Foodies in The Villages have had a few recent changes in their menu. Among the new offerings are First Watch and Chi’s Grill & Ice Cream.
First Watch, “The Daytime Café,” opened in the Spanish Plaines Shopping Center. Taking its name from the nautical term for the first shift of the day, First Watch specializes in breakfast, brunch and lunch. First Watch restaurants in other parts of the state have garnered accolades such as Best Breakfast (Seminole Magazine, 2011), and Best Brunch (Orlando Magazine, 2011).
The First Watch caters to the breakfast-all-day crowd with eggs, crepes, muffins and fresh, multi-grain pancakes. Lunch and brunch fans can choose from a selection of sandwiches, soups and salads.
Specialty items include the BLTE, a traditional bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich with a fried egg, and the “Chickichanga,” a mix of eggs, chicken and chorizo sausage, with green chilies, avocado and cheese, all wrapped in a tortilla and topped with a Vera Cruz sauce.
“Healthier Side” choices include egg-white omelets, fresh-fruit crepes, and their trademarked Power Wrap, a tomato-basil tortilla with egg whites, turkey, spinach and mushrooms with Swiss cheese. First Watch also offers gluten-free options.
While food is always at the hearts of a restaurant’s success, it’s the First Watch policy to offer complimentary newspapers and free Wi-Fi access. The coffee also comes by the pot.
Villagers can sign up for the restaurant’s Sun eClub for specials and deals including a free entrée on your birthday, and a buy one, get one free offer just for signing up.
Another benefit of the eClub is access to “Fresh Facts,” a collection of tips on healthier eating, written in association with a physician who is also a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator.
First Watch Restaurants, Inc. was founded in 1983, in California but it has been headquartered in Bradenton, FL. since 1986. According to information supplied by the corporation, it is now the largest, privately owned, daytime-only restaurant company in the United States. The Spanish Plaines location is the newest of more than 80 locations in 11 states.
First Watch
Address: 1568 Bella Cruz Drive, Lady Lake, FL 32162
Hours: 7am to 2:30 pm (excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas)
Phone: 352-633-1520
Website: http://www.firstwatch.com/
Menu: http://www.firstwatch.com/menu-breakfast.htm
Chi’s Grill and Ice Cream opened in July. Pronounced cheez-grill, the owners bill the eatery as a “21st Century ‘mom & pop’ shop” with made-to-order food, and fresh-cut French fries and ribbon chips.
They feature a variety of breakfast items (eggs, pancakes and breakfast “heros”) and sandwiches.
Chi’s boasts the “Best Cheesesteak in the Lake,” and as such, cheesesteaks dominate the sandwich menu. They also have a “Super Secret Cheesesteak Menu” that has almost two-dozen variations on the theme. If that’s not enough cheesesteak choice, diners are invited to submit their own combination for menu consideration and possible naming privileges.
As the name suggest, ice cream is also center-stage – or more accurately: ice cream, sugar-free ice cream, Italian ice, sherbet and soft-serve yogurt. Choose from cups or waffles cones, or specialty sundaes including the Choco Max (chocolate ice cream with brownies and fudge) or the apple-pie and caramel, Chi’s Delight.
The space formerly belonged to Sweet Creams & Grill, but Chi’s owners proclaim, “We are NOT the prior tenants of this location and are not in any way associated with them.”
Chef Robert Leonardi is general manger and leads the culinary team. Buc’s fans may have had food by Leonardi when he was head chef at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
Chi’s Grill and Ice Cream also caters and offers ice cream socials. According to the company web site, Chi’s is currently a cash-only operation.
Chi’s Grill and Ice Cream
Address: 1000 Bichara Blvd., The Villages, FL 32162
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 6 am to 8 pm,
Sat., 10 am to 8 pm. Sun., closed
Phone: 352-750-0010
Website: http://chisgrill.com
Menu: http://chisgrill.com/app/download/4803944504/Chis_menu6.pdf
How is it that you are writing about the villages when you live in Port Orange?
In regards to Bob Busbys comment ,
Apparently there wasn’t anyone living in the villages that had the foresight , resources or experience necessary to undertake the huge amount of work that Mr. Erisman has taken on .
Also, sometimes an outside opinion is more subjective than an opinioin from someone that is ” locked into ” the system . Thank you Mr. Erisman .
Jim Smith , Pennsylvania
Exactly right Jim. Thanks for the backup. I’m currently too young to live in The Villages but because I live pretty close I’m able to visit a couple times a month to complete my research.
-Ryan
Thanks Ryan for your interest, and reporting, of events in The Villages. Enjoy all your articles. Great job.
Ryan -
Thanks for the valuable and fun information. I don’t care where you live! Your writings are fun, valuable and informative. When we move to The Villages – we will have our eyes open, with only good suprises.
Thanks – Angela
Thank you so much for this blog on Chi’s Grill !
We are happy to announce that we are FINALLY getting our debit/credit machine by the end of this week !!
Guests are invited to keep an eye out for coupons in The Villages Daily Sun ( Thursdays ).
We look forward to seeing you soon !
Cindy Di Bernardo
Owner, Chi’s Grill & Ice Cream
Love First Watch! Thanks for sharing! Great to see it now in The Villages
we are snow birds and enjoy to be able to keep up with the villages the greatest place on earth. we will be back sept.15th.
jhw