The OCC guidebook to eats/drinks/sites/and stuff in & around Waco
Food and Drink
None of the places listed are national chains or franchises. Waco has all those places as well but we think you want to know what the locals like. The places listed here are some our favorite local establishments but there are SO MANY MORE. Please tell us what you like and why. Enjoy!
You can never go wrong with George’s restaurant for any meal. Straight up excellent mix of traditional and Tex-mex. It has both regular and sports bar seating. Located a half block off of I-35 on Speight Avenue.
89 abantu bendawo batusa
George’s Restaurant Bar & Catering
1925 Speight AveYou can never go wrong with George’s restaurant for any meal. Straight up excellent mix of traditional and Tex-mex. It has both regular and sports bar seating. Located a half block off of I-35 on Speight Avenue.
If you’re looking for a more intimate dinner place and just a few blocks from downtown that most tourists miss, go to “1424” (1424 Washington Avenue). Greek/Mediterranean with a great wine list.
22 abantu bendawo batusa
1424 Restaurant
1424 Washington AveIf you’re looking for a more intimate dinner place and just a few blocks from downtown that most tourists miss, go to “1424” (1424 Washington Avenue). Greek/Mediterranean with a great wine list.
Also there is “the grape”. that’s a few miles away in waco but the food is really good. Wine and beer only. Shareable portions and the menu changes everyday. Never been disappointed.
16 abantu bendawo batusa
The Grape Wine Bar and Bistro
2006 N Valley Mills DrAlso there is “the grape”. that’s a few miles away in waco but the food is really good. Wine and beer only. Shareable portions and the menu changes everyday. Never been disappointed.
One of our favorites. The beer, the food, and the beer. I mean, the people!! That's Zach on the left. He is the manager and a great conversationalist. We love the cheese curds and the Mushroom Gouda burger is so good you'll need a stent.
21 abantu bendawo batusa
Waco Axe Company
1526 Washington AveOne of our favorites. The beer, the food, and the beer. I mean, the people!! That's Zach on the left. He is the manager and a great conversationalist. We love the cheese curds and the Mushroom Gouda burger is so good you'll need a stent.
Southern roots brewing just two blocks away from Waco ale on eighth Street between Columbus and Washington avenues. Fantastic pizza great outdoor seating in the back if the weather is nice and the beer is good too.
17 abantu bendawo batusa
Southern Roots Brewing Co.
219 N 8th StSouthern roots brewing just two blocks away from Waco ale on eighth Street between Columbus and Washington avenues. Fantastic pizza great outdoor seating in the back if the weather is nice and the beer is good too.
On the East side of the Brazos River, located in an area that is rapidly developing is Brotherwell brewing. It is fast becoming a regional favorite. They usually have food trucks and great beer but no air conditioning. But if you drink enough beer, you won't care.
13 abantu bendawo batusa
Brotherwell Brewing
400 E Bridge StOn the East side of the Brazos River, located in an area that is rapidly developing is Brotherwell brewing. It is fast becoming a regional favorite. They usually have food trucks and great beer but no air conditioning. But if you drink enough beer, you won't care.
Think of it as a food court it’s been planted at eighth Street and Franklin Avenue. Lots of different local restaurants located in one building. There is also a bar inside. Really good stuff.
59 abantu bendawo batusa
Union Hall
720 Franklin AveThink of it as a food court it’s been planted at eighth Street and Franklin Avenue. Lots of different local restaurants located in one building. There is also a bar inside. Really good stuff.
Balcones opened about ten years ago and immediately won national awards. The building was converted from a fireproof storage facility, hence the water tower on the roof. Great tasting room and award winning hooch. How can you go wrong?
43 abantu bendawo batusa
Balcones Distilling
225 S 11th StBalcones opened about ten years ago and immediately won national awards. The building was converted from a fireproof storage facility, hence the water tower on the roof. Great tasting room and award winning hooch. How can you go wrong?
This is part of "MIssion Waco" (google it, it's cool). They give an opportunity to folks to learn how to cook, how to work as servers, host/hostess, etc. And GREAT FOOD.
36 abantu bendawo batusa
World Cup Cafe and Fair Trade Market
1321 North 15th StreetThis is part of "MIssion Waco" (google it, it's cool). They give an opportunity to folks to learn how to cook, how to work as servers, host/hostess, etc. And GREAT FOOD.
Initimate but loud (yes, that's possible). Incredible EVERYTHING, but especially the pizza. Reservations suggested.
50 abantu bendawo batusa
MOROSO Wood Fired Pizzeria
4700 Bosque BlvdInitimate but loud (yes, that's possible). Incredible EVERYTHING, but especially the pizza. Reservations suggested.
Located in Woodway (which is about 15 minutes from the OCC), a GREAT PLACE FOR FAMILIES, or students. Combination of a Pizza Place, and Coffee Place. Really good stuff. Great outdoor seating area that has play areas for small kids.
24 abantu bendawo batusa
Slow Rise Slice House
7608 Woodway DrLocated in Woodway (which is about 15 minutes from the OCC), a GREAT PLACE FOR FAMILIES, or students. Combination of a Pizza Place, and Coffee Place. Really good stuff. Great outdoor seating area that has play areas for small kids.
Sightseeing
A long time ago, some woolly mammoths got caught up in a flash flood and drown near what is now the Brazos River. Go see where it happened!
139 abantu bendawo batusa
I-Mammoth National Monument ye-Waco
6220 Steinbeck Bend DrA long time ago, some woolly mammoths got caught up in a flash flood and drown near what is now the Brazos River. Go see where it happened!
An incredible collection of sports memorabilia and the players of our state.
32 abantu bendawo batusa
Texas Sports Hall of Fame
1108 S University Parks DrAn incredible collection of sports memorabilia and the players of our state.
If you go, find the photographs of Company "F" and see if you can find my brother, Joe Hutson (Retired, Lieutenant).
112 abantu bendawo batusa
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame noMuziwemu
100 Texas Ranger TrailIf you go, find the photographs of Company "F" and see if you can find my brother, Joe Hutson (Retired, Lieutenant).
Quite possibly the BEST small zoo in the nation. Great place to get your steps in.
168 abantu bendawo batusa
Cameron Park Zoo
1701 N 4th StQuite possibly the BEST small zoo in the nation. Great place to get your steps in.
Always a great place for families and small kids. Multiple floors of interactive displays for kids of all ages. Outdoor area that shows how it used to be when Waco was a frontier town.
111 abantu bendawo batusa
Mayborn Museum Complex
1300 S University Parks DrAlways a great place for families and small kids. Multiple floors of interactive displays for kids of all ages. Outdoor area that shows how it used to be when Waco was a frontier town.
A huge park located on the banks of the Brazos River. Miss Nelly's Pretty Place, Brazos bottoms, Lover's Leap, just to name a few of the sights. The park hosts nationally recognized mountain biking races. Several new sculptures.
Several playgrounds located throughout, and a spray park.
Cameron Park
A huge park located on the banks of the Brazos River. Miss Nelly's Pretty Place, Brazos bottoms, Lover's Leap, just to name a few of the sights. The park hosts nationally recognized mountain biking races. Several new sculptures.
Several playgrounds located throughout, and a spray park.
Drinking spots
Waco's equivalent of Cheers. Everyone will know your name by the end of the night (or next morning). This is a GREAT place where locals drink. Small on the inside but LARGE ON THE POURS. We suggest you Uber there and back.
Hemingways Watering Hole
4700 Bosque BlvdWaco's equivalent of Cheers. Everyone will know your name by the end of the night (or next morning). This is a GREAT place where locals drink. Small on the inside but LARGE ON THE POURS. We suggest you Uber there and back.