Restaurants in South Waco¶
South Waco's restaurant scene — centered on La Salle Avenue and radiating through the 76706 residential grid — is one of the neighborhood's defining features. It includes multi-generational family operations with roots stretching back a century, alongside authentic regional Mexican taquerias. The Castillo family alone has operated Mexican restaurants in Waco continuously since 1920.
La Salle Avenue — The Heart of South Waco Dining¶
Trujillo's Comedor y Cantina - Address: 2612 La Salle Ave, Waco, TX 76706 - Phone: (254) 756-1331 - Website: trujilloscomedorycantina.com - Cuisine: Family Tex-Mex / homestyle Mexican - In operation since: 1981 (44+ years); all-homemade menu maintained to original family recipes - Hours: Tue–Thu 11am–2pm & 5pm–9:30pm; Fri–Sat 11am–9:30pm; closed Mon & Sun - Price: $ - Known for: Fajitas, enchiladas, chimichangas, margaritas; Taco Tuesday specials. "The same quality as when their parents made it 40+ years ago."
El Charro Cafe - Address: 2303 La Salle Ave, Waco, TX 76706 - Cuisine: Mexican / Tex-Mex breakfast and lunch - In operation since: ~1970s–1980s (47+ years); formerly known as "El Truckstop" by owner Juan Manuel Lopez - Hours: Mon–Tue 6:30am–2pm; Wed–Sun 6:30am–9pm - Price: $ - Reviews: 4.3 stars / 655+ reviews; neighborhood institution for breakfast - Known for: Breakfast plates, traditional Mexican morning fare; closely associated with La Salle Avenue's pre-I-35 heritage
Taqueria Zacatecas - Address: 2311 La Salle Ave, Waco, TX 76706 - Phone: (254) 753-1665 - Cuisine: Authentic Mexican taqueria - Background: Evolved from a food truck into a brick-and-mortar location; operates late hours - Hours: Mon–Thu 9am–11pm; Fri 9am–3:30am; Sat 9am onward - Price: $ (tacos ~$3.38) - Reviews: TripAdvisor 4.7/5; 88% recommend on Facebook; ranked #118 of 363 Waco restaurants - Known for: Birria tacos, al pastor, pizzadillas, vegetarian options; popular late-night destination
Roberto's Taco Shop - Address: 921 S. 9th St., Ste. 310, Waco, TX 76706 - Phone: (254) 313-1119 - Website: robertostacoshopsd.com/robertoswaco - Cuisine: California-style Mexican / taqueria; drive-thru available - Price: $ - Known for: Chorizo breakfast burritos, California burrito (carne asada with fries), rolled tacos, fish tacos; fresh ingredients, generous portions; California-Mexican style distinct from local Tex-Mex
The Castillo Family Legacy (100+ Years)¶
The Castillo family represents the longest-running Mexican-American restaurant dynasty in Waco, tracing to 1920 when Antonio P. Castillo Sr. purchased the Old Texas Café downtown.
La Fiesta Restaurant & Cantina - Address: 3815 Franklin Ave, Waco, TX 76710 (near Valley Mills Dr) - Phone: (254) 756-4701 - Website: lafiesta.com - Cuisine: Tex-Mex / family Mexican - History: Sam Castillo Sr. opened La Fiesta in 1963 at 18th and Washington Ave; relocated to Franklin Ave 1972. The Castillo family has operated Mexican restaurants in Waco continuously for 100+ years. - Price: $$ - Known for: Homemade Tex-Mex, pralines, multi-generational family recipes
Casa de Castillo Mexican Restaurant - Address: 4820 Sanger Ave, Waco, TX 76710 - Website: casadecastillo.com - Cuisine: Homemade Tex-Mex - History: Family-owned since 1922 (Antonio P. Castillo Sr. legacy); same homemade recipes; Old Mexico recipes blended with Texas Tex-Mex style - Price: $$ - Known for: Full Tex-Mex menu, family atmosphere
Other Notable Dining Near South Waco¶
Taqueria El Mexicano Grill - Address: 1420 N. Valley Mills Dr. (primary Waco location); also 4019 N. 19th St. - Website: mexicano9waco.com - Cuisine: Authentic Mexican / full bar - Known for: Daily lunch specials, full bar
Jorge's Cantina - Address: 4225 Franklin Ave, Waco, TX 76710 - Phone: (254) 545-4452 - Website: jorgeswaco.com - Cuisine: Tex-Mex / coastal Mexican - Opened: 2023–2024; from the family behind George's Restaurant - Hours: Mon–Thu 11am–9pm; Fri 11am–10pm - Known for: Scratch-made Tex-Mex, margaritas, coastal Mexican classics