The next Cafe Homestead Farm to Table is coming up quick. It will be October 13 (a week from Saturday) with one seating this time at 6:30. It's a German theme and will feature beef rouladen.
We've said it before and we'll say it again, the Cafe Homestead Farm to Table Dinner is a treat. There's no better way to enjoy a meal in our town, the region and perhaps even the entire state. If you've been to a Cafe Homestead dinner, you know what I'm talking about and if you haven't been yet, you should seriously consider it.
I don't believe there's a market for a sociological study of the feelings of Waco residents about Lubbock and Lubbock residents about Waco. But if there were, I feel extremely qualified to write it. I've thought about it many times as I cruised the more-than-300-mile drive between the two Texas cities.
The thesis (and also the reason why there's not a market) is that folks in the two towns don't have much regard for the other. I've never heard anyone in Waco say anything like "You know how they do it in Lubbock? We should do it like that." Or the other way around, for that matter.
It's been a couple of weeks now since Freebirds and Quaker Steak & Lube opened during a three-day span. Since then, I've fielded quite a few questions about Quaker Steak & Lube and not that many about Freebirds.
This is predictable, of course. Freebirds, a restaurant chain that originated in Texas, is a known quantity. Waco's Quaker Steak & Lube is the first of its kind in Texas, so very few people knew what to expect and even fewer had encountered The Lube.
I barely had time to wonder what might be on the way as construction crews broke ground at the parking lot near Wal-Mart. On Saturday, I heard through the WacoFork wire that it would be a new Peter Piper Pizza.
So during my usual Monday recon rounds, I was able to confirm with Peter Piper general manager Cinthya Perea that it would indeed be their new store.
Perea said the plan is for the new Peter Piper Pizza to open Feb. 13. She said it will not have bumper cars like the current location, but it will include a more adult-friendly (translation: slightly quieter) separate party room.
We reported a couple of weeks ago that D's Mediterranean Grill closed for a brief period in order to remodel its interior.
Well, D's is already back in business with an updated look inside and outside that gives it a more authentic Mediterranean feel. I spoke with Sadie Issa today, who told me the family restaurant was closed a few more days than her dad, Nizam Issa wanted, but they're happy with the results.
I don't know if this qualifies as Waco's best kept secret, because nobody associated with the El Crucero Taco Truck @ Common Grounds is trying to keep it secret. But it still kind of feels that way.
That's because it's a fantastic place to have a delicious breakfast burrito — and now street tacos as well — in an atmosphere that's both comfortable and dynamic. But the line is never very long, unlike another brand new local burrito eatery that has a line that extends out the front door at lunch time (Freebirds).
Official WacoFork applause to the first two campers in llne at Freebirds — Tennyson Midddle School 8th graders Richard Canova and Haigon Moon Shine.
They arrived at Freebirds about 11:30 Friday night and as of 11 a.m. Saturday morning, they seemed to be having a great time. Their tent had plenty of supplies, including bottled water and takis.
I enjoyed a breakfast burrito — eggs, potatoes, cheese and sausage — at Common Grounds this morning as I chatted with new owner Blake Batson. The El Crucero Truck is open for business (7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily) and it has taken its place as a fantastic way to start the morning.
And the weekend for that matter.
The Baylor Bears football team has the weekend off, so it might be one of those weekends for being lazy and/or bumping around town. Here are some suggestions:
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.
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.
