First Watch — Restaurant in Raleigh

Do not get the eggs Benedict. I don’t often not eat the food on my plate- I may say food is overpriced or wasn’t good quality- but this was just outright gross and the proportions were extremely small for their price- I’d be happy if the quality of food was really good but it was neither. The poached eggs were overcooked to the point they looked like boiled eggs- the yolks were a nauseating texture that made me loose my appetite. The first warning was the two meager slices of molding avocado tucked off to the side- I asked for more but the waiter brought only just more spotted black avocado- which when I sliced into only revealed more black- they weren’t even smooth but bumpy slices too. Our server was doing his best and gave great service despite the food, but he admitted that this is the best they had on hand- at that point the people making the food should not be serving any avocado! It’s ok to be out of stock of something, but serving bad food? No. I get avocados are hard to always serve perfect- I get that a few spots or browning is ok- but this was basically rotten! The hollandaise sauce was also very watery and lacked any flavor- it was gross- like…like mucus and I hate saying that but it just did- and I love hollandaise sauce. The menu also said I could either have the “lemon dressed” organic mixed greens as my side or potatoes… which was basically just spinach and greens- we’re really making toppings aka the lettuce part of a BLT entree- its own side now? if there was lemon- I didn’t catch a whiff of it. Another one of us got the omelet and while definitely better- although all the omelets I saw were spongy and overcooked. Maybe if we had gone for the sweets it would have been a different experience but the lack of care the kitchen gave our food does not give me any faith that it would made properly or sanitarily. The drinks were the only great part of the meal. I will sadly not be coming again. This was my first experience at a First Watch, I may eventually try a different location but not any time soon- and...

My wife and I have always been curious about trying First Watch. Who doesn't love breakfast for lunch?! The food was good - not great - but good. The problem is the price. There's a correlation with price/quality/quantity. They need to be in balance. First Watch's breakfast quality and quantity didn't merit the price. We both opted for the Trifecta breakfast platter. For over $12/ea we got one scrambled egg, 2 well-well done pieces of bacon (weird sausage for her) and a waffle (wife got french toast). The waffle was basically what I'd make for myself at a hotel's free continental breakfast - which, don't get me wrong - I like, but come on. The french toast was a little bland and thin and not custardy like she prefers - but she thought it was good. That's my point though - it was good. It was all just 'good'. Not great...or really worth the cost. I was actually a little hungry when I left. That was a $6-$7 meal with a $12-$13 price tag. Which confuses me because the overhead is what's awesome about breakfast. All the building blocks are still dirt cheap and they take no time to make. We should have been absolutely blown away; but at that price - we weren't. As prices rise, so do expectations. I did enjoy the atmosphere though. We were seated right near the kitchen. Hearing the chefs call out orders and work was cool. Saw some sandwiches leaving the kitchen that looked really good - but can't say I'd be back to try them. Word of advice - if you're set on First Watch; get a sandwich. If you're set on breakfast; go to...

Today was just special and having brunch at First Watch allowed me to celebrate with good souls for a miracle. We entered to the biggest smile in Raleigh! Rico greeted me and I shared my testimony: I SURVIVED STAGE FOUR LUNG CANCER! We hugged like we were at church. He knew what he was doing when he sat us in Bri’s section. By the end of the meal, I promise I had become her Godmother. I to one the time to let the GM, Mark, know we had enjoyed seeing friends, and making new acquaintances as we celebrated the anniversary of my diagnosis and my daughters Senior Prom. I’m loud and country and today I was able to be myself with people who appreciate the gift of life. If this is what First Watch is about then it makes sense the food was DELICIOUS! The girls had sweet and sour mocktails and I went for the pomegranate tequila! From the sandwich, to waffles, pancakes and two rounds of Million Dollar bacon, we just knew we had stepped into a space of peace and merriment. We don’t have this all the time with the world full of bitterness and cruelty. Good food, great convos, and blessings over one another’s lives were free flowing. It was all the medicine a survivor needs. Make your way to see my friends and I promise every morsel will feel like it was genuinely made with love. Ok now to eat the kid’s leftovers!!!!

Big shoutouts to Rico,...