First Watch — Restaurant in Tallahassee

Let me preface this review with that my wife and I went to First Watch before when we used to live in Virginia before moving back to Tallahassee in 2016.

My wife and I decided on a brunch date (Su., 08/06/2023). We had checked in first online at at 11:38 a.m. through a virtual queue, which said the wait would be approximately 45 minutes. We arrived at the restaurant at 12:20 p.m., checked in and were told by the hostess that it would be approximately 15 minutes before we were seated. It was very busy with a number of patrons in the waiting area inside and outside. I observed patrons leaving after their meals and only one staff bussing tables. At one point, I could count at least six tables that needed bussing, all while at least 20 people were waiting to be seated (including ourselves). We were called to be seated at 12:45 p.m. (25 minutes after checking in). Another couple was also seated next to us. There was another table beside us that was vacant and needed to be bussed.

Our server (for both our and the other couple's table), came around to us after about five minutes, got our drink orders and returned with our waters. He let us know that the kitchen was running behind and took our orders. He also took the order of the couple beside us. That was at about 12:50 p.m., in the time we were waiting, he only let the couple next to us know that their food would be out "in about five minutes." That was nearly 40 minutes after we ordered. We were never told of when our food would come out. 45 minutes after we ordered, my order came out and I waited to eat until my wife's order came out. It wouldn't come out until 8 minutes later. And both us and the other couple needed to ask for silverware. Because I was waiting for my wife to get her food, my omelet got cool, but I still ate it because we had been there for nearly an hour and a half. The vacant table that needed to be bussed beside us was finally partially cleared off—by our server—after we were there for 45 minutes. It is a table that could have seated four diners.

Knowing that Sunday brunch is going to attract more patrons to the restaurant, I was surprised that it seemed understaffed for the brunch rush. (What a patron/customer perceives is important.) Servers should also check in more with their waiting patrons, especially to give updates on when they can expect their food. To be honest, we were five minutes away from walking out of the restaurant because of how long it was taking to make my omelet, toast, and side of greens and my wife's scrambled eggs, chicken sausage, toast, and seasoned potatoes (which were a bit undercooked).

We will give First Watch another try, but I don't think it will be during a Sunday...

After a very stressful week, we decided to try out this new location.

Arriving around 10:30am on a Friday morning, the parking lot was packed! (Which is usually a good sign!)

Upon walking in, we were immediately greeted by a pleasant young woman and we asked to sit at the bar. I was delighted to see that an outdoor bar seating option was also available.

Our server, Ansleigh, provided menus almost the moment we sat down and she was really lovely in her interactions with her three other guests at the bar as well.

We each ordered one of the fresh squeezed juice drinks and coffee. I requested a side of oatmilk instead of the creamers already out and Ansleigh was very prompt in delivering it to me. The juice drinks were wonderful!

For food, he ordered the trifecta and I ordered a traditional eggs benedict. Our food came out quickly and piping hot.

Ansleigh actually immediately apologized for the missing chicken sausage and let us know she had forgotten to ring it in, but it would be out quickly because she’d spoken to the kitchen. She did that even before we realized the chicken sausage was missing. I was impressed with her honesty and ability to admit a mistake and quickly correct it. Having been both a waitress and a bartender in the past, I think she’s fantastic and is an asset to this business because of how she handles herself, her customers, and any issues that arise during service.

The food was excellent. The waffle was light, fluffy, and delicious. The chicken sausage was delectable and I will ordering it as a side from now on. While I enjoyed my eggs benedict and the presentation, the hollandaise sauce had a slight lemony flavor that I didn’t particularly care for at all and the potatoes that came with my meal, were a little undercooked and hard. That being said, I did enjoy my meal and I took my potatoes home, where I fixed them and ate them later in the day with the rest of the eggs benedict and some homemade hollandaise sauce!

We both thoroughly enjoyed our breakfast experience, the portions of the food, the service, and other than my poor potatoes (boil ‘em, mash ‘em, stick ‘em in a stew), everything was fantastic.

I am already looking forward to future visits with other members of my family...

I'm a huge fan of First Watch generally. The food is fresh and tasty, and it feels healthier than other options out there. Love the breakfast tacos. They're savory with a hint of spice that I adore. The corn tortillas add a nice earthy note, and they are soft which is nice. Highly recommend them if you happen by any First Watch location.

My issue with this particular First Watch location is first...it's FREEZING in there. Someone has a very heavy hand on the AC. Even on on the hottest day in the summer I had to take a heavy sweater/coat in order to not shiver. It does NOT need to be that cold, and shouldn't be because if the air is that cold (basically it feels like stepping into a walk in refrigerator) then the food gets cold super fast. Every time I've been there in the past two months, the food has come out luke warm at best, ice cold at worst. I do mean ice...like it had been sitting in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. It doesn't help that they are overwhelmed with people at lunch no matter what day you go. Slower service + COLD room = cold food.

If I was ordering a salad, that would be fine. But I ordered eggs...who wants cold eggs? Unless they're deviled eggs I suppose...but I digress.

I'm leaving this review on the hope that someone at the restaurant with keys to the thermostat sees this. You have a huge problem with slow food delivery and cold food. Suggestions: 1. hire a food runner whose sole job is to take hot food to the tables as fast as their feet will carry them, and 2. back off the AC a little so the hot food stands a chance of being slightly warm by the time it gets delivered.

All that said, the staff is delightful. They really are trying their best, at least the front of the house is. I have to assume the cooks are too because the food was tasty, even though it was cold. The flavor's...