Our town received a couple of impressive stamps of approval last week as Dichotomy and Balcones landed prestigious recognition.
It's been well publicized that Dichotomy made Eater.com's list of "The 20 Hottest Coffee Shops Across the US Right Now," and that Balcones' Texas Single Malt earned London's Wizards of Whisky World Whisky of the Year.
First of all, congrats to them! Secondly, it got us to thinking about how our humble burg is thriving at the moment. When friends visit from out of town, there's an impressive array of joints to show them that lend credibility to Waco. The need to be choosy still exists, but that's true of any city.
To help out with that, pick three to five of these 14 PLACES THAT GIVE WACO STREET CRED and we guarantee success (note: this is not intended as a rankings; the items are numbered for mere organization and because it's 2014):
1. Baylor's McLane Family Stadium
Yeah, so you can't go in until football season, but it's big and impressive enough now that just driving by will produce satisfying "oohs" and "aahhs."
2. Vitek's
It's cool on its own. But wait until your company has a mouthful of Gut Pak and then bring up that it won the 2013 Food Network College Eats championship.
3. Kitok's
Hole-in-the-wall heaven.
4. Balcones
Call ahead and schedule a tour of Waco's award-winning distillery.
It's a fantastic locally-raised-cuisine experience. For maximum impact, go for Saturday brunch.
6. Lula Jane's
Show up and ask what's for lunch. It's a difficult commitment to make because this restaurant mostly takes out the element of choice, but I have to admit it's always been worth it when I've dined there.
7. Dichotomy
Swanky and it hits the spot for an afternoon coffee, an after-dinner cocktail and several other levels of social encounter.
Common Grounds plays the indie role to Dichotomy's jazz. So much show that you and your company are likely to happen upon live music at CG.
It's well-established and quirky and just the ideal setting for pizza and beer.
10. George's
It's our big blockbuster star. That is to say, it's the restaurant your company is most likely to have heard of and want to experience.
Hosting beer snobs? This place will light them up.
12. Bangkok Royal
Excellent Thai food in a semi-formal-but-mostly-casual-and-comfortable setting.
13. Schmaltz's
The sandwiches on baked-fresh-daily bread speak for themselves.
14. Clay Pot
Sit on pillows at the low tables or choose more traditional seating. Drink bubble tea or live it up with sake. Order a Clay Pot, fried rice or banh mi. But whatever you do, try the dumplings.
One more bite: To put the Waco argument over the top, be sure to include a trip to the Waco Downtown Farmers Market on Saturday. Also, this list is 100-percent local.
