First Watch — Restaurant in Chattanooga

Two different Experiences on two sepate days.

First Experience: Good. Date: Approximately late December.

The Farmhouse Hash, with the million dollar potatoes upgrade, is an out of body and mind experience!!! O... M... G... You might need a designated driver, after experiencing this dish, because all of your senses and motor skills will be overloaded, from the insane flavors you take in!

This is SO good... So good, that I want to bring my mother here, who is an amazing cook, have her try this, so I can watch her slap herself!!!

IT IS THAT GOOD!! Get this ASAP!!!

Second Experience* ** READ COMPLETELY *

Update: 1/18/2025

Went from five stars all the way down to one.

Reservations were made in advance, we walked in and gave the hostess our name. Immediately, we were told go wait in our car until we were called, in a rather not so welcoming tone of voice.

There were other people standing around us, waiting to be seated, so we were fairly disturbed on why we had to back to our car? Especially, when there was an empty bench, for two people, near to the register.

Side note: We encountered the EXACT same unwelcoming experience, in downtown Atlanta, at a rather notorized soul food restaurant, when it was freezing cold outside, and there were empty benches all around. So for this to happen a second time, was very disheartening.

Nevertheless, we decided to tell the hostess that were leaving, since we were expected to wait in our vehicles, while everyone else waited inside.

She fired back with "I have been telling everyone that but they stayed anyway."

I understand the fact that it was raining outside and waiting in the car was the only alternative for customers.

Regardless, there was a better way to advise us of such. There was a lack of observation to see what was available for us inside, before suggesting that. And once again, there was a far better way to explain why we were asked to wait in our car.

I have worked 20 years in customer service and that is not how you treat a customer; it was NOT how I treated my customers.

We decided to go to another place for breakfast, where the food wasn't on the same caliber as First Watch. But, we weren't treated poorly, as we were today. Respect and courtesy will always go farther with me,...

Restaurant Review: First Watch, Chattanooga, TN

Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2.5/5)

My recent visit to First Watch in Chattanooga, TN, left me with mixed feelings. Known for its fresh and health-conscious menu, I had high expectations. However, my experience was somewhat underwhelming.

I ordered the Belgian waffle and the Chickichanga, two items that seemed to promise a delightful breakfast.

Belgian Waffle: The Belgian waffle arrived looking picture-perfect, with a golden-brown exterior and a dusting of powdered sugar. However, the first bite revealed a lack of flavor and texture. The waffle was slightly soggy and lacked the crispiness I anticipated. The accompanying syrup was average, failing to elevate the dish. It was not the worst waffle I've had, but certainly not memorable.

Chickichanga: The Chickichanga, a playful twist on the chimichanga, was more promising but still missed the mark. The tortilla was filled with eggs, chicken, chorizo, and cheese, then topped with Vera Cruz sauce and served with fresh fruit and seasoned potatoes. While the idea was intriguing, the execution fell short. The filling was bland, with not much chicken, and the tortilla was a bit too greasy. The sauce added a nice tang, but it wasn’t enough to save the dish. The side of potatoes was undercooked, making them tough and unpleasant to eat, and the fruit was fresh but unremarkable.

Service and Ambiance: The service was a major downside of the visit. While the waitress was friendly, her overbearing demeanor made us feel uncomfortable. She frequently interrupted our meal, asked for our names, and generally hovered too much, which detracted from the dining experience. The ambiance of the restaurant was pleasant and welcoming, a bright and airy space perfect for a casual breakfast or brunch.

Overall, First Watch in Chattanooga has potential but didn’t quite meet my expectations. The Belgian waffle and Chickichanga were average at best, and the overall dining experience was marred by underwhelming food and uncomfortable service. Given the numerous breakfast options in Chattanooga, I might think twice before...

I've been here twice because if I have a poor experience I like to give it another try, but the second time was even worse unfortunately. The first time I walked in, The two employees up front where gossiping about some random stuff and when one of them spoke to me, they must have misheard me and passive-aggressively said something to the other employee instead of directly asking me.. so I had to assume she was talking about me and I asked her if she was offended at something I said and she ended up apologizing to me about it. It's like she expected me to be rude, not sure. The food was alright, not very memorable... so this next time yesterday I wanted to try eating there again to get a better experience, and I thought it would be perfect on a rainy morning just after my 12 hour shift at the hospital. It was completely empty in there, so I was excited to have a quiet meal. A gentleman in a nice suit got immediate service--getting a seat and some coffee/water... yet when I was seated she said "your server will be right with you" and didn't ask if I wanted anything to drink. I sat there for 15-20 minutes and left because I was so confused as to how the whole restaurant could be empty and no one even could get me a water. I hate to leave reviews like this, but I'd suggest breakfast foodies to try some other place or go to a local waffle house where you will get immediate service because your time is valuable.

I am willing to try maybe one more time, but it's frustrating.

edit 2/5/2025: thanks for your concern, I will be back on another occasion to try this place out. I don't want any special compensation/treatment. I've only heard good things about First Watch, so I will definitely try again. I've got to give it some time for it to be a proper experience that isn't biased by the previous ones. I will remove my review if it goes...