BEST BREAKFAST
FIRST WATCH
First Watch
offers a fresh take on
breakfast
From the Millionaire’s Bacon to the their fresh drink options, First Watch brings farm favorites to the heart of Aggieland.
First Watch opened in Bryan on Texas Avenue during the summer of 2016. With early morning hours and a menu focusing on breakfast, brunch and lunch, First Watch prides itself on producing made-to-order food from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.
By eliminating the use of all high fructose corn syrups in the restaurant, First Watch sets itself apart from other eateries and brings an authentic farm-to-table taste to the people of Bryan-College Station, according to waiter Salvador Tinajero.
“We are the whole concept of farm-to-table, it’s pretty fresh,” Tinajero said. “We don’t have any heat lamps. You ever cook eggs? Eggs get cold really fast, so as soon as it comes out, we take it right to the table. It’s kind of another fresh thing that we do. Hot food has to say hot.”
Opening the first restaurant in 1983 in Pacific Grove, California, First Watch continues to provide a comfortable, friendly atmosphere along with delicious foods to many people in the Lone Star State, according to First Watch manager Robert Berry.
“We want to be welcoming and friendly so that you want to come eat here and come even work at First Watch,” Berry said. “We have a great atmosphere, free wifi — we know students love that — and our food is healthy.”
First Watch’s avocado toast, served with a side of their cage-free basted eggs, is one of their most popular dishes, according to Berry. Civil engineering junior Aylie Hood said the meal is one of her favorites. Coupled with their one-of-a-kind kale tonic juice, a blend of fresh kale, fuji apples, cucumbers and lemons, Hood said she leaves satisfied every time.“Their wheat bread is so good,” Hood said. “It’s like this thick, grainy, sweet bread.
They put lemon juice on the avocados and
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salt and pepper, which usually comes with eggs. I usually get this one juice they call Kale tonic. That sweetness with the toast and the eggs is just amazing. It’s very simple, but still a very flavorful meal.”
Last semester, Hood lived at Northpoint Crossing, just a short walk away from the restaurant and became acquainted with many dishes on the First Watch’s menu. From their elevated egg sandwich to their morning market veg omlette, Hood said you can never go wrong with any meal at First Watch.
“I’ve probably tried like three quarters of their omelets and frittatas that they have,” Hood said. “The environment is super nice and it’s super cute, so I think it’s just a really fun morning-noon place to go with your friends. They have breakfast and lunch anytime of the day. Whoever goes, I think they will have something you will like.”
Even though the breakfast is still award-winning, Hood said she tries not too eat to out to much as a college student because it can get pricey. Unlike many other restaurants in the area, Hood said First Watch creates healthy dishes you can’t get anywhere else.
“It’s not bad as far as price, but it’s a lot more expensive than picking up Chick-fil-a breakfast,” Hood said. “A lot of issues when going out to eat, you don’t always have healthy options and First Watch really does, which means a lot to me. There’s so many places that are super high calories, and
use places that are super high calories, and use excess oils, but First Watch has a lot of foods in both categories, where you can still go and get something healthy, which is what I really like.”
While Hood admits she likes to explore First Watch’s menu, Edward Rhodes, Texas A&M University resource institute research associate said he likes to stick to the traditional southern breakfast.
“First time I went, I had the biscuits and gravy, because you can never go wrong with that,” Rhodes said. “My daughter had the chocolate chip pancakes and she really ate those up last time we went, so I guess they were pretty good.”
After hearing rave reviews from friends and family, Rhodes decided to give First Watch a try last year. He said he enjoys the restaurant not only because of the food, but also because of the homey atmosphere.
“They really take their time when they make their food,” Rhodes said. “They have that real, heavy silverware, which means something to me, because I come from a small town. I mean it’s small, very homey and kind of that farm home feel. I love the atmosphere. It really reminds me of somewhere I would eat in my hometown.”
By Kenya Robinson
@_KenyaJ