I celebrated Super Bowl Sunday in Austin and have actually frequented our state's capital quite a bit lately. That's nothing new. In any given year, all totaled, I spend about 3 weeks in Austin. I don't know all the hot spots and I would never claim to be hip enough to call myself an Austinite.
But I've been around a bit.
So I wonder from time to time which aspects of the greatness of Austin might be successfully imported to Waco. There are many, many things about Austin that only work because they're in Austin. I'm not even going to try to make a list. You can probably think of enough of them on your own.
However, a few concepts have a chance. This is my list of five that I think have at least an outside opportunity of catching hold in Waco. I'll include three items in each capsule — a description of the concept, the location where I believe it would be the best fit and the percent chance I believe it would work in Waco.
Taco Deli or Torchy's: It's difficult to say exactly what separates these two Austin taco shops from the local taquerias here except to say that Torchy's and Taco Deli are kind of like taco versions of Chipotle and Freebirds. The photo with this blog was taken this morning at Taco Deli. They also have delicious lunch tacos and feature daily specials like, my favorite, scallop tacos.
Best fit: Central Texas Marketplace or downtown next door to Jimmy John's.
Would it work?: I'm 95 percent sure it would. It's a slam dunk.
Food trucks: We have taco trucks, but we don't have a centralized location for a variety of food trucks like can be found on South Congress and elsewhere in downtown Austin. Do we have a an area as consistently populated as South Congress? No. But would Asian or Greek food trucks, or a cupcake or cookie truck truck, or a hot dog truck draw a crowd? I think they would.
Best fit: Definitely downtown, as close to Baylor as possible. Perhaps in the vicinity of the farmers market.
Would it work?: 60 percent yes. It would have a better chance as a seasonal attraction. Business would probably be very slow from the end of May until the middle of August.
Kerbey Lane or Magnolia: Don't misunderstand me here. I don't expect either of these places to expand to Waco. However, a local 24-hour diner that emphasizes its breakfast menu could be pretty popular. One of my friends actually wants to do this, but wanting to do it and having the capital to make it happen are two different things.
Best fit: Somewhere between the Baylor H-E-B and I-35.
Would it work?: I'd say there's a better than 60 percent chance that it would since it would probably only have to pull in a tenth of the hungry people who line up at fast food joints after midnight.
Alamo Drafthouse: I actually heard a rumor that Alamo Drafthouse has its eye on a lot downtown, but that doesn't mean much. I've heard such rumors before. I'll believe it when I see signage. In case you're unfamiliar, Alamo Drafthouse is a movie theater which offers at-your-seat food and beverage service before and during the movie.
Best fit: Downtown. Maybe Legends Crossing near Hillcrest Hospital and Chuy's.
Would it work?: Would people pay $10 or $12 to have the option of paying even more for food or drink without having to leave their seat during the movie? I would. I've had AD's $5 shake and I know how good it is. … This is a big city concept which I think Wacoans would embrace. I'm saying 75 percent chance it would work.
Texas Chili Parlor: This is a personal favorite and doesn't necessarily fit with the concepts above. Still it was featured in the Quentin Tarantino film "Death Proof," so it has that going for it. Chili Parlor is kind of a dive bar-esque restaurant whose menu features a great variety of chili along with bar food and drinks. It's another place that's probably not looking to expand, but still makes me ponder the possibility of a similar place in Waco.
Best fit: Not that limited. Any place a good barbecue joint is working, I would think a small, hole-in-the-wall chili joint could attempt to make a go.
Would it work?: I'm going to put the number pretty low, maybe 30 percent. Who really wants chili in the five months a year around here when the temperature approaches or surpasses 100 degrees? I'm betting Chili Parlor makes it in Austin because of its location and cold beer sales.
