First Watch — Restaurant in Alafaya

Would give it zero stars if I could. Absolutely horrible experience today for breakfast. Went in around 10:15 and was told the wait would be 10 minutes. It was more like 15-20 before we were seated. Seated next to the kitchen, took a little while for our waitress to get to our table so by the time she came by and brought coffee and water we were ready to order which we did.

Seated not far from us were two gentlemen who walked into the restaurant right in front of us as we entered, and who were actually seated within the ten minutes we were both told. After ordering we waited an extremely long time for our food. The gentlemen who walked in at the same time we did were now finished and were leaving. It was a bit frustrating but I let it go as my daughter and I conversed.

Shortly after the two men left our food was delivered. I had ordered the Tri-Fecta with scrambled eggs, pork sausage and pancake. As the food was placed on the table I could see right away the eggs were no long bright yellow, but the dull, dry, dark yellow that happens when they have sat for an extended period of time. I touched the eggs and to no surprise they were stone cold as was the pancake which came with a scoop of butter on top that was never going to melt without the aid of a propane torch. The sausage was lukewarm at the best. My daughters Belgian Waffle was the same. I brought it to the attention of the waitress, and she offered to remake both meals. My daughter decided to go ahead and eat since she was hungry and had to go rather soon and she wasn't sure how long they would take to remake our order. (We hadn't expected to be in the restaurant for close to an hour at this point).

I also didn't want them to remake it because I wasn't about to pay for it and I figured if I let them recook it they would expect me to pay for it even though I feel they should have comped me at this point. I wasn't as upset about the food being cold even though any amount of quality control in the kitchen would have prevented them from sending out food that was visibly cold and congealing. I was more upset about the face that we had waited so long for our food and that it was prepared and ready but left to sit for an extended amount of time before it was brought out. That was inexcusable.

Since we were seated right next to the open kitchen I saw what had been going on since we ordered. The waitress took my plate to the manager and he came to our table and offered to remake it all. I told him that I wasn't interested but I was very upset about the fact that it had sat so long that it had gotten cold when the fact was he could have practically handed it to me without moving immediately after the cook plated it but the food sat and then arrived in an obviously cold state. He informed me that everything was cooked fresh which I don't get how that had anything to do with the fact the food sat until it got cold. He left to talk to the waitress who then came back and informed us we wouldn't have to pay. I don't understand why the guy who screwed it up sent the waitress who had done nothing wrong to tell us we wouldn't be charged for our cold, congealed, inedible food as if that was some sort of a gift. Why didn't he just tell me himself when he was standing in front of me 30 seconds earlier?

None of this was the fault of the waitress. I tipped her over 20% of what I estimated the bill would have been when she came to tell us our meal was comped. Feeling bad for us, she tried to refuse it but I insisted since she had done her job flawlessly. None of it was her fault and she shouldn't be penalized for something that was beyond her control. The pretentious twit disguised as a manager, on the other hand, should have stepped up and done his job. He should have told us our meal was free and he should have tipped the waitress out of his pocket because she depends on tips for a living and he doesn't. It was his screw up but he wasn't about to take any responsibility for that at all even as far as letting us know we wouldn't be paying for our...

Friendly staff, horrible food...

I hate starting out a review with such a negative statement, but I can't think of a more positive way without being a bit dishonest.

Anyone who reads my reviews of restaurants knows I give second and even third chances to any place when I don't have the best experience. Unfortunately, both times I've gone to this specific First Watch, I've had a bad enough experience to say I won't be returning.

My visits were within a two month period of each other, during the week, and in the morning when they weren't too busy. For instance, the final visit there were 5 other tables - definitely not a peak time.

My first visit I ordered an omelet with a side of potatoes. The omelet came without the potatoes. The kitchen was backed up, so they were delivered after I finished as much of the omelet as I could manage. It was WAY overcooked. The eggs were dry and flaky and tasted just too bad to finish.

I hate sending food back, and my wife and I had a schedule, so It really wasn't an option. And unfortunately, when the potatoes came, they were UNDER cooked. So I ate what I could and chalked it up to one bad visit - no review until I had a second try.

My second visit was worse. I again ordered and omelet with a side of potatoes... maybe I'm a glutton for punishment...

The omelet came with a thin skin (almost a light crust) on the outside edges, which I picked off with my hands. It looked like the remnants of a previous egg cook. I took a bite and my wife immediately asked me what was wrong. Apparently, my face contorted in a way that made her think I bit my tongue.

I find it difficult to explain the flavor it was so bad. First the eggs again were way over cooked, but that wasn't even my biggest issue. They tasted like they were cooked in a pan that's never been washed, or on a skillet that's never been scraped down. A combination of burnt flavors and something like old vegetable oil. They tasted like what a deep fryer smells like after a long day of use. The potatoes had the flavor as well, just not as overwhelming.

I sent them back. My wife was floored - she said she'd never seen me do that. But it was impossible to eat.

I let the waitress know that I think maybe the cook grabbed an unclean pan or something like that. Just a mistake, no worries. I ordered a skillet - two eggs over potatoes with some other breakfast items in there like bacon and sausage (maybe).

It came out super fast and was just as uneatable as the first meal. Same awful taste. So we paid and left - my breakfast almost completely uneaten. Their multigrain toast was excellent, So I ate that to help remove the foul flavors of the other stuff. It didn't help much.

The staff was super friendly and very understanding about the kitchen return. Which is why I gave the review 2 stars instead of 1. But friendly staff doesn't bring customers to the door and disgusting food won't bring them back.

I won't...

So I met up here with a couple of friends for breakfast one morning. It's really popular around these parts and their only real competition is Keke's. I went to Keke's last, so I decided to come here this time. We walk in and get seated promptly. We make pleasant conversation with our server and she makes a wonderful recommendation that both me and my friend take her up on.

I order the Chicken Chimichurri Hash (Two cage-free eggs any style atop fresh, seasoned potatoes tossed in chimichurri sauce with all-natural chicken breast, Monterey Jack, house-roasted onions and kale. Served with whole grain artisan toast, all-natural preserves and fresh fruit). I also get a side item, due to the ridiculousness of it being four dollars for Million Dollar Bacon (Four slices of our signature hardwood smoked bacon baked with brown sugar, black pepper, cayenne and a maple syrup drizzle).

Everything about the hash was absolutely wonderful. The over easy egg I ordered oozed yolk over the really mild chimichurri and paired nicely with the moist chicken and the potatoes that were cooked all the way through. If you want a dish that's more authentically chimichurri, go with a more traditional hash. But, this dish was solid.

The bacon was the epitome of everything bacon has become in our society recently. It was four slices of bacon that weren't super long or even super thick, but they were covered in spices that kicked my taste buds a little hard. The syrup was very welcome and balanced it all out. Word of warning, though, they came floppy. If you like your bacon super crispy, make sure you request it so.

Overall, this was a really nice outing I had. I was happy ordering both of my things off of the seasonal menu. It makes me feel like I haven't even scratched the surface of their regular menu, which makes me want to come back. I recommend. Keke's is next. Or maybe even Flying...