Dear Yelpers, This morning I decided to go out for breakfast instead of making some for myself. In all honesty, it might have been better if I had cooked. Here is my review of First Watch. Food: I ordered the tri-facta, which came with a waffle, eggs, and chicken apple sausage patties. This meal was pretty basic, and nothing really stood out for me. You can go to the store, grab these ingredients, and make it at home. I don't need to order this, and can't believe it's part of the menu. Service: The service was not that great. There was no host, and I sat at the bar. The server barely checked in on me. No one asked if I needed coffee or water. Had to wait for a while to get the check. And everyone's tone was off for me. It wasn't the most hospitable. Ambiance: This place reminds me of a Denny's, but with a "bar counter". Again, nothing really stood out for me. It's basically a Denny's, but with more lights, but the vibes and everything had missed the mark significantly Overall, I am giving this place a 2 because the food service and ambiance were very basic. It wasn't the best experience, and I don't think I would try it again. Nelson read more

Brunch at First Watch was exactly what I needed. We ordered the Chickichanga, super satisfying and perfectly gooey, and the Barbacoa Breakfast Tacos, which were exactly what you want them to be. We also shared the strawberry-covered Holey Donuts, and they were so good (definitely worth it). For drinks, the Morning Meditation juice was such a refreshing hangover cure, and the Purple Haze had the perfect hint of lavender; not too strong, just right. It does get pretty busy, so I'd recommend getting on the waitlist ahead of time. The space has lots of natural light and a really nice, easy vibe. Service was great too. Overall, such a solid brunch spot. read more

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Had breakfast at this First Watch location for breakfast recently. I visited on a Monday morning - about 10:30 am. Lots of customers, but it was not full to the brim. Apparently this location has been here for a couple of years now - but I don't get back this way as often as I used to - so I was only now noticing the existence of this location. After looking over the menu - I ordered a Chile Chorizo Omelette- with a side of the Million Dollar potatoes and side of bacon - extra crispy, plus coffee. Coffee was served immediately in a small coffee urn. I requested real Half n' Half - which they were happy to provide. Coffee was good. Food came up a few minutes later. Everything was cooked properly and was quite tasty. I could use with more Chorizo - and a little more seasoning of the Chorizo - but other than that - it was good. I added cracked black pepper and Cholulu hot sauce to the omelette and the breakfast potatoes. Service was good. Paid at the register with Apple Pay. #FirstWatch read more

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My experience at this First Watch location in Fair Lakes was disappointing compared to my visits to their other locations. We ordered the wild berry French toast, which was undercooked and had an eggy taste, though the berry compote was delicious. We also ordered the market veggie sandwich with a side of tomato soup--the sandwich had very little filling,the soup was ok. We ordered a small plate of seasoned potatoes, which had no seasoning at all, and when we asked for salt, pepper, and ketchup, they never arrived. Unfortunately, we were not satisfied with either the food or the service at this location. I'm hoping this was a one-off, as we usually enjoy brunch at First Watch. read more

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Not the normal experience at first watch... the food was amazing despite the soggy bacon. But the service was poor. We only got drinks once and were never offered a refill. We did not see the waitress for an hour after ordering... however, while waiting to be seated, they gave us a free coffee! Also the blueberry lemon cornbread was great. Just not satisfied by the service. Nice ambiance with lots of seating and decor. read more

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Not much to describe to vary good breakfast place and brunch establishment that's a lot different from your typical IHOP! Great place to stop in check out with great service read more

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First time at this location and it was perfect! In and out in an hour. We went at a busy time around 10:45am on a Saturday, but used their online "Grab a Spot In Line" feature so that we only had to wait about 5 minutes after we arrived. We were then so lucky with a wonderful server! Food was absolutely delicious& we didn't have to wait too long for our food either! Everything was perfect from the food, service, experience and more. read more

First Watch - Eggs + pork sausage & "millions dollar potatoes" - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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It was my first time trying First Watch while visiting from California, and my friend brought me here for breakfast before our hike to Great Falls Park. I don't remember the exact names of the dishes we ordered, but I do remember the Morning Meditation drink it was so refreshing and really hit the spot. I also had a griddle pancake, but unfortunately, it was too dry and lacked flavor. Everything else we ordered was tasty, and I was super hungry so it hit the spot The service was wonderful and the ambiance was cute and welcoming. I'd definitely give it another try next time I'm in town! read more

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I ordered the Tri-fecter breakfast. I asked for Pork sausage but was given turkey sausage instead. This has happen to me a few other times at First Watch restaurants in the past but I did not say anything to the waiter. This time I told the waiter and he insisted that the turkey sausage was pork. I know the difference between turkey and pork sausages as anyone who have had both would know. This was my last time eating at first Watch since they seems to not get my order right. In addition the potatoes were hard and undercooked. read more

The wait time wasn't too bad considering it was a Sunday. The coffee is always good, but the honey caramel crunch was way too sweet. The food was good but the server never checked on us. We thought it was because it was busy, but the table next to us had a server who kept checking on their guests. We didn't get to order dessert and we felt rushed. read more

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I love First Watch, but today was a less than stellar experience. I got on the waitlist via their app, and it quoted me 10 minutes before a table was ready. I got in the car, arriving in 8 minutes. I checked in, and they told me it would be another 15 minutes wait. I heard them quoting 35 minutes to someone who just walked up to get on a list, so I know I saved time and all but the whole system is misleading. If I'm doing a call ahead for a waitlist, and you're telling me to be there at a certain time, it should be because that's when a table will be ready. I've got two kids with autism, and I'm not trying to wait around an additional 15 minutes when you told me to be there in 10. Aside from the misleading call ahead waitlist, the service today was very sub-par. My one son ordered the pumpkin pancakes from their new Fall menu, and my other ordered his go-to blueberry pancakes. I had the eggs Benedict. For beverages, we had one lemonade, a coffee, and three waters. Normally when we've been before, the server will leave a carafe of water on the table. That didn't happen today, and what also didn't happen today were any type of refills! In the entire hour we were there, no one came by to offer us a refill of our water. Or the lemonade. Or to ask us if we wanted any additional items or drinks. In fact, when the food was brought to our table by the food runners, our server never came back for an additional 25 minutes. We asked the food runner for syrup for the pancakes, and after my one son inhaled his pancakes in 5 mins flat, I was going to order him an additional two, but like I said, the server didn't come back for 25 minutes. At which point he just ate his brother's. I was going to ask for additional hollandaise sauce since my Benedict was a little light on sauce, but by the time our server arrived to check on us our breakfast entrees were already finished and I had already asked another table's server if she could bring me a to-go cup for the coffee. The coffee creamers for the table were already wiped out before we were seated, so I just used my own at home. Not our usual experience at First Watch, but certainly not just one small service stumble either. read more

First Watch - The empty cups on the end of the table that sat there for the entire hour. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

I love First Watch. I usually frequent the location off of Lee Jackson. Service and food are always great. This place gets packed every weekend. This location offers bar seating in the center of the restaurant- there is no wait for it. You can put your name down on the wait list online. It's efficient. My favorite things to get: chickichanga, chile chorizo omelet, and lemon ricotta pancakes. My friend swears by their eggs Benedict. Yum! read more

First Watch - Biscuits and gravy - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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First time at this location and it was great. I got the pesto chicken quinoa bowl and it was delicious. Tender meat, and great flavor profile. Loved the tomatoes. My honey caramel coffee drink was amazing. It had bits of toffee crunch in it that made it next level. Food came out fast and ambiance was the perfect brunch setting you would want. Plenty of parking outside too. Will come back in the future. read more

First Watch - Pesto Chicken quinoa bowl - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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We have now dined at this First Watch twice. Before writing my review, I wanted to try at least two different breakfast meals. Both of our visits occurred on weekdays late in the morning. During our first visit, we both ordered the "traditional breakfast" which consists of: "fresh seasoned potatoes, whole grain artisan toast which is served already buttered, hardwood smoked bacon and two cage-free whole eggs". I got my eggs fried over easy while my husband got his scrambled. We thought the food was okay but could have been better. My eggs arrived with one cooked properly, while the other one was cooked hard. The food tends to be on the bland side so we both used the salt and pepper shakers that are on the tables. Our second visit, we both decided to get an omelet. We both chose the "Bacado Omelet" which consists of: "bacon, avocado, cheddar and Monterey jack cheeses plus salsa and sour cream". It comes with either seasoned potatoes or a salad. We chose the potatoes. This also comes with artisan toast. We both told our server that we didn't want sour cream. Apparently, the kitchen staff decided that we wouldn't get any salsa either. Again, the omelet was bland so once again, we used the salt and pepper shakers. Both times, to drink, I chose hot chocolate. I have to say I enjoyed this. It comes topped with whipped cream and chocolate syrup drizzled on top. My husband had the coffee which he said was "not bad". He liked that they leave a full carafe on the table. When it's time to pay the bill, the server gives you a check but you have to take it to the host stand when it's time to pay. Each time we ate there, our server was friendly, efficient and prompt getting to us. Plus the servers do check to see if things are okay. What we did like was the way the tables and booths were set up. There is generous spacing between the tables, which we appreciated. We don't regret trying the food here. However, we're not sure if we will come here again... read more

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Been here various times and service is always great, even during rushes. Food is also great plenty of variety. Though today I tried the new Chilaquiles. Not good at all. Bland, too acidic and tomatoey. Barely any of the braised beef, I believe only two or three noticeable pieces, the rest was soggy tortilla chips. Highly recommend fixing or taking this one off the menu. read more

Best First Watch I've been to in Fairfax. I guess because it's newer or the location maybe but it's not as crowded as the other ones. It's bigger and definitely has more space in between the tables. Menu is the same obviously so I won't comment on that. Highly recommend this one over Greenbriar, less wait, and better atmosphere/view I guess since you're not facing the parking lot. read more

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I've been to this location a few times now and haven't had any major issues. Service is friendly and they even seated my husband and I for dine-in service when they were closing in the next 15 mins. My food has always been good. You pay at the host stand or online, so the server never takes your card. They close at 2:30pm so you have to get there while you can. The carne asada hash has been my favorite but I don't think it's a regular menu item, so I'm going to be sad to see it go. You can never go wrong with the pancakes. I believe they offer free refills on the regular coffee. My husband always gets a juice and enjoys it. The last time he and I came something was wrong with their waffle maker, so my food came before his, and he had to place an order for something else. They comped his meal due to this issue without us complaining. Parking is readily available since it's in a shopping center. There's a decent amount of outdoor dining. read more

First Watch - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

I truly enjoyed this place. We had a wonderful breakfast , fresh, delicious, with excellent service . Thank you so much! read more

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We did the online waitlist and it worked out very well, our food was fast and very yummy. It was very loud in the restaurant but it was busy so that's to be expected, very clean and I enjoyed my time there read more

First Watch - Belgian Waffle - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

We wanted to try their newest addition since we always have a great experience at their other locations. - The Works Omelet -- my favorite dish! always tastes amazing with fresh mixed greens - Farmhouse Skillet Hash -- was not filling enough by itself maybe it was an off day - Potato Upgrade -- not sure if it was supposed to be somewhat burnt - Iced Coffee It is highly recommended to get on the waitlist from their website. I made a terrible mistake of having my ringtone on low and missed the text that my table is ready to check in with the host within a few minutes. I was so thankful that the host was able to get us seated right away! read more

First Watch - The Works Omelet + Farmhouse Skillet Hash + Potato Upgrade + Iced Coffee - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

This is the best First Watch my husband and I have visited and we have been to many! The food was great- we had the power quinoa bowl and a market hash. It has very pretty decor, great bar area, and nice clean bathrooms. The staff were super friendly, attentive and kept things moving and clean during a busy Sunday morning. Our waitress at the bar was especially great! read more

Great addition to the Fairlakes community. Took over the defunct TGIF and yes here we have First Watch. Big area with spaced out tables. Same food, menu. What I noticed was the portion had shrunk. Service is great. Be kind and generous to your server. You have the option now to pay by phone or do the traditional way. Huge parking area shared by several of the establishments in the area. read more

First Watch - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

I had a great time at First Watch newest location during their Friends and Family soft opening event. It is located in Fair Lakes where the old Fridays used to be. Make sure you enter the building on the parking lot side and not the old Fridays entrance by the side of the road. The inside of the restaurant was large, bright and airy. I loved the bar area and seating options. The staff was still in training so there were some hiccups but I could tell they were eager to adapt and learn. Everyone was friendly and offered great customer service. We ordered the pot of coffee ( free refills), Morning Meditation juice (refreshing), pesto chicken quinoa bowl, blueberry muffin, Trifecta, and Million Dollar bacon. All were delicious and cooked to perfection. The stand out were the blueberry pancakes (so fluffy!) and Million Dollar bacon (maple syrup added a sweet touch). I am so glad First Watch is now in the local neighborhood. Will definitely come back to try other menu items. read more

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Food was good but overpriced. Also, for serving farm fresh food you should have real half and half for your coffee that really isn't that good. read more

First Watch - Fall special - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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Had a lovely experience at the pre-opening event. The inside of the restaurant is gorgeous and I like all of the natural light pouring in. You could tell the staff was excited to be there and the customer service was great. We started with one of the featured juices and coffee. To eat we had lemon ricotta pancakes, biscuits and gravy and a skillet hash. Overall the portions were generous! Look forward to returning! read more

First Watch - Skillet hash, biscuits and gravy, lemon ricotta pancakes. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

Attended Friends and Family Soft Opening and it was amazing. It took over the old Fridays spot. I made the mistake of walking around to the street side where the front door used to be. They have moved the entrance to the parking lot side now which makes much more sense. The restaurant is very open and spacious. Love the decor inside. The staff is very warm and pleasant especially our server. Juices are very refreshing and my favorite is the kale tonic. All of the dishes we ordered were tasty and delicious. Don't forget the million dollar bacon! We ordered the bacado omelette, BLT eggs Benedict and Floridian French Toast. read more

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Waitress customer service wasn't Great but the food was really good. I would definitely come back for the food. read more

First Watch - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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This was our first time to the new location in Fair Lakes. This location seems to "have it together" much more so than the location on Lee Jackson Highway (aka Route 50). Our daughter did "call ahead" to get on the waiting list, which was a great idea for a Saturday morning. Our wait was less than ten minutes. Service was quick and the food came out in a reasonable amount of time. Two problems: (1) People come in order take out from the same register that is used to pay when people depart. (2) Parking is a challenge; especially for people with handicapped stickers when the handicapped is full. The same parking lot is available for Kaiser, which is at the other end of the parking lot. read more

First Watch continues to impress us with its warm, relaxed vibe and consistently delicious food. As self-proclaimed coffee connoisseurs, we can be picky--but their coffee is always hot, smooth, and satisfying. A great start to any meal. This visit, my husband ordered the Elote Burrito while I went with the Smoked Salmon Benedict- both were packed with flavor and beautifully balanced. We've also tried the Eggs Benedict (perfection) and the indulgent Strawberry Tres Leches French Toast, which was honestly finger-licking good. And while my husband didn't get it this time, he still talks about the Chickichanga from a previous visit--bold, cheesy, and unforgettable. We always have a great time here. On weekends, we love bringing our dog to sit on their coveted private patio--it's such a peaceful spot to enjoy good food and good company. First Watch has become a weekend ritual for us, and we can't recommend it enough. read more

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Everything we ordered was cooked perfectly and was fulfilling! I was happy to bring my best friend here after her trip from California. The chocolate pancakes were appetizing to my toddler, the biscuits and gravy were savory and filling, and the breakfast tacos were light and healthy. I always order the beet drink because it's so refreshing and cleans my palate. This location did a great job! Love the large open layout! I like my space, not squeezed in like sardines. read more

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This place is really popular. My fiancé and I arrived at around 10am on a Sunday thinking it would be busy, but not insane because people might still be in church. Oh boy, were we wrong!! It was packed. We got on the waitlist (1 hour) and decided to check out the strip mall for some holiday shopping. There was a waiting area right outside and it had patio heaters. It was very toasty and would be a great spot to wait. When we were eventually seated and given the menus I was so excited! The menu was extensive, had variety, and it was hard to choose between all the options (I know some people hate that, but I love it). Our waiter was very friendly and thoughtful. Fresh squeezed orange juice (no pulp) -- amazing. Get this. 10/10 Steak and eggs hash -- one egg undercooked. Not a lot of mushrooms or onions. 7/10 BLT eggs Benedict -- hollandaise spot on, both eggs undercooked, potatoes were either under or over seasoned depending on the bite, only tasted lemon, arugula was fresh. 3/10 The restaurant was very clean and I saw tables being cleared & cleaned right after parties left. There was a variety of patrons too: families, friends, couples, etc., which is always nice to see. And they leave a whole coffee carafe at the table! Make sure you go to the front to pay your check. I do want to go again, but I'll most likely get something from the griddle. read more

Newly opened, solid offerings of breakfast items, flowing coffee. Great for weekend brunch. They seat us pretty quickly although there was a line. read more

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Love the new location. Very spacious and great atmosphere. I always get the farmstand tacos and they are always amazing. I also got a Kale tonic fresh juice this time, would definitely add this to my regular order too :) read more

First Watch - Farmstand tacos and Kale Tonic Fresh Juice - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

Great service, great food, clean restaurant, saw families from old to young. What else can you ask for, wait for it, great prices. Definitely worth a visit if you haven't been. Great place for breakfast or brunch. read more

Bad service by the server, took our order and never checked with us to see how the food was or if we needed anything else We waited 25 minutes for our food; my husband's food was overcooked, bacon was burnt, omelete was dry, his bread was not toasted I ordered the Chile Chorizo Omelet and it was served cold. We will never return to First Watch Toastery is 100% better quality food that is served warm, tasteful and service with a smile. They even offer you to go drinks! Fairfax Location - read more

Very tasty brunch food - potatoes were well seasoned and the arugula had a nice dressing. Hollandaise sauce on my eggs Benedict was perfectly creamy. Nice cozy booths and we signed up to the waitlist in advance so we only had to wait about 15 min after arriving. read more

First Watch - Eggs benedict with BLT - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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It's a bit bougie hippy ish brunch. Vibe was good. Service was fast and attentive. Food was yum as well. A bit pricey but but your typical brunch place. Lots of variety of food! Def recommend! read more

Server was friendly and polite but not able rectify our issues w food. 1) French Toast was very dry and served cool. 2) classic Benedict.. asked for med poached eggs which had runny whites and served downright cold. Salad was good. 3) never saw server til we asked for check and looked confused when mentioned food was cold. 4) mentioned cool and cold food to the hostess maybe when we were leaving and she just rolled her eyes at us. Extremely disappointed in this restaurant and it was the first time visiting it. read more

My wife and I went to breakfast at First Watch and ordered one of the seasonal specials: the Raspberry Ricotta French Toast. It was delicious, albeit filling. We've always had a good meal at First Watch, and the service has always been great, too. We'll be back. read more

On the way to the RV show we stopped here for breakfast. As soon as we pulled up, we realized that it was quite busy. We put our names on the list and were quoted 20-30 minutes waiting time and it was 30 minutes on the dot when we were sat. I like that they have complimentary coffee and infused water while you wait. Having waited for 30 minutes we knew what we wanted when we sat down, so we ordered everything immediately. It was so cute inside, kind of farm chic. It felt very comfortable. They also have patio and bar seating available. Everyone we encountered was so nice and you could tell that they like their job. Everyone seemed to work as a team, which was nice to see. Our drinks and food came quickly and was delicious! This location is generally far from us, but if you're near, grab some breakfast. Make a reservation if you can, but I definitely recommend! read more

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