A little more than a month ago, the construction foreman at the Quaker Steak & Lube site told me to expect to see that restaurant going up quickly.
He wasn't fooling.
The blog we posted on May 3 includes a picture showing bulldozers and dump trucks doing dirt work at Legends Crossing. Today the place has walls and a roof and discernible doorways.
Like the Quaker Steak & Lube, it seems the Waco restaurant boom is taking shape. Last week, BJ's Brewhouse opened up with bright lights and big crowds. Still to come this year will be Freebirds and Quaker Steak & Lube. Which Wich and SmashBurger are also reported to be on the way, though we don't have as accurate of an ETA for those joints.
Remember to check back here for the latest information we're able to gather. Speaking of which, Waco Tribune-Herald business columnist Mike Copeland reported on Sunday that the Waco location of Quaker Steak & Lube will be the first in Texas.
Quickfire throws a changeup
Copeland also reported over the weekend that Gratziano's has closed.
The same company, Quickfire Restauants, has Gratziano's, Diamond Backs and Crickets. They're closing Gratziano's in order to turn it into a private party space for Diamond Backs.
One more bite: One of the reviews written over the weekend about BJ's Brewhouse complained about the wait time and inability to make reservations at the restaurant. We want to provide an open forum for restaurant reviews and we won't reject a review as long as it doesn't include profanity or abusive, attacking language. But I will respond from time to time and in this case I have to wonder what the reviewer expected. In this town, people get excited about new restaurants and fill them up for the first several weeks. Anyone who chooses to eat at BJ's Brewhouse for the next little while should expect a bit of a wait. Give it some time before judging the efficiency of service. I think that's only fair.
