First Watch | OKC Photographer Carli Wentworth | Restaurant Reviews

Reviews have become somewhat of a strategic adventure for me. The name of the game being, how appetizing can I make these pictures look with as little equipment as possible, all the while trying to go unnoticed? My goal is to always be seated near a window. Luckily, the entire entrance of First Watch is filled with windows. Not so lucky for me however, the only tables by the windows seated at least a party of 8.. I brought my mom along with me for this review and upon seeing the huge tables she asked me, “Now are you sure you need the windows?” Of course I did. Needless to say, the hostess had an inquiring look upon her face when we requested one of the large tables. There were only two of us after all, and plenty of smaller seating options around. When our food arrived I attempted to discreetly take my huge camera out of my bag, along with a white foam board for a reflector, silently hoping to draw as little attention to myself as possible. No such luck. But it was all worth it in the end. I got the photo. And then it was time to eat..

First Watch is not a locally owned business in OKC, but after eating there a few times, I decided I needed to make an exception and tell you about it anyway. Hidden away in Quail Springs Marketplace, First Watch can easily go unnoticed. It is camouflaged by stores and you might not even realize that it’s actually a restaurant. First Watch is a self-proclaimed “daytime cafe” serving only breakfast, brunch, and lunch options. They close at 2:30pm so if you want to go, don’t plan on making a midnight pancake run like you might do at IHOP. And for good reason, First Watch isn’t just another pancake house. It’s more like an IHOP on steroids–better service, atmosphere, flavor, ingredients, and overall experience.

The atmosphere is calming and inviting; from the warm hue of the walls to the appetizing, yet artistic paintings of coffee and pancakes. Thankfully, you won’t find any loud, overplayed, pop music draining away your morning happiness here. The menu is diverse and accommodates a variety of preferences. Whether you are looking for healthier options, low-carb, gluten-free, or to indulge; there’s something for everyone. They use fresh, flavorful ingredients like avocados, honeydew, pineapple, berries, red peppers, tomatoes, spinach, and a variety of cheeses (just to name a few). My personal favorite thing to order is the Siesta Key Cocktail (featured above). The bottom is filled with crunchy granola, then layered with two kinds of creamy organic yogurt, nuts and fresh fruit, then sprinkled with sugar for an unexpected bite of extra sweetness. And oh so delicious. It comes with the muffin of the day. I find the muffin to be good, but nothing to brag about. Since I have visited a few times, I have had the opportunity to sample a variety of menu options and have not been disappointed. They have pancakes in unexpected flavors from Muesli and Multigrain to Bacon and Cheddar, Chocolate Chip, and Banana Crunch with Granola. Their lunch items are equally satisfying as well. (Just imagine a gooey sandwich filled with Swiss, Havarti, Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses; melted between a grilled parmesan-crusted, sourdough bread, accompanied by a rich Tomato-Basil soup.) Basically, you can’t go wrong. The prices are reasonable and I have never had bad service. They bring a personal pitcher of water and coffee to your table. It’s something I wish more places would do because it really makes things easier for everyone. Next time you find yourself craving breakfast, skip the fast food and give First Watch a try. And don’t mind the girl with the camera, she’s just doing what she loves.

• See the First Watch Website, including their full menu, here.

Quail Springs Marketplace 
W. Memorial Highway & N. Pennsylvania Ave.
2328 W. Memorial Road
Oklahoma City, OK 73134
405.748.3447