Wow! I don't think I've ever been more excited about the beginning of the school year than I am this year.

It helps that I'm not actually in school. It also helps that the beginning of the school year has meant a big boost in traffic for us. To that end, I'd like to send out a thank you to my pal Sarah Lake, who coordinator Baylor graduate school orientation and included WacoFork coupons in the orientation packets. That's our way of saying welcome back to the Baylor community, we want you on board at WacoFork.com.

For those who are new to WacoFork — and since we've only been a thing since early April that might be everybody — here's our deal: we're a forum for the community of people in Waco who enjoy dining out.

Think about this for a minute: whenever we say "Waco's getting a … " it means a new chain restaurant is coming to town and we're at least a little excited about it.

There are varying opinions on chain restaurants. The most discerning of the restaurant snobs will turn up their noses at any place where he or she can't speak with the owner and/or chef during each dining experience. But keep an ear on those restaurant snobs. Sometimes they can be heard saying "Waco's getting a …" Now, that statement is possibly followed by a snide remark and roll of the eyes. Still, though, they said it. They're aware of it, which means they must be at least a little interested.

That's a long way of saying Waco's getting a … Let the suspense rise up in you for a moment before I reveal that Waco … is … getting … a … Quaker Steak & Lube.

A week ago, Cafe Homestead rolled out a new feature of what is already one of Waco's most unique dining experiences. The restaurant, part of the Homestead Heritage community and its farm, launched a series of special evening meals with a Farm to Table dinner.

I attended with a group of good, loyal WacoForkers. It was delicious. It was well organized and efficiently run. In short, it was one of the best dining experiences I've had anywhere in a while. The photo accompanying this blog shows the main course with a ribeye and cheese and jalapeño grits.

The bagel doesn't need my endorsement. I realize that. The bagel is doing just fine no matter what I think.

A few weeks ago, I wrote in this space that I didn't see why anyone, given the choice between a donut and a bagel would choose a bagel. That sentiment sparked a mini firestorm of controversy known in certain circles as bagelgate.

As promised last week, I didn't wait very long at all before ordering a New York-style hot dog at the new downtown restaurant Metro.

As proof, the picture accompanying this blog is me holding a Coney Island cheese coney, which is featured on the Metro menu. In case you were wondering, the cheese coney and fries is available for a nice price of $4.75 (reader's note: the Shiner Bock in the picture cost extra).

You see what I did there?

By posing the "I WacoFork Waco" sign in between Baylor legends Grant Teaff and Mike Singletary, and then using a fairly ambiguous question headline, I created a double question. Will it be a victorious season for Baylor? We'll have to wait and see. The possibilities are promising, though, and that's not something the Bears have been able to say very often since Coach Teaff left the Baylor sideline. But now the names Art Briles and Robert Griffin are on everyone's lips in the same way that Teaff and Singletary used to be.

When I last wrote to you, dear WacoFork reader, I mentioned the change in style and name of a certain downtown night spot.

Remember? The blog about Metro on Friday. Well if you don't remember, but you're reading this, you're probably on the blog page, so just scroll down a little and you'll find it.

Metro and the Legacy Cafe & Art Gallery joined a certain mini-revolution in downtown Waco. In case you haven't noticed, things have changed on the 700 block of Austin Ave. To further the revolution, Klassy Glass is hosting a Business After Hours in grand fashion on Thursday night.

I took my first vacation last week since we launched WacoFork, so of course two new restaurants opened downtown.

Metro moved into the space formerly occupied by Austin's On The Avenue. Officially it became Metro last Thursday, but this isn't just a name change. Metro is sort of tapping a previously unavailable type of food. It's New York food, thus the name.

I'm not sure what should go first here, so I'm gonna sort of blurt it all at once.

As stated in yesterday's blog, we're extremely excited about the upcoming months with school back in session and this town coming back to life as, hopefully, the weather cools off. We have a current contest running, but we also can't wait to announce the next big thing.

The "WacoFork It" contest is still going. You still have plenty of time to get your entries in by Labor Day. We've decided the winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to a Waco steak house. For a refresher on the contest, go here.

That said, we are going to give away another iPad2. I repeat, WE ARE GOING TO GIVE AWAY ANOTHER IPAD2!

I'm back from vacation and exceedingly excited about the upcoming months.

I would say I'm exceedingly excited about the fall, but I'm not going to pretend "the fall" is even close. Let's be honest, around here "the fall" doesn't start until almost Halloween. Until then, it's just the dying days of summer and summer, the hot part, sometimes doesn't die out until late September.