By Olivia Clark | Guest Contributor
The Mix Cafe and Gifts is a hidden gem located at the corner of Fifth Street and Bagby Avenue in Waco. Known for its “award-winning soup, savory sandwiches & just grilled veggies,” The Mix offers a wide array of items on its menu. Some fan favorites include its grilled chicken pesto sandwich, sweet potato fries, crispy Brussels sprouts, tomato basil soup and flourless chocolate cake. Just about any lunch food you could think of most likely has a spot on The Mix’s menu.
Upon my entrance to the cafe, my friend and I were greeted with an interesting ambiance: Mismatched chairs, booths and tables completely fill the cafe’s dining area. While it took a while to decide what to order due to the large number of items on the menu, I eventually settled on the grilled chicken pesto sandwich — a wheat bun adorned with grilled chicken, pesto, basil, tomatoes, mozzarella and avocado — with a side of sweet potato fries for my meal. My friend settled on a chicken Caesar salad with a side of feta fries. The staff members were extremely kind and attentive when taking our orders at the counter, which made for a positive effect on our time there.
About 10 minutes after placing our orders, our lunch arrived at our table. The grilled pesto chicken sandwich lived up to its hype – the sweetness of the bun combined with the perfectly cooked chicken and flavorful additions created a perfect symphony of flavor. The sweet potato fries also exceeded my expectations. They were very crispy and seasoned extremely well, pairing nicely with the side of ranch included with the order.
As for the salad, it was certainly satisfactory, but it’s nothing special compared to your typical Caesar salad available at most lunch-centered restaurants. The feta fries appeared exactly as they sound: french fries with feta cheese on top. The fries weren’t overwhelmingly special in any way, yet they got the job done and tasted great. Additionally, The Mix’s variety of desserts are all extremely delicious, and you can’t go wrong with any of its freshly baked treats. Overall, I would give a 5/5 star rating to the grilled chicken pesto sandwich and the sweet potato fries and a 4/5 star rating to the salad and feta fries.
I would 100% recommend stopping by The Mix if you find yourself in the mood for a casual, fresh and somewhat healthy meal. The Mix currently operates from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day of the week. Check out its website to explore the full menu or inquire about catering, parties or any other questions you might have regarding The Mix Cafe and Gifts.
