In football, the offense has a plan and it's the defense's job to react.
In that sense, a couple of restaurants in the McLane Family Stadium immediate vicinity will be playing defense on Sunday. Ok, I admit this is a flawed metaphor as Baylor and these two local places are really pulling in the same direction — that of mutual prosperity.
But, like linebackers, Spicer's Kickoff Korner and Buzzard Billy's will be eyeing the formation and trying to put themselves in the best position to make a play. (See? The metaphor still works.)
On Wednesday morning, I spoke with Russell Spicer, who has a store he rechristened Spicer's Kickoff Korner since MFS began taking shape over his shoulder. It used to just be called Spicer's. It's not really a restaurant, just a store, but he sells barbecue.
Spicer said he's going to wait and see and make adjustments between game one and game two. Spoken like a true football coach. Anyway, he has a friend handling his parking situation and he couldn't say how much his limited parking spots would cost.
Spicer has a lot going for him on game day. The store is located about a three-minute walk from MFS. It has a little bit of parking and it sells beverages (including beer) and barbecue sandwiches to go. If you're tailgating north of the stadium, you need to be appraised of its whereabouts.
BTW it's at the corner of Orchard Lane and Spring Street.
Buzzard Billy's owner Tracy Maughan is waiting to read the situation and adjust as well.
I asked Maughan if he's nervous, excited or dreading Sunday.
"All of the above," he said. "I don't know what's going to happen so I'm nervous and it will be a long day of work, but I'm excited about the possibilities."
One downer Maugham mentioned, strictly regarding his own ability to watch the game, is that it will be blocked out on Dish Network, which Buzzard Billy's uses to broadcast TV in the restaurant.
But the upside is way higher. As far as I can tell, Buzzard Billy's is the only restaurant permanently located in the shadow of the stadium. And it's a Waco tradition. That seems to add up to Buzzard Billy's benefitting from MFS.
Maughan said at this point he's relieved to have survived the growing pains.
"It's been two years of construction and the adjustments that have gone with that," he said.
There are probably more adjustments to come. Maughan turned down offers to reserve parking spots in his lot and hasn't taken reservations for game day. He's concerned about his regular customers ability to dine on Sunday if they wish. But that's not the worst case scenario.
Maughan said he likely won't tow cars that he deems have inappropriately used his parking lot as it would be bad for business. I couldn't agree more with this sentiment. He also isn't planning on charging for parking. So Buzzard Billy's could end up with a parking lot full of cars and no one in the restaurant by 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon.
One step Maughan has taken to prepare for the Baylor-SMU season opener on Sunday is to pitch a tent in his parking lot where he will sell beer and burgers. So he's bound to have a walk-up crowd there.
Beyond that, though, it's a wait-and-see situation.
One more bite: To continue the football metaphor, we'll be reviewing the game film early next week and getting back to you with changes to the game plan of these two local eateries.
