We stopped by here for breakfast today. Delicious steak breakfast burrito and yummy pancakes. The outside seating is a bit disorganized but the food is very good and it's very reasonably priced! I'd return! read more

Uncommon Grounds - Steak Burrito - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Watertown, Massachusetts

Small restaurant but big on choices! Food was fabulous! Only a 15 minute wait for a table on a busy Sunday. Would definitely return! read more

Excellent food and better service! My family loves this place! Word of warning, be ready to wait At one point they did a better job of managing the wait with tech, last time we were there it was names written on the back of a menu with busy wait staff left to deal with it. Not ideal....they really need to work on this issue. Otherwise, love it!! read more

Tired of the massed produced boring breakfast offerings at the national chains? Suspicious of those offering healthy choices along with heavy advertising budgets? How about a crowded, dynamic, busy, happy, bustling, friendly joint serving up more wonderful breakfast choices than you've had elsewhere? I sit at the counter watching busy people moving food at a dizzying pace but with enough time to chat and smile and share. It's my kind of place. The servers are populated by energetic young women who never dally, gossip or water a moment. It's clearly all about customer service and good food. Allessandra typifies great customer service but I suspect you'd get that from anyone there. I had the uncommon scrambler with a side of bacon. Wow! Hot, tasty filling. With the nice weather, there is seating for about twenty out front with about forty inside. Four guys are cooking, a dozen are serving. It's a great place. read more

This was a yummy little place, albeit a bit basic. The cappuccino was good and the avocado toast was pretty good, but the seasoning on it was a bit bland and didn't add much. It's busy but not insane and our waitress was very nice. read more

Uncommon Grounds - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Watertown, Massachusetts

Excellent breakfast spot with great service. Small restaurant, but well run. If you go on the weekend expect to see a line out the door.

The best breakfast I've had in this area. The food is nothing short of excellent. The staff is friendly and helpful. The indoor dining area is small, but there's also a nice outdoor area with a few tables for when the weather allows. The prices are reasonable for this area (expect to pay around $15-$17). Parking is adequate, although I can see it getting a little tight if there's snow piled up. My only slight disappointment was the iced coffee. It was a bit watered down, almost like hot coffee that has been chilled and had ice added to it. All in all, a very nice place that I'll definitely go back to. Much better than some of the fancier and pricier spots in the area. read more

Had to try the lemon ricotta pancakes that I was craving! They are very good! Be prepared for 3 large pancakes and have an appetite! Plenty of indoor seating with tables and counter space. Outdoor seating weather permitting. read more

Great local spot with a large menu. I've only ever gotten breakfast because they have it all day! The huevos rancheros scramble is my favorite because it comes in a fried tortilla bowl. Small inside and crowded on weekends, great outdoor patio in the parking lot allows for safe outdoor dining in nice weather months read more

Decent food, but if you try to order via telephone or toast tab. No one picks up or they hung up the phone. Toasttab is also a waste of time because it doesn't work. read more

My mom hates diners, so after my 3 (or 4.. maybe even 5) suggestions that she said looked "dirty". I found this cafe where she decided she could walk in. It was so cute on the inside (not dirty at all!!) and we got a table for breakfast right away. The coffee was really good to start us off and our meals were amazing as well. The menu was huge! It was hard to narrow it down from all the things I wanted. I recommend coming here for breakfast/brunch if in the area! It's really great! read more

Uncommon Grounds - Crepes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Watertown, Massachusetts

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Love this place! My husband and I have been going here for coffee and breakfast (the best food of all the foods in the world) for years since we moved to Watertown and we still make the slightly longer drive since moving to Newton to get it at the best place we've been. They have a unique selection of lattes and coffee options and their breakfast menu is untouchable. I like to think it's all the love they put into making their food, but it's probably not, it's just actually really really delicious, always fresh, crispy when its supposed to be crispy, fluffy when appropriate...it's perfect every time! And as busy as they get, the staff is always lovely, kind, and helpful. Will keep coming to Uncommon Grounds as long as I live here. read more

Like it here but prices are a little steep for certain items. Ordered turkey sausage and got those cheap frozen supermarket sausages overcooked and uneatable. Why the heck anyone would serve those in a restaurant. is beyond me. Terrible. Eggs bene was good. Omelet was good. Coffee excellent. Deep fried home fried potatoes? No. They should be sautéed with onions, fresh parsley, paprika. read more

Uncommon Ground is suprisingly common. I got something simple, a ham and cheese scramble with came with home fries and toast. The scramble was good, although other than making it runny there isn't much you can do to ruin ham and cheese for me. The home fries weren't home fries at all, really, other than shape. They were just potato cubes or wedges or whatever that were pan fried. No seasoning of any kind. No onion. No peppers. No flavor. The service was friendly but not super fast. They were busy, so there's a small pass here. The seating was REALLY cramped and there is one unisex bathroom, which is unmarked near another unmarked door. The thing that got me here was the coffee. I ordered a cafe au lait and it was remarkably subpar. With a name like Uncommon Grounds, you'd think the coffee would be good. I do have to say that prices for food would be good and I may give this place another try sometime for lunch, but breakfast is mediocre at best, and certainly not worth the wait. read more

We needed a lunch place with outdoor seating and great food choices. Found it!! I had the Chinese chicken salad. Delicious!! We sat and talked long past closing time - but the staff was gracious and accommodated us. read more

It's been on my list for a while now but since it's a bit far from where I live, haven't had a chance to visit until earlier today. Salmon Avocado Toast was delicious, salmon and avocado fresh and toast chewy and crispy. Service friendly. Although I do feel it's a bit pricy for a diner, not sure if I'd come back. read more

Uncommon Grounds - Salmon Avocado Toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Watertown, Massachusetts

This place is small and space is tight but they can put tables together for large groups. Also, there are undercover outdoor seatings so in Summer, this place could fit a lot of people. We were lucky to get a table right away and after we sat down, the server came to make sure we get our drinks order in first. This is really helpful as being caffeine addicts, we couldn't wait to have our coffee so that we can mull over the menu with our full cognitive function. Ordered the California omelette and open avocado on toast. I like the latter a lot as it came in a very good sized serving - not too large that one could get sick from gorging on it - and it was very tasty! The chilli flakes really lifted the avocado and runny poached eggs and the herb garnish added an interesting dimension to the flavour combo. Omelette was good, better than a lot of omelettes from other diners, it was not rubbery or dry. The serving however was huge, it came with two pieces of buttered toasts and home fries which were actually very yummy. I am not a fan of home fries but these were crunchy and well seasoned. I am not sure if they deep fried them first before coating the potatoes in seasoned salt but they were different from other diners we've been to. Lauren our server was friendly and efficient so I would come back for my next diner breakfast but the nearby Deluxe Town Diner gives them a tough competition. So, come here to keep them here, folks! read more

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Another Watertown breakfast winner! Very cool, relaxed and laid back vibe. Three options for seating - counter, tables and when its warm they have a nice outdoor area. Can't wait until spring!!!! I just went here for the first time last weekend and I was definitely impressed. Great breakfast burritos, coffee and much, much more. They also have an extensive lunch and dinner menu...but I have to admit I have not checked that portion of the menu out. Additionally, the place has a TON of parking...which is probably due to the fact the place was once a gas station. This means when you want to go here, you can just focus what you're going to eat, not where you're going to park. One other reason to like this place is that its a great alternative to the Town Diner. So if you ever find yourself waiting outside for a table at the Town Diner take the time to walk over to Uncommon Grounds...it's just two blocks down Mt. Auburn St. towards Watertown Square. You won't have to deal with the crowds or the wait ...and the food is a whole lot better. read more

Uncommon Grounds - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Watertown, Massachusetts

I wasn't going to review on the first date, but when I saw the mixed bag of reviews on yelp referring to slow and apathetic service, I realized my experience today probably wasn't uncommon. (woops, no pun intended, I swear.) I have driven by this place a handful of times on my way to work in Watertown. They close at 2 pm, so the breakfast "all day" sign is a little misleading. A couple times, I've pulled up around 2:30 or 3 fiending for some french toast and striking out. I was also unsure if they took credit cards (they do, but the visa logo on the door is tiny), which kept me away. Today, after contesting a driving ticket(read: waiting a long time for something bureauocratic and annoying), I was headed to the office a bit late and needed breakfasty sustenance. The menu offers breakfast combos, lunch sandwiches, and hot and cold coffee and tea beverages. I arrived and stood third in the take out line, with a prime view of the pastries. I decided on a chocolate orange muffin and a small thai iced tea. I waited as the man at the register took two phone orders, handed off two sandwiches, and then helped the two customers in front of me. I experienced a wait time of probably five to seven minutes. As someone who has worked in food service for nearly ten years, I understand that these types of establishments can get busy and hectic...but this guy moved so s l ow l y and didn't emit any sense of urgency at all. One of the waitress type people stood behind the counter for 4 of my 7 minutes before asking me if I was picking up or dining in. She ended up getting my stuff for me, and I would have left a million times happier if she had done this 4 minutes earlier. I'd love an independently owned go-to spot for my morning commute, but I can't say it will be Uncommon Grounds. read more

EVERY SATURDAY OR SUNDAY I ( sorry caps lock was on) use to come here and order the same thing for months- uncommonly scramble with mushrooms, spinach and american cheese) with a milkyway latte. It was so scrumptious. It comes with your choice of toast and fried potatoes. Then I moved across the country for school & had dreams about that breakfast. Now I'm back and better than ever & the uncommonly scramble is back on my radar! I also love the selection of coffee flavors they have, like Almond Joy latte. read more

I ordered the lemon ricotta pancakes. I thought it would be a stack at least for a price of something around 12.99. All I got was one sad regular pancake with maybe a hint of lemon zest. No sides, no whipped cream, nothing at all and certainly no ricotta. The coffee was good though. read more

We did go back there... food is still good. Get there early. Below was an old posting....Bad experience! We pulled into parking lot with lots of cars and people. We finally had someone leave so took the space. As we were exiting the car, one of the employees who was going to a convince store across the street told us not to park there as they might get delivery. Told him there is no place to park. There no sign or nothing. He did not offer any alternatives. I felt that he did not want us to eat there. I went to talk with the manager. She was not apologetic either saying typically they have employees park there, etc. ... So we left.... read more

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This is one of my go-to spots for leisurely breakfast with a friend, to chill and hang out. I always go mid-week to not hog a table and always tip generously. I've been going 7-8 times a year for more than 4 years. The food is always good and friends tell me the coffee is great. Something happened the other day that makes me not want to go back. A friend and I were in the midst of a wonderful conversation when I male staff member (I've since found out he is the owner) came up to me and said, "Sorry, I'm going to have to ask you to leave. You've been here for two hours. We need the table." I looked to my right and saw two empty tables. I turned around and saw three people waiting. What was that all about? Mean and rude is my best guess. I paid the bill and left a big tip (the server was great). When we walked out, no one was waiting to be seated and there were four more empty tables. There are lots of other diners in Watertown and I'll find a new fave. read more

This was one of the best places for brunch: the menu is still very good and the food quality as well, service has degraded together with the overall experience. Unfortunately its popularity means a long wait and being busy can't be an excuse for poor customer service, not helped by evident understaffing. read more

Considering this place is 1-2 blocks away from Watertown's renowned *Deluxe Town Diner*, this place ain't bad for brunch! What's more is that I didn't have to wait in line to just have a simple brunch on a Sunday morning. I think I'm getting old, but I just can't stand to wait in line for eggs, or any food! If I do, I usually try to get to a restaurant mad early. My tummy is just impatient these days! Well, enough about me, now about my food. I got huevos rancheros here, because I decided that that will be the standard brunch item I get to compare brunch places across the board. The verdict? It was a little overwhelming! It came in one of those crunchy tortilla bowls, and the whole thing was smothered in sour cream and guac. More sauce than substance. i didn't think they'd put on as much but they did. I couldn't finish it because it was too much for me. Though I was uber full, I decided I wanted to get a coffee drink because their latte menu just had interesting drinks on it. I ended up going with the almond joy latte, which was HUGE in size and gave me somewhat of a headache for the rest of the day (I can't tell if it was the flavor syrup or the big portions I ordered from this place). To conclude -- this place isn't bad for brunch. Sizes are overwhelming, so I recommend sharing! read more

This place is awesome and it's a must try for all. They have outdoor dining patio. The staff is friendly. The food is delicious and they have so much to choose from. My only wish is that they were open 7 days a week! read more

I've been eating takeout breakfast from this place for a lot of years, and it's always excellent. Extremely tasty, fast, and served with a smile. They continue with takeout during COVID as Well as having seating as permitted. read more

WHY IS MY FRENCH TOAST COLD? I can't even enjoy it it's literally colder than my body. Next time maybe I'll order iced French toast? read more

Uncommon Grounds - Yummy right? NO. WHY IS MY FRENCH TOAST COLD - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Watertown, Massachusetts

Incredible corned beef hash special!!! The breakfast burritos are incredible too! I will definitely be back soon

Kind of a bummer they make you stand out in the cold when waiting for a table. That works in California, not so much Massachusetts. Also, the fruit cup was heavy on the honeydew and cantaloupe. I recommend Ball Square if proper fruit cups are your thing. Otherwise food was good, service was fine. read more

Good large-sized standard breakfast fare with notably rotgut coffee, which I thought was great because it was exactly like the coffee as I remembered it working on a commercial salmon fishing boat long ago. read more

I used to love coming here the food is great and cheap. Unfortunately the staff is rude and incompetent, as many reviews have pointed out. The self sign-in sheet that they use to haphazardly seat customers creates a circus of confusion every morning, which the rude and apathetic hostesses are not equipped to deal with. Why they don't rotate a waitress to be a hostess at peak hours is beyond me. It's not because they're too busy since they sure have enough time to argue with waiting customers. Edit to elaborate: my wife, my in-laws, and I were waiting outside in the cold for about 30 minutes for a table. During that time we saw at least 3 different waitresses come out to check the waiting list and call out names, several of which were no longer waiting (I assume they walked off without scratching their name off). The problem was that none of them made a note of which names were already called. So by the time we were finally next, we walked inside as our table was being prepared (one waitress even said that we were next up). However once inside ANOTHER waitress told us we couldn't wait inside and that the table of 4 that were just leaving was being separated to make room for 2 parties of 2 that were AFTER us in line and that we needed to wait longer. No thanks. read more

I've been here twice, the first time I had French toast which was very good. A couple of months later I had scrambled eggs and toast. My friend also had eggs, hash, and toast. My meal was terrible, I barely ate it. The eggs were very dry and rubbery. You actually had to cut them with a knife. You should not have to cut eggs with a knife. My toast was hard as a rock, and cold. My fiends eggs were just as sad as mine. We decided we will never go back, it was that bad. read more

What can I say? Long lines every weekend basically says it all. Typical American diner but definitely one of the best in Watertown and greater Boston area. Worth the wait with eggs, salad, bagels, and everything else. Corn beef hash is a green light. Friendly service. Would definitely come again read more

Uncommon Grounds - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Watertown, Massachusetts

The food is absolutely delicious and the staff very nice, what I love even more are the paper recyclable compostable take out containers. Sometimes I hesitate even ordering take outs due to the terrible container they use, ordering take out from your restaurant is a pleasure. Thank you!!! read more

Went w a friend after perusing several options on Yelp. The bright spots warranting 2 stars: #1) the place is cute and the options are appealing. #2 The woman at the register was attentive and pleasant. OK-Both of our French toast orders came out WAY too fast, nach they were cold. Whatta think, I'm an idiot? I didn't feel like conflict that early in the am. The texture of the whipped cream was odd, making me wonder if I was going to be ok later in the day. The music is too much for morning-I know you're trying to be "cool." Waitress-at least give a fake smile and pretend to be nice. Middle and blue collar ALWAYS tip-you should know that. Most of us have to work on Mondays, not just you. read more

I've lived in Watertown for about two years now and this is my favorite weekend morning spot. The coffee is killer, I've sworn off milk so I haven't has the lattes in a while (which I miss) but I almost always order some type of espresso. Making my weekend very productive! My top picks for ordering are***Drum-Roll*** *veggie scrabbled - can't beat the fresh veggies and wheat toast *egg sandwiches - usually with on a croissant with American cheese and tomato scrambled. I ALWAYS order fried egg in house as they require a fork and knife and my to-go stand by is scrambled eggs. *challah french toast * Last but not least - My pancake innovation I like to call "Elvis Cakes" sweet potato and banana with a side of smooth peanut butter. I also like the lunch items such as salads and sandwiches but the eggs and breakfast are always so good I have a hard time ordering anything from the lunch menu. They also just added turkey sausage, which you should take for a spin if you haven't tried it. My bf and I frequent UCG so often that we have been deemed by Lisa, one of the owners, as "the closers". The service is always great, my only complaint would be that the town of Watertown wouldn't let them expand the restaurant so it's quite crowded when busy. read more

Uncommon Grounds - Runny egg sami, american cheese, and tomato on a croissant; fork and knife required. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Watertown, Massachusetts

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I have previously given this place a 4 star review. We liked this place a lot but my most recent experience wasn't good. Most recently, I came here on Memorial Day with my husband and infant. The hostess told us it would be 30-35 minutes wait. That was fine. It looked like they just sat everyone and there wasn't that many people waiting. At first we waited outside but it started to become really cold and drizzly so I waited inside with my infant, my husband waited outside the entire time in the cold. I kept on watching them flip tables and 45 minutes later I asked are we next. She said yes. She kept on continuing to seat tables of 2. She easily could of sat us at a table for 2 with a high chair attached. Eventually around 55 minutes later, I said something to her. She said sorry and she said that we would be more comfortable in a booth. Don't tell me what I would be comfortable with. I'd be more "comfortable" with food in my stomach and warmth. We were angry and I don't usually complain. I did see some waiters yelling at the hostess saying why are you only seating certain parties. Eventually 1hr and 5 minutes later, they sat us. We ordered our food and left within 25 mins. Shows you how fast they can flip tables. Food was good but service was a total let down. During the whole entire time of the wait, they didn't even offer coffee for freezing customers. We weren't the only ones cold. Eventually, there was a good 15-20 people waiting. If the hostess told me the wait was going to be an hour, I'd go somewhere else. Especially if I had an infant. It was very rude and inconsiderate. read more

A bustling breakfast and lunch spot. although the food is tasty, it took 30 minutes to get in and then 50 minutes to get our food once seated. although not quite delicious, the food is not worth waiting for that long. we ate in 10 and bounced. go to arax market and buy some bread, you'll be happier sooner. read more

This is not one of those I've eaten here forever but never more reviews. It is, however, a you are on notice review. I think it was just an anomaly. But maybe not. You're probably new and still learning. I'd love to eat here this morning but I do need a table. And, yes, you are gossiping with that customer. And yes you both are enjoying the conversation but I'd like my table. You're still Ok here at this point. No polite but not rude, yet. It was the "CAN YOU WAIT A MINUTE" when I hadn't said anything and I wanted to sit inside so I opened the door, and you were still just some ambiguous person talking to that guy. No apron, no label. Just another customer having a good morning. I think the final act, actually I know the final act, was when your friend the customer had to tell you that, yes, there were seats inside. And you insisted that we stand outside and wait on you & your conversation and the other half of your conversation was embarrassed. And I was still confused. So I left and you yelled at me. ????? I get it finally, there is now an official greeter and that greeter is you. Or maybe you're the anti-greeter who yells at people for not following the rules you didn't tell us about. Anyway, we went down the street to the other place, the diner one all of us regulars know, the one on the corner. The one where the greeter is real and smiles & says: "Good Morning, I'll find you a table" I'll be back, of course, I've been coming here since the day you opened. But you are on notice. read more