Good morning, Waco! This is the Waco Buzz, the local newsletter that’s as thrilling as getting the entire row to yourself on the plane.
In today’s edition:
Waco Eats Spotlight: Yaki 😋
Would You Rather…🤔
Live Music and Events this week 🎶
Prime Number 🏈
Wow—thank you for the kind words and love after last week’s one-year milestone. Your support means the world, and I’m fired up about what we’re building together. Dozens of you chimed in with encouragement (every comment was positive!), and it reminded me why this matters. I’m all in—and doing everything I can to make this a win for all of us.
— Sam Harper
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🧳 Local Business News
Hearsay is coming to Waco
After sitting empty for over a year and a half, the former Coach’s Smoke spot at 330 Austin Ave is getting a serious step-up. Hearsay, a Houston-based restaurant known for its "chic antique" style, craft cocktails, and bold takes on American comfort food, is opening soon downtown.
One Houston fan called their fried chicken and waffles “the best I’ve ever had” and gave the pineapple mimosas a 10/10. Expect high ceilings, vintage charm, and plenty of Instagram-worthy corners.
Uptown Cheapskate is coming to Waco!
The trendy resale shop is setting up at 1001 Webster Ave, right next to Casa do Brasil. With over 140 locations nationwide, this will be Waco’s first—and it’s not your average thrift store. Expect high-quality, on-trend fashion in a boutique-style setting where you can buy, sell, or trade your gently used clothes for cash or store credit. Follow along as they get closer to their grand opening here.
Thinking of owning your own restaurant? A 1950s-style diner is for sale, asking $490K. Has been a local favorite for decades. Revenue’s strong at $772K with $184K in income last year. Just 23 hours a week of operation, and the owner only puts in 20.
😋Waco Eats Spotlight
Meet Yaki owner Jake Patterson
Yaki — Texas-Style Teriyaki, Waco-Born
Yaki serves up Texas-style teriyaki — a meal-in-a-box with grilled protein, rice, and slaw, all cooked over Central Texas charcoal and oak. Their food is gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free, but don’t let that fool you — the flavors are seriously bold.
Jake Patterson and his wife, Baylor grads, launched Yaki as a food truck in 2020, right as the pandemic hit. The name means “cooked over fire,” and their menu pays homage to the BBQ they grew up loving in Central Texas.
Best bites? The nug box is a local staple, but the smoked chicken salad box steals the show. Pro tip: try the smoked salmon with salad and rice. Fresh food, great tunes, good vibes.
Find them at 1307 S Valley Mills Dr or check out eatyaki.com and @yakiwaco.
This spotlight is brought to you in partnership with StartupWaco.
🤔🤔Would You Rather….
Parking Poll: Pay or Circle?
🎶Midweek Live Music and Events
Tuesday
Beer Garden Yoga 7:00 PM | Brotherwell Brewing
Smarty Pints Trivia 7:00 PM | Southern Roots Brewing Co.
The Book Review: May–August 2025 7:00 PM | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | Register here
Slap Stix Trivia Tuesday 7:30 PM | Freight Bar
Open Mic Night 8:00 PM | Thrst Coffee
Wednesday
The Meetup 9:00 AM | Startup Waco
1000 Friends of Waco 10:30 AM | Main Event | Register here
Story Time 10:30 AM | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe
Newcomers & Neighbors 11:30 AM | Baylor Club
Coffee & Clothes Chat 5:30 PM | World Cup Cafe & Fair Trade Market
Wild Wednesdays Hikes 5:45 PM | Wild Wednesdays Hikes
Wine Wednesday with Stan Wilfong 6:00 PM | Segovia Wine Bar
Financial Freedom Workshop 6:00 PM | NeighborWorks Waco | Register here
Trivia Night 6:00 PM | Hemingway’s Watering Hole
Cocktails & Canvas: Girls Trip Edition 6:00 PM | The Will | Tickets here
Music Bingo 7:00 PM | Brotherwell Brewing
Featured Event 🍕🎯
Wednesday Night = Spirit Night at Main Event
From 5–8 PM, 20% of all receipts go to The Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry, celebrating 16 years of fighting hunger in Waco. Eat, bowl, play—know it's for a good cause. Every bite helps make sure no child in Waco goes hungry.
Thursday
McLennan County Talks “How Do We Protect Our Water Supply?” 6:00 PM | Mayborn Museum
Trivia Night 7:00 PM | Brotherwell Brewing
Thursday Mystery Movie Night 7:00 PM | Freight Bar
Songwriter Showcase 8:00 PM | Texas Music Cafe
Featured Event
Brew & Bravo | Wednesday July 16 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM
This Tuesday, the Baylor Club is hosting Brew & Bravo—a laid-back night with improv comedy from Brazos Theatre, Black Rifle Coffee, craft beer, and a snack table built for happiness (hello, tots and Dr Pepper floats). It’s all about connection and celebrating veterans. No membership needed. Veterans +1 welcome. Grab Tickets Here.
Want to share your event with 6,000+ friends? Let’s chat.
SPORTS🐻
Prime Number: $1.3 Million
That is how much Baylor Quarterback is set to earn this season, as reported by the Dallas Observer.
The total estimated payout to this years Baylor Football team sits at $22 million which stems from direct revenue sharing and an NIL collective fund. That’s not a typo. Twenty-two million. College football is big business!
Tickets are set to become available for the August 29th home opener against Auburn (dubbed Blackout on the Brazos) on July 23rd at 9:00 AM.
In other local sports news, Lake Waco and Lake Whitney were selected to participate in the 2026 Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour March 5-8, 2026. 🎣
⚾ And as MLB’s Mid-Summer Classic kicks off tonight, shoutout to Mason Peters, Live Oak Classical alum, drafted in the 4th round by the Seattle Mariners. Congrats, Mason!
THANKS!
Thanks for reading the Waco Buzz today. If you found something helpful, share it with your family member who won’t stop talking about how weird the weather’s been this July.
