If you're looking for the gold standard of brunch in Summerville, look no further than First Watch on North Main Street. This isn't just your typical "eggs and toast" diner; it's a full-on culinary experience that manages to feel both incredibly healthy and deeply indulgent at the exact same time. From the second you walk through the door, you're hit with the "Sun-Up" vibe--it's bright, airy, and smells like fresh-squeezed citrus and high-end coffee. We were greeted by a host who gave us a realistic wait time, but here is a pro tip: use their app to join the waitlist before you even leave your house. We did that and were whisked to a booth within five minutes of arriving. The Appetizer You Can't Skip We started with the Million Dollar Bacon, and let me tell you, the name is an understatement. It's four slices of hardwood smoked bacon baked with a brown sugar and black pepper crust, finished with a maple syrup drizzle. The way the cayenne pepper provides a tiny kick at the end to balance the sweetness is genius. It is thick, crispy, and honestly, I would come back just for a plate of that. The Main Event For the mains, our table tried a variety of dishes to see if the kitchen could handle the rush: Lemon Ricotta Pancakes: These are probably the fluffiest pancakes I've ever had. The ricotta adds a creamy richness without making them heavy, and the marinated berries on top were burst-in-your-mouth fresh. They didn't even need extra syrup. The Tri-Athlete Omelet: For those trying to stay on track with fitness goals, this is the move. It's an egg white omelet loaded with house-roasted onions, tomatoes, and cremini mushrooms. It felt light but was surprisingly filling. Farmhouse Hash: This is the ultimate comfort bowl. The potatoes were seasoned perfectly (not too salty), and the two over-easy eggs on top created a rich sauce that tied the whole thing together. The Juice Bar & Coffee You cannot visit First Watch without hitting the juice bar. We tried the Purple Haze--it's visually stunning with the butterfly pea flower, and the lemon/cane sugar combo is incredibly refreshing. Also, their Project Sunrise Coffee is some of the best "restaurant coffee" I've ever tasted. Knowing it supports female farmers in Colombia makes that second (and third) refill taste even better. Service & Atmosphere Despite the place being packed, the service was seamless. Our server, Justin, was a machine--he anticipated our refills before we even asked and knew the menu inside and out, even suggesting a side of the "Greens dressed with lemon" which was a perfect palate cleanser. The atmosphere is energetic but not so loud that you can't have a conversation. Whether you're a local or just passing through the 29483 area, this First Watch location is firing on all cylinders. It's clean, the ingredients are top-tier, and the menu is creative enough to keep you coming back week after week. read more

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I'll admit, I'm not a huge breakfast person, especially when I'm trying to lose weight or keep it off. Nope, about 4oz of berries and coffee with honey, creamer, turmeric, cinnamon and cayenne for me. Please note my listed concoction is extremely beneficial to the body, containing anti-inflammatory and antioxidants. Ok back to the point, I had the opportunity to meet a friend from church for lunch and I figured since I've never been to a First Watch in my life, to give it a try. The ride over at 11:15 on a Tuesday morning was easy, light on traffic with ample parking in a very safe section of town. I beat my comrade, for my Russian friends, to the restaurant as he was lagging a bit so the courteous wait staff promptly seated me. To be honest the franchise appears to have a forced hommy look to it. As if they're trying to be something you'd find on a winding country road where only the locals know about. To be honest, the ambiance is the lowest on my checklist, so depending on your perspective, that's a good thing. My hostess/waitress was asking me about my beverage before I was seated! I like this commitment to service. She even got me honey for my sweetener as I requested. Slow... slow golf clap from the audience. As I confessed before, I'm not a big breakfast person but I try to eat reasonable 90% of the time to stay "fit as a fiddle" (I'm curious where that analogy came from). While I could have enjoyed a great number of items, I opted for 1 Belgian waffle and 2 over easy eggs to go with my coffee. My skinny friend (grumble) got the Tri Fecta b/c.... well he's skinny! But as I recall it was about the same as my dish but with bacon. First off, my eggs were perfectly over easy - cooked 65% on one side the rest on the other with a very runny yolk, tasty! Now for the waffle, can we say "false advertising on 3?" Belgian waffles are thicker, have a "yiester" batter and pearl sugar. Plus, the "syrup traps" (all rights to Mitch Hedberg) are deeper while it has a crispier exterior and fluffier interior. In other words what I got was a deflated, defeated and structurally defunct piece of want to be abstract art, only something that a painter like Mark Rothko could appreciate (look him up). It was tasty but when I love waffles and have refrained for literal years I had my hopes set way to high. Anyways it was an average experience with only one syrup option! Oh I apologize for the pic, I was hungry and forgot to snap one before I destroyed it with my pitchfork. Overall, I don't want to nitpick too much but give constructive advice. So, the great -bacon, eggs, coffee, customer service, noise level and comfort. The average or slightly below average - the waffle (mislabeled) and ambiance via drab decor. If I were to come back, which isn't a reflection on the restaurant but my eating habits, I would opt for the eggs benedict as I make them all the time at home since homemade hollandaise sauce is easy and elevates any dish. read more

First Watch - "Belgian" waffle - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Summerville, South Carolina

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My favorite location. I downloaded the app and put us on the waitlist. I like the app because it checks you in when you get to the restaurant so you don't have to go inside to check in. I ordered the trifecta breakfast and a cold brew coffee and my husband ordered the chimichurri steak and egg hash with a side of bacon. The food was delicious and the service was amazing. Thank you First Watch for always making our visit great. read more

Oh yes we spin the block for good food and amazing service. The First Watch crew is Summerville is becoming like a second family to my wife as that is the only thing she is craving lately...cornbread and chimmichuri steak hash. And as the husband that loves the same why not spoil her and myself. Never disappointed and always good service. Dawn and Constance are amazing and keep us well taken care of and we never wait long. The food is always fresh hot and filling. Can't say anything bad about this location and they will definitely see us later this week as wifey has requested pancakes for her bday! read more

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First Watch on N Main continues to be a solid go-to spot for breakfast and brunch, especially if you're in the mood for fresh flavors and generous portions. The atmosphere was bright and welcoming, making it a comfortable place to enjoy a relaxed meal. The blueberry lemon cornbread was a standout starter--moist, slightly sweet, and bursting with blueberries, with just enough lemon to keep it light and refreshing. The banana nut pancakes were fluffy and flavorful, loaded with banana and crunchy nuts, and definitely hit the spot for anyone craving something on the sweeter side. On the savory side, the chimichurri steak hash was hearty and satisfying. The steak was well-seasoned, the chimichurri added a nice herbaceous kick, and everything came together as a filling, flavor-packed dish that balanced the sweeter items on the table nicely. Service was good overall, though not especially memorable, and the restaurant felt a bit busy during our visit, which slightly slowed the pace. Still, the quality of the food carried the experience. Overall, First Watch N Main earns a strong four stars for consistently good food, a pleasant atmosphere, and a menu that offers something for everyone. A dependable choice for brunch when you want comfort with a fresh twist. read more

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We love First Watch! My kids all want to go to first watch when they get to pick where we go for breakfast! We are so excited for the new location closer to us to open soon! The decor is very modern farmhouse and super cute, there are lots of tables for bigger parties as well as smaller booths for intimate eating. Every time we go, we have the most awesome servers. They are always kind and patient with kids who change their minds frequently. First watch has the best comfort food! If you are looking for a good southern breakfast, with all the fixings, you have come to the right place. Some of our favorite meals are the French toast and the skillet breakfasts. The seasonal menus are so much fun. We love to go when they have seasonal coffee drinks as well as seasonal pancakes. The fall drink options are amazing! You definitely will not regret eating at First Watch! read more

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This is always one of our go to's when we are in the area. The food is fresh , the ambiance is wonderful and the service is excellent.

I visited this past Sunday with my husband. We arrived at 9:40 and were told it would be a 35 minute wait, but didn't get sat until 10:40. They had a coffee and water stand by the door so you could help yourself to a refreshment while you waited, which was very thoughtful. They were slammed! The waitress, Danielle, was very personable and took our order right away since we had looked at the menu while we were waiting. We ordered two regular coffees to drink. For food, my husband ordered the Double Bacon Parmesan Hash, which was on special, and I went quintessential breakfast with a classic eggs Benedict and seasoned potatoes. The food took 40 minutes to arrive but it was delicious. I loved the lemon dressed greens that came with my eggs Benedict-- it added such a light and fresh flavor to the meal and went great with the hollandaise. My husband's Parmesan hash was also delicious. We loved the Parmesan cream sauce on it. The seasoned potatoes were fresh, nice and hot, and had some caramelized onions that added so much flavor to it. All of the ingredients were fresh and high quality. I think the wait time was a bit excessive-- an hour 40 from the time we put our name in until the time we got our food. We did go on the busiest day of the week so I understand. I think they could manage expectations on wait times a bit more accurately and we noticed that the kitchen was slow despite a decent amount of workers. I think it's because their food really is made to order and with high standards, so I'm okay with that! Just be prepared that it may take a while if you come in on a Sunday morning, but the food is worth it! And it's well themed inside-- a farmhouse aesthetic with thoughtful decoration. read more

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Another great First Watch breakfast experience. The food was excellent, as usual. My Belgian waffle was crispy and tasty, and FW's blueberry topping was superb--not too sweet, and full of flavor. Our server was personable and professional, cheerily making sure everything was just right. read more

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This review is for the brand new First Watch at Carnes crossroads, as it doesn't appear as though they have Yelp access yet. The new location is quite a bit larger than the Summerville spot. We popped in on a Monday (Christmas week) around 12:30, so apparently we avoided the breakfast rush and there was no line. Our server was super friendly and helpful! When I told her I'd be using my birthday reward, she rallied all of the staff members to sign a card, which she presented at the end of our meal. I thought that was a special and thoughtful touch. I ordered the French toast and hubby had biscuits and gravy. Both were amazing! I especially love their mimosas with fresh squeezed orange juice. They're the best! We ate so fast that we forgot to take pictures. We will definitely be returning! read more

First watch had quickly become my favorite breakfast chain and this location is no different! The service was quick and friendly and the food knocked my socks off! I will keep coming back for this nutritious and delicious eatery! read more

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We've always enjoyed First Watch, and this visit had both positives and some real challenges. Starting with the good--the host and our server were genuinely kind, attentive, and doing their absolute best. The food was fresh, hot, and tasted great, which is what keeps us coming back. Unfortunately, the temperature in the section we were seated in made the experience really uncomfortable. It was freezing--to the point that every table in our area was visibly shivering and complaining. It was noticeably warmer outside than it was inside, and this section felt downright arctic compared to the rest of the restaurant. While our server kindly offered hot coffee to help, there was ultimately nothing they could do about the temperature. We were dining with a baby, and the extreme cold was not ideal or appropriate for someone so young. Had we known, we would have gladly waited an additional 15 minutes for a different table. My husband didn't even bring a jacket because it was around 65 degrees outside--understandably, we didn't expect to need winter layers indoors. This isn't a reflection of the server, who truly tried their best, but rather a management decision. That section simply shouldn't have been seated, or guests should have been warned ahead of time and given the option to wait. We love First Watch and hope this feedback helps improve the experience for future guests. read more

First Watch - Pumpkin Pancakes and chicken savory sausage - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Summerville, South Carolina

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Haven't been here in a very long while. Stopped in for lunch. I ordered the Trifecta with a waffle, grits and Kale Tonic juice. My server was great, Bryce. My order came and unfortunately it wasn't that great. My grits wasn't full, it had more butter than grits, asked my server about it and he mentioned it was the last bit for the day. I decided not to keep it. Then went to eat my waffle. Syrup was cold (idk if they still warm it, but mine wasn't) and my waffle was cold... not even warm to the touch. I ate my eggs and just a piece of my turkey sausage... really felt for 20 dollars I had an undesirable food experience. read more

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The food was amazing, very tasty. The best waffle I think I have ever had. Big portions so bring your appetite.. The staff are friendly and helpful. The serve was quick. The restaurant has plenty of seating and quiet atmosphere. Clean restrooms. Easy pay by scanning code of receipt and pay by phone or take the register to pay your bill. I read more

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Amazing meal! Did not know their was one in my area, foresee lots of future visits! You can't go wrong with anything on the menu! read more

First Watch - Million Dollar Bacon and Turkey Sausage Gravy Biscuit - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Summerville, South Carolina

Great food, nice staff. The food is consistent every time we go here. This is our go to breakfast joint.

I've been here twice and the bowls, quinoa, coffee, eggs, hash browns, EVERYTHING is delectable. Super friendly staff, they know their menu. Clean, unique looking place read more

First Watch - Honey Caramel Crunch Iced Coffee - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Summerville, South Carolina

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Went for Sunday brunch, it was my first time trying this restaurant. Went around 10 AM, and there is a 30 minute wait. The service was good, the server was kind. Once we got to the table, it did take a while to receive water or any drinks. The food was fine, I don't have anything good or bad to say. The restaurant was clean, and spacious to where I wasn't sitting elbow to elbow with somebody. I would come back here again for breakfast, but I wouldn't come back for any brunch drinks, such as mimosas, as the champagne they use is bottom shelf. read more

Food was pretty good. Million dollar bacon was just that. Cocktails were fun to have while waiting to eat. Waited about 35 minutes for a table on a Sunday morning. Service was decent but our server was not enthused to be there. Would come back to try other food for sure. read more

Great food, but the service here is terrible. Why do they have bar seats if there is no server or bartender assigned to this area. We sat here forever waiting to be acknowledged... We were actually standing up to leave when someone finally approached us. Took our drink orders, but then never came back. We could hear the servers in the kitchen arguing over who is supposed to serve us. (Hello!!! We are sitting right here. We can hear YOU). Eventually they straighten things out. I'm glad that we stayed because the food was really good. But the service is so bad!!! I could wright a very long (Negative ) review just on how difficult it was to check out. This place needs new management. read more

Third First Watch I go to in another state...this one was great! HOT food, and even though they were busy, service was good. I always love the cozy feel that they all have. Great to see that this place is great no matter where we go! read more

First Watch - Blazing Dragon - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Summerville, South Carolina

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First Watch Review | Summerville, Sc 1097 N Main St #202, Summerville, SC 29483 First Watch - Summerville, SC 4.3 / 5 Stars If you're looking for a dependable breakfast, brunch, or lunch spot in Summerville, First Watch delivers a solid experience with tasty food, friendly service, and a bright atmosphere that makes it easy to enjoy a relaxed morning or midday meal. The menu offers exactly what you'd expect from a good brunch café -- a wide selection of breakfast favorites, sandwiches, salads, and plenty of coffee and specialty drinks to choose from. Prices are reasonable as well, typically running about $10-$20 per person, which makes it an easy option whether you're grabbing a quick breakfast or meeting friends for brunch. One thing that stands out right away is the clean and vibrant decor. The restaurant has a lively, welcoming feel that pairs well with the morning crowd. The staff were friendly and attentive, and service moved quickly, which is always appreciated when you're hungry. A modern touch that really helps the flow is their QR code payment system. The receipt arrives early in the meal, and you can simply scan the code and pay directly from your phone. It makes the checkout process incredibly smooth and lets you head out whenever you're ready without waiting on the bill. Food-wise, everything tasted great overall. My only small hiccup came with a salad that included corn nuts, which caught me completely off guard. They were extremely hard -- almost like chewing gravel -- and I didn't notice them listed on the menu. That one was partly on me for not reading more carefully, but it was definitely a surprise bite. That aside, the meal was very enjoyable and the overall experience was positive. Pros Very tasty food Reasonable pricing ($10-$20 per person) Great selection of breakfast, brunch, sandwiches, salads, and drinks Clean restaurant with vibrant decor Friendly staff Fast service QR code phone payment makes checkout quick and convenient Cons Corn nuts in the salad were unexpectedly very hard on the teeth Final Verdict First Watch in Summerville earns a solid 4.3/5 stars. With good food, fair prices, fast service, and a smooth checkout process, it's an easy recommendation for breakfast or brunch. The juice is worth the squeeze -- I'd definitely recommend stopping in. www.westayedthere.com Tik Tok @we_stayed_there read more

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IMO this First Watch is better than the new one in N. Charleston. The food is usually really good & service on point. I always get the million dollar bacon as a side because it's really good! The restaurant can get loud during busy weekend brunch. This 1st watch has a military discount. read more

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First watch is always a solid stop. We stopped for a laid back working brunch. Solid breakfast and service. Typical chain restaurants so it was clean and usual decor. Good parking as it is in a mall. read more

Absolutely excellent breakfast spot. Now I see why this chain is so popular. It's not the affordable coney island type place, however, the menu is inventive and they have cocktails! We enjoyed breakfast before our flight home. The wait was about 10 mins though quoted to be 20-30. The turn over was quick. Our server was great. I loved the menu options with plenty of interesting combos and they aren't afraid of heat in their menu. The lavender lemonade with vodka was a perfect breakfast cocktail. Thankfully, if after 10am (or 11am) on Sunday, they can serve alcohol. The million dollar bacon is ok. Not worth it if it wasn't for the spicy bbq like rub on it. The syrup made it a bit messy. The tri-athlete omelette had everything I wanted but asked for whole eggs instead of whites. Glad we have First Watch back home. This will have to be in the rotation in for weekend breakfast. read more

First Watch - Spiked lavender lemonade - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Summerville, South Carolina

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The service was so fast; they were packed and pumping people in and out with quality meals. Definitely recommend trying their holiday menu while it is still out. read more

First Watch - Double crunch breakfast tacos Christmas menu - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Summerville, South Carolina

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Food was excellent but quite expensive. Service was outstanding even though they were packed in like sardines. Noise level was too loud & we could not carry on a conversation. read more

Good food and service, but the music was SO loud that we couldn't hear our server. Turn it down

Food was good. My only complaint is the menu. Specifically, the menu is worded "seasoned potatoes". Unfortunately I do not eat pork and when I do I get an upset stomach. The waitress failed to mention the potatoes have bacon in it and I did not notice until I already had some. Thankfully I did not have an allergy, but maybe say what is actually in the meals on the menu so people know what they're eating? TIA! read more

As always, First Watch knocked it out of the park! I don't think I've ever had anything bad here. And it's a cute place to come for breakfast, brunch or lunch. There are farm related decor to go with the local and healthy food vibe. We were seated right away, (sometimes it's a bit of a wait) and our waiter was very friendly and knowledgeable. We started with water and Red Medicine (a seasonal option with pomegranate and cranberry with cinnamon - excellent flavor and beautiful presentation) and coffee. And we ordered the million dollar bacon (excellent) and the golden cinnamon bun that was citrusy and cinnamony with a sugary crunch (the crunchy sugar is a toss up as to whether it's good or not - we determined that it is a cultural preference). Then we had the Eggs Benedict BLT with a side of grits. This was excellent. The ciabatta is a long one and there a two poached eggs, the bacon is crunchy and the Aguilar on top is tossed in the citrusy signature dressing. The grits were ok, but not impressive. They were yellow grits (which I love) and very smooth (not lumpy at all) with plenty of butter, but they lacked a creaminess that is essential for truly good grits. Also we had Eggs Benedict Florentine (basically the same as the BLT but sans bacon and trade arugula for spinach) with cheese grits and a side of bacon, a carrot cake pecan pancake (with real maple syrup - ask for it) and the Farmhouse Skillet Hash. Everything comes in generous amounts and is quite good. I just keep coming back. read more

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Went for brunch yesterday around 11. It was very busy but it didn't take long to get a table. Service and the food was excellent. I had the hardest time choosing just 1 meal to eat lo. I went with the biscuits and gravy while my co violet had French eggs and bacon. The French roast included some kind berry sauce on the side that I LOVED. I highly recommend trying it out. read more

I stopped by First Watch for breakfast, and it ended up being a really nice start to my morning. The place was clean, bright, and had that relaxed, fresh‑food vibe they're known for. My meal came out hot, and you can tell they use good ingredients--the potatoes were crisp, the eggs were cooked just right, and the toast actually tasted fresh instead of the usual generic stuff you get at most breakfast spots. Service was friendly, not rushed, and they checked on me just enough without hovering. The only reason I'm giving it four stars instead of five is the wait time; even with a smaller crowd, it took a bit longer than I expected to get seated and served. Still, the food was solid, the atmosphere was pleasant, and I'd definitely come back for another breakfast. It's a great spot when you want something a little nicer than the usual diner. read more

One of my favorite breakfast places. I try to go anytime one is nearby. I love their drinks (the kale is delicious) and everything I have tried on their menu is superior. Most recently tried their bacado omelette and it was absolutely delicious. Staff is very friendly and helpful with menu clarifications and modifications if needed! read more

Food is great. Use the online "join waitlist" so you don't have to wait as long. Ambiance is dependent upon the customers. Our last visit was extremely loud with screaming children. Other times it's been quiet. I recommend the oatmeal. Super good! read more

First Watch - Steel-cut Oatmeal with side of Hardwood Smoked Bacon - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Summerville, South Carolina

I recently went to this restaurant close to closing. My party had enough time to get there before closing at 2:30. We got there at 2:21. But we were greeted at the door with "you know we close at 2:30, right?" 'Yes I do. It is 2:21.' "OK let me see if we can seat you" - she leaves to check. Second person comes up - "You know we close in 8 minutes." 'Yes, the other person informed us 1 minute ago. It is 2:22.' "I will check"- and leaves. Returns and says the manager is shutting down the kitchen and will not seat us. My first job was in a restaurant. I get it that they are all different- but I was taught to seat customers - happily - if they come in 30 seconds before closing time. So... If you post that you close at 2:30-seat until 2:30. If 2:21 then post that time. As it was - we were turned away at 2:22. That wasted my time to get there that day ...and I have not been back since - even though it has been over a month. read more

Loved the food here everything was soooo fresh and delicious. Our server was so kind and welcoming. I highly recommend this place. read more

First Watch - Classic Eggs Benedict and lavender spiked spritz - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Summerville, South Carolina

the best service. food fresh and delicious. I never do this and think this crew deserves a great review! read more

Ordered food to go and it was very tasty. We ordered the morning meditation "fresh juice" (which was super sugary and perhaps had lemonade instead of fresh lemon), and the power wrap with a side of fresh fruit. The power wrap was good...with lots of turkey and gooey cheese. Our goal was a healthy, light lunch and although it was delicious, it was definitely not healthy or light. However, we were very surprised by the fresh fruit side...which was ripe and healthy blueberries, grapes, and pineapples. read more

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The food was excellent. I visited for brunch and ordered the pumpkin pancake, which was impressively large and perfectly prepared. Each item was fresh, well-balanced in flavor, and served promptly. The service was attentive without being rushed, which made the experience even more enjoyable. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking a quality breakfast or brunch option. read more

This place is always busy, but on this day it was discombobulated. Waitress was polite, but not very attentive. We told her at the outset we drink a lot of water, hoping she'd bring a second carafe of it and leave on table. Nope. Orders took longer than normal for them, we're not regulars, but we're consistent. Some items didn't come out until one or two of us had finished eating our breakfast. A little too much time. This was a weekday and there wasn't a line. Prior visits have been a 4 and 4 1/2, but this visit a solid three. read more