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One of the reasons we came to Waco was to have breakfast at Magnolia Table. As fans of their Fixer Upper show, we watched on TV as the restaurant was being built and were fascinated with the entire process, especially the menu development and the concept of eating together as family.
The second morning of the trip, December 27, we rolled out of bed early and headed straight for Magnolia Table. Local folks had advised us to go early, as the wait for a table can be very long, or occasionally, there might not be tables available at all. This surprised me, but I guess the Gaines efficiency is operating at max, and they won’t take more customers than they know they can accommodate before closing time. This was confirmed later that evening – Bill and I were in the hotel lounge enjoying our free appetizer (for our anniversary) courtesy of the Hilton, and we met a couple who had not been able to get into Magnolia Table that morning. My advice is – go early! We arrived at 9 am on a Friday morning and had about a 45 minute wait. The biscuits were worth the wait – read on!
Waiting at Magnolia Table isn’t bad at all, though…there’s a coffee counter outside on their patio, where you can get a pastry snack to hold you until you are seated, and a great cup of coffee. We had the Texas pecan coffee – I’m not usually a fan of flavored coffees, but this one was outstanding. To make things even better, coffee purchased at the outdoor counter transfers inside, so you don’t have to buy it again to enjoy with breakfast – your server will just bring you a fresh refillable ceramic mug so you can continue to enjoy. There’s also plenty of space, both covered and open-air, and games for kids – waiting was pretty pleasant overall.
The menu at Magnolia Table is great – there are the expected traditional breakfast and lunch items and combinations, but also a few unique items, like avocado toast or the biscuits with strawberry butter. We tried the biscuits with strawberry butter, and they were just perfect! The biscuits are Joanna’s recipe and she has tweaked them to perfection. Strawberry butter is unique – a slight strawberry flavored whipped butter with bits of strawberry mixed in – just sweet enough, but not like spreading jam on the biscuit and killing the taste. Delicious!
This was a great start to a very busy day exploring Waco! Check out what we did during the rest of the day…
After a relaxing breakfast at Magnolia Table, we returned to our hotel so that we could check out the impressive statuary just across the street by the bridge over the Brazos River on the Old Chisholm Trail. This was built in memory of the cattle drives on the Trail, and it’s almost like being among the cattle and the cowboys – the statues are life-sized and you walk among them as you are approaching the bridge over the Brazos.
Bill and I joined a few other tourists and walked the length of the bridge across the Brazos and then walked back. Here’s a view from the other side of the bridge – you can see our hotel (the Waco Hilton) in the background in the photo.
It was impressive to walk among the sculptures – almost like being in a real cattle drive. We felt for a few moments like we were a part of this fascinating history.
Brazos River Bridge Old Chisholm Trail 
Walking across the Brazos on the Old Chisholm Trail
It was great to spend less time in the car, and we made good use of the time to walk all the way across the bridge, taking in the views. My husband loves this sort of thing – so do I! – as you can see in the little video. Join us now for a walk across the Brazos River on the Old Chisholm Trail!
Well, that was fun! Our next stop was the Waco Mammoth National Monument, where we enjoyed an informative tour of the excavation site. This is a site that has the largest nursing herd of Colombian mammoths found in the USA – about 40 females and juveniles – it was just amazing! We also saw the skeleton of one male mammoth, and a camel, and a saber tooth cat – wow! I’m sharing a couple of photos. I had no idea this was right here in Texas, and close to home for us!
Single male mammoth skeleton found with nursery herd 
Camel skeleton found with mammoth remains 
Columbian mammoth painted actual size 
Columbian Mammoth Painted Actual Size – about 14 feet tall
Next, we decided to do a bit of driving around Waco and see some of the finished houses renovated by Chip and Joanna. We also visited Harp Designs, a company that works with Chip and Joanna creating some wonderful pieces for the homes they renovate.
The Magnolia Shop on Bosque. Joanna’s original shop, now an outlet shop. 
The pilot house, renovated for the pilot Fixer Upper episode 
Shotgun House near Magnolia Market 
Harp Design Studio 
One of several lovely table settings and accessories by Harp Design Co. 
Renovated Fixer Upper house next door to Harp Designs
I haven’t said a lot about our anniversary celebration – because all of this was part of it! We enjoyed getting away from home for a few days on our own, without anyone else along, and eating when we wanted, doing our “own thing,” more or less. We really enjoyed our breakfast at Magnolia Table, and also our two dinners out – one at Texas Roadhouse (steak) and one at Ninfa’s for some great Mexican food.
I’ll post a link to the photo album for a few more photos you might enjoy – watch this spot in the next day or two for the link!
I promised that this blog post would have more about flying pigs. So – read on!
My husband Bill was in a very good mood on this trip! He didn’t complain much at all when I asked if we could go back to get another pig! Well, he didn’t complain much…anyway, we did go back to the shop and I bought a second pig with wings. This one is a real pig (made of metal), not a warthog, and now they are both happily situated on the hearth in front of our fireplace here at home.
The second winged pig from Rustika 
Home at last! Flying pigs on the hearth (Clementinas I and II)
We made another visit to Magnolia Market before leaving Waco. The bakery wasn’t as crowded, but we opted to forego the cupcakes for another visit later this year. We did walk around a bit more and took a lot more photos. You can see some of those on the gallery page that I’ll include a link for here as soon as it’s put together – please come back and check or watch for announcements on my Twitter and Facebook pages.
Raised garden bed with cabbage and kale 
Common Area at Magnolia Market at The Silos 
The Magnolia Market Silos – view from the common area 
Part of the seating area at Magnolia Press 
Raised garden beds at The Silos
This was a super getaway for us – it met a lot of requirements! 1) lots to do and see, 2) good food, 3) historical interest, 4) natural attractions (the mammoth exhibition), and 5) great shopping! So – Waco, Texas, Magnolia Market, and all the rest: Highly recommended!
If you’re in the area, this is a no-miss venue. What do you think? Would you enjoy a visit here? Tell us in the comments, and please share other spots that you’ve enjoyed.
Waco is awesome. I traveled with a friend for a girlfriend’s weekend and it was the perfect get away. There is so much to do.
Hi Connie, So glad you enjoyed visiting Waco, too! It really is a great getaway spot, and there are many different things there – something for everyone!