First Awakenings

Had a stop in Monterey, casually searching for the breakfast place and found this place. Surprisingly had the best breakfast in town!! We ordered egg Benedict steak and turns out so delicious. Seasoning are perfect. Also we ordered tuna sandwich and it was good too. Parking lot quite spacious and the services were good.

This place is amazing! I’m a breakfast place fiend and First Awakenings has me sold. First of all, they were very accommodating to us being outside, turned on the heated bench for us and was able to get us umbrella coverage. For food, we got the Monkey Wrench pancake, All Veggies Skillet and the Huevos Rancheros which were all so delicious. Given how busy it was, we were able to get our food fairly fast!

We had an amazing breakfast at First Awakenings in Pacific Grove—ideal spot right before heading to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, just a few blocks away. The service was exceptional: super friendly and attentive from the warm greeting to when we left, making the whole experience feel welcoming and stress-free. The food was incredible and super generous! We split an order of Eggs Benedict with bacon, and even half portions each were large and more than enough—plenty of food to share without feeling shortchanged. It featured delicious diced fresh veggies for extra flavor and crunch, plus that rich, yummy hollandaise sauce that was creamy and perfectly balanced. One of the best Eggs Benedicts we’ve had, especially with the bacon! For pancakes, we went with the single giant blueberry pancake (loaded with plenty of berries), and wow—it was massive! We could not finish it despite how delicious it was: fluffy, bursting with juicy blueberries, and just the right sweetness. Portions here are hearty overall, so we left stuffed, happy, and ready for our aquarium adventure. If you’re in the Monterey/Pacific Grove area craving flavorful, big-portion breakfast with great service and convenient location near the Aquarium, First Awakenings is a must. We’ll definitely return! 5 stars—highly recommend!

Delicious blueberry ricotta pancakes and very generous portions! My mom visited twenty years ago and they are still cooking yummy breakfast/brunch for a great price. Convenient location with their own parking lot.

Been here a few times, in both the older and newer locations, and I like it every time. Most recent visit was with the husband and we got the raspberry granola pancake, turkey sausage links and Belgian waffle with fruit. I’ve had some of the skillets and the biscuits and gravy before. All is top notch! She’s a busy, busy bee though. Go early or make sure to get on their digital wait list.

This place seemed to be the #1 recommended brunch place. Overall it’s really good. You just have to make sure to reserve, it get’s pretty busy. We got the steak benedict & crab cake benedict (even though it wasnt on the menu.) Everything was good, their coffee wasn’t bad either. We mentioned at the end that it was our little one’s bday, & they happily brought out some fruit with cream & a candle. It was a nice way to end our meal.

This was my second time visiting and the experience was somewhat more pleasant than the first visit because I at least knew that it was going to take a super long time to be seated. We were aiming for around a 9 AM brunch on Sunday and joined the Yelp waitlist at 8 AM because the projected wait time was about 30-40 minutes. The estimated wait is massively underestimated. The first visit took nearly 3 hrs for a table of 4 that I don’t even remember how the food was because I was just so upset about the wait time. This time for a Yelp waitlist for a party of 5 it was about 2.5 hrs wait time (seated around 10:20 am). I got the corn hash skillet and it was good, not too salty. Both times I came we were seated in the back room with the large blue seating area. ~~Parking: There’s a few street parking spots in the front and a fair amount of parking spots in the dedicated parking lot in the back. Even if that’s out you should be able to find street parking somewhere, but it can be difficult due to the Aquarium crowd. ~~Service: Organization in terms of the waitlist & front waiting area management needs some work. The wait staff inside the restaurant is super friendly though, just enough check in times. ~~Best Part: Prices. ~~Worst Part: The wait. ~~Tips: Make sure you check in at the front if you originally join the Yelp waitlist. TBH the Yelp waitlist is kind of a scam. They have 2 separate lists: a join in person and Yelp and at that point you need to have one and not the other. I’ve been to multiple restaurants where it’s just the Yelp waitlist or you have to write your name on a clipboard, but the dual lists makes it feel very unfair. ~~Return: Not to dine in. I would order take out because the food is affordable and of decent quality.

You will not leave hungry, that’s for sure. And the taste of the food is pretty good too. After seeing many videos on YouTube, and checking out the Google reviews, first awakenings was a must stop when we were in Monterey. We definitely had to see what the hype was about. Although I can say the food was good, I wouldn’t say it blew me away. We got the blueberry and ricotta pancakes, and the biscuits and gravy. Both of these were highly touted. The pancakes had fresh, whole blueberries, and tasted very wholesome. There was also a blueberry compote. And yes, they are huge!!! But not necessarily the fluffiest, tallest, nor mouth watering pancakes that you might expect. Biscuits and gravy were good, but again left a little to be desired. The biscuit was not too tall or fluffy, and the gravy was just average. If I were to come back, I would try something else and see if that might do the trick. A point to note that we absolutely loved was the heated seats on the outdoor seating area. A nice touch to counter a little bit of cold weather in the morning. Another recommendation would be to use Google maps to check in ahead of time. When we checked in, we were number 20 on the list and 45 minutes out. But we could check in online and walk and Cannery Row while we waited.

One of the best American breakfast spots I've ever had the pleasure of dining. I had crabcakes benedict and steak. My steak was tender and well seasoned. The crabcakes were had scallions and diced tomatoes on top, which brought a well executed contrast to the eggs and crab meat. Most other retaurants make you choose between potatoes, salad or fruit. This place give you all the above with your meal. Portions are enormous. 1 pancake was the size of car tire and was enough to feed 4 people. They offer crayons and a coloring sheet for my kids, not that they needed it because service is friendly and fast. We arrived at 7am and were seated immediately. By the time we left, a huge crowd has amassed outside the dining room. As other Yelpers have pointed out, this place gets busy.

Came here for Sunday brunch, and as expected, it was super busy. Luckily, we joined the Yelp waitlist ahead of time (you can join within 40 miles), and only had to wait about 10 minutes after checking in. The venue is pretty big with both indoor and outdoor seating. They have a private parking lot--it's not huge, but way better than a lot of other places. Service was good and pretty quick, but the cleanliness could've been better. Our table was still a bit dirty when we sat down, and there was spilled milk on the floor that made all of our shoes sticky. The menu is huge with reasonable brunch prices, and the portions are great for what you're paying. - Turkey and avocado benedict: great flavor and perfectly runny yolks. The potatoes could've used a bit more salt and pepper, but they were well-cooked. I liked that it came with fruit on the side. - Steak: ordered it rare, but it came out more medium well. Swapped the regular potatoes for hash browns . The mushrooms had really good seasoning. - Strawberry and cream pancake: warm, fluffy, with slightly crispy edges. The whipped cream was super light and fluffy, and the strawberries were sweet and fresh.

Great food, but be prepared for a bit of a wait. That said, it was absolutely worth it! We thoroughly enjoyed our orders: the pancakes with fresh strawberries and whipped cream were delightful, "The Works" was hearty and satisfying, the homemade Belgian waffle was perfectly crisp, and the prime dip was flavorful and tender. Everything we tried was delicious, and we'll definitely be back!

Came here on a Sunday at 9:30 and was seated by 10. Overall had a wonderful experience, and I can't wait to go back. It's super affordable and in a great location with easy parking. We got the blueberry and ricotta pancakes, the carnitas skillet, and the eggs benedict. The eggs benedict was nothing special but was not bad. Loved the blueberry pancakes and the carnitas skillet, and these 2 I'd definitely get again. The carnitas skillet is a tiny bit spicy even without the chiles, so our kids wouldn't eat this, but the adults loved it. The pancake is also huge. Finally, the portion sizes are large and it's super affordable. Paid $50 for 2 adults and a kid, and had leftovers.

Came here on a recommendation from friends. Woah! What a recommendation it was. The food here is absolutely delicious and the service was wonderful to boot! The place itself is nice and clean with no issues. When in town. This is a must stop for breakfast! So delicious and kept us going all day to sight see. 10/10 recommend and would return any day.

Absolutely delicious breakfast ! Lots of seating outdoors and indoor. Amazing service as well. We went during the week, not busy no lines . It gets pretty crowded on the weekends.

A mighty skillet They make a mighty skillet. The works skillet came loaded with potatoes, meat, and veggies. Came out hot. Their avocado toast on the other hand was alright. Avocado and alfalfa sprouts were not the freshest. Service here is okay. Decent spot for sit down breakfast

Being just a few blocks away from each other, it's no surprise that First Awakenings is a popular spot for folks to grab breakfast at before heading over to the aquarium. However, to think that's the only reason why would be a mistake. Sure, the convenience is pretty compelling, but there are places that are closer and potentially faster, if you're short on time. Rather, as we found out almost immediately after we arrived, everything from the menu, to the staff, to just the overall vibe helps to make this place such a cozy way to start the day! Despite how there was a small crowd already waiting when we stepped inside, it actually only took a few minutes before they called our names (they've got a good amount of tables). Even if it had taken longer, though, it wouldn't have been problematic, as it would've just given us more time to check out their (literal) wall of specials by the door and their rather extensive menu. Whether you're looking for something savory or sweet, meaty or vegetarian, light or heavy, healthy or not, there's something for everyone! Omelets, scrambles, pancakes, waffles, skillets, French toast, frittatas, country fried steak, benedicts, biscuits and gravy, breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros, corned beef hash...just about any classic breakfast dish you can think of, they've got it! -- CARNITAS SKILLET - Carnitas, Mushroom, Onion, Green Chile, Monterey Jack Cheese, Sour Cream, Green Onion, and Salsa with Homestyle Potatoes, Two Eggs, and an English Muffin...$17.89 Not only was this a hefty plate of food, but it was quite tasty too! The carnitas were tender, the potatoes were soft, and they didn't skimp on anything. I do wish that the eggs weren't cooked on top of each to spread out more, but not that big of a deal. -- STRAW MAMBA CROISSANT FRENCH TOAST with Fresh Strawberries, Whipped Cream, Shaved Almonds, and Chocolate Syrup...$13.59 A few other sweet dishes appealed to me more, but I admit croissant French toast was too interesting not to try. While the taste and texture of the croissant was really good, the chocolate syrup and whipped cream, in particular, made this too sweet for me (would've made a great dessert, though). Along with the food, the other highlight of our meal was the service. While our server initially seemed a bit gruff, I think the large table nearby might have had something to do with it. Once that group left after we had ordered, we noticed she seemed a lot friendlier and more relaxed. What's more, she also came by more often to refill our coffees, which was super appreciated. Considering how much the menu has to offer, this feels a little incomplete, as there were a number of other things I wish I could've gotten to try. Which just means I'll have to make it a point to return at some point to try their corned beef hash, one of their omelets, or another one of their skillets! Whatever I do end up getting though, you can be sure I'll be dousing it with the Pepper Plant hot sauce they use! It really does make everything taste that much better!

We were in the area and have heard great things about this restaurant. The food was delicious and well worth the wait. If you do get on the waitlist on Yelp be sure to check in with the host and let them know you arrived. Otherwise the wait time is crazy on Yelp. This place has food for everyone on the list. We also appreciated the heated bench outside and if you have dogs with you they are dog friendly! We were also happy to see we could purchase Pepper Plant sauce to take home. We can't wait to go back.

Egg-cellent Every Time! First Awakenings in Monterey truly lives up to its name--it's the best way to start your day! This spot is my absolute favorite go-to whenever I'm in town. The line can be long, especially on weekends, but trust me, it's worth it. Pro tip: join the waitlist in advance to save time. I ordered the blueberry pancakes, and they were amazing! Light, fluffy, and packed with juicy blueberries, they were some of the best I've ever had. Even their scrambled eggs, a seemingly simple dish, are cooked to perfection. Everything on the menu is crafted with care, making it a breakfast paradise. Before leaving, don't forget to grab a bottle of their special hot sauce--it's legendary. A perfect balance of heat and flavor, it's so good you'll want to put it on everything. This is such a welcoming family spot, and the glowing reviews say it all. Whether you're a local or just visiting, you can't go wrong here. I can't recommend it enough!

Best cinnamon French toast I've ever had! The servers are attentive & friendly. The vibes are chill. Most importantly, the food is delicious. Parking lot is located at the back but plenty. The patio area is pretty big and they have a bar area that is less wait. You still have to check in with the front though and they will escort you. The cinnamon French toast was perfection -- very soft and not too cinnamon-y. I really wanted to eat more but I stopped myself. The scrambled eggs were good as well. Tasted fresh & not fake or dry. I will definitely return every time I'm in Monterey.

I originally was looking for a grab and go coffee shop, but First Awakenings was just 1000 feet away. Who could resist convenience? We were seated right away in the back room, but it seems that we took the last two seater table. In terms of timing, I came in around 7:45am before the morning rush and left around 8:30am when there was already a waitlist. Try making reservations if you know you're coming in and with a larger party! Service was exceptional -- food came out in about 7 minutes and all freshly prepared. My mom and I each ordered sides of eggs, cooked as requested (scrambled white and sunny side) and we each ordered oatmeal: one summer oatmeal, one harvest oatmeal. Each oatmeal comes with a side of milk, raisins, and brown sugar. Prices are on the higher end, but rightfully so since this place attracts a lot of breakfast / brunch goers and the quality of food is great. Highly recommend First Awakenings for your early morning outings!

I came here on my birthday and it did not disappoint. A new favorite for me when we visit. We did wait awhile but it was Sunday and they were doing their best to get everyone seated. We sat outside and the seats were heated. A nice touch. The service was quick and our waiter was friendly. The food was great. The portions of the skillets were huge I ate a lot of it and I didn't feel like I could make a dent. Great flavor and lovely outdoor atmosphere. I can't wait to come back and try other items as so many things looked very good!

First Awakenings is one of my favorite brunch places in Monterey County! The menu is extensive and has lots of options. There is ample indoor or outdoor seating. I got the Mediterranean sandwich, the sandwich itself was really good but the potatoes lacked a little flavor for me. My reason for taking off a star is because the wait time looks crazy if you join in advance on Yelp, but the staff actually will prioritize you if you let them know you have arrived. I found this system to be confusing, but for the least wait time I would join the waitlist before you get there and then let the host know you've arrived, and hopefully by that time you'll be 10th or less in line. I came with a party of 4 and we were able to be seated within 10 minutes. But overall I loved my experience here and I'm sure I'll be back again!

Pleasant surprise! Didn't have to wait on a Sunday morning. Service was great, attentive and efficient. Relaxed casual ambiance, no frills but clean. Menu was huge with lots of options. They even have a vegan skillet. Would definitely be back. Oatmeal was perfect. Husband had a HUGE pancake and a veggie skillet. Good for families too.

Love this place! Food is always good! Service is fast and friendly! Outdoor and indoor seating but we always like to be out in the fresh air! Pancakes are a must!!

My friend, who lives in Monterey, recommended this place as the best spot for brunch in town. We were a party of eight, and it took about 30 minutes from joining the waitlist on Yelp to being seated. The restaurant definitely lived up to the hype. It had a cozy atmosphere, highlighted by a stone fireplace at the center. The food was delicious, and the service was outstanding. I recommend the raspberry coconut pancake. So so good!

My mom and I keep coming back to try different things on the menu. Each time is so delicious!!

I've been here two times. The first time I got the works skillet and wasn't impressed. I only finished half and didn't take the rest home. I came back this morning and got the triple bogey with a blueberry and ricotta pancake and my mind was totally changed. I can see why this place is so popular and why people are willing to wait. The pancake was exceptional; I would come back solely for this. Eggs and bacon were standard. Orange juice is good as well and definitely freshly squeezed. -1 star because my friend has celiac so he ordered a gluten free pancake but we were told it was cooked on the same skillet which basically defeats the purpose due to cross contamination. Friendly but slow service but that's expected due to how busy the restaurant is.

Came here for the first time. I'm not a breakfast person at all but I woke up wanting pancakes and corn beef hash. As soon as we sat Jennifer greeted us. I asked what her favorite was and of course she picked the corn beef hash and the country fried steak. So we went with the hash and the blueberry & ricotta cheese pancake. Everything was so amazing! Jennifer bought us a side of the gravy and it was delicious. We sat outside and it was nice and peaceful. I love the fact that everywhere you turn you're able to see the Monterey Cypress trees. Anytime we vacation here we will definitely come back!

Cute little restaurant. Service was excellent and the food was delicious. The seafood pasta dish was amazingly flavored!

Wonderful food! Great staff! We are from Texas and had a hard time finding a meal that equaled what we were paying for. This place hit the mark! Food was delicious! So much to choose from! It was the only meal we had in California that was like a meal in Texas and worth the prices. It was affordable!!

Visit this restaurant every time we are in Monterey. Popular place so expect a wait, but suggest signing in on the online waitlist before you arrive. The food is freshly made and we ordered the calamari breakfast, corned beef hash and eggs and a single blue berry pancake. All were so good but the pancake was as large as the plate and was served with a homemade berry spread. So good!

Amazing food, great outdoor seating, and friendly staff. Everything on the menu sounded great, that we wished we could have tried more. We ordered the Blueberry Ricotta Cheese Pancake, Monkey Wrench Pancake, and Carnitas Skillet for two people. The portions here are generous! Definitely did not expect the pancakes to be so large! We were absolutely stuffed, but the food was delicious and fresh. Would definitely be back whenever we're in the area again!

We were in town last week and I joined the Yelp Waitlist around 8AM, since I knew we wanted to eat around 9:30AM. I kept watching the waitlist between 7:50AM-8:10AM and 10-15 parties joined the waitlist in that time, that's crazy! I arrived about 30 minutes before the rest of the party but that worked out since you have to check-in in person anyways, and we were at the top of the waitlist. I told them that the rest of my party needed a little more time and they gladly kept us at the top of the waitlist. Once they arrived, I told the host and we were seated within 5 minutes. Service was great, food portions were huge. The food was pretty standard fare though. It doesn't feel like anything I couldn't get at any other brunch spot, so in general it's probably not worth the wait.

Omg so busy ! This place was really good! Even though it was packed service was really quick and good! And food was great! Love how open it is with the window super cute and would come back!

Very popular breakfast place, large restaurant and still people waiting. It is the most convenient place for breakfast before walking 2 or 3 blocks down to the Aquarium opening time. Was excited to try such a popular place, but the food I chose didn't do anything for me... - Avocado toast = understood it was going to be a bit different than the norm, but the mix of flavors and textures just conflicted and did not work at all for me... - Belgian waffle = just average. - Pancakes = humungous, but nothing special in terms of batter or texture. - Kid enjoyed his breakfast. Can't go wrong with the basics I guess. Maybe I went in with too high expectations of great food, but it was just normal food and the avocado toast was actually not a good combo. Looking at the menu again, instead of thinking you will discover something special, you will do better sticking to the tried and true basics like country fried steak maybe, or basic breakfast with toasts? All I did was rack up the bill and have too much food leftover on an otherwise straight forward breakfast it should have been. Service was superb and friendly.

We were in town for my sister's birthday weekend and decided to have brunch here (which later turned into lunch due to the extremely long wait). We joined the Yelp waitlist and the estimated wait time was 76min. After 2 hours of waiting we decided to drive over to the restaurant where we had to wait for another 20+ min. Total wait time was 2.5+ hours. This place is extremely popular because the food is a great deal for the price so I will not hold the wait against them, but you've been warned. All the workers here are young, like still in high school young. They aren't the friendliest, but get the job done for a crowd of hungry patrons. They have their own private lot behind the restaurant with plenty of parking spots.

First Awakenings in Monterey is a breakfast gem! The menu offers delicious, hearty options with generous portions. Cozy atmosphere and friendly service make it a perfect spot to start your day. Highly recommend!

Wow this place was busy! Sunday brunch was very popular here. The wait was about an hour so definitely try to plan ahead. They had plenty of seating outside though so bring a jacket depending on the weather if you're open to sit outside. The service was great, server checked in multiple times with us. Our food came out piping hot and the portions were large as you can see. I'd recommend visiting!

First Awakenings is an iconic venue for that classic Californian All-American breakfast or brunch with ingredients influenced by Mexican/Meso-American culinary traditions. This is definitely a spot I would take someone visiting from out of state for that memorable west coast food experience. The service here is always spectacular, and that's what they're known for, too. Whatever your special needs or custom requests might be, don't be afraid to ask. Portions are really hearty and our take home leftovers stretched for another breakfast, making the price really reasonable. Not to mention the quality of the food here is fantastic -- fresh ingredients and a well-balanced proportion of seasonings and sauces. So much to choose from on this menu that you are sure to find something you will love, and don't be afraid to customize. You will leave satisfied. I got the Belly Buster Skillet with eggs scrambled soft, French-style, and the hubby got the Carnitas Skillet with eggs over medium. Plus, we got two pancakes: Monkey Wrench and Raspberry, Coconut & Granola. I thought I would like the Monkey Wrench one better, but I ended up preferring the Raspberry. As for wait time, 2 hours before we wanted brunch, I checked in to the online wait list and it gave me a time to show up by. We arrived by that time and were seated immediately without having to wait at the door. So I highly recommend planning ahead and using the waitlist function.

I visited this place because my Uncle used to work here back in the mid-late 90's and I was impressed. The restaurant is just a short walk from the Aquarium and is a great place to go for breakfast/brunch before or after. We were sat immediately and service was great. We went at about 12:30pm on a Friday afternoon, I imagine it being much busier on weekends during the mid morning... I order a special, Berry Pancakes, and it was great. The pancake was huge and the berry syrup was tart but delicious. We also order the original skillet with veggies. Both meals were big portions. Overall I was happy to visit and pleased with the service and quality of the food!

Great quality food and service! Every time we go to Monterey, we stop here for brunch! The food, especially the pancakes are great! All the employees go out of their way to help you and take care of you. It's pretty calm, very clean, and fun place to eat at.

2 words: heated benches. That honestly made the experience so much better! Food was standard, service was great. Very close to the aquarium and cute spot to check out! Lots of outdoor seating.

Great service! Host was very welcoming and server was super sweet and polite. Its very casual and they have lots of seating inside and out. It was a cold morning so they had the inside nice and warm, and i noticed a fire outside to keep those people warm. The food was perfectly seasoned! Not too sweet or too salty, and that's always a plus. If you need more salt or sugar they have some on the table for your taste. I love that they leave the pitcher of water at every table! Definitely recommend as a breakfast spot if you're amd early riser looking for a good meal that won't disappoint.

Food was so delicious. I got to sit on a bench that was warm, which made it more comfortable for the early morning. I love sitting outside.

This is my go to breakfast spot whenever I visit Monterey/Pacific Grove. They have the best pancakes in California.

Great food. Great service. Love the new location. The last time we had First Awakenings was when they were in the older building.

I like the variety this restaurant has for breakfast/brunch. The servers were really nice and had great customer service. We had the Belgian Waffle with Strawberries, Hot Chocolate, Sunrise Omelette, and Country Fried Steak. The Belgian waffle was okay to me - but that's because I preferred the waffle to be crispy on the outside. The waffle was fluffy and soft on the outside and inside - so if that's how you like your Belgian Waffles this is a good choice. My favorite was the English Muffin Slices. They were really delicious and it's coated with butter. Overall, if you are looking for a good brunch/breakfast place to eat with family, First Awakenings is a good option to go to.

It was ok. Not what I expected. The food is good, a little cold. It's one step above Dennys and Norms (if you know you know). Service was ok, had to wait longer than usual for water refill. Looks like the locals really love the place. I would recommend it, just don't expect too much.

Delicious brunch place in Monterey. There were seatings both inside and outside. There was definite wait and it really helped my friend put our names on waitlist before we got there. I got delicious, fresh avocado toasts and coffee. The servings were huge and I was definitely very full from the brunch.

Ambiance is amazing here! Fully decorated for Halloween. Have a candy basket for the kiddos. Very cool atmosphere!! Place is huge!! Indoor and outdoor seating whichever you'd like. All freshly squeezed juices Even had very clean restrooms! Felt very nice incase of emergencies lol Amazing food and service!

Came here because it had such great yelp reviews, glad I came, thank you yelp. I put myself on the yelp waiting list but even then, the wait was an hour, but I was lucky enough to walk in and find bar seating so score! Seated immediately. Well this place did not disappointed, what I really liked was how nice everyone was from the hostess to the servers, sometimes young people lack customer service skills, but this staff was trained well they all were very nice, food was good and serving sizes are huge. If ever your in town give them a try, you will definitely be satisfied

Popular place so I'm glad we got on the waitlist remotely. It was about an hour wait, so it was nice to get there and not have to wait too long. The hosts were very nice and we opted for a bar seating which actually cut our wait shorter. The overall ambiance is very chill, typical breakfast joint. The place was very clean and seemed to be running smoothly. The food was delicious and seasoned well. I'm not much of a pancake person so we asked our server for recs and went w the raspberry, coconut, granola one and it didn't disappoint! It was so fluffy without being too much. Only note was we should've noticed the portion sizes because we could've definitely shared one sweet & one savory plate. The portions are pretty big and since we were traveling, the leftovers went to waste.

I came here at around 11:00am on a Sunday and waited for around 30 minutes. They have a yelp waitlist so I recommend joining that ahead of time. We ordered: Works Skillet: highly recommend. Portion was huge and it was loaded with meat and veggies Calamari: really well seasoned and a unique dish to Monterey Coconut, Raspberry, Granola Pancake: this was a huge pancake that we were a fan of! The flavor was so unique and the pancake was really good Overall would definitely recommend this restaurant just be ready to wait a little

Today we took mom for brunch and tried somewhere new to us, First Awakenings. If you go, especially on a weekend ensure you use Yelp waitlist. The wait is long. I signed us up at about 11:00 today and was told to make sure to check in at the host stand by 11:50. Super easy process and we were seated by about 12:00. We were seated outside in their patio. Luckily it was a beautiful day. There were plenty of heaters and although our table was shaded, the bench we sat on felt heated. Plus they have windscreens all around the patio so it was pretty comfortable. The people who work here are just a friendly bunch. Everyone we encountered from the person manning the check-in stand to the host that seated us to our server greeted us warmly with a smile. As busy as they are, service is quite efficient. Someone arrived to take our order fairly quickly and before we knew it we had our drinks. The menu is huge and I had a hard time deciding, but I eventually chose the Huevos Rancheros adding chorizo and grilled Serrano peppers with over easy eggs. Generous portions, great flavor and spice from both the chorizo and peppers. I was very happy with my choice although I came no where near finishing. My husband ordered Biscuits and Gravy with the Italian sausage gravy. He is a creature of habit at times. He typically adds salt to everything, but not s with this dish. It had great flavor all on its own. The biscuits were soft and flaky. It was served with two eggs, over easy and roasted potatoes. My mom chose the Triple Bogey - two eggs (again over easy), Texas Toast French Toast and 2 slices of bacon. She was disappointed she had no potatoes (she didn't review the menu closely), but I had more than enough and shared mine with her. Their orange juice is some of the best I've had out - fresh squeezed, so delicious! Perhaps next time I'll try lunch!

Looks good, doesn't it? But sadly, this was not for me. I think I was expecting more carnitas and eggs. The rest seemed in the way. It was a scramble. Yeah, I know. The combination just did not sit right with me. I love this place. Next time, I'll order something else.

Checked into their waiting list 1st thing in the morning as the wait would be anywhere from 2 - 2 1/2 hrs. By the time we arrived, we were 5th in line. Wait another 10 minutes and was seated outside with a break from the rain Triple Bogey with Cinnamon French Toast and Ham Steak Coffee is BOLD. A huge plus. DD ordered the Corned Beef Hash. One of my favorites. Very tasty. Great friendly service. Definitely a Monterey staple to come here

Always a pleasure coming here when I visit my hometown. Food is delicious and servers are nice. Prime dip, skillet and chicken steak all tasted great. Couple things hot cocoa was watered down and just sweet. Did they start using Swiss hot cocoa and use only half the packet? Not sure. They sat us in the far back corner, it was musty and not ventilated. It was a bit of a suffocation booths needed a dust off. Recommend ventilating.