Stopped into Waco to talk to a hydrogeology class at Baylor about a springs of Texas study I’m working on and, afterwards, the professor and a recent student of his took me to World Cup Cafe. Started by a couple of Baylor graduates to assist in serving the homeless, poor, and marginalized in Waco, World Cup Cafe serves up breakfast and lunch diner food in a bright corner building on Waco’s northside. During the week, the cafe slings breakfast and lunch, and during the weekend it’s breakfast only all day (my kinda place!).
Since I was there on a Thursday, lunch it was. I went with the Sourdough Chicken Salad Melt (housemade grilled cranberry and walnut chicken salad with bacon, tomato, and melted pepper jack cheese on grilled Parmesan sourdough bread; $7) with a side of fried okra ($2.5). Portion-wise, World Cup gives great value for the price with a huge sandwich and a healthy avalanche of fried okra. The sandwich was savory from edge to edge including the buttered then griddled bread. Ironically, I chose the chicken salad as a healthier choice than the burger, but I did not regret it. The fried okra was perfectly fried with a good crunch surrounding the soft warmness of green inside.
web&where: interwebs; 1321 north 15th street, Waco, Texas; (254)757-1748
what’s the deal? fair market diner (full service)
overall: ** (food**; drink**; atmosphere**; service**; instagrammability**)
cost: $
Just down the street is Lalo’s Coffee and Pastries where you can get your espresso and Frida Kahlo on. Riffing off of Frida, the coffee and pastries are inspired by south-of-the-border with olla, atole, horchata, mazapan, and tisana sprinkled across the menu and a wide choice of Mexican pastries. I ordered a Café De Olla Latte (espresso, piloncillo, cinnamon, and whole milk; $5). I’m not one for flavored coffees and whatnot, but this was a treat.
web&where: interwebs; 1500 colcord avenue, Waco, Texas; (254)300-5200
what’s the deal? espresso shop with tastes of Mexico (counter service)
overall: ** (drink**; atmosphere**; service**; instagrammability**)
cost: $
our scale:
– meh [think twice]
* OK [it’ll get the job done]
** good [solid neighborhood joint]
*** damn good [we’ll definitely be back]
**** yippity-yikes that was amazeballs [fantastic; one of the best]
***** holy sh!t [transcendental; best of the best] each $ = $10; cost is based on a typical dinner entrée and appetizer (no drinks)
each $ = $10; cost is based on a typical dinner entrée and appetizer (no drinks)
austin wanderlist 