Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen — Restaurant in Waco

At Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, every bite tells a story. I walked in expecting a routine meal, but what unfolded was a celebration of flavor and tradition—a true culinary ritual that left me both surprised and profoundly satisfied.

The journey began with a croissant that was nothing short of addictive. It reminded me of those irresistible Lay’s Potato Chips you simply can’t stop at one. Each flaky, buttery layer was a welcome prelude, setting the stage for the culinary performance to come.

Then came the star of the show: the buffalo beer‐battered shrimp. These shrimp weren’t just food—they were an experience. Big, fluffy, and golden brown, each piece was enveloped in a vibrant, tangy buffalo sauce that seemed to make the dish come alive. Every bite was a burst of flavor, a perfect harmony of crispy exterior and tender interior that captured the essence of what great casual dining should be.

The main event, however, was the Chicken Pot Pie—a dish that feels like home and haute cuisine all at once. Nestled in a warm ceramic bowl, the pot pie showcased chunky pieces of roasted chicken, lovingly “crushed” to reveal their hearty texture. The chicken mingled with robust vegetables and a rich, creamy sauce, all tucked under a delicately flaky crust. This wasn’t just comfort food; it was an ode to consistency and craftsmanship. The kitchen’s legacy, underscored by the fact that many of the chefs have been perfecting their recipes for over twenty years, was evident in every bite. The flaky crust, the well-seasoned filling, and the overall comforting presentation all spoke to a tradition of excellence that Cheddar’s clearly cherishes.

Complementing this hearty dish was a salad—a simple, fresh supporter that provided a much-needed balance to the richness of the pot pie. It wasn’t the centerpiece, but its role was vital; it offered a refreshing contrast and reminded me that even the simplest sides can elevate a meal when done right.

And then there was the dessert: an apple pie à la mode that carried the same flaky perfection and warmth as the pot pie. The sweet, tender apple filling paired with a cool scoop of ice cream created a harmonious ending, a final note in an unforgettable symphony of flavors.

During the meal, I had a brief but memorable conversation with Michael, the kitchen manager. His pride in his team was palpable as he explained that the very people crafting these dishes have been at it for two decades. There was something reassuring about knowing that such dedication and tradition underpinned every plate that came out of the kitchen—a reminder that consistency isn’t accidental but the result of hard work and passion.

At just $38 with tip, this entire experience—appetizer, main entree, dessert, and the comforting ambiance—felt like a rare treat in the casual dining landscape. It wasn’t about extravagant cocktails or flashy presentations; it was about genuine quality, a meal that resonated with authenticity and care. Whether you’re dining solo or planning a night out with someone special, this is the kind of experience that transforms an ordinary dinner into a memorable ritual.

Bon Appetit to the moments when a meal transcends the everyday. Here’s to the flaky, meaty, saucy, and sweet masterpieces at Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen—a place where every dish invites you to savor life a...

Service was terrible. We were there on a Saturday around 3:00. It was pretty crowded, but we were seated pretty quickly. Our waiter came and asked our drink order and it went down hill after that. We received our drinks and then he returned asking if we were ready to order. No offer was made regarding appetizers. So we sat there with nothing to eat until our food arrived. I ordered meat loaf and was unable to eat more than 2-3 bites. It had olives in it and even though I don't like olives, I picked them out but was still unable to eat the meat loaf. The waiter returned with our check. We were once again not asked if we needed drink refills or would like any dessert. We did order the chocolate cake that came with ice cream and it was really good. I watched another server/waitress combine two tables together for another party that had arrived. On the floor were several French fries when we arrived and I was hoping that she would clean it up before she sat down the next customers but no. She just placed a chair over them and went on her way. So gross. I watched the customer that sat down at the table kick the French fries under the table with her foot. We ate our dessert and then waited for our waiter to return with the check or to at least ask how we were doing. And we waited and waited. Finally we got up and went to the bar area and I had to ask the bartender if we could please pay for our food so we could leave. He asked where we were seated, takes my credit card and states he will get a manager. A manager arrives with my card and receipt, hands it to me and leaves. No apologies, no questions. The original waiter didn't even bother to show up and apologize and I saw him from across the room. I really believe we would have been able to dine and ditch! It is almost laughable. This was our first time there. My 17 year old son really wanted to try it because his friends at school were talking about how good the food is. I hope it was just a bad day for everyone and I still left a tip but we...

Well I'm here to say I've been to places all over this country and I love to eat so somebody had told me about Cheddar's and boy was I disappointed we get in there and there's approximately 7 people in front of us two different families of four and a 3 we were a family of five my wife's birthday of all places and times to make me want to go bad pick so first off go to the bar and order two types of beer two shots for my wife and I the bartender comes back with one type of beer two bottles had to tell him one of them was wrong and he still charged me for correcting the problem he charged me for three bears then after 20 minutes of standing there waiting for a seat I went to the hostess stand I seen throughout the restaurant it's all Booth type seating except there are long tables for five people and more I seen three different places where we could have sat and then watched two separate parties of three and four come in and get seated immediately so as I go to the hostess stand and asked why and how come we can't sit over here the hostess or the waitress that was standing next to the hostess because the hostess was stuttering at where to see usthe waitress says oh no we don't want you to sit there because the table is wobbly I was torbeck at the response of the table is wobbly yeah my family and I walked out and went two blocks to the to the La fiesta and cantina once again they did not disappoint if there was five stars to give out they'd get it Cheddar's disappointing long wait rude people don't know their job I watched busboys clear a table and it took him 10 minutes 1 cup at a time The waitresses walking around people dancing around waiting for food or otherwise I'm not sure people there knew their job never again and the place wasn't even busy it had plenty of seating still 30 minutes and never got a seat...