So I went to First Watch the other day, and honestly, I wasn’t surprised it was good. This place started way back in 1983, and now they’ve got over 500 locations, which says a lot right there. You don’t grow like that if people don’t keep coming back.
Now, I’m picky with food. My standards are high. I’ve been to spots that look nice on the outside but fall apart when you actually sit down and eat. But here? Nah, they delivered. From the second I walked in, I got the vibe—clean, bright, welcoming. The kind of place you don’t mind hanging out in for a while, not just grabbing food and leaving.
The menu’s stacked with breakfast and lunch stuff, but it’s not your basic diner food. Yeah, you can get pancakes and eggs if that’s your thing, but they also do avocado toast, fresh juices, seasonal specials, stuff with legit flavor and balance. It’s like they actually care about ingredients, and you can taste that.
Service-wise, no complaints at all. My food came out quick, cooked right, and the staff was on point—friendly but not over the top. I like when servers don’t hover but still make sure you’re good. That’s exactly what I got here.
One thing I noticed: even though this is a big chain now, it didn’t feel like a cookie-cutter experience. It didn’t feel corporate. It felt like they actually put effort into keeping the food fresh and the atmosphere solid.
So yeah, shoutout to First Watch. If you’ve never been, I’d say try it. If you’ve been before, you probably already know what I’m talking about. Sometimes chains get a bad rep for being bland or just coasting on their name, but in my opinion, First Watch is doing it right.
Would I go back? Definitely. And I’m not just saying that lightly—if I wasn’t impressed, I’d let you know. But this spot? Worth it.
Now it may seem like my 65.5 rating out of a possible 100 wasn’t that nice, and doesn’t represent what I just discussed, but the truth is, I’ve dined in Europe, and I’m sorry, there’s not a whole lot of American restaurants that can compare, even when the Chef has come over from let’s say France, Italy or Spain (some of my favorite restaurants destinations). There are some great culinary destinations over here in the states, and don’t worry, I will take you there. One surprising destination is Vegas, might be out that way for New Years, so stay tuned for that one.
In conclusion, my ratings might seem harsh, but they would be comparable to four and half stars out of a possible 5 on a standard google review. Was very happy with my experience at First Watch!
“Eat smarter, spend less, enjoy more — that’s TheKoozReviews.”
I’m a restaurant veteran and culinary grad here to give you real, relatable food reviews. From hidden gems to popular spots, I break it down with good vibes, fair prices, and great service. Every review comes from experience and love for food, plus I drop life hacks so you can maximize flavor without breaking the bank.