First Watch — Restaurant in Durham

Allow me to be perfectly clear. I have tried giving this place 3 chances. I wanted to like this place, I really did. It's a local chain, it's 5 minutes from my house, the pictures online look great. But every time that I order takeout, something is missing and everything is underwhelming and cold.

I just picked up my last order and it was the worst and last by far. I ordered online yesterday to pick up today at 9. I got there a bit late I'll admit at 9:13, asked for my food because I did not see it on the take out area, and received two bags before being told to have a nice day. I checked the bags as I was leaving because they felt very light and I ordered a good amount of stuff. Saw that they were missing potatoes, bacon, and toast. Went back in and asked for the rest. Was then told "oh sorry your order is not ready yet" and the bags were taken back. I waited. Someone comes back saying they couldn't finish my order because of questions about my allergies. I had already put on the order that I had a tree nut allergy when it asked me and I even wrote it on the comments to be sure they understood. Regardless I said once more that I had allergies to cashews, pistachios,and macadamia. The person told me that " oh sorry you have to tell the manager that because I'm not a cook". I said ok... And waited some more. The same guy comes back, no manager, and I tell him again, as long as the food does not have nuts as an ingredient it should be fine. I wait some more. Finally given my food, (not sure how bacon or potatoes would have tree nuts but whatever) I check the bags just in case. It's still missing the toast with preserves. I ask once more if I could have the rest of my order. Wait some more. Am given the toast and preserves. It is not 9:30. Get home, again only 5 minutes away. About to eat, everything is cold. Especially the "toast", which is cold bread that has never seen a toaster. I don't know what is going on, but something is wrong here. They might need more help or more training, I know that the business is hard right now and I want to give them the benefit of the doubt but this is not ok. If you can't make the order then don't make it. Maybe call me. Maybe wait for me to get there before making it. Maybe remake it if you have to. Maybe don't give me cold bacon, potatoes, and toast when you said it wasn't made yet. I'm not coming back, this...

Very bad cleaning standards ruined this dining experience completely for me and my wife. Cleanliness 1/5. You will see from the added pictures and the 7 second video as well that I received dirty utensils 3 times. This happens when dishwashers put too many knives, forks and spoons into the dishwashing tray basket and the food debris doesn't get completely cleaned off. The utensils were then wrapped back up in napkins without being inspected. Couple that with greasy fingerprints all over the utensils as well and you can see this place isn't getting off to a good start with cleanliness. I added a picture of syrup that no one had cleaned off of our table top. My wife's coffee cup handle was sticky with dried syrup on it and the paper menus already had dried food debris pieces on them and drink stains. Service 4/5. Despite the horrible cleaning standards at First Watch, the staff was always quick to bring us new utensils, were responsive and nice and our food came out fairly quickly. Price 3/5. A common theme of other reviewers seems to be to mention the high prices. I have to agree, that for two cups of plain, regular coffee I can't agree to paying $6 ($2.89 each). The quantity of food depends on your order. You get the avocado toast and you probably won't leave full or satisfied unless you eat like a bird. While the pancakes are huge and too much to finish, I was disappointed to find that for $10 I'm only getting 2 pancakes. No eggs, no sausage, no biscuits, or fruit. No grits or sides, nothing. $4.89 per pancake. Quality 3/5. Would I give First Watch another chance? Maybe. However I feel like the Bob Evan's breakfast restaurant nearby severly out matches this establishment in quality, quantity and cleanliness. The atmosphere here is cold steel or tin paneling, painted black rustic wood planks for effect and a two tier layered floor plan. I WOULDN'T call it cozy or warm in design but it was very attractive and pleasing to the eyes. While the food was a little above average, I can't get the same draw pulling me back based on cleaning standards alone. If that can be rectified, I...

Being in the hospital is never a pleasant experience, especially when you're anxiously awaiting surgery. After fasting for 24 hours, I was elated to finally get the green light to eat, so I turned to Uber Eats and ordered from First Watch. Given the hunger I'd built up, I had high hopes for a satisfying meal. Unfortunately, what I received was a profound disappointment.

I had ordered scrambled eggs with cheese, but when I opened the container, the eggs were anything but scrambled. Instead, they were flat and somewhat lifeless. To make matters worse, I had paid extra for cheese, which was completely absent from my meal. It's a simple addition, so it was puzzling that it would be overlooked.

But the eggs were only part of the problem. The real shocker was the side of potatoes. Most of them were burnt to the point of being inedible. When you're charging restaurant prices, quality control is key. It was heartbreaking to see these overcooked potatoes, which should have been discarded, instead being served to a customer.

Given the price point and the anticipation after such a long fast, the experience was devastating. It made me feel like my needs as a customer weren't valued. To receive food that was prepared with such little care or attention to detail was enough to make me think twice about ever ordering from First Watch again. If you can't serve food that meets basic standards, then you shouldn't be serving it at all.

In conclusion, my experience with First Watch via Uber Eats was a letdown. The lack of care in preparation and the failure to include a paid extra left me frustrated and hungry, just when I needed a good meal the most. I hope this review prompts them to rethink their quality control because I wouldn't wish this kind of...