First Watch: Start fresh this new year

Your local First Watch restaurant is the source of all things fresh, nutritious and yummy, so there’s no better place to start off eating right in the new year. Now, you can indulge in a number of brand new menu items sure to please, along with the tried and true—but wholly inventive—creations that First Watch offers for breakfast, brunch and lunch.

You’ll love the Crab and Avocado Toast: wild caught blue crab and fresh smashed avocado on top of their whole grain artisan toast with house-pickled red onions, fresh herbs and Maldon sea salt. Served with two cage-free basted eggs.

Or check out the Triple Berry Açai Bowl, featuring organic Sambazon Açai topped with fresh strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and our housemade granola. Served with whole grain artisan toast topped with almond butter and Maldon sea salt.

And if healthy drinking is one of your resolutions, you can indulge in Purple Haze, blending lemon, cane sugar, butterfly pea flower tea and a hint of lavender.

Every season brings new deliciousness to First Watch, and if you like spicing things up, order their Huevos Rancheros Tostadas: two crispy corn tostadas topped with fresh smashed avocado, two sunny side up cage-free eggs, chorizo, salsa verde, chive crema, Cotija, and fresh cilantro. Served with black beans and Pico de Gallo.

And of course you can always get First Watch’s famous Million Dollar Bacon that’s baked with brown sugar, black pepper, cayenne and a maple syrup drizzle. Or try the mouth-watering Vanilla Chai Latte Pancakes with fresh sliced bananas, raspberries, maple-chai almond butter and super-seed crunch.

And while First Watch may be on top of food trends, it’s neither a passing trend nor a young company. Founded in 1983 by Ken Pendery, the breakfast, brunch and lunch concept has established strong roots in healthy harvesting, fresh food and compassion for community. Having both the desire to provide the best quality ingredients to its customers, and the passion for helping those less fortunate is what led the First Watch team to seek the finest ingredients from the best farmers. One such ingredient led them to the heart of Colombia, where they met the Mujeres en Café, and created a First Watch exclusive: Project Sunrise coffee. The First Watch team visits and learns from that community, and gives back in ways like improving their schools and investing in their future; and they get some of the world’s best coffee in return — to give to you! “Better Coffee. Better World.” That’s the Project Sunrise promise. With each visit to a First Watch restaurant, you’ll be greeted with a smile and a whole pot of their premium roast to start your day off right.

It wasn’t all that long ago that there were no First Watch locations in Northwest Arkansas. But then came Fayetteville and Rogers. And now, there is a third location in Bentonville. Amanda Lehmann, Director of Operations for the First Watch locations (two in Springfield, one in Joplin, one in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri; and now three in Northwest Arkansas), came to the company two years ago “from what you know as Panera,” she says. The hardworking woman in the chef coat can be found cooking, hosting and guiding her staff in best practices at any time in her numerous locales. “Serving people is the best part about working for First Watch,” Amanda notes. “I love being in customer service, and having the fresh food focus just feels right. It feels good to me.”

Dedicated to featuring fresh seasonal produce from local growers whenever possible, First Watch is always coming up with exciting new ways to combine healthy and delicious. Ordering the Tri-Athlete, for example, gets you an egg white omelet with house-roasted Crimini mushrooms, onions, tomatoes and green chilies; and it comes with housemade pico de gallo, whole grain artisan toast, all-natural house preserves and fresh fruit. If you’re into counting calories or pinching pennies, you’ll be thrilled to hear that this champion’s breakfast crosses the finish line under ten dollars and only 550 calories! But that’s just a taste of what First Watch has to offer. Corporate Chef Shane Schaibly has his finger on the pulse of the industry, and is always keeping things fun and fresh, farm to fork. He’s putting out dishes like the Elevated Egg Sandwich; with its over-easy cage-free egg, bacon, Gruyere cheese, fresh smashed avocado, mayo and lemon dressed arugula on a brioche bun and a side of fresh, seasoned potatoes!

And if you’re into brunching, First Watch has got you covered. Give their French Toast a try, and you’ll see that Chef Schaibly and the First Watch crew definitely have your taste buds in mind with their custard-dipped, thick-cut brioche bread topped with whipped butter and powered cinnamon sugar. Or indulge in the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, which, in addition to their humongous size, get fresh, whipped ricotta cheese added to their multigrain batter, and are topped with marinated berries and creamy lemon curd. Talk about fresh!

Everything here is made from scratch, in house, from their French Toast batter and baked goods to veggies sliced and juices squeezed Fresh. Every. Day.

With so much so much feel-good freshness; First Watch is your go-to for the greatest breakfast, brunch and lunch in town. With so many interesting choices on the menu, whether you’re dining in or taking it to go, you’ll enjoy a fresh seasonal meal experience like no other!