Emma King, Staff Writer
The list of new restaurants coming to Waco seems to be growing by the minute, with many buying up locations closer to Baylor’s campus.
Laura Chiota, budget manager for the City of Waco said the restaurants will be very successful thanks to the influx of Baylor students and Waco residents over the past couple years.
“I can’t imagine a better place to be right now,” Chiota said.
In the year since McLane Stadium opened, Chiota said there has been a boom in Waco’s the sales-tax rebate.
“I just expect those revenue numbers to keep growing,” Chiota said. “We’re very excited. I personally am excited because I like to go out to eat!”
Check out all the new options to be available in the coming months.
BUBBA’S 33
Bubba’s 33, located on S. Jack Kultgen expressway, opened this summer with a menu full of pizza, burgers, sandwiches, beer and more. According to the sports bar’s website, they have 60 HDTVs visible from every seat. Photos of the establishment feature football games on big screens and neon lights surrounding the bar.
FREDDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD AND STEAKBURGERS
Already present at a location on Hewitt Drive, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is in the process of opening another location, right across from Baylor’s campus. According to their website, Freddy’s calls themselves “a salute to America,” founded by a man who loved the country and the food that made it great. Their entire menu is pretty much summed up in the restaurant’s name, with the exception of sandwiches and hot dogs. According to the website, “Today, thousands gather at Freddy’s for food and fellowship that fills their stomachs and warms their souls.”
IN-N-OUT BURGER
In-N-Out Burger will also be joining the restaurant scene in Baylor student territory. Their newest establishment is set for construction where the former Clarion Hotel stood, off of South Fifth Street and the Interstate 35 frontage road. Originating in California in 1948, In-N-Out prides themselves in doing things the “old-fashioned way,” according to their website. They only serve burgers, fries and drinks, so, according to their website, their patties mean everything to them. However, their menu does feature a grilled cheese and an “animal style” option made for vegetarian customers. According to In-N-Out general offices, they plan on opening this new location by the end of 2015.
FUEGO TORTILLA GRILL
Serving mostly Mexican food, Fuego Tortilla Grill will be coming to campus and setting up shop off of Interstate 35, near Vitek’s BBQ.
Some of their menu titles include, “Big Break-Feast Tacos,” “Best Tacos on the Planet,” and “Giant Puffy Tacos.” Although the restaurant’s motto is to “Grab Life by the Taco,” their menu also lists salads, soups and sweets in addition to other Fuego-style dishes.
STEEL CITY POPS
Steel City Pops is a family-owned, organic popsicle store moving to the Waco area either by the end of this year or beginning of next year. Currently, Steel City Pops products are sold at the Waco Farmers Market and at Vitek’s BBQ on Fridays. Jim Watkins, founder and owner of SCP, graduated from Baylor. Ryan Childress, general manager of the Fort Worth location said Watkins loves Waco and feels a great connection to it.
“I was blown away by how fast Waco is growing culturally. It just has a lot of really great stuff going on,” Childress said.
Their store will be located where the old Clarion hotel once stood. Childress said they want to be a part of Waco and are excited about operating the new location.
TWISTED ROOT BURGER CO.
Set to open in September, Twisted Root Burger Co. is moving into the old Texas Playhouse on the Interstate 35 frontage road between University Parks Drive and Fourth Street. Twisted Root was created in 2005, featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in 2009 and has chosen Waco for its 14th location.
“Waco is awesome!” said Jason Boso, Proprietor of Twisted Root Burger Co.
He said although people eat hamburgers all the time, he is hoping to provide a unique visitation experience for those who choose his restaurant. There will be a bar, a 12-foot television screen and a plethora of music genres in which guests can indulge.
ZOE’S KITCHEN
Zoe’s Kitchen’s construction is in progress on S. Valley Mills Drive. The eatery delivers what their website calls “recipes for life.”
According to the site, Zoe’s Kitchen embraces southern hospitality and the Mediterranean way of life. Each individual restaurant is unique, so the menus vary based on zip code. However, they always have vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
