Cajun Craft — Restaurant in Waco

A Hidden Gem for Southern Comfort in Waco

Cajun Craft on 11th Street in Waco, Texas, is the kind of place that reminds you why made-to-order food is always worth the wait. Tucked away in the southern part of Waco, not too far from Magnolia, this cozy spot brings a little taste of Louisiana straight to Texas. If you’re craving crispy, golden-fried catfish with all the right seasonings, this is where you want to be.

The Experience

I stopped in on a quiet afternoon, and the place was empty, which meant I had the full attention of the kind and welcoming staff. Josephine, my server, was warm and attentive, making sure everything came out just right. The atmosphere is rustic yet clean, with dark wooden tables, metal chairs, and a relaxed, inviting vibe. It feels like a casual Southern kitchen where you can kick back and enjoy good food without any fuss.

The Food

I went for the catfish meal, which came with two massive fillets, fries, hush puppies, and a drink. At around $20, it felt like a great deal for the portion and quality.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Catfish – Perfectly golden, crispy on the outside, flaky and tender on the inside. The seasoning was on point—bold but not overpowering. Each bite had a satisfying crunch, with just the right amount of spice. • Fries – These weren’t your average fries. They had a nice rustic cut, a crispy exterior, and a soft, pillowy center. Seasoned well, they complemented the catfish beautifully. • Hush Puppies – Classic Southern comfort. Golden brown, slightly sweet, and fluffy on the inside. A great little addition to round out the meal. • Tartar Sauce & Lemon Wedge – The cool, creamy tartar sauce paired nicely with the fish, and the lemon added a fresh zing.

Everything arrived fresh and piping hot, reinforcing that made-to-order quality.

The Verdict

Cajun Craft is a must-visit if you’re in Waco and looking for authentic, well-seasoned, Southern-style seafood. The portions are generous, the flavors are bold, and the service is friendly. The cozy, no-frills atmosphere makes it a perfect spot for a laid-back meal. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, this is a five-star experience all around.

5 Stars for Food, Service, and Atmosphere!

Next time you’re in Waco, swing by Cajun Craft for a bite. You...

Absolutely 5 stars all the way across. As an Airforce brat I have been many places around the U.S. I am a food snob because I have had good food in many places. This is a tiny restaurant that was just absolutely everything that it should be. We came for the Po boys but after sampling a couple of appetizers we ended up ordering a sampling of several things. Everything we had was seasoned perfectly and had the flavor that made everything taste like it was made with love at your cajun friend’s house. The Po Boys were made with fresh bread fresh veggies and perfectly seasoned and cooked shrimp. Gator bites were thick and not overly breaded like I usually get at a restaurant. The crawfish étouffée, gumbo and redbeans and rice were all perfectly made had good texture and fresh ingredients not overly cooked or blended up and squirt into a bowl like you get at some restaurants. The soup came with either in house made saltines or saltines that were additionally seasoned and then baked to give a flavorful and crisp crunch. The macaroni and cheese was really good. This is a dish I don’t normally order from restaurants because it is so easy to get wrong but they definitely got this one right. The cajun fries were well made, fresh and not overly seasoned. There were also some rice balls and crab stuffed jalapeños that we ate which were probably my favorite out of everything I ate but I forgot what they were called. We finished off with beignets that were just the perfect ending to a great meal. We ordered a lot and shared so if you are in a group I very much recommend that. The food was so great that that alone would be amazing but really it was the staff that was so great. Everyone there was helpful as a team. I was really reluctant to give a tip before I got my food and even more reluctant to give a tip for the team instead of rewarding an individual server but then I understood why tips are pooled here. Everyone really does their part and we had an amazing experience. I have to say so far this has been my favorite place I have been to in Waco. Sorry for the half eaten food pictures but I had no idea we were going to enjoy the...

I love this place! My husband and I drove down to take his mother out to lunch. It was a plan for us, a surprise for her.

We decided on Cajun Craft and it was the best lunch I had in years. I almost love everything about this spot. And the one thing I did love (type of seats), didn't matter.

We order 4 sides to share coleslaw, cajun corn (2 cobs), fried okra and red beans and rice. The cajun corn and fried okra were the stars. The other 2 were above average and we thoroughly enjoyed.

Mother and son ordered Seafood platter and they both loved it. They raved about how the catfish was cooked to perfection. My husband loved the shrimp. I stole one and I agreed. The shrimp was cooked and seasoned just right. My MIL doesn't typically like hush puppies, she enjoyed the ones at Cajun Craft.

I ordered the Catfish Atchafalayla and the first bite made my toes curl. It was that f*ing good! The catfish was tasty, not greasy surrounded by crawfish etouffee. It melted in my mouth. I also ordered bread pudding which did not disappoint. I have a sweet tooth. I appreciated that is wasn't overly sweet.

Everything is cooked fresh and the young lady who greeted us asked us to keep this in mind. I told her we were patient and no worries. To be honest, our food came out in a timely manner. They were busy.

The service was good. The energy of the place is easygoing and very laid back. My husband and I can be particular (picky). Yet we are not complainers by nature. So we don't give businesses or the people who work there a bad time. Our method of operation is too simple not go back and spend our money elsewhere.

We truly had a great meal and good time! We sat next to a lovely couple with a baby. We even shared food. Which you normally don't do but it was just the warm vibes of the place. I am sure their beautiful baby was a big part of that equation.

We drove down from Keller (1 hour 30 minute drive) and it's my plan to have lunch there once a month. It well...