🐝 Waco’s Easter secret nobody’s spilling (until now)

Good morning, Waco! This is the Waco Buzz, the local newsletter that’s always more fun than filing taxes and almost as satisfying as a big refund.

In today’s edition:

— Sam Harper

We usually save weekend picks for Friday, but Easter plans need a little more lead time — especially if you're wrangling brunch reservations or mapping out egg hunts for the kiddos. So today’s edition comes with a side of strategy to help you impress your mother-in-law and win Best Parent on Saturday.

New Downtown Restaurant Bringing Gulf Coast Vibes to Easter Sunday  

If you've been meaning to try Opal’s Oysters, Easter Sunday is the perfect excuse. This brand-new seafood spot is a love letter to Texas Gulf Coast family traditions — and it's bringing beachside vibes to the heart of downtown Waco.

On Sunday, April 20, Opal’s is rolling out an Easter Brunch Buffet like no other: lobster rolls, a chef-attended carving station, brunch classics, and maybe a lemon drop or two if you’re feeling festive.

Seating starts at 8:30am — and yes, there’s outdoor dining if you want to soak up that spring sunshine.

🌷 Reservations recommended. Come hungry. Leave with a new favorite._^*
👉 Reserve your table now - spots will fill up fast!

More Spots for an Easter Sunday Brunch to Remember
Not feeling seafood? Here are a few more brunch favorites making Easter special this year:

Biggest Egg Hunts Around Waco

Here’s where the kiddos (or the kid in you) can go on the hunt this Easter weekend:

Guardian Collective is coming to Downtown Waco

A luxury auto and social club is making its way to 906 Austin Ave. Guardian Collective will offer 26,000+ sq ft of high-end experiences for car lovers, musicians, and more. Expect a public coffee bar, a luxury guitar store, a workout facility, golf simulator, and an exclusive members-only garage and lounge. Memberships start at $175/month. Opening is planned for late 2025. Take a sneak peak of what they are building and the progress as they approach opening day here: https://www.guardian-collective.com/ We can’t wait for this one!

ReadyGolf opens this Saturday

Rory McIlroy’s excited about his Masters win AND is (probably) just as excited that Waco continuing to level up its golf game. ReadyGolf — a new indoor simulator lounge — is opening this Saturday, April 19 at 11 AM at 1700 S. 5th St. What started as a Baylor class project is now a full-on launch, and they’re celebrating big: free simulator play (using the same Foresight Falcon tech the pros use), free food and coffee, and a raffle with merch and a $500 Visa gift card up for grabs. Air conditioned golf sounds pretty hard to beat!

Alpha Omega Opens New Location in Hewitt
If you've ever craved a gyro with a side of pita chips and the warm fuzzies of supporting local—great news: Alpha Omega just opened their brand new location in Hewitt. 1509 Hewitt Dr

On the agenda for Tuesday’s Waco City Council Meeting:

The meeting is at 6 PM in the Waco Convention Center Bosque Theater, with work session at 3 PM. The public is welcome to attend and can register to speak online or at the meeting. — 100 Washington Avenue, Waco, TX

Waco Appraisals Are Hitting Mailboxes—Now What?
Home appraisal letters started hitting mailboxes across Waco this week. For many, that means rising home values—and potentially higher property taxes. Some areas like Hewitt and Woodway stayed steady, but most homeowners are seeing an uptick.

If your appraisal feels off, don’t panic. You can appeal it. And you don’t have to do it alone. Ownwell Property Tax Relief makes it simple to protest your property value and potentially save hundreds (or more) without you having to do a thing.
Click here to start your appeal with Ownwell _^*

Need a midweek boost? Here’s your lineup—solo, with a date, or kids in tow.

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Featured Event

Brew & Bravo is back at the Baylor Club this Wednesday, April 16th from 5:30–7:30 PM in the Presidents Suite. This feel-good event celebrates veterans, but everyone’s welcome—no club membership required. Enjoy live music from Oklahoma Music Hall of Famer Dave Innis, plus craft beer, snacks, and a special coffee bar from Black Rifle Coffee. It’s a perfect midweek hang with purpose and good vibes.
Grab tickets here. _^*

Baylor Games & Matches:

⚾ Baylor Baseball:
Thursday, April 17 vs Utah | 6:30 PM | Baylor Ballpark
Friday, April 18 vs Utah | 6:30 PM | Baylor Ballpark
Saturday, April 19 vs Utah | 6:30 PM | Baylor Ballpark
Tickets

🎾Baylor Tennis:
Wednesday - Sunday Big 12 Championship | Hurd Tennis Center
Tickets

🤸‍♀️Baylor Track and Field
Friday & Saturday, April 18-19 Michael Johnson Invitational
Tickets

Mixed Martial Arts
Over the weekend, Waco native Hailey Cowan lost in her competition at UFC 314 in Miami. She is a professional fighter, training out of Blitz Sports MMA & Fitness in Robinson, leading the way for Waco’s growing MMA scene .

Thanks for reading the Waco Buzz today. If you found something helpful, share it with someone you will see on Easter Sunday.

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Have a great week!

_^*Sponsored