Culver’s rumors 👀

Good morning, Waco. This is The Waco Buzz, the local newsletter that makes midweek feel less… mid and reminds you there’s more great stuff going on here than you think.

Over the weekend I met up with local media leaders from across North America in New York City. It took about 24 hours of travel with the blizzard, and an unexpected road trip through Ohio to get home. I’ve never been more grateful to land back in Waco.

The heart behind The Waco Buzz has always been community. I hope this newsletter and the events we host help you experience more of our city and meet some new friends.

An easy place to start: our first Social Studies event on March 5. We’re down to 15 tickets left. If you’ve been thinking about it, grab one before they sell out today.

Let’s get to it!

— Sam Harper

Waco (ACT) → Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ) for $373 round-trip

Spring Break in the Caribbean out of Waco. One stop and you’re trading Lake Waco for blue Caribbean water and 80-degree days. If you’ve been waiting for a warm-weather escape next month, this is a great option. See Flight Deal →*

If this flight deal caught your eye, Denae at Traveluxe can handle the flights, Jamaican resorts, and insider perks at no cost to you. Just email [email protected] and she’ll take it from there. ✈️
*_{^{Price is subject to change and may no longer be available at the time you check the link.}}

🍽️ Waco Food Moves

Half of Waco feels like it’s at Slow Rise on the Brazos every night for pizza and river views, and now mornings are an option too. Reign Coffee has partnered with them for coffee and breakfast burritos from 7 AM to Noon, which means slow coffee mornings overlooking the Brazos just became a thing. Yes please.

Big congrats to The Trompo King, the longtime taco truck at 46th and Bosque that just opened its own storefront at 1700 5th Street next to Baylor. That kind of growth is what you love to see.

And keep an eye out for Her Table at 9124 Gholson on Monday and Tuesdays, serving Colombian food filled with heart. The Alico, a crispy fried plantain topped with six-hour shredded beef, melted cheese, fresh vegetables, and cilantro garlic sauce, is worth the stop.

One more thing. Rumor on the street is property is being reviewed and handshakes may be happening to bring Culver's to Waco. A ButterBurger and Concrete Mixer take me straight back to my Michigan years, and I am very bullish on how well they’d do here.

🌊 Waco Surf goes big with The Desperado

Big vision play from Waco Surf. They’ve announced The Desperado, what they’re calling America’s first inland surf club community, featuring two surf lagoons, a golf course, a 25-acre lake, and 88 luxury homes starting at $1.6M across 450 acres. Construction begins summer 2026, with the first homes and new lagoon ready by summer 2027.

The pitch is Texas ranch life meets west-coast surf culture, and they’re building it like a club. Founders get priority lot selection, surf bookings, and long-term perks.

And for those not quite ready to buy a $1.6M surf house, the park itself is reopening soon. The main wave pool opens on March 2.

🗳️ Primary elections are March 3
If your phone already feels like a political group chat you never signed up for, you’re not alone. Before another 20 texts roll in today, take five minutes to read Sam Shaw’s clear breakdown at The Waco Bridge of every contested race connected to McLennan County. Twelve state and county primaries are on the ballot, including Texas Senate District 22 and several local judicial and commissioner races. Read more →

🚂 Downtown Railroad Quiet Zone update
If you’ve ever tried to enjoy a peaceful patio dinner downtown or booked a staycation only to be jolted by a train horn, this one’s for you. The City has approved a $10.76 million project to create a 1.5-mile quiet zone through downtown, meaning no more routine horn blasting once construction and federal approval are complete. Work begins in March and should be complete in 2028. Read more →

🏗️ See the future of Downtown Waco
The City is hosting a public open house tonight from 6:00–7:00 PM at the Waco Convention Center (McLennan Room) to showcase the updated downtown redevelopment model. It’s free, open to the public, and a chance to ask questions and weigh in on what the next chapter of downtown should look like.

TOGETHER WITH WEAR MY STORY
Because senior year goes fast… the ring shouldn’t.

Back-to-school season hits fast, like realizing you’ve got one weekend to handle senior photos, fees, and everything else.

WearMyStory.com makes modern, high-quality class rings students actually want to wear (and parents feel good about buying). Perfect for celebrating graduation, sports, band, academics, whatever they’re proud of.

 Popular styles: Elite • Triumph • Medalist (Men’s)

 Celebrity • Stylist (Women’s)

Waco Buzz readers get 25% off with code WACOBUZZ.
Shop here: WearMyStory.com
^{School partnerships available for high schools + parent groups.}

Tuesday:

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Looking Ahead

✊ Waco NAACP Celebrates 90 Years
On Saturday, February 28 at 6:30 PM, the Waco NAACP celebrates 90 years at the Waco Convention Center, featuring keynote speaker Terrence Roberts. The evening honors decades of local advocacy, scholarship recipients, and community partners, followed by an after-party with a DJ.

🥾 Hikes N’ Pints at Cameron Park
Our rescheduled group hike is happening Saturday at 10:00 AM at Northern Gateway in Cameron Park, the first time we’ve teamed up with The Bear Mountain and Waco Running Company. It’s supposed to be 73 degrees, which is about as perfect a February day as Waco gets, so come hike for an hour and hang after with drinks, non-alcoholic options included, 21+ to join.

🏀Women’s Basketball (23-6, Ranked No. 18)
After getting handled 87–56 at No. 20 Texas Tech Lady Raiders, the Bears answered with a 74–60 win over Arizona Wildcats women's basketball at home. That’s the response you want this time of year. They were at Foster Pavilion last night against Kansas State and now turn their focus to TCU this weekend. March madness is getting closer.

🏀 Men’s Basketball (14–13)
They dropped one on the road against the Kansas State Wildcats , then bounced back with a 73–68 win over Arizona State Sun Devils men's basketball at Foster Pavilion. Now, for one of the biggest home games of the season. No. 4 Arizona Wildcats come to Waco tonight at 8 PM.

⚾ Baseball
Baylor hosts Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks baseball this afternoon at 4 PM on Magnolia Field. Easy midweek outing if the weather cooperates. Across town, MCC Baseball took two of three from Howard College Hawks baseball last week and now welcomes Western Texas College Westerners baseball later this week.

The Reset Experience at Holistic Bodywork Waco combines therapeutic bodywork with a complimentary nervous system check-in to get to the root of your aches. New clients save on their first booking through February 28th! Book your intentional start right here.

🔥Kick off 2026 with the Fit in ’26 deal from HOTWORX Woodway: just $99 all in for enrollment, February dues, plus a mat and towel. This Waco Buzz reader deal expires February 28, 2026. Call (254) 870-4508 or stop by 13701 Woodway Dr. to claim it.

✨ Skin & Body Refinery delivers top tier injectors, advanced treatments, and natural looking results that help you look and feel your best. They’re offering 15% off the Event Ready treatment plan right now.

💧 Need a boost? IViT Hydration & Wellness offers IV therapy and wellness treatments to help you feel better, recover faster, and boost energy. Waco Buzz readers get $35 off by clicking the link.

💪Move better. Recover Faster. Live Stronger. Waco Bodymend is a world class space built for everyday movers, athletes, and anyone who wants to feel their best. From red light therapy and PEMF to alterG anti gravity treadmill sessions & home to CrushCycle Waco, we combine science backed recovery with your training that fits your life. Click the link to the get the exclusive offer for Waco Buzz readers.

Thanks for reading The Waco Buzz today. If you found something helpful, please share it with the family member you watched the USA Gold Medal hockey game with on Sunday.

Whenever you’re ready, there are three ways I can help you:

1. Dinner Club: Making new friends as an adult is hard. We make it easy by coordinating a dinner with five others at the table, provide conversation starters, and take the awkward part out of the evening. Next Dinner Club is on March 25.

2. Job Board: The best place to find open roles at growing companies in Waco with opportunities in media, marketing, sales, communication, tech, and engineering. Hiring? Use code STARTUP to post your first job today FOR FREE.

3. Promote your business or event to 29,000 Waco locals across our newsletter and social media channels.