For those who dig plenty of atmosphere and fun in their restaurants, the opening of Quaker Steak & Lube next week should light up on the radar.
The Lube will open September 12 at 3 p.m., but will be open on a daily basis for lunch, dinner and late night after that. I was given a sneak peek at the inside of Quaker Steak & Lube over the weekend and, though I knew they were going to go the extra mile to give it a distinct automotive and motor sports feel, I was actually a little awe struck.
It's been a newsy week, so we'll keep rolling that way as I came across something interesting in the Waco Tribune-Herald on Thursday.
Trib business writer Mike Copeland reported that Dunkin' Donuts is planning a huge wave of new Texas stores spread among several franchisers, one of which plans to open a Waco store. The article includes plenty of interesting data on the Dunkin' brand along with a couple of guesses where a Dunkin' Donuts might land in Waco, but not much indication as to when Dunkin' could show up here.
Just in time for a new football season, we have a new way to think about your Saturday and Sunday game watching.
Clay Pot has adjusted its opening schedule (they're now open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays), rearranged the dining area, installed big screen TVs in the corners of the room and added beer and wine to the menu. It's not s sports bar, necessarily, but it's just as good if you want beer and football on Saturday or Sunday afternoon or evening. Better if you want a significant upgrade from general bar fare.
I received word Tuesday afternoon from my friends Brett Jameson and Alina Mikos that their project Dichotomy Coffee and Spirits is ready to take the next step as they have found their location.
Dichotomy, which has been serving coffee at the Waco Downtown Farmers Market to rave reviews, now has space at 508 Austin Avenue. That's in the middle of the block between 5th Street Icehouse and Bank of America.
Since we last reported on Freebirds' grand opening in Waco, the party has crept one day closer. Freebirds has now officially set its opening day for Sept. 10.
Freebirds district manager Jamie Williams confirmed that it's a done deal. So let the countdown begin. As of this hour, Freebirds will open in 311 hours (13 days minus 1 hour).
The next wave of exciting new dining developments in our town begins this week as Taqueria El Crucero and Common Grounds will roll out their partnership in the form of a Crucero taco truck on location at Common Grounds.
As of Saturday, Crucero fans will be able to buy and eat their favorite breakfast tacos and burritos at Common Grounds. The truck will be open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and during special events.
My friend Cameron Weed suggested I feature D's Mediterranean Grill falafels as a healthy alternative on Fried-day.
I didn't realize falafels are fried. So good lesson.
On Monday night, I ventured to Austin for a birthday party. During the drive down, I wondered to myself if I was actually traveling a great distance to do something which has become, well, less than my favorite thing to do.
I love my friends and their kids. The kids are funny and full of life and there are many activities in which I delight in them. In particular, I like playing with them on the grandparents' playground. That's their element.
I have a collection of items floating around in my WacoFork consciousness. My reporter instinct tells me to keep them in the back of my mind until I can fully flesh them out. But my post-modern, media-age evolving sense of what a blog can do tells me to spitfire a bunch of items to both inform you, dear reader, and try to collect some leads.
So here it goes. Feel free to comment or email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any insights or if you just want to chastise me for being a bad reporter.
Lunch at Cafe Homestead is always a good idea. This is true for anyone in town or anyone visiting our town, but it's especially true for me as a restaurant blogger.
Because Cafe Homestead consistently offers new and enticing events and specials, like the Caribbean Farm to Table dinner coming up Sept. 1. Manager Derek Varejcka told me today that they're still looking to fill seats for the event, which will have 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. seatings. For more information and to make reservations, click here.
