One More Bite

The WacoFork Blog

Waco's getting a ...

April 13, 2015 | Chad Conine | Around Town
Waco's getting a ...

Since we fired up WacoFork four years ago this month, we've noticed something.

Actually, we've learned quite a few things. But today, I'm thinking about the "Wow!" factor and our blog and how they relate to each other. By the way, the headline on this blog "Waco's getting a ..." is meant to be misleading. Sorry about that if you had a false geek out.

The news that a new chain restaurant is coming to town moves the meter on our site like nothing else. And this is where I qualify that we love local restaurants because they care more about the food they serve and the local economy and the small businessman, blah, blah, blah. That really is how I feel. I would so much rather dine at Shorty's or Poppa Rollo's than Pizza Hut, it's not even funny. However, as stated, when we post something here about a new chain coming to town, the lights start to flash and the alarm sounds on social media.

So just for fun, I made a list of the restaurants that have come to town since we launched in April of 2011. There are no fewer than five on the list that I personally would have fist pumped if I could have seen the list four years ago.

Here it is: 

Potbelly

A second freestanding Chick-Fil-A

Firehouse Subs

Fuego

Manny’s on the River

Twin Peaks

Freddy’s

Torchy’s

Longhorn Steakhouse

Jimmy John’s (x5)

Sam’s Southern Eatery

Marco’s Pizza

Smashburger

Mama Fu’s

The Egg and I

Freebirds

Which Wich

BJ’s Brewhouse

Newk’s

 

And coming soon ...

 

Saltgrass

Twisted Root

Zoe's Kitchen

In-N-Out

 

I also made a list of local restaurants that have opened in that same period of time. It's an interesting collection as well but fodder for another blog. I will say this, if you're going to open a local restaurant and want the best odds of doing well, open a food truck or get your liquor license. 

 

One more bite: I did some asking around and my barista friends believe the new Starbucks could be open as soon as late next week.