Award-winning breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant First Watch continued its expansion in the Indianapolis market with the opening of its first Hamilton County restaurant. The new 3,388-square-foot eatery, 1950-15 E. Greyhound Pass in Westfield’s Village Park Plaza, becomes the third First Watch restaurant in Indiana.
“We’re the biggest location in Indiana,” Manager Steve Schoo said.
First Watch debuted in Indianapolis in April 2012 with the opening of a restaurant across from the Fashion Mall at Keystone, and four months later, a second First Watch opened its doors in downtown Indianapolis. The Westfield location opened on Feb. 25.
“We’ve been busy on the weekends, especially Sunday,” he said. “Lunchtime is always pretty busy.”
The newly opened restaurant features an urban interior design concept, while the menu features traditional favorites like omelets, pancakes, sandwiches and salads, as well as signature specialties such as the Chickichanga, Healthy Turkey Omelet and Fresh Fruit Crepes. All menu items are freshly prepared to order and the restaurant does not use microwaves, deep fryers or heat lamps.
“Omelets are our specialty. I personally recommend the Killer Cajun with mushrooms, onions, Cajun chicken ad Monterey Jack cheese,” Schoo said. “We really have something for everyone. Our muffins are fantastic.”
First Watch serves its entire menu seven days a week from 7 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
“We do what we do and do it well,” Schoo said. “It makes it easier. It’s one shift a day for servers and a great second job for some of these guys or those who take classes at night.”
Schoo said the average meal costs about $9 for adults and $5 for children.
“The kid’s pancake is a little deceiving; it is adult-sized,” he said.
First Watch also offers its exclusive Sunrise Select Premium Blend Coffee made from Panamanian, Colombian and Mexican coffee beans.
“If you order coffee, we bring an isolated pot to you so you’re not constantly asking for refills,” Schoo said.
Schoo said the primary goal of its customer service is speed.
“We don’t ask a lot of questions at the table. We keep it brief but customers can ask us whatever they need to ask us. We want to get you whatever you’re here for as fast as we can,” he said. “We keep it simple but keep the highest quality.”
Schoo said Hamilton County’s newest restaurant is just the start of a nationwide trend.
“The company goal is to open 100 restaurants in the next two years. There are 105 right now,” he said.
Plans are in the works for at least five to seven more locations in the Indianapolis area.
“First Watch is committed to expanding rapidly in the Indianapolis market, illustrated by the opening of three new restaurants in just 10 month’s time,” said Chris Tomasso, chief marketing officer for First Watch. “This is a great area for us to grow, and of course, that wouldn’t be possible without all the loyal customers we’ve gained in such a short amount of time.”
The Basics
First Watch is at 1950-15 E. Greyhound Pass, next to Hallmark in the Village Park Plaza. It is open from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The restaurant offers guests complimentary newspapers and free Wi-Fi Internet access. They can be contacted at 815-9344. For more information, visit www.firstwatch.com.