COMING ATTRACTIONS
Trendy brunch chain First Watch to open in massive Schertz development
First Watch sells a huge array of breakfast and brunch faves.
The booming Schertz Station development is adding another big-name tenant. Breakfast and lunch chain First Watch will open its newest San Antonio-area location at 18574 IH 35.
First Watch is by far the largest player in the “daytime dining” category that also includes Snooze, Another Broken Egg, Toasted Yolk, and Denny’s-owned Keke’s. The rapidly growing segment basically takes IHOP’s formula and adds more contemporary interiors and booze, closing down after the lunch shift to lower costs.
The restaurant’s bread and butter is classic brunch fare like French toast, breakfast sandwiches, and omelets. The menu is a little more comprehensive than some of its contemporaries, listing almost every type of egg dish imaginable along with original creations such as the Chickichanga — a grilled tortilla stuffed with chicken, cheese, chorizo, and green chiles.
The drink menu is almost as expansive. The chain includes a full espresso bar and presses its own juices, the latter of which can be augmented with a wellness shot. The cocktails are juicy, too, with favorites like Bloody Marys and mimosas joining a pomegranate sunrise and sangria.
Interiors are a little less colorful than its many peers, going all in on modern farmhouse. Although the Schertz renderings have not been released, customers can expect touches like reclaimed wood, upcycled furniture, and chalkboard signs.
First Watch will join a growing list of chains settling in the massive shopping center, including Handel’s homemade Ice Cream, Dave’s hot chicken, CAVA, and Portillo’s. According to a new Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing, the restaurant is expected to finish construction in late March 2027. A request for a more detailed timeline was not immediately returned.
