This morning the wife and I were running behind for a meeting. In order to make it on time we had to save time somewhere, so breakfast is where we chose to save the time. Rather than make breakfast this morning I chose to treat us to some First Watch. I will let you know in advance, it was the right decision. Not only was the food good but I must say it is always consistent and a true treat. I have visited many First Watch locations around the Saint Louis area and even in a couple different cities. All my visits were great experiences. If you have not been, you should go and take a friend or family member with you.
Today when I visited First Watch I ordered their Farm Stand Breakfast Tacos and Caramel Crunch Cinnamon Roll. Both Items were exactly what they sound like! The three tacos were served with a side of black beans which compliment the meal very well. With every bite the tacos burst with flavor. The combination of eggs, cajun chicken, chorizo, fresh avocado, freshly melted cheddar and monterey jack cheese on the corn tortilla is phenomenal. I actually enjoyed eating the beans with the tacos. The black beans are not strong in flavor however they are served with pico on top, mix well with the tacos without overpowering the delicious cajun flavor, and contribute to a full feeling, thanks to all the additional protein and fiber.
The only con of this dish is that it is higher in sodium. The FDA recommends a sodium intake of less than 2300mg a day and this dish does contain approximately 2490mg of sodium. If you are monitoring your sodium intake these tacos may not be for you. For my athletes and people seeking high protein meals you will find approximately 64 grams of protein throughout this one. Knowing this dish is a protein power house makes me like it even more. I have had this dish multiple times and enjoyed it every single time. My rating for the ingredients is a 4 of 5 due to the con of high sodium and pro of high protein. My official rating for the quality and flavor of this dish is a 5 of 5.
For a post-breakfast dessert, I ordered the Caramel Crunch Cinnamon Roll. This decadent item is one I could not resist. The item turned out to be as sweet as it sounds. I think it is safe to say most Americans know what a cinnamon roll is. Now take that sweet cinnamon roll and submerge it in a sea of caramel then top it with some cinnamon square cereal, streusel, and powdered sugar. Do you feel the sugar rush yet? It had all the elements of a cinnamon roll but with an added crunch, a bit sweeter, and an ever growing cinnamon flavor. The streusel and cinnamon squares were a clever addition, however if I was to order it again I think I would leave off the cinnamon squares and get some additional streusel on top with the caramel glaze. As seen in the photo it is a beautiful, decadent, master piece. I highly recommend experiencing the whole combination at least once and sharing with a close friend or loved one(It is a big cinnamon roll).
Although the cinnamon roll was a really sweet treat, I have to share the pros and cons of this experience. Before I dive into the ingredients of the dish I would like to give the disclaimer that this item is listed under the “Sharables” section of the menu and is meant to be split amongst the guest at the table. I saved half of mine and shared it with my son later. With that being said, this item tasted like a dessert and could be classified as dessert or breakfast item across many U.S. households. This single massive Caramel Crunch Cinnamon roll contains approximately 97g of sugar and 1020mg of sodium. To put that into perspective that is about 2 sodas worth of sugar (1 can of sprite contains approximately 44g of sugar). So splitting the dish in half brings it just below a recommended daily value of 50g of sugar. On the brighter side, this item is made without a bunch of fake ingredients and appears to be a traditional baked good. My official rating of this item for quality and taste is a 4 out of 5. I give it a 4 because it was a bit too sweet for me, yet texture and flavor were still very pleasant. The ingredients are also a 4 of 5 due to the rather high sugar content. All other ingredients are traditional baking ingredients and are to be expected in this kind of item. It is most certainly an above average cinnamon roll. I recommend trying this item if you like sweets and have someone to share it with. Otherwise it may be too much for one person to eat alone since the sugar may overwhelm you.
The Overall rating for the Farm Stand Breakfast Tacos after considering both the Experience and the ingredients within the dish is a 9 of 10. The reason it is not a 10 of 10 for me would be the high sodium content in the item. If that could be corrected I would up my rating, however that change may negatively impact the flavor of the dish. The Overall rating for the Cinnamon Crunch Cinnamon roll is a 8 out of 10. This rating is gathered after considering my experience as well as the high sugar content of the dish. It was sweeter than I like, however the presentation and size of the item definitely give it an undeniable edge over all other cinnamon rolls. If the Item is shared with 3 or 4 people (as this lessens the sugar and salt intake per person) that may move my rating up to an 8.5 or 9, depends how much the consumers sharing the cinnamon roll like sweets.
All in all, the experience was very pleasant and I will return. The atmosphere of the restaurant is always a positive happy one and the workers appear to be happy whenever I come in. Despite the stereotypes (about tipping) that guest of certain ethnicities may have (at least in Missouri) I do not feel like I received service different from any other person in the establishment. To answer any new questions that may have arisen my tips are not a predetermined figure ($5 or so) and are based off of the bill amount and quality of service. I will say in this establishment in the 3 states I have experienced their service they have earned 20% or more each time. Their crowd is diverse, there is a dish for almost anyone, no matter the dietary preference or mood, and they stay packed for a reason. If you have not been to First Watch, add it to your calendar for a random brunch this month and go treat yourself!
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