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    Waco Hippodrome Theatre

    3.2 (161 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Waco Hippodrome Theatre Photos

    WACO HIPPODROME THEATRE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Waco Hippodrome Theatre

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    Amber O.

    The Waco Hippodrome theater is a small historic theater with lots of charm. They offer a brunch on the weekends on the second floor. The brunch menu is small and adorned with cute movie titles, but the food is average at best. The service was okay, most of the servers lacked personality and enthusiasm, and my order came out wrong, but overall they were at least polite. I definitely enjoyed the experience of the theater, but overall I feel like they could step their brunch game up a little.

    Crumby seating.  Small screen.  Bright in here too.
    Bill M.

    Not impressed. It's a dinner and a movie type of theater in an old live performance theater, so it has character and potential. The reason I'm only giving it 2 stars is because they need to renovate the seating arrangements, which lack any dasness whatsoever. First of all, there are not very many good seats, so you'd better show up early to be happy. Also, the chairs are padded folding chairs, and the dining tables are essentially long folding tables. An investment in the seating area to improve chairs, and screen viewability is needed, but not sure it will ever be great because the seating is so steep and close to the screen. The food is decent, and fairly priced.

    Lisa S.

    Only stopped by for a drink and to ask about the live music. It was like pulling teeth.

    Janet B.

    Just saw The Lion King at the hippodrome and it was a fantastic experience. Best theater in the Waco area, and I know that's not saying much because the other theaters are filthy rat holes, but I was surprised to see the hippodrome had so many terrible reviews. Here's the secret, you eat before you come here or you buy tickets online, reserve your seat, show up 20 mins before your movie time, immediately order all the food when you arrive. If you order the food 20 mins before the movie starts, you're food/drinks will get to you before the movie starts. I hate ordering food right before the movie starts because they have to serve it while the movie is playing and it can be really distracting to me and people around me. Best to come early if you plan on ordering food/drinks. If you're ordering a bunch of cocktails it's best to sit near the aisle to get better access to service and to the bathroom! I've seen a few tipsy people struggling to make to the bathroom, disrupting everyone in the theater because they sat furthest from the aisle. Anyway we had a blast watching the movie Saturday night. The food was actually good. I had the american burger with fried okra and sweet tea. My aunt ordered fried pickles and they were a little heavy but good. Service was great, we ordered 20 mins early and the server didn't have to interrupt viewing as much. Note: I haven't tried everything on the menu, so I can't say it's all good. I know for a fact the pretzels with beer cheese is terrible, waay too salty. The flavored teas are not good either. Actually I hate almost all their drink choices, even the sweet tea was lacking. And dasani water is gross, it makes me thirsty and dries out my throat. I wish they served fresh lemonade (not bottled minute maid!!) to go with all that southern food! Also tip: Review the menu, and decide what you want before coming to the theater so you can order immediately when you arrive.

    Allison C.

    Went to the Hippodrome last night for a Baylor University Parents Weekend speaking engagement & dinner. I was impressed by the intimate feeling and the acoustics. Food was very good and staff was very friendly, as well as attentive. I would return for sure for future events!

    Burnt pancakes so dense you could be full off of 1.5 bites.
    Camryn A.

    UPDATE: since renovating and adding so much to this location, including The Raleigh and The Hightop Bar, their service has just dwindled. I mean just flat out bad. We first visited since their renovation, to their new theater that includes very comfortable reclining seats. The seats are the best! The service was absolutely awful however. My son couldn't receive his drink after asking 2 different servers 4 times. He ordered a burger and fries with ketchup and mustard. Took 5 different times asking to receive the ketchup and mustard. By the time he received his drink and condiments, it was cold. Just all around lack of attention and very basic service. Second attempt was today at their brunch service at The Raleigh. Absolutely beautiful location. We were greeted by a very friendly hostess and proceeded to wait maybe 5 mins for our table. This is where things take a very poor turn. We waited 10+ mins to be greeted by a server and ask for a drink order. By the time we were greeted, the irritation has really set in. Let me also say, it was not busy! This is a very small location and to have tables that are dirty and trash on the floor all while servers are talking is beyond unprofessional. My son ordered French toast with bacon. THEY WERE OUT OF FRENCH TOAST! how do you run out of French toast for brunch?! Ridiculous. My husband orders eggs Benedict and I tried their chicken and waffles. The only redeeming food we were served was their fruit cup. Son received pancakes, burnt and so dense an eight year old wouldn't eat it. My waffles were so over done I needed a knife to cut them and the chicken was burnt. Husbands eggs Benedict were more like hard boiled eggs with burnt muffin. The lack of attention from servers is just baffling, but this is ultimately poor management. I hate to say we will likely not return. It is such a shame because there is so much to be offered, but they just don't even come close to delivering.

    Cool view from quaint table next to the a window.
    Lisa S.

    Cute place to grab a drink! This theater has a restaurant on the second floor. It's a cute little space with lots of character. We choose a high-top table near a window looking over Austin Ave. My boyfriend and I stopped for just one beer. I'm glad we did. It was the type of place we don't have in Madison. Go check it out!

    Allen T.

    After reading about this historic theatre we wanted to check it out before we left town and were greeted by some really nice people who allowed us to tour the theatre and check out the renovations! We did not stay for a meal but would definitely come back in the future because of the enthusiasm of the staff there! The dining area has been completely remodeled and I can imagine having a nice dinner here in the evening before watching a film or even dining in the theatre if you chose to! Conveniently located in a nice historic section of Waco this place has a lot of charm and history and some very nice people working there! I love these old style theaters...you can almost feel the history of the souls who might have sat here in the thirties and forties. Charming and elegant. A nice place to unwind if you're ever in Waco!

    Kevin S.

    If you are looking for something different, this is it. Basically, this is kind of like the Alamo Draft house or Studio Movie Grill where you can enjoy a meal while watching a movie. The cons: the sound system is not the best so in times of the movie where there is quiet dialog sometimes gets lost. Also, I had ordered one of the burgers and it was good but not the best. (Lacked seasoning and would have loved a toasted bun) Also, the website address brought us a couple miles south of the theater. I also smashed my hand in the folding chair that was my seat. The pros: it is an antique building designed for entertainment for over 100 years. They also have a dining room that over looks the street below which would be perfect for a date night. Lots of charm. I would probably come back now that I know how to not smash my hand in the seat and maybe order something else on the menu.

    The most recent theater and lunch menu.
    Rick R.

    This is a really fun place! We had lunch here on a Saturday and the experience was great. The menu was the same as the theater menu that day. This is a new place and they are still trying out different menu items but all four meals at our table were very tasty and nicely presented. The food is all named after movie titles. We started out with the chips and queso with extra chorizo and salsa, which had a unique flavor that had me wanting to take some home for later. For my meal I had the One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - a robust chicken sandwich served with lightly fried french fries. We ate in the restaurant on the second floor with a view of downtown through the floor to nearly ceiling windows. The service was quick, efficient and friendly. We did not see a movie but the couple we were with had done so on several occasions and had a pleasant experience each time. The owner has made some great improvements to the theater since the opening. They have upgraded the sound equipment and added a bunch of speakers so that every seat has perfect sound. I learned this during a private tour we had of the stage. (They will give a behind the scenes tour to anyone who asks - as long as there is no movie in progress!) Great food. Unique restaurant and theater. I highly recommend.

    Chicken Fried Steak Blue Plate Special
    Rickey B.

    I plan to eat here 5 days in a row (Mon - Fri) so this is day 3 of 5. Yesterday(12-15-15) I had Meatloaf Blueplate special and it was delicious. Today (Wed)(12-16-15) I had the Chicken Fried Steak Blueplate special. I like the fact that the served the gravy on the side but was not thrilled when it was served with white gravy. Also, the steak was slightly charred but certainly edible. On both days, the waiter and waitress brought me my lunch and I never heard from them again until I was ready to go. Tuesday, I had to physically get up and ask for my check. On Wednesday, after I was finished and asked for my check then the waitress asked if I wanted dessert. Service so far has been lukewarm at best. I still can give them more than 3 stars at this point. Two more days to go. Thursday(12-15-15 Today was Fried Catfish. I'm not a real big fan of fried foods especially Catfish but it was lightly battered and fried crispy. It was served with cole slaw and curly fries and 3 shrimp. The shrimp again was friend in the same batter as the Catfish. Perhaps there's nothing wrong with it but I'm not use to seeing the same batter on my shrimp that I see on my fish. I also wish they would alternate the sides a bit more for day of the week they have the Blueplate specials. The coleslaw and hushpuppies were consistent. Dessert today was a red velvet cake and although I'm not a big dessert person the cake was very good. The coffee was horrible again and I will not order it again. They got me twice so I guess coffee must not be there thing. I had a different waiter today and pretty much the same level of interaction (practically none). He dropped the food off and then did not come back to the table until he brought me the dessert. I had no idea dessert was included. Two day's I got to dessert and the other two day I didn't also. Also, this is another pet peeve of mine. I had to use my dinner fork to eat my dessert. I know you may be thinking this is so picky. It's really not that but who wants to suck the catfish grease off of their fork so they can then stick it in their cake? Not me but its my fault not his I simply should have insisted on a dessert fork. One more day to go.

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    7 months ago

    Great venue! Band was awesome! Will definitely be returning! Band was Toast and they sound just like Bread!

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Waco Hippodrome Theatre

    Review Highlights - Waco Hippodrome Theatre

    Just had the Some Like it Hot burger with jalapeños and jack cheese etc (check the menu), and it was fantastic.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Health Camp - Bacon Cheese Health Burger and onion rings

    Health Camp

    3.8(329 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    Health Camp feels like stepping back in time to a classic American burger joint, and I really…read moreenjoyed this place. I ordered a double burger, fries, and a vanilla shake. The burger was very good. The beef had great flavor and the double gives you a nice, hefty amount of meat. The bun was a little on the dry side, but nothing terrible. Their house sauce is AWESOME--just the right amount of spice and flavor. My biggest complaint: they put the sauce on the bottom of the burger. That's a big no-no for me! Sauce belongs on top. You want that spicy kick hitting the roof of your mouth first and then working its way down through the burger. It sounds like a small thing, but it makes a difference! Burger: 7.5/10 The fries were average. Nothing wrong with them, but nothing particularly memorable either. Fries: 5/10 The vanilla shake was exactly what a classic vanilla shake should be. Nothing fancy, just cold, creamy, and delicious. What more could you ask for? Shake: 8.5/10 The two ladies working the register were incredibly friendly. 10/10 for the staff. My only gripe with the checkout experience is being asked for a tip at a counter-service restaurant where you refill your own drinks and throw away your own trash. I'm just not a fan of that trend. Overall, I really like Health Camp. Simple burgers, simple shakes, an old-school atmosphere, and a place that's been doing this for generations. There's something about biting into a big double cheeseburger here that makes you feel proud to be an American. Overall: 8/10. I'd definitely come back.

    So I finally made it to Health Camp, since we were staying just around the corner at the Element…read moreHotel. Just made it in before a large crowd. Service was fast and the food was still hot when we got back to the hotel. Very good burger and onion rings. I could only eat half for lunch but will have the rest for dinner, Differently a stop to add to our next vist. Maybe they can open late for me on Christmas Eve

    Photos
    Health Camp - Inside

    Inside

    Health Camp
    Health Camp

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    Kim's 50's Diner

    Kim's 50's Diner

    4.2(176 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    Traditional diner feel with a straightforward menu centered on classic items. Lunch featured a…read moreburger and tots, very good and reliably traditional. For dessert, Apple pie with ice cream -- good and reliable. Lemon meringue pie -- disappointing despite a well-executed meringue; crust crumbly; texture and taste didn't quite align, with a subtle metallic lemon note. After two bites, not appealing enough to finish. If you're after traditional diner food, Kim's delivers on core items. Dessert may be hit-or-miss.

    It was decent. Four…read moreof us, on our way to Galveston, stopped at Kim's in Waco for lunch. The place is decorated in fun 50s - 80s decor. It's very much a diner. We got seated right away around 1:30 pm on a Friday. There appeared to be only two servers covering the entire room but they did a pretty good job of it. Our waiter, a young man was quite pleasant and knowledgeable. He used an electronic order taking device and was able to customize anything we asked for, right in the device. Three of us ordered shakes. My friend loves Coconut Cream Pie, which they have and she was considering a shake. I suggested she ask our server if he could make her a Coconut Cream Pie shake with vanilla ice cream. Sure enough, he did it and it was quite tasty. For lunch, we ordered as follows: - Patty Melt with Tots (shared by my wife and I) - Kids Finger Basket with 1 Chicken and 1 Steak finger and tots - Steak Finger Basket with Tots The food was very diner diner-like (fried or flat top grilled) and it was tasty. This was a decent and fun lunch and we'd stop here again.

    Photos
    Kim's 50's Diner - A picture from our table.

    A picture from our table.

    Kim's 50's Diner - Sooo good

    Sooo good

    Kim's 50's Diner - Road Sign

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    Road Sign

    Waco Hippodrome Theatre - movietheaters - Updated August 2026

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