Is The Line At Chip and Jo’s Magnolia Diner Worth It?
Oh, Magnolia Table…whether you’ve been there and love it or you’ve just lusted after it from afar, it’s pretty rare to find people who don’t know about what is quite possibly the most popular restaurant in Waco. Chip and Joanna Gaines, of Fixer Upper fame, opened Magnolia Diner in 2018, and Waco has basically gone crazy for it ever since. It’s famous for its farmhouse vibes, buttermilk biscuits and crazy long weekend lines. (Yup, even this many years later!)
Is the line at Magnolia Diner worth it? Well, that depends on a few things. Read on for my honest thoughts.


About me: I’m Kelsey, a bestselling travel book author and the creator of 3 Texas travel websites. As a native Texan, I spend my own time and money exploring this state to help millions of readers find the best food, things to do, places to stay in Austin and beyond. Check out my other sites: TheSanAntonioThings.com and TheAustinThings.com!
TL;DR
If you don’t have time to read this post, here’s my best attempt at a Too Long;Didn’t Read recap:
Try to go on a weekday morning, if possible. The restaurant will most likely be bustling, but it won’t be annoyingly packed.
If you decide to go on a Saturday morning, be prepared for a wait. If you’re dining with 6 or fewer, MAKE A RES! And if you’re dining with a huge group and you’re told there will be a 2-hour wait for a table, then no…I don’t think the line is worth the wait. At the bottom of this post to see a few other Waco brunch spots that I recommend for big groups instead.

5 Surprising Things About Magnolia Diner

1. It's in a historic building
Ok, hear me out on this one. The building itself just looks like it was an old chain restaurant or something, like an Applebees! But nope – it actually used to be a classic Waco diner called Elite Cafe, which opened its original location in 1919.
The 1953 Waco tornado caused enough damage to the building that Elite Cafe decided to close.
Chip and Jo seem to love meaningful restoration projects, so it's no surprise that this is the building they picked to be home to Magnolia Diner.

2. There was no line when I went on a weekday morning
Ok, hear me out on this one. The building itself just looks like it was an old chain restaurant or something, like an Applebees! But nope – it actually used to be a classic Waco diner called Elite Cafe, which opened its original location in 1919.
The 1953 Waco tornado caused enough damage to the building that Elite Cafe decided to close.
Chip and Jo seem to love meaningful restoration projects, so it's no surprise that this is the building they picked to be home to Magnolia Diner.

3. They definitely expect a lot of tourists
I knew this Waco restaurant was a popular tourist destination, but I didn’t know HOW much they really expect everyone who visits to be a first-timer!
When you walk in the door, they have several people at the host stand, greeting guests and asking if it’s their first time in. (Nearly everyone I heard answer said, “yes!”)
The servers are all really kind, and I overheard several conversations of them asking diners where they were traveling from. Just at the tables around me, I overheard guests say they were visiting from Washington state, Dallas, Midland, and Nashville!

4. It’s not actually at Magnolia Market
Magnolia Table is NOT located at Magnolia Market at the Silos, which is the big shopping destination that Chip and Joanna Gaines opened.
While the market located in downtown Waco, Magnolia Table (the restaurant) is about 2 miles away, just off of Interstate 35.
It’s no big deal as long as you know where you’re going! The downside to this is that if you’re waiting for a table, you won’t be able to shop while you wait.

5. The coffee is really bad
I’m a big fan of Chip and Jo, so please know I’m not saying this as a hater…but the coffee really wasn’t very good. (And I can say the same of their Magnolia Press Coffee Shop at the Silos.) They have delicious breakfast food and the vibes are 10/10, but I really wish they would outsource their coffee to Pinewood and serve that delicious roast here instead of their own.
My cup of black coffee was overroasted and lacked balance and flavor. There, I said it.
(That’s probably the only bad thing I have to say about Magnolia Table, though.)
Is The Line At Magnolia Table Worth It?
Truthfully? The food at Magnolia Table is good, but it’s not life-changing by any means. There are several eateries in the Chip and Joanna Gaines empire (Silos Baking Co, the Brasseries at Hotel 1928, Bertie’s on the Rooftop, and Magnolia Press Coffee), and I would personally rather go get a 6-pack of cupcakes at Silos Baking Co as a way to experience their food rather than wait for hours at Magnolia Table.
However, if you’re a die-hard Chip and Jo fan, then yes. It’s worth the wait to be able to say you ate at Magnolia Table! (And yes, it really is a very beautiful restaurant with great service and yummy food.)
Tips For Dining At magnolia Table:
1. Dine on a weekday to avoid a line.
When I went on a Thursday morning, there were LOTS of big group tables available that could seat about 10 people each! Those tables are consistently full on Saturday mornings.

2. Make A Reservation (Groups of 6 or less)
Duh, but also I often forget to do this when I'm traveling so I'll mention it here: make a res! You can make reservations in advance for groups 6 or smaller. So if you really want to make sure you get that 11 am table on a Saturday morning, make a reservation.

3. Order Take-Away At Magnolia Table
In true Chip and Joanna Gaines fashion, they make take-away a complete experience rather than an afterthought. I love that they put so much are into the takeout portion of their restaurant!
There's a little coffee shop and boutique stores attached to the main restaurant. If you want food to go (or if the line is just too long to wait), you can place an order online and pick it up here.
It's not the same as dining in, but it's still a really cute experience.



Other Places To Eat In Waco (Besides Magnolia Table)
If the line is absolutely insane and you’re told there will be a 2-hour wait for your table, there are a few other options:
If you want the cute vibes: if you just want those cute farmhouse vibes and you want to be inside a space that Joanna Gaines designed, I suggest you go check out Magnolia Press Coffee at the Silos. You’ll be able to get a latte and an absolutely scrumptious pastry, and there’s lots of indoor and outdoor seating at the Silos.
If you want an insanely delicious brunch: my very favorite spot is Harvest on 25th, which is a locally-owned farm-to-table breakfast spot in Waco. It’s small, cozy, and has the most amazing pancakes, omelets, avocado toast, migas, and more.
If you need a good group brunch restaurant in Waco: one of the best spots to dine with a group in Waco is called Barnett’s Whiskey House. I KNOW! It doesn’t sound like a brunch spot, but it’s one of the most popular brunch restaurants in Waco. They have bacon flights, indulgent entrees like biscuits and gravy and benedicts, the most decadent brunch cocktails, and a really cool space.

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