Watson'S Soda Fountain & Cafe

Anonymous Dec 2, 2017 at 5:17AM

Not quite what we were expecting when we read that it was the oldest soda fountain in CA. Decor was updated and doesn't feel like 'old' so we were a bit let down. Our server didn't seem happy that we just wanted some sodas and an appetizer during lunch time. We ordered Phosphates and were told they were out of the ingredients to make them and so we had to settle for cream soda and orange soda. Both were quite tasty, but we would have liked to have tried phosphate. We also shared an order of cheesy tots which were very good.

Anonymous Nov 21, 2017 at 10:45AM

The burger was average, but the tater tots are amazing. Presentation is nice, but it's clearly an imitation. Given the authentic places in Old Town with better good at better prices, I'd give this place a hard pass if only because the competition is so stiff in the area.

Anonymous Nov 21, 2017 at 4:54AM

Terrific upscale diner setting. Very good food. Good table service. Reasonable prices. Clean establishment. Nice beer selection. Definitely go again.

Anonymous Oct 23, 2017 at 3:47AM

We arrived a little after 9 on a Sunday morning with our two 5 year old granddaughters. After 20 minutes the patrons at the table next to us told the waiter we needed service. I couldn’t find him up to that point. Our food arrived 9:40. Hot cakes tasted like flour and were only warm. Hot chocolate was like warm milk with a touch of chocolate. Orange juice was average at best. When the manager brought more syrup for my plate sized hotcakes, and we informed him that they brought the same amount of syrup for those large pancakes as they did for the children’s silver dollar sized pancakes, his comment was, “No one has ever complained about that before”. We weren’t even complaining, just thought he might like to know. The mug that I was given was a promotion for their other company, not even Watson’s! This redo is a total disappointment. No soda fountain anymore, just a bar. They brought memorabilia up from the basement of the old Watson’s, but that is where the connection ends. We will never eat there again.

Anonymous Oct 11, 2017 at 7:53AM

I adored this place! We stopped in for breakfast on our way to Disneyland, and it was the perfect start to the day. The nostalgia that is presented made me smile instantly and the the food was delicious. For rhe price you pay and the size of the meal we had no grounds to leave unhappy + the service was great. I am so glad we found this place... we will return when back in Old Town Orange!

Anonymous Aug 14, 2017 at 8:17AM

I may be biased, but I liked the previous 50s style the restaurant had. They've expanded their menu since the remodel, with some interesting dishes that may seem a bit odd. For example, Buff Chick Mac is macaroni with four cheeses, chicken, celery, hot sauce and blue cheese. Definitely different than the Watson's I grew up with.

Anonymous Aug 9, 2017 at 11:13AM

The service is slow and food quality is poor. Maybe you'll have a better experience than I did, but I'm 3 for 3 now and need to share it. It's too bad this is one of the original places in the area. That charm is gone.

Anonymous Aug 7, 2017 at 2:01AM

Went to breakfast this Sunday morning after a long walk with my kids and the dog. Sat outside in a comfortable patio, had a great waiter named Sam. he was on fire, took our order made sure that we were comfortable personable. The food was excellent cooked hot and delicious. Definitely Watson's is a place to go on a Sunday morning or anytime

Anonymous Jul 17, 2017 at 2:09AM

Got here around 9:30 am on a Sunday, found a parking spot right out front. The place wasn't busy, seated right away. Service was friendly and efficient, though I did have to wait and ask for more coffee. I got the corned beef and hash breakfast and it was amazing, the best thing I've had for breakfast in a long time. My wife got a Mexican dish, chilaquiles, which she thought was just okay. The ambience is retro and cool, and the surrounding area is quaint with shops and old architecture, and lovely Craftsman style homes. I fell in love!

Anonymous Jul 16, 2017 at 1:39AM

Nice little spot for breakfast. Homey feel with a friendly staff. Service was prompt and food was good. The country style potatoes were delicious. The Banana Bread French Toast was a bit soggy, but other than that everything was great!

Anonymous Jan 15, 2017 at 3:11PM

One of my favourite OC stops in years past was Watson Drug - which, as noted - USED to be a soda fountain, the kind you don't see much anymore - it was the real deal. Someone unimaginative and greedy decided "Hey, let's make this a mediocre sports bar like you find anywhere." YUCK!

Why ruin a genuine soda fountain in an area that trades on nostalgia...? There are tons on antique malls & boutiques here. The area is frozen in the mid-century architecturally. Someone is not thinking.

The food was okay at Watson before, but they had yummy ice cream. Now you can get cruddy food in a run of the mill environment. PASS.

Anonymous Jan 12, 2017 at 12:48AM

We got really bad service. We just stopped in for a happy hour drink and snack and sat at the bar. Took 15 minutes to get handed a menu and she didn't even say hello. Continued to try her hardest to ignore us. When the food came we ended up having to ask a random busser for silverware because we didn't get any and then she just dissapeared. More than once, she walked away in the middle of a sentence. Waters we asked for never came. Check was charged wrong and none of the happy hour prices were applied. It may have just been because of this one woman, but wow, I've never been more tempted to just walk away from the bill. The food was tasty, but I'll never go back.

Anonymous Dec 8, 2016 at 8:19AM

Had a late lunch. Friendly server; guided us through the menu since this was our first time. The food was tasty. Menu oriented to the fast casual, hamburger crowd. I had trouble finding healthy alternatives. There is a neat looking bar and will come back for happy hour. Also, lovely display of cakes and pastries.

Anonymous Nov 27, 2016 at 10:38PM

Love this place kinda sad the new owners remodeled from the old place but they did such a good job and kept the drugstore I feel and Bar that it is a nice new trendy Place Plus now they serve alcohol wine and beer it so it's more upscale. I found an old safe and other things in storage from the old Watson drugs and use them in their decor. I just don't remember when it was a real drug store and still have the pharmacy. The food is great even better and they still have the standard burgers and wonderful shakes so they did a great job preserving what they could but making it their own restaurant!