Catching Up

Summer is a little slow in the food blog department although there is some news in the Waco community. As I mentioned (not by name) in a previous post, Buzzard Billy's will be closing its current location. The property has been sold and may become the location of a hotel. I have found the food at Billy's to be mostly above average. It is certainly not the best seafood/Cajun restaurant around but it does contribute some variety to the Waco food scene. Perhaps a new location will allow the owners to upgrade the interior. Certainly the smoking - non-smoking areas can be arranged better. The ventilation system never quite seemed to rid the restaurant section of all of the bar smoke. The old woody walls and unfinished floors did little to enhance my dining experience. If you don't own the building or have a long-term lease, it may not be smart to spend big buck on improvements. I hope they survive and find a new location that they can freshen up.

I have eaten at a Chipolte Grill on a couple of occasions. It seems that we are getting one in Waco. I think that one of these can survive here in Waco. I can usually wade through the different options and produce a decent burrito or soft taco. In Waco, I would always try to open a new restaurant in the fall and be ready for the Baylor school year and the the holiday season. January 1 is usually not a great target date and I don't think Chipolte will be greeted with the long lines that Pei Wei generated. More like Dickey's or Buffalo Wild Wings.

Speaking of Pei Wei, it is hard to argue with success but our version has yet to reach its stride in service, comfort or quality. A recent visit to a Pei Wei in Plano convinced me that the Waco location can do a better job. Bring the orders out at the same time (or in the proper sequence if an appetizer is ordered) all hot and plated properly.

On a rare drive through Killeen last week, I noticed that there is a Texas Land and Cattle Company on Highway 190. I generally regard this steakhouse to be one of the better franchises. Probably a cut above Outback. Could they be a candidate for Texas Central Marketplace or Legends Crossing?