First Watch — Restaurant in Norwood

Had breakfast there today on June 25, 2025. I have been to this location many, many times. We were seated near the kitchen, which is a terrible place to have a seat. We sat and sat and sat. Eventually , we were given water and had coffee. Then we sat and sat for more as the minutes crawled by like years, just waiting to order. Twenty -five minutes passed, and in this time, a couple who arrived much later after us had ordered and already had food arrive and were eating. Sure places get busy... but it wasn't that busy, and take our order.

Eventually, we order. Half of my order comes... ten minutes later , the side of undercooked potatoes arrive. Here's the deal : the place has declined. Food is not nearly as good as it used to be. I ordered the Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon... thing was, there was no salmon. Potatoes very undercooked and raw. Yet, worst of all is the decline in service. You cannot have this type of service and expect to do well. Maybe you can, as the bar is lower for culinary expectations , but I cook, and I do it very well. I have also served. I did it very, very well. You must have a facility with people. You MUST hustle.

On a rare good note, the cashier did discount the coffee, which was a lovely thing to do. He was gracious and kind. And I did leave a generous tip.

Life is too short for experiences such as this. Will I be back? No. As a chef, this was a crime against food and dining today. Better places abound.

I gave the atmosphere a low score because no one wants to sit near the kitchen forgotten, hungry and waiting to order. That is no atmosphere...

I went for lunch on 12/16, it was pretty busy. I was sat with no wait, and had my order in quickly. About 20 minutes goes by, all the tables around me are being served. Another 10 minutes, no food. I had an appointment to get to, so I started getting nervous that I wasn't going to have enough time to eat. I started looking for my server, I didn't see her. After more than 40 minutes my server comes over to apologize that the kitchen never received my ticket, and they would get my food out as soon as possible. I've worked in restaurants for a long time. I know that kitchen printer mishaps happen, but I also know that "the kitchen never got your ticket" usually means "I forgot to put in your order." I don't blame my server, I really understand that things happen. Mistakes happen, no big deal. My problem is the lack of communication I have received from management. I couldn't talk to the manager that day because he was back in the kitchen cooking, and I had my appointment to get to, I couldn't wait. I asked for a card so I could contact the GM and we could talk about the issue. I have managed restaurants for a long time, I would want to know if someone came to dine in my restaurant and left hungry after almost an hour of waiting. I sent an email as it was after hours when I was free for the day, and I never heard anything back. Then I sent a message to corporate First Watch, and heard nothing back. I am disappointed by the lack of communication and disregard for my time. I love First Watch for a quick and good quality brunch, but I don't know that I'll be back after...

I visited this location on 04/19/22 at 2:15pm and I was appalled with my dining experience. First os I was sat but was not acknowledged after sitting at the table for 7 minutes so I went up to the hostess stand and asked for a server. Finally a male (who I found out later was Dan, a busser) came to my table brought me a glass of water and took my order. Aubree my server brought out my food and asked me if I needed a refill, I told her no and she walked away. Now here's the kicker, even before I could take a bite Aubree came back and asked me how my food tasted and dropped off the check. REALLY? When I was finish eating I asked to speak with the General Manager and explained to him what my dining experience was like and while I was talking, Dan, the busser interrupted me and said "the reason I brought you a water" that's when the General Manager had to stop him from speaking just so I could finish what I was saying. I then asked the General Manager for the District Manager name and number. I immediately called her she listened for about 2 minutes and told me she would give me a call back. She called me later that afternoon and left a message. I returned her call on 04/20/22 and as of today, I haven't heard from her since! I am disappointed, angry and disgusted with the way I was treated as a customer and as a human as well! I should have not experienced that especially since they were not busy, there was only 4 other tables and they were all finished eating. Please avoid eating here if possible, and if you do I pray you do not the experience...