First Watch - Fairfax
| Address: | 9600 Main Street S, Fairfax, VA 22031, USA |
| Phone: | +1 703-978-3421 |
| Site: | firstwatch.com |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | 7AM–2:30PM 7AM–2:30PM 7AM–2:30PM 7AM–2:30PM 7AM–2:30PM 7AM–2:30PM 7AM–2:30PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 10
BM
BMF
First Watch is the most inconsistent restaurant when it comes to the kitchen. Sometimes they prepare orders correctly, and other times the kitchen messes up terribly. This is partly due to the servers who dont always write down the order correctly. But sometimes the kitchen goes rogue. My favorite example is when I ordered an omelet with cheddar cheese. When the server returned with an omelet with cheddar and jack, I pointed out that I ordered only cheddar. She looked at me rudely, and said in a very unpleasant tone that the kitchen doesnt have plain cheddar. I told the server that she should have shared that with me because I dont like jack. I paid for my coffee and left. I would have talked with a manager, but he was the one cooking that day. Interestingly, all of my orders that have ever been messed up at this location have been when the same manager is the one cooking. Is this joint incapable of hiring and keeping a competent cook? It seems that a manager should be able to hire and retain more than one cook. Also, a manager would spot check silverware to ensure that its clean. Further, a solid manager would stop at tables to get feedback from customers. I have never the manager do any of those activities. I have seen, however, the manager standing around idly while fraternizing with employees during times that could have been spent checking with customers. Also, I have seen the busboys "clean" tables whereby they leave complete place settings, including coffee cups and water glasses, on tables merely because someone didnt occupy that seat. For example, a family of three, including a sickly infant, will sit at a fourtop. When the family leaves, the busboy wont replace the place setting where the babys highchair was located or the one where no one was seated. The busboy doesnt account for the baby and parents hacking and sneezing all over the "unused" place settings. I have even seen a baby teeth on a coffee mug, which the parents returned to the exact location on the table, which led the lazy busboy to believe that it was unused. I am sure that this violates a health code. I once talked with Oakey, the regional manager of this location, on the phone regarding an incident I had with the manager of this location. Although Oakey was very kind, I wasnt satisfied with his resolution. First Watch in Fairfax could be a fantastic restaurant, but its not very different from the IHOP just down the street. The only thing that keeps this location afloat, in my opinion, is that a large percent of customers have very low standards for cleanliness and good service, or they dont know any differently. I gave 3 stars because the food is otherwise delicious when the kitchen gets it right, and the coffee is wonderful. Oakey, feel free to let me know when this place is under new management.
RI
Richard Hanson
Weve become fairly regular customers for weekend morning breakfasts and the food ranges from marginal to very good. A marginal or disappointing meal, however, heavily influences a rating -- such as todays. Eerily matching another reviewer, todays omelet special included burnt potatoes, pleasantly tasting eggs but little else for ingredients (barely noticeable and untaste-able tiny ham pieces, etc.), accompanied by a side order of burnt bacon. Try their other offerings, though, and youre likely to be pleasantly surprised. Bring a newspaper or something else to read if you go there mid- to late-morning. I disagree with one reviewers comment regarding their coffee -- its excellent, and I wish they sold coffee beans.
LA
Lamar Alexander
This is a must have experience. The food was incredible; I was torn between selecting nearly everything on the menu. The service was friendly and expeditious, we had a large party and our food came out in what seemed like a blur (so fast). The quality and freshness were premier, and the atmosphere of the restaurant itself matched this, as it was extraordinarily comfortable. The prices were more than fair, competitive with any restaurant offering breakfast cuisine, pair this with the quality and I find these prices a steal. As a personal testimony, I enjoyed the chocolate chip pancakes and thought they were absolutely spectacular. Put First Watch on your radar, it will be worth it.
KE
Kevin Zhang
This place is my go to breakfast spot. Ive been here on multiple occasions and they never disappoint! Its best that you reserve your seats as the wait could get up to 30 minutes. They use an application called "NoWait" to schedule their reservations, so open up your smartphones and reserve ahead of time so you know when you will be seated! The food came out quick. -Coffee here is amazing. -Carrot Cake Pancake is a must (Hint: if you order the trifecta get it with the carrot cake pancake!) -Waffles here are awesome too. This place has quickly become my go to spots during the weekends now.
E.
E. O. Pederson
A reliable, if a little expensive, place for interesting breakfast and lunch menu items. A shrine to avocados, that fruit seems to feature in most of the offerings, but those dishes tend to be healthy and freshly prepared. Usually service is good, but it can be spotty if the restaurant is crowded. As it is close to where we live, we eat here frequently and recommend it, but be wary of crowds as it is popular on weekends and weekdays at lunch sometimes resulting in a wait of 20-30 minutes for a table.
MA
Marc Levine
My first time at first watch. Food was great and the service was good also. I had the Italian omelette and it was huge. Packed with sausage and all the other stuff that was supposed to be in there. My only minor issues was that all the ingredients except the sausage seemed to be in separate sections of the omelette and I would prefer to have a little bit of everything in every bit bit not really a complaint. The seasoned potatoes instead of the salad was a good choice.
RO
Ron Mecredy
Quite clean and simple. The service very good considering it was packed. We came at 1230 and there was a 30 minute wait just as was agreed upon arrival. There was decent room in the waiting area and free coffee. The meal was quite good and generous portions. A pot of coffee was left with us albeit nearly empty, but it was appreciated. Plenty of parking but it is a busy shopping center. Definitely a fresh alternative to the usual choices for breakfast/brunch.
KA
Katherine Hovanec
Lets start with this: they bring you your own coffee carafe when you sit down. An entire carafe. Then there are seasonally appropriate menu items and some that are just fun. Breakfast is delicious... And healthy, if you want it to be. The servers drop the check when they are convinced your are satisfied, and you pay up front when you leave. By far my favorite breakfast place, and we have food allergies in our party.
A
A Private User
Solid 3 stars. My wife would have rated between 2-3, and i would rate it between 3-4. Food was good. I had the chikichanga, and my wife had the carrot cake pancakes. We both enjoyed our food. The coffee is really bad though. If that is an integral part of your breakfast that morning, id go somewhere else that day. The coffee is bitter, watery, and burnt, like at a gas station.
TI
Tina Twyman
Full-sized biscuit and gravy meal is enough for three meals.. Each one as delicious. This place is also a great example of under-promise, over-deliver. They warned us wed be waiting about 45 minutes for our meals to cook because of a couple of large groups in front of us. Ended up being 15-20. Definitely a great surprise when its mid-morning and youre ready for brunch.
