Common Grounds Waco — Restaurant in Waco

If you know coffee. If you have a refined palate. If you value yourself. Then please go somewhere else. I have been in coffee business for a long time and I have never tasted anything like what they sell at Common Grounds. I cannot even force myself to say that they sell coffee. Perhaps these beverages seem OK to the students who only have to cross the street from their campus. These students who were sprawled all over shop and "studying" and sipping on these beverage which I can firmly say that 80% is milk, 10% some sort of syrup, 5% sugar and 5% of what they call coffee. I say this because this would be the only way to drink their "coffee". To be able to tell how great the coffee really is I order an espresso. Usually on a double shot I would add 2 packets of raw sugar since I like it lightly sweetened but not enough to affect the quality of coffee. Now, this "double" shot ( I will explain) was so acidic and flavorless that it had nothing to do with coffee. What sort of liquid that was I have no idea! The reason I wrote "double" shot is because it was, in fact, a single shot. If you are to take a shot glass and measure it it would be only one shot. I went inside and I told them that I ordered a double espresso and not single. I was told that "this is how our machine is programmed so that is got to be a double shot". Their machine can be programmed in any way they want but that will not make me mistake a single shot from a double shot. When I told them that we can measure this they responded by saying: "apparently we have different understanding of what is coffee." I would say that we DEFINITELY do! Just to say a word or two on their seating arrangement. The front of the shop looks nice and inviting and so does the side wing which is covered. Interior is cozy but with so many people "studying" it does not seem to be a place where one would relax. The rear of the shop, which I was looking forward to the most based on the pictures online, was very disappointing!They call it rustic but I call it dirty, unorganized, and unkempt. The cushions looked like the ones you find at your local dump station. Such a shame since it is the only place where you can sit outside and still be in the shade due to a lovely tree canopy. Another thing is parking. There is very limited parking in the front and the rear of the shop. It is easy to part elsewhere but you are at risk of getting your car towed. I write this to warn you and I had to give them 1 star for that. Honestly, I would close this place...

Common Grounds in Waco has been an integral part of my Baylor experience, offering not just a cup of coffee, but a warm, cozy, and personable atmosphere that's both fun and inviting. As a beloved local spot next to the Baylor Campus, it's the smaller yet equally charming counterpart to the other Common Grounds locations.

What makes this place truly special is its unique vibe that combines a comfortable setting with an eclectic touch. Whether it's meeting friends or taking a short walk off campus for a top-notch coffee, Common Grounds never disappoints with its quality and friendly environment.

An interesting aspect of this coffee shop is its history with the local community. It's a longtime favorite among locals and students alike, known for its great coffee and relaxed setting. This place isn't just a coffee shop; it's one of Waco's most popular intimate concert venues, adding a lively dimension to its already vibrant atmosphere. They even have an association with one of the Season 2 renovated houses from a famous TV show, where the episode featured Chip eating a cockroach - but rest assured, that's not part of the coffee shop experience!

Moreover, Common Grounds stands out with its cowboy-themed drinks, like the 'No Bull,' made with their renowned sweet and caffeinated Secret Sauce. It's this combination of great drinks, addictive atmosphere, and the joy of live music that makes Common Grounds a go-to spot not just for Baylor students but for anyone seeking a quality coffee experience in Waco.

Every visit to Common Grounds has been memorable, making it an indispensable part of my time at Baylor. It's more than just a coffee shop; it's a hub of campus life, a place where conversations flow as smoothly...

Coffee and coffee drinks are delicious here and easily a 4 star for enjoy-ability. Quality is good with bean selection from local/smaller roasteries and several interesting espresso drinks (hot snickers and cold pig swig are my favorites), but one shouldn't come here expecting to be going to a high end coffee bar; it's a very typical coffee/study/concert hangout venue next to a college with a nice quirky/grungy atmosphere that feels like Austin 20 years ago. Not any reason to dock a star or give a bad review, just know this is the atmosphere/product that you come for. Wait times vary widely depending on time of day/year. You might walk in and have your drink in 1-2 minutes during summer or Christmas break, but be prepared to deal with hard to find parking or waiting in the drive through for 20-30 minutes.

Why I didn't give a 4 or 5 star review to a place that I really enjoy overall? The answer is lack of meeting market demand for frozen drinks. The frozen's here are enjoyable, but at least 75% of my visits to this establishment at various times throughout the day end like this: "Sorry, our frozen machine is down." "A spoon was dropped in our frozen machine and it won't be repaired until tomorrow." "We ran out of frozen and have to wait several hours until it's frozen again." Repeatedly receiving 'frozen' drinks that aren't to the frozen/slushy stage but merely chilled and higher viscosity than coffee drinks poured over ice. I have a real appreciation for the cost of doing business, but definitely think they should raise the price on their frozen drinks to keep demand in check and/or build up money to buy a larger/2nd frozen machine. The demand definitely seems...