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Watson Drug & Soda Fountain
Categories: Food Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Restaurants Diners Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Diners [Edit]
116 E Chapman AveOrange, CA 92866
(714) 633-1050
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 6:30 am - 9 pm
Sun 8 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dessert, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- Yes
196 reviews for Watson Drug & Soda Fountain
Review Highlights
"We always stop here for a root beer float after antiquing."
(in 6 reviews)
"fun old fashioned drug store and diner."
(in 17 reviews)
"...where you could bring your sweetie and share a banana split."
(in 13 reviews)
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196 reviews in English
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Review from christine p.
Valencia, CA
2/6/2012
i'm only reviewing the malt. and obviously, the decor and experience from simply walking in there.
what a cluttered area. what a cluttered, yet historically adorable and amazing place! it was filled with history and fun concepts that can keep people busy for hours and hours. it definitely looks like 2 different areas, but its cute that they're merged together.
we ordered the malt to-go. and it was still huge. you take a nice big gulp, and you wonder how something could be so thick, creamy, and sweet. obviously, vanilla icecream is already really sweet, but the malt brings a nice texture that makes you go back again and a again and a again. i was so full, i don't know how i even managed to have half of that. one is definitely enough for two people.
will i make this at home? yes. i am a fan of your malts, watsons. i will make this at home because of you and relish how good malt makes shakes.
WIN. SUGAR HIGHHHH!!!! -
Review from joan P.
Bellflower, CA
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
it's ok... just ok.
atmosphere is cool but food and service wasn't all that great. the only thing we ordered that I enjoyed was the huge banana split. that was yummy.. -
Review from Alli Y.
Irvine, CA
1/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Finally got to try this little place in downtown Orange. We went on a friday night, it wasn't too crowded. We got seated right away, though they put 2 of us in a huge table. Guess they weren't expecting a crowd. Took a few min. for the waitress to make it over to us. I ordered the bowl of clam chowder which she came back later to tell me they ran out of at 6pm on a Friday. :( So I ordered the chicken noodle. Friend got the Patty Melt w/a side salad.
Salad was just ice berg so if you like that great. My soup was had good flavor. Can't say there was a lot of chicken or noodles but it was good. Friend's patty melt looked good w/the crispy fries as well. Food wasn't bad.
Service, was a tad slow considering it wasn't packed. We waited awhile to get our check. So if you're in a rush, that's probably not a good place to go.
Might go back to try the desserts. Lots of diff't flavor old fashioned bottle sodas. -
Review from Sue C.
Corona, CA
2/6/2012
Had the best Cherry shake there last Saturday night and yummy onion rings! The soup was great. Unique decor and fun fifties diner! Will definitely go back soon!
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Review from Ali H.
Orange, CA
1/22/2012
My boyfriend and I frequent this place almost every weekend. Looking at the previous reviews, most of the problems involve the service. I agree, the service is not the best in the world but once you go a few times and the waitresses recognize you, the service starts to pick up. Their clientele consist of first timers and regulars so of course they're going to give more attention to the regulars. That is the same no matter what restaurant you go to.
The food is consistently good in my opinion. Plus it's cheap and they have a Groupon deal for half off almost every day.
It's a really historic place to eat and you can't beat the feel of a diner with an actual drugstore inside. Also a tip: the waitresses don't take your bill, you take it to the drugstore counter and pay there. -
Review from Darren T.
Orange, CA
1/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
I have been here a few times over the years. I will try to list the pros and cons, but for people who have been going here for 5+ years, they all will tell you the quality has gone down hill.
Pro's: -Great old 50's soda jerk/ice cream parlour setting. It has nostalgia, and has
been open since the late 40's I believe.
-Price is good, a good price for the amount of food you get.
-Old fashioned hand scooped Ice Cream shakes and Malts. The real
deal, the malt girl works her butt off scooping all that ice cream.
-Great surrounding area in old towne complete with the fountain, and plenty of
antique shops.
- They have curly fries
Con's: -The food is just Meh, the breakfast is above average, and I love the ranch
dressing, but not much is made from scratch, and the burgers are bland
and overcooked. This is big considering I go there to eat. Do not order the
corned beef hash.
- Service is iffy, sometimes its good, others its not.
- To much on the menu, specials have included liver and onions, chicken ala
King, seriously, perfect the art of making a delicious burger, then move on to
restaurant food.
I will go every now and then to eat, but we usually have a coupon from the local flyer that comes n the mail for a buy BOGO free, meal. Also you can get a few bucks off from groupon as well.
My dream would be to buy the restaurant portion out, and redo all the food, make everything tastier, use made from scratch food, and put this place back on the map. But hey it's just a dream. -
Review from Jim L.
San Diego, CA
1/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
The reason to come here is definitely to experience the nogalistic feeling of a 50's soda fountain. Since I am not a product of that era, I can only imagine that this place is what it was like.
Located in the historic Orange Circle, Watsons is half restaurant and half functioning store and an interesting place to enjoy a diner style meal.
Breakfasts here are better than the lunch meals however for a quick fix, either pick isn't a terrible option.
The place is usually crowded and quarters are tight however service is friendly and quick.
Street parking can be difficult however there is plenty of additional lots in the general area.
All in all, Watsons is more touristy than anything but a fun dining experience. -
Review from Brian P.
Anaheim, CA
12/31/2011
First time visiting this place this morning for breakfast and must say i will not be going back!
Pros: food was pretty good...minus the fact that half the stuff is kept under heat lamps for hours.... Really cool decor!
Cons: TERRIBLE service!!!!! Waitress was rude... Very slow moving... Just all around poor attitude.... Took almost a half an hour just to get the coffees refilled and even that was a hassle and done with attitude!
Looking around the restaraunt it was pretty clear we were not the only ones unhappy with our service!
For such a neat little place in a neat area it sure was a let down! **if you do visit...stay away from the tall older blonde waitress!!!** -
Review from Chau N.
We sat at the bar, so we were able to see what went on behind the scenes. Everything was made when ordered, nothing microwaved. I wanted to try everything that came out. The portions were big, so you get the most for your money. Prices are about Denny's or Coco's.
The theme was similar to Johnny Rockets and Ruby's, but outdated.
We went on a Monday for lunch, and boy was it packed. I can see the poor waitresses busting their asses to take orders and get them out. The cooks were equally hard at work - much appreciated everyone.
I would definitely come back if I lived closer. -
Review from H A.
Orange, CA
1/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Last month we had our staff Christmas Breakfast here. The management helped us out to get everything organized. Thank you very much for that!!
the staff was friendly and helpful with our orders. everyone needed separate checks and our server accommodated our request. The food was good. no one had any complaints about it.
The atmosphere was very relaxing. Its nice to visit this place, since there aren't many old soda fountain/pharmacies left. this is definitely an example of what "old school" used to be. I like the fact that is just a few feet from the Orange circle. perfect place for a romantic walk or just sit at one of the benches and relax while you watch the water fountain in the center of the plaza.
I'm definitely going back to Watson's to enjoy more meals!! -
Review from Gretchen K.
San Diego, CA
12/30/2011
I'm a sucker for nostalgic places like this one and felt at home when I first set foot in here in 2009 to visit a friend of mine attending Chapman.
I like how the space retains its historic look and feel in the eating area. They have an impressive collection of vintage signs all over the wall over the bar stool areas which is worth checking out for grins.
The food tastes like regular diner food - not spectacular but not completely blah. There's too many options on one menu which can make it difficult for customers to make a decision quickly.
I'd come back with friends for fun but not for the food. -
Review from Liz H.
San Juan Capistrano, CA
1/11/2012
I love coming here. No, I really mean it: I LOVE coming here. I love sitting at old timey tables, in an old timey drugstore, and ordering a delicious breakfast.
I used to commute to school down the street, and to escape rush hour I would arrive exceptionally early. Watsons was the only place open, and nothing started my morning better than sitting at the bar and having a hot cup of coffee before classes.
The service is charming; everyone there is so friendly and cheerful. The food is classic diner food, but it's absolutely delicious. Their breakfasts in particular are scrumptious. I wish I was still local, I miss going there so much.
If you're antiquing in the area, drop in for a bite! It's worth it! -
Review from Terry D.
Orange, CA
1/24/2012
Good luck in getting any service indoors or out. Our daughter sat for ten minutes before she could even get a glass of water at the counter and we have waited for over twenty minutes at an outside table before a waitress would grace us with her presence. After that it was a main course of arguments and challenges to our orders. A former boss of mine waited a half hour at an outside table before standing up and walking away with his wife. No one seemed to know or even care that they left with their money still in their pocket. Good luck in even walking by the place with all the tables and chairs intruding on the public walkway.
If you like hanging out with the trendy, snooty yuppie types, a place that's in the movies once and a while and the so called historical ambiance then this is the place for you. Otherwise, ANYWHERE else will serve your needs and your stomach just fine. -
Review from Tom R.
Orange, CA
1/28/2012
Riding on the coattails of their reputation. If this placed opened today, they would not last a year. Service was marginal, food was worse. I wish I could find something good to say about this place but the whole experience was a definite fail.
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Review from Quanger D.
Orange, CA
1/9/2012
Had the chicken fried steak & eggs with biscuits and gravy (I was a fat ass that morning). The food was alright, nothing spectacular. I've had better chicken fried steak but their biscuits are pretty damn good. Their tables and utensils could be cleaner. My girlfriend had to ask for a new glass of water after the first cup they brought out had lipstick stains from the person who used it before. I'd come back to tried other items, other dishes from customers who sat around us looked really good. I think I'll bring my own utensils next time though.
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Review from April D.
Cerritos, CA
12/1/2011
In the heart of Old Towne Orange is Watson Drug & Soda Fountain. Yes! I just said "Soda Fountain"! You don't hear of places like this that still exist here in Southern California, or even, in this nation. The building is quite old: this place has been running since 1899. On one side of the store is a pharmacy and on the other is a small restaurant/soda fountain. I must tell you: this is as "old skool" as it gets. It feels like you're going back in time (like back to the '40s & '50s when Soda Fountains/Malt Shops existed).
Their food is pretty much what one would order if he/she went back in time to, say, the 1950s. It's that authentic (grease, fat, condiment-laden and all), so health conscientious people need not dine here. I ordered the BLT with onion rings and an Oreo Malt and both were delicious.
If the restaurant is not busy, you can choose where you want to sit (by the counter or at one of the tables and booths), place your order, and pay at the cashier's window at the pharmacy. I found that to be quite an interesting way to pay the dining bill. Perhaps, that's how people did it "back in the dayz".
The service was good and my waitress made sure that I was happy with my order. I would recommend purchasing one of their mugs or postcards sold at the pharmacy as commemorative items of your visit to Watson Drug & Soda Fountain. I can't think of any other place that can compare to it. For out-of-towners (and even for those who live in Southern California but don't live in Orange County), I would highly recommend visiting and dining at this establishment in addition to sightseeing in Old Towne Orange. -
Review from Lee S.
La Puente, CA
1/21/2012
Food is ok but the kids like the atmosphere
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Review from Julie C.
Orange, CA
1/20/2012
It's a very cute place to eat and I love the Orange circle! I've only eaten there once. I ordered a chicken breast sandwich with half fries and half onion rings. My friend ordered a BLT with curly fries, and salad. The atmosphere was better than the food I ordered. The onion rings were really good and the fries and curly fries were just OK. My sandwich was pretty plain and they had put it on a french roll instead of an onion roll as the menu said. The breakfast plates going by looked much better and the burgers, too. The prices were reasonable and the service was good. There was jukebox music in the background. They sell cute things and all sorts of candy in the store half. I would definitely check it out! I might take a date there someday and share a banana split.
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Review from Joanne C.
1/1/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Cute place to go to while at The Orange Circle. Diner/Soda Fountain Place and Drug Store with fun things to look at and buy. Chocolate Malts were good. Service was a bit slow, but I think they were just lacking servers.
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Review from Tommy S.
Anaheim, CA
I like Watsons drugstore to remind me of the 1950s I go there for breakfast often uncle Tommy
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/2/2012
This place reminds me of the 50s I come here often for breakfast I like to get steak and eggs and… Read more »
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Review from Minerva T.
Garden Grove, CA
You'll have to bear in mind that this review is going to be for the dessert drinks only. I have been to Watson once before, and that time, it was also only for dessert. I guess when you're walking around all day in the Californian heat, you just want a nice cold drink and probably some ice cream to go along with it. In Old Towne Orange, you can get that fix at the retro soda fountain. With its old-timey feel to it, Watson Drug and Soda Fountain is a good place to go in and relax. I never have tried the food but it looked delicious every time I saw the cooks put it up on the counter for the waitress to take out.
What Duke D. and I got after a long day of antique shopping were the strawberry malt and the root beer float. Let's just say that those really, really, REALLY hit the spot. The malt was well-made and perfectly thick & creamy. Real strawberries mixed into vanilla ice cream - who wouldn't want that? As for the root beer float, I knew that it would be delicious because the soda collection they've got there is phenomenal. They have the gourmet bottled kind that you can only find in a few stores around these parts. They also have fantastically creamy ice cream so the vanilla in my root beer made the day so much better. Cheers to Watson! I'll have to return again one day for their lunch. Oh and random thing to point out - they have a scale in the corner so you can check your weight if you're willing & curious! -
Review from Marcus W.
Anaheim, CA
11/29/2011
The food looked a lot better than it tasted!...I had seen this place when I attended the international street festival and saw it was crowed!, which sparked my interest and for the past 3 months, I have had this place in the back of my mind as a must try!...Let's just say that I'm bewildered that so many people would have eatting at this place and there aren't that many bad reviews on Yelp!...the food had nice presentation but "no flavor!".The food was ready in a timely manner so the wait wasn't bad, the hamburger pattys were a good size....the food just had lack luster flavor!...and the bad thing about it was that I was starving, so I know it wasn't me!...the Oreo cookie shake was alright, but this was my first and last trip out my way to this place...oh I ordered the Ortega Cheeseburger....
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Review from Jeff K.
Monterey, CA
12/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Decent food at a fair price.
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Review from Sherry M.
Orange, CA
1/24/2012
I have grown up in Orange. My and I have gone to Watson's for years. Decided to go on 01/22/12 during lunch. The waitress that was on duty, was rude and over worked obviously. She was a wreck. The food was terrible, no refills were given, even on coffee! While we were there, a younger woman with her husband came in. The woman was in a wheelchair. They tried to sit at a table inside..it was chilly outside. The rude waitress told them they were NOT allowed to sit there and were in the way. My party and I were so disgusted we did NOT tip, nor will we ever return. It was terrible in every way. Shame on them!!!! Not to mention, the place was filthy. Crumbs, grease and dust filled the window sill that I sat next to....YUCK! Avoid this unfriendly germ ridden disgusting place.... save your money and go somewhere else.
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Review from Jose M.
Santa Ana, CA
11/13/2011
The service at this restaurant is slow and rude. Asking for napkins and coffee comes with a side of attitude. We sat and waited for some additional people and we were not asked if we needed anything while we waited. The food was just ok. The potatoes were good but the service overall was lackluster. There are plenty of better places in the area.
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Review from Chloe C.
Irvine, CA
8/11/2011 1 photo
It was late, we wanted ice cream, but we wanted it GOOD. Just the week before, we had some legit ice cream from Chunk n Chip, so our image of ice cream drastically changed. We walk into Watsons, one of the few lights on at Glassell and we walk through the candy section of the store that's well stocked with some vintage candy, but it wasn't anything impressive. We deliberate and decide that we're hungry enough for a dinner too.
The BF sits down at the table and a nice server hands us some menus, and we order. I got the Country Breakfast and the BF gets a patty melt.
Country Breakfast: 2 flaky light biscuits (so fluffy and buttery, it flakes beautifully and when you press it down it springs right back up) a creamy black pepper gravy (really milky, I'm just not a gravy person) 2 sausages (seriously good, and really nicely seasoned) 2 eggs (really really good eggs, they were freshly cooked, and home-made) home fries (Crispy and definetly fresh, not frozen)
Patty Melt: freshly buttered rye bread and beautifully cooked onions (seriously the looked DELICIOUS) burger patty (looked like an avg one, but not dry!) cheese (american cheeze, ya knw) with a side of your choice (he chose onion rings) they were pretty good, but nothing super great.
I also ordered the ice cream soda, strawberry with vanilla ice cream. SO GOOD. the portion size was generous and the ice cream was quality :)
The BF got a cookies and cream malt and it was so rich and creamy.
A normal person can't finish a fancy drink and an entree
so sorry this is so long! lastly, our waitress was SO INCREDIBLY NICE. Seriously incredibly helpful and I really really had a great experience here :) -
Review from Clint B.
Chicago, IL
9/13/2011
2 strikes and you're out.......
Food is bland and not made with care.
Ordered the Country fried Steak thinking a diner like this would have a decent recipe....They served me something that looked like a grocery store frozen patty. Gravy was weak and watery.
Only reason I am giving it 2 stars is they have a huge Soda collection and I am a sucker for a good Cream Soda. I'd go back there, but not for food.
I'd really expect more from a place in the heart of Orange. -
Review from Karen H.
Glendale, CA
8/27/2011
I met a friend here for dessert this evening and this was our first time visiting Watsons.
Food- We only had sundaes, but they were good! Mine was Vanilla Ice Cream with Pineapple Sauce and my friend had chocolate ice cream with strawberry sauce. Delicious. The food going out looked mostly like calorie laden greasy diner food. This isn't to say that it didn't look good, but it seemed pretty basic.
Service- Nice server. She checked back on us once, but wasn't overly attentive. Average.
Ambiance- This is the great part. This place is like a retro 50's diner, but it's not at all contrived. I am sure that it has been around forever and it looks authentically grimy and aged. Much better than something like Ruby's or Johnny Rockets. It has a small town feel (and is located in the cutest area ever). It also has a small drug store attached that was fun to poke around in. The entire place feels a bit like a movie set. Fun to see!
There is a fairly big and free parking lot in the back. -
Review from Randoll C.
Orange County, CA
After dinner last night (Taco Mesa), our group decided to grab dessert at Watson Drugs & Soda.
I don't mind going to Old Towne Orange after 6 PM because parking is free.
I also don't mind Watson's because of the old diner flair the place is decked out in and for their quirky nonfood items they sell as well. I tend to just browse to check out the stuff I'd never buy but consider neat.
Anyway, our entire group just grabbed ice cream. I couldn't figure out what some of them ordered at first because the ice cream is served in a cup with a cone propped on top. One scoop is $2.25. To me it's actually more than a scoop because they fill the cup all the way up.
Ice cream wasn't bad - I wanted to try something I normally don't ever order so I got a scoop of Strawberry Cheesecake. I don't remember what Anna got but we all finished what we ordered while we sat out on the circle around the fountain.
Ice cream OK. Time spent with friends - most excellent. -
Review from Lily M.
Long Beach, CA
5/13/2011
Seeing the sign for Watson's, I had hoped that they really were an old fashioned soda fountain, soda jerk and all. But no, their soda is just like any other burger joint.
They do have a wide selection of bottled sodas, but otherwise their menu is unremarkable. Burgers, fries, breakfast... the usual diner fare. It's not the best food around, its diner food, plain and simple. Vegetarian options exist, but they're only okay. Slightly wilted veg on dry toast sort of sandwiches.
The decore is swell, and it certainly could be memorable destination for a very casual date. But not for the food or the service, more for the kitchy location and the novelty of sharing a malt or banana split. -
Review from Nikki F.
Oceanside, CA
10/21/2011
LOVE LOVE LOVE Watson's! Their Cherry Ice Cream Soda is like none other. Great patty melt and onion rings too! Its fun to walk around the Orange circle to all the vintage shops after. If I could make one suggestion for this place it would be to improve their decor...make it less picnic-tabley and more authentic 1930's...but other than that, this place is a true gem.
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Review from Terry S.
Santa Ana, CA
9/18/2011
Absolutely not recommended for people that want good food choices. If you want a high fat high carb. meal, Watson's will definitely meet your requirements.
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Review from Candice K.
Irvine, CA
4/13/2011
2 years ago, I stumbled upon this place at the Orange International Street Fair. Too bad I had already gorged myself on sausages and fried fair food, because the food here looked pretty damn good (we came in to use their restrooms).
Finally, we made it back here because the image of fried chicken strips and bacon burgers had been haunting me since I stepped foot into this store. By the way, this place is an old-people magnet. Nostalgia is an interesting concept, no? I wonder what will become of this place when the older generation dies and no one has any clue about 50's era diners and soda fountains anymore.
Anyway, the servers were attentive and pleasant. Water and menus made their way onto the table not 10 seconds after we sat ourselves. My partner got the waffle with fruit while I went with the chicken strips platter. And considering where we were, we thought it necessary to order an old fashioned ice cream soda to share.
Old Fashioned Ice Cream Soda (with strawberries): pretty good size for $5. Soda + ice cream + strawberries + more ice cream + mound of whipped cream = as deadly as a fried appetizer platter. Worth it.
Fried Chicken Strips: ahhh, chicken strips the way I love 'em. So. Effing. Good. Sadly, the onion rings were just so-so; I wish I had gone with the curly fries. There's also a side of ranch, which is perfect, since I love me some white sauce with my fried foods.
Waffle and Fruit: the waffle itself was quite thin, though the flavor was right. The cinnamon apples were piled on here, but they weren't quite as soft as my partner preferred.
Overall, decent portions, fun atmosphere (an elderly man was playing the harmonica while we ate), and nice staff. Not bad.
[This message was brought to you by the great taste of Charleston Chew. Aroooo!] -
Review from Jenn T.
Watson's was exactly how I expected it to be, average.
Burgers were decent, fries were great, chili was good, ice cream sundae was an ice cream sundae, etc.
The diner is nothing special, but it's cute and the experience is fun. I love that lunch items are available at breakfast, because I usually hate breakfast foods. Also, service was kind of slow, but then again, it was busy at the time so I won't dock them for that.
All in all it's a fun restaurant, but don't go there expecting to get wowed by the food.
if you do go though, get the chilli cheese fries, probably the best thing on the menu! -
Review from Enrique M.
Anaheim, CA
10/23/2011
Watsons is hit or miss for me. I'm a sucker for 50's diners. I say hit or miss because everytime I go, something is great while something else is bad. At times the food is great but we get crappy service or vice versa. I come to Orange Circle a lot and every once in a while I convince myself to go back. Lets hope the next time I go back, I get great food and service.
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Review from Jessica B.
Los Angeles, CA
9/6/2011
Boyfriend and I got smushed in with the huge crowd at the Orange Street Fair Labor day weekend and ducked into Watson's to save ourselves. After we saw that there was little nutritional vegetarian options at the street fair, we decided to stay for dinner at Watson's.
We went inside and it smelled like old people. Is that mean? Offensive? I'm sorry, truly. But you guys know what I mean, right? That smell that you get at hospital cafeterias and convalescent homes? Anyway, it wasn't very appetizing so we decided to sit outside and people watch (way more fun than inside, anyway). We were quickly informed of a $15 minimum to sit outside. Cool, we were hungry, so no worries there.
The menu has a lot of options and even serves breakfast all day. I chose the veggie sandwich with curly fries and the boyfriend went for the chicken sandwich with regular fries. My sandwich was AMAZING! Seriously scrumptious! Devilishly delicious! Get my drift? This sandwich was gooooooood. Layers of tomato, avocado, sprouts, mayo and cheese. Only disappointment is that on the menu it says the sandwich is served on squaw bread, but I got plain ol' wheat bread. Bummer. Curly fries were average. The boyfriends sandwich came out and his whole face fell. It looked icky. The chicken salad mixture looked really gross, and it was served on plain white sandwich bread. What a shock it was when he took that first bite and fell in love! He said the sandwich was deceptively delicious and he enjoyed every last morsel of it!
Food was very good! The 3 stars are for the food alone.
The area where Watson's falls short is in service *sigh* We had mixed emotions about the service. On one hand, there was a very nice and helpful host that we thought was wonderful. Our waitress was obviously busy, which is understandable, and managed to be somewhat attentive. Our major gripe is that the restaurant allowed dozens of street fair patrons to cross into the dining area in order to bypass crowds. I cannot even begin to tell you how distracting and rude it is to be enjoying a meal and have person after person bump into your chair, swing their hairy arm along the side of your table, move chairs around to accommodate their girth to get through and bump into our table, knocking our condiments around. We couldn't even have a private conversation because we had strangers literally grazing our table as they squeezed by. It completely ruined our meal and our experience at Watson's, which is unfortunate because we genuinely loved the food and concept :(
For my Plus Sized Beauties:
Watson's has large, open spaces with tables and big booths that can/will accommodate a person of just about any girth. It gets a little bit tight when browsing the aisles, but there is plenty of room to find a table or booth.Listed in: Fat Girl Paradise
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Review from Han V.
Anaheim, CA
7/1/2011
I grew up in Orange and have always Watson because of it's charm. I pretty much always order the mushroom swiss burger cause it's DELICIOUS!!! :D
Though after years of going to Watson I will admit that there were times where the burger wasn't as tasteful, but I always enjoy my time there.
I also the selection of specialty old fashion candy :D The coolest thing that I found there was a black licorice gummi that was in the shape of an old fashion smoking pipe ;D -
Review from Paul G.
Costa Mesa, CA
10/3/2011
Best breakfasts ever! Love the old time charm!
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Review from Brittney H.
Orange, CA
10/16/2011
The service here was utterly awful.
Went there on a Sunday morning. It was fairly busy, not nothing crazy...
We sat down and weren't even given waters until 15 minutes later. 15 minutes after that nobody had greeted us.
I had to go up to the front and ask if someone could take our order. They gave me an attitude for asking like I was imposing on them.
The waitress was rude and rushed. We ordered juice with our breakfast, and they didn't bring out until after the food...and we had to ask for it.
The food was decent, definitely nothing special. Although I have had the shakes and they are pretty great. But seriously the service here is awful enough that I will never come back. -
Review from Phil A.
Irvine, CA
9/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Breakfast is served all day so I tried the Watson's Omelet. Took some out of town family to experience the ultimate breakfast with a fun atmosphere. The breakfast was ok and the service was exceptional. Probably won't eat breakfast here again as the Original Pancake House down the street would be a better choice. On the other hand, I'm glad I was able to experience this place.
