Opals never disappoints! The best of the BEST! From oysters to drinks to service and the food!!!…read moreWhen visiting Waco Opals is a priority if your like fresh creative food in beautiful setting! Ask for Satina!! (Sp?)

This is a so not miss restaurant in Waco…read more The Guava Have It martini was delicious and the perfect martini for a Texas summer night. It tasted like fresh guava juice. Amazing! I enjoyed half a dozen oysters, with a nice variety. My server was very knowledgeable about each of the oysters and the different flavors they may bring. I enjoyed their vinaigrette that came with the oysters. Overall, the vibe of the restaurant was lovely. It felt very upscale, but in a casual welcoming way. Although I just came for a drink and half a dozen oysters, they sat at the bar and felt extremely welcomed by all of the staff. Several other single diners sat alongside me. I will definitely be going back to Opal's next time. I'm in town to check out the rest of their menu. And if you are a matchbook collector, opals has a beautiful matchbook to add to your collection. Don't miss it. My go to recommendation- half a dozen murder point oysters

DELICIOUS! I forgot I was in Waco tbh. I went here with my parents, and we all gave it 5/5 stars!…read more Joshua was an excellent waiter--very friendly and helpful. My parents had issues with the service the first time they came, around when Tia Juanita's first opened. But today, our food came out quickly and correctly...and it was SO GOOD! The drinks, the apps, the entrees--all of them were full of flavor and really tasty. I would describe the menu as Cajun, Tex-Mex fusion. We had the crawfish queso (bomb), shrimp/fish tacos (fresh and bomb but small), shrimp quesadillas (also bomb), and the hush puppies (slightly less bomb and v small, but still yum). The vibe inside is a little overwhelming. It's pretty loud, and it's worse when there's live music, I hear. But it's a fun, immersive type of experience if you're looking for a more upbeat dining experience :)

The shrimp was very very very and too salty, quesadillas were too greasy too!!!…read moreWaiter was very short on conversation when I try to ask about food on menu, forgot to bring silverware, rcvd food and asked her for utensils to eat with and made a lil smirk on her face. Tried to get her attention several times to tell her about the shrimp as she was passing by the table , she kept walking, so I asked another waiter to send a mgr to table. Nice social environment

Red Herring was an excellent dining experience from start to finish. The ambiance was warm and…read moreinviting perfect for a date night, but also great for a group dinner or business meeting. The menu is simple, thoughtfully curated, and everything we ordered was executed beautifully. I had the steak, served over a bed of perfectly cooked bell peppers and onions. It was flavorful and cooked exactly right. My mom ordered the whole fish and cleaned her plate, which says it all. My son chose the handmade pasta, and it was outstanding. The meat to sauce ratio was spot on, and he finished every bite. We started with the Caesar salad, and it was honestly one of the best I've had. The unique nut mix added an unexpected crunch and took it to another level. We wrapped up the meal with the mousse dessert, and I highly recommend saving room for it. it was the perfect ending. Every plate at our table came back empty. Great food, excellent execution, and a wonderful atmosphere and service. We'll definitely be back.

What a great happy hour!…read more I was in town for work and wanted to grab a quick drink before heading out to dinner. I walked over to the Red Herring restaurant and took a seat at the bar where I was greeted by a super friendly bartender. He guided me through the happy hour menu, from which I decided half a dozen oysters. The oysters were fresh, flavorful, and came with all the necessities. The perfect pre-dinner appetizer. The restaurant is beautiful inside and very spacious. It would be a great space if you were looking to host a celebration with a large group. Looking forward to my next trip to Waco, and another stop at the red Herring restaurant.

the food was amazing ! the wait is definitely worth it !!! will be coming back for sure !read more

Nestled just off the beaten path near a slightly industrial area of Waco, I discovered an…read moreunexpected gem, Cajun Craft. I was staying near Waco for a few days, but the area I was in had very limited choices for food. So, I looked up some nearby restaurants in Waco, and found Cajun Craft. It was worth the drive in from where I was staying. From the outside, it doesn't look like much: small parking lot, rusted roof, etc. However, I have found that often conceals some of the best places. An immediate friendly greeting was offered at the door and I was surprised by the quaint setting. There were only a few tables near the bar, but there was a covered patio attached and even more seating outside. The menu offered most of the traditional Cajun dishes at a modest price, but I already knew what I wanted. I ordered the Atchafalaya Catfish, a catfish filet over a bed of rice smothered in crawfish Étouffée. It was amazing. The Étouffée was rich and hearty, with the perfect spice level, maybe the best I have had west of Baton Rouge. The catfish was crisp and golden, giving a great balance to the creamy Étouffée. If you are ever in the Waco area and have a craving for some authentic Cajun cuisine, you must give Cajun Crafts a visit.

It's not too pretty on the outside but like everyone says, "It's what's on the inside that counts!"…read moreGo ahead on in; you won't be sorry! I got the fish and shrimp platter. It comes with catfish but they let you choose your fish if you want something different! It comes with 2 sides so I got fries and fried okra. The fried okra was the star of that show for me! Also, I switched out the catfish for Blue Whiting. Everything was well seasoned and delish. My husband ordered the Blue Whiting platter which was 2 whiting filets and a side. He considered getting the etouffee so while we ate she brought out a small taste of it for us to sample for next time. (And there will be a next time!) The girl at the counter (owner??) is SO STINKIN NICE! My gosh, talk about great with customers! (Cutie with fun glasses.) It's about an hours drive from where we live but we're through Waco pretty regularly so we're looking forward to our next stop at Friday's. We'll try to get by on a Friday so we can try some of their GUMBO!

Hello hello hello!! Let me start by saying I was blessed and impressed by this establishment. I had…read morea business meeting in Waco today and decided to find a different place to eat. I yelped this restaurant and did not know what to expect but the reviews were good. The young lady that greet me was polite and professional. She started with an introduction sample of etouffee, and just the smell as it passed into my hands made me smile. I decided to place an order and try the boudin balls, the crab cakes, this amazing banana foster cake, a big red, and a combination plate that had 3 fried shrimp, 3 fried oysters, hush puppies, grilled toast, and two large catfish fillets. Run, run do not casually walk to give this restaurant your money and your service. The hospitality was top tier, it's a very low key place, casual clothing but a first class experience. The young lady that took my order said her mother is the one in the kitchen hen behind the scenes waving her magic I would definitely recommend and will be back and bring a few family members when I return!!

Don't sleep on Surf N Soul!!! This place is truly amazing. I love seafood, but it's so hard to find…read moregreat authentic seafood in Waco. I'm excited to know that I have a dedicated spot in the area now. I ordered Fried Fish and Fried Rice. It took exactly 15 minutes to be prepared and served to me. The hospitality/customer service was genuine and friendly. My food was fresh and hot. But most importantly, it was delicious, flavorful, and fulfilling. The fish was battered like chicken, seasoned to perfection, and it's real!! The fried rice is definitely my favorite I love how that was seasoned as well, it taste like rice you could get from a hibachi grill. I definitely will keep coming back. I feel like way more people should know about Surf N Soul and check it out. They did not disappoint at all!

Delicious and flavorful food. Great wait staff who were friendly and engaging. First visit to Waco…read morebut will definitely return.

great food, excellent service, atmosphere - people were enjoying their evening snd the riverread more

We are here visiting friends. They suggested this and it was spot on. There was no waiting on…read moreMother's Day evening. The menu described the dishes accurately but it needs pictures and scents. Our server was super helpful and put up with our craziness. We can be a bit much. She suggested desserts. Again, there was no way to describe these desserts adequately. I had the peach cobbler. I'm from near the peach capital of Oklahoma. This was THE BEST peach cobbler that I've ever had. It was served with cinnamon ice cream that was AMAZING. The view of the Brazos River was perfect. Even when it started raining it was beautiful. Thank you The Brazos Landing for an incredible dinner.

Wowwww!!!! I'm originally from Southeast Texas, born and breed with Cajun blood running through my…read moreveins. Ever since leaving and moving to Austin area, I've longed for my gumbo, crawfish and even down home red beans and rice. Well, until now!! We just randomly decided on seafood while in Waco, and lemme tell yall. This place will not disappoint!! I had a bowl of probably the top 10 best I've ever had!! (Sorry mom), and also the red beans and ohhhh my lawd!!!! The atmosphere when you walked in let you know this was gonna be a good meal. The decor, and even almost entire wall with prices and the daily specials written on it. The waitress tried to tell us about it, and I'm pretty sure the wife was paying attention, but I already had my stomach setting up to receive gumbo. Multiple waitstaff stopped by to check on us throughout the meal, and all were very friendly! Serving sizes to make you loosen a belt notch to be able to breathe!! Wife had the fish and chips and couldn't eat the fries! That all said, I also found out that gumbo and beans and rice were made from scratch DAILY, and not that prepared stuff you get at some places!! Stop and be ready to Laissez les bons temps rouler!!

Went here for lunch. Was seated quickly and the food seemed like it came out quickly too…read more The crawfish was good and especially if you dipped it in the butter that came with it. The red fish was okay. I felt the entree was plated nicely and overall wasn't bad. I felt the restaurant was clean which is definitely a good sign for a restaurant .

Short version. Find them on the river in Waco. Just go, and enjoy refreshing, light, flavorful…read moreceviche and poke. Long version: Fresh seafood served with bright citrus and crisp veggies is a recipe for success. With shrimp and Mahi-mahi as the staples, this food truck honors ocean sustainability and local suppliers. We arrived late during a special event evening and the CDM crew was almost sold out. But they were eager to please with what they had and honest about where they were. The Pacifica mixed ceviche bowl was AMAZING. I'm not kidding. Mango, pineapple, red onion, jalapeño, and lime for days. Shrimp & Mahi were perfectly balanced, tender, and tangy. I highly recommend this truck, and I do not like most mobile eateries.

Got the aquachile to go and my order came out in around 10 minutes. Super fresh and light and…read morecustomizable if you don't like cilantro like me. Served with jesse's tortilla chips was a nice crunch against the rich and flavorful fish and avocado. A little pricer for lunch but great for on-the-go freshness. The classic but timeless menu and pairings make for a nice meal,snack, or all around good time. If the cold weather is getting you down, hop over to Union Hall to taste a bit of the tropics even in the heart of Texas.

Dining areas are spacious and very clean. They have great lunch deals and everyone in our party…read moreenjoyed the food. We had peeled shrimp, crab legs, fried catfish, crab cakes and chicken tenders. Loved the trash buckets built into the tables. Kids had fun buying pellets for 25 cents and feeding the turtles.

First time coming here after seeing long lines at their food trucks all across DFW. The seafood…read morewith Cajun twist is amazing & fresh. Prices are very affordable- $35 for two people including two entrees, appetizer and drink. Christian radio playing, scripture of week posted on wall and tipping discouraged. Can't wait to come back!