One More Bite

The WacoFork Blog

There was a moment last night when — as I was enjoying delicious straw french fries and chicken fingers, both dipped in honey mustard, while watching a delightful musical performance — I realized I was having a unique experience in our town.

Granted, the Hippodrome's Christian concert night wasn't a big fancy event and there were a few kinks that need working out, but it was cool.

Pumped for Hippodrome events

November 18, 2014 | Chad Conine | Around Town | Comment

I'm psyched to go to the new Hippodrome twice this week.

Because of football, I didn't make any of the first weekend's slate of Hippodrome grand-opening events, so I'm doubling down this week beginning with The Gladsome Light and Joel Sprayberry show on Wednesday night. 

Whether you’re cooking for one or for 30, kick up your feet and let the pros handle some (or all) of the Thanksgiving meal.

The Hippodrome's Grand Opening Week is just eight days away and we're particularly excited about the Gladsome Light show on Nov. 19.

Originally we told you The Digital Age was playing and they're friends of ours, but now another bunch of our friends has taken over the show. Tickets for The Glasome Light are $20 for the floor and $10 for the balcony and can be purchased here. Doors will open that night at 7.

[ Editor's note: when we saw that our friend Craig had hit Kim's several times in its first week open, we asked him to guest blog in order to let us know what to expect. As an fan of the old Kim's, we knew he had a good feel for it. ]

The first iteration of Kim’s Diner was, ironically, both kept in business and closed down because it was a dirty old restaurant. The interior was dark with a water-stained drop ceiling. The bathroom smelled like mothballs, and though I never knew the amazing waitresses by name, it would not have shocked me one bit if one of them were a Flo. There was always a vague sense of danger in eating there, like being in a Dennis LeHane mystery, and that’s why generations of Wacoans (including me) loved it.

It’s also why the Health Department shut it down.

A few weeks ago, I attended the soft opening of Kuma, the new sushi bar on Austin Ave. Because it was opening night at a sushi bar, I felt obligated to try the sushi.

I saw the pork belly fried rice on the menu and wanted to order it so bad but, like I said, it was opening night at a sushi bar. But on Monday night, I finally made it in specifically to order said fried rice.

Fishes are delicious

October 9, 2014 | Melissa Rowland Whisnant | Around Town | Comment

Remember that time I told you I’m a socially conscience vegetarian? Well really, I’m a most-times pescatarian.

I grew up on the coast and I can’t quit seafood, and I’m out on a limb about fish having feelings. As a self-aware seafood snob, there aren’t many places in land-locked Waco where I’ll partake of our slippery friends. And let me just say that catfish and crawfish, though tasty, do NOT count as seafood. They do not live in the sea and are therefore river food. Or creek food. Something like that.

Vegetarian Mexian food (aka vegetarian food)

October 2, 2014 | Melissa Rowland Whisnant | Around Town | Comment

Usually I don’t specify Mexican food as a food group in Texas, but refer to it simply as “food,” with other genres required to clarify. Don’t read this as a complaint; in my opinion the absolute best thing about Texas is breakfast burritos.

Today’s vegetarian picks: Mexican, aka regular food.

Vegetarian Week: Asian

September 24, 2014 | Melissa Rowland Whisnant | Around Town | Comment

Tofu. There I said it.

Meat-eaters, don’t stop reading! I am not a fan of fake meat; it’s a poor substitute and anyone who says “you can’t tell the difference” hasn’t eaten a hamburger in like … ever. BUT tofu in Asian cuisine is treated like the vegetable it is, marinated and fried and full of flavor in all the dishes below. Don’t knock it till you try it!

Vegetarian Week: Mediterranean

September 23, 2014 | Melissa Rowland Whisnant | Around Town | Comment

To clarify, in case you see me dining around town, I’m not strictly a vegetarian. However, “vegetarian” is much easier to say than “socially conscious local-tarian who champions animal rights by boycotting factory farms that rampantly abuse animals and pump our food full of harmful crap and bad juju.”

But whatever your reason for choosing a plant-heavy diet, Waco has some great vegetarian options!