My Better Half and I have been living across the State from each other for a few months while I care for my 103 yr Mom. She has her own 99 yr old Mom and her business to run. Waco is kind of between us so trying to plan a Valentines weekend there or in that area. Any suggestions on "nice"(no limit on what I owe her) restaurants? We ate at Baris once and thought it was great but hoping something a little more "special". Wine is MANDATORY. Also would consider some neat kind of AirBnB thing. Besides decades of blowing through Waco and occasionally eating at Elite or Georges, I basically know nothing about the Waco dining scene.

Special and in Waco

Nothing special about Waco except for Kitoks.

You might consider moving it to Temple and dining at Pignetti's. Pretty cool atmosphere, good food and a huge wine list. They also have a wine expert on hand if you need help choosing or want to try something different. May be too late to get a V-day reservation though.

Kinda what I figured so thats why i ask.

Perry's Steakhouse.

Big O’s

Waco has it's problems, but it has always been overlooked as to it's actual place in Texas history. Extremely historical. It actually has one heckuva lot more river than San Antonio has (Texas Rivers for 500 Alex) , but it's never been promoted very much. I lost something in Waco, that a very young man only loses once...but I digress. They tore that motel down anyways. 'Several Baylor grads in my family.

I do remember a very old steak place out northeast of town, but who knows if it's still there. Someone should be on here soon to advise you. You should be able to plan a "bang-up" celebration. There should be some cool places downtown by now, with the re-gentrification by the whatchamawhoee couple, etc.

And, I must say, I'm, for one, impressed, at your "experienced" age, to be planning so far ahead to impress your soulmate.

And lastly, a joke told, on the pulpit, by the Baptist preacher that baptized me: A guy was diagnosed with cancer and given 6 months to live. He moved to Waco, so it'd seem like a lot longer!

135 Prime Steakhouse in Hewitt, a suburb of Waco. Make your reservation early! There's also a steakhouse attached to The Indigo, a pretty nice upscale hotel in downtown Waco. Last time I stayed there, a few months ago, they weren't open for sit-down dining but they're attached to the hotel and offer room service, and they will deliver a bottle of wine.

That's the one.

Yeah, the website is 135Prime.com, but the name is One Thirty Five Prime....Why do they try and confuse people this way?

Heitmiller’s isn’t fancy, but the food is good. For fancy and expensive I’d go to Diamondback’s Steakhouse. The food is also good at BJ’s Brewhouse, at the mall.

Last time I had a steak at George’s it was very good. And they have fried Jalapeño slices, and they are the only ones in town to have that.

Also, the freeway is all torn up around Heitmiller’s. I avoided it a few days ago because of that. But, if you go there, order the stuffed Jalapeño (big, so one per person should do). And their Chicken fried steak is good.

I think I’d go to George’s.

Damondback's! I was trying to remember that steakhouse. It's downtown on Franklin Ave between Cricket's and Ninfa's.

Oh, and the last time I was there on V-day you had to select your menu choices (out of a selection of two entrees) in advance and buy tickets. Not sure if it's still the same or not.

Good feedback guys, I appreciate it and keep em coming.
Bobo, Big Os? Surely you jest. The kind of place I could wear your "hunting cap" into and not be noticed is NOT the kind of place my Special One wants to go.
Creek, I appreciate your time. Maybe I can "teach" you something about how far ahead you need to make VDay plans in order to stay outa the dog house, in my house anyway.
603, I fully expected to get my best advise from you. Georges, shes been there and liked it but not on VDay. And I said wine was mandatory-- surely if they even have wine it wouldnt be what YOUR wife would want.
Maybe a little bio on my Special One. Very independent lady that probably doesnt need a man for a lot, including running her own business 30 years. BUT, shes the type that "opens doors with just a smile", readily will bait her own hook but will let you, and most of all she is not high maintenance in that she EXPECTS special treatment but she DOES appreciate special treatment. Im still trying to figure her out.

Thanks for your confidence in me. For fancy, I suppose it has to be Diamondbacks. Good steaks. I did gripe about the creamed spinach side dish once, but that was minor. Good wine list, if I remember correctly. Expensive. It compares to Perry’s in Houston, but not on the level of Pappas. Probably a better looking place than 3 Forks in Dallas, but I’d choose 3 Forks above Diamondbacks, for the food. If there’s another fancy place in Waco, I don’t know what it is, but would like to.

We’ve never been to the I35 Steakhouse, so I can’t comment on it.

I just realized ive been to Diamondbacks, I think. Seems like we liked it.
What about Di Camplis? Friend mentioned it.

I like cheeves brothers in temple over diamondbacks, pignetti’s in temple is also good Italian. 135 prime and 1424 bistro are supposed to be good but never been. .Heitmillers or Baris would not be an option.

Waco blows. That is all.

I like Waco, but when topics like this come up I realize that Waco has a lack of fancy places. But, so does BCS. As for Temple, Pignetti’s is a decent place to eat, but I don’t think it’s anything special.

Hooter's is Waco is nice.

I got nothing as I only pass thru Waco ... spent my time there back in the mid-late 70s which was enough for me. Tripadvisor is my usual go-to for research and recommendations ... https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g56833-zfp3-Waco_Texas.html

Thanks guys, Im still working on it so keep em coming.
ksjmf, we probably wont do Heitmillers or Baris this time but for future reference Im curious if you dont like them or if they just arent "special".
Still curious about Di Camplis.

Just not fancy.

Cheeves Bros has always been Fancy. Also expensive. But so is Diamondbacks and 135 Prime (so i'm told).

Thanks guys. Just to clarify, it doesnt actually have to be expensive or even fancy but if not I would want it to be "special" or "unique" in some way. Certainly atmosphere would help.