there were so close to each other in both location and food style. Finally we decided to try first watch because we wanna try something different. We were so surprised that the food were so healthy and delicious with so low price. After that, I just could't help going there again and again. I luv it so much and have already recommended it to many friends. Def 5 starts !
(5)
Pam B.
Awesome place! As a student it's great to have a restaurant that's close and nutritious. I love coming here whenever I get the opportunity because of the great staff and delicious food. Our last server Stephanie was attentive and friendly. I definitely recommend eating here.
(4)
Jeffrey D.
Cruising around with my wife we decided to have a breakfast here. I was surprised that there was a First Watch location near us. It was also a very busy location. I have been to other locations. The menu is robust for those who haven't been they offer traditional breakfast with some twists. The addition of avocado to a skillet is different and tasty. We enjoyed our breakfast and had a nice breakfast on the patio. It does not offer much in the way of privacy though, so not a good place to go for conversation. They do apparently have wifi. Overall, good food and moderate pricing.
(3)
Nick Z.
I'm a big fan of First Watch. They are a chain of breakfast & lunch joints across FL. Our Triahtlon and running friends like to go to breakfast post workout and this is always a staple. I normally order a tri-fecta with eggs, bacon, pancakes, and hash browns or the triathlete omelette with fruit. The severs is always good, but you need to get their early on the weekend or there is a long wait (at pretty much every location that we have tired.
(4)
Jaime J.
Some girls live to hear those three special words. I only live to hear two - "Goat cheese." And that is why as soon as it's legal, I will be legally marrying the Farmer's Skillet at First Watch. We're going to be registered at Ikea under Jaime J and Holy Shit, Why Aren't You Eating This Right Now? If you are not eating the Farmer's Skillet right now - right now as you're reading these very words - you essentially made the same life choices as Jesse Pinkman from Breaking Bad and seriously need to reconsider your situation in life. The Farmer's Skillet is greater than the sum of its parts, but the parts by themselves are pretty damn delicious too - crispy salty hunks of roasted potatoes tossed with fresh spinach, melty strands of mozzarella, red peppers, onions, zucchini and these great garlicky roasted crimini mushrooms. I'm not a big mushroom fan - they're often slimy and under-seasoned - but I could pop these little suckers like jujubes. Add an oozy egg (because let's face it - if you're going to eat this dish, you want a fried egg that just oozes its lush yolk all over everything) and some Cholula (waiting at its rightful place on the table next to the salt and pepper) and you've got an almost perfect breakfast. What elevates the dish to perfection is the herbed goat cheese - a tangy, emulsifying final component which takes this dish from a decent breakfast to what God eats when he's hungover. And the best part? You can mop your plate clean with a buttered English muffin. What? I don't believe in dainty breakfasts. I believe in big cups of coffee, hot sauce over everything and eating a breakfast so good, you need a nap immediately afterwards. The rest of their menu looks pretty great but once I see those two magic words - it's all over. It's just me, a mug of coffee and the Farmer's Skillet. Can't nobody tear us apart, baby.
(4)
Megan W.
Eh, it's just okay, not up to the hype at all. I will eat there again because of the convenient location, but I expected better eggs Benedict from the "best place for breakfast." Maybe their eggs Benedict just aren't that great and I will change my mind when I get something else. Because I will be getting something else.
(3)
Lisa M.
Excellent place for groups and families visiting. Healthy options at affordable prices and delicious foods! I recommend the crepes, muffins, and bacado omelet for sure.
(4)
Sonya P.
The place has potential but the wait is way too long for being a breakfast place. It took 1 hour to get our breakfast order delivered to our table. And we were a party of 3 people. How long can it take to cook eggs? Won't be coming back here. It's not worth the wait.
(2)
bRad w.
Of all the breakfast choices around, this remains our default choice. Everything on the menu is delicious, but the pancakes are the best around (imho). If you have never been to First Watch, do yourself a favor and give it a try. You won't regret it!
(5)
Cassidy L.
It was very clean and had a great menu! My boyfriend ordered waffles, and I had the bacon onion hash! The service was great, the food came quick, and it was delicious! No complaints! The only reason I am giving it four stars is that I wish they had GF pancakes! They are very nutrition savy, however, they don't have any GF toast, pancakes, waffles, etc. I would love it if they started providing my GF options! Overall, it was delicious!
(4)
Stephanie S.
I love first watch, it's a ritual breakfast place to go to and I feel a much better chance of getting well cooked food in comparison to say Denny's. Granted the food is not always made to perfection, but anytime I've had an issue they have politely traded my food out and made me a happy camper. I love all their skillets, they are literally amazing just watch the heat when they bring it out! Burned taste buds suck. Orange juice is really pulpy and I'm not a fan, but the coffee is good. The lighter options give you the same benefit of flavor without all the hoopla of added carbs and fat. The lean machine is a favorite of mine for lighter breakfast days during the week. The key west crepe eggs is the only thing I've gotten that I did not care for. The salsa made everything wayyyy too soggy! Made me sad,
(4)
Eric G.
I was very happy with my experience today for Breakfast. I read a few reviews before picking First Watch and I agree that this is a nice small breakfast place with some very unique choices. I had the bacon avocado skillet. I got a little bit worried that this was a healthy food only kind of place and that if they had bacon or potatoes that it would be in very small portions. I was pleasantly surprised that my meal was a large portion and was packed with all the good stuff. This is a nice place for breakfast or a brunch, but I wouldn't suggest taking a large party here because it was a little busy and your wait could be a while with more than 4 or so in your party.
(4)
Jeff K.
First Watch is always a solid choice for breakfast, when you can get in the door. If you're going on the weekend (especially on a Sunday after the first church services are letting out), you'd better get there early or be prepared to wait. The coffee is pretty good, the pancakes are great, and I really enjoy the variations of eggs benedict (specifically the turkey & avocado!). I'm also a fan of the breakfast skillets. The Beefeater is an excellent sandwich for lunch, as is the turkey burger. Service is great for the most part, although on our most recent visit our waiter seemed a little lost and we had to ask for some things more than once. We're an easy going table though, so we weren't bothered by it much, and it was pretty busy. East Orlando isn't really swimming in breakfast places. The local eateries that serve breakfast don't seem to last long, so I'm glad there's a First Watch here to help out when I'm hungry in the morning and my latest "regular" breakfast joint has boarded up with no warning.
(4)
Jodie B.
Skillet me, baby! Excellent service, perfect breakfast with nice in-season specials. A must if you're looking for an easy weekend stand by.
(4)
Michael W.
Management has changed the what was once enjoyable breakfast experience to a healthier version of Denny's. They took away the free coffee for waiting customers in the front, the silverware was dirty, the server neglected us the whole time and actually argued with my friend about the coffee being hot. The waitress looked very unkempt too. Her uniform was filthy with stains all over, nasty mess. The menu has changed and is a lot less appealing. I only saw one item that interested me and it wasn't great. My friend ordered a soup and it came out lukewarm. Pretty bad experience especially when you're expecting what this First Watch used to be. Take your money to Perkins across the street or to KeKe's Breakfast Cafe in Waterford!
(1)
Lisa W.
This is the newst First Watch location, I recently visited and found it to be a very nice First Watch location. The food was great, prepared well and the service was friendly. We went on a Sunday, so it was slammed. SLAMMED. 40 minute wait when we got there and when we left. They had a nice big carafe of coffee out by the register so that you could have some while you waited. Nice touch. People of all ages spilled out onto the sidewalks, but no one cared. The wait time was accurate and the hosts came outside to check for parties. Breakfast is a primary meal option, available all day long. Omelets are delish and can be made with all eggs or some egg whites, no upcharge which is not typical for egg whites. If you see the Pumpkin pancakes on their season fall menu, get them, they are awesome. Their blueberry pancakes have fresh blueberries in them and a blueberry compote for the top. Try them with some added granola. Sandwiches and salads are primary meat based for protein, nice white meat chicken is used for most of their entree salads. Coffee is good. Check to board or call in for daily specials, they rotate and are popular. If you hit any First Watch on the weekends, expect a wait. Bring your paper and settle in. It's worth the wait.
(4)
Bunny N.
First Watch is a restaurant that is only open for breakfast and brunch. The food I had was good but I don't think it's anything too spectacular. Prices were decent. The negative about this place was that it seems as though it's always crowded. I'd rather be eating at a place that doesn't seem too hectic and busy.
(4)
Morgan L.
I love breakfast. I love it even more when I can get it in a clean, friendly atmosphere with FREE COFFEE. I've now been to two different First Watch locations, and for chain breakfast It's pretty darn good. Not quite Peach Valley Cafe level (my breakfast mecca), but a close second. Good value. Appropriate portion sizes (not so huge you leave feeling gross). Creative menu options for folks like me. I went this morning during a rain storm and they got our party in quickly. I've now had two omelettes. The only criticism I have is the lack of fillings - the egg to inside ratio isn't quite what I would like, but still tasty. Next time I go I'll be checking the specials board before I order - on my way out I saw a delicious pancake/bacon/egg special that I desperately wish I had ordered. Oh well, next time...
(4)
Jennifer L.
A personal favorite for Sunday morning breakfast, First Watch is a casual restaurant with a nice, conversational, college staff (understandable because UCF is very close by.) First Watch offers a very open, bright, and fresh environment. Not only is the seating comfortable inside, they offer outdoor seating which is perfect on a sunny, breezy day. Some of my favorite dishes include the eggs benedict, as well as the pancakes (sometimes simple is better). If your looking for a good lunch, sandwiches and salads are great, and the prices in this restaurant are not to expensive, an average dish varies between six and ten dollars. So get up early, because their open till two.
(5)
Chelsea B.
first time at a first watch in florida. we had a 15-20 minute wait, but that's to be expected, and when we were finally seated i noticed that everyone was working super fast to bus tables and keep the wait time to a minimum. our server was incredibly sweet. my friend likes her bacon extra crispy (pretty much charred), and our server had no problem sending it back. i had the crepeggs, which i would definitely try again. i wasn't a fan of the turkey they used...it kind of seemed like cut up deli turkey breast, but the rest of my meal was fantastic. i came here with 3 girls and each of us tried something different, but i would have been fine eating any one of their meals - - everything looked so delicious.
(4)
Brian R.
What a great menu filled with original breakfast creations. The place is clean, the service is great, and they have things to eat that are both a billion calorie splurges and tasty foods for those of us who are calorically-challenged. (Shh.. Some of their menu items MAY BE GOOD FOR YOU.)
(5)
Kristen P.
I went here today for the first time. Since I moved to Orlando, I've heard about brunch at First Watch. It was a spontaneous decision to go so I wasn't entirely prepared for a big bunch of food, but that is what I got. I got the traditional breakfast: 2 eggs, breakfast potatoes, an english muffin, and a choice of bacon, sausage, or ham. I'm really picky about restaurant eggs, these were just okay for me. Everything else was good. I want to come back next time with a big appetite. I really want to try their pancakes.
(4)
Leo G.
Very good value for money. Excellent for families. Very good food, diverse, interesting menu, generous but not excessive portions of fresh, high quality food. Good, friendly service. Clean, open seating. I had the "Market Hash" with crimini mushrooms, really excellent. My son had a different hash, and my daughter the crepes with fruit and a muffin. Total was $33 including tip. The only minor negative was the table was sticky. Would definitely recommend to anyone for breakfast or brunch. Haven't yet tried the lunch.
(4)
Ricky L.
First Watch is one of the few restaurants out there that bucks the maxim about chains/franchises sucking in all matters of food deliciousness. This place is almost always packed and as a believer in "the wisdom of crowds" I knew this place would be pretty good. I ordered the Acapulco Express Omellette made with chorizo sausage, avocado, green chilies and onions, smothered with melted cheeses and topped with sour cream and served with a side of homemade salsa, first watch potatoes and English muffin. Simple yet delicious. Overall the meal at First Watch was pretty good. I particularly enjoyed how the food wasn't oily or overly greasy like some of the other "breakfast" joints out there, all very fresh and very light tasting.
(5)
Joe C.
The outside of the building doesn't look like a restaurant (my wife commented that it looked like a bank), so I'm glad we had read about this place to go looking for it. We went on a Sunday at about noon. There was a 15-20 minute wait for a table for two, but they provided free coffee while we waited. The waiting area inside is small, but it was nice outside. The interior is pleasant, but a bit plain. It felt a little more Perkins than Breakfast Club (another popular breakfast spot in Orlando). Despite being absolutely packed, the staff was quick and attentive. We timed how long it took from the time we ordered to being served, and they clocked in at a little under 10 minutes. The food and portions were excellent. The pancakes were light and fluffy. The eggs were perfectly cooked (Most places can't get over-medium correct). The sausage link was cooked without being greasy or dry. The potatoes were a little underseasoned (nothing a bit of table salt couldn't fix) but otherwise cooked well.
(5)
Denise R.
My husband and I love this healthy alternative to Ihop. It's usually crowded but worth the wait!
(5)
Zack B.
A delicious place to have a fresh breakfast! Everything on the menu at FirstWatch is great! I highly recommend this place over Ihop or KeKe's. the definite go-to breakfast eatery!!
(5)
Frank L.
This is a great breakfast hangout. I was very impressed with the quality and taste of the food at First Watch. I got a Blueberry muffin on the grill. I would recommend doing this as it comes out hot and with butter on it.
(4)
Christopher B.
This was my first time to a First Watch and I will say right off the bat that I will definitely be back. The restaurant was very clean and the staff was super nice. As soon as we walked in we were greeted by a smiling hostess who was extremely polite and very quick to seat us. Our waitress greeted us within seconds of sitting down. That really amazed me. Both I and my wife had questions regarding the menu and she was quick to give us answers. Seemed like she really knew the menu. Again I was amazed. Food arrived within a great time after we ordered and I have to honestly say the presentation of the food was great. The food tasted awesome and the suggestions that the waitress gave were spot on. Our waitress checked on us several times and when we asked for the bill we got it immediately. We paid at the counter and apparently we did not know this until we had left but the General Manager was the one that took our money. He was extremely polite and asked us how our experience was and if everything was to satisfaction. We said YES to everything. This is a great restaurant and I will definitely be back to this location for sure.
(5)
Kristen C.
The floridian french toast and the muesli power bowl are favorites for my husband and I. It seems like all of the breakfast places get slammed on the weekends, but I've never waited more than 30 mins. They are very accommodating to groups and the food always comes quickly!
(4)
Ms Fabulous Jay R.
In all fairness I did go on opening day..so the servers weren't as experienced it seemed. The also appeared to be a bit overwhelmed. For being a breakfast/brunch place..I wasnt impressed. I think I get more of a value going to Perkins.. I ordered Eggs with Ham and toast ..with my Coffee..It was just that... I say its a nice concept with the outdoor seating..But I would give it time where the servers can learn there stuff, cause I hate having to ask twice.."Im sorry I am missing my toast" I probably would not go again..I would go down five more minutes and have my warm apple cinnamon muffins with my breakfast at team perkins!
(2)
Bettina T.
If you're looking for a fun, relaxing place to have some yummy brunch First Watch is definitely the place to be. You have the option of sitting inside or outside; I prefer outside because the weather in Florida is really nice around this time. The menu is extremely creative; it's broken down into 3 sections, Half-asleep, Waking-Up, and Wide Eyed. They know how to throw down in this brunch kitchen, esp. with the turkey sausage and belgian waffle.
(4)
Sherry m.
Pros: 1. blueberry pancakes are okay but the blueberry compote that comes with them is pretty awesome. 2. the health factor. it is nice to kind of be forced into ordering something moderately healthy Cons: 1. i hate to sound old but this location is packed with college students all wearing their pajamas. we went at 10:30ish on a monday and it was packed.
(3)
Heidi B.
Having lived in the UCF area for approximately 5 years now, I remember when this First Watch was built. The crazy thing is, it literally took me a few months to finally try this brunch spot out because it closes around 2 in the afternoon (not conducive to the schedule of a college student). Anyway, I went once with my mom and have since been back a few times already. Perhaps my one and only complaint with First Watch is that there is typically always a wait. Even on Saturdays, which usually isn't seen as the typical "brunch" day, there is a 10-15 minute wait minimum it seems. But every time I have gone the food has been pretty good. They offer a lot of options for people who wish to either eat healthier or are vegetarian--egg whites, turkey bacon or turkey sausage, spinach, and avocado can be found all over the menu. I would highly recommend the Bacado Omelet if you are a bacon and avacado fan. Also, it is true that their pancakes are HUGE. I believe a standard order comes with 2 pancakes, which is more than enough. I ordered some granola pancakes once and ended up taking one of them home for breakfast the next day. The coffee at First Watch is alright. Nothing too spectacular, just your basic brunch place coffee. I would like to warn that I have had bad service here before. On one occasion I was there with my mom and I distinctly remember it took about 15-20 minutes before we got our drinks. So basically we sat there dying of thirst and didn't even receive our coffees and waters until our food came out. This was after we had asked our waitress and another waitress twice for drinks. And I distinctly remember when we asked the second time that the waitress gave us this glare like "hey, I'm busy, stop bothering me." Definitely not cool in my book.
(4)
Tom T.
This place is great. Food is great. Life is great.
(5)
Leah N.
First Watch hardly ever disappoints. I really like how they have healthier options. Today, I had the healthy turkey omelette with fruit and tomato slices and I did not feel like I was missing out. The server was also extremely friendly. Good lunch options too!
(4)
Sean K.
My first time here and ordered a Sausage and Cheese Omelet. It was Extremely good!! The potatoes that came with it were great and I usually don't like those, and to top it off a cooked to perfection English Muffin! I am a breakfast snob, and this passed my test with flying colors. Great place.
(5)
Keith H.
I have been to the other location on 17/92 and both are great. I love their pancakes. the menu has a variety of choices that can help those of us that like a good breakfast, but also count calories. I have been to this location for lunch a couple times and will need to visit soon, as I lost a bet and the location of lunch selected was First Watch! They tend to get crazy around lunch, so I suggest 30 mins before or something after 1pm. however, the service has always been efficient and friendly. Love first watch.
(4)
Sarah G.
A variety of healthy menu options. If you go around 9-11 expect a wait. Not a terrible one though because they offer cups of coffee and seating. Its nice to sit outside as well as in. Hearty portion sizes and fair prices. Their pancakes and fruit oatmeal are all very delicious. This location tends to get a lot of the college crowd.
(4)
Dr R.
This is NOT a short review. I HATE short reviews. There is never enough information, the information that is included is often already found in the description, there is always too much subjectivity without reasons, rarely are there any helpful hints/tips, and the discerning reader is left feeling like they've only had half an Oreo ... the other half tantalizingly out of reach. I go from start to finish with everything in between and I've had good responses with this approach. I also feel like I've done something other than tossed my two-cents into a black hole. If you're approaching from the direction of the UCF campus take the turn directly in front of The First Watch. Otherwise you'll turn into a parking area that has no connection and you'll have to do some risky driving and a u-turn. Fortunately I waited until after UCF was in session -between semesters- before going here. I can only imagine the volume this place does during school. And with good reason! Students are, for the most part, good divining rods for finding good food bargains (lots for little) and this place is prime turf. At this time, however, there was no wait, no crowd, several empty tables, and this was before 10am. My active, 87 year old father doubted the word of the server who, when asked, replied, "The pancakes are really, REALLY big." He ordered two of the blueberry pancakes while I kept it simple with the basic breakfast plate of scrambled eggs, bacon and muffin. Still ... when the breakfast arrived ... satisfactorily warm (which can be difficult with eggs), my three slices of bacon were easily 8 inches long and floppy -just the way I like them, the muffin was appealing and, as mentioned, the eggs were warm. It was a big plate, all tasty, and I was tasked to finish it -although I was determined to do so. But it had nothing on my father's plate. We were both agog at the size. Each pancake was larger than his head by a third. And FULL of blueberries, but just in case there weren't enough, they came with a supplemental bowl of blueberries and warm WARM syrup. Ohhh, man ... yesss. The service was great. Don't get confused by having another server also ask you for your drink order, they watch each other's backs and appear to communicate well. The atmosphere is open and sunny -just the right thing for a breakfast place- and I would bet the coffee, which came in the form of the entire pourer, was NOT Folgers (I have a thing against Folgers). So if you want to avoid the crowds which I'm sure are present during school, summer is the best time. If you can't avoid the crowd you will be well rewarded for your wait. Beware when ordering the big pancakes because really ... they are huge. And if you want crispy bacon, make sure to tell them. Prices are perfect. By far the best breakfast place in Orlando I've visited so far. I could only give it a four-star because I WASN'T hung over and eggs are still eggs -there's only so much a volume place can do with them.
(4)
Lynette D.
This is not the best option for Vegans. I was able to make a decent meal by ordering the fruit bowl which was actually full of freshly cut seasonal delicious fruit and home fries. Other than toast there wasn't much else that wasn't laden with eggs or milk. My husband and daughter really liked their pancakes and french toast.
(3)
Lisa G.
First Watch....I love the concept and ABSOLUTELY love the food. YUM. Open early morning until 2:00 PM, First Watch is your breakfast/lunch/brunch headquarters. Be careful though on Sunday afternoons...it's PACKED! Everything I've ever had at First Watch has been amazing, but my favorite items are: Breakfast: ChickenChanga (a breakfast/egg version of a mexican chimichanga) Lunch: Monterey Club (yum!) Most everything is served with homestyle potatoes which are amazing. Also, a little touch I love....they have flavored creamer on the table for your coffee! I dont think I've ever seen French Vanilla and Hazelnut coffee creamers at any other restaurant. First Watch is my First Choice for brunch! It's also a great place for an afternoon date (or morning).
(4)
Brian R.
I like everything on the menu, except the pancakes which are just too big and doughy. Everything else that I have tried is very good, especially the Floridian French Toast. The place is always full, but the service is fast, and they have free coffee for those who are waiting for a table.
(4)
Elizabeth F.
I went back to First Watch yesterday for lunch. I was torn with getting my normal delicious Fruit Crepes and trying something new but I went ahead and dove in for "something new." After much deliberation, I just asked the waitress what I should get and she suggested the Monterery Club - Turkey, bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, cheese and mayo on multigrain bread. Let me just say WOW. First off, the potato wedges that come with it were delicious. They were seasoned perfectly. Now, the sandwich. WOW x 2. The multigrain bread was so soft and fresh - literally felt like they baked it themselves. There was a ton of turkey on it, fresh tomato (sliced thin), and whoever though of putting avocado on this sandwich with bacon was a genius. I've never had avocado on a sandwich before but it was REALLY good. And the added bacon was just the right amount of crispy needed. Definitely enjoyed this sandwich!
(4)
Dan B.
This new First Watch opened not too long ago and I couldn't be happier that it's there. What I love about this place is that it offers the opportunity to eat a calm and peaceful breakfast in a classy atmosphere. I hate going to places like Denny's where all you hear is the collective noise of 100 individuals talking, clanging forks to plates, and sounds of dishwashers and waiters screaming at each other. I've been to First watch at 8 AM twice and both times there were only about 6 other people in the restaurant, and I could sit there and enjoy my meal listening to their classical music they have playing lightly. The food is almost above reproach. I've had the Veracruz Burrito and the Greek Fetish. The Burrito is a fantastic and filling treat. It's a big burrito with eggs, chorizo, green chilies, onions, tomatos, veracruz salsa, and it's topped with sour cream. It is just good in a completely honest and direct way. The Greek Fetish is certainly a lighter meal but is fantastic. It's an egg white omelette with feta cheese, black olives, onions, and tomatoes accompanied with a side of English muffin and fresh fruit. Both meals I've had here have been fantastic and I'm really happy there's a place where I can actually get a peaceful and tasty breakfast.
(5)
Nucky T.
As far as Orlando, FL is concerned, F.W is the place to eat breakfast period. I enjoyed F.W. when I used to live in Phoenix, AZ many years ago. It's still as good as it once was. Food is served fresh, hot and delicious. I am the king of complain, but there isn't much to complain about at this place because things are done right. I had the blueberry pancakes which were delicious. I also tried the turkey sausauge with eggs, and an english muffin. To top it all off, F.W offers pure maple syrup. I always prefer this than the high fructose corn syrup shit most of you love and have come to enjoy. Very impressive dining experience. Waiter and waitresses were very friendly.
(5)
Amanda C.
Very fast service. Took about 15 minutes to be seated, within 30 seconds of being seated a server was there for us. Great coffee, good portions for the food. A little more expensive than you'd expect for breakfast, but still worth it once and awhile.
(4)
Lisette C.
Great breakfast, we used to go to the Dr Phillips location, but now go to the University one. Great service always, food is always fresh and well made. My husband loves the Trifecta, I always get the Avocado, Tomato, and Bacon skillet, it's delicious, but you have to ask for a side of their Veracruz sauce, it's like a creamy salsa. So good on eggs. Definitely our go-to place for breakfast. Fair pricing as well. Good choices for the little ones too, like crepes with fruit, pancakes, and healthy sandwiches. We've never tried them for lunch, but their salads and sandwiches look really tasty. Oh, and be prepared to wait on the weekends, but worth it! You get free coffee while you wait:)
(4)
Pret p.
While better than some of the chain restaurants (ie. Denny's), make no mistake about the fact that this place is targeted to the young college crowd. Bargain prices are consummately paired with relatively large portions of bargain foods. The waffles were actually pretty good. Unfortunately, the eggs, turkey, potatoes, and coffee weren't.
(2)
Kurt H.
Very concerned about this location. First Watch has typically been very good service and food. This trip I found both very lacking. I waited for about 10 minutes at the front counter after arriving without anyone acknowledging my presence. Several of the wait staff walked past while entering and leaving the kitchen. I ordered the Burrito Vera Cruz. This should be a burrito with egg, green chilli, and sausage. In the past, the additional components to the egg have been substantial. This trip, I felt like asking "where's the beef?" It was all egg with microscopic bits of sausage and limited chilli. Disappointing.
(2)
Kap K.
Probably My Favorite place to eat a Club Sandwich when I'm in Orlando. The Bread is perfect and it just compliments everything else really well. Everything else from the kitchen looks great, but I can't order anything else there because I'm ADDICTED to their Club.
(4)
Kyle M.
I don't know why I'd ever go back to Denny's or IHOP again. Much better, quality alternative here. Fresh food. Great coffee. Fantastic batter for waffles and pancakes. Blueberry compote was perfect addition to my Belgian Waffle. My wife's omelet was perfect. Kids meals for $5. Just feels like real food made by real chefs instead of diner food. Highly recommended.
(5)
Edith O.
First watch definitely uses better products than IHOP or Denny's, but falls short of an "amazing" breakfast spot. They have nice, light breakfast dishes, and I enjoyed the french toast with the fresh fruit on top. I found the savory food to lack any real flavor, very bland. The coffee is pure water (folgers? maybe) steer clear if you drink real coffee. The home fries were a failure, dry and flavorless. First watch forms a line on the weekends because there are few alternatives in the area. They had creatives ideas on the menu, but failed at execution.
(2)
Joseph R.
I've been going here since it opened 18 months ago. Service is excellent. Staff friendly and helpful. Lots of healthy choices on the menu. Price is reasonable.
(4)
R M.
Been here several times and always a good breakfast. Have not tried lunch (yet) but I can vouch for the breakfast. Good bacon (a must for a good breakfast place), good pancakes (plate size), good omelets and fresh orange juice. Nothing to complain about because it's all good.
(4)
Emmanuel S.
First time I came here I had the bacado meal (omelette with bacon and avocado and monterrey cheese) the food was pretty good but nothing absolutly amazing. Now I'm here for round 2! I just finished the key west crepe and boy was it good! I tried the coffee and it was alright....staff is consistently energetic and friendly and the place is spotless. A must try...meals a created with health in mind but taste good!
(4)
Sara L.
I love the look and new location of this restaurant. I had the healthy turkey omelette with an english muffin and fruit cup. I loved how healthy & fresh everything was. I also appreciate that they have the nutritional info up online. The restaurant is 4 star quality but the nutritional info won the 5th star.
(5)
Justin M.
Top 3 Best places for Breakfast in Orlando! Great omelets, attentive service and they're always busy. Healthy options. Rewards email program.
(5)
Joe F.
My wife and I had breakfast this morning at the UCF location. There was a wait, but they provided coffee during the wait. The service was excellent, but the food was disappointing. My wife had the blueberry pancakes while I had the Sour Dough French Toast. I would have ordered the pancakes but they only offered whole grain. My wife normally eats everything with gusto but did not care for the pancakes which came apart on her plate. The French Toast was a little better but not much. We both prefer the pancakes and French Toast from Perkins.
(2)
Nelson L.
Fresh and simple. Highly recommend for breakfast...
(4)
Lindsay A.
First watch has lived up to my expectations! We had to wait a while to get seated but they give you free coffee while you wait. I love that they have flavored coffee creamer (French vanilla and Hazelnut). I had pecan pancakes and they were delicious but HUGE!! The wait staff was very friendly and they give you a pitcher of coffee and water at your table which is very convenient! First watch also has free wifi. I love their quote, " once you go real breakfast, you never go back".
(5)
Kathleen J.
This is just a great place to get breakfast/lunch. The portions are amazing, they cater to all different eating restrictions, the wait staff is normally very prompt and courteous. The only downside to First Watch is that no matter which one I go to, they are always slammed on the weekends! 30 to 40 minute wait most of the time, but the coffee is quite yummy and helps abide the time. The food definitely makes up for the wait.
(4)
AC D.
nothing special to write home about - food was fine, nothing wrong with it, just nothing special. service was not great, it seemed the servers had to fight for their tables by waiting for them at the entrance. our server was more worried about snagging tables rather then making sure we were taken care of
(2)
Stephanie S.
I love first watch, it's a ritual breakfast place to go to and I feel a much better chance of getting well cooked food in comparison to say Denny's. Granted the food is not always made to perfection, but anytime I've had an issue they have politely traded my food out and made me a happy camper. I love all their skillets, they are literally amazing just watch the heat when they bring it out! Burned taste buds suck. Orange juice is really pulpy and I'm not a fan, but the coffee is good. The lighter options give you the same benefit of flavor without all the hoopla of added carbs and fat. The lean machine is a favorite of mine for lighter breakfast days during the week. The key west crepe eggs is the only thing I've gotten that I did not care for. The salsa made everything wayyyy too soggy! Made me sad,
(4)
Eric G.
I was very happy with my experience today for Breakfast. I read a few reviews before picking First Watch and I agree that this is a nice small breakfast place with some very unique choices. I had the bacon avocado skillet. I got a little bit worried that this was a healthy food only kind of place and that if they had bacon or potatoes that it would be in very small portions. I was pleasantly surprised that my meal was a large portion and was packed with all the good stuff. This is a nice place for breakfast or a brunch, but I wouldn't suggest taking a large party here because it was a little busy and your wait could be a while with more than 4 or so in your party.
(4)
Jeff K.
First Watch is always a solid choice for breakfast, when you can get in the door. If you're going on the weekend (especially on a Sunday after the first church services are letting out), you'd better get there early or be prepared to wait. The coffee is pretty good, the pancakes are great, and I really enjoy the variations of eggs benedict (specifically the turkey & avocado!). I'm also a fan of the breakfast skillets. The Beefeater is an excellent sandwich for lunch, as is the turkey burger. Service is great for the most part, although on our most recent visit our waiter seemed a little lost and we had to ask for some things more than once. We're an easy going table though, so we weren't bothered by it much, and it was pretty busy. East Orlando isn't really swimming in breakfast places. The local eateries that serve breakfast don't seem to last long, so I'm glad there's a First Watch here to help out when I'm hungry in the morning and my latest "regular" breakfast joint has boarded up with no warning.
(4)
Jodie B.
Skillet me, baby! Excellent service, perfect breakfast with nice in-season specials. A must if you're looking for an easy weekend stand by.
(4)
Michael W.
Management has changed the what was once enjoyable breakfast experience to a healthier version of Denny's. They took away the free coffee for waiting customers in the front, the silverware was dirty, the server neglected us the whole time and actually argued with my friend about the coffee being hot. The waitress looked very unkempt too. Her uniform was filthy with stains all over, nasty mess. The menu has changed and is a lot less appealing. I only saw one item that interested me and it wasn't great. My friend ordered a soup and it came out lukewarm. Pretty bad experience especially when you're expecting what this First Watch used to be. Take your money to Perkins across the street or to KeKe's Breakfast Cafe in Waterford!
(1)
Lisa W.
This is the newst First Watch location, I recently visited and found it to be a very nice First Watch location. The food was great, prepared well and the service was friendly. We went on a Sunday, so it was slammed. SLAMMED. 40 minute wait when we got there and when we left. They had a nice big carafe of coffee out by the register so that you could have some while you waited. Nice touch. People of all ages spilled out onto the sidewalks, but no one cared. The wait time was accurate and the hosts came outside to check for parties. Breakfast is a primary meal option, available all day long. Omelets are delish and can be made with all eggs or some egg whites, no upcharge which is not typical for egg whites. If you see the Pumpkin pancakes on their season fall menu, get them, they are awesome. Their blueberry pancakes have fresh blueberries in them and a blueberry compote for the top. Try them with some added granola. Sandwiches and salads are primary meat based for protein, nice white meat chicken is used for most of their entree salads. Coffee is good. Check to board or call in for daily specials, they rotate and are popular. If you hit any First Watch on the weekends, expect a wait. Bring your paper and settle in. It's worth the wait.
(4)
Bunny N.
First Watch is a restaurant that is only open for breakfast and brunch. The food I had was good but I don't think it's anything too spectacular. Prices were decent. The negative about this place was that it seems as though it's always crowded. I'd rather be eating at a place that doesn't seem too hectic and busy.
(4)
Morgan L.
I love breakfast. I love it even more when I can get it in a clean, friendly atmosphere with FREE COFFEE. I've now been to two different First Watch locations, and for chain breakfast It's pretty darn good. Not quite Peach Valley Cafe level (my breakfast mecca), but a close second. Good value. Appropriate portion sizes (not so huge you leave feeling gross). Creative menu options for folks like me. I went this morning during a rain storm and they got our party in quickly. I've now had two omelettes. The only criticism I have is the lack of fillings - the egg to inside ratio isn't quite what I would like, but still tasty. Next time I go I'll be checking the specials board before I order - on my way out I saw a delicious pancake/bacon/egg special that I desperately wish I had ordered. Oh well, next time...
(4)
Jennifer L.
A personal favorite for Sunday morning breakfast, First Watch is a casual restaurant with a nice, conversational, college staff (understandable because UCF is very close by.) First Watch offers a very open, bright, and fresh environment. Not only is the seating comfortable inside, they offer outdoor seating which is perfect on a sunny, breezy day. Some of my favorite dishes include the eggs benedict, as well as the pancakes (sometimes simple is better). If your looking for a good lunch, sandwiches and salads are great, and the prices in this restaurant are not to expensive, an average dish varies between six and ten dollars. So get up early, because their open till two.
(5)
Chelsea B.
first time at a first watch in florida. we had a 15-20 minute wait, but that's to be expected, and when we were finally seated i noticed that everyone was working super fast to bus tables and keep the wait time to a minimum. our server was incredibly sweet. my friend likes her bacon extra crispy (pretty much charred), and our server had no problem sending it back. i had the crepeggs, which i would definitely try again. i wasn't a fan of the turkey they used...it kind of seemed like cut up deli turkey breast, but the rest of my meal was fantastic. i came here with 3 girls and each of us tried something different, but i would have been fine eating any one of their meals - - everything looked so delicious.
(4)
Brian R.
What a great menu filled with original breakfast creations. The place is clean, the service is great, and they have things to eat that are both a billion calorie splurges and tasty foods for those of us who are calorically-challenged. (Shh.. Some of their menu items MAY BE GOOD FOR YOU.)
(5)
Kristen P.
I went here today for the first time. Since I moved to Orlando, I've heard about brunch at First Watch. It was a spontaneous decision to go so I wasn't entirely prepared for a big bunch of food, but that is what I got. I got the traditional breakfast: 2 eggs, breakfast potatoes, an english muffin, and a choice of bacon, sausage, or ham. I'm really picky about restaurant eggs, these were just okay for me. Everything else was good. I want to come back next time with a big appetite. I really want to try their pancakes.
(4)
Leo G.
Very good value for money. Excellent for families. Very good food, diverse, interesting menu, generous but not excessive portions of fresh, high quality food. Good, friendly service. Clean, open seating. I had the "Market Hash" with crimini mushrooms, really excellent. My son had a different hash, and my daughter the crepes with fruit and a muffin. Total was $33 including tip. The only minor negative was the table was sticky. Would definitely recommend to anyone for breakfast or brunch. Haven't yet tried the lunch.
(4)
Ricky L.
First Watch is one of the few restaurants out there that bucks the maxim about chains/franchises sucking in all matters of food deliciousness. This place is almost always packed and as a believer in "the wisdom of crowds" I knew this place would be pretty good. I ordered the Acapulco Express Omellette made with chorizo sausage, avocado, green chilies and onions, smothered with melted cheeses and topped with sour cream and served with a side of homemade salsa, first watch potatoes and English muffin. Simple yet delicious. Overall the meal at First Watch was pretty good. I particularly enjoyed how the food wasn't oily or overly greasy like some of the other "breakfast" joints out there, all very fresh and very light tasting.
(5)
Joe C.
The outside of the building doesn't look like a restaurant (my wife commented that it looked like a bank), so I'm glad we had read about this place to go looking for it. We went on a Sunday at about noon. There was a 15-20 minute wait for a table for two, but they provided free coffee while we waited. The waiting area inside is small, but it was nice outside. The interior is pleasant, but a bit plain. It felt a little more Perkins than Breakfast Club (another popular breakfast spot in Orlando). Despite being absolutely packed, the staff was quick and attentive. We timed how long it took from the time we ordered to being served, and they clocked in at a little under 10 minutes. The food and portions were excellent. The pancakes were light and fluffy. The eggs were perfectly cooked (Most places can't get over-medium correct). The sausage link was cooked without being greasy or dry. The potatoes were a little underseasoned (nothing a bit of table salt couldn't fix) but otherwise cooked well.
(5)
Denise R.
My husband and I love this healthy alternative to Ihop. It's usually crowded but worth the wait!
(5)
Zack B.
A delicious place to have a fresh breakfast! Everything on the menu at FirstWatch is great! I highly recommend this place over Ihop or KeKe's. the definite go-to breakfast eatery!!
(5)
Frank L.
This is a great breakfast hangout. I was very impressed with the quality and taste of the food at First Watch. I got a Blueberry muffin on the grill. I would recommend doing this as it comes out hot and with butter on it.
(4)
Christopher B.
This was my first time to a First Watch and I will say right off the bat that I will definitely be back. The restaurant was very clean and the staff was super nice. As soon as we walked in we were greeted by a smiling hostess who was extremely polite and very quick to seat us. Our waitress greeted us within seconds of sitting down. That really amazed me. Both I and my wife had questions regarding the menu and she was quick to give us answers. Seemed like she really knew the menu. Again I was amazed. Food arrived within a great time after we ordered and I have to honestly say the presentation of the food was great. The food tasted awesome and the suggestions that the waitress gave were spot on. Our waitress checked on us several times and when we asked for the bill we got it immediately. We paid at the counter and apparently we did not know this until we had left but the General Manager was the one that took our money. He was extremely polite and asked us how our experience was and if everything was to satisfaction. We said YES to everything. This is a great restaurant and I will definitely be back to this location for sure.
(5)
Kristen C.
The floridian french toast and the muesli power bowl are favorites for my husband and I. It seems like all of the breakfast places get slammed on the weekends, but I've never waited more than 30 mins. They are very accommodating to groups and the food always comes quickly!
(4)
Ms Fabulous Jay R.
In all fairness I did go on opening day..so the servers weren't as experienced it seemed. The also appeared to be a bit overwhelmed. For being a breakfast/brunch place..I wasnt impressed. I think I get more of a value going to Perkins.. I ordered Eggs with Ham and toast ..with my Coffee..It was just that... I say its a nice concept with the outdoor seating..But I would give it time where the servers can learn there stuff, cause I hate having to ask twice.."Im sorry I am missing my toast" I probably would not go again..I would go down five more minutes and have my warm apple cinnamon muffins with my breakfast at team perkins!
(2)
Heidi B.
Having lived in the UCF area for approximately 5 years now, I remember when this First Watch was built. The crazy thing is, it literally took me a few months to finally try this brunch spot out because it closes around 2 in the afternoon (not conducive to the schedule of a college student). Anyway, I went once with my mom and have since been back a few times already. Perhaps my one and only complaint with First Watch is that there is typically always a wait. Even on Saturdays, which usually isn't seen as the typical "brunch" day, there is a 10-15 minute wait minimum it seems. But every time I have gone the food has been pretty good. They offer a lot of options for people who wish to either eat healthier or are vegetarian--egg whites, turkey bacon or turkey sausage, spinach, and avocado can be found all over the menu. I would highly recommend the Bacado Omelet if you are a bacon and avacado fan. Also, it is true that their pancakes are HUGE. I believe a standard order comes with 2 pancakes, which is more than enough. I ordered some granola pancakes once and ended up taking one of them home for breakfast the next day. The coffee at First Watch is alright. Nothing too spectacular, just your basic brunch place coffee. I would like to warn that I have had bad service here before. On one occasion I was there with my mom and I distinctly remember it took about 15-20 minutes before we got our drinks. So basically we sat there dying of thirst and didn't even receive our coffees and waters until our food came out. This was after we had asked our waitress and another waitress twice for drinks. And I distinctly remember when we asked the second time that the waitress gave us this glare like "hey, I'm busy, stop bothering me." Definitely not cool in my book.
(4)
Tom T.
This place is great. Food is great. Life is great.
(5)
Leah N.
First Watch hardly ever disappoints. I really like how they have healthier options. Today, I had the healthy turkey omelette with fruit and tomato slices and I did not feel like I was missing out. The server was also extremely friendly. Good lunch options too!
(4)
Sean K.
My first time here and ordered a Sausage and Cheese Omelet. It was Extremely good!! The potatoes that came with it were great and I usually don't like those, and to top it off a cooked to perfection English Muffin! I am a breakfast snob, and this passed my test with flying colors. Great place.
(5)
Keith H.
I have been to the other location on 17/92 and both are great. I love their pancakes. the menu has a variety of choices that can help those of us that like a good breakfast, but also count calories. I have been to this location for lunch a couple times and will need to visit soon, as I lost a bet and the location of lunch selected was First Watch! They tend to get crazy around lunch, so I suggest 30 mins before or something after 1pm. however, the service has always been efficient and friendly. Love first watch.
(4)
Sarah G.
A variety of healthy menu options. If you go around 9-11 expect a wait. Not a terrible one though because they offer cups of coffee and seating. Its nice to sit outside as well as in. Hearty portion sizes and fair prices. Their pancakes and fruit oatmeal are all very delicious. This location tends to get a lot of the college crowd.
(4)
Bettina T.
If you're looking for a fun, relaxing place to have some yummy brunch First Watch is definitely the place to be. You have the option of sitting inside or outside; I prefer outside because the weather in Florida is really nice around this time. The menu is extremely creative; it's broken down into 3 sections, Half-asleep, Waking-Up, and Wide Eyed. They know how to throw down in this brunch kitchen, esp. with the turkey sausage and belgian waffle.
(4)
Sherry m.
Pros: 1. blueberry pancakes are okay but the blueberry compote that comes with them is pretty awesome. 2. the health factor. it is nice to kind of be forced into ordering something moderately healthy Cons: 1. i hate to sound old but this location is packed with college students all wearing their pajamas. we went at 10:30ish on a monday and it was packed.
(3)
Lisa G.
First Watch....I love the concept and ABSOLUTELY love the food. YUM. Open early morning until 2:00 PM, First Watch is your breakfast/lunch/brunch headquarters. Be careful though on Sunday afternoons...it's PACKED! Everything I've ever had at First Watch has been amazing, but my favorite items are: Breakfast: ChickenChanga (a breakfast/egg version of a mexican chimichanga) Lunch: Monterey Club (yum!) Most everything is served with homestyle potatoes which are amazing. Also, a little touch I love....they have flavored creamer on the table for your coffee! I dont think I've ever seen French Vanilla and Hazelnut coffee creamers at any other restaurant. First Watch is my First Choice for brunch! It's also a great place for an afternoon date (or morning).
(4)
Brian R.
I like everything on the menu, except the pancakes which are just too big and doughy. Everything else that I have tried is very good, especially the Floridian French Toast. The place is always full, but the service is fast, and they have free coffee for those who are waiting for a table.
(4)
Dr R.
This is NOT a short review. I HATE short reviews. There is never enough information, the information that is included is often already found in the description, there is always too much subjectivity without reasons, rarely are there any helpful hints/tips, and the discerning reader is left feeling like they've only had half an Oreo ... the other half tantalizingly out of reach. I go from start to finish with everything in between and I've had good responses with this approach. I also feel like I've done something other than tossed my two-cents into a black hole. If you're approaching from the direction of the UCF campus take the turn directly in front of The First Watch. Otherwise you'll turn into a parking area that has no connection and you'll have to do some risky driving and a u-turn. Fortunately I waited until after UCF was in session -between semesters- before going here. I can only imagine the volume this place does during school. And with good reason! Students are, for the most part, good divining rods for finding good food bargains (lots for little) and this place is prime turf. At this time, however, there was no wait, no crowd, several empty tables, and this was before 10am. My active, 87 year old father doubted the word of the server who, when asked, replied, "The pancakes are really, REALLY big." He ordered two of the blueberry pancakes while I kept it simple with the basic breakfast plate of scrambled eggs, bacon and muffin. Still ... when the breakfast arrived ... satisfactorily warm (which can be difficult with eggs), my three slices of bacon were easily 8 inches long and floppy -just the way I like them, the muffin was appealing and, as mentioned, the eggs were warm. It was a big plate, all tasty, and I was tasked to finish it -although I was determined to do so. But it had nothing on my father's plate. We were both agog at the size. Each pancake was larger than his head by a third. And FULL of blueberries, but just in case there weren't enough, they came with a supplemental bowl of blueberries and warm WARM syrup. Ohhh, man ... yesss. The service was great. Don't get confused by having another server also ask you for your drink order, they watch each other's backs and appear to communicate well. The atmosphere is open and sunny -just the right thing for a breakfast place- and I would bet the coffee, which came in the form of the entire pourer, was NOT Folgers (I have a thing against Folgers). So if you want to avoid the crowds which I'm sure are present during school, summer is the best time. If you can't avoid the crowd you will be well rewarded for your wait. Beware when ordering the big pancakes because really ... they are huge. And if you want crispy bacon, make sure to tell them. Prices are perfect. By far the best breakfast place in Orlando I've visited so far. I could only give it a four-star because I WASN'T hung over and eggs are still eggs -there's only so much a volume place can do with them.
(4)
Lynette D.
This is not the best option for Vegans. I was able to make a decent meal by ordering the fruit bowl which was actually full of freshly cut seasonal delicious fruit and home fries. Other than toast there wasn't much else that wasn't laden with eggs or milk. My husband and daughter really liked their pancakes and french toast.
(3)
Elizabeth F.
I went back to First Watch yesterday for lunch. I was torn with getting my normal delicious Fruit Crepes and trying something new but I went ahead and dove in for "something new." After much deliberation, I just asked the waitress what I should get and she suggested the Monterery Club - Turkey, bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, cheese and mayo on multigrain bread. Let me just say WOW. First off, the potato wedges that come with it were delicious. They were seasoned perfectly. Now, the sandwich. WOW x 2. The multigrain bread was so soft and fresh - literally felt like they baked it themselves. There was a ton of turkey on it, fresh tomato (sliced thin), and whoever though of putting avocado on this sandwich with bacon was a genius. I've never had avocado on a sandwich before but it was REALLY good. And the added bacon was just the right amount of crispy needed. Definitely enjoyed this sandwich!
(4)
Dan B.
This new First Watch opened not too long ago and I couldn't be happier that it's there. What I love about this place is that it offers the opportunity to eat a calm and peaceful breakfast in a classy atmosphere. I hate going to places like Denny's where all you hear is the collective noise of 100 individuals talking, clanging forks to plates, and sounds of dishwashers and waiters screaming at each other. I've been to First watch at 8 AM twice and both times there were only about 6 other people in the restaurant, and I could sit there and enjoy my meal listening to their classical music they have playing lightly. The food is almost above reproach. I've had the Veracruz Burrito and the Greek Fetish. The Burrito is a fantastic and filling treat. It's a big burrito with eggs, chorizo, green chilies, onions, tomatos, veracruz salsa, and it's topped with sour cream. It is just good in a completely honest and direct way. The Greek Fetish is certainly a lighter meal but is fantastic. It's an egg white omelette with feta cheese, black olives, onions, and tomatoes accompanied with a side of English muffin and fresh fruit. Both meals I've had here have been fantastic and I'm really happy there's a place where I can actually get a peaceful and tasty breakfast.
(5)
Nucky T.
As far as Orlando, FL is concerned, F.W is the place to eat breakfast period. I enjoyed F.W. when I used to live in Phoenix, AZ many years ago. It's still as good as it once was. Food is served fresh, hot and delicious. I am the king of complain, but there isn't much to complain about at this place because things are done right. I had the blueberry pancakes which were delicious. I also tried the turkey sausauge with eggs, and an english muffin. To top it all off, F.W offers pure maple syrup. I always prefer this than the high fructose corn syrup shit most of you love and have come to enjoy. Very impressive dining experience. Waiter and waitresses were very friendly.
(5)
Amanda C.
Very fast service. Took about 15 minutes to be seated, within 30 seconds of being seated a server was there for us. Great coffee, good portions for the food. A little more expensive than you'd expect for breakfast, but still worth it once and awhile.
(4)
Lisette C.
Great breakfast, we used to go to the Dr Phillips location, but now go to the University one. Great service always, food is always fresh and well made. My husband loves the Trifecta, I always get the Avocado, Tomato, and Bacon skillet, it's delicious, but you have to ask for a side of their Veracruz sauce, it's like a creamy salsa. So good on eggs. Definitely our go-to place for breakfast. Fair pricing as well. Good choices for the little ones too, like crepes with fruit, pancakes, and healthy sandwiches. We've never tried them for lunch, but their salads and sandwiches look really tasty. Oh, and be prepared to wait on the weekends, but worth it! You get free coffee while you wait:)
(4)
Pret p.
While better than some of the chain restaurants (ie. Denny's), make no mistake about the fact that this place is targeted to the young college crowd. Bargain prices are consummately paired with relatively large portions of bargain foods. The waffles were actually pretty good. Unfortunately, the eggs, turkey, potatoes, and coffee weren't.
(2)
Kurt H.
Very concerned about this location. First Watch has typically been very good service and food. This trip I found both very lacking. I waited for about 10 minutes at the front counter after arriving without anyone acknowledging my presence. Several of the wait staff walked past while entering and leaving the kitchen. I ordered the Burrito Vera Cruz. This should be a burrito with egg, green chilli, and sausage. In the past, the additional components to the egg have been substantial. This trip, I felt like asking "where's the beef?" It was all egg with microscopic bits of sausage and limited chilli. Disappointing.
(2)
Kyle M.
I don't know why I'd ever go back to Denny's or IHOP again. Much better, quality alternative here. Fresh food. Great coffee. Fantastic batter for waffles and pancakes. Blueberry compote was perfect addition to my Belgian Waffle. My wife's omelet was perfect. Kids meals for $5. Just feels like real food made by real chefs instead of diner food. Highly recommended.
(5)
Kap K.
Probably My Favorite place to eat a Club Sandwich when I'm in Orlando. The Bread is perfect and it just compliments everything else really well. Everything else from the kitchen looks great, but I can't order anything else there because I'm ADDICTED to their Club.
(4)
Edith O.
First watch definitely uses better products than IHOP or Denny's, but falls short of an "amazing" breakfast spot. They have nice, light breakfast dishes, and I enjoyed the french toast with the fresh fruit on top. I found the savory food to lack any real flavor, very bland. The coffee is pure water (folgers? maybe) steer clear if you drink real coffee. The home fries were a failure, dry and flavorless. First watch forms a line on the weekends because there are few alternatives in the area. They had creatives ideas on the menu, but failed at execution.
(2)
Emmanuel S.
First time I came here I had the bacado meal (omelette with bacon and avocado and monterrey cheese) the food was pretty good but nothing absolutly amazing. Now I'm here for round 2! I just finished the key west crepe and boy was it good! I tried the coffee and it was alright....staff is consistently energetic and friendly and the place is spotless. A must try...meals a created with health in mind but taste good!
(4)
Joseph R.
I've been going here since it opened 18 months ago. Service is excellent. Staff friendly and helpful. Lots of healthy choices on the menu. Price is reasonable.
(4)
R M.
Been here several times and always a good breakfast. Have not tried lunch (yet) but I can vouch for the breakfast. Good bacon (a must for a good breakfast place), good pancakes (plate size), good omelets and fresh orange juice. Nothing to complain about because it's all good.
(4)
Sara L.
I love the look and new location of this restaurant. I had the healthy turkey omelette with an english muffin and fruit cup. I loved how healthy & fresh everything was. I also appreciate that they have the nutritional info up online. The restaurant is 4 star quality but the nutritional info won the 5th star.
(5)
Justin M.
Top 3 Best places for Breakfast in Orlando! Great omelets, attentive service and they're always busy. Healthy options. Rewards email program.
(5)
Joe F.
My wife and I had breakfast this morning at the UCF location. There was a wait, but they provided coffee during the wait. The service was excellent, but the food was disappointing. My wife had the blueberry pancakes while I had the Sour Dough French Toast. I would have ordered the pancakes but they only offered whole grain. My wife normally eats everything with gusto but did not care for the pancakes which came apart on her plate. The French Toast was a little better but not much. We both prefer the pancakes and French Toast from Perkins.
(2)
Nelson L.
Fresh and simple. Highly recommend for breakfast...
(4)
Lindsay A.
First watch has lived up to my expectations! We had to wait a while to get seated but they give you free coffee while you wait. I love that they have flavored coffee creamer (French vanilla and Hazelnut). I had pecan pancakes and they were delicious but HUGE!! The wait staff was very friendly and they give you a pitcher of coffee and water at your table which is very convenient! First watch also has free wifi. I love their quote, " once you go real breakfast, you never go back".
(5)
Kathleen J.
This is just a great place to get breakfast/lunch. The portions are amazing, they cater to all different eating restrictions, the wait staff is normally very prompt and courteous. The only downside to First Watch is that no matter which one I go to, they are always slammed on the weekends! 30 to 40 minute wait most of the time, but the coffee is quite yummy and helps abide the time. The food definitely makes up for the wait.
(4)
AC D.
nothing special to write home about - food was fine, nothing wrong with it, just nothing special. service was not great, it seemed the servers had to fight for their tables by waiting for them at the entrance. our server was more worried about snagging tables rather then making sure we were taken care of
(2)
Emilie M.
It's been a couple of years since I last tried First Watch, but I definitely will be back more often. When I first walked in, all the tables seemed to be full and it was 8 am on a Wednesday. I had the Acapulco express omelet with a side of fruit. My meal was delicious! I loved the avocado in my omelet. I think what I really enjoy is also having your own pot of coffee per table. No annoying servers topping off your already perfectly proportioned coffee & creamer mix every time they walk by The food was fast, service was good, and it's a quiet place to enjoy breakfast.
(4)
Mark Gil P.
I had hair in my food today. Other than that, it's generally a good place to eat. As I was eating here, I told my friends that I liked this pace better than Keke's. That was before I saw the hair in my food. The Belgian Waffle is great. The coffee is good. The food tastes fresh and the menu is health conscious. The staff is friendly and good looking. Not too good looking that they act snobby though. They are all approachable. Because they are all generally good looking, I assume they bath regularly and that is why I'm not upset about the hair in my food. Clean hair is clean hair. Food is made by hand - clean hands. If they were un-washed dirty hands then that is upsetting. I tried to smell the hair to find out what kind of shampoo they used, but the pancake batter was too over powering. They did comp the pancakes, so I'm happy I got free Hair pancakes. It's like winning the lottery. Thanks First Watch!
(2)
Luca C.
Love this first watch, the employees and management have been great on multiple occasions, and always keep us coming back. The food doesn't disappoint and I love the open policy to sharing for those who know they won't eat full portions or who want to share different items. Management has been great here, the one time we had an issue he was incredibly attentive and sensitive to the situation, and made sure we didn't pay for the item and were return customers. Also went the extra mile contacting my fiance's school to get her purse back after she forgot it there that same day, very nice guy. :)
(5)
Paul S.
This is one of our go to stops for breakfast on the weekends. Since the kids have us up early we are usually lucky enough to miss the crowds. We have been visiting this location for a while now and I have to say they are pretty consistent. Always a good meal and good service.
(4)
Christina H.
First Watch is one of our favorite weekend breakfast places. We usually try to get there early so we don't have to wait as long for seats. Also if the weather is nice sitting outside will get you seated faster. This past weekend our server was Lea, she was really outstanding. She was very sweet, checked on us frequently, not pushy when we took a long time to order, just really great. I never say this, but I will ask for her section when we go back. Breakfast choices are really typical stuff. I love the Eggs Benedict with Avocado, but this weekend I went with the seasonal pumpkin pancake. It was a huge pancake with a nice pumpkin flavor. Sides were an egg and apple chicken (maybe turkey... some sort of poultry) sausage. The sausage wasn't all that, but the pancake was amazing. And they had pumpkin spice coffee creamers, but I used them all up at our table. Hope the refilled them for the next group. My youngest daughter loves the fruit crepes, and she always requests specific fruit filling. Amazingly, the servers always accommodate her moods (i just imagine they're having to pick all of the berries out of the fruit salad for her.) But that's nice, and a pretty healthy breakfast option for the kiddos. (The other kids are all about french toast, one even got a french toast Monte Cristo...) So overall, great food. Consistently good service. Can't go wrong with First Watch.
(5)
Trina S.
So my son, a UCF student, has been talking about this place for months. We tried to come on our last trip bust was packed. We finally made it. The food was very good. The pancakes were huge. I definitely will do one pancake next time. The staff were very nice. Will come back
(5)
Harry W.
I really like this restaurant. They tend not to have average diner breakfast and lunch items but instead do interesting versions of classic dishes. My favorites are the bacon, tomato, and avocado hash as well as the whole grain pancakes. As I said you want find corned beef hash or country ham and gravey but the dishes they do serve are tasty and tend to be healthier than the average breakfast Faire. Be warned that the UCF location is popular on weekends so be ready for a wait. A pro tip is to download their app and put your name on the list before you head over.
(4)
Alden K.
It was early and we were craving good food. My wife gave the Eggs Florentine a shot, it came with a flat iron steak. It was portioned in what is probably a healthy portion, but I always want more! It was tasty and she seemed to enjoy it, not enough to share much. I ordered the Beefeater. This has been on the menu for some time. It is always good. The potatoes are never really awesome, but they're usually fairly good. This time they came back a little burnt, which threw off the flavor of the entire plate. I should note that I like crispy, but this was charred. Actually, I usually even like charred, especially on something like a steak. But this was beyond that. I'm fairly certain they would have fixed the problem if I mentioned it, but I was in a rush. Despite the occasional mishap, this place rocks. The portions are just filling enough. I definitely recommend checking this place out.
(4)
Cecille R.
After my lackluster visit back in the fall, I am happy to say that our visit this time around was much more relaxed and an overall positive experience. We had about a short 10 minute wait on a Sunday morning (they take your cell phone number and text you when your table is ready) but from the time we were seated, we placed our orders and received our drinks and entrees pretty quickly. I ordered the Trifecta and customized mine to have scrambled eggs, 2 links of turkey sausage and a cranberry nut pancake. Everything was delicious. The pancake was so filling and hearty on its own. I didn't even need any syrup as the butter was more than enough to sweeten it. I ordered an iced coffee but wasn't a fan. It tasted like premade out of a carton so I barely touched it. And it was way too sweet. Good to know for next time! Upon checkout, I had a special gift credit to use and the girl ringing us up didn't know how to enter it in the system so she decided to ask the 4-5 employees next to her and they all went back and forth over if they could take it or not. That was slightly annoying but they eventually honored it and I went on my merry way. Overall, I would eat here again but would definitely try to arrive early to beat the crowds especially on Sunday!
(4)
Jaimie C.
Highly recommend trying this place. The place actually seems like it could be an optometrist office just because their sun logo looks similar to an eye contact solution. I highly suggest trying the Pesto Chicken Quinoa Power Bowl. So good and perfect portion for breakfast or lunch. Also the Kale Tonic was really delicious too. Makes you feel awake and energized. Overall, service is very nice, welcoming, and polite. The setup seems like an upscale Denny's but of course the food here was way more delicious and better for you. All their items sounded very good. Definitely recommend this place!
(5)
Armando L.
This restaurant is really good. Everything is fresh from the juices to there entrees. This is one of those breakfast and brunch place where they close at 2:30pm. The entree that I got was called the pest power quinoa chicken bowl, which was very very good. Packed with protein and very filling. I also got their Day Glow juice, which had carrots, oranges, lemon and fresh ginger, this was also very good. And lastly me and the wifey shared the lemon ricotta pancakes, which again was delicious. The customer services was excellent and the food came out pretty fast as well. The only bad thing about this location is that the parking lot is to small for what is all around it. There's a lot of other restaurants and even a gym right next to it causing it to be packed with cars. So you would have to go to a different parking lot once it's packed. I will definitely go there again to try the other entrees!!!
(4)
Cassie Q.
Our food has not been great the last two times we went here. And the coffee is expensive. There are better breakfast places around.
(2)
Yi Jing L.
First time here. Everything seem quite nice. Food was decent. Coffee was good. Reason for 3 star because it's just normal standard. Nothing special about the place. I could go to Ihop and it would be just great if not better. I was told the foods there was organic ? Maybe that's why for the higher price. Overall, it's not a bad place to drop by every so so often. Or to make yourself feel better because you are eating some organic made pancake.
(3)
Kimberly K.
This place is PERFECT for brunch! Just time yourself accordingly because it was a full house when I came in around 1pm and they close at 2:30pm hehe. My friend, Sean, and I didn't have to wait too long though! It was only ten minutes. I was pleased with the fast service. The menu is a little pricier than your usual IHOP or Denny's, but everything is so much more healthier, tastier, and FRESHER! I had a tall glass of OJ, which was $4 but SO WORTH IT. You can totally tell from the first sip that their orange juice is 100% freshly squeezed, just perfect to prepare for day two of EDC for me! I ordered their Belgian waffle with scrambled eggs and a sausage link. By golly, their description didn't lie when they said "airy light Belgian waffle". It really was fluffy and light! If you get full by half of a Belgian waffle, you'll be able to gobble this up with no problem, on top of those scrambled eggs and savory sausage link! I didn't feel the need to force myself to finish the last bites of my meal, I happily did so and felt perfectly recharged! Also, the berry spread and butter they serve with the waffle amped it up! I love when a diner serves some GOOD REAL whipped butter, and the berries gave it a nice little tangy kick. Perfect waffle combo, I must say.
(5)
Sarah F.
Love breakfast but nutrition in a good meal can be a problem. First Watch has a wide variety of healthy food options such as whole grain, egg whites, turkey and quinoa. The whole grain carrot cake pancakes are amazing (Trifecta with egg white and turkey sausage as well), it huge so half was enough. I also got OJ/ carrot fresh juice which was refreshing. Topi don't feel lethargic after your meal here which is a great feeling! Recommend for all the people trying to stay healthy! If you don't care about that...there are a ton of other places I prefer (check previous reviews ) 4 stars for healthy options.
(4)
Valencia R.
After the UCF You Can Finish Race, a group of us ladies decided come here for a bite to eat. Once we pulled in the parking lot, I knew from the amount of cars that we were going to have to wait. Our group was told that we had a 30 minute wait which really was bad. We had a party of five in our group. The restaurant was packed to the max, so 30 minutes was doable. Once we finally got seated, our waitress quickly returned with our drink orders. However, taking our orders was a different story. Actually one of the ladies in my group thought we had ordered already because we were waiting so long. As some point we all placed our orders and waited for what seemed like eternity for the food to come out. I ordered the eggs benedict with turkey and avocado. The egg was a bit funny tasting & cold. I am not sure if that was the way they would normally make it or not. Needless to say, I have had better elsewhere. After the meal was a fiasco. We all were given our checks at the table and had to go back to the hostess counter which was already cramped with patrons trying to come in to eat. We had to go through mazes of people that probably assumed that we were skipping them in line just to pay our bill. I would suggest someone comes up with a better strategy in the near future.
(2)
David K.
The other day I was in a rush to get from one appointment to another and only had a small amount of time to eat in between. I was craving a good sandwich but I had no idea where to get one along my route on University Blvd, which is mostly filled with pizza and burger joints. A few sub shops and Mexican places are thrown in there for good measure. Aside from Panera there weren't too many places that instantly came to mind. A quick search on my phone brought up a place I hadn't been to in awhile, First Watch, and a brief overview of their menu led me to order a Reuben with a side of Cream of Chicken and Wild Rice soup. After placing the order I headed that way and was there in 20 minutes, finding my sandwich and soup ready for me. Most days I would have been ok with waiting a few minutes if I had to but the fact that it was ready when I got there that day was perfect. At first glance, this looked more like a melt than a sandwich. The marble rye bread was buttered, and it looked like it had been pressed, but the end result was more satisfying than I could have imagined. The bread was crisp, but it wasn't so crisp that you had to chew through it hard to get to the meat, in fact it basically gave way around the meat and provided enough crispiness to add varying texture and crunch but let you enjoy the deliciousness wedged inside. The corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss and thousand island dressing were proportioned perfectly, letting each add it's own flavor without overpowering the rest. This sandwich was the comfort food I needed that day. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I tried the soup. Suddenly I wished I had an entire soup pot full of it, and that it was about 30 degrees colder. This is the kind of soup you'd have on a cold day and it would both fill you up and leave you feeling warmer inside. Whoever came up with this recipe did this soup justice by not overdoing it with salt like most other restaurants do. The ingredients they use have the chance to "do the talking" without feeling like you're slurping down on a salt shaker. The final reason this meal left me so happy was that it only cost $7.99 + tax. Do you hear that Fresh To Order?? I can get a WHOLE sandwich and a cup of soup for less than you charge for a 1/2 sandwich 1/2 soup combo. That kind of value combined with it's amazing taste moves it from "hard to beat" to "unbeatable". Way to go First Watch! I will definitely be back for more!
(5)
Rachel W.
It was busy but they were able to get us a table quickly. Everyone was working very diligently. Erica was our server and she was absolutely wonderful! She was so friendly and helpful. Our food came out quickly and it was DELICIOUS. We ordered the Floridian French toast and the avocado toast with eggs - so good! We will definitely be returning for more.
(5)
Sarah K.
This location is always a little busy but I imagine all of them are. Consistently great fresh food, friendly staff, and always clean. I recommend this place to anyone looking for a filing breakfast that won't leave you feeling weighed down.
Came here because I received a free entree of my choice for my Birthday. This is located on the UCF strip of eateries. Parking was pretty full so I assumed great things about the place! The wait time was 5 minutes for a table and the cafe was pretty packed of diners. Got seated and was presented a menu along with the regular menu is a seperate summer menu items thats limited. Im into anything eggs benedict so I opted for their summer special of BLT Eggs Benedict! The young lady was pretty nice. I noticed she always wants to make sure I want anything extra with my order felt like it was a commission sales thing lol! As I got my eggs benedict I noticed a few things that Im not used to from other areas Ive gotten eggs benedict from .. 1) The portion was like an appetizer sized portion 2) Wheres the hollandaise sauce?!! It was so little I barely saw it and tasted it! 3) the ciabatta bread was so hard I was afraid I may break a tooth chomping in it! 4) The poached eggs were NOT RUNNY but soft boiled?!!! WTH?!!! 5) Too much greens that covered the whole experience of eating the entree! I pointed out the above flaws and I sent it back to the kitchen to have it redone! I requested runny yolk on my poached eggs and softer ciabatta bread please! I shouldve requested more Hollandaise sauce! Ugghh!! The entree came with a fruit bowl which consists of pineapple, watermelon bites and grapes - my bowl in particular consists more of grapes n some still had stems on it! When the server took my 1st entree that was sent back she also took along my other utensils - She never offered a new utensil packet back so All I had to work with is a fork to eat with! I had to request a new set of utensils so I can use a spoon to eat my fruit bowl! Thank god this entree was FREE because I was not a happy camper! The 2nd round was a tad bit better but I just felt the portions of it all is not worth $$. Small eggs barely any hollandaise sauce - SMH what a shame! I may try out Peach Valley or Keke's next time!
(2)
Pam H.
I feel bad that I was the person who suggested First Watch to my group as a post-race meal. I've eaten at several locations, and always enjoyed the food, so I thought this would be a great spot. I guess this really shows that service and quality can vary by location. It was a Sunday morning, so we expected a wait with the church and brunch crowds. When we were finally seated thirty minutes after arriving (which was pretty good, considering how crowded the waiting area was), we were all starving and ready for all the food and all the coffee. Our server started out ok, taking our drink orders. Once our drinks were brought over, she vanished for what felt like a very long time. At one point I noticed a server carrying a tray of food and realized it was not for our table, because we did not order yet! Talk about disappointment! Once we ordered, there was another lengthy wait. Again, it was a busy Sunday rush, but the wait still felt quite excessive. Our food came out in spurts, with one friend in our group waiting quite a while for her dish. This is breakfast, not a gourmet dinner, so I would think they can time eggs and potatoes so we can all eat at the same time. I was disappointed in my meal, but was so hungry I didn't bother asking for something else. Waiting so long after a 5 mile run will do that to you! The Key West Crepegg was more like an over-cooked omelet with hardly anything inside. It was very dry, and I only recall and few bites of avocado, which was more than the turkey or bacon that should've been included. My friend pointed out that the potatoes tasted boiled, almost to mashed potato consistency. No crispiness or flavor. Major bummer! I did enjoy a bite of the muffins my friends ordered as pre-meal snacks. Those were tasty and held us over somewhat until our food arrived. But that's not really enough to bring me back to this location, so I'll stick to Winter Park or Maitland in the future.
(2)
Wayde T.
Wheat germ Cranberry Pancakes were the best. The atmosphere was chill, clean, friendly, fast staff! Will return.
(5)
Leslie S.
Shaleane is knowledgeable. She even odered for me. I felt the service could have been better as although they weren't that busy, it took time to get drinks and to go boxes. The pancake is larger than the plate it's served on. Don't put syrup on the entire thing as you'll be taking the rest home. The shroom omelette had lots of onions in it. I just would have preferred more Swiss cheese. I love the variety of teas offered. Eat here if you'd like a healthier option for breakfast.
(3)
Michael K.
My latest visit was noteworthy and deserving of an updated review. The dine in staff really know how to take care of their guests. Going for breakfast on the weekends will likely result in a wait for a table but once you get seated everything else goes quick. We were greeted by our server right away and provided with our drink orders. Then not long after placing our food orders, each one of our orders came out. Breakfast entrees and sandwich and soup combos were hot and fresh for us. My order of the Traditional Breakfast with crispy bacon and eggs over medium came out as expected. Continuing to do these things right is what will bring me back.
(4)
Jennifer R.
There is NEVER not a wait... yes I double negatived that, but it's the truth. Typical great food but how anyone ever gets to eat it is beyond me with the wait you have to endure. I love this place, you just have to come prepared and not starving.
(4)
Melinda W.
Slow. Food is ok but not worth the wait. Potatoes were burned and ice cold when they arrived. Pancakes crumble very easily. Not good in my opinion. This is my second visit to this location. On the first I had to send my food back as it was ice cold in the middle. My sons French toast was very good.
(3)
Bray L.
Affordable healthy options for breakfast. Good service, but always packed and there is a wait most times. I like how they can text you when your table is ready. The parking is horrible and they do not allow call ahead seating.
(4)
Ms. S.
Perfect place for a nutritious bite. The restaurant was very inviting, clean, and cozy. The staff were very attentive and provided great customer service. Love the coffee, Gluten-Free Menu options and the Day Glow orange-carrot juice. I enjoyed the French Toast made with raisin bread. Two things I didn't get to enjoy were my side dishes, the Turkey Sausages and the avocados. The sausages were a bit dry and cold and the avocados were really ripe and blackened. Overall my family and I enjoyed our visit and the food.
(4)
Mia P.
Typically I love this place for brunch or breakfast. I know that a lot of people love this place and it's very popular. I expect to wait a bit to be seated and know it is going to be busy on the weekends for brunch. The location near University Boulevard is just not managing their peak time very well, I'm sad to say. The waiting area is full of people trying to check in and get their name on the list with the hostess and then you have all of the departing people trying to check out and pay at the front register--it's a disorganized mass of people. There is no flow or signs for queuing as to where to go to check in or check out. The restaurant should fix that or put a hostess station in a specific area away from the cashier. I came here on a Sunday morning with friends and I'm glad I was with friends because we had over an hour to sit at a table to talk while we waited for our order. Our order took an extremely long time to come out and it was even to the point where we saw people who have been seated at least 15 or 20 minutes after us had already received their orders earlier than we did. It did appear that the servers were working hard and trying to meet all the customers needs, but they just fell really short in my opinion. At no point did our server explain why the wait took so long or say "hey you're food will be coming out soon", or apologize for it taking so long in general, nothing was acknowledged. I had to ask for coffee refills and basically we were handed our checks before we were done eating since the place was so busy. Some of the food looked like it had been sitting a while and some parts looked a little undercooked. We were so hungry that no one wanted to send anything back because we had waited so long. Probably not gonna go back to this location but I've had a great service at the location Altamonte Springs, maybe they could use some training from that location.
(2)
Joel P.
I just finished having breakfast here. It was good. Very tasty Eggs benedict. One thing I did not like was the avocado was not prestine. It would have been nice if the side of avocados looked fresh. We definitely enjoyed the atmosphere and the staff, and the Day Glow orange-carrot juice was surprisingly good and refreshing.
(4)
Thysis R.
This place has become my favorite weekend breakfast spot. I love the variety that they have to offer. They really focus on healthy cooking but also offer items that are not considered totally healthy. It's a great place to come with the kids as they have a pretty decent menu. Their pancakes and waffles are enormous! I can usually only eat 1 pancake. They are so good especially since they are made with a homemade batter. They offer seasonal specials which are usually pretty good. If you're coming here on the weekends expect to wait. This place is very popular but it's worth the wait. They are also busy during the week but not like the weekend. The staff is pretty helpful. They definitely strive for good customer service. So happy to have First Watch on the Eastside of town!
(5)
Bill S.
Friendly service & great value to go with variety. Not your everyday breakfast, I had the crab cake benedict and it was excellent. Just enough extras to bind the lump crab meat.
(4)
Earl H.
Amazing service! Amazing food! Nuff said. I had a cranberry pancake with poached eggs and my friend had an egg white omelet. We highly recommend and we will be back!
(5)
David G.
I love coming to this place when I'm in the mood for having an upper scale brunch after mass or some type of special occasion. Everyone is really nice and they have great customer service. I love the Parma Hash (my go to), but their entire menu is all great to choose from. PS ask for Tim, he is my favorite server.
(5)
Marlon S.
This place always has great food and service. They usually are busy on the weekends, so be prepared to wait a little. The food quality is above average. Ingredients seem very fresh every time I have visited. The servers are well mannered and take care of you well. I would recommend to anyone looking for great breakfast, brunch, or lunch to visit First Watch. The waffles are awesome, make sure you don't sleep on it!! The trifecta is my personal fav, and sometimes I get the chickichanga. Try it out, see for yourself!
(5)
Gabrielle L.
Coffee is super good. Also, one of the servers had almost disturbingly short shorts on. Good for me. Not so much for the lady with the elementary school children next to me.
(5)
Nawal B.
Excellent service and food, A+. I loved the healthy options, prices. Ate with 6 friends, everyone's food was perfect!!!!!!
(5)
Sarah D.
I've heard nothing but good things about First Watch, but my experience was a let down. Food took 2 hours to come out, and my pancake was under cooked :( On the bright side they have really healthy options.
(2)
Katie L.
Good price for a great brunch. Definitely plan ahead though because it's usually packed and the parking is a slight issue but it's worth the 20-30 min wait. Staff and management is very friendly as well. Overall, great experience.
(5)
Lisa K.
I love First Watch. It's packed on the weekends, so I usually avoid going because I hate waiting, but during the week you can get in and out with not worries. The food is wonderful. It is always fresh and never greasy. I have been getting the triathlon, which isa healthier option, but fantastic. I've enjoyed the Florida French toast in the past. This is my go-to breakfast stop when I have out of town guests and no one has ever been disappointed.
(5)
John F.
Fast and polite service. Clean and homey feeling environment. Freshly made food along with freshly squeezed orange juice, not minute maid, vegetarian options major plus. Food is both presentable and tasty. Definitely beats major breakfast chains like ihop which is a block or so down. Only down side is that its relatively small so you can feel a little clustered inside, they do have outside seating, which Ofcourse I chose.
(4)
Michele V.
Good food, okay portions. Had special harvest breakfast and pumpkin pancakes. Price was a bit much for portion sizes. Liked it, but won't go back because of the price per meal.
(3)
Melissa C.
For those who have been to First Watch you know the line that most likely awaits you. We took a day off and decided to try FW during the week and am so glad we did. There was no wait when we arrived and since the weather was FANTASTIC we sat outside. Every time I've been I think I've ordered an omelette so I was on a mission to try something else. I opted for the energy bowl with granola (though you can get muesli) sliced almonds, pecans, craisins, wheat germ and raisins. All of this comes topped with fresh fruit (strawberry & banana today). It's also served with low-fat organic yogurt - a little sweet so I think it was vanilla flavored. The BF ordered the pancake special which was 2 eggs done your way, a link of Aidell's chicken & apple sausage, and a pumpkin pancake bigger than your head! Seriously, see the photo.. Unlimited coffee, great service, and a slow, easy morning made for a very nice visit.
(4)
Ar Z.
I loved the place. Healthy choices. Host were awesome rest of staff- so so... I will go back for sure.
(5)
Nick G.
I've been a returning customer here for a long time! Clean and welcoming atmosphere! Food is great and healthy! They have options for anyone! I love super foods and healthier options! This is a MUST!! Be aware for long wait times on Saturday/ Sunday morning! I would recommend this to everyone! btw I Love the chicken- quinoa dish! It's GREAT!
(4)
Angela M.
Simply, amazing. The perfect place for brunch any day. The staff and GM will go above and beyond to make your experience wonderful. And of course, the food was DELICIOUS!! I wish I could eat here everyday.
(5)
Rachel C.
My friend and I were choosing one from first watch and IHOP since there were so close to each other in both location and food style. Finally we decided to try first watch because we wanna try something different. We were so surprised that the food were so healthy and delicious with so low price. After that, I just could't help going there again and again. I luv it so much and have already recommended it to many friends. Def 5 starts !
(5)
Pam B.
Awesome place! As a student it's great to have a restaurant that's close and nutritious. I love coming here whenever I get the opportunity because of the great staff and delicious food. Our last server Stephanie was attentive and friendly. I definitely recommend eating here.
(4)
Jeffrey D.
Cruising around with my wife we decided to have a breakfast here. I was surprised that there was a First Watch location near us. It was also a very busy location. I have been to other locations. The menu is robust for those who haven't been they offer traditional breakfast with some twists. The addition of avocado to a skillet is different and tasty. We enjoyed our breakfast and had a nice breakfast on the patio. It does not offer much in the way of privacy though, so not a good place to go for conversation. They do apparently have wifi. Overall, good food and moderate pricing.
(3)
Cassidy L.
It was very clean and had a great menu! My boyfriend ordered waffles, and I had the bacon onion hash! The service was great, the food came quick, and it was delicious! No complaints! The only reason I am giving it four stars is that I wish they had GF pancakes! They are very nutrition savy, however, they don't have any GF toast, pancakes, waffles, etc. I would love it if they started providing my GF options! Overall, it was delicious!
(4)
bRad w.
Of all the breakfast choices around, this remains our default choice. Everything on the menu is delicious, but the pancakes are the best around (imho). If you have never been to First Watch, do yourself a favor and give it a try. You won't regret it!
(5)
Jaime J.
Some girls live to hear those three special words. I only live to hear two - "Goat cheese." And that is why as soon as it's legal, I will be legally marrying the Farmer's Skillet at First Watch. We're going to be registered at Ikea under Jaime J and Holy Shit, Why Aren't You Eating This Right Now? If you are not eating the Farmer's Skillet right now - right now as you're reading these very words - you essentially made the same life choices as Jesse Pinkman from Breaking Bad and seriously need to reconsider your situation in life. The Farmer's Skillet is greater than the sum of its parts, but the parts by themselves are pretty damn delicious too - crispy salty hunks of roasted potatoes tossed with fresh spinach, melty strands of mozzarella, red peppers, onions, zucchini and these great garlicky roasted crimini mushrooms. I'm not a big mushroom fan - they're often slimy and under-seasoned - but I could pop these little suckers like jujubes. Add an oozy egg (because let's face it - if you're going to eat this dish, you want a fried egg that just oozes its lush yolk all over everything) and some Cholula (waiting at its rightful place on the table next to the salt and pepper) and you've got an almost perfect breakfast. What elevates the dish to perfection is the herbed goat cheese - a tangy, emulsifying final component which takes this dish from a decent breakfast to what God eats when he's hungover. And the best part? You can mop your plate clean with a buttered English muffin. What? I don't believe in dainty breakfasts. I believe in big cups of coffee, hot sauce over everything and eating a breakfast so good, you need a nap immediately afterwards. The rest of their menu looks pretty great but once I see those two magic words - it's all over. It's just me, a mug of coffee and the Farmer's Skillet. Can't nobody tear us apart, baby.
(4)
Nick Z.
I'm a big fan of First Watch. They are a chain of breakfast & lunch joints across FL. Our Triahtlon and running friends like to go to breakfast post workout and this is always a staple. I normally order a tri-fecta with eggs, bacon, pancakes, and hash browns or the triathlete omelette with fruit. The severs is always good, but you need to get their early on the weekend or there is a long wait (at pretty much every location that we have tired.
(4)
Megan W.
Eh, it's just okay, not up to the hype at all. I will eat there again because of the convenient location, but I expected better eggs Benedict from the "best place for breakfast." Maybe their eggs Benedict just aren't that great and I will change my mind when I get something else. Because I will be getting something else.
(3)
Lisa M.
Excellent place for groups and families visiting. Healthy options at affordable prices and delicious foods! I recommend the crepes, muffins, and bacado omelet for sure.
(4)
Sonya P.
The place has potential but the wait is way too long for being a breakfast place. It took 1 hour to get our breakfast order delivered to our table. And we were a party of 3 people. How long can it take to cook eggs? Won't be coming back here. It's not worth the wait.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Harry W.
I really like this restaurant. They tend not to have average diner breakfast and lunch items but instead do interesting versions of classic dishes. My favorites are the bacon, tomato, and avocado hash as well as the whole grain pancakes. As I said you want find corned beef hash or country ham and gravey but the dishes they do serve are tasty and tend to be healthier than the average breakfast Faire. Be warned that the UCF location is popular on weekends so be ready for a wait. A pro tip is to download their app and put your name on the list before you head over.
(4)Alden K.
It was early and we were craving good food. My wife gave the Eggs Florentine a shot, it came with a flat iron steak. It was portioned in what is probably a healthy portion, but I always want more! It was tasty and she seemed to enjoy it, not enough to share much. I ordered the Beefeater. This has been on the menu for some time. It is always good. The potatoes are never really awesome, but they're usually fairly good. This time they came back a little burnt, which threw off the flavor of the entire plate. I should note that I like crispy, but this was charred. Actually, I usually even like charred, especially on something like a steak. But this was beyond that. I'm fairly certain they would have fixed the problem if I mentioned it, but I was in a rush. Despite the occasional mishap, this place rocks. The portions are just filling enough. I definitely recommend checking this place out.
(4)Cecille R.
After my lackluster visit back in the fall, I am happy to say that our visit this time around was much more relaxed and an overall positive experience. We had about a short 10 minute wait on a Sunday morning (they take your cell phone number and text you when your table is ready) but from the time we were seated, we placed our orders and received our drinks and entrees pretty quickly. I ordered the Trifecta and customized mine to have scrambled eggs, 2 links of turkey sausage and a cranberry nut pancake. Everything was delicious. The pancake was so filling and hearty on its own. I didn't even need any syrup as the butter was more than enough to sweeten it. I ordered an iced coffee but wasn't a fan. It tasted like premade out of a carton so I barely touched it. And it was way too sweet. Good to know for next time! Upon checkout, I had a special gift credit to use and the girl ringing us up didn't know how to enter it in the system so she decided to ask the 4-5 employees next to her and they all went back and forth over if they could take it or not. That was slightly annoying but they eventually honored it and I went on my merry way. Overall, I would eat here again but would definitely try to arrive early to beat the crowds especially on Sunday!
(4)Jaimie C.
Highly recommend trying this place. The place actually seems like it could be an optometrist office just because their sun logo looks similar to an eye contact solution. I highly suggest trying the Pesto Chicken Quinoa Power Bowl. So good and perfect portion for breakfast or lunch. Also the Kale Tonic was really delicious too. Makes you feel awake and energized. Overall, service is very nice, welcoming, and polite. The setup seems like an upscale Denny's but of course the food here was way more delicious and better for you. All their items sounded very good. Definitely recommend this place!
(5)Armando L.
This restaurant is really good. Everything is fresh from the juices to there entrees. This is one of those breakfast and brunch place where they close at 2:30pm. The entree that I got was called the pest power quinoa chicken bowl, which was very very good. Packed with protein and very filling. I also got their Day Glow juice, which had carrots, oranges, lemon and fresh ginger, this was also very good. And lastly me and the wifey shared the lemon ricotta pancakes, which again was delicious. The customer services was excellent and the food came out pretty fast as well. The only bad thing about this location is that the parking lot is to small for what is all around it. There's a lot of other restaurants and even a gym right next to it causing it to be packed with cars. So you would have to go to a different parking lot once it's packed. I will definitely go there again to try the other entrees!!!
(4)Yi Jing L.
First time here. Everything seem quite nice. Food was decent. Coffee was good. Reason for 3 star because it's just normal standard. Nothing special about the place. I could go to Ihop and it would be just great if not better. I was told the foods there was organic ? Maybe that's why for the higher price. Overall, it's not a bad place to drop by every so so often. Or to make yourself feel better because you are eating some organic made pancake.
(3)Bray L.
Affordable healthy options for breakfast. Good service, but always packed and there is a wait most times. I like how they can text you when your table is ready. The parking is horrible and they do not allow call ahead seating.
(4)Kimberly K.
This place is PERFECT for brunch! Just time yourself accordingly because it was a full house when I came in around 1pm and they close at 2:30pm hehe. My friend, Sean, and I didn't have to wait too long though! It was only ten minutes. I was pleased with the fast service. The menu is a little pricier than your usual IHOP or Denny's, but everything is so much more healthier, tastier, and FRESHER! I had a tall glass of OJ, which was $4 but SO WORTH IT. You can totally tell from the first sip that their orange juice is 100% freshly squeezed, just perfect to prepare for day two of EDC for me! I ordered their Belgian waffle with scrambled eggs and a sausage link. By golly, their description didn't lie when they said "airy light Belgian waffle". It really was fluffy and light! If you get full by half of a Belgian waffle, you'll be able to gobble this up with no problem, on top of those scrambled eggs and savory sausage link! I didn't feel the need to force myself to finish the last bites of my meal, I happily did so and felt perfectly recharged! Also, the berry spread and butter they serve with the waffle amped it up! I love when a diner serves some GOOD REAL whipped butter, and the berries gave it a nice little tangy kick. Perfect waffle combo, I must say.
(5)Sarah F.
Love breakfast but nutrition in a good meal can be a problem. First Watch has a wide variety of healthy food options such as whole grain, egg whites, turkey and quinoa. The whole grain carrot cake pancakes are amazing (Trifecta with egg white and turkey sausage as well), it huge so half was enough. I also got OJ/ carrot fresh juice which was refreshing. Topi don't feel lethargic after your meal here which is a great feeling! Recommend for all the people trying to stay healthy! If you don't care about that...there are a ton of other places I prefer (check previous reviews ) 4 stars for healthy options.
(4)Valencia R.
After the UCF You Can Finish Race, a group of us ladies decided come here for a bite to eat. Once we pulled in the parking lot, I knew from the amount of cars that we were going to have to wait. Our group was told that we had a 30 minute wait which really was bad. We had a party of five in our group. The restaurant was packed to the max, so 30 minutes was doable. Once we finally got seated, our waitress quickly returned with our drink orders. However, taking our orders was a different story. Actually one of the ladies in my group thought we had ordered already because we were waiting so long. As some point we all placed our orders and waited for what seemed like eternity for the food to come out. I ordered the eggs benedict with turkey and avocado. The egg was a bit funny tasting & cold. I am not sure if that was the way they would normally make it or not. Needless to say, I have had better elsewhere. After the meal was a fiasco. We all were given our checks at the table and had to go back to the hostess counter which was already cramped with patrons trying to come in to eat. We had to go through mazes of people that probably assumed that we were skipping them in line just to pay our bill. I would suggest someone comes up with a better strategy in the near future.
(2)Rachel W.
It was busy but they were able to get us a table quickly. Everyone was working very diligently. Erica was our server and she was absolutely wonderful! She was so friendly and helpful. Our food came out quickly and it was DELICIOUS. We ordered the Floridian French toast and the avocado toast with eggs - so good! We will definitely be returning for more.
(5)David K.
The other day I was in a rush to get from one appointment to another and only had a small amount of time to eat in between. I was craving a good sandwich but I had no idea where to get one along my route on University Blvd, which is mostly filled with pizza and burger joints. A few sub shops and Mexican places are thrown in there for good measure. Aside from Panera there weren't too many places that instantly came to mind. A quick search on my phone brought up a place I hadn't been to in awhile, First Watch, and a brief overview of their menu led me to order a Reuben with a side of Cream of Chicken and Wild Rice soup. After placing the order I headed that way and was there in 20 minutes, finding my sandwich and soup ready for me. Most days I would have been ok with waiting a few minutes if I had to but the fact that it was ready when I got there that day was perfect. At first glance, this looked more like a melt than a sandwich. The marble rye bread was buttered, and it looked like it had been pressed, but the end result was more satisfying than I could have imagined. The bread was crisp, but it wasn't so crisp that you had to chew through it hard to get to the meat, in fact it basically gave way around the meat and provided enough crispiness to add varying texture and crunch but let you enjoy the deliciousness wedged inside. The corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss and thousand island dressing were proportioned perfectly, letting each add it's own flavor without overpowering the rest. This sandwich was the comfort food I needed that day. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I tried the soup. Suddenly I wished I had an entire soup pot full of it, and that it was about 30 degrees colder. This is the kind of soup you'd have on a cold day and it would both fill you up and leave you feeling warmer inside. Whoever came up with this recipe did this soup justice by not overdoing it with salt like most other restaurants do. The ingredients they use have the chance to "do the talking" without feeling like you're slurping down on a salt shaker. The final reason this meal left me so happy was that it only cost $7.99 + tax. Do you hear that Fresh To Order?? I can get a WHOLE sandwich and a cup of soup for less than you charge for a 1/2 sandwich 1/2 soup combo. That kind of value combined with it's amazing taste moves it from "hard to beat" to "unbeatable". Way to go First Watch! I will definitely be back for more!
(5)Sarah K.
This location is always a little busy but I imagine all of them are. Consistently great fresh food, friendly staff, and always clean. I recommend this place to anyone looking for a filing breakfast that won't leave you feeling weighed down.
(4)Wayde T.
Wheat germ Cranberry Pancakes were the best. The atmosphere was chill, clean, friendly, fast staff! Will return.
(5)Melinda W.
Slow. Food is ok but not worth the wait. Potatoes were burned and ice cold when they arrived. Pancakes crumble very easily. Not good in my opinion. This is my second visit to this location. On the first I had to send my food back as it was ice cold in the middle. My sons French toast was very good.
(3)Andrew H.
First Watch, the breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant, has added three new seasonal menu items that will be available through Sunday, August 17. In addition to the food offerings, long time fans of First Watch will be happy to know that the brand has finally added Iced Coffee to the menu that is available year round. Those new menu items include the BLT Benedict, Shrimp and Grits, and the Bruleed Banana Waffle. The BLT Benedict is served with two poached eggs on toasted ciabatta with bacon, tomato, hollandaise sauce, lemon-dressed arugula, avocado slices, fresh herbs, and includes a side of fresh seasonal fruit. I really liked the flavors and textures of this dish and would certainly order it again. The ciabatta added a nice crispy layer of support for all of the toppings. The Shrimp & Grits features sautéed shrimp and Andouille sausage in a Cajun low-country reduction with house-roasted tomatoes, onions, peppers, corn and fresh herbs on Cheddar Parmesan cheesy grits served with ciabatta toast. First Watch has done a pretty good job of creating an authentic "Low Country" shrimp and grits. The flavors were light and fresh with an earthy note, and the Andouille sausage added the right amount of spice. The Bruleed Banana Waffle is a light and airy waffle that is topped with caramelized bruleed bananas, brown sugar glazed bacon, a sweet cream sauce drizzle and bacon-infused syrup. This was really good, but it was really sweet. I like sweets, but this was too much for me. I recommend you order this and split it with at least one other person.
(4)Joy J.
Came here because I received a free entree of my choice for my Birthday. This is located on the UCF strip of eateries. Parking was pretty full so I assumed great things about the place! The wait time was 5 minutes for a table and the cafe was pretty packed of diners. Got seated and was presented a menu along with the regular menu is a seperate summer menu items thats limited. Im into anything eggs benedict so I opted for their summer special of BLT Eggs Benedict! The young lady was pretty nice. I noticed she always wants to make sure I want anything extra with my order felt like it was a commission sales thing lol! As I got my eggs benedict I noticed a few things that Im not used to from other areas Ive gotten eggs benedict from .. 1) The portion was like an appetizer sized portion 2) Wheres the hollandaise sauce?!! It was so little I barely saw it and tasted it! 3) the ciabatta bread was so hard I was afraid I may break a tooth chomping in it! 4) The poached eggs were NOT RUNNY but soft boiled?!!! WTH?!!! 5) Too much greens that covered the whole experience of eating the entree! I pointed out the above flaws and I sent it back to the kitchen to have it redone! I requested runny yolk on my poached eggs and softer ciabatta bread please! I shouldve requested more Hollandaise sauce! Ugghh!! The entree came with a fruit bowl which consists of pineapple, watermelon bites and grapes - my bowl in particular consists more of grapes n some still had stems on it! When the server took my 1st entree that was sent back she also took along my other utensils - She never offered a new utensil packet back so All I had to work with is a fork to eat with! I had to request a new set of utensils so I can use a spoon to eat my fruit bowl! Thank god this entree was FREE because I was not a happy camper! The 2nd round was a tad bit better but I just felt the portions of it all is not worth $$. Small eggs barely any hollandaise sauce - SMH what a shame! I may try out Peach Valley or Keke's next time!
(2)Pam H.
I feel bad that I was the person who suggested First Watch to my group as a post-race meal. I've eaten at several locations, and always enjoyed the food, so I thought this would be a great spot. I guess this really shows that service and quality can vary by location. It was a Sunday morning, so we expected a wait with the church and brunch crowds. When we were finally seated thirty minutes after arriving (which was pretty good, considering how crowded the waiting area was), we were all starving and ready for all the food and all the coffee. Our server started out ok, taking our drink orders. Once our drinks were brought over, she vanished for what felt like a very long time. At one point I noticed a server carrying a tray of food and realized it was not for our table, because we did not order yet! Talk about disappointment! Once we ordered, there was another lengthy wait. Again, it was a busy Sunday rush, but the wait still felt quite excessive. Our food came out in spurts, with one friend in our group waiting quite a while for her dish. This is breakfast, not a gourmet dinner, so I would think they can time eggs and potatoes so we can all eat at the same time. I was disappointed in my meal, but was so hungry I didn't bother asking for something else. Waiting so long after a 5 mile run will do that to you! The Key West Crepegg was more like an over-cooked omelet with hardly anything inside. It was very dry, and I only recall and few bites of avocado, which was more than the turkey or bacon that should've been included. My friend pointed out that the potatoes tasted boiled, almost to mashed potato consistency. No crispiness or flavor. Major bummer! I did enjoy a bite of the muffins my friends ordered as pre-meal snacks. Those were tasty and held us over somewhat until our food arrived. But that's not really enough to bring me back to this location, so I'll stick to Winter Park or Maitland in the future.
(2)Leslie S.
Shaleane is knowledgeable. She even odered for me. I felt the service could have been better as although they weren't that busy, it took time to get drinks and to go boxes. The pancake is larger than the plate it's served on. Don't put syrup on the entire thing as you'll be taking the rest home. The shroom omelette had lots of onions in it. I just would have preferred more Swiss cheese. I love the variety of teas offered. Eat here if you'd like a healthier option for breakfast.
(3)Michael K.
My latest visit was noteworthy and deserving of an updated review. The dine in staff really know how to take care of their guests. Going for breakfast on the weekends will likely result in a wait for a table but once you get seated everything else goes quick. We were greeted by our server right away and provided with our drink orders. Then not long after placing our food orders, each one of our orders came out. Breakfast entrees and sandwich and soup combos were hot and fresh for us. My order of the Traditional Breakfast with crispy bacon and eggs over medium came out as expected. Continuing to do these things right is what will bring me back.
(4)Jennifer R.
There is NEVER not a wait... yes I double negatived that, but it's the truth. Typical great food but how anyone ever gets to eat it is beyond me with the wait you have to endure. I love this place, you just have to come prepared and not starving.
(4)Cassie Q.
Our food has not been great the last two times we went here. And the coffee is expensive. There are better breakfast places around.
(2)Ms. S.
Perfect place for a nutritious bite. The restaurant was very inviting, clean, and cozy. The staff were very attentive and provided great customer service. Love the coffee, Gluten-Free Menu options and the Day Glow orange-carrot juice. I enjoyed the French Toast made with raisin bread. Two things I didn't get to enjoy were my side dishes, the Turkey Sausages and the avocados. The sausages were a bit dry and cold and the avocados were really ripe and blackened. Overall my family and I enjoyed our visit and the food.
(4)Mia P.
Typically I love this place for brunch or breakfast. I know that a lot of people love this place and it's very popular. I expect to wait a bit to be seated and know it is going to be busy on the weekends for brunch. The location near University Boulevard is just not managing their peak time very well, I'm sad to say. The waiting area is full of people trying to check in and get their name on the list with the hostess and then you have all of the departing people trying to check out and pay at the front register--it's a disorganized mass of people. There is no flow or signs for queuing as to where to go to check in or check out. The restaurant should fix that or put a hostess station in a specific area away from the cashier. I came here on a Sunday morning with friends and I'm glad I was with friends because we had over an hour to sit at a table to talk while we waited for our order. Our order took an extremely long time to come out and it was even to the point where we saw people who have been seated at least 15 or 20 minutes after us had already received their orders earlier than we did. It did appear that the servers were working hard and trying to meet all the customers needs, but they just fell really short in my opinion. At no point did our server explain why the wait took so long or say "hey you're food will be coming out soon", or apologize for it taking so long in general, nothing was acknowledged. I had to ask for coffee refills and basically we were handed our checks before we were done eating since the place was so busy. Some of the food looked like it had been sitting a while and some parts looked a little undercooked. We were so hungry that no one wanted to send anything back because we had waited so long. Probably not gonna go back to this location but I've had a great service at the location Altamonte Springs, maybe they could use some training from that location.
(2)Joel P.
I just finished having breakfast here. It was good. Very tasty Eggs benedict. One thing I did not like was the avocado was not prestine. It would have been nice if the side of avocados looked fresh. We definitely enjoyed the atmosphere and the staff, and the Day Glow orange-carrot juice was surprisingly good and refreshing.
(4)Thysis R.
This place has become my favorite weekend breakfast spot. I love the variety that they have to offer. They really focus on healthy cooking but also offer items that are not considered totally healthy. It's a great place to come with the kids as they have a pretty decent menu. Their pancakes and waffles are enormous! I can usually only eat 1 pancake. They are so good especially since they are made with a homemade batter. They offer seasonal specials which are usually pretty good. If you're coming here on the weekends expect to wait. This place is very popular but it's worth the wait. They are also busy during the week but not like the weekend. The staff is pretty helpful. They definitely strive for good customer service. So happy to have First Watch on the Eastside of town!
(5)Bill S.
Friendly service & great value to go with variety. Not your everyday breakfast, I had the crab cake benedict and it was excellent. Just enough extras to bind the lump crab meat.
(4)Earl H.
Amazing service! Amazing food! Nuff said. I had a cranberry pancake with poached eggs and my friend had an egg white omelet. We highly recommend and we will be back!
(5)David G.
I love coming to this place when I'm in the mood for having an upper scale brunch after mass or some type of special occasion. Everyone is really nice and they have great customer service. I love the Parma Hash (my go to), but their entire menu is all great to choose from. PS ask for Tim, he is my favorite server.
(5)Marlon S.
This place always has great food and service. They usually are busy on the weekends, so be prepared to wait a little. The food quality is above average. Ingredients seem very fresh every time I have visited. The servers are well mannered and take care of you well. I would recommend to anyone looking for great breakfast, brunch, or lunch to visit First Watch. The waffles are awesome, make sure you don't sleep on it!! The trifecta is my personal fav, and sometimes I get the chickichanga. Try it out, see for yourself!
(5)Gabrielle L.
Coffee is super good. Also, one of the servers had almost disturbingly short shorts on. Good for me. Not so much for the lady with the elementary school children next to me.
(5)Nawal B.
Excellent service and food, A+. I loved the healthy options, prices. Ate with 6 friends, everyone's food was perfect!!!!!!
(5)Sarah D.
I've heard nothing but good things about First Watch, but my experience was a let down. Food took 2 hours to come out, and my pancake was under cooked :( On the bright side they have really healthy options.
(2)Katie L.
Good price for a great brunch. Definitely plan ahead though because it's usually packed and the parking is a slight issue but it's worth the 20-30 min wait. Staff and management is very friendly as well. Overall, great experience.
(5)Emilie M.
It's been a couple of years since I last tried First Watch, but I definitely will be back more often. When I first walked in, all the tables seemed to be full and it was 8 am on a Wednesday. I had the Acapulco express omelet with a side of fruit. My meal was delicious! I loved the avocado in my omelet. I think what I really enjoy is also having your own pot of coffee per table. No annoying servers topping off your already perfectly proportioned coffee & creamer mix every time they walk by The food was fast, service was good, and it's a quiet place to enjoy breakfast.
(4)Mark Gil P.
I had hair in my food today. Other than that, it's generally a good place to eat. As I was eating here, I told my friends that I liked this pace better than Keke's. That was before I saw the hair in my food. The Belgian Waffle is great. The coffee is good. The food tastes fresh and the menu is health conscious. The staff is friendly and good looking. Not too good looking that they act snobby though. They are all approachable. Because they are all generally good looking, I assume they bath regularly and that is why I'm not upset about the hair in my food. Clean hair is clean hair. Food is made by hand - clean hands. If they were un-washed dirty hands then that is upsetting. I tried to smell the hair to find out what kind of shampoo they used, but the pancake batter was too over powering. They did comp the pancakes, so I'm happy I got free Hair pancakes. It's like winning the lottery. Thanks First Watch!
(2)Luca C.
Love this first watch, the employees and management have been great on multiple occasions, and always keep us coming back. The food doesn't disappoint and I love the open policy to sharing for those who know they won't eat full portions or who want to share different items. Management has been great here, the one time we had an issue he was incredibly attentive and sensitive to the situation, and made sure we didn't pay for the item and were return customers. Also went the extra mile contacting my fiance's school to get her purse back after she forgot it there that same day, very nice guy. :)
(5)Paul S.
This is one of our go to stops for breakfast on the weekends. Since the kids have us up early we are usually lucky enough to miss the crowds. We have been visiting this location for a while now and I have to say they are pretty consistent. Always a good meal and good service.
(4)Christina H.
First Watch is one of our favorite weekend breakfast places. We usually try to get there early so we don't have to wait as long for seats. Also if the weather is nice sitting outside will get you seated faster. This past weekend our server was Lea, she was really outstanding. She was very sweet, checked on us frequently, not pushy when we took a long time to order, just really great. I never say this, but I will ask for her section when we go back. Breakfast choices are really typical stuff. I love the Eggs Benedict with Avocado, but this weekend I went with the seasonal pumpkin pancake. It was a huge pancake with a nice pumpkin flavor. Sides were an egg and apple chicken (maybe turkey... some sort of poultry) sausage. The sausage wasn't all that, but the pancake was amazing. And they had pumpkin spice coffee creamers, but I used them all up at our table. Hope the refilled them for the next group. My youngest daughter loves the fruit crepes, and she always requests specific fruit filling. Amazingly, the servers always accommodate her moods (i just imagine they're having to pick all of the berries out of the fruit salad for her.) But that's nice, and a pretty healthy breakfast option for the kiddos. (The other kids are all about french toast, one even got a french toast Monte Cristo...) So overall, great food. Consistently good service. Can't go wrong with First Watch.
(5)Trina S.
So my son, a UCF student, has been talking about this place for months. We tried to come on our last trip bust was packed. We finally made it. The food was very good. The pancakes were huge. I definitely will do one pancake next time. The staff were very nice. Will come back
(5)Melissa C.
For those who have been to First Watch you know the line that most likely awaits you. We took a day off and decided to try FW during the week and am so glad we did. There was no wait when we arrived and since the weather was FANTASTIC we sat outside. Every time I've been I think I've ordered an omelette so I was on a mission to try something else. I opted for the energy bowl with granola (though you can get muesli) sliced almonds, pecans, craisins, wheat germ and raisins. All of this comes topped with fresh fruit (strawberry & banana today). It's also served with low-fat organic yogurt - a little sweet so I think it was vanilla flavored. The BF ordered the pancake special which was 2 eggs done your way, a link of Aidell's chicken & apple sausage, and a pumpkin pancake bigger than your head! Seriously, see the photo.. Unlimited coffee, great service, and a slow, easy morning made for a very nice visit.
(4)Ar Z.
I loved the place. Healthy choices. Host were awesome rest of staff- so so... I will go back for sure.
(5)Lisa K.
I love First Watch. It's packed on the weekends, so I usually avoid going because I hate waiting, but during the week you can get in and out with not worries. The food is wonderful. It is always fresh and never greasy. I have been getting the triathlon, which isa healthier option, but fantastic. I've enjoyed the Florida French toast in the past. This is my go-to breakfast stop when I have out of town guests and no one has ever been disappointed.
(5)John F.
Fast and polite service. Clean and homey feeling environment. Freshly made food along with freshly squeezed orange juice, not minute maid, vegetarian options major plus. Food is both presentable and tasty. Definitely beats major breakfast chains like ihop which is a block or so down. Only down side is that its relatively small so you can feel a little clustered inside, they do have outside seating, which Ofcourse I chose.
(4)Michele V.
Good food, okay portions. Had special harvest breakfast and pumpkin pancakes. Price was a bit much for portion sizes. Liked it, but won't go back because of the price per meal.
(3)Nick G.
I've been a returning customer here for a long time! Clean and welcoming atmosphere! Food is great and healthy! They have options for anyone! I love super foods and healthier options! This is a MUST!! Be aware for long wait times on Saturday/ Sunday morning! I would recommend this to everyone! btw I Love the chicken- quinoa dish! It's GREAT!
(4)Angela M.
Simply, amazing. The perfect place for brunch any day. The staff and GM will go above and beyond to make your experience wonderful. And of course, the food was DELICIOUS!! I wish I could eat here everyday.
(5)Rachel C.
My friend and I were choosing one from first watch and IHOP since there were so close to each other in both location and food style. Finally we decided to try first watch because we wanna try something different. We were so surprised that the food were so healthy and delicious with so low price. After that, I just could't help going there again and again. I luv it so much and have already recommended it to many friends. Def 5 starts !
(5)Pam B.
Awesome place! As a student it's great to have a restaurant that's close and nutritious. I love coming here whenever I get the opportunity because of the great staff and delicious food. Our last server Stephanie was attentive and friendly. I definitely recommend eating here.
(4)Jeffrey D.
Cruising around with my wife we decided to have a breakfast here. I was surprised that there was a First Watch location near us. It was also a very busy location. I have been to other locations. The menu is robust for those who haven't been they offer traditional breakfast with some twists. The addition of avocado to a skillet is different and tasty. We enjoyed our breakfast and had a nice breakfast on the patio. It does not offer much in the way of privacy though, so not a good place to go for conversation. They do apparently have wifi. Overall, good food and moderate pricing.
(3)Nick Z.
I'm a big fan of First Watch. They are a chain of breakfast & lunch joints across FL. Our Triahtlon and running friends like to go to breakfast post workout and this is always a staple. I normally order a tri-fecta with eggs, bacon, pancakes, and hash browns or the triathlete omelette with fruit. The severs is always good, but you need to get their early on the weekend or there is a long wait (at pretty much every location that we have tired.
(4)Jaime J.
Some girls live to hear those three special words. I only live to hear two - "Goat cheese." And that is why as soon as it's legal, I will be legally marrying the Farmer's Skillet at First Watch. We're going to be registered at Ikea under Jaime J and Holy Shit, Why Aren't You Eating This Right Now? If you are not eating the Farmer's Skillet right now - right now as you're reading these very words - you essentially made the same life choices as Jesse Pinkman from Breaking Bad and seriously need to reconsider your situation in life. The Farmer's Skillet is greater than the sum of its parts, but the parts by themselves are pretty damn delicious too - crispy salty hunks of roasted potatoes tossed with fresh spinach, melty strands of mozzarella, red peppers, onions, zucchini and these great garlicky roasted crimini mushrooms. I'm not a big mushroom fan - they're often slimy and under-seasoned - but I could pop these little suckers like jujubes. Add an oozy egg (because let's face it - if you're going to eat this dish, you want a fried egg that just oozes its lush yolk all over everything) and some Cholula (waiting at its rightful place on the table next to the salt and pepper) and you've got an almost perfect breakfast. What elevates the dish to perfection is the herbed goat cheese - a tangy, emulsifying final component which takes this dish from a decent breakfast to what God eats when he's hungover. And the best part? You can mop your plate clean with a buttered English muffin. What? I don't believe in dainty breakfasts. I believe in big cups of coffee, hot sauce over everything and eating a breakfast so good, you need a nap immediately afterwards. The rest of their menu looks pretty great but once I see those two magic words - it's all over. It's just me, a mug of coffee and the Farmer's Skillet. Can't nobody tear us apart, baby.
(4)Megan W.
Eh, it's just okay, not up to the hype at all. I will eat there again because of the convenient location, but I expected better eggs Benedict from the "best place for breakfast." Maybe their eggs Benedict just aren't that great and I will change my mind when I get something else. Because I will be getting something else.
(3)Lisa M.
Excellent place for groups and families visiting. Healthy options at affordable prices and delicious foods! I recommend the crepes, muffins, and bacado omelet for sure.
(4)Sonya P.
The place has potential but the wait is way too long for being a breakfast place. It took 1 hour to get our breakfast order delivered to our table. And we were a party of 3 people. How long can it take to cook eggs? Won't be coming back here. It's not worth the wait.
(2)bRad w.
Of all the breakfast choices around, this remains our default choice. Everything on the menu is delicious, but the pancakes are the best around (imho). If you have never been to First Watch, do yourself a favor and give it a try. You won't regret it!
(5)Cassidy L.
It was very clean and had a great menu! My boyfriend ordered waffles, and I had the bacon onion hash! The service was great, the food came quick, and it was delicious! No complaints! The only reason I am giving it four stars is that I wish they had GF pancakes! They are very nutrition savy, however, they don't have any GF toast, pancakes, waffles, etc. I would love it if they started providing my GF options! Overall, it was delicious!
(4)Stephanie S.
I love first watch, it's a ritual breakfast place to go to and I feel a much better chance of getting well cooked food in comparison to say Denny's. Granted the food is not always made to perfection, but anytime I've had an issue they have politely traded my food out and made me a happy camper. I love all their skillets, they are literally amazing just watch the heat when they bring it out! Burned taste buds suck. Orange juice is really pulpy and I'm not a fan, but the coffee is good. The lighter options give you the same benefit of flavor without all the hoopla of added carbs and fat. The lean machine is a favorite of mine for lighter breakfast days during the week. The key west crepe eggs is the only thing I've gotten that I did not care for. The salsa made everything wayyyy too soggy! Made me sad,
(4)Eric G.
I was very happy with my experience today for Breakfast. I read a few reviews before picking First Watch and I agree that this is a nice small breakfast place with some very unique choices. I had the bacon avocado skillet. I got a little bit worried that this was a healthy food only kind of place and that if they had bacon or potatoes that it would be in very small portions. I was pleasantly surprised that my meal was a large portion and was packed with all the good stuff. This is a nice place for breakfast or a brunch, but I wouldn't suggest taking a large party here because it was a little busy and your wait could be a while with more than 4 or so in your party.
(4)Jeff K.
First Watch is always a solid choice for breakfast, when you can get in the door. If you're going on the weekend (especially on a Sunday after the first church services are letting out), you'd better get there early or be prepared to wait. The coffee is pretty good, the pancakes are great, and I really enjoy the variations of eggs benedict (specifically the turkey & avocado!). I'm also a fan of the breakfast skillets. The Beefeater is an excellent sandwich for lunch, as is the turkey burger. Service is great for the most part, although on our most recent visit our waiter seemed a little lost and we had to ask for some things more than once. We're an easy going table though, so we weren't bothered by it much, and it was pretty busy. East Orlando isn't really swimming in breakfast places. The local eateries that serve breakfast don't seem to last long, so I'm glad there's a First Watch here to help out when I'm hungry in the morning and my latest "regular" breakfast joint has boarded up with no warning.
(4)Jodie B.
Skillet me, baby! Excellent service, perfect breakfast with nice in-season specials. A must if you're looking for an easy weekend stand by.
(4)Michael W.
Management has changed the what was once enjoyable breakfast experience to a healthier version of Denny's. They took away the free coffee for waiting customers in the front, the silverware was dirty, the server neglected us the whole time and actually argued with my friend about the coffee being hot. The waitress looked very unkempt too. Her uniform was filthy with stains all over, nasty mess. The menu has changed and is a lot less appealing. I only saw one item that interested me and it wasn't great. My friend ordered a soup and it came out lukewarm. Pretty bad experience especially when you're expecting what this First Watch used to be. Take your money to Perkins across the street or to KeKe's Breakfast Cafe in Waterford!
(1)Lisa W.
This is the newst First Watch location, I recently visited and found it to be a very nice First Watch location. The food was great, prepared well and the service was friendly. We went on a Sunday, so it was slammed. SLAMMED. 40 minute wait when we got there and when we left. They had a nice big carafe of coffee out by the register so that you could have some while you waited. Nice touch. People of all ages spilled out onto the sidewalks, but no one cared. The wait time was accurate and the hosts came outside to check for parties. Breakfast is a primary meal option, available all day long. Omelets are delish and can be made with all eggs or some egg whites, no upcharge which is not typical for egg whites. If you see the Pumpkin pancakes on their season fall menu, get them, they are awesome. Their blueberry pancakes have fresh blueberries in them and a blueberry compote for the top. Try them with some added granola. Sandwiches and salads are primary meat based for protein, nice white meat chicken is used for most of their entree salads. Coffee is good. Check to board or call in for daily specials, they rotate and are popular. If you hit any First Watch on the weekends, expect a wait. Bring your paper and settle in. It's worth the wait.
(4)Bunny N.
First Watch is a restaurant that is only open for breakfast and brunch. The food I had was good but I don't think it's anything too spectacular. Prices were decent. The negative about this place was that it seems as though it's always crowded. I'd rather be eating at a place that doesn't seem too hectic and busy.
(4)Morgan L.
I love breakfast. I love it even more when I can get it in a clean, friendly atmosphere with FREE COFFEE. I've now been to two different First Watch locations, and for chain breakfast It's pretty darn good. Not quite Peach Valley Cafe level (my breakfast mecca), but a close second. Good value. Appropriate portion sizes (not so huge you leave feeling gross). Creative menu options for folks like me. I went this morning during a rain storm and they got our party in quickly. I've now had two omelettes. The only criticism I have is the lack of fillings - the egg to inside ratio isn't quite what I would like, but still tasty. Next time I go I'll be checking the specials board before I order - on my way out I saw a delicious pancake/bacon/egg special that I desperately wish I had ordered. Oh well, next time...
(4)Jennifer L.
A personal favorite for Sunday morning breakfast, First Watch is a casual restaurant with a nice, conversational, college staff (understandable because UCF is very close by.) First Watch offers a very open, bright, and fresh environment. Not only is the seating comfortable inside, they offer outdoor seating which is perfect on a sunny, breezy day. Some of my favorite dishes include the eggs benedict, as well as the pancakes (sometimes simple is better). If your looking for a good lunch, sandwiches and salads are great, and the prices in this restaurant are not to expensive, an average dish varies between six and ten dollars. So get up early, because their open till two.
(5)Chelsea B.
first time at a first watch in florida. we had a 15-20 minute wait, but that's to be expected, and when we were finally seated i noticed that everyone was working super fast to bus tables and keep the wait time to a minimum. our server was incredibly sweet. my friend likes her bacon extra crispy (pretty much charred), and our server had no problem sending it back. i had the crepeggs, which i would definitely try again. i wasn't a fan of the turkey they used...it kind of seemed like cut up deli turkey breast, but the rest of my meal was fantastic. i came here with 3 girls and each of us tried something different, but i would have been fine eating any one of their meals - - everything looked so delicious.
(4)Brian R.
What a great menu filled with original breakfast creations. The place is clean, the service is great, and they have things to eat that are both a billion calorie splurges and tasty foods for those of us who are calorically-challenged. (Shh.. Some of their menu items MAY BE GOOD FOR YOU.)
(5)Kristen P.
I went here today for the first time. Since I moved to Orlando, I've heard about brunch at First Watch. It was a spontaneous decision to go so I wasn't entirely prepared for a big bunch of food, but that is what I got. I got the traditional breakfast: 2 eggs, breakfast potatoes, an english muffin, and a choice of bacon, sausage, or ham. I'm really picky about restaurant eggs, these were just okay for me. Everything else was good. I want to come back next time with a big appetite. I really want to try their pancakes.
(4)Leo G.
Very good value for money. Excellent for families. Very good food, diverse, interesting menu, generous but not excessive portions of fresh, high quality food. Good, friendly service. Clean, open seating. I had the "Market Hash" with crimini mushrooms, really excellent. My son had a different hash, and my daughter the crepes with fruit and a muffin. Total was $33 including tip. The only minor negative was the table was sticky. Would definitely recommend to anyone for breakfast or brunch. Haven't yet tried the lunch.
(4)Ricky L.
First Watch is one of the few restaurants out there that bucks the maxim about chains/franchises sucking in all matters of food deliciousness. This place is almost always packed and as a believer in "the wisdom of crowds" I knew this place would be pretty good. I ordered the Acapulco Express Omellette made with chorizo sausage, avocado, green chilies and onions, smothered with melted cheeses and topped with sour cream and served with a side of homemade salsa, first watch potatoes and English muffin. Simple yet delicious. Overall the meal at First Watch was pretty good. I particularly enjoyed how the food wasn't oily or overly greasy like some of the other "breakfast" joints out there, all very fresh and very light tasting.
(5)Joe C.
The outside of the building doesn't look like a restaurant (my wife commented that it looked like a bank), so I'm glad we had read about this place to go looking for it. We went on a Sunday at about noon. There was a 15-20 minute wait for a table for two, but they provided free coffee while we waited. The waiting area inside is small, but it was nice outside. The interior is pleasant, but a bit plain. It felt a little more Perkins than Breakfast Club (another popular breakfast spot in Orlando). Despite being absolutely packed, the staff was quick and attentive. We timed how long it took from the time we ordered to being served, and they clocked in at a little under 10 minutes. The food and portions were excellent. The pancakes were light and fluffy. The eggs were perfectly cooked (Most places can't get over-medium correct). The sausage link was cooked without being greasy or dry. The potatoes were a little underseasoned (nothing a bit of table salt couldn't fix) but otherwise cooked well.
(5)Denise R.
My husband and I love this healthy alternative to Ihop. It's usually crowded but worth the wait!
(5)Zack B.
A delicious place to have a fresh breakfast! Everything on the menu at FirstWatch is great! I highly recommend this place over Ihop or KeKe's. the definite go-to breakfast eatery!!
(5)Frank L.
This is a great breakfast hangout. I was very impressed with the quality and taste of the food at First Watch. I got a Blueberry muffin on the grill. I would recommend doing this as it comes out hot and with butter on it.
(4)Christopher B.
This was my first time to a First Watch and I will say right off the bat that I will definitely be back. The restaurant was very clean and the staff was super nice. As soon as we walked in we were greeted by a smiling hostess who was extremely polite and very quick to seat us. Our waitress greeted us within seconds of sitting down. That really amazed me. Both I and my wife had questions regarding the menu and she was quick to give us answers. Seemed like she really knew the menu. Again I was amazed. Food arrived within a great time after we ordered and I have to honestly say the presentation of the food was great. The food tasted awesome and the suggestions that the waitress gave were spot on. Our waitress checked on us several times and when we asked for the bill we got it immediately. We paid at the counter and apparently we did not know this until we had left but the General Manager was the one that took our money. He was extremely polite and asked us how our experience was and if everything was to satisfaction. We said YES to everything. This is a great restaurant and I will definitely be back to this location for sure.
(5)Kristen C.
The floridian french toast and the muesli power bowl are favorites for my husband and I. It seems like all of the breakfast places get slammed on the weekends, but I've never waited more than 30 mins. They are very accommodating to groups and the food always comes quickly!
(4)Ms Fabulous Jay R.
In all fairness I did go on opening day..so the servers weren't as experienced it seemed. The also appeared to be a bit overwhelmed. For being a breakfast/brunch place..I wasnt impressed. I think I get more of a value going to Perkins.. I ordered Eggs with Ham and toast ..with my Coffee..It was just that... I say its a nice concept with the outdoor seating..But I would give it time where the servers can learn there stuff, cause I hate having to ask twice.."Im sorry I am missing my toast" I probably would not go again..I would go down five more minutes and have my warm apple cinnamon muffins with my breakfast at team perkins!
(2)Bettina T.
If you're looking for a fun, relaxing place to have some yummy brunch First Watch is definitely the place to be. You have the option of sitting inside or outside; I prefer outside because the weather in Florida is really nice around this time. The menu is extremely creative; it's broken down into 3 sections, Half-asleep, Waking-Up, and Wide Eyed. They know how to throw down in this brunch kitchen, esp. with the turkey sausage and belgian waffle.
(4)Sherry m.
Pros: 1. blueberry pancakes are okay but the blueberry compote that comes with them is pretty awesome. 2. the health factor. it is nice to kind of be forced into ordering something moderately healthy Cons: 1. i hate to sound old but this location is packed with college students all wearing their pajamas. we went at 10:30ish on a monday and it was packed.
(3)Heidi B.
Having lived in the UCF area for approximately 5 years now, I remember when this First Watch was built. The crazy thing is, it literally took me a few months to finally try this brunch spot out because it closes around 2 in the afternoon (not conducive to the schedule of a college student). Anyway, I went once with my mom and have since been back a few times already. Perhaps my one and only complaint with First Watch is that there is typically always a wait. Even on Saturdays, which usually isn't seen as the typical "brunch" day, there is a 10-15 minute wait minimum it seems. But every time I have gone the food has been pretty good. They offer a lot of options for people who wish to either eat healthier or are vegetarian--egg whites, turkey bacon or turkey sausage, spinach, and avocado can be found all over the menu. I would highly recommend the Bacado Omelet if you are a bacon and avacado fan. Also, it is true that their pancakes are HUGE. I believe a standard order comes with 2 pancakes, which is more than enough. I ordered some granola pancakes once and ended up taking one of them home for breakfast the next day. The coffee at First Watch is alright. Nothing too spectacular, just your basic brunch place coffee. I would like to warn that I have had bad service here before. On one occasion I was there with my mom and I distinctly remember it took about 15-20 minutes before we got our drinks. So basically we sat there dying of thirst and didn't even receive our coffees and waters until our food came out. This was after we had asked our waitress and another waitress twice for drinks. And I distinctly remember when we asked the second time that the waitress gave us this glare like "hey, I'm busy, stop bothering me." Definitely not cool in my book.
(4)Tom T.
This place is great. Food is great. Life is great.
(5)Leah N.
First Watch hardly ever disappoints. I really like how they have healthier options. Today, I had the healthy turkey omelette with fruit and tomato slices and I did not feel like I was missing out. The server was also extremely friendly. Good lunch options too!
(4)Sean K.
My first time here and ordered a Sausage and Cheese Omelet. It was Extremely good!! The potatoes that came with it were great and I usually don't like those, and to top it off a cooked to perfection English Muffin! I am a breakfast snob, and this passed my test with flying colors. Great place.
(5)Keith H.
I have been to the other location on 17/92 and both are great. I love their pancakes. the menu has a variety of choices that can help those of us that like a good breakfast, but also count calories. I have been to this location for lunch a couple times and will need to visit soon, as I lost a bet and the location of lunch selected was First Watch! They tend to get crazy around lunch, so I suggest 30 mins before or something after 1pm. however, the service has always been efficient and friendly. Love first watch.
(4)Sarah G.
A variety of healthy menu options. If you go around 9-11 expect a wait. Not a terrible one though because they offer cups of coffee and seating. Its nice to sit outside as well as in. Hearty portion sizes and fair prices. Their pancakes and fruit oatmeal are all very delicious. This location tends to get a lot of the college crowd.
(4)Dr R.
This is NOT a short review. I HATE short reviews. There is never enough information, the information that is included is often already found in the description, there is always too much subjectivity without reasons, rarely are there any helpful hints/tips, and the discerning reader is left feeling like they've only had half an Oreo ... the other half tantalizingly out of reach. I go from start to finish with everything in between and I've had good responses with this approach. I also feel like I've done something other than tossed my two-cents into a black hole. If you're approaching from the direction of the UCF campus take the turn directly in front of The First Watch. Otherwise you'll turn into a parking area that has no connection and you'll have to do some risky driving and a u-turn. Fortunately I waited until after UCF was in session -between semesters- before going here. I can only imagine the volume this place does during school. And with good reason! Students are, for the most part, good divining rods for finding good food bargains (lots for little) and this place is prime turf. At this time, however, there was no wait, no crowd, several empty tables, and this was before 10am. My active, 87 year old father doubted the word of the server who, when asked, replied, "The pancakes are really, REALLY big." He ordered two of the blueberry pancakes while I kept it simple with the basic breakfast plate of scrambled eggs, bacon and muffin. Still ... when the breakfast arrived ... satisfactorily warm (which can be difficult with eggs), my three slices of bacon were easily 8 inches long and floppy -just the way I like them, the muffin was appealing and, as mentioned, the eggs were warm. It was a big plate, all tasty, and I was tasked to finish it -although I was determined to do so. But it had nothing on my father's plate. We were both agog at the size. Each pancake was larger than his head by a third. And FULL of blueberries, but just in case there weren't enough, they came with a supplemental bowl of blueberries and warm WARM syrup. Ohhh, man ... yesss. The service was great. Don't get confused by having another server also ask you for your drink order, they watch each other's backs and appear to communicate well. The atmosphere is open and sunny -just the right thing for a breakfast place- and I would bet the coffee, which came in the form of the entire pourer, was NOT Folgers (I have a thing against Folgers). So if you want to avoid the crowds which I'm sure are present during school, summer is the best time. If you can't avoid the crowd you will be well rewarded for your wait. Beware when ordering the big pancakes because really ... they are huge. And if you want crispy bacon, make sure to tell them. Prices are perfect. By far the best breakfast place in Orlando I've visited so far. I could only give it a four-star because I WASN'T hung over and eggs are still eggs -there's only so much a volume place can do with them.
(4)Lynette D.
This is not the best option for Vegans. I was able to make a decent meal by ordering the fruit bowl which was actually full of freshly cut seasonal delicious fruit and home fries. Other than toast there wasn't much else that wasn't laden with eggs or milk. My husband and daughter really liked their pancakes and french toast.
(3)Lisa G.
First Watch....I love the concept and ABSOLUTELY love the food. YUM. Open early morning until 2:00 PM, First Watch is your breakfast/lunch/brunch headquarters. Be careful though on Sunday afternoons...it's PACKED! Everything I've ever had at First Watch has been amazing, but my favorite items are: Breakfast: ChickenChanga (a breakfast/egg version of a mexican chimichanga) Lunch: Monterey Club (yum!) Most everything is served with homestyle potatoes which are amazing. Also, a little touch I love....they have flavored creamer on the table for your coffee! I dont think I've ever seen French Vanilla and Hazelnut coffee creamers at any other restaurant. First Watch is my First Choice for brunch! It's also a great place for an afternoon date (or morning).
(4)Brian R.
I like everything on the menu, except the pancakes which are just too big and doughy. Everything else that I have tried is very good, especially the Floridian French Toast. The place is always full, but the service is fast, and they have free coffee for those who are waiting for a table.
(4)Elizabeth F.
I went back to First Watch yesterday for lunch. I was torn with getting my normal delicious Fruit Crepes and trying something new but I went ahead and dove in for "something new." After much deliberation, I just asked the waitress what I should get and she suggested the Monterery Club - Turkey, bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, cheese and mayo on multigrain bread. Let me just say WOW. First off, the potato wedges that come with it were delicious. They were seasoned perfectly. Now, the sandwich. WOW x 2. The multigrain bread was so soft and fresh - literally felt like they baked it themselves. There was a ton of turkey on it, fresh tomato (sliced thin), and whoever though of putting avocado on this sandwich with bacon was a genius. I've never had avocado on a sandwich before but it was REALLY good. And the added bacon was just the right amount of crispy needed. Definitely enjoyed this sandwich!
(4)Dan B.
This new First Watch opened not too long ago and I couldn't be happier that it's there. What I love about this place is that it offers the opportunity to eat a calm and peaceful breakfast in a classy atmosphere. I hate going to places like Denny's where all you hear is the collective noise of 100 individuals talking, clanging forks to plates, and sounds of dishwashers and waiters screaming at each other. I've been to First watch at 8 AM twice and both times there were only about 6 other people in the restaurant, and I could sit there and enjoy my meal listening to their classical music they have playing lightly. The food is almost above reproach. I've had the Veracruz Burrito and the Greek Fetish. The Burrito is a fantastic and filling treat. It's a big burrito with eggs, chorizo, green chilies, onions, tomatos, veracruz salsa, and it's topped with sour cream. It is just good in a completely honest and direct way. The Greek Fetish is certainly a lighter meal but is fantastic. It's an egg white omelette with feta cheese, black olives, onions, and tomatoes accompanied with a side of English muffin and fresh fruit. Both meals I've had here have been fantastic and I'm really happy there's a place where I can actually get a peaceful and tasty breakfast.
(5)Nucky T.
As far as Orlando, FL is concerned, F.W is the place to eat breakfast period. I enjoyed F.W. when I used to live in Phoenix, AZ many years ago. It's still as good as it once was. Food is served fresh, hot and delicious. I am the king of complain, but there isn't much to complain about at this place because things are done right. I had the blueberry pancakes which were delicious. I also tried the turkey sausauge with eggs, and an english muffin. To top it all off, F.W offers pure maple syrup. I always prefer this than the high fructose corn syrup shit most of you love and have come to enjoy. Very impressive dining experience. Waiter and waitresses were very friendly.
(5)Amanda C.
Very fast service. Took about 15 minutes to be seated, within 30 seconds of being seated a server was there for us. Great coffee, good portions for the food. A little more expensive than you'd expect for breakfast, but still worth it once and awhile.
(4)Lisette C.
Great breakfast, we used to go to the Dr Phillips location, but now go to the University one. Great service always, food is always fresh and well made. My husband loves the Trifecta, I always get the Avocado, Tomato, and Bacon skillet, it's delicious, but you have to ask for a side of their Veracruz sauce, it's like a creamy salsa. So good on eggs. Definitely our go-to place for breakfast. Fair pricing as well. Good choices for the little ones too, like crepes with fruit, pancakes, and healthy sandwiches. We've never tried them for lunch, but their salads and sandwiches look really tasty. Oh, and be prepared to wait on the weekends, but worth it! You get free coffee while you wait:)
(4)Pret p.
While better than some of the chain restaurants (ie. Denny's), make no mistake about the fact that this place is targeted to the young college crowd. Bargain prices are consummately paired with relatively large portions of bargain foods. The waffles were actually pretty good. Unfortunately, the eggs, turkey, potatoes, and coffee weren't.
(2)Kurt H.
Very concerned about this location. First Watch has typically been very good service and food. This trip I found both very lacking. I waited for about 10 minutes at the front counter after arriving without anyone acknowledging my presence. Several of the wait staff walked past while entering and leaving the kitchen. I ordered the Burrito Vera Cruz. This should be a burrito with egg, green chilli, and sausage. In the past, the additional components to the egg have been substantial. This trip, I felt like asking "where's the beef?" It was all egg with microscopic bits of sausage and limited chilli. Disappointing.
(2)Kap K.
Probably My Favorite place to eat a Club Sandwich when I'm in Orlando. The Bread is perfect and it just compliments everything else really well. Everything else from the kitchen looks great, but I can't order anything else there because I'm ADDICTED to their Club.
(4)Kyle M.
I don't know why I'd ever go back to Denny's or IHOP again. Much better, quality alternative here. Fresh food. Great coffee. Fantastic batter for waffles and pancakes. Blueberry compote was perfect addition to my Belgian Waffle. My wife's omelet was perfect. Kids meals for $5. Just feels like real food made by real chefs instead of diner food. Highly recommended.
(5)Edith O.
First watch definitely uses better products than IHOP or Denny's, but falls short of an "amazing" breakfast spot. They have nice, light breakfast dishes, and I enjoyed the french toast with the fresh fruit on top. I found the savory food to lack any real flavor, very bland. The coffee is pure water (folgers? maybe) steer clear if you drink real coffee. The home fries were a failure, dry and flavorless. First watch forms a line on the weekends because there are few alternatives in the area. They had creatives ideas on the menu, but failed at execution.
(2)Joseph R.
I've been going here since it opened 18 months ago. Service is excellent. Staff friendly and helpful. Lots of healthy choices on the menu. Price is reasonable.
(4)R M.
Been here several times and always a good breakfast. Have not tried lunch (yet) but I can vouch for the breakfast. Good bacon (a must for a good breakfast place), good pancakes (plate size), good omelets and fresh orange juice. Nothing to complain about because it's all good.
(4)Emmanuel S.
First time I came here I had the bacado meal (omelette with bacon and avocado and monterrey cheese) the food was pretty good but nothing absolutly amazing. Now I'm here for round 2! I just finished the key west crepe and boy was it good! I tried the coffee and it was alright....staff is consistently energetic and friendly and the place is spotless. A must try...meals a created with health in mind but taste good!
(4)Sara L.
I love the look and new location of this restaurant. I had the healthy turkey omelette with an english muffin and fruit cup. I loved how healthy & fresh everything was. I also appreciate that they have the nutritional info up online. The restaurant is 4 star quality but the nutritional info won the 5th star.
(5)Justin M.
Top 3 Best places for Breakfast in Orlando! Great omelets, attentive service and they're always busy. Healthy options. Rewards email program.
(5)Joe F.
My wife and I had breakfast this morning at the UCF location. There was a wait, but they provided coffee during the wait. The service was excellent, but the food was disappointing. My wife had the blueberry pancakes while I had the Sour Dough French Toast. I would have ordered the pancakes but they only offered whole grain. My wife normally eats everything with gusto but did not care for the pancakes which came apart on her plate. The French Toast was a little better but not much. We both prefer the pancakes and French Toast from Perkins.
(2)Nelson L.
Fresh and simple. Highly recommend for breakfast...
(4)Lindsay A.
First watch has lived up to my expectations! We had to wait a while to get seated but they give you free coffee while you wait. I love that they have flavored coffee creamer (French vanilla and Hazelnut). I had pecan pancakes and they were delicious but HUGE!! The wait staff was very friendly and they give you a pitcher of coffee and water at your table which is very convenient! First watch also has free wifi. I love their quote, " once you go real breakfast, you never go back".
(5)Kathleen J.
This is just a great place to get breakfast/lunch. The portions are amazing, they cater to all different eating restrictions, the wait staff is normally very prompt and courteous. The only downside to First Watch is that no matter which one I go to, they are always slammed on the weekends! 30 to 40 minute wait most of the time, but the coffee is quite yummy and helps abide the time. The food definitely makes up for the wait.
(4)AC D.
nothing special to write home about - food was fine, nothing wrong with it, just nothing special. service was not great, it seemed the servers had to fight for their tables by waiting for them at the entrance. our server was more worried about snagging tables rather then making sure we were taken care of
(2)Stephanie S.
I love first watch, it's a ritual breakfast place to go to and I feel a much better chance of getting well cooked food in comparison to say Denny's. Granted the food is not always made to perfection, but anytime I've had an issue they have politely traded my food out and made me a happy camper. I love all their skillets, they are literally amazing just watch the heat when they bring it out! Burned taste buds suck. Orange juice is really pulpy and I'm not a fan, but the coffee is good. The lighter options give you the same benefit of flavor without all the hoopla of added carbs and fat. The lean machine is a favorite of mine for lighter breakfast days during the week. The key west crepe eggs is the only thing I've gotten that I did not care for. The salsa made everything wayyyy too soggy! Made me sad,
(4)Eric G.
I was very happy with my experience today for Breakfast. I read a few reviews before picking First Watch and I agree that this is a nice small breakfast place with some very unique choices. I had the bacon avocado skillet. I got a little bit worried that this was a healthy food only kind of place and that if they had bacon or potatoes that it would be in very small portions. I was pleasantly surprised that my meal was a large portion and was packed with all the good stuff. This is a nice place for breakfast or a brunch, but I wouldn't suggest taking a large party here because it was a little busy and your wait could be a while with more than 4 or so in your party.
(4)Jeff K.
First Watch is always a solid choice for breakfast, when you can get in the door. If you're going on the weekend (especially on a Sunday after the first church services are letting out), you'd better get there early or be prepared to wait. The coffee is pretty good, the pancakes are great, and I really enjoy the variations of eggs benedict (specifically the turkey & avocado!). I'm also a fan of the breakfast skillets. The Beefeater is an excellent sandwich for lunch, as is the turkey burger. Service is great for the most part, although on our most recent visit our waiter seemed a little lost and we had to ask for some things more than once. We're an easy going table though, so we weren't bothered by it much, and it was pretty busy. East Orlando isn't really swimming in breakfast places. The local eateries that serve breakfast don't seem to last long, so I'm glad there's a First Watch here to help out when I'm hungry in the morning and my latest "regular" breakfast joint has boarded up with no warning.
(4)Jodie B.
Skillet me, baby! Excellent service, perfect breakfast with nice in-season specials. A must if you're looking for an easy weekend stand by.
(4)Michael W.
Management has changed the what was once enjoyable breakfast experience to a healthier version of Denny's. They took away the free coffee for waiting customers in the front, the silverware was dirty, the server neglected us the whole time and actually argued with my friend about the coffee being hot. The waitress looked very unkempt too. Her uniform was filthy with stains all over, nasty mess. The menu has changed and is a lot less appealing. I only saw one item that interested me and it wasn't great. My friend ordered a soup and it came out lukewarm. Pretty bad experience especially when you're expecting what this First Watch used to be. Take your money to Perkins across the street or to KeKe's Breakfast Cafe in Waterford!
(1)Lisa W.
This is the newst First Watch location, I recently visited and found it to be a very nice First Watch location. The food was great, prepared well and the service was friendly. We went on a Sunday, so it was slammed. SLAMMED. 40 minute wait when we got there and when we left. They had a nice big carafe of coffee out by the register so that you could have some while you waited. Nice touch. People of all ages spilled out onto the sidewalks, but no one cared. The wait time was accurate and the hosts came outside to check for parties. Breakfast is a primary meal option, available all day long. Omelets are delish and can be made with all eggs or some egg whites, no upcharge which is not typical for egg whites. If you see the Pumpkin pancakes on their season fall menu, get them, they are awesome. Their blueberry pancakes have fresh blueberries in them and a blueberry compote for the top. Try them with some added granola. Sandwiches and salads are primary meat based for protein, nice white meat chicken is used for most of their entree salads. Coffee is good. Check to board or call in for daily specials, they rotate and are popular. If you hit any First Watch on the weekends, expect a wait. Bring your paper and settle in. It's worth the wait.
(4)Bunny N.
First Watch is a restaurant that is only open for breakfast and brunch. The food I had was good but I don't think it's anything too spectacular. Prices were decent. The negative about this place was that it seems as though it's always crowded. I'd rather be eating at a place that doesn't seem too hectic and busy.
(4)Morgan L.
I love breakfast. I love it even more when I can get it in a clean, friendly atmosphere with FREE COFFEE. I've now been to two different First Watch locations, and for chain breakfast It's pretty darn good. Not quite Peach Valley Cafe level (my breakfast mecca), but a close second. Good value. Appropriate portion sizes (not so huge you leave feeling gross). Creative menu options for folks like me. I went this morning during a rain storm and they got our party in quickly. I've now had two omelettes. The only criticism I have is the lack of fillings - the egg to inside ratio isn't quite what I would like, but still tasty. Next time I go I'll be checking the specials board before I order - on my way out I saw a delicious pancake/bacon/egg special that I desperately wish I had ordered. Oh well, next time...
(4)Jennifer L.
A personal favorite for Sunday morning breakfast, First Watch is a casual restaurant with a nice, conversational, college staff (understandable because UCF is very close by.) First Watch offers a very open, bright, and fresh environment. Not only is the seating comfortable inside, they offer outdoor seating which is perfect on a sunny, breezy day. Some of my favorite dishes include the eggs benedict, as well as the pancakes (sometimes simple is better). If your looking for a good lunch, sandwiches and salads are great, and the prices in this restaurant are not to expensive, an average dish varies between six and ten dollars. So get up early, because their open till two.
(5)Chelsea B.
first time at a first watch in florida. we had a 15-20 minute wait, but that's to be expected, and when we were finally seated i noticed that everyone was working super fast to bus tables and keep the wait time to a minimum. our server was incredibly sweet. my friend likes her bacon extra crispy (pretty much charred), and our server had no problem sending it back. i had the crepeggs, which i would definitely try again. i wasn't a fan of the turkey they used...it kind of seemed like cut up deli turkey breast, but the rest of my meal was fantastic. i came here with 3 girls and each of us tried something different, but i would have been fine eating any one of their meals - - everything looked so delicious.
(4)Brian R.
What a great menu filled with original breakfast creations. The place is clean, the service is great, and they have things to eat that are both a billion calorie splurges and tasty foods for those of us who are calorically-challenged. (Shh.. Some of their menu items MAY BE GOOD FOR YOU.)
(5)Kristen P.
I went here today for the first time. Since I moved to Orlando, I've heard about brunch at First Watch. It was a spontaneous decision to go so I wasn't entirely prepared for a big bunch of food, but that is what I got. I got the traditional breakfast: 2 eggs, breakfast potatoes, an english muffin, and a choice of bacon, sausage, or ham. I'm really picky about restaurant eggs, these were just okay for me. Everything else was good. I want to come back next time with a big appetite. I really want to try their pancakes.
(4)Leo G.
Very good value for money. Excellent for families. Very good food, diverse, interesting menu, generous but not excessive portions of fresh, high quality food. Good, friendly service. Clean, open seating. I had the "Market Hash" with crimini mushrooms, really excellent. My son had a different hash, and my daughter the crepes with fruit and a muffin. Total was $33 including tip. The only minor negative was the table was sticky. Would definitely recommend to anyone for breakfast or brunch. Haven't yet tried the lunch.
(4)Ricky L.
First Watch is one of the few restaurants out there that bucks the maxim about chains/franchises sucking in all matters of food deliciousness. This place is almost always packed and as a believer in "the wisdom of crowds" I knew this place would be pretty good. I ordered the Acapulco Express Omellette made with chorizo sausage, avocado, green chilies and onions, smothered with melted cheeses and topped with sour cream and served with a side of homemade salsa, first watch potatoes and English muffin. Simple yet delicious. Overall the meal at First Watch was pretty good. I particularly enjoyed how the food wasn't oily or overly greasy like some of the other "breakfast" joints out there, all very fresh and very light tasting.
(5)Joe C.
The outside of the building doesn't look like a restaurant (my wife commented that it looked like a bank), so I'm glad we had read about this place to go looking for it. We went on a Sunday at about noon. There was a 15-20 minute wait for a table for two, but they provided free coffee while we waited. The waiting area inside is small, but it was nice outside. The interior is pleasant, but a bit plain. It felt a little more Perkins than Breakfast Club (another popular breakfast spot in Orlando). Despite being absolutely packed, the staff was quick and attentive. We timed how long it took from the time we ordered to being served, and they clocked in at a little under 10 minutes. The food and portions were excellent. The pancakes were light and fluffy. The eggs were perfectly cooked (Most places can't get over-medium correct). The sausage link was cooked without being greasy or dry. The potatoes were a little underseasoned (nothing a bit of table salt couldn't fix) but otherwise cooked well.
(5)Denise R.
My husband and I love this healthy alternative to Ihop. It's usually crowded but worth the wait!
(5)Zack B.
A delicious place to have a fresh breakfast! Everything on the menu at FirstWatch is great! I highly recommend this place over Ihop or KeKe's. the definite go-to breakfast eatery!!
(5)Frank L.
This is a great breakfast hangout. I was very impressed with the quality and taste of the food at First Watch. I got a Blueberry muffin on the grill. I would recommend doing this as it comes out hot and with butter on it.
(4)Christopher B.
This was my first time to a First Watch and I will say right off the bat that I will definitely be back. The restaurant was very clean and the staff was super nice. As soon as we walked in we were greeted by a smiling hostess who was extremely polite and very quick to seat us. Our waitress greeted us within seconds of sitting down. That really amazed me. Both I and my wife had questions regarding the menu and she was quick to give us answers. Seemed like she really knew the menu. Again I was amazed. Food arrived within a great time after we ordered and I have to honestly say the presentation of the food was great. The food tasted awesome and the suggestions that the waitress gave were spot on. Our waitress checked on us several times and when we asked for the bill we got it immediately. We paid at the counter and apparently we did not know this until we had left but the General Manager was the one that took our money. He was extremely polite and asked us how our experience was and if everything was to satisfaction. We said YES to everything. This is a great restaurant and I will definitely be back to this location for sure.
(5)Kristen C.
The floridian french toast and the muesli power bowl are favorites for my husband and I. It seems like all of the breakfast places get slammed on the weekends, but I've never waited more than 30 mins. They are very accommodating to groups and the food always comes quickly!
(4)Ms Fabulous Jay R.
In all fairness I did go on opening day..so the servers weren't as experienced it seemed. The also appeared to be a bit overwhelmed. For being a breakfast/brunch place..I wasnt impressed. I think I get more of a value going to Perkins.. I ordered Eggs with Ham and toast ..with my Coffee..It was just that... I say its a nice concept with the outdoor seating..But I would give it time where the servers can learn there stuff, cause I hate having to ask twice.."Im sorry I am missing my toast" I probably would not go again..I would go down five more minutes and have my warm apple cinnamon muffins with my breakfast at team perkins!
(2)Heidi B.
Having lived in the UCF area for approximately 5 years now, I remember when this First Watch was built. The crazy thing is, it literally took me a few months to finally try this brunch spot out because it closes around 2 in the afternoon (not conducive to the schedule of a college student). Anyway, I went once with my mom and have since been back a few times already. Perhaps my one and only complaint with First Watch is that there is typically always a wait. Even on Saturdays, which usually isn't seen as the typical "brunch" day, there is a 10-15 minute wait minimum it seems. But every time I have gone the food has been pretty good. They offer a lot of options for people who wish to either eat healthier or are vegetarian--egg whites, turkey bacon or turkey sausage, spinach, and avocado can be found all over the menu. I would highly recommend the Bacado Omelet if you are a bacon and avacado fan. Also, it is true that their pancakes are HUGE. I believe a standard order comes with 2 pancakes, which is more than enough. I ordered some granola pancakes once and ended up taking one of them home for breakfast the next day. The coffee at First Watch is alright. Nothing too spectacular, just your basic brunch place coffee. I would like to warn that I have had bad service here before. On one occasion I was there with my mom and I distinctly remember it took about 15-20 minutes before we got our drinks. So basically we sat there dying of thirst and didn't even receive our coffees and waters until our food came out. This was after we had asked our waitress and another waitress twice for drinks. And I distinctly remember when we asked the second time that the waitress gave us this glare like "hey, I'm busy, stop bothering me." Definitely not cool in my book.
(4)Tom T.
This place is great. Food is great. Life is great.
(5)Leah N.
First Watch hardly ever disappoints. I really like how they have healthier options. Today, I had the healthy turkey omelette with fruit and tomato slices and I did not feel like I was missing out. The server was also extremely friendly. Good lunch options too!
(4)Sean K.
My first time here and ordered a Sausage and Cheese Omelet. It was Extremely good!! The potatoes that came with it were great and I usually don't like those, and to top it off a cooked to perfection English Muffin! I am a breakfast snob, and this passed my test with flying colors. Great place.
(5)Keith H.
I have been to the other location on 17/92 and both are great. I love their pancakes. the menu has a variety of choices that can help those of us that like a good breakfast, but also count calories. I have been to this location for lunch a couple times and will need to visit soon, as I lost a bet and the location of lunch selected was First Watch! They tend to get crazy around lunch, so I suggest 30 mins before or something after 1pm. however, the service has always been efficient and friendly. Love first watch.
(4)Sarah G.
A variety of healthy menu options. If you go around 9-11 expect a wait. Not a terrible one though because they offer cups of coffee and seating. Its nice to sit outside as well as in. Hearty portion sizes and fair prices. Their pancakes and fruit oatmeal are all very delicious. This location tends to get a lot of the college crowd.
(4)Bettina T.
If you're looking for a fun, relaxing place to have some yummy brunch First Watch is definitely the place to be. You have the option of sitting inside or outside; I prefer outside because the weather in Florida is really nice around this time. The menu is extremely creative; it's broken down into 3 sections, Half-asleep, Waking-Up, and Wide Eyed. They know how to throw down in this brunch kitchen, esp. with the turkey sausage and belgian waffle.
(4)Sherry m.
Pros: 1. blueberry pancakes are okay but the blueberry compote that comes with them is pretty awesome. 2. the health factor. it is nice to kind of be forced into ordering something moderately healthy Cons: 1. i hate to sound old but this location is packed with college students all wearing their pajamas. we went at 10:30ish on a monday and it was packed.
(3)Lisa G.
First Watch....I love the concept and ABSOLUTELY love the food. YUM. Open early morning until 2:00 PM, First Watch is your breakfast/lunch/brunch headquarters. Be careful though on Sunday afternoons...it's PACKED! Everything I've ever had at First Watch has been amazing, but my favorite items are: Breakfast: ChickenChanga (a breakfast/egg version of a mexican chimichanga) Lunch: Monterey Club (yum!) Most everything is served with homestyle potatoes which are amazing. Also, a little touch I love....they have flavored creamer on the table for your coffee! I dont think I've ever seen French Vanilla and Hazelnut coffee creamers at any other restaurant. First Watch is my First Choice for brunch! It's also a great place for an afternoon date (or morning).
(4)Brian R.
I like everything on the menu, except the pancakes which are just too big and doughy. Everything else that I have tried is very good, especially the Floridian French Toast. The place is always full, but the service is fast, and they have free coffee for those who are waiting for a table.
(4)Dr R.
This is NOT a short review. I HATE short reviews. There is never enough information, the information that is included is often already found in the description, there is always too much subjectivity without reasons, rarely are there any helpful hints/tips, and the discerning reader is left feeling like they've only had half an Oreo ... the other half tantalizingly out of reach. I go from start to finish with everything in between and I've had good responses with this approach. I also feel like I've done something other than tossed my two-cents into a black hole. If you're approaching from the direction of the UCF campus take the turn directly in front of The First Watch. Otherwise you'll turn into a parking area that has no connection and you'll have to do some risky driving and a u-turn. Fortunately I waited until after UCF was in session -between semesters- before going here. I can only imagine the volume this place does during school. And with good reason! Students are, for the most part, good divining rods for finding good food bargains (lots for little) and this place is prime turf. At this time, however, there was no wait, no crowd, several empty tables, and this was before 10am. My active, 87 year old father doubted the word of the server who, when asked, replied, "The pancakes are really, REALLY big." He ordered two of the blueberry pancakes while I kept it simple with the basic breakfast plate of scrambled eggs, bacon and muffin. Still ... when the breakfast arrived ... satisfactorily warm (which can be difficult with eggs), my three slices of bacon were easily 8 inches long and floppy -just the way I like them, the muffin was appealing and, as mentioned, the eggs were warm. It was a big plate, all tasty, and I was tasked to finish it -although I was determined to do so. But it had nothing on my father's plate. We were both agog at the size. Each pancake was larger than his head by a third. And FULL of blueberries, but just in case there weren't enough, they came with a supplemental bowl of blueberries and warm WARM syrup. Ohhh, man ... yesss. The service was great. Don't get confused by having another server also ask you for your drink order, they watch each other's backs and appear to communicate well. The atmosphere is open and sunny -just the right thing for a breakfast place- and I would bet the coffee, which came in the form of the entire pourer, was NOT Folgers (I have a thing against Folgers). So if you want to avoid the crowds which I'm sure are present during school, summer is the best time. If you can't avoid the crowd you will be well rewarded for your wait. Beware when ordering the big pancakes because really ... they are huge. And if you want crispy bacon, make sure to tell them. Prices are perfect. By far the best breakfast place in Orlando I've visited so far. I could only give it a four-star because I WASN'T hung over and eggs are still eggs -there's only so much a volume place can do with them.
(4)Lynette D.
This is not the best option for Vegans. I was able to make a decent meal by ordering the fruit bowl which was actually full of freshly cut seasonal delicious fruit and home fries. Other than toast there wasn't much else that wasn't laden with eggs or milk. My husband and daughter really liked their pancakes and french toast.
(3)Elizabeth F.
I went back to First Watch yesterday for lunch. I was torn with getting my normal delicious Fruit Crepes and trying something new but I went ahead and dove in for "something new." After much deliberation, I just asked the waitress what I should get and she suggested the Monterery Club - Turkey, bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, cheese and mayo on multigrain bread. Let me just say WOW. First off, the potato wedges that come with it were delicious. They were seasoned perfectly. Now, the sandwich. WOW x 2. The multigrain bread was so soft and fresh - literally felt like they baked it themselves. There was a ton of turkey on it, fresh tomato (sliced thin), and whoever though of putting avocado on this sandwich with bacon was a genius. I've never had avocado on a sandwich before but it was REALLY good. And the added bacon was just the right amount of crispy needed. Definitely enjoyed this sandwich!
(4)Dan B.
This new First Watch opened not too long ago and I couldn't be happier that it's there. What I love about this place is that it offers the opportunity to eat a calm and peaceful breakfast in a classy atmosphere. I hate going to places like Denny's where all you hear is the collective noise of 100 individuals talking, clanging forks to plates, and sounds of dishwashers and waiters screaming at each other. I've been to First watch at 8 AM twice and both times there were only about 6 other people in the restaurant, and I could sit there and enjoy my meal listening to their classical music they have playing lightly. The food is almost above reproach. I've had the Veracruz Burrito and the Greek Fetish. The Burrito is a fantastic and filling treat. It's a big burrito with eggs, chorizo, green chilies, onions, tomatos, veracruz salsa, and it's topped with sour cream. It is just good in a completely honest and direct way. The Greek Fetish is certainly a lighter meal but is fantastic. It's an egg white omelette with feta cheese, black olives, onions, and tomatoes accompanied with a side of English muffin and fresh fruit. Both meals I've had here have been fantastic and I'm really happy there's a place where I can actually get a peaceful and tasty breakfast.
(5)Nucky T.
As far as Orlando, FL is concerned, F.W is the place to eat breakfast period. I enjoyed F.W. when I used to live in Phoenix, AZ many years ago. It's still as good as it once was. Food is served fresh, hot and delicious. I am the king of complain, but there isn't much to complain about at this place because things are done right. I had the blueberry pancakes which were delicious. I also tried the turkey sausauge with eggs, and an english muffin. To top it all off, F.W offers pure maple syrup. I always prefer this than the high fructose corn syrup shit most of you love and have come to enjoy. Very impressive dining experience. Waiter and waitresses were very friendly.
(5)Amanda C.
Very fast service. Took about 15 minutes to be seated, within 30 seconds of being seated a server was there for us. Great coffee, good portions for the food. A little more expensive than you'd expect for breakfast, but still worth it once and awhile.
(4)Lisette C.
Great breakfast, we used to go to the Dr Phillips location, but now go to the University one. Great service always, food is always fresh and well made. My husband loves the Trifecta, I always get the Avocado, Tomato, and Bacon skillet, it's delicious, but you have to ask for a side of their Veracruz sauce, it's like a creamy salsa. So good on eggs. Definitely our go-to place for breakfast. Fair pricing as well. Good choices for the little ones too, like crepes with fruit, pancakes, and healthy sandwiches. We've never tried them for lunch, but their salads and sandwiches look really tasty. Oh, and be prepared to wait on the weekends, but worth it! You get free coffee while you wait:)
(4)Pret p.
While better than some of the chain restaurants (ie. Denny's), make no mistake about the fact that this place is targeted to the young college crowd. Bargain prices are consummately paired with relatively large portions of bargain foods. The waffles were actually pretty good. Unfortunately, the eggs, turkey, potatoes, and coffee weren't.
(2)Kurt H.
Very concerned about this location. First Watch has typically been very good service and food. This trip I found both very lacking. I waited for about 10 minutes at the front counter after arriving without anyone acknowledging my presence. Several of the wait staff walked past while entering and leaving the kitchen. I ordered the Burrito Vera Cruz. This should be a burrito with egg, green chilli, and sausage. In the past, the additional components to the egg have been substantial. This trip, I felt like asking "where's the beef?" It was all egg with microscopic bits of sausage and limited chilli. Disappointing.
(2)Kyle M.
I don't know why I'd ever go back to Denny's or IHOP again. Much better, quality alternative here. Fresh food. Great coffee. Fantastic batter for waffles and pancakes. Blueberry compote was perfect addition to my Belgian Waffle. My wife's omelet was perfect. Kids meals for $5. Just feels like real food made by real chefs instead of diner food. Highly recommended.
(5)Kap K.
Probably My Favorite place to eat a Club Sandwich when I'm in Orlando. The Bread is perfect and it just compliments everything else really well. Everything else from the kitchen looks great, but I can't order anything else there because I'm ADDICTED to their Club.
(4)Edith O.
First watch definitely uses better products than IHOP or Denny's, but falls short of an "amazing" breakfast spot. They have nice, light breakfast dishes, and I enjoyed the french toast with the fresh fruit on top. I found the savory food to lack any real flavor, very bland. The coffee is pure water (folgers? maybe) steer clear if you drink real coffee. The home fries were a failure, dry and flavorless. First watch forms a line on the weekends because there are few alternatives in the area. They had creatives ideas on the menu, but failed at execution.
(2)Emmanuel S.
First time I came here I had the bacado meal (omelette with bacon and avocado and monterrey cheese) the food was pretty good but nothing absolutly amazing. Now I'm here for round 2! I just finished the key west crepe and boy was it good! I tried the coffee and it was alright....staff is consistently energetic and friendly and the place is spotless. A must try...meals a created with health in mind but taste good!
(4)Joseph R.
I've been going here since it opened 18 months ago. Service is excellent. Staff friendly and helpful. Lots of healthy choices on the menu. Price is reasonable.
(4)R M.
Been here several times and always a good breakfast. Have not tried lunch (yet) but I can vouch for the breakfast. Good bacon (a must for a good breakfast place), good pancakes (plate size), good omelets and fresh orange juice. Nothing to complain about because it's all good.
(4)Sara L.
I love the look and new location of this restaurant. I had the healthy turkey omelette with an english muffin and fruit cup. I loved how healthy & fresh everything was. I also appreciate that they have the nutritional info up online. The restaurant is 4 star quality but the nutritional info won the 5th star.
(5)Justin M.
Top 3 Best places for Breakfast in Orlando! Great omelets, attentive service and they're always busy. Healthy options. Rewards email program.
(5)Joe F.
My wife and I had breakfast this morning at the UCF location. There was a wait, but they provided coffee during the wait. The service was excellent, but the food was disappointing. My wife had the blueberry pancakes while I had the Sour Dough French Toast. I would have ordered the pancakes but they only offered whole grain. My wife normally eats everything with gusto but did not care for the pancakes which came apart on her plate. The French Toast was a little better but not much. We both prefer the pancakes and French Toast from Perkins.
(2)Nelson L.
Fresh and simple. Highly recommend for breakfast...
(4)Lindsay A.
First watch has lived up to my expectations! We had to wait a while to get seated but they give you free coffee while you wait. I love that they have flavored coffee creamer (French vanilla and Hazelnut). I had pecan pancakes and they were delicious but HUGE!! The wait staff was very friendly and they give you a pitcher of coffee and water at your table which is very convenient! First watch also has free wifi. I love their quote, " once you go real breakfast, you never go back".
(5)Kathleen J.
This is just a great place to get breakfast/lunch. The portions are amazing, they cater to all different eating restrictions, the wait staff is normally very prompt and courteous. The only downside to First Watch is that no matter which one I go to, they are always slammed on the weekends! 30 to 40 minute wait most of the time, but the coffee is quite yummy and helps abide the time. The food definitely makes up for the wait.
(4)AC D.
nothing special to write home about - food was fine, nothing wrong with it, just nothing special. service was not great, it seemed the servers had to fight for their tables by waiting for them at the entrance. our server was more worried about snagging tables rather then making sure we were taken care of
(2)Emilie M.
It's been a couple of years since I last tried First Watch, but I definitely will be back more often. When I first walked in, all the tables seemed to be full and it was 8 am on a Wednesday. I had the Acapulco express omelet with a side of fruit. My meal was delicious! I loved the avocado in my omelet. I think what I really enjoy is also having your own pot of coffee per table. No annoying servers topping off your already perfectly proportioned coffee & creamer mix every time they walk by The food was fast, service was good, and it's a quiet place to enjoy breakfast.
(4)Mark Gil P.
I had hair in my food today. Other than that, it's generally a good place to eat. As I was eating here, I told my friends that I liked this pace better than Keke's. That was before I saw the hair in my food. The Belgian Waffle is great. The coffee is good. The food tastes fresh and the menu is health conscious. The staff is friendly and good looking. Not too good looking that they act snobby though. They are all approachable. Because they are all generally good looking, I assume they bath regularly and that is why I'm not upset about the hair in my food. Clean hair is clean hair. Food is made by hand - clean hands. If they were un-washed dirty hands then that is upsetting. I tried to smell the hair to find out what kind of shampoo they used, but the pancake batter was too over powering. They did comp the pancakes, so I'm happy I got free Hair pancakes. It's like winning the lottery. Thanks First Watch!
(2)Luca C.
Love this first watch, the employees and management have been great on multiple occasions, and always keep us coming back. The food doesn't disappoint and I love the open policy to sharing for those who know they won't eat full portions or who want to share different items. Management has been great here, the one time we had an issue he was incredibly attentive and sensitive to the situation, and made sure we didn't pay for the item and were return customers. Also went the extra mile contacting my fiance's school to get her purse back after she forgot it there that same day, very nice guy. :)
(5)Paul S.
This is one of our go to stops for breakfast on the weekends. Since the kids have us up early we are usually lucky enough to miss the crowds. We have been visiting this location for a while now and I have to say they are pretty consistent. Always a good meal and good service.
(4)Christina H.
First Watch is one of our favorite weekend breakfast places. We usually try to get there early so we don't have to wait as long for seats. Also if the weather is nice sitting outside will get you seated faster. This past weekend our server was Lea, she was really outstanding. She was very sweet, checked on us frequently, not pushy when we took a long time to order, just really great. I never say this, but I will ask for her section when we go back. Breakfast choices are really typical stuff. I love the Eggs Benedict with Avocado, but this weekend I went with the seasonal pumpkin pancake. It was a huge pancake with a nice pumpkin flavor. Sides were an egg and apple chicken (maybe turkey... some sort of poultry) sausage. The sausage wasn't all that, but the pancake was amazing. And they had pumpkin spice coffee creamers, but I used them all up at our table. Hope the refilled them for the next group. My youngest daughter loves the fruit crepes, and she always requests specific fruit filling. Amazingly, the servers always accommodate her moods (i just imagine they're having to pick all of the berries out of the fruit salad for her.) But that's nice, and a pretty healthy breakfast option for the kiddos. (The other kids are all about french toast, one even got a french toast Monte Cristo...) So overall, great food. Consistently good service. Can't go wrong with First Watch.
(5)Trina S.
So my son, a UCF student, has been talking about this place for months. We tried to come on our last trip bust was packed. We finally made it. The food was very good. The pancakes were huge. I definitely will do one pancake next time. The staff were very nice. Will come back
(5)Harry W.
I really like this restaurant. They tend not to have average diner breakfast and lunch items but instead do interesting versions of classic dishes. My favorites are the bacon, tomato, and avocado hash as well as the whole grain pancakes. As I said you want find corned beef hash or country ham and gravey but the dishes they do serve are tasty and tend to be healthier than the average breakfast Faire. Be warned that the UCF location is popular on weekends so be ready for a wait. A pro tip is to download their app and put your name on the list before you head over.
(4)Alden K.
It was early and we were craving good food. My wife gave the Eggs Florentine a shot, it came with a flat iron steak. It was portioned in what is probably a healthy portion, but I always want more! It was tasty and she seemed to enjoy it, not enough to share much. I ordered the Beefeater. This has been on the menu for some time. It is always good. The potatoes are never really awesome, but they're usually fairly good. This time they came back a little burnt, which threw off the flavor of the entire plate. I should note that I like crispy, but this was charred. Actually, I usually even like charred, especially on something like a steak. But this was beyond that. I'm fairly certain they would have fixed the problem if I mentioned it, but I was in a rush. Despite the occasional mishap, this place rocks. The portions are just filling enough. I definitely recommend checking this place out.
(4)Cecille R.
After my lackluster visit back in the fall, I am happy to say that our visit this time around was much more relaxed and an overall positive experience. We had about a short 10 minute wait on a Sunday morning (they take your cell phone number and text you when your table is ready) but from the time we were seated, we placed our orders and received our drinks and entrees pretty quickly. I ordered the Trifecta and customized mine to have scrambled eggs, 2 links of turkey sausage and a cranberry nut pancake. Everything was delicious. The pancake was so filling and hearty on its own. I didn't even need any syrup as the butter was more than enough to sweeten it. I ordered an iced coffee but wasn't a fan. It tasted like premade out of a carton so I barely touched it. And it was way too sweet. Good to know for next time! Upon checkout, I had a special gift credit to use and the girl ringing us up didn't know how to enter it in the system so she decided to ask the 4-5 employees next to her and they all went back and forth over if they could take it or not. That was slightly annoying but they eventually honored it and I went on my merry way. Overall, I would eat here again but would definitely try to arrive early to beat the crowds especially on Sunday!
(4)Jaimie C.
Highly recommend trying this place. The place actually seems like it could be an optometrist office just because their sun logo looks similar to an eye contact solution. I highly suggest trying the Pesto Chicken Quinoa Power Bowl. So good and perfect portion for breakfast or lunch. Also the Kale Tonic was really delicious too. Makes you feel awake and energized. Overall, service is very nice, welcoming, and polite. The setup seems like an upscale Denny's but of course the food here was way more delicious and better for you. All their items sounded very good. Definitely recommend this place!
(5)Armando L.
This restaurant is really good. Everything is fresh from the juices to there entrees. This is one of those breakfast and brunch place where they close at 2:30pm. The entree that I got was called the pest power quinoa chicken bowl, which was very very good. Packed with protein and very filling. I also got their Day Glow juice, which had carrots, oranges, lemon and fresh ginger, this was also very good. And lastly me and the wifey shared the lemon ricotta pancakes, which again was delicious. The customer services was excellent and the food came out pretty fast as well. The only bad thing about this location is that the parking lot is to small for what is all around it. There's a lot of other restaurants and even a gym right next to it causing it to be packed with cars. So you would have to go to a different parking lot once it's packed. I will definitely go there again to try the other entrees!!!
(4)Cassie Q.
Our food has not been great the last two times we went here. And the coffee is expensive. There are better breakfast places around.
(2)Yi Jing L.
First time here. Everything seem quite nice. Food was decent. Coffee was good. Reason for 3 star because it's just normal standard. Nothing special about the place. I could go to Ihop and it would be just great if not better. I was told the foods there was organic ? Maybe that's why for the higher price. Overall, it's not a bad place to drop by every so so often. Or to make yourself feel better because you are eating some organic made pancake.
(3)Kimberly K.
This place is PERFECT for brunch! Just time yourself accordingly because it was a full house when I came in around 1pm and they close at 2:30pm hehe. My friend, Sean, and I didn't have to wait too long though! It was only ten minutes. I was pleased with the fast service. The menu is a little pricier than your usual IHOP or Denny's, but everything is so much more healthier, tastier, and FRESHER! I had a tall glass of OJ, which was $4 but SO WORTH IT. You can totally tell from the first sip that their orange juice is 100% freshly squeezed, just perfect to prepare for day two of EDC for me! I ordered their Belgian waffle with scrambled eggs and a sausage link. By golly, their description didn't lie when they said "airy light Belgian waffle". It really was fluffy and light! If you get full by half of a Belgian waffle, you'll be able to gobble this up with no problem, on top of those scrambled eggs and savory sausage link! I didn't feel the need to force myself to finish the last bites of my meal, I happily did so and felt perfectly recharged! Also, the berry spread and butter they serve with the waffle amped it up! I love when a diner serves some GOOD REAL whipped butter, and the berries gave it a nice little tangy kick. Perfect waffle combo, I must say.
(5)Sarah F.
Love breakfast but nutrition in a good meal can be a problem. First Watch has a wide variety of healthy food options such as whole grain, egg whites, turkey and quinoa. The whole grain carrot cake pancakes are amazing (Trifecta with egg white and turkey sausage as well), it huge so half was enough. I also got OJ/ carrot fresh juice which was refreshing. Topi don't feel lethargic after your meal here which is a great feeling! Recommend for all the people trying to stay healthy! If you don't care about that...there are a ton of other places I prefer (check previous reviews ) 4 stars for healthy options.
(4)Valencia R.
After the UCF You Can Finish Race, a group of us ladies decided come here for a bite to eat. Once we pulled in the parking lot, I knew from the amount of cars that we were going to have to wait. Our group was told that we had a 30 minute wait which really was bad. We had a party of five in our group. The restaurant was packed to the max, so 30 minutes was doable. Once we finally got seated, our waitress quickly returned with our drink orders. However, taking our orders was a different story. Actually one of the ladies in my group thought we had ordered already because we were waiting so long. As some point we all placed our orders and waited for what seemed like eternity for the food to come out. I ordered the eggs benedict with turkey and avocado. The egg was a bit funny tasting & cold. I am not sure if that was the way they would normally make it or not. Needless to say, I have had better elsewhere. After the meal was a fiasco. We all were given our checks at the table and had to go back to the hostess counter which was already cramped with patrons trying to come in to eat. We had to go through mazes of people that probably assumed that we were skipping them in line just to pay our bill. I would suggest someone comes up with a better strategy in the near future.
(2)David K.
The other day I was in a rush to get from one appointment to another and only had a small amount of time to eat in between. I was craving a good sandwich but I had no idea where to get one along my route on University Blvd, which is mostly filled with pizza and burger joints. A few sub shops and Mexican places are thrown in there for good measure. Aside from Panera there weren't too many places that instantly came to mind. A quick search on my phone brought up a place I hadn't been to in awhile, First Watch, and a brief overview of their menu led me to order a Reuben with a side of Cream of Chicken and Wild Rice soup. After placing the order I headed that way and was there in 20 minutes, finding my sandwich and soup ready for me. Most days I would have been ok with waiting a few minutes if I had to but the fact that it was ready when I got there that day was perfect. At first glance, this looked more like a melt than a sandwich. The marble rye bread was buttered, and it looked like it had been pressed, but the end result was more satisfying than I could have imagined. The bread was crisp, but it wasn't so crisp that you had to chew through it hard to get to the meat, in fact it basically gave way around the meat and provided enough crispiness to add varying texture and crunch but let you enjoy the deliciousness wedged inside. The corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss and thousand island dressing were proportioned perfectly, letting each add it's own flavor without overpowering the rest. This sandwich was the comfort food I needed that day. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I tried the soup. Suddenly I wished I had an entire soup pot full of it, and that it was about 30 degrees colder. This is the kind of soup you'd have on a cold day and it would both fill you up and leave you feeling warmer inside. Whoever came up with this recipe did this soup justice by not overdoing it with salt like most other restaurants do. The ingredients they use have the chance to "do the talking" without feeling like you're slurping down on a salt shaker. The final reason this meal left me so happy was that it only cost $7.99 + tax. Do you hear that Fresh To Order?? I can get a WHOLE sandwich and a cup of soup for less than you charge for a 1/2 sandwich 1/2 soup combo. That kind of value combined with it's amazing taste moves it from "hard to beat" to "unbeatable". Way to go First Watch! I will definitely be back for more!
(5)Rachel W.
It was busy but they were able to get us a table quickly. Everyone was working very diligently. Erica was our server and she was absolutely wonderful! She was so friendly and helpful. Our food came out quickly and it was DELICIOUS. We ordered the Floridian French toast and the avocado toast with eggs - so good! We will definitely be returning for more.
(5)Sarah K.
This location is always a little busy but I imagine all of them are. Consistently great fresh food, friendly staff, and always clean. I recommend this place to anyone looking for a filing breakfast that won't leave you feeling weighed down.
(4)Andrew H.
First Watch, the breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant, has added three new seasonal menu items that will be available through Sunday, August 17. In addition to the food offerings, long time fans of First Watch will be happy to know that the brand has finally added Iced Coffee to the menu that is available year round. Those new menu items include the BLT Benedict, Shrimp and Grits, and the Bruleed Banana Waffle. The BLT Benedict is served with two poached eggs on toasted ciabatta with bacon, tomato, hollandaise sauce, lemon-dressed arugula, avocado slices, fresh herbs, and includes a side of fresh seasonal fruit. I really liked the flavors and textures of this dish and would certainly order it again. The ciabatta added a nice crispy layer of support for all of the toppings. The Shrimp & Grits features sautéed shrimp and Andouille sausage in a Cajun low-country reduction with house-roasted tomatoes, onions, peppers, corn and fresh herbs on Cheddar Parmesan cheesy grits served with ciabatta toast. First Watch has done a pretty good job of creating an authentic "Low Country" shrimp and grits. The flavors were light and fresh with an earthy note, and the Andouille sausage added the right amount of spice. The Bruleed Banana Waffle is a light and airy waffle that is topped with caramelized bruleed bananas, brown sugar glazed bacon, a sweet cream sauce drizzle and bacon-infused syrup. This was really good, but it was really sweet. I like sweets, but this was too much for me. I recommend you order this and split it with at least one other person.
(4)Joy J.
Came here because I received a free entree of my choice for my Birthday. This is located on the UCF strip of eateries. Parking was pretty full so I assumed great things about the place! The wait time was 5 minutes for a table and the cafe was pretty packed of diners. Got seated and was presented a menu along with the regular menu is a seperate summer menu items thats limited. Im into anything eggs benedict so I opted for their summer special of BLT Eggs Benedict! The young lady was pretty nice. I noticed she always wants to make sure I want anything extra with my order felt like it was a commission sales thing lol! As I got my eggs benedict I noticed a few things that Im not used to from other areas Ive gotten eggs benedict from .. 1) The portion was like an appetizer sized portion 2) Wheres the hollandaise sauce?!! It was so little I barely saw it and tasted it! 3) the ciabatta bread was so hard I was afraid I may break a tooth chomping in it! 4) The poached eggs were NOT RUNNY but soft boiled?!!! WTH?!!! 5) Too much greens that covered the whole experience of eating the entree! I pointed out the above flaws and I sent it back to the kitchen to have it redone! I requested runny yolk on my poached eggs and softer ciabatta bread please! I shouldve requested more Hollandaise sauce! Ugghh!! The entree came with a fruit bowl which consists of pineapple, watermelon bites and grapes - my bowl in particular consists more of grapes n some still had stems on it! When the server took my 1st entree that was sent back she also took along my other utensils - She never offered a new utensil packet back so All I had to work with is a fork to eat with! I had to request a new set of utensils so I can use a spoon to eat my fruit bowl! Thank god this entree was FREE because I was not a happy camper! The 2nd round was a tad bit better but I just felt the portions of it all is not worth $$. Small eggs barely any hollandaise sauce - SMH what a shame! I may try out Peach Valley or Keke's next time!
(2)Pam H.
I feel bad that I was the person who suggested First Watch to my group as a post-race meal. I've eaten at several locations, and always enjoyed the food, so I thought this would be a great spot. I guess this really shows that service and quality can vary by location. It was a Sunday morning, so we expected a wait with the church and brunch crowds. When we were finally seated thirty minutes after arriving (which was pretty good, considering how crowded the waiting area was), we were all starving and ready for all the food and all the coffee. Our server started out ok, taking our drink orders. Once our drinks were brought over, she vanished for what felt like a very long time. At one point I noticed a server carrying a tray of food and realized it was not for our table, because we did not order yet! Talk about disappointment! Once we ordered, there was another lengthy wait. Again, it was a busy Sunday rush, but the wait still felt quite excessive. Our food came out in spurts, with one friend in our group waiting quite a while for her dish. This is breakfast, not a gourmet dinner, so I would think they can time eggs and potatoes so we can all eat at the same time. I was disappointed in my meal, but was so hungry I didn't bother asking for something else. Waiting so long after a 5 mile run will do that to you! The Key West Crepegg was more like an over-cooked omelet with hardly anything inside. It was very dry, and I only recall and few bites of avocado, which was more than the turkey or bacon that should've been included. My friend pointed out that the potatoes tasted boiled, almost to mashed potato consistency. No crispiness or flavor. Major bummer! I did enjoy a bite of the muffins my friends ordered as pre-meal snacks. Those were tasty and held us over somewhat until our food arrived. But that's not really enough to bring me back to this location, so I'll stick to Winter Park or Maitland in the future.
(2)Wayde T.
Wheat germ Cranberry Pancakes were the best. The atmosphere was chill, clean, friendly, fast staff! Will return.
(5)Leslie S.
Shaleane is knowledgeable. She even odered for me. I felt the service could have been better as although they weren't that busy, it took time to get drinks and to go boxes. The pancake is larger than the plate it's served on. Don't put syrup on the entire thing as you'll be taking the rest home. The shroom omelette had lots of onions in it. I just would have preferred more Swiss cheese. I love the variety of teas offered. Eat here if you'd like a healthier option for breakfast.
(3)Michael K.
My latest visit was noteworthy and deserving of an updated review. The dine in staff really know how to take care of their guests. Going for breakfast on the weekends will likely result in a wait for a table but once you get seated everything else goes quick. We were greeted by our server right away and provided with our drink orders. Then not long after placing our food orders, each one of our orders came out. Breakfast entrees and sandwich and soup combos were hot and fresh for us. My order of the Traditional Breakfast with crispy bacon and eggs over medium came out as expected. Continuing to do these things right is what will bring me back.
(4)Jennifer R.
There is NEVER not a wait... yes I double negatived that, but it's the truth. Typical great food but how anyone ever gets to eat it is beyond me with the wait you have to endure. I love this place, you just have to come prepared and not starving.
(4)Melinda W.
Slow. Food is ok but not worth the wait. Potatoes were burned and ice cold when they arrived. Pancakes crumble very easily. Not good in my opinion. This is my second visit to this location. On the first I had to send my food back as it was ice cold in the middle. My sons French toast was very good.
(3)Bray L.
Affordable healthy options for breakfast. Good service, but always packed and there is a wait most times. I like how they can text you when your table is ready. The parking is horrible and they do not allow call ahead seating.
(4)Ms. S.
Perfect place for a nutritious bite. The restaurant was very inviting, clean, and cozy. The staff were very attentive and provided great customer service. Love the coffee, Gluten-Free Menu options and the Day Glow orange-carrot juice. I enjoyed the French Toast made with raisin bread. Two things I didn't get to enjoy were my side dishes, the Turkey Sausages and the avocados. The sausages were a bit dry and cold and the avocados were really ripe and blackened. Overall my family and I enjoyed our visit and the food.
(4)Mia P.
Typically I love this place for brunch or breakfast. I know that a lot of people love this place and it's very popular. I expect to wait a bit to be seated and know it is going to be busy on the weekends for brunch. The location near University Boulevard is just not managing their peak time very well, I'm sad to say. The waiting area is full of people trying to check in and get their name on the list with the hostess and then you have all of the departing people trying to check out and pay at the front register--it's a disorganized mass of people. There is no flow or signs for queuing as to where to go to check in or check out. The restaurant should fix that or put a hostess station in a specific area away from the cashier. I came here on a Sunday morning with friends and I'm glad I was with friends because we had over an hour to sit at a table to talk while we waited for our order. Our order took an extremely long time to come out and it was even to the point where we saw people who have been seated at least 15 or 20 minutes after us had already received their orders earlier than we did. It did appear that the servers were working hard and trying to meet all the customers needs, but they just fell really short in my opinion. At no point did our server explain why the wait took so long or say "hey you're food will be coming out soon", or apologize for it taking so long in general, nothing was acknowledged. I had to ask for coffee refills and basically we were handed our checks before we were done eating since the place was so busy. Some of the food looked like it had been sitting a while and some parts looked a little undercooked. We were so hungry that no one wanted to send anything back because we had waited so long. Probably not gonna go back to this location but I've had a great service at the location Altamonte Springs, maybe they could use some training from that location.
(2)Joel P.
I just finished having breakfast here. It was good. Very tasty Eggs benedict. One thing I did not like was the avocado was not prestine. It would have been nice if the side of avocados looked fresh. We definitely enjoyed the atmosphere and the staff, and the Day Glow orange-carrot juice was surprisingly good and refreshing.
(4)Thysis R.
This place has become my favorite weekend breakfast spot. I love the variety that they have to offer. They really focus on healthy cooking but also offer items that are not considered totally healthy. It's a great place to come with the kids as they have a pretty decent menu. Their pancakes and waffles are enormous! I can usually only eat 1 pancake. They are so good especially since they are made with a homemade batter. They offer seasonal specials which are usually pretty good. If you're coming here on the weekends expect to wait. This place is very popular but it's worth the wait. They are also busy during the week but not like the weekend. The staff is pretty helpful. They definitely strive for good customer service. So happy to have First Watch on the Eastside of town!
(5)Bill S.
Friendly service & great value to go with variety. Not your everyday breakfast, I had the crab cake benedict and it was excellent. Just enough extras to bind the lump crab meat.
(4)Earl H.
Amazing service! Amazing food! Nuff said. I had a cranberry pancake with poached eggs and my friend had an egg white omelet. We highly recommend and we will be back!
(5)David G.
I love coming to this place when I'm in the mood for having an upper scale brunch after mass or some type of special occasion. Everyone is really nice and they have great customer service. I love the Parma Hash (my go to), but their entire menu is all great to choose from. PS ask for Tim, he is my favorite server.
(5)Marlon S.
This place always has great food and service. They usually are busy on the weekends, so be prepared to wait a little. The food quality is above average. Ingredients seem very fresh every time I have visited. The servers are well mannered and take care of you well. I would recommend to anyone looking for great breakfast, brunch, or lunch to visit First Watch. The waffles are awesome, make sure you don't sleep on it!! The trifecta is my personal fav, and sometimes I get the chickichanga. Try it out, see for yourself!
(5)Gabrielle L.
Coffee is super good. Also, one of the servers had almost disturbingly short shorts on. Good for me. Not so much for the lady with the elementary school children next to me.
(5)Nawal B.
Excellent service and food, A+. I loved the healthy options, prices. Ate with 6 friends, everyone's food was perfect!!!!!!
(5)Sarah D.
I've heard nothing but good things about First Watch, but my experience was a let down. Food took 2 hours to come out, and my pancake was under cooked :( On the bright side they have really healthy options.
(2)Katie L.
Good price for a great brunch. Definitely plan ahead though because it's usually packed and the parking is a slight issue but it's worth the 20-30 min wait. Staff and management is very friendly as well. Overall, great experience.
(5)Lisa K.
I love First Watch. It's packed on the weekends, so I usually avoid going because I hate waiting, but during the week you can get in and out with not worries. The food is wonderful. It is always fresh and never greasy. I have been getting the triathlon, which isa healthier option, but fantastic. I've enjoyed the Florida French toast in the past. This is my go-to breakfast stop when I have out of town guests and no one has ever been disappointed.
(5)John F.
Fast and polite service. Clean and homey feeling environment. Freshly made food along with freshly squeezed orange juice, not minute maid, vegetarian options major plus. Food is both presentable and tasty. Definitely beats major breakfast chains like ihop which is a block or so down. Only down side is that its relatively small so you can feel a little clustered inside, they do have outside seating, which Ofcourse I chose.
(4)Michele V.
Good food, okay portions. Had special harvest breakfast and pumpkin pancakes. Price was a bit much for portion sizes. Liked it, but won't go back because of the price per meal.
(3)Melissa C.
For those who have been to First Watch you know the line that most likely awaits you. We took a day off and decided to try FW during the week and am so glad we did. There was no wait when we arrived and since the weather was FANTASTIC we sat outside. Every time I've been I think I've ordered an omelette so I was on a mission to try something else. I opted for the energy bowl with granola (though you can get muesli) sliced almonds, pecans, craisins, wheat germ and raisins. All of this comes topped with fresh fruit (strawberry & banana today). It's also served with low-fat organic yogurt - a little sweet so I think it was vanilla flavored. The BF ordered the pancake special which was 2 eggs done your way, a link of Aidell's chicken & apple sausage, and a pumpkin pancake bigger than your head! Seriously, see the photo.. Unlimited coffee, great service, and a slow, easy morning made for a very nice visit.
(4)Ar Z.
I loved the place. Healthy choices. Host were awesome rest of staff- so so... I will go back for sure.
(5)Nick G.
I've been a returning customer here for a long time! Clean and welcoming atmosphere! Food is great and healthy! They have options for anyone! I love super foods and healthier options! This is a MUST!! Be aware for long wait times on Saturday/ Sunday morning! I would recommend this to everyone! btw I Love the chicken- quinoa dish! It's GREAT!
(4)Angela M.
Simply, amazing. The perfect place for brunch any day. The staff and GM will go above and beyond to make your experience wonderful. And of course, the food was DELICIOUS!! I wish I could eat here everyday.
(5)Rachel C.
My friend and I were choosing one from first watch and IHOP since there were so close to each other in both location and food style. Finally we decided to try first watch because we wanna try something different. We were so surprised that the food were so healthy and delicious with so low price. After that, I just could't help going there again and again. I luv it so much and have already recommended it to many friends. Def 5 starts !
(5)Pam B.
Awesome place! As a student it's great to have a restaurant that's close and nutritious. I love coming here whenever I get the opportunity because of the great staff and delicious food. Our last server Stephanie was attentive and friendly. I definitely recommend eating here.
(4)Jeffrey D.
Cruising around with my wife we decided to have a breakfast here. I was surprised that there was a First Watch location near us. It was also a very busy location. I have been to other locations. The menu is robust for those who haven't been they offer traditional breakfast with some twists. The addition of avocado to a skillet is different and tasty. We enjoyed our breakfast and had a nice breakfast on the patio. It does not offer much in the way of privacy though, so not a good place to go for conversation. They do apparently have wifi. Overall, good food and moderate pricing.
(3)Cassidy L.
It was very clean and had a great menu! My boyfriend ordered waffles, and I had the bacon onion hash! The service was great, the food came quick, and it was delicious! No complaints! The only reason I am giving it four stars is that I wish they had GF pancakes! They are very nutrition savy, however, they don't have any GF toast, pancakes, waffles, etc. I would love it if they started providing my GF options! Overall, it was delicious!
(4)bRad w.
Of all the breakfast choices around, this remains our default choice. Everything on the menu is delicious, but the pancakes are the best around (imho). If you have never been to First Watch, do yourself a favor and give it a try. You won't regret it!
(5)Jaime J.
Some girls live to hear those three special words. I only live to hear two - "Goat cheese." And that is why as soon as it's legal, I will be legally marrying the Farmer's Skillet at First Watch. We're going to be registered at Ikea under Jaime J and Holy Shit, Why Aren't You Eating This Right Now? If you are not eating the Farmer's Skillet right now - right now as you're reading these very words - you essentially made the same life choices as Jesse Pinkman from Breaking Bad and seriously need to reconsider your situation in life. The Farmer's Skillet is greater than the sum of its parts, but the parts by themselves are pretty damn delicious too - crispy salty hunks of roasted potatoes tossed with fresh spinach, melty strands of mozzarella, red peppers, onions, zucchini and these great garlicky roasted crimini mushrooms. I'm not a big mushroom fan - they're often slimy and under-seasoned - but I could pop these little suckers like jujubes. Add an oozy egg (because let's face it - if you're going to eat this dish, you want a fried egg that just oozes its lush yolk all over everything) and some Cholula (waiting at its rightful place on the table next to the salt and pepper) and you've got an almost perfect breakfast. What elevates the dish to perfection is the herbed goat cheese - a tangy, emulsifying final component which takes this dish from a decent breakfast to what God eats when he's hungover. And the best part? You can mop your plate clean with a buttered English muffin. What? I don't believe in dainty breakfasts. I believe in big cups of coffee, hot sauce over everything and eating a breakfast so good, you need a nap immediately afterwards. The rest of their menu looks pretty great but once I see those two magic words - it's all over. It's just me, a mug of coffee and the Farmer's Skillet. Can't nobody tear us apart, baby.
(4)Nick Z.
I'm a big fan of First Watch. They are a chain of breakfast & lunch joints across FL. Our Triahtlon and running friends like to go to breakfast post workout and this is always a staple. I normally order a tri-fecta with eggs, bacon, pancakes, and hash browns or the triathlete omelette with fruit. The severs is always good, but you need to get their early on the weekend or there is a long wait (at pretty much every location that we have tired.
(4)Megan W.
Eh, it's just okay, not up to the hype at all. I will eat there again because of the convenient location, but I expected better eggs Benedict from the "best place for breakfast." Maybe their eggs Benedict just aren't that great and I will change my mind when I get something else. Because I will be getting something else.
(3)Lisa M.
Excellent place for groups and families visiting. Healthy options at affordable prices and delicious foods! I recommend the crepes, muffins, and bacado omelet for sure.
(4)Sonya P.
The place has potential but the wait is way too long for being a breakfast place. It took 1 hour to get our breakfast order delivered to our table. And we were a party of 3 people. How long can it take to cook eggs? Won't be coming back here. It's not worth the wait.
(2)