First Watch — Restaurant in Fort Myers

I've had multiple bad experiences at this location. Previously had servers trying to open the bathroom door with a knife while I was using it, simply because I "didn't answer" when they knocked. I'm not obligated to yell through a door while i'm using the restroom and the GM manager did take care of the situation and gave us a gift card that time. However, today I came in and was about to order a sandwich with egg and bacon, i do not eat pork so naturally asked if i could sub an extra egg for the bacon. Typically a substitute, protein for protein is accommodated in any and every restaurant (I know, having worked in the restaurant industry for years). It became a big ordeal, I watched the server go to ask another server, not the manager, then come back and tell us no. Then when we spoke to the manager, Felton, he proceeded to say we cannot do that and it would be a full charge for another egg. Even though on the sides an egg is LESS money than a side of bacon, so it would literally be saving THEM money. Yet they want to charge for a whole egg instead of just having some decent customer service. You just lost loyal customers who absolutely LOVED First Watch for years, over not accommodating an egg in place of bacon. I will however, not discredit the General Manager, she again stepped in as we were on our way out the door, told us she will meet our request and make it up to us. But we already, as you can understand, have a bad taste in our mouth and the atmosphere just isn't pleasant anymore. Working in the industry, and being a customer, I can't stress enough how important customer service is and providing a good experience. We don't want free stuff, food, gift cards, etc... we was GOOD service. Thank you to the GM for trying anyway but when the server & other manager are purposely just being rude and seemingly intentionally trying to not give decent service, theres only so much a GM can do...

The one star is for the food because the food was decent. The service however, a joke. MEGAN our waitress was probably the worst I’ve ever experienced. It wasn’t busy at all when we walked on around 9am on Tuesday 4/25. She sat us, came to take our order (wasn’t helpful with suggestions at all) when I asked if there were any popular items she said “everything is popular” with a very unbothered/dismissive demeanor. I wanted to order an alcoholic beverage and she asked me for an ID which I had left in my car so I went to go get it later..

She brought our food & NOT ONCE DID SHE COME CHECK IN ON HOW THE FOOD WAS. I’ve never had a “waitress” not check in, that’s like rookie 101 stuff. Now I’m not one to bring race into anything but I couldn’t help but notice how different her “service” was with my sister and I (Hispanic) compared to another pair of customers that came in (Caucasian). She didn’t mind that the man didn’t have his ID at all and she was actually friendly to them & checked in on them.

I had to flag down the cashier to bring us the check since Megan clearly wasn’t doing her one job. We then found out when Megan came to finally get our plates (still didn’t see how everything was) that we had to pay up at the front. Say that from the beginning! How frustrating this experience was is beyond me. Two days later & I’m now writing a review about it because it was that awful.

Management - do better with hiring your staff. Megan being biased to who she wants to serve won’t help your establishment in...

Firstly, my food (Market Hash) was delicious. I will give them that. My husband's French Toast was undercooked, and unfortunately he couldn't stomach most of it. But Cheryl is what REALLY left a bad taste in our mouths. From the beginning, she rushed us through ordering, asking if we knew what we wanted before I had actually sat down to the table. Then when the food came, she said, "Here you go!"...and walked away. Absolutely no pleasantries whatsoever, such as do you need anything/does everything look okay/you guys enjoy...nothing. Then, no exaggeration, about 3 minutes later, she leaves our check on the table and never came back. We were flabbergasted. In total, we had only been IN the restaurant for 20 minutes at that point and we hadn't even eaten our food. I had to go to the host's stand to get my own box. This isn't the first time we have had bad service here....last time I didn't even get my water until my food was on the table. But at least then, the server was apologetic. So moral of the story is- even though the prices suggest finer dining, don't expect to get good service here. And if you decide to go anyway, DEFINITELY avoid Cheryl....you will just be taking up her precious time by trying to come in and have a nice breakfast...