Vitek's BBQ

          Ballgames are pretty fun. In fact, I went to my first one last night, where I cheered for the Baylor Bear! Before that, however, my friends and I went to a little place called Vitek’s BBQ. It is a local Waco favorite when it comes to BBQ and is a staple part of just about every Baylor student’s diet.

          Vitek’s started out as a grocery and meat market in 1915 and has steadily grown into a respectable restaurant joint. There most notable menu item is the Gut Pak, which I ordered for this meal. The interior has a nice upscale, western bar feel to it and is relatively clean. There is a lot of wood furniture everywhere and both indoor and outdoor seating. Additionally, Vitek’s caters to anyone who wants them; typically Baylor has them cater a lot of events.

          After walking in to Vitek’s for the second time ever, I decided to try the all-so-famous Gut Pak. It consists of Frito’s corn chips, sausage, brisket, pickles, jalapenos, onions, beans and cheese. It was also recently named the “Best College Eats” and was featured on ESPN. After you order you move down a line along the counter to pay for and pick up your food. I ordered a large Gut Pak and a small drink and together it seemed relatively expensive. However, after I looked at the food, I could see why it was priced so high. There was just a lot of food everywhere.

          As I sat down with my friends I tasted the Gut Pak for the first time. The pickles were sweet, sour and weird. The jalapenos were sweet as well, but not spicy enough. I did not like either of those things. However, the BBQ was pretty amazing. The brisket was deliciously sweet and tangy and the jalapeno sausage was perfectly cooked. Onions and Fritos tend to have a standard taste. The cheese was melted and delicious. Additionally, the Gut Pak came with two pieces of sliced bread!

          Overall, I really loved the atmosphere inside Vitek’s. The food was pretty decent, a little salty in my opinion, but worth trying. Almost all of my friends are in love with the Gut Pak, but if you don’t like it, there are plenty of other options to choose from. I would definitely go back to try a different menu item. This local Waco restaurant is a must try for all visitors!

Torchy's Tacos

Although my blog is all about local Waco restaurants, I thought that given the special occasion, Torchy’s Tacos deserved an honorable mention.

          Now this place is brand new to Waco and held a grand opening on April 3, 2014. It was originally started in Austin and has finally made its way north to Waco. The interior is very Austin-like; it’s pretty metallic and hipster. Additionally, they have a wide variety of Austin-brand sodas and even serve alcohol. Torchy’s Tacos also has both indoor and outdoor seating.

          My friends and I decided that we wanted to try the new restaurant that Baylor students have been raving about, and so we went in between classes for lunch. When we got there, the line was a relatively long size. After we got in line, we got moved outside because it was a safety hazard to have a long line indoors. After we ordered our food, which was relatively pricey for tacos, we sat down and noticed that the line had increased considerably out the door.

          The food came out pretty quickly and I must say that it looked amazing. I had ordered chips and queso, a Migas taco special, rice and The Democrat.

          The rice and chips and queso came out first and I was astounded by the chips and queso. The chips were nice and crunchy and not too salty, but the queso is where it was at. It was light, flavorful, slightly salty and spicy! Additionally, in the center of the queso was a nice scoop of cool guacamole. The combination of flavors has my mouth watering even now. The rice was also pretty good and standard. The cilantro on the rice threw off the flavors a little though.

          Now the tacos were also amazing. The Migas Special is a breakfast taco with soft tortillas, cheese, eggs and bacon. The bacon was pretty salty for bacon, but the overall aftertaste was delicious. The Democrat, on the other hand, was simply amazing all around. The barbacoa inside was so soft and mushy

and there was a giant avocado slice on top. They even gave me the option between corn and flour tortillas.

          Overall, the place has certainly become one of my favorite places to eat in Waco. It is a little pricey, but they quality of food is worth the price. They have a huge selection and the chips and queso are to die for. For anyone who is simply driving through Waco, Torchy’s Taco is located right of Interstate 35, right across from Baylor University. I strongly encourage everyone to stop by Torchy’s Tacos for some amazing food.

Shory's Pizza Shack

          On this beautiful Sunday afternoon, my friend Katy and I were feeling in the mood for some pizza. Unfortunately, a lot of restaurants in Waco are closed on Sundays. Lucky for us, Shorty’s Pizza Shack isn’t part of that mix!

          Shorty’s has a nice refreshing atmosphere that feels like you’re at an actual beach-side shack. They host both indoor and outdoor seating. There are not as many parking spots as there is room in the pizza joint and unfortunately, it is always pretty packed. However, Katy and I luckily got great parking because it was 1 o’clock in the afternoon. We also sat outside because the weather outside was amazing. It was sunny and warm with a nice cool breeze in the air.

          Katy and I both ordered their lunch special of two pizza slices and a drink for $5.50. It was a great deal and is available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For some reason though, it took a while for the food to come out. In addition, the Coca-Cola that I ordered was a little flat. After some small talk with Katy the food finally came out.

          Now I have heard great things about Shorty’s pizza and I was expecting amazing pizza. Sadly that is not what I go. I had ordered a slice of Canadian bacon with mushrooms and green olives and also a slice of Italian sausage and jalapeno. I had the Italian sausage slice first and it had a nice crisp to it and it wasn’t especially greasy. However, that is where the pros stop. It wasn’t as spicy as I would have liked and it was pretty bland. There just wasn’t a lot of flavor to it.

          After finishing that slice I moved to the Canadian bacon slice and was disappointed once again. The mushrooms were alright, but it just didn’t make up for the lack of flavor. The green olives added a nice salty tinge, but the Canadian bacon was a letdown.

          Now I understand that people have different tastes and maybe everyone else likes pizza that is lacking in flavor, but for me, Shorty’s Pizza Shack was not on top of things. Maybe they just had a bad day, but, solely based on this lunch, I cannot give them a passing rating. However, everyone should be judge for themselves. It did have a nice atmosphere and was relatively cheap. I would probably go back again, but I would order something different like a pizza pie or something. I prefer Papa Rollo’s salty pizza any day though. Maybe next time Shorty’s.

Cafe Cappuccino

          If you’re looking for a great place for breakfast or lunch, Café Cappuccino is the place to be. Café Capp, as many people commonly call it, has been voted Waco’s Best Brunch restaurant since 2006. However, if you really feel like going, you might want to call ahead. My friend Mackenzie and I went there after volunteering at the Bearathon. It was pretty packed and we had to wait a while.

          After getting seated I ordered water, a Café Scramble and a chocolate chip pancake. The restaurant was pretty packed, with both Baylor students and faculty and local Waconians. Kenz and I saw a couple of football players and even the Vice President of Student Life, Dr. Kevin Jackson. Although it took a while for the food to come out, the atmosphere and business of the café made it go by pretty fast.

          My Café Scramble was amazing. It was a mixture of eggs, cheese, sausage, hash browns and a few vegetables. It also came with the choice of tortillas or toast. I had mine with corn tortillas and they were pretty good as well. The flavors blended pretty well and the food altogether was not at all salty. Additionally, I added some chulupa hot sauce and ketchup. I do wish that they would have had a more spicy sauce, but it was all good just the same.

          After finishing my Café Scramble, I immediately started on my chocolate chip pancake. Now as much as I loved the Café Scramble, Café Capp is really known for having delicious pancakes. They are huge, fluffy and tasty. My pancake was so sweet, even without any syrup. The serving size was so big that I couldn’t even finish the whole pancake.

          Altogether, Café Cappuccino has been my favorite local restaurant eatery that I have blogged about so far. The servers where quite attentive and the food was amazing. All in all, this café is the place to be. It’s great for meeting up with an old friend or a quick date. If you’re in the mood for a nice breakfast or a delicious lunch, Café Cappuccino is the place for you.

Bangkok Royal

          It’s the last Saturday before spring break 2014 will be over and I feel a little down. I didn't do as much homework as I would have liked to get done and it’s time to cram. Before I start though, some of my friends decide to take me out to lunch. We decide to go to Bangkok Royal, a local Waco restaurant that boasts “authentic Thai cuisine”. It’s located off of University Parks Dr. near Wild West.

          The interior is pretty classy. There are pictures of Thailand all along the walls and weirdly enough, a portrait of horses located at the back of the restaurant. There are also Asian statues and other pieces located all around. I’m also surprised by how busy the store is because it is still Spring Break and not a lot of college students are back yet.

          After being seated at a nice table, I order a Gouza, Pad Thai and Thai iced tea. As my friends chat we notice that not a lot of time has passed before our appetizers had come out. However, they had forgotten to give us utensils and we have to ask for them.

          First off, I start with my friend’s order of fried spring rolls. To my dismay, they are not as good as I would have liked. The appearance is quite appealing, but the spring rolls themselves are too bland. They have a nice crispy texture and are not that greasy, but the flavor is so lacking, it’s hard to enjoy it. Additionally, their side sauce isn't as good as my mom makes. It’s a sweet and sour sauce, but it’s lacking the sweetness and kick that my mom’s sauce has.

          I decide to move on to my Gouza. Now the Gouza is delicious. It’s soft on the inside and slightly crispy at the top. Additionally, the ingredients are finely blended and it is very moist. Their side sauce was also delicious as it made the Gouza slightly sweeter and a little saltier. These are now my favorite Gouzas in Waco, Texas.

          This far into the meal, I am feeling a little parched and try the Thai iced tea. I am a huge fanatic of Thai iced tea or anything boba, a classic Asian drink usually with tapioca, related, but I am sorry to say that this Thai iced tea does not pass my test. It is way too sweet for my liking and I love sweet things. Additionally, the tea is not milky enough and is relatively small for the price. I just can’t give is a passing grade.

          However, true to their name, their pad Thai was delicious. It was sweet and I love eggs and tofu. In addition, their beef was only slightly tough, which made it a lot easier to enjoy the flavor of the beef. It also added a nice contrast to the softness and smooth texture of the rest of the dish.

          Overall, I definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone who loves Asian food. Their entrees seem to be pretty good and their Gouzas are amazing. Although they are lacking in the drink department, water is pretty good with any meal. The dim lighting and classy atmosphere adds a nice private feel and is great for almost any date.

Dubl-R Burgers

          Burger joints are a quite a common site in any town. The one I went to today was no different and it was quite good as well. My friends Mackenzie, Michael and Mitch wanted to go to Dubl-R Burgers today. Mitch and Michael have an ongoing ranking for local burger places in Waco and their next stop was at this hole in the wall place. Dubl-R boasts “Old Fashioned Hamburgers Since 1996” and is a local favorite. Although this restaurant is located deep into Waco, away from I-35, it still sees a lot of business.

          Dubl-R Burgers looks really sketchy, but the food is pretty good. The interior reminds me of an old-time cafe. One room in particular caught my eye. The wall in that room is covered in different license plates and it is an awesome sight. Dubl-R even has a drive-thru, however, they only have one small bathroom for both genders.

          The service wasn't as nice as I expected. They do bring the food out to you, but because it’s relatively busy, with people going in and out, they hurried my friends and I. It wasn't that they were being mean, but they simply took our orders and went on with their work.

          On the other hand, the food is fantastic. The burger was amazing. I ordered a bacon cheeseburger with fries and a milkshake.

          The burger was small enough to fit in my mouth and the buns were perfectly toasted. Additionally, the beef patty was not at all salty, perfect for my taste buds.

          However, the shakes and fries were not what I was expecting. The fries were unsalted and where kind of bland. I didn't care for them that much. The shake I ordered was ¼ parts chocolate and ¾ parts vanilla. I was awesome that the staff was accommodating with my order, however the shake didn’t turn out that well. I’d probably order just a plain vanilla or plain chocolate shake next time. It did, however, come in a huge serving and my friends and I shared mine.

          Overall, I would give this place a pretty high rating simply because of the burger. Although the fries I ordered weren't that great, they had a wide variety of different fries that I will choose from next time I go. Michael and Mitch even gave it a ranking tied for second with another local burger joint. It’s these little whole in the wall gems that make visiting different restaurants so interesting and I can’t wait to come back to Dubl-R Burgers for a fresh new order.

Hello Fellow Readers! Before I post my next food post, I wanted to make an announcement. I will now start adding pictures of the food I eat to the posts. In addition, I will add the photos of the food from my first blog post until now. Thanks for sticking with me and I hope that this blog is as tasty for you as it is for me!

          I usually write these blogs write after I try a new restaurant, but this time it’s a little late. Unfortunately, Waco Roll, a local Asian restaurant, is not open on Sundays, so I went a few days ago and I really enjoyed my experience.

          It was a late night and my friend, Christine Tran, and I were in the mood for some good Asian cuisine. Christine’s favorite Asian restaurant in Waco is Waco Roll, so we went there for dinner. It’s located right off of Highway 6 near I-35 and there were plenty of parking spots everywhere.

          Upon entering the restaurant, which was part of a small strip center, the warm lighting and wooden walls put me in a calm state. The ambience was very homelike, but also very classic. There were tinted windows which overlooked leather booths and classy red-wood tables. It was also very clean. The service was also really nice; the waiters and waitresses were accommodating without orders. Additionally, they aren’t allowed to take tips at the ordering and cashier line. One of the waitresses said, “It’s the thought that counts,” when I attempted to write down a tip.

          Waco Roll has an extensive menu, ranging from Japanese food to Korean food. I ordered edamame, a typical Japanese appetizer, and their bibimbap, a Korean entrée. We went and sat down at a booth. We both had water and it came in a small, disposable cup that we refilled ourselves. This restaurant was more of an independent eatery, perfect for people who don’t like to be bothered my staff that often.

          The edamame was pretty standard, but it also had the perfect amount of salt on it. It came in a green basket and was a fairly decent portion.

          The bibimbap came out with the edamame and came in a huge portion. It had some many different vegetables in it. Additionally, you were able to pick the meat and type of rice you wanted to go with it. I chose black rice, a healthier option, and beef. Typical Korean BBQ dishes have their meat soaked in a special sauce. It is very sweet and one of my favorite flavors in the world. To my surprise, my bibimbap came with a kimchi soup on the side. The soup was salty and sour, but pretty good. Unlike regular kimchi, this kimchi was not spicy at all and the soup was also cold. The bibimbap was amazing. It came with sauce and without the sauce the dish was rather bland. With the sauce, the entrée was so good. The different flavors and textures melded in your mouth so well. The dish was chewy, slightly crunchy and also a little slimy, but not in a bad way. The beef, dipped in the traditional Korean BBQ sauce, was sweet and delicious.

          Overall, I highly recommend this restaurant to all people. The service is great, although sometimes they make mistakes with the orders, and the atmosphere has such a soft and pleasant ambience. It is more on the pricey side, but the portions are also huge. Out of all the restaurants I have reviews so far, this is by far my favorite.