Waco might get a lot of its star power from Chip & Joanna, but there is so much to do and so many great places to eat outside of the Magnolia area! When you’re planning a trip to Waco, TX, you’ll want to plan the best restaurants to visit as well as the best things to do in Waco. Here are 3 things you MUST eat in Waco and where to find them.
BBQ
Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q
Casual, family friendly, and lots of sides to choose from. Their moist brisket is an absolute must! We enjoyed both of their BBQ sauces, sissy ‘sause’ and original ‘sause’, which they also sell by the bottle. The only thing this place is missing in my opinion is some macaroni and cheese, which is a must for my kids who are picky about eating meat.
Guess Family BBQ
Guess Family BBQ has a clean modern look and more on their menu than standard BBQ offerings! Their weekend brunch includes breakfast tacos and pulled pork pancakes. Their main menu includes extras like deviled eggs, fries, a smoked turkey cobb salad, and chicken tenders for kids. And kids under 12 eat free!
Tex-Mex
Ninfa’s Mexican Restaurant
Located in the heart of downtown, this Mexican restaurant has something for everyone on their menu. Their creamy Chile con Queso is a local favorite. If you’re a seafood lover, Ninfa’s offers more than the classic fish tacos. Try the lump crab burrito or the shrimp Acapulco.
Chuy’s
Chuy’s is an eclectic chain of Tex-Mex restaurants that started in Austin. Each of these funky restaurants has their own flair, from wooden fish hanging from the ceiling to an Elvis shrine. Two menu items you have to try are the “big as yo’ face” burritos and their Chicka-Chicka Boom-Boom enchilada.
If you want to try out a little Chuy’s before your trip to Waco, you’ll find locations around the country from Colorado to Ohio to Florida.
Desserts
Milk Bottle Cookies
This one is an easy home run! Get a box of these gigantic cookies to go and dip them with a glass of cold milk. Or better yet, a bowl. Like I said, they’re big cookies. And they’re well-baked so they soften into the perfect bite when dipped in milk.
Silos Baking Co
Line up early to pick a box of cupcakes and pastries from Silos Baking Co. With names like Silobration and Shiplap, this bakery is a must-stop for any Fixer Upper fans. The front of the bakery is adorable and makes for a great photo op, if you happen to catch it without a line.
Heritage Creamery
Whether you want a scoop, cone, shake, float, or sandwich, you’ll love the homemade ice cream at this local shop. They even make their cones and cookies from scratch! Signature Heritage Creamery flavors include Duck Fat Caramel, Cowboy Coffee, and Salty Vanilla Bean. Pick up a pint to go or sit a while and enjoy a cone.
Bonus:
Those are our top 3 things to eat in Waco and restaurant recommendations. But as a little bonus, if you don’t already know how you feel about Whataburger vs In-N-Out, your weekend in Waco is the time to decide. This is a big debate in Texas, and these two fast food restaurants have locations just a few minutes apart in Waco. Settle the debate for your family with a stop at both!
