First Watch — Restaurant in Eatontown

The fast truth: First Watch is an excellent breakfast/lunch spot with efficient, friendly service and a diverse menu including the sweet ‘n’ savory foods as well as the balanced, healthier options!

For some real details:

Food:

One of many gripes I have with breakfast places is they often have the same tired options with little to no creativity. This is where First Watch excels! Be it healthy food or just downright tasty dishes, the variety of unique and complex flavor arrangements offered is impressive and satisfying. Even a common dish like an omelette has several unique twists available!

The Vibe:

Atmosphere is everything. Who wants to eat in a place that is too loud, cramped or uncomfortable in some way shape or form? I certainly do not and I’m pleased to say that first watch has no shortage in providing a warm inviting atmosphere.

While it utilizes an open space format, the placement of fixtures and decor around booths and tables somehow give a more intimate dining experience giving you the best of both worlds! I’m also excited to use the outdoor seating once the season allows for it!

The service:

Every time I have ate here my experiences were first class. Small nuances from holding the door as you enter to multiple staff assisting each other as they bring out the entire tables food thoroughly enhance the overall experience. Also my most recent visit gave me the pleasure of engaging with the waitress Theresa!!

She is an absolutely breath of fresh air, bringing an aura of positivity with her as she carefully tended to our needs. She was incredibly attentive and always smiling so highly recommend requesting her if she happens to be available!

Final thoughts:

If you have made it this far than you’re clearly a foodie who enjoys the overall pleasures that encompass a dining experience and considering the difficulties in creating a great breakfast/lunch place, First Watch has most certainly succeeded.

Quality food, quality service,...

Disappointment!

Today was my first visit to "First Watch" in Eatontown, New Jersey.

This morning I wanted a very simple classic grilled cheese sandwich on traditional thin(ner) sliced sandwich bread, which they confirmed that they do make. The server declined to serve me one because it is only found on the "Children's Menu", not the "Adult Menu". I offered to pay an "adult" price for a comparable "Adult" item, and then be served the grilled cheese sandwich instead - but was again declined. Under no circumstances can any adult consume any "Child" item. I settled for a poor "Adult" substitute with very thick bread. The food was good, but was not the classic grilled cheese sandwich which, again, they confirmed that they do make.

In my 50+ years of frequent Diner dinning, I've never seen a restaurant maintain this ridiculous policy. Clearly, it's a corporate maneuver, motivated by greed, to force patrons into more expensive options. I don't blame the staff for a policy that they have to enforce; they were all quite friendly, helpful and professional. I told them, in truth, I had no complaints - about what I was served.

Yes, today the corporation earned a few extra dollars on my meal. Sadly, it has lost years and hundreds of dollars that I might have spent.

Quite unfortunately, this incident overshadowed all the other wonderful and positive things I saw today. I could have been a long time, reliable, repeat customer. If they ever change the policy (which they won't), I would love to return often and purchase a lot more than a simple sandwich.

Good Luck ... and ......

Came to First Watch with high expectations after it was recommended by friends.

I ordered their Croissant Sandwich, but as Im vegetarian without meat and with fried onions and mushrooms instead.

Unfortunately the food was still served with bacon making it uneatable to me.

Had the server ever checked in with us how the food was or come by more than once I would have accepted a re-made sandwich.

Unfortunately by the time our server came to check on us, after telling other staff about the wrong food, everyone else had finished their food.

While I didn’t eat the food it did look great!

But unfortunately poor service and the kitchen made it not very welcoming for vegetarians. Nothing was offered to make up for the mistake.

My recommendation to the owners is to coach their staff to be more attentive and that a mistake is not a problem but that a small gesture will go a very long way. Like a free desert, or the meal for free as...