Say hello to spring at First Watch

Their new seasonal menu is crafted with fresh ingredients and bright flavors

Spring puts us all in a new state of mind, and at your local First Watch restaurant, a new menu welcomes returning favorites and fresh takes on brunch brimming with tropical flair.

There are so many inventive and intriguing dishes to explore at First Watch. Corporate chef Shane Schaibly is always keeping things fun and fresh from farm to fork.

It takes time to uncover the best ingredients, to build relationships with bakers, makers and growers, and to explore the most delicious way to feature these ingredients on the menu.

Right now and for a limited time, you’ll be transported to the tropics with these deliciously unique creations from chef Shane and the team at your neighborhood First Watch:

Escape from the everyday with their new Shrimp and Grits—sautéed Cajun shrimp and andouille sausage cooked Lowcountry-style with chicken stock, house-roasted tomatoes, onions, green bell peppers and scallions atop Bob’s Red Mill Cheddar Parmesan cheese grits. Served with artisan ciabatta toast.

Or, spice things up with Hacienda Hash: chorizo, red bell pepper and potato hash topped with two cage-free eggs any style, Cheddar and Monterey Jack, spicy ketchup, lime crema drizzle, fresh smashed avocado and scallions.

Say “aloha” to Hawaiian French Toast: Thick-cut, custard-dipped challah bread griddled and topped with caramelized pineapple, coconut whipped cream, caramel toffee sauce and spiced gingerbread cookie crumbles. Lightly dusted with powdered cinnamon sugar.

Bite into a sweet treat with their Holey Donuts: cinnamon sugar dusted cake donut holes with chocolate sauce and warm mixed berry compote for dipping.

Sip the sunrise

Start your day off a Tropical Sunrise juice, combining mango, pineapple, strawberry and lime.

Or refresh with one of First Watch’s other juice creations. There’s Purple Haze: A magical blend of lemon, cane sugar, butterfly pea flower tea, and a hint of lavender. Tune in with a little Morning Meditation: Orange, lemon, turmeric, organic ginger, agave nectar and beet. Or treat yourself to the classic Kale Tonic: Kale, Fuji apple, cucumber and lemon. You can even boost your juice with a wellness shot of vitamins B3, C and D, zinc, echinacea and elderberry.

Farm to Fork Freshness

At First Watch, they start bright and early each morning preparing exceptional ingredients to deliver an experience that feels good and tastes even better. Everything is made in-house and from scratch, from their French toast batter and baked goods. Fruit is sliced, veggies are roasted and juices are squeezed fresh every day.

“Having the fresh food focus just feels right. It feels good to me,” said Amanda Lehmann, director of operations.

Lehmann can be found cooking, hosting and guiding her staff in best practices at any time in one of her numerous First Watch locations – two in Springfield, one in Joplin, one in Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., and three in Northwest Arkansas.

“Serving people is the best part about working for First Watch,” she noted. “I love being in customer service.”

The Classics

Of course, no First Watch meal is complete without a side of their famous Million Dollar Bacon, baked with brown sugar, black pepper, cayenne and a maple syrup drizzle.

Other First Watch classics include the Tri-Fecta: Two fresh cage-free eggs any style with either a light and airy Belgian waffle or a multigrain pancake. Plus your choice of bacon, chicken sausage patty, turkey or pork sausage link.

First Watch French Toast is always a favorite: Custard-dipped, thick-cut brioche bread topped with whipped butter and powered cinnamon sugar.

Or try the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes: Fresh, whipped ricotta cheese is added to their multigrain batter, topped with marinated berries and creamy lemon curd.

An extra side of healthy

At First Watch you’re always welcome to swap out toast with fresh, seasonal fruit; choose egg whites for your omelet; or substitute gluten-free toast. And the regular menu offers wholesome options galore.

You’ll feel great about the Healthy Turkey Omelet, an egg white omelet with turkey, house-roasted onions, tomatoes, spinach and feta cheese. Served with First Watch’s whole grain artisan toast and all-natural house preserves.

Or, try the Sunrise Granola Bowl: non-fat, vanilla Greek yogurt layered with fresh, seasonal fruit and their house made granola with almonds. Served with a freshly baked muffin of the day.

Get going with a bowl of First Watch’s steel-cut oatmeal: Made to order with berries, fresh sliced banana, pecans, low-fat milk, brown sugar and a freshly baked muffin of the day.

For a protein boost, try the First Watch Power Wrap: Egg whites, turkey, spinach, house-roasted crimini mushrooms and mozzarella in a sun-dried tomato-basil tortilla. Served with fresh fruit and a side of house made pico de gallo.

Keep it lean with the Tri-Athlete: An egg white omelet with house-roasted crimini mushrooms, onions, tomatoes and green chilis. Served with house made pico de gallo, whole grain artisan toast, all-natural house preserves, and fresh fruit.

Pour Me a Cup

With each visit to a First Watch restaurant, you’ll be greeted with a smile and a whole pot of their signature, awardwinning Project Sunrise coffee to start your day off right.

For their signature drip coffee, First Watch wanted a truly special roast, so they ventured to Colombia to find the richest beans and personally meet the female farmers – the Mujeres en Cafe – who grow them.

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.

And you can also enjoy their signature coffee iced, or in a specialty coffee drink. There’s Mint Mocha Iced Coffee, topped with a sweet cream cold foam and mini Ghirardelli dark chocolate chips. Or, the Honey Caramel Crunch Iced Coffee, featuring salted caramel and honey and topped with toffee crumbles.