And I would love for Steak and Ale to be open again I miss that place

PF changs and Macaroni Grill

Houston's, Macaroni Grill, Johnny Rocket's

we need more locally owned restaurants. my chidren have so many places in austin that are not chain restaurants. my son told me if they don't make the cut,they are gone in a very short time. here,we have to put up with mediocre restaurants because it is all we have,with the exception of a few.

We need a Carrabbas!

PONCHOS I MISS THERE FOOD BUT NOT THE ROACHES. I HOPE SOMEDAY THEY WILL OPEN ANOTHER HERE IN WACO. I DROVE TO TEMPLE TWO TIMES A MONTH TO EAT THERE THEN THEY CLOSED IT TOO.DALLAS IS JUST TO FAR TO DRIVE TO EAT THERE.

whole foods market

I would love to see a Joe's crab shack or Red Robin here in Waco.

Paradise Bakery! They have healthy, yummy food. And the chocolate chip chippers are to die for!

I definately agree with Jennifer we do not need any more Mexican restaurants in Waco.It seems like whenever a place closes some Mexican joint opens up in it's place i mean come on how many do we need here people.And the seafood here isnt worth talking about as well.It would be nice to see a place open up that is locally owned and not a "CHAIN" that offers a variety of dishes at a reasonable price.To me Waco is boring and hasn't much to offer in restaurants but thats just my opinion.

Longhorn Steakhouse, is the BEST!!! The closest one to here is in San Antonio. When I worked a the Pentagon we ate there ALL THE TIME!!!!!

Oh yeah....for those looking for a good Italian food place, Portifino's at 19th and Lake Shore, where the old Mr. Gattis used to be, is absolutely fantastic. Nick, the owner is from Rome. The Eggplant parmigiana is so good.

Joes Crab Shack

Waco, chains are safe, but boring. I'd like to see some more kickbutt local joints. The person who opens a great local Indian food place will have a portion of my paycheck every week.

boston market

Freebirds World Burrito!!

I saw that someone suggested a Braum's. I asked someone at a Braum's why they did not have a location in Waco and they said they can only be a certain distance away from a dairy. Not sure if that is true or not, but that is what they said.

A Dave and Busters would be awesome! Somewhere new to eat and something fun for the young adult crowd to do besides bar hoppin. I think the Waco are could also benefit from a Putt-Putt or something fun like that. I know we have Lions Park but really how much fun is that?

I, like a lot of other posters, would like to see more local places run by local people. But I would like to see some more Cajun places and more Italian places. Basically more authentic homemade type foods not like chain mass produced foods.

I have been in Waco for 2 years(originally from Utah) and would love to see a Rumbi's Island Grill. Very affordable and the salads and teriyaki dishes are fantastic. Also, how about some fast greek food...souvlaki and some lemon rice, YUM!

WHITE CASTLE
WHITE CASTLE
WHITE CASTLE


Otherwise, something that serves seafood such as Joe's Crab Shack. Red Loobster is the pits.

Studio Movie Grill like the ones in Houston and Dallas..have dinner and a movie all one place and not just popcorn but ribs, chicken, fajitas, salads etc.

...if Boston Market chicken tastes anything like Kenny Rogers'...need one of them...sure
misse Kenny's roasted chicken & garlic potatoes...

A fine seafood restaurant would be so nice for Waco--and helpful to those of us who used to live near the ocean.

i would like to see a furrs cafeteria

Abuelos

I would love to see a Red Robin here in the Waco's area. It will bring in a lot of revenue into the city because it will be busy a lot.
I would also like to see a Del Taco. Del Taco is better than Taco Bell.

I'd love a Saltgrass here but it opens a door you just can't shut.

Once you're on Landry's Restaurants Inc.'s radar there's no turning back. There will be a Saltgrass, Landry's, Brenner's, Grotto and Rainforest Cafe. All food genre's will be present and provided by them. It will force out the little guys in the market. Their prices are too high and the themed atmosphere's or location make you think the food was better than it really was.

California Pizza Kitchen
In-n-Out Burgers
CheeseCake Factory
PF Chan

We need a Joe's Crab Shack... We need more Sea Food in Waco....

Also a Rubio's.. They have the BEST FISH TACO's for a cheap price... Its a west coast chain... Get one of those here..

**Grizzly's Grill N’' Saloon** - great atmosphere, even greater food - Kind of a Bear - lodge theme, might work in Waco. Full menu with excellent walleye, steaks, burgers salads etc. Reasonable prices, fun place with outstanding service.

SALTGRASS

I think a CHART HOUSE or a BRENNAN'S--or both--would provide Waco with top notch restaurants...

Babes! I'm tired of having to drive to Granbury!
http://www.babeschicken.com/

Course Joe's Crab Shack would be a + too!

Pappadeaux

We need a Saltgrass steakhouse!!

My wife and I would love to see a Bob Evans Farm Resturant move into the Waco area. We frequently travel to Michigan and always take the opportunity to eat at their resturants. We love their fruit plates and banana bread. The service has always been friendly and fast. Please consider this chain as a possible addition to our area. THANK YOU.

This is off topic, but Ms. Oliver, you just proved my point. HEB will undercut any competition that comes into the Waco market which will cause you to continue to shop at HEB. Unless a new food store is willing to compete, HEB will eliminate them. So, you are right back where you started from. I don't disagree with the rest of what you are saying. That is one of their strong points--eliminating the competition.

Same reason Super K-Mart left town. Walmart undercut them on everything and K-Mart would not compete. So, where did most people buy? Walmart. So where did that leave K-Mart? Gone.

la Madeline STAT

Waco is a small market. You do not hit the bigtime unless you are 500,000 or higher or have a big military base at your doorstep. Pappadeaux, Pappasitas, and Pappas only go to markets of about 400,000 or more.

Folks, Buzzard Billy's is a "Cajun Restaurant" that is why they use "Cajun" sauces as you want to call it.

Good Italian: Maggiano's Little Italy and Buca di Beppo Family Style.
Good Seafood: The best seafood in Texas is at any restaurant in Galveston.

Waffle House and Toddle House left a long time ago, and I doubt they will be back. I think they tried a whole foods here once. It failed. Gotta have the people and they gotta have some money.

Forget about any new food stores in town. HEB will undercut anyone. Walmart just happens to be big enough that it doesn't matter. If you want more food store choices, you gotta support them. You can't say you want them and then go to HEB every day. Other food stores won't stay unless you shop at them and they can make some profit. HEB carries Central Market stuff since they own it. Have you looked at the prices? Forget Central Market. Too expensive.

DC

Panda Express is not owned by PF Changs... Pei Wei is owned by PF Changs.

Waco definitely needs a RED ROBIN or RUBY TUESDAY just to give us a break from Cheddar's (even though I LOVE it). Also, we can put a BRAUM'S in the spot where nasty Krystal's burgers used to be.

Babe's definitely, but it would never make it in Waco

We often eat at Carrabba's while in Austin. That would be nice to have here.

Waco needs another seafood alternative. I think Pappadeaux or Joe’s Crabshack. The seafood selections in Waco are horrible. Red Lobster and Long John Silvers? Buzzard Billy’s loves to pour some sort of Cajun sauce on top to disguise the seafood. I agree with the others, GOOD seafood does not need sauce. I would also like to see a Freebirds restaurant come to Waco.

I agree about the grocery stores. We need a Whole Foods. I drive to Austin every other week for my meat and produce, if I can't get it from the Farmer's market.

I agree that we could use another seafood restaurant......Red Lobster doesn't always cut it. Posado's (mexican restaurant) is WONDERFUL! In the way of "fast food", a Waffle House (open 24/7) and bringing Backyard Burger back would be GREAT!
Not to mention that Waco needs a Whole Foods market for fresh groceries, maybe a Super Target that carries groceries because they have an awesome selection an variety of foods! Why is is that Waco is still looked at as a small town??? We are so NOT! And while they're at it....bring some businesses to the Bellmead area! Those of us that live in the surrounding communities (Axtell, Hubbard, etc) don't want to drive all the way to West Waco for decent shopping and dining!

Freebirds and la Madeleine! STAT!

My parents moved back to Waco after 30 years in Houston in 2001. I lived in Waco for 10 years between 1992-1999 and 2002-2005. I now live in Dallas (I moved here to go to culinary school) and it is not unheard of for my parents to drive to Temple, Austin or Dallas for a decent meal.

The seafood selections in Waco are horrible. Long John Silvers is better than Red Lobster. And Buzzard Billy's and Siete Mares want to pour some sort of Cajun or Mexican sauce on top. GOOD seafood does not need sauce.

Pappas Seafood House (not Pappadeaux... good seafood, again, does NOT need some Cajun sauce on top).
PF Changs
Carrabba's
Los Cucuos

AND a Bubble Tea place.

BUT, before we start talking about new restaurants... more than anything, Waco needs a decent Grocery Store. Wal Mart and HEB are on the same scale and neither of them cut it. I would love to see a Market Street or Central Market or Rice Epicurean in Waco.

I promise you, the residents of the greater Waco area would not know what hit them if a GOOD grocery store actually came to town.

Quaker Steak Lube, its awesome

Waco needs another seafood alternative. Too bad Joe's Crab Shack is in bad straits. Red Robin might do well here...it's sort of an upscale burger place with beer.

What Waco really needs is a place that caters to overnight shift people. If you get off work at 7 a.m. and want to go have "dinner" and some drinks with your co-workers, you need a place with a full menu and happy hour at that time of day.

We need another seafood restaurant, like Pappadeaux or Joe's Crabshack.

Boston Market! Put it at the old Krystal's, it would do great in Waco!

Saltgrass would be great

i think we need a joes crab shack. I love redlobster, but over the years it has fallen. Joes would be great comitition and excalent food

We need INDIAN food, probably not through a corporate chain venue.

CHUYS CHUYS CHUYS CHUYS OR PF CHANG'S

Dale

Buzzard Billy's is also listed as seafood. But it doesn't count because they smother everything.

Central Market is not as expensive as Whole Paycheck.. oops, I mean Whole Foods.

I do not live in Waco anymore, but my parents drive to Dallas to do their major grocery shopping. We do not support HEB or Wal Mart. Both bottom-rate grocery stores.

And none of the seafood restaurants in Galveston have fully recovered from IKE. If you really want good seafood in this state you have to drive to Padre Island.

HEB needs competition! They carry more products of their name brand foods(that are of poor quality) and less of the better brands. On the popular better brands the size is very limited and the customer has no choice but to buy HEB product. I feel that having another Super Market here in Waco will cause HEB to have to come down on prices. I would like to see a store that sold more U.S.A. products and fresh produce. I do not trust the produce that comes from MEXICO, CANADA.
June Oliver

Freebird's!!!!!!! We really need one.

We seriously need a Freebirds! Colors would be brighter, music would sound better, and clothing would feel like it was made of only the finest of silks.

Pollo Tropical- Chicken on the grill

Joe's Crab Shack or Landry's. We need more seafood choices!!

we need a better seafood place than buzzard billy's; well if that is what you call seafood!!!! WE NEED A RAZZOOS, nice and reasonable

Bakers Square is a favorite of ours while in Chicago area.

Steak and Shake has already come and gone years ago. They couldn't make it. Now, a Johnny Rocket's might make it.

We need a good SEAFOOD Restaurant!!!!

My first choice is coming true with Chuy's.

On the lower end, Steak N Shake would be welcome, as would a Freebirds. Can't believe they let Chipotle beat them here.

We need a Freebirds! I love going to the one in Bryan/College Station, it's about time Waco got one. The ability to make your own burrito from multiple tortilla types to different meats, veggies, beans, and sauces (even barbeque) makes for a good time and fun eating experience.

Bubba Gump Shrimp

A N and Out burger. I wish there was a Bushes Chicken in north Carolina were I live now.

A Steak & Shake would do really well in Waco. Themed as an old soda shop, burgers to die for, as well as a varied menu that includes awesome shakes!

DAVE AND BUSTER'S!!!!!!

Macaroni Grill and Pappadeaux would be nice.
Usually I prefer local owned restaurants like Bangkok Royale, Se Cocina, 1424, Siete Mares, Clay Pot, D's Mediterranean Grill, Amelia's, Square Bar and Grill, and Harold Waite's Pancake House.

Red Robin and Old Chicago...

Without a doubt, Spring Crrek BBQ. Who can turn down fresh hot rolls and fried okra cooked when you order it??

Joe's Crabshack!!!!! Perfect location is on I-35 on the river across from Buzzard Billy's. It would be so beautiful and cozy there. My family always looks for a Joe's Crabshack when we are on vacation. The food is soooooo good.

The reason Temple and Killeen are growing and the reason they have these chain restaurants that Waco does not have has one answer. FORT HOOD, FORT HOOD, FORT HOOD, FORT HOOD!!!

Joe's Crab Shack is not expanding any more. They declared bankruptcy about a year ago.

Pappadeaux's is over-rated and over-priced.

I do not want any more crappy seafood restaurants here. They come in--they don't know what they are doing--the seafood stinks and tastes terrible--and they are overpriced.

My sympathy for *JV*. Remember, Waco is not near *numero uno* in what it pays its workers, and I think therein lies the problem with folks who go out to dinner. We are not too cheap, our bosses are too cheap. <><

Forget about Ruth Chris's steakhouse. The steaks may be great but the bill will kill you. With their prices, I think they take the cow, cut one steak, and throw the rest of the cow away.

Otherwise, I'm tired of chains. There are not any I would want to see in town anytime soon. I more of a mom and pop kind of restaurant person.

I would love to see a Joe's Crab Shack come to Waco. It is very reasonably priced,it has good food, a little more laid back. We need more family friendly restaurants in atmosphere and cost.

we need good seafood....Landry's, or Babin's. Ruth Chris is good but very high end prices. Texas Land and Cattle is second choice

JOE'S CRAB SHACK

Red Robin!!!

Famous Dave's, Babe's and Fresco's

Pappadeaux's or Joes Crab Shack,without a doubt!

Would love to see a Macaroni Grill in Waco and a Pappadeaux.

Waco doesn't need any more chain restaurants. We need more locally-owned places for a couple of reasons. Usually, the food is better. And the money that we spend there will stay in Waco instead of going to corporate headquarters out-of-state somewhere. If you want good local food, eat at Baris, Kitok's, Siete Mares, Jalisco's in Hewitt, Cafe Cappuccino, Green Room Grille, one of the taco trailers on corners in South Waco...the list could go on and on and on.

Macaroni Grill. I really like Baris a bunch, but would love a little more variety of choice in Italian food. I'm not much of a Carino's fan.

I'd like to see a Houston's come to Waco...there are a few perfect locations.

We need a Boston Market. It's basically healthy fast food. Rotisserie chicken and veggies-- all ready to go (and I think drive through). It's cheap too!

None. We have some superb local restaurants -- Bangkok Royal, Mi Tequila, Kitok's, Clay Pot, Siete Mares, etc. -- restaurants that contribute to the community, have individual, creative dishes, personality and character AND have great food. We need to support them. Chains are chains are chains ...

when i go out of town i enjoy the PF Changs and so forth.. but please WACO..no more chains.. we have enough of those already and the food at the locally owned places is so much better.. we need to start to support the locally owned places so more will open up.. but i agree.. no more mexican we have enough of those!!!

Joe's Crabshack first then any or all of the previous.