First Watch — Restaurant in Grand Junction

My family friends and I have visited First Watch a few times for their better than average food and nice atmosphere. However, today marks the last time I will be going. For Mother's Day, my wife and I thought it would be enjoyable to bring her 94-year-old grandmother and disabled mother to a spot that we thought was nicer than most options in the area. What a nightmare it turned out to be.

We made an online reservation prior to our families' arrival, expecting a 30-45 minute wait time as stated. We arrived around 35-40 minutes into our reservation time, assisting our 94-year-old grandmother and physically disabled mother out of the vehicle, which was not an easy feat. To our surprise, upon entering the restaurant, we were informed that First Watch's online reservation system "doesn't work" and even with our reservation, we would have to wait another hour.

Despite our frustration, we decided to endure the wait, considering we had come a long way from The Roaring Fork Valley. We were promised a text message when our table was close to ready. With no comfortable seating available indoors or outdoors, we chose to go to a local park, just 5 minutes away, to pass the time that was wasted due to their faulty online reservation system.

Within 30 minutes, we received a message stating our table was ready. Although we were initially quoted another hour, we were relieved with the shorter wait. However, the message also stated that we had only two minutes to arrive, or our table would be given away to the next party. Rushing back, my wife called to inform the restaurant that we were on our way. Thankfully, the hostess was understanding and assured us that we wouldn't lose our table.

Arriving about 5 minutes after the table alert, we were relieved to find our table still waiting for us, thanks to the amazing hostess. However, we later discovered that the manager, Richard, was adamant about giving our table to the next party, despite our initial reservation and the fact that we communicated our slight delay to the hostess. It was truly unbelievable.

Finally seated, we found the wait staff and our waitress to be incredible. Unfortunately, their efforts were overshadowed by their manager's terrible antics and the disappointingly mediocre food we received almost an hour after being seated. As someone who has had previous positive experiences at this restaurant, the decline in food quality was stark. The specialty drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, were nowhere near the standard they used to be, either too bitter or watered down to be enjoyed. The eggs in our orders were poorly cooked, far from our preferences, and some dishes were served outright cold.

While it is understandable that a holiday like Mother's Day can be busy, this restaurant seemed to have completely fallen apart, and it's no wonder with a manager like Richard. It's disheartening to see such an incredible wait staff have to cater to a frustrated crowd due to mismanagement. The disregard shown towards elderly and disabled guests, like my wife's 94-year-old grandmother and disabled mother, is particularly upsetting.

I sincerely hope that someone reads this review and takes it to heart. It deeply saddens me to witness the excellent wait staff having to work under such mismanagement. First Watch needs to address these issues urgently and ensure that all guests, especially those with special needs, are treated with the respect and care...

Had not been here in a while so a friend of mine and I popped in on a Friday around 10:00 a.m. they were not busy so we were seated very quickly in a lovely area with a big sunny window. It appeared that there was only one person waiting tables so it took a little while to get our menu and drinks. Our server was very nice, friendly, and offered good suggestions to my friend who had never eaten here before. There was a little mix up on my trifecta as I ordered the multi grain pancake & received a waffle. I checked with my friend to make sure I ordered correctly, and she assured me that I had asked for the pancake. Our server was very sweet and quickly ordered my pancake. My eggs were cooked perfectly, albeit a little cold. Not everyone knows how to cook medium well eggs and the chef at First Watch has this down! They have some amazing power drinks, an excellent kids menu, and a wide variety of interesting sandwiches, salads and breakfast items. Items. No matter how eclectic you're taste is, anyone and everyone can find something delectable at First Watch. The restrooms were extremely clean, as was the entire restaurant. There was a bus person standing by and as soon as anyone's plate was empty, he was right on it. We sat there for quite a while, visiting and no one really bothered us. As soon as we noticed the restaurant was getting busy and that there was a waiting line, we headed out. It's fairly easy to find, off of Patterson road, just past the Walgreens in the little strip mall...

Ordered the Salmon Eggs Benedict - it came out cold, like refrigerator cold. I told our server and she offered new eggs. When they finally brought out new poached eggs, she brought them in a ramekin and they were sitting in an inch of water. Gross. No new warm sauce. No other options given. We were sitting in line of the kitchen and the kitchen staff kept glaring at me.

Also, we had to ask for a glass of ice 3 times - my husband finally drank his oj with ice well after his meal.

I didn't eat and no one came to our table of 6 people again. When they brought the bill they charged me for the $15.99 Eggs Benedict. I had to call the server back over and ask for a manager. The manager finally came over and acted surprised, even though she is the one who looked at my eggs that I refused. She should have come over right away. She could have salvaged the meal. Instead I left hungry and no one apologized until we paid. The woman at the front was very nice and super apologetic. She should probably offer some customer service training to the rest of the staff.

Too many other great breakfast places in town -...