First Watch — Restaurant in Boynton Beach

We have been coming to First Watch for years, first in Windermere and the past few years in Boynton Beach where we moved in 2019.

We never sit near the kitchen, but on our visit on 8/3 we noticed some pretty nasty stuff while facing the OPEN kitchen.

The cook with the hair net in the attached photo constantly eats while cooking. He is placing bacon into his mouth with his gloved hand and then continues to cook. He also likes wiping the sweat off his forehead with the same gloved hand and then goes right back to handling the food. Absolutely disgusting.

To the left of the cook is an area where there is a shelf and they store Pellegrino on the shelf. That's what the other picture is with the two servers sharing a meal in the kitchen in full view of the guests.

Both of these issues are health code violations and are beyond disgusting. Sure, the food might look pretty and taste great but you are getting the cook's sweat and saliva in your food.

While this was happening, Sonny, the manager was directly in front of the cook while this happened and the waitresses were approximately 8 feet to his left. He is either blind, doesn't care or is complicit.

I have sent a note over to First Watch corporate about this experience and will be alerting the Florida Department of Health as well. Not only do I have pics, but I have video as well...too bad Google won't allow video to be uploaded to reviews.

As a side note - this place consistently has issues cooking eggs to order. If you order over easy, the whites will not be fully cooked and will have clear liquid seeping from the eggs...if you want them over easy, you have to order them over medium. We have to send back eggs on a regular basis. Imagine a steak house that couldn't cook a medium rare steak...absolutely ridiculous. The only reason we keep coming is because of the GF options for my wife, otherwise we would just go to The Breakfast Shack down the road, who has no issues cooking eggs to order.

Update

FW corporate called me, apologized about the issue and said they have taken steps to fix this from happening again. They sent us some gift cards and after a month we decided to go back and give it another shot and this time sit no where near the kitchen!!!

Well, the food came out ok and that all changed when my wife started to eat her side of fruit. Basically, all the grapes at the bottom had mold on them and she had eaten a few before noticing. This is beyond disgusting...there are bigger issues at this restaurant than the staff eating while cooking / in the kitchen area as the pictures clearly point out.

Shame on FW, we have been customers since around 2017 at other locations and this is the...

**UPDATED REVIEW:

I came back to First Watch on Lyons today, and I have to say—it was a completely different and much better experience. From the general manager, Janelle reaching out to me with genuine empathy to the manager on duty, Montel, genuinely wanting to cultivate a better experience for my family and I and our server, Mickey, everyone made us feel so welcome and taken care of. Everyone was super attentive!

Mickey recommended the brunch menu, and my family and I went with the shrimp and grits. The food came out super hot, super fresh, and it was delicious. We all enjoyed our meals and really appreciated the great service. And to top it off, Montel comped our meals unexpectedly. Wow. Big thanks to the team for turning things around, we’ll definitely be back! THANK YOUUU!!

I recently visited the West Boynton First Watch location for the first time, and unfortunately, my experience was disappointing despite having a very pleasant and attentive server.

To begin with, my food was not prepared the way I had requested. I initially ordered a chocolate chip waffle, but what I received did not appear to contain any chocolate chips. When I brought it to their attention, the item was returned to me — not replaced — but shown to have been cut or “penetrated” to prove that the chocolate chips were inside. This approach felt dismissive and unprofessional.

Next, I found my bacon to be undercooked, so I politely asked for it to be remade and cooked to a more well-done level. Shockingly, what was brought back to me was the exact same bacon strip I had already bitten into — just cooked longer. Having worked as a server previously this is a huge no no and this raises serious concerns about cross-contamination and food safety, not just for me but for other guests dining at the restaurant.

Again, I want to acknowledge that our server was kind and did their best to provide good service. However, the way the kitchen handled my food left me incredibly disappointed and uncomfortable. I expected more from First Watch, especially when it comes to food quality and health standards.

I hope this feedback is taken seriously and that steps are taken to ensure a safer and more respectful dining experience...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at First Watch, and I must say, it was an outstanding experience from start to finish. Not only was the food absolutely delicious, but the service was also incredible, making it one of the most memorable dining experiences I've ever had.

From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm smiles and promptly seated. The ambiance of First Watch is inviting and comfortable, perfect for a casual breakfast or brunch outing. Our server was attentive and knowledgeable, effortlessly guiding us through the menu and ensuring we had everything we needed.

The food at First Watch is nothing short of amazing. Every dish we ordered was prepared to perfection, bursting with fresh flavors and beautifully presented. From the hearty breakfast bowls to the decadent pancakes, each bite was a testament to the quality and care that goes into their culinary creations.

What truly set this visit apart, though, was the exceptional hospitality extended by the manager, Casey. He came by our table to check on our dining experience, and his genuine warmth and enthusiasm were palpable. Cassey went above and beyond to make sure we were not only satisfied with our meal but also enjoying our time at the restaurant. His personal touch and dedication to customer satisfaction were truly remarkable, turning an already great visit into an unforgettable one.

In a world where exceptional service can be hard to come by, First Watch stands out as a beacon of excellence. The combination of delicious food, attentive service, and Cassey's extraordinary hospitality makes it a place I will eagerly return to and recommend to friends and family. If you're looking for a dining experience that goes above and beyond, First Watch is the...