Six Tips from a Local About Magnolia Table!

Trust a local to give you the best advice about Waco! We visited Magnolia Table this morning for the first time, and we have a few pointers for you to get the most out of your visit.

  1. Take the back way to get to Magnolia Table. What’s the back way? At Valley Mills Drive, take the frontage road of I-35 going north, and you’ll see a driveway entrance that serves Rudy’s BBQ and Magnolia Table. This is the way to avoid getting onto the traffic circle, which is very busy. The cars and trucks drive fast around the circle, which makes it hard to get onto the road you want. Avoid it if you can.
  2. Visit early. We went at 7:30 am and there was plenty of parking, and no line. We were seated immediately. They have wonderful and abundant staff, and the restaurant is gorgeous.
  3. Bring your camera! Be sure to take photos of Chip and Jo’s hand prints in front of the restaurant, near the Take-Away section.
  4. Come hungry. Portions are enormous. And try their housemade Tater Tots, they are absolutely delicious!
  5. Visit the Take-Away section after you eat. It’s chock-full of gift items such as the strawberry butter, Magnolia Table hats and mugs, and other great stuff.
  6. Hop on the free LaSalle-Circle shuttle after your meal! The shuttle stops near the Waco Animal Shelter on Circle Road, and takes a 30 minute loop that will bring you close to some great shops selling vintage, farmhouse, and re-purposed home items. Click here to view the shuttle route! And yes, it stops by Magnolia Market!

 


 

85 Comments

  1. Mel J on March 25, 2022 at 11:23 am

    Hello, I’m going to be visiting in 2 weeks and heard reservations for Magnolia table can be made in advance. Is this true? The reservation button on the website only lets you put how many people to reserve and then states error message that nothing is available, even before I put in the date and time. Just wanting to be able to plan ahead. Thanks!

    • Susan Morton on March 29, 2022 at 1:44 pm

      You will need to contact Magnolia Table to make reservations or with any questions regarding their policies. https://magnolia.com/visit/eat/magnolia-table/ or https://magnolia.com/contact-us/. If you are unable to make a reservation, keep in mind that typically the earlier in the day you go the shorter your wait will be, and if there is a wait, you don’t need to literally stand in line after you check in – there are other areas to visit while waiting for your table.

  2. Daniel Compton on September 7, 2021 at 12:47 pm

    THE FOOD ISN’T HOT!! First we checked in and found out that we had an hour and one half wait time. So we waited and was signaled by text message that our table was ready after about forty minutes. We sat down and our waiter came and told us what he thought was his favorites. We decided on the pancake breakfast and the French toast breakfast. We waited and waited and waited for our food. Finally it came out. It all looked good. but none of it was hot. The eggs and sausage that I got were room temperature. They did have a good taste, the sausage tasted like what we made growing up on our farm. The hash brown balls were a little warm inside, but they seemed hard and mushy as if they had been cooked some time ago. The french toast was the same. The food has a good taste but what does it matter if it isn’t hot!

    • Susan Morton on September 8, 2021 at 11:02 am

      Daniel, we are so sorry you had that experience. We have forwarded your comments to Magnolia Table.

    • Karen Lazar on February 15, 2022 at 11:30 am

      It is next to impossible to get a reservation. I have been trying online for over a week and the website will not access dates or times. Calling also doesn’t get me anywhere. Coming from Pa and was looking forward to this experience. What does it take?! Looking for table for 3 on march 4th

      • Susan Morton on February 15, 2022 at 11:57 am

        Karen, I’m so sorry you are having trouble getting a reservation. Typically if you go early in the morning you won’t have long wait at all. If you do have to wait, you can give them your name, then visit the to go / gift shop area or patio while you wait. Weekdays are always a little less busy.

  3. Landon on December 3, 2020 at 2:20 pm

    Hello, my wife and I are planning to visit in a couple weeks. We will be driving down from Dallas on Friday the 18th. I’ve read the Table gets busy and could have long wait times, they don’t accept reservations on Friday or Saturday. Would you recommend the breakfast food / time or the lunch food / time? We can make either work. I haven’t heard much about the wait time around lunch or after noon – 3pm if its busy or slower than breakfast?

    • Susan Morton on December 3, 2020 at 4:23 pm

      Good afternoon!

      The Magnolia Table website displays current wait times. You may consider watching that this weekend to get an idea of how things flow.

      In general, earlier in the morning is best. If you do wind up having to wait, they will get your contact information and text you when your table is ready. That way you can browse in their shop or relax in the garden area while you wait.
      https://magnolia.com/table/

      Typically, wait times are longer in the afternoon, and you risk running out of time as they close at 3 pm.

      Either way, the food will be great!

  4. Fanny on October 25, 2020 at 11:20 pm

    Hi, we are planning a trip from Florida to Texas in a few weeks. We will be staying in Dallas. Our plan is to visit everything Chip and Joanna! We will be driving from Dallas to Waco on a Saturday. Do you recommend we start at Magnolia Table or Magnolia Bakery? We are trying to make the best of this trip. Thanks in advance.

    • Susan Morton on October 26, 2020 at 9:36 am

      Hi Fanny! I would start with an early breakfast at Magnolia Table. They are only open for breakfast and lunch, from 6 am – 3 pm.

      You’ll find information about just about all things Magnolia here: https://destinationwaco.org/magnolia-trail/ . You would likely need more than one day to do everything, so you may want to create an itinerary based on your favorites.

      Have a safe and fun trip!

  5. Hensley on August 16, 2020 at 6:34 pm

    Are walk-ins welcome during Covid? It appears that all of your reservation times are booked for tomorrow (08/17/2020).

  6. Vicki L Brunn on February 12, 2020 at 2:02 pm

    I’ll be in Fort Worth this weekend. Will the crowds be bad Saturday….even in February? The only day I can come is Saturday, February 15th.

    • Susan Morton on February 12, 2020 at 3:01 pm

      Hi Vicki, It will be busy at both the Silos and Magnolia Table, however, Magnolia staff do all they can do to make your visit a pleasant one. They have plenty of staff to handle any volume of business. You can check current wait times for the restaurant here: https://magnolia.com/table/.

      • Vicky Walker on March 25, 2022 at 3:23 pm

        I want to make a reservation for the middle of April and I put in 4 people it immediately nothing available…but I didn’t have an opportunity to even put in a date…

  7. Jane Giller on January 23, 2020 at 8:18 am

    Was wondering if the lines are long this time if year. I have friends coming 1st of February and was thinking that Sunday or Monday
    Your advice please

    • Susan Morton on January 23, 2020 at 8:56 am

      Hi Jane! It is definitely easier to get in and this time of year. Monday is a great choice. Keep in mind that the Magnolia businesses are closed on Sunday. If you do arrive on Sunday, consider some of our museums or a tour of the city to kick off your visit. Check out the Magnolia Trail on our website for some sites you may not have known had a connection to Magnolia.

    • Carla Pendergraft on January 23, 2020 at 8:56 am

      Hi Jane, Magnolia Table is closed Sundays. You can now see wait times at this link: https://magnolia.com/table/.

  8. Jean Finlay on January 7, 2020 at 7:45 am

    I am so ready got my tickets for Spring at the silos

    • Susan Morton on January 7, 2020 at 8:40 am

      So glad you can come enjoy Spring at the Silos! Be sure to book your hotel or vacation rental room early, as rooms will fill quickly!

  9. Ruth Ann Darland on December 8, 2019 at 1:56 am

    I went to the Magnolia Table website link that you shared above and am very confused. It’s says the Wait List is full all day…no walk-ins accepted. How is this possible when they don’t take reservations? We’re heading to Waco today for a few days and wanted to eat here.

    • Carla Pendergraft on December 9, 2019 at 8:02 am

      Good morning, Ruth Ann! The waitlist is not a call-ahead reservation list. It is similar to when you go to Cracker Barrel or a restaurant like that and you add your name to the list. So you check in when you get there and you are given an approximate wait time. Right now, there is no wait!

  10. Jan johnson on July 26, 2019 at 8:23 am

    We plan to visit Magnolia Table on Thursday October 3. What time does lunch start? Should we expect a long line? What is the best time to arrive? Approximate Wait time? Can we make a reservation for four people? Thank you!

    • Carla Pendergraft on July 26, 2019 at 10:30 am

      Hello Jan! We encourage you to visit the info page on Magnolia Table’s website at this link, which should answer most of your questions! https://magnolia.com/table/

  11. Lajuan Higginbotham on June 12, 2019 at 8:03 pm

    Is the restaurant open July 3rd?

  12. Valerie J Woodall on June 11, 2019 at 10:28 pm

    We drove to here from Northern California and just arrived today..bringing our 12 year old Granddaughter Emma who Loves Chip and JoJo too!! We will be at the Table in the a.m. bright and early then off to the Silos and Market…we are so excited . Planning on the 30 minute tour …
    Terry Valerie and Emma

    • Carla Pendergraft on June 12, 2019 at 8:09 am

      Hello Terry, Valerie, and Emma, Welcome to Waco! We hope you have an awesome time! 🙂

  13. Kealey on March 7, 2019 at 7:24 am

    Hello! How are Friday mornings at 8am at Magnolia Table? Myself and my two sons are coming tomorrow from Dallas. Do you anticipate there to be long lines?

    • Carla Pendergraft on March 7, 2019 at 8:08 am

      Hi Kealey, Of course, it’s impossible to predict how many might show up by 8am on a Friday, but our experience has been that around 7:30 or 8am, if there are lines, they tend to be pretty short. Plus, there are so many things to see and do before you go to your table! Lots of photo ops, including Chip and Jo’s handprints in the concrete!

      • Abbey on January 22, 2020 at 5:38 pm

        Great tips! We are planning a day trip from Austin when we visit from New Zealand in June. If we aim to get there by 8.30am on a Thursday so you think there would be much of a wait for a table. We have a 1 Yr old with us so I’m not sure how long we could realistically wait! Thanks

        • Susan Morton on January 23, 2020 at 9:01 am

          Hi Abbey! What an exciting trip. Be sure to stop by our Tourist Information Center, next door to the Texas Ranger Museum when you come. Our Tourism Counselors will help make the most out of your time in Waco. Typically there is not a long wait at Magnolia Table at 8:30 during the week. If you do happen to come when there is a wait time, know that you don’t literally stand in line – they will text you when your table is ready. In the meantime, you can visit their take-away area, or let your tot play in the grassy area while you sip some coffee on the patio. As always, Chip and Jo are on top of making your experience enjoyable. Current wait time for tables are displayed on the Magnolia Table website. They thought of everything!

  14. Kaylynn on February 6, 2019 at 5:40 pm

    Is there usually a long wait on Mondays around 11 am?

    • Carla Pendergraft on February 6, 2019 at 5:52 pm

      Kaylynn, it’s so hard to predict. When we go to Magnolia Table, we generally go earlier than that to avoid lines.

      • Susie on October 8, 2021 at 12:41 am

        When I put in 3 people, it says nothing available before I even put in a date.

        • Susan Morton on October 8, 2021 at 8:41 am

          Susie, Try clicking here to use the Google reservation form.

  15. Gail Flotner on February 3, 2019 at 8:58 am

    Hi , doing our dream road trip from Florida to Vancouver . Want to be in Waco from afternoon of the 20 th of March leaving morning of the 22. If we do Bus tour from our hotel ( IndigoHotel) afternoon of the 20 th. Then go to Magnolia Table for breakfast in the 21 st say 7:30 am then go to the Silos then the Texas ranger museum .
    Would that work . We need to find restaurant for that evening as well . Hoping to make it to El Paso on the 22. Any advice !

    • Carla Pendergraft on February 4, 2019 at 8:55 am

      Hi Gail, normally at 7:30 am there is not a long line at Magnolia Table. Your timing looks very good. Be sure to try out the free trolley, that runs right in front of the main Magnolia gates. It will allow you to see more of downtown. As for restaurants for the evening, you have so many to choose from. You can visit our Dining page at https://destinationwaco.org/dining/ to see many choices! You can also download our free Waco, TX app from your app store.

  16. John C. Monahan on January 16, 2019 at 2:37 pm

    Wish we had a place like this in Monroe, LA!

    • Susan Morton on January 17, 2019 at 2:25 pm

      You’ll just have to come to Waco! Let us know how we can help you enjoy your trip to Waco.

  17. Geri Leonard on January 16, 2019 at 2:25 pm

    We are so excited to come to Waco and Magnolia Table is definitely high on our list. I am traveling with my two best friends and flying in from Ohio and North Carolina. We are all huge Chip and Jo fans and have had this on our bucket list for awhile!
    We will be there on Saturday the 6th of April and could come that afternoon/evening or on April 8th which is a Monday. Can you let me know your recommendation on time and day, and how to get on the list?
    Kindly,
    Geri

    • Susan Morton on January 17, 2019 at 2:29 pm

      Hi Geri, In general the earlier you arrive at Magnolia Table, the shorter your wait will be. We encourage you to visit our Magnolia Trail page for other places to visit that have been featured on Fixer Upper or are Magnolia affiliated. https://destinationwaco.org/magnolia-trail/. I am not sure what list you are inquiring about. If you can be more specific, I can help point you in the right direction.

      Best Wishes,
      Susan Morton
      Tourism Manager
      Waco Convention & Visitors Bureau

  18. Betty Brown on December 8, 2018 at 3:35 pm

    My name is Betty.
    My husband James and I came to eat at your restaurant on 12-8-18. Every web site and anything we.could bring up about reservations said your restaurant did not take them that it was “first come first serve”. So we got all dressed up and hurried on down to your restaurant way before 12:00 noon
    We pulled in the parking lot and there were some young girls there asking us if we were on the list and we said what list? Then we said the web site said _”first come first serve” she said it’s not a reservation it’s a name on a list and we already have enough until we close today!!! I couldn’t even come back later nothing!! This was a Saturday and your restaurant and store are not open on sunday. Talk about shock and disappointment!!!!!!! Honesty is the best policy and I think you all should let the public know just how out of hand this has gotten! Also let people with disabled loved ones to make sure to call and be put on the “list” before they go through all the trouble of getting to your place only to be turned downed!My husband is a veteran and it’s hard to get him out of the house and we finally did and we drove From Las Vegas, nevada to here for nothing. He cant stand in long lines but I can and now all the money and time was for nothing! If I had been aware of what was going on here I would have done what ever it took to get him in that restaurant.
    Sad and Disappointed

    • Carla Pendergraft on December 10, 2018 at 8:01 am

      Dear Betty, we are so sorry for your experience. We are not with the Magnolia Table, but we will pass your note on to their Customer Service people.

  19. Stephanie Tyrell on October 22, 2018 at 11:06 am

    Hi there. I just visited all of the Magnokia properties and loved every single thing about them. We really enjoyed our visit. I especially loved the handmade green juice that you can order at Magnolia Table. I was wondering if you can tell me what juicer they use at the restaurant? I’d love to get myself a commercial juicer that juices like that. Thank you so much 🙂

    • Carla Pendergraft on October 22, 2018 at 2:00 pm

      Hi Stephanie, this question is not answered in their frequently asked questions area of their website, so we recommend you contact their Guest Services Team at (833) 843-0590.

  20. vicky on October 16, 2018 at 5:00 pm

    I am so happy for all of you. I know that you have worked hard for everything. God Bless.

  21. Kaley on October 11, 2018 at 9:50 pm

    Looking to have breakfast tomorrow morning. Is 6am the recommended time? There is only 1 in my party.

    • Carla Pendergraft on October 12, 2018 at 8:01 am

      Hi Kaley, that’s a great time to come, lines would be rare at that time! They have community tables you can sit at if you would like conversation.

  22. Sheri on September 29, 2018 at 4:36 pm

    We are coming to Waco for Silobration. How early should we plan on going to Magnloua Table?

    • Carla Pendergraft on October 1, 2018 at 8:00 am

      Sheri,
      The earlier, the better. We are expecting over 35,000 people to attend Silobration, so the closer you get there to opening time at 6am, the better chance you have!

  23. Michelle on September 28, 2018 at 5:56 pm

    They should use the NoWait app! I wish Magnolia Table was on it like other iconic breakfast restaurants (Wildberrt in Chicago; Seven Mile in Dallas).

    • Susan Morton on September 29, 2018 at 2:59 pm

      We’ll pass that suggestion on to them!

  24. Terri Bradley on September 25, 2018 at 3:01 pm

    If we get to the restaurant about 1 in the afternoon, how long of a wait can we expect?
    Thank you,
    Terri

    • Carla Pendergraft on September 25, 2018 at 4:09 pm

      Hi Terri, it’s difficult to say! It varies each day and on what day of the week it is. You may want to check with them directly at (254) 235-6111.

  25. Brynne on September 23, 2018 at 2:12 pm

    Do they allow you to leave your vehicle there while you take the shuttle and go elsewhere? Just wondering as I am sure with as busy as they are they would prefer the parking spots to to be available??? I don’t want to be rude. 🙂 TIA.

    • Carla Pendergraft on September 24, 2018 at 10:01 am

      The best place to park and leave your car would be in the Convention Center parking lot, located between 2nd and 3rd and Franklin, across the street from Riversquare Center. That will free up the Magnolia Market parking lot, and you can ride the shuttle to Magnolia!

  26. Cindy on September 22, 2018 at 6:55 am

    We were planning on visiting today, but our flight was canceled. The next available flight has us landing in DFW at 4:00pm. Is there any chance of at least getting in Magnolia Market if we drive straight there when we land?

    • Carla Pendergraft on September 24, 2018 at 9:59 am

      Cindy, we are so sorry! We just saw this now. You can take photos near Magnolia Market even if the gates are closed. Magnolia Market closes at 6 pm, so it would have been very iffy to get here that quickly.

  27. Donna DeFord on August 23, 2018 at 11:07 am

    Planning a trip to Waco within the next couple of months and wonder if there may be a vendor fair going on anytime this fall. There was one going on during the Magnolia Table episode. Thank you!

    • Susan Morton on August 23, 2018 at 3:52 pm

      Hi Donna, Many or our festivals include vendor fairs. Each one is produced by an individual organization, and would need to be contacted directly. For instance, for the upcoming Silobration, you would need to visit the Magnolia website to contact them. https://magnolia.com/contact-us/

      Hope to see you at a Waco event soon!
      Susan Morton

  28. Laura on August 13, 2018 at 8:06 am

    Will Magnolia Table Be closed on 11/22/18 Thanksgiving Day? Will they be open 11/23/18 that Friday?

  29. Deborah Parsons on August 3, 2018 at 12:09 pm

    When I lost the right side of my nose to cancer, the only thing that lifted me out of my depression was watching episodes of Fixer Upper. Ten days straight of amazing redo’s and funny antics. My spirits were so lifted the pain pills weren’t needed. I still record and watch! Can’t wait to visit Magnolia Cafe!

    • Carla Pendergraft on August 3, 2018 at 2:26 pm

      Deborah, we are happy to hear you recovered! We look forward to your visit to Waco.

  30. Laurie Jenkins on July 24, 2018 at 3:44 pm

    Planning to come to Magnolia Table this coming Saturday. What time (best guess based on summer #’s) do you recommend we get there to ensure we get on the list before they cut it off for the day?

    • Carla Pendergraft on July 24, 2018 at 4:46 pm

      Hi Laurie, They have been very busy this summer. July is one of the busiest months. When we go, we go quite early, around 7:30 am so that there is very little line. That is what we recommend so that you can minimize your wait time in the heat. There are tents to shade you from the sun, but it’s still pretty warm out.

  31. Cindy Guidry on July 22, 2018 at 10:11 pm

    Hi , We will be traveling home from Casper, Wy to Louisiana. We are looking forward to visiting the Magnolia Table. I know we will need to stop and sleep one night along the way. Can you please give us travel tips as to which route to take and where to stay for the night, so we can be at the Mag table in time to eat? Than you..

    • Carla Pendergraft on July 23, 2018 at 7:52 am

      Hi Cindy,
      We are excited you will come to visit Waco and the Magnolia Table! The best way to start is to visit our lodging page at https://destinationwaco.org/lodging/. Choose whether you prefer a hotel, bed & breakfast, or vacation rental of someone’s home. Then contact one or two to see who has a room available the night you’ll be staying over. Our hotels are very booked up, so you definitely want to choose your lodging first! Then you can plug the address into Google maps to choose the best route.

      • Cindy guidry on July 23, 2018 at 11:51 am

        Thank you ..

  32. Claudia on July 2, 2018 at 3:47 pm

    Hi thinking of coming to the Table on Wednesday the 18th of July. Leaving Austin around eight. Have tickets for the Titanic at 11:45 same day. Is this all good planning or not???? Oh there are four of us elderly ladies involved in the day out. What do you think of this idea?? Smart out not ??.
    Waiting for your answer……oh and thanks for taking the time to read this and answer this. Thanks and blessings ❤️🙏🏻😎🇱🇷

    • Carla Pendergraft on July 2, 2018 at 3:52 pm

      Hello Claudia,
      It will take you about 2 hours (with a little traffic) to get here from Austin. So by the time you get here, Magnolia Table may very well have quite a line. When we go there, we go much earlier, say around 7:30 am, and there’s not nearly as much wait.

      A better plan would be to come the night before, stay in Waco overnight, and hit Magnolia Table early morning. Have a leisurely, beautiful breakfast, then see the Titanic exhibit (which is amazing!), then maybe a nice lunch at Riversquare Center. Your choice of so many restaurants there!

      Link to a list of Waco lodging: https://destinationwaco.org/lodging/

      Let us know if you have any questions!

  33. Lyndon Ebright on June 23, 2018 at 7:22 pm

    Best and least busy day of the week? I’ll be driving up from Austin to bring my wife’s for her birthday.

    • Carla Pendergraft on June 25, 2018 at 8:04 am

      Hi Lyndon! Saturday is the busiest day, and Mondays or Tuesdays are less busy. But Magnolia Table is so popular, even those days there can be a wait. I’ve gotten there about 7:30 am and it wasn’t too bad. By 8 am, it was very busy. Maybe think about staying the night in Waco, and being there first thing in the morning! They open at 6 am. P.S. Have fun!!

  34. Sharon Harshman on June 22, 2018 at 8:32 pm

    My family are heading to Dallas for a Hosa competition that our High School daughter is in we’re from Tennessee an same community named Pelham, while we’re out there were making the trip to Waco to see all the things Chip an Joanna have done I enjoy watching fixer upper an all the homes they have remodeled. Hopefully we will get a glimpse of Chip an Joanna while we’re out there looking forward to our trip. We’re coming out 06/25/18 an can’t wait.

  35. Sandi Spencer on June 12, 2018 at 5:00 pm

    Planning a visit the end of September. Do we need to make a reservation for breakfast?

    • Carla Pendergraft on June 12, 2018 at 5:03 pm

      Hi Sandi, at this time, Magnolia Table does not take reservations. So sorry!

    • Kathy Hampton on July 18, 2019 at 12:23 pm

      Just visited the Magnolia Tanle this morning and wanted to say the food was delicious. The service was outstanding, only negative was it was so loud and noisy. I do not regret goong.

      • Carla Pendergraft on July 18, 2019 at 12:53 pm

        Sandi, we are thrilled you had a good experience! Thank you for coming to Waco.

  36. Allison C. Bayer on May 22, 2018 at 7:03 pm

    Just watching the episode when all this was initially underway! I can hardly wait to visit!!

    • Carla Pendergraft on May 23, 2018 at 10:22 am

      We can’t wait for you to visit!

    • Juder on April 12, 2019 at 1:44 pm

      I am disappointed that a coffee mug that sokd for $12 a year ago is now $24!!!!!!!!!!

      • Carla Pendergraft on April 12, 2019 at 3:08 pm

        So sorry! We do not have control over their pricing.

        • Deb Landsaw on March 10, 2020 at 5:23 pm

          Coming there tomorrow 3/11/2020. Our 25th wedding anniversary. Coming to Magnolia is my gift from my husband! 😍

          • Carla Pendergraft on March 11, 2020 at 7:27 am

            Y’all have fun!!



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