Newk's Eatery — Restaurant in Waco

At first glance, Newk’s Eatery feels like the kind of place you pass by a hundred times before you realize you’ve been sleeping on something solid. I walked in expecting something simple—something quick. What I got was a surprisingly satisfying meal that delivered freshness, flavor, and comfort with a quiet kind of confidence.

Let me start with the star: the salad. This wasn’t just a leafy afterthought—it was the headliner. Their pesto chicken Caesar salad with bowtie pasta was alive with texture and vibrancy. The romaine was crisp and glistening, tossed generously with creamy Caesar dressing and a hint of pesto that added depth without being overpowering. The bowtie pasta absorbed the dressing perfectly, soft but not soggy, adding weight and body to the greens. Red bell peppers tucked between the lettuce brought a splash of brightness and crunch. The real secret? The croutons. Big, golden, and with that perfect audible crunch—they didn’t just sit on top; they announced themselves with every bite. The whole bowl tasted fresh, cold, and thoughtfully tossed. It was the kind of salad that makes you pause mid-bite and go, “Oh, wow.”

Now the broccoli cheddar soup—creamy, cheesy, and comforting in every way you’d hope for. Served warm, it was rich but not heavy, and the chunks of broccoli were hearty enough to feel like real food, not filler. The shredded cheddar on top melted in slowly, making each spoonful more decadent than the last. It balanced beautifully next to the freshness of the salad, grounding the meal with warmth.

To wash it down, I went with the iced tea—clean, cold, no artificial aftertaste. Just what it should be. Newk’s offers several varieties at their self-serve tea bar, but I kept it simple and refreshing.

And for dessert? A slice of coconut layer cake—three thick tiers of vanilla cake, layered with coconut icing and covered in sweet coconut flakes. It came chilled, clearly refrigerated, which slightly firmed the sponge and dulled that homemade fluffiness. Still, the flavor was on point: not too sweet, not too dense. It was a solid slice that just needed a few minutes out of the fridge to truly shine.

The space itself matches the food—comfortable, not pretentious. Wooden tables, bright red vinyl booths, and plenty of natural light make it a space that invites you to linger. There’s a calm energy to it, even when it’s busy. The drink station is clean and well-organized, and the grab-and-go section is stocked with salads, sandwiches, and dessert slices for those on the move.

In the end, it was the salad that left the strongest impression on me. Everything was good—but the salad was exceptional. I’d come back for that alone.

Standout Dish: Pesto Caesar Salad with...

A bowl of greens, a spoonful of warmth, and a slice of something sweet—that’s the rhythm Newk’s played today.

Let’s start with the standout: the Pesto Pasta Chicken Caesar Salad. This wasn’t your typical side salad dressed in indifference. This was a full, hearty composition—bowtie pasta mingling with a generous romaine blend, dotted with fresh red bell peppers, Parmesan, and crowned with crunchy, golden croutons that actually tasted fresh (a rare feat). The dressing wasn’t just drizzled on top and forgotten—it was integrated, every leaf carrying its flavor like it had been marinated in attention.

The Broccoli & Cheese Soup came out piping hot. Velvety and well-seasoned, with the kind of consistency you expect from something described as “comfort food.” It didn’t skimp on the cheddar, either—the garnish on top was a nice touch, not just for color but for that extra cheese pull you don’t know you want until it’s there.

The only soft note in the meal was the Coconut Cake. While the texture was nice and the icing not overly sweet, it was clearly from a chilled case. The coldness, while expected, stole a bit of the softness and flavor the cake could’ve offered fresh. Not bad, but it felt more like a convenience item than a house specialty.

Service-wise? Functional. Everyone was doing their job, nothing more, nothing less. It wasn’t warm, but it wasn’t rude. Just efficient.

The dining room, however, deserves a nod. With clean lines, red leather booths, and a cozy, slightly retro-modern aesthetic, it offered a relaxed space to enjoy a meal without distraction. The unsweetened iced tea from the self-serve drink bar was clean, crisp, and a solid pairing for the richness of the soup and salad.

If you’re looking for a quick, filling, and flavorful meal that doesn’t feel like fast food—but also doesn’t pretend to be fine dining—Newk’s hits a nice middle ground. Skip the chilled dessert if you’re sensitive to fridge flavor, but don’t miss the salad. The balance of textures and the quality of the pesto made it one of the more memorable chain salads I’ve had.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Fresh, generous, and satisfying—with just enough room left for dessert (and...

My husband had called to verify that they did serve food that was wheat free, as I have a allergy. After talking to the staff he planned out our day very careful. We come in for dinner. I specifically told the gentleman, I have a wheat allergy, no artichoke hearts on the gluten free Mediterranean pizza either. Well my food comes, I wanted to cry. Part of my husband's pizza is hanging over the tray onto mine. Oh it had artichoke hearts on it too... I sat there quietly watching my pizza. I made sure to keep my eyes on it so I knew what I couldn't eat at all. Apparently there was still cross contamination, my eyes swelled up and I've been using my inhaler more I have itchy spots that have now become open sores. I will NOT be be back ever. I am going to make sure everyone with a food allergy, celiac or a intolerance knows that your restaurant is not the place they should be eating at. I do not want anyone else to suffer like I am. I am thankful I didn't end up needing to use a epi pen or have paramedics come assist in your restaurant!

You are advertising that you have foods that are gluten free... How can you do that? Apparently it seems there is a lot of cross contamination going on in your restaurant. You are going to make people very sick... Or worse! Please don't tell anyone else that you serve food that is gluten free, or anything near it!!! You need to remove the signs in the store saying things are gluten free knowing you are going to put a topping on it from the same container that gloved hands have touched after touching foods full of gluten. False advertising. Your toppings are cross contaminated. Changing your gloves isnt going to make a difference if the food has been handled already with with hands that have been contaminated with gluten on them. You might want to bring this up to corporate office! Meanwhile I am here suffering, all because of the lies...