I have a huge tip for anyone who's even remotely involved with preparing Thanksgiving Dinner this week. Make a swim through Crav at Gourmet Gallery.
I could leave it at that and let you figure out why I suggested it once you get there, dear reader. But I won't stop there. I'm going to give you reasons on several different levels.
We've got the scoop on something that's going to be fun and definitely worthwhile coming in early 2013. We hope you'll be as excited about the potential of Restaurant Week as we are.
It sounds like something that we're up to — and to be honest it's something we wish we had thought of — but we can't take credit for it. That goes to Big Brothers Big Sisters of McLennan County and specifically BBBS's Summer Aletky, who has been turning the wheels on this project.
I've noticed recently that Common Grounds, already one of Baylor's most popular hangouts, seems to be gaining popularity as a gathering place. For one thing, I can think of multiple occasions when the backyard was somewhere between delightfully, jovially semi-crowded to absolutely shoulder-to-shoulder packed.
I went to see Mutemath at CG in October, but didn't arrive early enough to have any chance of seeing the stage it was so jammed with concert goers. A similarly large crowd was on hand on a couple of other occasions when I happened by the weekly event, Vertical, when some friends of mine were providing the music. The Sunday after Baylor homecoming, I stopped in to do some reading on a beautiful afternoon and found the backyard full of folks to the extent that I assumed there must be some event happpening. As it turned out, it was just friends winding down the homecoming weekend and I was lucky enough to find some of my own buddies to pass a pleasant hour.
Duing the holidays, we get some queries asking our advice about where people meeting in Waco should dine or, in general, restaurants that are going to be open on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
I've learned to check with hotels that have nice restaurants. Chances are they will have guests and therefore open restaurants and even special meals. Beyond that, look to the joints that seem to never close (IHOP, Denny's, etc.).
A local group called the TU Hope Crew is throwing a party complete with live music, dancing, games for kids, food, beverage and an auction Sunday afternoon and evening at Hog Creek Ice House.
Elephants Band is set to bring the funk, R&B and classic rock hits while the Brett Hendrix Band will offer Texas country for the party which is slated for 4-8 p.m.
I just got word that Cafe Homestead has just a couple seats left for Saturday's Thanksgiving Farm to Table Dinner — as in two with a little room to add a seat or two. So if you were hoping to attend and dine but were procrastinating, well, stop procrastinating and pick up the phone.
To make reservations or for more information, call 254-754-9604 or click here.
[ "How 'bout …" is the logical extension of our tagline "Where you wanna eat?" Because we've all been there when someone says "Where you wanna eat?" and then everyone stands around a little awkwardly until someone cautiously offers up "How 'bout …" and then the name of a restaurant. It's also a way for us to highlight the restaurants that we want to highlight. Here it goes. ]
Quaker Steak & Lube, a Pennsylvania-based restaurant that features a fantastic motor sports and automotive theme, opened its first Texas restaurant in Waco in September of 2012. The Lube, as its fans call it, provides plenty of fun for patrons and some of the best wings anywhere. In fact, The Lube dining room is highlighted by a pick up truck outfitted as a wing bar with a plethora of wing flavors. Speaking of variety, The Lube has more than a dozen beers on tap, making it one of the best places in town to grab a beer and wings with buddies while watching the big game or games on The Lube's wall-to-wall big screen TVs.
Mmmm … migas.
There are quite a few places in town to get a fantastic breakfast, including a plethora of spots to get a good Mexican food breakfast (Jefe, what is a plethora?). One of the newest places is Sergio's.
The Baylor campus area has a brand new option for soup, sandwiches, salad and froyo as of today.
Yazzi's Express Cafe & Frozen Yogurt quietly opened for business in the small shopping center at the corner of 5th and Bagby. Development manager Rusty Spindel told us Yazzi's plans to expand throughout the region to college campuses, but this is the first one.
I'm not going to try to influence your decision or attempt to make you see things my way today. Even if I had a definitive answer to the question, I know that you have already made up your mind.
So let's just all follow our consciences.
