First Watch — Restaurant in Columbia

I’m a retired HS Principal, and I’ll share that I was gravely disappointed by my visit to the Columbia location First Watch, with my granddaughter (a toddler), before we headed to church nearby one morning a month ago. My family usually attends the Pikesville or Owings Mills locations, closer to home, and having to wait is common, as the food is delicious.

This being my first visit to the Columbia location, and hoping for a delectable bite before church one morning I decided not to cook at home, upon entrance, I was offered to sit at one of the outside tables as it was also a beautiful morning.

However, for 30mins, I quietly observed, two small groups and a couple, all guests of a different race than my quiet and patient toddler granddaughter and I, get seated before us. I finally gently spoke up, easily visible to the team seating guests, reminding of the offer to sit outside where two tables sat vacant for over 20minutes, and two other parties enjoyed breakfast and their morning together. The lady that took my name originally, said someone else was before us - and as I was sure they were not, the gentleman working with her, of the same race as I, spoke up and ‘reminded’ her that I was before them and even others she’d already seated. The same young gentleman finally seated us at the table farthest from the restaurant outdoors, - literally 3 paces, outside, from parking spaces, and then after another 10minutes, we were never even acknowledged at the table (no water, no greeting, nothing) - let alone offer my 3 year old granddaughter crayons and a kids’ menu, juice, water, anything..

I watched a party seated at the last of the four tables outside receive an immediate greeting by their waitress of their same race, who greets them and offers water… I check my watch one final time before reaching the limit of time to have my granddaughter with her ‘church friends’ on time, and I’m packing up to leave when finally a waiter, comes to my table - very different than the two waitresses serving the other three tables, a male of minority descent, maybe caring enough to attempt to offer something and failing to explain the blatant mistreatment. It was a deplorable experience I shall not forget.

I shared that we were leaving, knowing that the 20 more minutes he ensured it would take for our food to be ready, would have my hungry granddaughter not ready for her church teachers and friends in time for church to begin for both of us. I told him that I am a retired high school Principal, over the age of 50, and that I’d be writing of the vast differences in service at the Columbia First Watch, for customers looking like me (my naturally curly hair was in a high curly soft bun), and any of the others I’ve visited with educator colleagues, as well as family.

Poor service to me was one thing, but seeing and denying the young child with me anything less than the service the other First Watch restaurants deliver with highest marks, remains unfathomable.

I will share with our Pastor and large church congregation, of my experience as well. Finally, when I want to treat my granddaughter to a delicious breakfast (not cooked at home by me lol) before church, if I choose a First Watch, I’ll remember to visit one close to home, than...

Re-Visit 3.4.19 Call it redemption. So my Wife and I came back thanks to Ashley C.'s Brunch Bucks see sent us due to my last review. I must say that this location did a 180 and redeemed themselves. Everything was really good and came out fast. Our waiter, Spencer was really nice and checked on us to ensure everything was up to par. I ordered the Trifecta and my Wife ordered the Traditional. Both of us ordered the pork sausage and eggs scrambled soft. Both were cooked how we like them. My Wife's toast was done correctly and my Waffle had a crisp outer layer and a soft inner side. The million dollar bacon was not burnt and the flavor came through perfectly. We were hesitant to come back but glad we did. We enjoyed our meal and our experience. Thank you First Watch-Columbia for restoring our Faith in your ability to provide a Quality meal.

The First Watch app said there was no wait and when we arrived there was a 15-20minute wait.

When we finally were seated our waitress was very nice and attentive. Seems as if the kitchen was backed up because our food took an exceptionally long time to come out. When we got it our sausage was a burnt stick and the million dollar bacon was shriveled up and cajun style. Couldn't really recognize it as bacon. We asked for our eggs scrambled soft, but what came out was dried white and yellow meat on our plates. The waffle was great, the grits were different but good and the potatoes weren't bad. We normally go to the First Watch in Laurel and enjoy it. We figured let's venture out to this one in Columbia. That was a bad idea. We won't be going back to this location. We will stick with what we know. Laurel knows how to cook the food on the menu and not burn it. Sad part is the manager was helping to cook at the Columbia location. That doesn't say much about...

If I could leave 0 stars today, I would! Today’s experience was terrible. I’m not sure what happened with this particular location, the customer service was terrible. I come into this location #10070 to place an order to go, the girl at front desk told me it would be 15mins. I come back in 30mins and food is still not ready. I understand they were super busy, however how the host/cashier handled the situation was absolutely terrible. She kept taking people walking in orders and seating folks at tables and told me she hasn’t had the chance to go to the kitchen to get my food. I waited 10 more mins as I watched her: take payments, greet those walking in and seating people. She was the only one working the front and after another 10mins, I started to tell her I would think she would tell the others one moment and go to the back to get my food bc she took my payment fast. Instead, I walked towards the kitchen myself and got a manager. No apology was given, all he kept doing was nodding his head as he listened to my concern. He went to go package my food and someone brought it out to me about 5 mins later. Once I left the establishment and got to work, I realized my food didn’t come with: syrup for my pancakes and no cream and sugar like I asked for my coffee. Also, I ordered Turkey bacon and was given pork bacon. I don’t eat pork bacon! Truly upsetting! I tried calling them 3x and no one answered the phone. I waited an hour to call back to tell them about the pork and someone finally answered. I explained the situation and he said, “oh we don’t sell Turkey bacon”, but the lady took my order and didn’t tell me that and charged me for regular bacon. He said he would refund the bacon or come back tomorrow for bacon. I didn’t want money back nor I...