To write a review of Real Deal Soul Food would be somewhat akin to writing a review of your favorite Thanksgiving Feast cooked by your grandmother. There is something so qualitatively better about the food there than anywhere else, that it feels wrong rating it. It's like comparing the power of God to a sneeze.

When you order, don't be afraid of the things you have always been afraid of everywhere else because they remind you of school food-- such as salisbury steak and meatloaf-- because these are the best things on the menu. The flavor of everything is so rich that I imagine Paula Deen back in the kitchen saying "Are you sure you want to put THAT much butter in the gravy?"

On top of the amazing entree, before your meal they serve free corn-cakes that will fill you up. With the entree comes several sides-- green beans, mashed potatoes, and numerous other items-- that each taste like bacon. You can't beat that.

There is nothing wrong about this place, except for the small dining room and the hard-to-find location. If you can make it past that, you will be fine. This is one of those places that you don't want to go to that often, it is so good.

For far too long I heard three of the four previous reviewers of Crucero rave about this place. One of them (Wade,) was so ecstatic when he would talk about it that I imagined he needed to smoke a cigarette and take a nap after eating there.

So I was disappointed when I went and was underwhelmed.

I tweeted about my negative experience. Wade went into cardiac arrest upon reading it.

So he ushered me back there and ordered for me. El Oso, with the green sauce. As I ate my first few bites, the heavens parted as grace came down like rain. I think I heard the angels singing.

I am now a regular. And regular.

Bad coffee. A hard to figure out menu. And I disagree with who I assume is my friend Jon Davis who said the staff is friendly. The waitresses maybe, but that's about it. Definitely not the guy behind the register.

But they do have great pancakes and the old 1970's atmosphere is unique and enjoyable.

In my almost 11 years in Waco, this building has been many things. Several years ago Mi Tequila moved in and I pray to God it never leaves. When it first opened they had no liquor license, so beer was given away for free, with a suggested donation at the front. But that is neither here nor there.

#33/beef with sweet tea. I have never ordered anything else. I don't need to. Most of the old waitresses don't even come to my table when I sit down. They just get my food ready when they see me drive up. The chips are great, you get two kinds of salsa, one cold and spicy, the other warm and not quite as spicy. There is also a great back room that is rarely in use-- very good for large groups. But don't bring your large group after church on Sundays, unless you want to hang out with UBC'ers.