First Watch — Restaurant in Violet Township

Note for people ordering carry-out: Don’t wait an hour to pick it up 😆 Seems a lil needless to say, but I wasn’t given the option for a pick-up time when ordering. After I ordered, it said my food would be ready in 10-15 mins. This was a problem due to having to drive an hour from Hocking Hills to the nearest First Watch from my house—(this part is more of a me problem without a doubt).

I was thankful the ice hadn’t fully melted in my drinks. Which were the Morning Meditation & Watermelon Wake-up. Both weren’t as refreshing- or as good - as when you’re dining in at the restaurant. The Watermelon Wake-up lacked flavor. I imagine it tasted much like as if you took every ounce of the juice from a watermelon and called it a drink. I should’ve figured it would be milder. But I still hoped 😑

The reason I drove an hour in the first place for breakfast on a Saturday was for the chia pudding (AM Superfood). Talk about a hankering! The chia pudding was a bit separated by the time I scarfed it down in my car, before heading to our next destination. It was decent. But again, not the same as when you’re dining in. I’d say the berry compote was the best part that time.

I also ordered a side of regular bacon. This was my least favorite. Somehow, this thick-cut slice of what’s supposed to be Heaven, had no flavor. It was rubbery. Also lackluster.

Will I order First Watch for carry-out again—no. Even if I didn’t have an hour drive. Just doesn’t feel the same as dining in. Will I be back for dine-in? Hmm. Something makes me feel that First Watch won’t be my...

Visit started off pleasant. Joined the wait list online and upon check in told the wait would be about 15 mins. We were seated in 6 mins. Waitress was pleasant. Brought our drinks and we were not ready to order so she did not return for about another 10mins. Placed order and waited approx 1/2 to 45 mins to ger our food. The Belgium Waffle was brought out cold. We had to track the waitress down to tell her. She promptly took it away to get a new one. Fortunately that was only about 5 mins wait, however she dropped it and ran before we could notice she did not bring the syrup or a new fork (she had taken the other with the cold one). Again we had to track her down. We also told her the sausage patty was never brought out. We had to wait yet another 15 mins at least just for that (and we were brought turkey sausage which we did not order, but we did not request a new one as we did not want to wait yet again). We were told that the kitchen was short staffed and that was why all the waiting. I completly understand being short staffed, but from the time we sat til the time we left was an hour and a half and that to me is not acceptable for breakfast food. There was only 2 of us and we did not order anything unusual. This was our first time visiting a First Watch as we wanted to try it out, and we will...

The place looks great, nice overall vibe as far as aesthetics are concerned and good food. The service however is very distinguishable depending on the race of the patron. At first walk in, my spouse and I were looked at as though we did not belong. From employees and servers to guests, gazing up and down in a very discouraging manner. We proceeded to provide our name and was placed on the wait list and was advised the wait would be approximately 15 minutes. We returned to our vehicle and observed while other patron (white) who were standing behind us and also placed themselves on the wait list after us get assigned a seat. I understand you can reserve in their app, however the individuals in question made a verbal request much like we did and we were there to hear the conversation prior to walking out. They were assigned before we were. We came back in after 25 minutes and was advised it would be another 15 minutes while and that we were next. However, we witnesses another individual get seated prior to us. Our server however was very delightful, she was warm, knowledgeable and mindful of her customers. In today's climate, it's frustrating to know the type of service and attention you get is contingent on your...