First Watch — Restaurant in Maine Township

First time at the restaurant with my bestie Kelli, and we were excited about trying a new breakfast place. From the outside it looked promising but once we were inside, not so much. Initially, when we were seated, the table seemed to have been wiped but it was not wiped good enough as my Friends arm got stuck on the table because there was left over syrup. Another thing that i noticed was that the container for the cream that was on the table was filthy and very sticky because it seems as though either the previous people who sat there, were discarding their empty creamers in said container or no one bothered to check that container to make sure it was clean and had fresh creamer containers in it. Also, there was lots of food debris underneath the front of the table. The waitress came over and asked if we wanted something to drink and we explained to her if she could send someone over to clean the table again or if she could give us a wet napkin we would kindly do it ourselves, but she sent the busboy over to clean. He eventually came back to sweep underneath because when we brought that to the attention of the waitress the second time she came around, she explained that a child was sitting there and had made a mess to our surprise if that was known, why wasn't it cleaned properly before hand. Ultimately that was the last time we saw our waitress until she handed us our bill. I had to wave someone down to get a refill on my very flat coke zero to which my bestie noticed that the waitress who brought it to me kind of slammed the cup on the table and slide it towards me. I didnt notice but thats a small issue considering all the other ones. Im not sure I would return to his particular location given our experience, but I would venture to guess that the over priced food and quality would be the same at all locations. If I may add a suggestion to your staff, remember that being kind and attentive goes a long way not just in earning a tip but also earning a return customer. Our waitress seemed to have that for everyone else except us. I hope that for future patrons, they dont experience the same thing....

We were anxious to try the new Des Plaines location and while it was very exciting and new, very clean and fresh, I was let down while waiting for my coffee, it took almost TEN MINUTES from the time I sat down and asked for it to get to me. This should be the first thing when a server greets you.. especially since they bring you a pot of coffee, it should be in hand and ready to be served! So while waiting, I was dismayed by a lack of menu offerings not present at this FW location. I fear many local Des Plaines residents make be turned off to some high pricing and fancier offerings like diced potatoes instead of good old hashbrowns. It may seem inconsequential to some but just in the immediate area, there are several other breakfast diner locales offering a larger variety of tradional breakfast items and if First Watch wants to bring in more than the airport business professionals and hotel guests, I would think they need to attract and cater to local residents too. I wonder if these changes are being considered yet?

The last big thing I will say... This is a breakfast or lunch only menu at opening but their menu lacks the all American cheeseburger? I mean that seems like a big old miss for everyday lunchers who would gladly pay for the "million dollar bacon" and 100% all beef pattie offering with fresh toppings. Again.. just thinking of the local community and what they'd like to have. It's gonna be a tough sell losing customers in spring and summer to places like IHOP, Mcdonalds, Portillos and Five Guys (right next door or within walking distance) when FW has a nice outdoor patio for lounging and drinks... but no burgers at lunch?? Seems like no research done and a miss...

I look for details like cleanliness. This place didn't make the grade. It has not been open very long, so I found it a bit disconcerting that there were grease smudges on many of the "chicken wire" glass partitions separating the booths. You could see the grunge starting to build on the floor and wall joints in the bathroom and there were splatters on the wall tiles.

The music was turned up too loud, and that was annoying. Not everybody likes the style of music they were playing.

I ordered Eggs Benedict to compare to local joints. It was not warm and the sauce was almost tasteless. It was not as good as you get at local places. I had ordered the potatoes but was given a salad instead. Potatoes were brought after I told the waitress, but they were so burnt. See the picture. The salad barely had any dressing. I do say there was a nice portion of Canadian bacon on the Eggs Benedict and the eggs were perfectly poached but were barely warm.

My husband had shrimp and grits and he was delighted with his food.

One other note: This is not unique to First Watch. When there's a serrated knife and it's only serrated on one side, it might as well be a butter knife. I'm a leftie and those cheap knives do not work...