Restaurants in and around Kendrick, Waco, TX¶

Kendrick's dining scene reflects the neighborhood's character: predominantly casual, with a strong emphasis on authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex food. The primary dining corridors are Bagby Avenue (the north-south spine), South New Road, and the Loop 340 / Central Texas Marketplace area on the eastern edge. For upscale dining, residents typically travel a short distance to the Valley Mills Drive corridor or downtown Waco (~5 miles north).

Mexican / Tex-Mex¶

Taqueria El Michoacano¶

Cuisine: Authentic Mexican (birria, tacos, tortas)
Location: 3601 Bagby Ave, Waco, TX 76711
Phone: (254) 498-7271
Cost: $$
Notes: A neighborhood staple that recently transitioned from a food truck to a brick-and-mortar location. Known for birria tacos, quesabirria, al pastor, and tripas. The birria de cabrito is a standout. Ratings average 4.0–4.3 stars across platforms. Prices have crept up — some reviewers note the higher per-item cost.

Brazilian¶

Casa do Brasil¶

Cuisine: Brazilian Steakhouse (churrascaria)
Location: 1001 Webster Ave, Waco, TX 76706 (just east of the neighborhood, near Loop 340)
Phone: (254) 235-7010
Cost: $$$
Hours: Tue–Thu 11 AM–3 PM & 5–9 PM; Fri 11 AM–3 PM & 5–10 PM; Sat 11 AM–3 PM & 3:30–10 PM; Sun 11 AM–3 PM & 3:30–8:30 PM; closed Monday
Notes: Upscale Brazilian steakhouse serving USDA Prime fire-roasted cuts tableside by Gaucho Chefs. Salad bar features 50+ seasonal dishes. Rated 4.3/5 by 233+ OpenTable diners. One of the best dining options near Kendrick for a special occasion. Confirmed open through March 2026.
Website: casadobrasil.com/waco

Mexi-Cajun Seafood¶

Tia Juanita's Fish Camp (Opened ~Summer 2025)¶

Cuisine: Mexi-Cajun Seafood, Oyster Bar
Location: 4671 S Jack Kultgen Expy (Loop 340), Waco, TX 76711 (former Twin Peaks building at Central Texas Marketplace)
Cost: $$–$$$
Notes: Mexi-Cajun seafood fusion restaurant with an oyster bar and live music, opened mid-2025 in the former Twin Peaks location. One of the most notable new dining additions to the South Waco / Kendrick corridor in 2025. Accessible from Loop 340 at the eastern edge of the neighborhood.

American / Fast Casual¶

IHOP¶

Cuisine: Breakfast, American
Location: 4109 South Jack Kultgen Expy (I-35 Frontage Rd), Waco, TX 76711
Cost: $$
Notes: Conveniently located on the I-35 frontage road near the neighborhood's western edge. Standard IHOP breakfast and brunch; open extended hours including late night.

Sonic Drive-In¶

Cuisine: American Fast Food
Location: 5517 Bagby Ave, Waco, TX 76711
Cost: $
Hours: Mon–Thu 6 AM–9:30 PM; Fri 6 AM–10:30 PM; Sat 7 AM–10:30 PM; Sun 8 AM–9:30 PM
Notes: Neighborhood drive-in on the Bagby Ave corridor. Typical Sonic fare — burgers, tater tots, slushes, and the extensive drink menu. A convenient neighborhood option.

Buffalo Wild Wings¶

Cuisine: Wings, Bar & Grill
Location: 2312 W Loop 340, Waco, TX 76711 (Central Texas Marketplace area, eastern edge of neighborhood)
Cost: $$
Notes: Sports bar format with wings, burgers, and beer. Accessible from the Loop 340 / Marketplace Drive commercial corridor.

Logan's Roadhouse¶

Cuisine: American, Steakhouse Casual
Location: 2806 W Loop 340, Waco, TX 76711 (Central Texas Marketplace area)
Cost: $$
Notes: Casual-dining steakhouse chain; accessible from the Marketplace Drive commercial strip on the eastern edge of the neighborhood.

Cottonwood Creek Bar & Grill¶

Cuisine: American, Grill
Location: Inside Cottonwood Creek Golf Course — 5201 Bagby Ave, Waco, TX 76711
Phone: (254) 745-6009
Cost: $$
Notes: Bar-and-grill attached to the City of Waco's public golf course. Serves golfers and walk-in guests. Outdoor pavilion seating. A casual neighborhood institution that's part of the Cottonwood Creek Golf Course experience.

Nearby Dining (Short Drive from Kendrick)¶

The following restaurants are within 5–10 minutes of Kendrick on the primary access corridors:

One Thirty Five Prime¶

Cuisine: Upscale Steakhouse, Seafood
Location: 1201 Hewitt Dr, Ste 110, Waco, TX 76712 (Hewitt, ~8 min west via Loop 340)
Phone: (254) 666-3100
Cost: $$$$
Hours: Mon–Thu 4:30–10 PM; Fri–Sat 4:30–11 PM; closed Sunday
Notes: Waco's premier fine dining steakhouse for over a decade. Known for prime cuts, Chilean Sea Bass, and Stuffed Halibut. Ranked #1 steakhouse in the Waco area by Yelp (February 2025). Best option for a special-occasion dinner near Kendrick.
Website: 135prime.com

Church's Texas Chicken¶

Cuisine: Fried Chicken, Fast Food
Location: 1515 S Valley Mills Dr, Waco, TX 76711
Phone: (254) 753-5481
Cost: $
Notes: Quick-service fried chicken chain; convenient for the South Waco / Bagby corridor.

Notes¶

The Central Texas Marketplace (Loop 340 at Marketplace Drive) on the eastern edge of the neighborhood contains a full range of national chain restaurants including P.F. Chang's, Fish City Grill, and others accessible within 5–10 minutes.
The Hyatt Place Waco – South (5400 Bagby Ave) has an on-site dining option (The Placery) for hotel guests and the public.
For the broadest selection of dining, the Valley Mills Drive corridor (North Valley Mills, ~5 miles northwest) and downtown Waco (~5 miles north via I-35) offer the most diverse options in the Waco area.

Sources: Yelp, OpenTable, Tripadvisor, Google Maps, restaurantji.com, and web search results (confirmed March–April 2026). Verify hours and status before visiting as these can change.