First Watch — Restaurant in Lakeland

The six of us went out for brunch and decided to give this place a try. It was busy, being a Sunday at 11am, but we didn’t have to wait long as they have “community tables “ that sat 10. I will say I took off a star for atmosphere as the high top chairs at our bar height table, as well as all the chairs throughout the place, were hard wood and didn’t lend themselves to comfort in any way. We all ordered different items. No one was disappointed. We had a breakfast appetizer in that we all shared a few cinnamon rolls and wow- excellent! This is a seasonal item and not on the regular menu so if you go during the holidays, don’t miss this treat! Standouts were the Billion Dollar Bacon- just the right blend of sweet and spice and cooked exactly right- well done without being dried out. My son really loved the Ricotta pancakes- moist and flavorful with the lemon curd and fresh strawberry topping. I had the carrot cake pancakes which were great- not too sweet and just the perfect multigrain texture. I would have liked a syrup choice besides maple syrup but this is not an option here. Son-In-Law had the Eggs Benedict and when it came it looked like a plate of field greens salad. He was laughing as this was not expected but he didn’t complain after digging in and cleaned his plate. Hubby had his fav traditional eggs, sausage and waffle that he said was “awesome” and “better than most” which is high praise indeed. DIL and daughter had potatoes that had billion dollar bacon and Parmesan cheese sauce and grilled onions- only negative comment for the entire meal was that the potatoes were not consistently cooked- some cubes were undercooked which was disappointing. So this is a “chain” but it really felt homey and the menu was innovative and had great choices of both traditional classics and ingenious creations. Service was good, as previously stated they were busy busy, but we didn’t wait too long and our food was fresh and hot. Now price- well, it’s not a “bargain “ but it was well worth the cost. About $100 for 6 full meals with the appetizer I think was a fair price for the quality and quantity received. All in all- I’d definitely recommend. Maybe just a cushion for an old gal’s...

Short version: Excellent food and beverages. Many vegetarian options. Service can definitely be improved.

Detailed version:

The food and drinks were delicious. All of us were pleased with our meals. We ordered: the Florentine Eggs Benedict (the side potatoes were perfectly seasoned and crispy), the Farmhouse hash, tomato basil soup/sandwich combo, and chocolate chip pancakes (huge and looked so good!) with bacon, hardwood smoked bacon, Tangerine dreams and purple Haze. The tangerine dreams drink tastes like a creamcicle! Sooo good!

Now the server, she was terrible. It was almost as if us being there was an inconvenience for her because she was so terribly busy. Granted, it was midday Sunday, but that's also the best time to provide excellent service so you can make good tips. Before officially greeting us, she asked if we were having coffee, and was happy when we said no because then she can put the coffee canisters away. Then she came back to take our orders, but we needed more time to look over the menu - she was gracious enough to say she'll give us one more minute and will be back. We were ready to order drinks before the meal, but apparently we could not do that that since she prefers to put in the whole order at once because it's easier. Personally, I prefer my drinks ahead of time, because I get too full to have my food and drinks together (I ended up needing a takeout cup). When the drinks came, she mixed up the order and I needed to wait even longer for my actual drink. Instead of just leaving the incorrect drink, she took it away with a quick apology (I think .. I honestly can't even remember if she apologized). She mentioned how busy she was on several occasions during our visit. I guess she must have been super busy, because she did not come to check on our table once, or even to refill a glass of water.

Since it was my first time there, I may give it another try because the food was fantastic. But I hope servers will be better trained on how to provide a great experience...

From Disaster to Delight at First Watch

My best friend and I had planned a simple, relaxing breakfast at First Watch. We were excited to catch up, share laughs, and enjoy their always-amazing avocado toast and Sunrise Granola Bowl. But oh, how our morning began as a chaotic disaster.

The parking lot was a madhouse. Drivers honking, parking spots getting snatched, and what felt like a circus of horrible morons seemingly conspiring to ruin our morning. One guy even parked diagonally across two spots like he was making some kind of statement. We laughed it off, but it was pure madness.

Finally making our way inside, we were greeted by the warm, bustling atmosphere of First Watch. The chaos of the outside world melted away the moment we were welcomed by their cheerful host, who radiated pure kindness. It was like being wrapped in a cozy blanket of positivity.

Our server, Ashley, was a total gem. Attentive, friendly, and somehow managed to brighten our day even more with her effortless charm. The food? Absolute perfection. From the fluffy Lemon Ricotta Pancakes to the comforting Million Dollar Bacon (I’m still dreaming about it), everything was beyond delicious.

What truly made the morning special was how the experience completely turned our day around. First Watch didn’t just serve us breakfast; they served us pure joy. My best friend and I left feeling happier, lighter, and genuinely grateful.

If you need a place that can transform even the worst, most chaotic start to your day into something spectacular, First Watch is it. Their food, staff, and atmosphere are like magic. A chaotic morning turned into one of our best memories yet.

Thank you, First Watch, for turning our disaster of a morning into a...