Healthy Eats In Waco: Revival Eastside Eatery
It’s a little bit difficult to find healthy places to eat in Waco. There are lots of burger chains and pizza spots and breweries, but not so many salads and healthy bowls. That’s why I was so pleasantly surprised to stumble upon this awesome little spot in the Elm District of downtown Waco! Revival Eastside Eatery is an awesome breakfast and lunch spot that should be on your radar.

Community Focused, Fresh Food

The concept of Revival Eastside Eater is definitely community. They welcome you when you arrive, seating you and your party. Even though it is a sit-down restaurant where you’ll have a server (not a counter service spot), the servers are all community servers, which means you’ll interact with multiple people during your meal.

And they were all so kind! Seriously, everyone who works at this spot was so smiley and welcoming. It’s a small thing, but in the modern age of dining where experiences are often less personable, great hospitality is definitely noticed.
They also focus on locally-sourced food whenever possible. The burgers are made from 44 Farms beef, and the beer on tap is from local craft breweries. They do their best to source produce locally, too, but make sure to say “whenever possible” which means it’s hard to say if it’s actually local or not.
Healthy Food Mixed With Indulgent Options

I really love the lunch menu at Revival Eastside Eatery! It’s great whether you want to eat healthy or not, which makes it an excellent spot for a big group lunch where you have people with different dietary needs.
You can easily order a giant veggie-forward salad, add a lean protein on top, and pair it with a kombucha on tap.
Or you can get a cheeseburger and sweet potato fries and pair it with a craft beer.

When I was there most recently, I went with the Eve Salad (roasted sweet potatoes, roasted brussels sprouts, apple, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, queso fresco, kale, and apple cider vinaigrette) and added grilled chicken (+ $5) for some protein. Delish.
Lots Of Biblical References On The Menu

Waco Texas is the home of Baylor University, which is a Christina school. So it’s no surprise that a lot of the restaurants and businesses reflect those biblical values.
In fact, Revival Eastside Eatery is actually in a building that used to be a church! It sat vacant for years before it was “revived” into this restaurant, hence the name.

Ok, so this restaurant took the “church” theme and ran with it! Pretty much every name on the menu is a reference to something in the Bible. A bit cheesy, sure, but it works!
A few examples:
Old Pestoment Sandwich: Chicken, tomatoes, pesto, balsamic reduction, arugula, and shaved parmesan on ciabatta bread served with French fries.
Garden of Eating Salad: Corn relish (grilled corn, red onion, cilantro, serrano pepper), grape tomatoes, cucumber, queso fresco, and baby kale with lime vinaigrette.
Mount Olive Sandwich: Pepperoni, salami, bib lettuce, red onion, tomato, pesto aioli, olive tapenade, and provolone on ciabatta bread.
Golden Calf Burger: 44 Farms beef patty, caramelized balsamic onions, whipped herb goat cheese, lemon garlic aioli, and arugula on a brioche bun served with French fries.
A Few More Things To Know About Revival Eastside Eatery

Parking: plenty of free street parking in front, or you can go to the back of the building where they have a free dedicated parking lot.
Hours: this is a lunch only restaurant! They close just after lunch every day (around 3 pm), so don’t come here expecting dinner. The doors will be closed.
Family-friendly restaurant: they have lots of space, plenty of tables, and high chairs for little ones. If you’re looking for some good kid-friendly dining in Waco, come to Revival Eastside Eatery! They even have a dedicated kids menu.

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!
Related:
Mo Cookies: Waco’s Best Cookies
For legit some of the BEST cookies you can find in Waco, make sure you stop by Mo Cookies. It’s a female-owned black-owned cookie/brownie bakery in Waco serving up homemade cookies prepared in small batches. I have a sweet tooth…
Read MoreHottest New Restaurants in Waco
Waco, Texas might be best known for its charming small-town vibe and Magnolia Market, but lately, its food scene has been stealing the spotlight. From trendy new spots to locally loved gems, Waco’s restaurant landscape is evolving into something much…
Read MoreOpal’s Oysters Is The New Restaurant From Terry Black’s BBQ (And It’s Awesome)
I’ve shared many times the desperate need that Waco has for more fine dining restaurants, especially in the downtown area. There are a handful of good ones, but for a city that is experiencing this much growth and tourism, there’s…
Read More