Breakfast, brunch & lunch: First Watch opens second Montgomery spot on Eastchase Parkway

East Montgomery’s early risers have something new and fresh for breakfast on Eastchase Parkway with Monday’s opening of First Watch. Don’t fret, sleepy heads — there are brunch and lunch options, too.

“That’s why we’re open until 2:30 p.m.,” said First Watch spokesman Hunter Carpenter.

Seven days a week, doors open 7 a.m. at 7224 Eastchase Parkway. It’s a 4,500-square-foot restaurant with indoor and covered outdoor seating for more than 160. They have an indoor-outdoor bar offering signature cocktails. Inside, Carpenter said the indoor dining area has an urban farm design.

“It gives you the feeling of a rustic farmhouse, combined with an urban loft,” Carpenter said.

One of First Watch's signature items is Million Dollar Bacon, available as a side for $5.99.

“It makes you feel like a million dollars,” Carpenter said. “It comes with that maple syrup glaze and some cayenne pepper to give it a little heat. Not too much. It’s really sweet.”

Of course, there’s avocado toast ($12.29), which started years ago as a trend but is here to stay. It’s made from artisan bread and freshly mashed avocado.

“Whether you’re craving Million Dollar Bacon for lunch or avocado toast for breakfast, First Watch has you covered, always with the freshest ingredients around,” said Brandon Heinsohn, vice president of operations at First Watch.

They offer breakfasts with eggs, breakfast meats, waffles, French toast, and a variety of pancakes — among which is their Lemon Ricotta Pancakes (11.69), with fresh whipped ricotta cheese in a multigrain batter, topped with strawberries. Creamy lemon curd and powered cinnamon sugar.

Several of their full plate offerings are in the $12 range — a variety of egg dishes, omelets and frittatas, power bowls, sandwiches and salads.

Along with avocado toast, their healthier side offerings include an egg white turkey omelet, AM Superfoods Bowl, and power wraps.

They have a variety of sides — breakfast meats, eggs, potatoes, grits, fruits, breads, soup and more.

First Watch also offers kid-sized portions for $7.59: half waffle, bacon & egg, pancake, granola bowl, French toast and grilled cheese.

Carpenter said First Watch doesn’t use microwaves or heat lamps. Everything is made to order.

“We really lean into the freshest ingredients around,” Carpenter said. “When you go to First Watch, you’re really experiencing what’s in season, whenever it’s in season. We have a seasonal menu that actually rotates five times a year.”

The new location will begin offering the rotating menu this winter, Carpenter said.

“All of our ingredients come from partners that are the best in the business, truly,” Carpenter said.

They make fresh juices in-house every morning ($5.29): Kale Tonic (kale, Fuji apple, English cucumber and lemon), Morning Meditation (orange, lemon, turmeric, organic ginger, agave netar and beet), and Purple Haze (lemon, cane sugar, butterfly pea flower tea, and a hint of lavender). They also have fresh orange, apple and grapefruit juice ($3.89).

Special coffee, with a free offer this week

First Watch serves award-winning arabica bean Project Sunrise coffee from Mujeres en Café, a group of women coffee farmers in South America.

“These women come from all sorts of backgrounds, usually challenging backgrounds where they’ve escaped oppression and violence to really come together and grow delicious coffee,” Carpenter said. “First Watch actually pays a premium on their product.”

In honor of the opening, now through Friday dine-in guests will get free coffee with their meals.

“They can also purchase a bag of retail coffee,” Carpenter said.

Of course, they have a variety of iced coffee offerings, as well.

About First Watch, and this second location in Montgomery

This is Florida-based First Watch’s second venture into Montgomery. The other opened in 2011 at 2920 Zelda Road. Both Montgomery locations are corporate owned.

“More than a decade ago, we opened our first Montgomery restaurant just down the street on Zelda Road and, ever since, we’ve been looking for even more ways to introduce our neighbors to a new morning routine — that’s where our new Eastchase Parkway location comes in,” Heinsohn said.

First Watch has 500 locations in 29 states.

So, why has First Watch been a morning to early afternoon restaurant for almost 40 years? Besides focusing on the breakfast through lunch offerings, a lot of it has to do with each  restaurant’s team members.

“First Watch leans into a ‘no nights ever’ approach,” Carpenter said. “All of our team members work one shift during the day… Our team members have a better quality of life because they’re a closer team. They can get in before the sun rises, but leave before the sun sets so they can enjoy time with their families and friends.”

The new restaurant has 30 employees from the Montgomery area, Carpenter said.

See the menu and order from new location

Along with dine-in service, food is available for pickup and delivery. The Eastchase Parkway restaurant’s full menu is online at order.firstwatch.com/menu/eastchase. Call them at 334-801-3338.

To place an online order or join a digital waitlist, guests can download the First Watch App or visit firstwatch.com/locations/eastchase.

“We’re excited to continue to raise the bar and bring more people around our table for years to come,” Heinsohn said.

Follow them on social media at facebook.com/FWEastchase and instagram.com/firstwatch.

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: It's brunch time: First Watch opens second Montgomery location