Kim's Diner — Restaurant in Waco

One of those places that takes what we think of as 'fast food' back to the old school diner quality. It's not super fast - though it certainly arrived faster than I expected as the kitchen was short staffed on my last visit - but it's some of the best 50s style burgers and milkshakes I've ever tried. The food is rich and has a more balanced flavor than drive fast food burgers. The fries have a sort of sweet/salty/almost bitter taste that goes well with ketchup, mustard, ranch, mayo, or anything else you might want to dip them in, as well as being good plain. The veggies are fresh and crisp, and the meat and buns are to die for. Also, the other things on the menu are very good, although I like the burgers too much to deviate often. They have Dublin sodas by the bottle, in a variety of flavors. To me it just adds to the old 50s diner aesthetic, and supports a company I love. I normally get a water (free refills) and a soda (one glass bottle). The shakes are amazing, but I have a soft spot for the soda floats since, for a dollar more, you can use one or the glass bottle Dublin sodas to have with your vanilla icecream. I love peach soda, so I usually end up with a peach float: something I havent been able to get anywhere else. I try to convince my mother to buy one of her own when we go there together, because otherwise she will, without fail, start drinking some of mine. The peach soda float really is so good that I cant blame her. You can try any of their sodas, so get creative, and review it with your favorite! I'd love to scroll through for recommendations. Lastly, the service is good, with staff who show up and are present, helpful, and engaging, even when the lunch rush has hit. I've never run into any staff who were unpleasant. Everyone seems to be doing their part. The place is pretty clean, and very retro, including a few terrifying Elvis homages that make walking in the door feel a little bit like trick-or-treating. There are old cartoon characters and things like that drawn on windows, and all sorts of fun (if kitschy) garniture to add to the ambience. There's even a jukebox. All in all, it's a fun, bright space that sells genuinely amazing 50s diner food. It is a nice ambience, a nice space, nice service, and of course nice food!...

Chicken Fried Throwback with a Side of Silence

Kim’s Diner, Waco, TX

When you walk into Kim’s Diner, the checkerboard floors and chrome-edged tables don’t just say retro—they holler it across the room like a jukebox waking from a nap. Vintage Coca-Cola lights dangle above the booths, red vinyl chairs line up like soldiers, and the walls are pure Americana—nostalgic murals, classic car prints, and diner kitsch. It’s got the bones of a roadside legend, even if the soul’s on break.

I went with a small Chicken Fried Steak Dinner, and for the price, it was a solid move. Let’s break it down: • The Steak: Nicely battered, golden-brown crust, well-seasoned throughout. What made it work was that the cook actually respected the protein—no grease pool, no soggy corners. I specifically asked for the white gravy on the side—I like to see the steak and decide the gravy journey, not get smothered into submission. That request was honored, and the pour-as-you-go approach made each bite better. Props to the cook.

Mashed Potatoes & Brown Gravy: Classic. Creamy, hot, and the brown gravy wasn’t salty or clumpy—just smooth and a little savory. No frills, but well-executed.

Fried Okra: Hot, generously portioned, and while it leaned on the softer side rather than crispy, the flavor came through. It still delivered that Southern familiarity you expect.

Now here’s where the engine coughed: the service. The waitress never introduced herself, took my order, and then vanished—posted up at the bar chatting with a coworker for the rest of the meal. I wasn’t offered refills, no check-in, and no dessert prompt. She did ring me up, but not even a “thanks” or “come back again.” I was ready for that Chocolate Lava Cake, but I wasn’t about to interrupt a social hour to get it. And that’s a shame—because the food earned a second round.

Despite the ghost-town energy and the invisible server act, I would still return. Kim’s delivers where it counts most: hearty comfort food, good prices, and a chef who’s clearly still showing up, even when the front-of-house doesn’t.

With some polished hospitality, this could easily be a five-star joint. But for now, it’s a four-star stop—with a side of...

"We visited Kim’s Diner on 11-11-24 and were disappointed with the service. Despite seating ourselves and waiting patiently for over 10 minutes, the servers failed to acknowledge us or take our drink orders nor bring us menus. I waited because it was busy. Meanwhile, a new table of three gentlemen who arrived after us received immediate attention and menus as well as their drinks. While we still waited to be acknowledged. She only brought us our menus because she was bringing the 3 gentlemen menus who just walked in. When we finally received menus, we were told our server, Liz, would be with us 'shortly.' (I thought so we wait again, it’s been more than 10 mins now) However, after 12 minutes or so of waiting, we decided to leave. We saw that table sit and be acknowledged even while it was busy. We spoke to the manager, who attributed the delay to being 'busy' but didn't adequately address the disparity in service. As a local customer, I expect equal treatment regardless of ethnicity or arrival time. Unfortunately, our experience suggested otherwise. While the manager apologized, his response came across as dismissive. He told me “well I don’t see the reason in your call.” I said “perhaps better training for your employees to attend tables in order as they arrive.” Overall it’s a place I love to eat at but today was rather disappointing. The manager's response to our concerns was underwhelming. To improve, we suggest consistent service, better busy-period management, and equal treatment for...