This East Waco barbecue joint has been a staple for decades, serving its first diners in 1919. Order smoked brisket and bologna by the pound, or consider the Waco Tornado, a giant pile of corn chips topped with chopped brisket, sausage, pinto beans, and cheese.

This small Korean eatery absolutely isn’t putting on airs, and is perhaps the only place in Waco to find solid bulgogi, kalbi, funky kimchi, and a great double cheeseburger in the same place. The fries are absolutely all over Instagram.

There’s so much more in Waco than just burgers and barbecue, and spots like D’s Mediterranean are proof. Keep it light with crunchy falafel, beef kebabs, and (of course) plenty of hummus. If greasy diner fare is what you seek, D’s also serves fried catfish, burgers, and chicken fried steak.

Sometimes a good old fashioned steakhouse is the only thing that will do. DiamondBack’s has that, plus wine flights, a brand new cocktail menu, sushi, and hatch green chile meatballs that will put hair on anyone’s chest.

A Waco institution since 1975, Schmaltz’s has moved around a few times, but the sandwiches have always been the same. The bread at this no-frills spot is baked in-house, then piled high with pastrami, salami, corned beef, or deli meats.

During breakfast, this service station-themed eatery serves up Southern breakfast classics a la carte. But when dinner rolls around, the tables at Jake’s become home to epic family-style spreads of chicken fried steak, creamed corn, green beans, rolls, and cornbread. Fortunately, there’s plenty of Texas-brewed beer to help wash it all down.

This quirky spot serves up a small menu of Cambodian favorites, like yellow chicken curry, grilled pork sandwiches, and ridiculously crispy egg rolls in Union Hall. Order the lemongrass beef stir fry, and crank the heat level up to five for a seriously spicy lunch.

Open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, Milo All Day boasts a bright, locally influenced menu with tons of culinary creativity. At lunch, enjoy biscuit sandwiches stuffed with sweet tea brined fried chicken, or swing by for dinner and feast on steak frites or a grilled pork chop served with peaches and grits.

It might be a bit of a misnomer, but at least Health Camp’s burgers are good for the soul. This old-school spot serves up a perfectly greasy burger, tots, and fries, and the super-thick milkshakes are substantial enough to almost qualify as a meal.

Chip and Joanna Gaines’s Magnolia Table is always packed full of fans of all things Magnolia. Expect a wait, but stick around to enjoy a pre-lunch latte or pastry until a table is ready. When it’s time to sit down, dig into fluffy buttermilk pancakes or avocado toast on bread from Waco’s own Heritage Bakery.

Open for breakfast and lunch, Taqueria el Crucero is a solid stop for tacos, breakfast burritos, migas, and so much more, including options for vegetarians. Definitely try the queso, and order a jamaica (hibiscus) agua fresca.