The husband and I have recently relocated to California for a job, but will be able to come back to Texas over the holiday. We want to meet up with some family in other parts of the state while there and have selected Waco as our half-way meeting place.

I'm looking for a casual restaurant where we can have lunch and that would be a good environment for visiting with family that we haven't seen in a while. We'll have a 7 month old in tow.

Alternately, any recommendations for a good restaurant and/or a place for visiting afterward?

Nothing will be calm and casual over the holidays!

If it were me, I would stay at Hampton Inn on I-35 in Bellmead. Its parking lot adjoins Cracker Barrel's so you can walk(if the weather is nice) back and forth. They have a lovely ground floor lobby with lots of tables and chairs. Cracker Barrel has a varied menu that will suit most all diners.

On the opposite end of Waco also on I-35 is another Hampton Inn by Central Texas Marketplace...there is a Panera Bread, Bush's Chicken, Logan's, Panda Express and Camille's Sidewalk Bistro. Again, a very nice lobby at the Hotel and easy to drive to the places to eat within the shopping area. There is a Chuy's directly across from the center as well.

chuys

SAMUARI JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE ON VALLEY MILLS. FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED. GREAT DELICIOUS FOOD. STEAKS GREAT. OUR FAMILY FAVORITE.

Sam's on the Square is good for lunch.

Ninfa's downtown Waco has some more secluded areas and a separate room in the rear of the main area but with it's brick walls and wood/concrete floors, lack of textiles it is loud...so much so that my family always comments that my deafness should be appreciated when we eat there!

Right next door to Ninfa's is Gratziano's and it is much quieter/calmer on a regular basis.

Of course...depending on your extended family there is Luby's on the north side of Waco and directly across I-35 from Hampton Inn and Cracker Barrel!

Tell me the ages and how many finicky eaters/grouchy relatives you are dealing with and I will put on the old thinking cap!

places on 35..

Elite has a nice meeting room
Buzzard Billy's
El chico-just sayin'
Cracker Barrell

A tad south
Chuys
Panara

what about papa rollo's? I havent been in years. Is it still good?

yep. The best. Can't believe the place hasn't just collasped.

Probably held up by the marajuana stalks.

[This message has been edited by piag94 (edited 12/8/2010 3:41p).]

Thanks so much for the great replies so far!

We're planning to drive up from San Antonio on the 22nd, the other party will drive down from Dallas. We'll have lunch, visit for a few hours, then everyone hits the road again.

Ages are 54, 29, 25, 24, 23, 7 mo. The younger ones are pretty easy to please, but our dear 54 year old is prone to grouchiness (about anything and everything).

[This message has been edited by Salome (edited 12/8/2010 6:55p).]

[This message has been edited by Salome (edited 12/8/2010 6:59p).]

shoot, just for that few any place will work but some place with comfortable booths, the large round one will allow space for the baby would be nice

There is also Cheddars which is easy to get to and IHoP on the south end of Waco..the one at Baylor is old style and small but won't have students around so probably not too busy.

Rollos is undoubtedly a local pizza favorite but it is dirty, all the time, just looks run down but PACKED!

There is a McAlisters one block off 35 in the Baylor area. I will keep thinking!

I would definitely check out somewhere downtown. This would allow you to walk around,check out the suspension bridge, drive a couple minutes to the Cameron Park Zoo (actually a really great zoo for a smaller city) possibly explore Baylor (hey... it's a pretty campus, I'll give 'em that). If you're in the mood for Mexican, and hopefully you are, Ninfa's is great, but there is also a place called Se Cocina that's good too, and it's pretty low key. Ninfa's is located on Franklin just off 35 and Se Cocina is just around the corner on Austin Ave. Hope that helps!

Can't believe so many people recomending places around I35. That is the armpit of Waco. Not setting a very good example of the fine places to meet in this city.

I would recomend to go to the Downtown area as mentioned. Good places to relax and dine. Ninfa's, Crickets, diamondbacks, Sam's on the square and others. Dr Pepper museum is there and a short drive to the Texas Rangers Museum.

there are lots of out of the way "local" places and is typical you drive through scuz to get there! Double R Burgers immediately comes to mind as well as Kitok's but neither place is conducive to extended visiting.

Zeb's Backyard Grill in Hewitt has great hamburgers and a delicious Hawaiian/pineapple grilled chicken sandwich.

Salome, is my husband going along?...he is older than 54 but he is the one, or his dad that has to be pleased, entertained and full!!!

The Cameron Park Zoo is very nice and expensive...5 adults/2 kids cost us $56 and the grill is rarely open so you can't count on that for your meal. Dr Pepper Museum, Ranger Hall of Fame and Sports Hall of Fame are all terrific venues but not to visiting.

[This message has been edited by Mom Class of '03,'05 and '09 (edited 12/9/2010 2:48p).]

You may want to check out 1424, they have lunch most days. Lunch prices aren't too bad.

1424 was good when we went for dinner.

I would suggest Nors Burger and Sausage House in West.

Nors has very good burgers.

I work with one of the 18000 Nors in the West area.