With their plates full of turkey, steamed vegetables and mashed potatoes and gravy in front of them, groups of friends shared what means the most to them in their lives.

If you’ve been searching for something off the beaten path for your next night out, perhaps spots that don’t require a long wait time or an influencer’s recommendation, you’re in luck. These local gems may not get the same spotlight, but they’re just as worthy of attention.

“I love coming to the international student Thanksgiving dinner and celebration,” Livingstone said. “It’s great to celebrate the culture of our students from around the world and then to help them understand a very American tradition of Thanksgiving.”

To put it in simple terms, my dinner experience at Magnolia Table was fantastic. However, what stuck out to me the most wasn’t the food.

Not every Tuesday night calls for an expensive dinner, but sometimes you just need a good meal with friends. I ventured downtown to satisfy my craving for real non-microwavable food and ended up on Fourth Street at a new restaurant, Red Herring.

Take a tour of Waco’s locally owned eats with this list for a few days’ worth of restaurants across the city. From breakfast platters to Cajun for dinner along the Brazos, there’s something for every palate.