Restaurant Reivew
First Watch
First Watch is a healthy breakfast chain, which first opened its' doors in Pacific Grove, California in 1983, and has since expanded to include over 200 locations across the country including several in the Tucson region. First Watch is an excellent choice for health conscious diners as they make everything in-house from scratch, use local ingredients, and offer plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free fare.
As an added bonus, the Oro Valley location is home to a gorgeous outdoor patio which faces the stunning Catalina mountain range. If you have time after breakfast, be sure to check out nearby Catalina State Park, located just down the road.
Food
First Watch is a very popular weekend brunch destination due to its' diverse menu, fresh ingredients, and affordable pricing. There are so many delicious entrees to choose amongst here, both modern and traditional.
From a veggie loaded Market Skillet, to seasonal Pumpkin pancakes, to Avocado toast, there is something on the menu for everyone. The Farmstand tacos, Biscuits with Turkey Sausage Gravy, and the Skillets are all wonderful choices. The Market Skillet which features roasted veggies and potatoes is my favorite.
Be sure to try out their coffee, which is fair trade and organic and really delicious. They serve you a full pot so you can linger and enjoy the tremendous mountain scenery.
Service
Service is always great here - professional, friendly, and attentive. Waiters are always available to refill coffee and drinks, turn up the heat lamps in the winter, or pull down the shades if the sun is too strong.
Atmosphere
The indoor dining area can get really busy and cramped. There is usually quite a long wait on weekends, and thus, the noise levels are usually out of hand. The patio, on the other hand, typically has no wait. There are gorgeous views of the mountains and the ambiance is totally laid-back. This is the best patio in town as it faces the gorgeous Catalina mountain range.
Final Remarks
First Watch is by far the top place to enjoy a leisurely weekend brunch in Oro Valley. The food and coffee are both great. Pricing is totally affordable considering the use of quality ingredients. And, the views really cannot be beat!
