Waco has the reputation of welcoming new restaurants with open arms. And with many new restaurants opening in coming months, Wacoans will get the chance to prove that perception.

Restaurants like Carl’s Jr., Sam’s on the Square and Tokyo Steakhouse and Seafood plan openings.

Waco restaurateur Sam Castillo has noticed the buzz downtown.

Sam Castillo (left) and his wife, Mary Jane, look over plans for a new restaurant called Sam’s on the Square with partners Samuel Castillo and Adam Whitaker.
Duane A. Laverty/Waco Tribune-Herald

His family for decades has owned the local La Fiesta Mexican restaurants.

New flavor

Castillo plans something different at Fourth Street and Franklin Avenue, in the Austin Avenue Flats building. He will call it Sam’s on the Square.

“The contractors have been in there remodeling, and I hope to open the latter part of July, possibly July 21,” Castillo said.

He plans an eclectic menu that includes fusion tacos made of brisket or Korean barbecue, exotic appetizers, specialty drinks and a schedule to serve breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and late-night fare.

“I’m trying to bring a little bit of uptown Dallas to downtown Waco, with my atmosphere and ambience,” Castillo said. “I wanted to be part of a growing downtown, and it doesn’t hurt that Baylor is staying in the Big 12.”

But Waco residents don’t always stick with restaurants for the long haul.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Smokey Bones, TGIFriday’s, Ryan’s Steakhouse, Rib Crib and Tony Roma’s couldn’t survive here. But their buildings did not remain empty.

Schlotzsky’s moved into the former Dickey’s location, A-1 Buffet took the Ryan’s space, Don Carlos now operates in the Smokey Bones building; Buffalo Wild Wings took over Tony Roma’s.

Houston restaurater Chang Gu is opening Tokyo Steakhouse and Seafood at TGIFriday’s former location.

Rib Crib opened in the summer of 2006 adjacent to the Hollywood Jewel 16 theater. It closed less than two years later.

Longtime owner of Uncle Dan’s Bar-B-Que, Dan Henderson, said turnover is nothing new.

“We certainly have our share of restaurants, and the business lends itself to constant change and revision,” Henderson said, adding he could not say for certain why other barbecue places have folded while his has thrived.

Secret to success

“I do know Waco people like to patronize places they know and have grown up with,” he said.

Chains can make it here, Henderson said. But they — like the mom-and-pop shops — must work hard, provide a quality product and sell their food at competitive prices, he said.

Industry observers said chains give Waco a second look because it’s home to Baylor University.

Raising Cane’s, a chain restaurant on Franklin Avenue near Valley Mills Drive, is doing good business since it opened May 27.

“The original store stood next to the LSU campus in Baton Rouge, and we like college towns. Baylor played a big role in our decision,” general manager Mark Strouse said. “There is more of a community feel here, and one-on-one relationships are big in Waco.

I know probably 50 percent of the people who walk through the door.”

Paula Owen agreed. She has worked at George’s Restaurant & Catering for 31 years.

Old name, new game

George’s owner Sammy Citrano has announced he will open a second location on Hewitt Drive.

“Waco is a restaurant town. People see going out to eat as a form of relaxation and recreation,” Owen said.

She said Waco will see a rush of new restaurants in coming years as the $75 million Waco Town Square project continues to take shape downtown and renovation of the Waco Convention Center nears completion.

Carl’s Jr. in 1985 opened two restaurants in Waco, one on North Valley Mills Drive and another on University Parks Drive. But the California-based chain closed them and all other Texas locations in 1987.

Mark Von Waaden, of Austin, and his partners in Burger Barons LLC have bought the rights to open Carl’s Jr. locations in Bryan-College Station, Temple, Killeen and Waco as Carl’s makes another push into Texas.

They have submitted plans to the city of Waco to place a restaurant between Hooter’s and International House of Pancakes along Interstate 35 near New Road, Von Waaden said.

“When Carl’s came here the first time, it tried to do something out of the box. It became a sit-down restaurant,” Von Waaden said. “Truth be told, it’s a fast-food restaurant that serves hamburgers, French fries and great shakes. We’re coming back as a fast-food place as opposed to something we’re not.”

mcopeland@wacotrib.com

757-5736