George's Restaurant Waco: A Baylor Student's Guide to a 95-Year Waco Icon
If you've been in Waco for more than a semester, someone has mentioned George's. Located at 1925 Speight Ave — about 1.5 miles east of 19Eleven on S 8th Street — George's Restaurant Bar & Catering has been feeding Waco since 1930. That's 95 years in the same spot: longer than Baylor's current football stadium, longer than most buildings on campus, longer than anyone living here can personally remember.
For Baylor students, George's is worth knowing for a specific set of reasons: it's open until midnight six days a week, it has a full bar, the food is genuinely good, and it's the kind of place that every parent visiting Waco will immediately appreciate. It's not trendy. It's not trying to be discovered on social media. It just works — the same way it's worked for nearly a century.
Here's the complete guide.
A Little History (Because It Matters Here)
George's started in 1930 as Harry B's, owned by Harry Urmeister. George Etros purchased the restaurant in 1967 and renamed it. Since then it's operated continuously through Waco's various transformations — floods, tornados, economic shifts, and eventually the Magnolia Market era that turned the city into a destination.
The reason wacohistory.org has a dedicated entry on George's isn't just nostalgia. Waco's local historians recognize it as part of the civic infrastructure — a place where the city has gathered, eaten, and celebrated for nearly a century. Baylor students who discover George's freshman year and graduate four years later are a small slice of that 95-year guest list.
That history is genuinely part of the George's experience, and it's not a gimmick. When you sit down at a booth that's probably been in the same spot for decades and order the same chicken fried steak people ordered in 1975, there's something to that.
What George's Is (and Isn't)
George's is a full-service restaurant and bar open Monday through Saturday from 6:30 AM until midnight. Yes, they really open that early — you can walk in before a morning class and get breakfast. You can also walk in at 11 PM and get dinner. The kitchen stays open until close, which makes George's one of the few genuine late-night dining options in Waco that isn't fast food.
The vibe is casual. Booths, tables, a full bar area — the kind of setup that's been refined by decades of use rather than designed by a committee. There's no dress code, and groups of eight show up just as comfortably as couples or solo diners.
The menu is more flexible than most students expect. The core is classic American: chicken fried steak, burgers, and generous sides. But George's also does Tex-Mex — fajitas, enchiladas — plus fried catfish and a range of seafood. Portions are large, prices are reasonable for the Waco market, and nothing on the menu requires explanation.
George's also handles catering for larger events. If you're organizing a dinner for 20 or more people, it's worth calling ahead.
What to Order
Chicken Fried Steak. This is the signature — the dish regulars return for and the item that defines George's in Waco's collective dining memory. Order it your first visit. You can explore the menu on subsequent trips.
The Big O. If you're 21+, this is the drink order at George's. It's a cold beer served in an 18-ounce goblet. The Big O is the reason the bar has a loyal following and why the place fills up on game days. Pair one with the chicken fried steak and you've done George's correctly.
Tex-Mex. The fajitas are solid. If you're in a group with mixed appetites, the Tex-Mex side of the menu handles variety well — you can order fajitas while someone else gets a burger without the table feeling split.
Fried catfish. For students who haven't spent time in Texas, fried catfish is a regional staple done well at George's. Worth trying at least once.
Who George's Is Right For
Students who've never experienced an old-school Texas bar-and-grill. George's is the reference experience. If you grew up in Texas, you already know what this is. If you're from out of state, this is something Waco has that your hometown probably doesn't: a restaurant that's been continuously operating for nearly a century. If you're living in south Waco near Baylor, having this kind of place 1.5 miles away is something to take advantage of.
Parent weekenders. When parents visit and ask what's "authentically Waco," George's is the correct answer. It's accessible price-wise, comfortable for multi-generational tables, and the 95-year history gives you an easy conversation starter. Parents from Texas will recognize it immediately. Parents from out of state will find it genuinely interesting. Either way, George's handles family dinners without fuss.
Groups. George's manages large tables without complaint, and the broad menu means mixed-preference groups can all find something. If you're coordinating a floor dinner, a team meal, or a birthday gathering and don't want to deal with a limited menu or a wait list, George's is a reliable option. Call ahead for parties of 10 or more.
Late-night diners. Very few Waco restaurants serve real food after 10 PM. George's kitchen stays open until midnight Monday through Saturday. If you're coming off a late event, a football game, or a long night and need an actual meal rather than a drive-through, George's fills that gap better than almost anywhere else in the city.
People who want a full bar. George's isn't just a restaurant with a beer selection — it's a proper bar with a full spirits menu. The Big O is the signature, but if you want a margarita with your fajitas or a round of drinks before a Baylor game, the bar can handle it. For 21+ students, this combination of late-night kitchen and full bar is genuinely rare near Baylor.
Getting There from 19Eleven
From 19Eleven at 1911 S 8th Street, the trip to George's is roughly 1.5 miles east on Speight Ave. A useful landmark: Armstrong Browning Library sits right at the corner of S 8th Street and Speight Ave — that's essentially your front door and the start of the route. From there, George's is about 12 blocks east on the same road.
Rideshare from 19Eleven runs $5–8. Street parking is typically available on Speight and nearby side streets. If you have a bike, the route is direct — Speight Ave goes straight east and the ride takes around 10 minutes.
George's is close enough to be a regular spot, not just an occasional trip.
Practical Details
Address: 1925 Speight Ave, Waco TX 76706
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 6:30 AM–Midnight. Closed Sundays.
Bar: Full service, open during all restaurant hours
Catering: Available for larger events — call ahead
Reservations: Not required for most group sizes, but call ahead for large parties
Parking: Street parking on Speight and surrounding side streets
Making George's Part of Your Waco Experience
Living at 19Eleven means you're in one of the better parts of Waco's geography — walking distance to Baylor's south campus, close to the S 8th Street corridor, and a short ride from most of what the city offers. George's fits naturally into that geography.
For restaurants in the broader area, the neighborhood guide covers the full S 8th Street corridor, including nearby coffee shops, casual dining, and spots worth building into your regular rotation. George's anchors the east end of the Speight Ave stretch for dining landmarks.
Here's a practical framework for when to use George's:
- First parent visit: Take them to George's. It's the correct "authentically Waco" answer.
- First cold snap in October: Chicken fried steak. No discussion needed.
- Post-event late dinner: George's kitchen is open until midnight. Go.
After those three visits, you'll find your own reasons to come back. Most people who live in Waco for any length of time do.
For context on the broader Waco dining scene, our restaurant guide for Baylor students covers the full range — from budget-friendly spots to places worth saving for a special occasion.
Want to see what's around 19Eleven? Schedule a tour to walk the neighborhood and get a feel for what South 8th Street offers, or explore our floor plans to find the right setup for your group.
