Waco, Texas isn’t a destination that has been high on my list of places to visit. Actually, it wasn’t on my list all. That changed though when I began watching Fixer Upper on HGTV with my wife. We both became big fans of this home renovation and design show. As the program gained popularity, Chip and Jo (the stars of Fixer Upper) expanded their commercial offerings in their hometown of Waco, Texas.

Their company is called Magnolia and they have several sites to visit in Waco: Magnolia Table, Magnolia Market at the Silos, Silos Baking Company, Magnolia Press (coffee house), and three Bed & Breakfasts. A furniture showroom is opening soon next to Magnolia Press.

Being that we were such fans, we decided to make a trip to Waco and bask in the vibe of Magnolia. It seemed that Waco would have some fun sights to take in beyond Magnolia. Heading to Waco, we were filled with anticipation. We were not disappointed.

First up on our itinerary was breakfast at Magnolia Table. I had clear memories of the show where they detailed the history of the original restaurant, what they wanted to keep or renovate, and their aspirations for the restaurant.

One thing you should anticipate is a wait. It isn’t a problem though. The process is very organized and the staff is so friendly. Plus, as a fan, there is plenty to explore and do to pass the time.

We slipped inside the outdoor waiting area which features a small coffee shop where you can grab coffee, water, or tea along with a muffin to take the edge off your growling tummy. There is plenty of seating and a small play area for children. My blueberry muffin was delicious. It took the edge off my hunger briefly, but browsing the menu only served to crank up my appetite.

After grabbing a coffee, we went over the “takeaway” market beside the restaurant. This is a gift shop where you can buy coffee mugs, Joanne’s books, shirts, and small home decor items. You can also get breakfast tacos and coffee in here if you are in a rush and don’t have time to sit and eat.

We had fun checking everything out and taking photos. Then, we received our text that our table was ready. By this time, I am so hungry I feel lightheaded. As you’ll see, a bowl of oatmeal and fruit were definitely not part of what I was craving.

The restaurant was very charming on the inside and it brought back a lot of memories from the renovation process we saw on TV.

Now it was time to take care of some business – Southern style. The biscuits and sausage gravy are making me hungry now just looking at the photos. The bacon was cooked to perfection…like each strip was carefully watched.

After spending a couple hours at Magnolia Table, we were off to the Silos. I’ll provide and overview of Magnolia Market at the Silos in a future post. For now, I will just say that if you are a fan of Chip and Jo’s, I would definitely recommend making this trip. There is plenty to do in Waco to fill up a couple great days. Take note though that most of the Magnolia businesses are closed on Sunday and Saturdays, as you would suspect, are very busy.

If you are a runner or triathlete, there is a marathon in Waco (sponsored by Chip and Jo) and an Ironman 70.3. This means more people around Waco, but it also beefs up the agenda with more activities to round out your trip.