As a local, I do not recommend this place if you are looking for a good breakfast. The wait time is extremely long and honestly, the wait is not worth the food. The service is not bad, but it should be improved. read more

Super cute diner breakfast place! It can get pretty busy so expect a wait to be seated but so worth it. I recommend the waffle it has a slight hint of cinnamon which elevates the flavor. Will be visiting again soon. read more

First Awakenings - Waffle with side of strawberries and whipped cream - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Salinas, California

Charged for hot drinks we never had. Food was fine. Charged $2 for a tiny green salsa cup. read more

First Awakenings - Incorrect Receipt. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Salinas, California

always my favorite breakfast place I love pancakes with the blueberries there big great environment, friendly relaxing

Once you walk in there are lots of hosts to seat you, getting seated was quick...getting our server to order our food was another thing. We got seated and it took about 15 mins to put our order in. Usually this place is busy but today it wasn't very busy so my husband and I didn't understand what was taking our server so long until we saw her chatting it up with two other tables and we are here getting hangry..... The food here is good and the portion size is a lot so be ready to eat read more

First Awakenings - First awakening menu - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Salinas, California

We had the chile verde carnitas scrambled eggs. At first, I thought it was weird because I had never expected to have rags and chile verde. It was good. I asked for a tortilla de harina instead of an English muffin. I also had the house potatoes; they were a bit mushy and bland to my liking. All in all, it was good. There was a 20-minute wait, but it was not bad, given they were busy. They still had food out fast and hot. I will return the next time I come to Salina's read more

A lovely breakfast place with really tasty huevos rancheros. Decent coffee. Service was a bit slow but thorough. Did I say really tasty huevos rancheros? read more

Best breakfast in Salinas. Great family place with a great selection of delicious food. Customer service is tip top plus priced fairly.

Had the Works omelette and it was fabulous! Portions were generous and tasted great! Ambiance is nice and comfortable. read more

First Awakenings - The Works omelette - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Salinas, California

We had lunch at this restaurant after visiting the Steinbeck Museum. Everything was wonderful and we split a salad which was more than enough for two people. The next morning we met my sister and her husband for breakfast and the breakfast were very good. This is a happening place and usually very busy except during the week for breakfast.Give it a try, especially if you're visiting the Steinbeck museum and it's time for a bite to eat. read more

Excellent food in a historic location. A staple of the area that is clearly popular. Visited family this weekend and got the opportunity to have breakfast here. Loved the feel of the place. Sure, some upgrades of flooring, seating, and some paint. But also, it is a cozy, welcoming place as it is. Picked the Farmer's Market skillet breakfast. Fresh ingredients and the serving more than filling. My son loved his Belgium Waffle with strawberries as well. No pressure to leave after eating, we were well attended to as we took our time catching up with family we do to always get to see. We were checked on regularly but not rushed. Even on Main Street, we found parking on a Sunday morning just across the street. Even grandparents got handicap parking near the door. When we return, this will be a go to place every time. read more

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This place is way better in person than it looks on screen. And it has a lot of unique breakfast options. A lot of space.

Stopped by on a busy Friday morning but was very impressed. The country steak n eggs were delicious. The gravy, delicious. The biscuits, delicious. Service was decently fast despite the fact that they were busy. I will definitely be back. read more

Ordered two items for pickup and was told 15mins. Restaurant was traffic was slow and not busy. 1 hour and 10mins later order was ready.

Great service, great food and delicious flavors. The ambiance was great as well. Finding parking is not easy, but we'll worth the struggle. TIP: park near the Starbucks and walk a bit! read more

This restaurant is located in the downtown area so parking can be a challenge. We were there on a Saturday morning so it was quite busy. We were seated right away and our drinks were served quickly as well. The server recommended Mushrooms, etc which seemed like an interesting choice for breakfast. The dish came with potatoes and eggs. The hash browns had an unusual flavor which was a little off putting. The mushrooms were sautéed with cheese which didn't go with the eggs and hash browns. I'd come back to try something else since it received good reviews but I wasn't impressed with my choice read more

First Awakenings - Caps, etc - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Salinas, California

Good place for breakfast we just went here today was so good and good friendly customer service I would tell my friends and family to come here. read more

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Great service & good food! Always to go box & super attentive/friendly servers! Son & I prefer this place over lots of others.

I enjoy going to first awakenings! The customer service is fantastic! You're always greeted when you enter the restaurant and get seated quickly. Very friendly atmosphere! They have a huge menu selection, and everything on the menu is great. They give big portions, and you definitely get your money's worth. I would recommend first awakenings to anyone looking for a great breakfast/lunch spot! read more

First Awakenings - The DC Verde - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Salinas, California

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This restaurant has always been one my favorites to share a meal with my mom, and consistently been the best

I use to recommend this place to everyone but I had a bad experience on Wednesday. I went to have breakfast with friends, I ordered a scramble as I was eating I found a long blonde hair in my eggs. I let the server know and gave her my plate. She brought it back and said it was from a brush they use to put butter on. She asked if I wanted them to re do it, I declined. By then I was grossed out by the hair or brush hair whatever it was. I didn't eat the rest of it. They charged me full price for the plate didn't offer a discount or to remove it from the bill, I was disappointed by the lack of customer service. I don't think I will be going back. read more

Visited First Awakenings Saturday morning, August 9, 2025 . It was an early breakfast at about 8:15, Not many people there on this particular day and time . My grandson and I were seated immediately to the left of the entrance door. There was one other couple, sitting a few tables from us, and no one else on that side of the restaurant, the morning was very cold and overcast, and I asked our server if they could please turn off the fan, which was very close to our table and it was pretty cold inside too. She informed me that it was not possible to turn the fan off, even though I pointed out to her that the fan around the corner from our table was not on! I insisted two more times as well as asking someone in the front about it , The front host was the only one who said that she would turn it off. 10 minutes later the fan was still on , it was freezing inside the restaurant and when my server came back with our food I mentioned the fan situation again and how cold it was. And she told me that it was not going to be turned off and that if I was cold that I should put my jacket on ! I've visited this restaurant for 20 plus years ! The customer service was appalling on this day. It was a simple request and not over the top! I did not go out to spend my hard earned money in a place that's going to tell me how to dress and to be uncomfortable with a puffy jacket while I'm eating! The fan was finally turned off not long before we finished eating, sadly, we won't be back to this place again! Table # 16 servers name , Yaya G Receipt time 8:43 am read more

A seriously good breakfast joint with a relaxing weekend vibe. Location: Located next to the John Steinbeck Museum, First Awakenings is easy to find. COVID-19 Measures: Masks need not be worn, though some staff still wear masks. I think given the uptick in vaccinations throughout the US this is pretty normal, and I feel safe, especially after having gotten my own vaccines. Food: I ordered the party melt which was recommended by another Yelper. All I can say is that the patty melt is pure comfort food. The gooey cheese, beef patty and tangy thousand island sauce pair great with the bread. I also loved the potatoes and salsa that came as a side. Service: The service left nothing to be asked for, and we were all impressed. Verdict: Impressive choice of delicious food with great service. Undeniably a great place to stop for brunch. read more

First Awakenings - Menu - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Salinas, California

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I have zero complaints about my experience at First Awakenings in Salinas. I went on a Sunday morning and it was pretty busy, but the hosted greeted me with a big smile and seated me quickly. I chose to sit at the counter - though tables were available - because I was alone and I always feel guilty taking a table when people are waiting. The menu is huge - you might get analysis paralysis. I asked the waitress for her top 3 menu items and I picked one - the Acapulco Express, which is an omelet with chorizo and green chilis. It was really good. And she was appropriately attentive - checked in but did not make me feel rushed. From my seat at the counter I could see the staff getting drinks, entering orders, working together to get tables cleared and coffee poured, and they were hustling. They all seemed to enjoy their jobs and each other. Great experience, great food, great service. read more

First Awakenings - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Salinas, California

Food was not tasty at all. My food had so much pepper that was all I could taste. The waitress was nice but never come back to ask if we needed more coffee, hot water, anything. Very disappointed. read more

This place has a great menu. I tried the county fried steak and it was very good. Just enough gravy and my two eggs we're actually over easy. Some places overcook them but not here. The potatoes were seasoned really nicely but just a tad bit underdone. But it isn't a dealbreaker with me because the rest of the plate was awesome! I really liked that. They left a carafe of coffee on our table. I'm a big coffee drinker and I really hate having an empty cup. My husband had the corn beef hash, and the hash browns were fantastic! Nice and crispy. I don't think I've ever had better. It was a very nice experience and we'll definitely be back for breakfast! read more

First Awakenings - Homemade corned beef hash - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Salinas, California

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We are here for breakfast. Great food and wonder service. It's located in a historical building that keeps the era ambiance.

This was our first time eating at First Awakenings, we are so happy to have found this place. The service was great, so friendly and welcoming. The breakfast was delicious, my husband had eggs and sausage and pancakes. Also, I had French toast. Everything was so good. We really liked how they left a pot of coffee as well as water on the table for us to refill ourselves. This is definitely going to be our go to place when we're driving south. Such a cute restaurant, especially all the wood trimming. read more

Best omelettes in town and staff is eager to assist great location also for walking it all off down on cannery row

Seated quickly, although they were very busy on the weekend. Staff were attentive. I had the eggs Benedict and it was good.

Food is always good. I usually order the eggs benedict, and the hollandaise sauce is 5 stars! My husband favorite is the Viva Carnitas and it's also delicious. Service is fast. Weekdays there's no wait but on the weekends prepare to wait. But it will be worth it! read more

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The food here is so good! Went on a busy Sunday morning and didn't have to wait at all. Food came out extremely fast!

The food was brought out cold, the egg whites were runny and translucent, and the server and never came back to check on how the food was. The potatoes were also cold and under seasoned. The waitress asked if I wanted a box and I said no, this food was not good at all. She just said oh, sorry. Then brought me this bill. The least you could have done was asked if I wanted it cooked a different way or asked me what was wrong with the food or offered me a different breakfast. But she did not seem to care that the food was inedible. read more

First Awakenings - Overpriced - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Salinas, California

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Great food and service! First awakenings is super keto friendly! Lots of egg options. I ordered the Viva Carnitas scramble and had a side of berries with it. Super yummy! I also really liked that they left a carafe of coffee on the table. Very convenient! The pepper plant sauce on the table was really great and low carb too. read more

First Awakenings - Viva Carnitas Scramble with side of berries. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Salinas, California

I love a good diner and First Awakenings is it! They make a great pancake bigger than the size of your head. Don't be alarmed by it. "Always from scratch, never a mix," as it said on the menu, and it was the selling point for me. Mine came with fresh blueberries and warm maple syrup. What a massive treat! read more

I'm 75 and as long as I can remember First Awakenings has been the go to place for quality, taste and flavorful food. They're totally accommodating and Wally and staff will make sure you're provided courtesy service. read more

What a wonderful little spot to enjoy delicious breakfast on the way back from a day in Monterey. While our trip was not as great as we expected, skies filled with smoke from local fires, this made up for that. Excellent service, food delivered quickly and may I add filled with flavors eBay truly titillate your pallet. Having opted for an omelette with a Spanish twist. Chile verde and carnitas with a side of well down home fried potatoes. Delicious! Filling! And full!!! Had to grab a to go box for half of my plate as it was just too much. Since we are stuck in Covid times still, the restaurant offers outside seating. One side offers a bit of shade, while the other (the side we got), was drenched with sunshine. It was a bit much, we came to realize this is not normal heat for our here, so we grinned and bore it. All in all this little spot in the middle of Salinas on a street that reminded us of old times in Forest City, IA definitely made up for our smoky day away. read more

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This was my 2nd time eating here and honestly don't think I'll be back. I had the basic 2 eggs with potatoes and sourdough toast. Potatoes were lacking flavor. Coffee ran out and our server was no where to be found. Hubby got huevos rancheros and it did not look appealing at all and certainly not traditional. So we got our bill and they hit the customers with the credit/debit card fee. As you can see in the pic you get charged more for paying with card. So bring your CASH! read more

First Awakenings - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Salinas, California

This location is the OG. It's like coming home to family cooking. Friendly service. Great Pancakes the raspberry coconut nut granola OMG the best ever. Great coffee read more

First Awakenings - Dining room early morning - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Salinas, California

We always stop here for breakfast on our way home from the Bay Area or Central Coast. We always try something different every time we visit. We haven't been disappointed yet! They open at 7am and we always arrive on a Saturday or Sunday around 8am with no wait. There have been times where a line was forming on our way out.. read more