Waco Hippodrome Theatre

Honestly this is a hit or miss. I love the environment and the concept of eating and full bar with service while watching the movie. Most of the time it takes a long time to get drinks and food. The food and drinks are always great though. And I love how they show Classic movies for free!!! I think in time they will get it together and be a prime theater

I really wanted to like this place. It’s a great concept but they failed miserably in multiple ways.
You clearly hear sound from other theaters and its wildly distracting. This is a combination of poor sound proofing and not playing the audio at a normal movie theater volume. It was simply too quiet.
The chairs are just not comfortable at all after about ten minutes. The tables are cheap. The patrons are disrespectful and talk constantly. At one point a light came on inside the theater. It took two asks and 30 minutes to get a single glass of wine. Lots of frustrating and distracting events in general.
They show about 47 commercials before the previews. I’m not talking about pre-​roll before showtime. At the time the film is set to start they showed a series of terrible local commercials. If I wanted to watch commercials, I’d stay at home and watch TV.
I’m writing this in hope these things will be improved by management. With just a few things, the experience could have easily been 5 stars.

I plan to eat here 5 days in a row (Mon — Fri) so this is day 3 of 5. Yesterday (12−15−15) I had Meatloaf Blueplate special and it was delicious.
Today (Wed)(12−16−15) I had the Chicken Fried Steak Blueplate special. I like the fact that the served the gravy on the side but was not thrilled when it was served with white gravy. Also, the steak was slightly charred but certainly edible.
On both days, the waiter and waitress brought me my lunch and I never heard from them again until I was ready to go. Tuesday, I had to physically get up and ask for my check. On Wednesday, after I was finished and asked for my check then the waitress asked if I wanted dessert.
Service so far has been lukewarm at best. I still can give them more than 3 stars at this point. Two more days to go.
Thursday (12−15−15
Today was Fried Catfish. I’m not a real big fan of fried foods especially Catfish but it was lightly battered and fried crispy. It was served with cole slaw and curly fries and 3 shrimp. The shrimp again was friend in the same batter as the Catfish. Perhaps there’s nothing wrong with it but I’m not use to seeing the same batter on my shrimp that I see on my fish.
I also wish they would alternate the sides a bit more for day of the week they have the Blueplate specials. The coleslaw and hushpuppies were consistent. Dessert today was a red velvet cake and although I’m not a big dessert person the cake was very good. The coffee was horrible again and I will not order it again. They got me twice so I guess coffee must not be there thing.
I had a different waiter today and pretty much the same level of interaction (practically none). He dropped the food off and then did not come back to the table until he brought me the dessert. I had no idea dessert was included. Two day’s I got to dessert and the other two day I didn’t also.
Also, this is another pet peeve of mine. I had to use my dinner fork to eat my dessert. I know you may be thinking this is so picky. It’s really not that but who wants to suck the catfish grease off of their fork so they can then stick it in their cake? Not me but its my fault not his I simply should have insisted on a dessert fork. One more day to go.

I love the atmosphere of being in an old theater. I really appreciate that the Hippodrome shows old movies. A few days before Halloween on an overcast day, my Mom and I went to see the original A Nightmare on Elm Street. Before the movie, we ate lunch in the restaurant. The food was very good and not expensive. The waitstaff was friendly. All the people working there were very personable. The restaurant is nice with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the downtown street and tasteful furnishings. The whole experience provided a wonderful memory of my Mom and I having some pre Halloween fun. We will be back.

After reading about this historic theatre we wanted to check it out before we left town and were greeted by some really nice people who allowed us to tour the theatre and check out the renovations! We did not stay for a meal but would definitely come back in the future because of the enthusiasm of the staff there!
The dining area has been completely remodeled and I can imagine having a nice dinner here in the evening before watching a film or even dining in the theatre if you chose to! Conveniently located in a nice historic section of Waco this place has a lot of charm and history and some very nice people working there!
I love these old style theaters… you can almost feel the history of the souls who might have sat here in the thirties and forties.
Charming and elegant. A nice place to unwind if you’re ever in Waco!

I want to love this place but it’s been a great dissapointment. The first time we came the server completely forgot our order. I missed parts of the movie trying to convince me to purchase more food ¾ into the movie. We decided to to try one more time and they are not serving food during the day. This info would have been great to know! Our son was looking forward to having the experience of dinner and a movie. We didn’t have time to go anywhere else to eat. We ran across the street to portifinos hoping for a quick bite but they didn’t have any bread for most of their menu. (Sandwiches etc). Since we already purchased three movie tickets we ate $ 16 worth of stale popcorn to suffice.

I really want to love this place. Because I love Waco and support local business. Here’s a review of two separate visits–
The first, hubby and I visited the restaurant on a date night (rare occurrence with a newborn). It’s a lovely building, however upstairs dining décor/​ambiance is… Interesting. Tables could use some of those plain white table linens, décor and architecture wasn’t cohesive, or… Something. I couldn’t put my finger on it. Some tables overlook Austin Ave so that’s a bonus. Food was awesome! That’s what brought us back.
Second visit — we wanted to see Tomorrowland really bad, so I planned another date night for hubby at the Hippodrome, a surprise for him. We were going to do dinner and a movie, a first for us. The website did not say anything about the kitchen being closed that day. It actually says that in theatre dining is available during all Saturday and Sunday showings. I paid $ 17 for 2 tickets (usually pay $ 5/​ea at other theaters), yet we had to rush across the street to eat at another restaurant before the movie started because we were so hungry, and bummed that we weren’t getting the dinner and movie experience, and weren’t informed prior, and weren’t offered a partial refund or anything. Then you sit in these upright restaurant chairs, at a table/​counter meant for dining, not reclined comfortably next to your date… which would be great, IF we were eating. Throughout our movie we could hear another movie going on, too.
:(Don’t think we’ll be back, sadly.

Saw the new terminator movie here and it was good I don’t so much like how seating went because it was like you were sitting at a cafeteria table but the seats were comfy but they don’t lean back or anything just a standard table seat so sort of stiff. I liked how the ac was on but it got to the point where it was so cold in there that me and my husband were getting goosebumps… If we had a hoodie or a blanket it’d be perfect lol I enjoyed the place I liked the vibe and the enterior was beautiful and staff was nice as well. We paid $ 4 for a drink and you can get free refills and that’s pretty good considering you pay about $ 6 at other theaters. We didn’t eat the food since we went at 12:30. Will most likely go back for sure :)

My husband and I went out with some friends for dinner at the hippodrome, and sadly the food was so bland and boring. The cocktail I had was so sweet and way to sugary, the chips and salsa were pathetic, and the tacos had no flavor at all! I am disappointed and wondering why they would even think of putting a separate restaurant in the theater. The service was not good at all, the guy had no idea how to take care of his customers. I hate putting bad reviews, but if they had a hip, modern restaurant with trendy food it would be so much better, and a menu that actually makes sense. I think a gastro pub would do amazing there! Will not be going back or recommending it.

My family went to Hippodrome for dinner and a movie on my husband’s birthday. I had the King Kong burger. It had a juicy flavorful patty with bacon, caramelized onions, tomato jam and a fried egg. So yummy and a great mingling of flavors and textures. What really set this burger apart though is the bun. It tasted homemade, sweet and a little chewy. It was the best burger bun I have had! The fries that came with it were battered, crisp on the outside and tender inside. My son had the pulled pork nachos and my husband had the Urban Cowboy street tacos. They both loved their food as well.
We saw an indie film that wouldn’t play at any other theatre in Waco. We loved the atmosphere, the movie, the food and the service. My son (14) said he wants to see all movies at the Hippodrome from now on! It was a great night out and very relaxing and fun. Highly recommend it for a family night or a date night.

It’s less that the service is poor and more that the management and planning is poor. We bought tickets online for a Friday movie at 7 and the theatre was full because people were saving seats for people who hadn’t even arrived yet. First, they tried to sit us in the very back where the seats have no tables. Literally the last row and it was obviously a makeshift row. They then offered to sit us in literally the first row. We refused. We were there over 15 minutes early for a movie that we had tickets for far in advance. Management refused to stop people from saving seats for people who didn’t even have tickets — even after the movie started. They crunched us in at the very end of a row by adding a chair. After, our drinks took nearly 20 minutes and our food took over an hour and was reheated and not good quality.
Look, I just want to make people aware of the level of service and quality that is offered on busy Friday nights when a new, popular movie is playing. Management did really, truly try to make amends but, honestly, they can’t take away a poor experience.

We got to the theatre 30 minutes early, like requested. We navigated our way to the show. In short this was a unique experience. No, you will not get IMAX sound, but we had great seats. We ordered and the food came promptly. My 14 year old soon didn’t care for the balcony style, but it was great to me! Great experience! We will return. FYI, they do military discounts for the member only. Try it out but have an open mind.

Fun place! Went to a performance of retro music by the likes of Buddy Holly, Elvis, and other. Had a great time with friends. Would definitely attend other events or movies here, or enjoy a drink at their bar.

Service and food absolutely TERRIBLE. I went here for the second time for a friends birthday dinner and will never go back. My husband and I joined the group after they had ordered. We were never waited on by the server, so we headed inside to order. The manager noticed we were walking upstairs and said she would personally take our order. Thirty minutes later we got our draft beers and two hours we received a very bland grilled chicken sandwich. We still never received any service from the waiter assigned to our table. Also the owner was bussing the table and never once asked if our group needed more drinks or how anything was. I would have had at least four beers, but since I never was waited on, I had one beer. I feel they hire anyone that they can and throw them in without training. Owner must have no food and beverage experience either. Sorry Waco, this place is a bust.

This is a really fun place! We had lunch here on a Saturday and the experience was great. The menu was the same as the theater menu that day. This is a new place and they are still trying out different menu items but all four meals at our table were very tasty and nicely presented.
The food is all named after movie titles. We started out with the chips and queso with extra chorizo and salsa, which had a unique flavor that had me wanting to take some home for later. For my meal I had the One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest — a robust chicken sandwich served with lightly fried french fries.
We ate in the restaurant on the second floor with a view of downtown through the floor to nearly ceiling windows. The service was quick, efficient and friendly.
We did not see a movie but the couple we were with had done so on several occasions and had a pleasant experience each time.
The owner has made some great improvements to the theater since the opening. They have upgraded the sound equipment and added a bunch of speakers so that every seat has perfect sound. I learned this during a private tour we had of the stage. (They will give a behind the scenes tour to anyone who asks — as long as there is no movie in progress!)
Great food. Unique restaurant and theater. I highly recommend.

Let me start off by saying that I wanted to like this place so much. I was so excited when I heard this concept was coming to Waco, as it gave a certain legitimacy to our city’s growth to be able to have a place like this.
However, while I was able to overlook the typical complaints about poor sound quality, which is a legitimate beef, I would like to point to the outrageously bad service and restaurant management failures that accompany your moviegoing experience.
My wife and I attended a special Valentine’s Day showing that was supposed to come with a prefixed nice plated dinner. Obviously much more expensive than the typical menu fare.
After arriving at 45 minutes early, and making sure our orders were received, it took over two hours for us to eventually get any food. I had to get up and fetch a manager on three separate occasions to find out why everyone around us had gotten food but not us. Each time I was answered with the same «it will be just a second, coming right out», and it was always an extra 10 minutes until I went back to hear the same song and dance, and still no food. This went on for quite a while, and eventually we were served half of one entrée, with no appetizers like we have paid for. we had not even been given water during this entire ordeal.
So we eventually reached a breaking point, and got up and walked out in the middle of the movie, as we had never received our dinner, and spent our Valentines at Torchy’s Tacos because the Waco Hippodrome could not do it’s job. Of course, at 7 PM on Valentine’s Day, every place worth visiting for a table for two was completely booked. So thanks.
In summation, it is a fabulous idea, and whenever they get things ironed out, I’m sure it will be a great experience, but do not to go into it expecting things to run smoothly, because after our experience I can guarantee we’ll never be back.

My husband, two other friends of ours attended the Hippodrome last night for dinner and a movie. We watched American Snipper. Fantastic movie, amazing dinner. Beyond beautiful atmosphere, how the old movie reels were preserved and displayed. Highly impressed. A must see for yourself. With date night in mind and VDay just around the corner. The Hippodrome is absolutely a perfect way to spend that time with the one you love. Oh not to mention the menu with old movie titles as your description, I Had the God Father, which was a personal pizza. Amazing! :-) we will be back. Thank you Rebecca and Tonya for the tour and explaining the specials and the new events to come, can’t wait to see the out door movies too.

I enjoyed Urban Cowboy Tacos and window seating upstairs at the Waco Hippodrome at lunch today. I felt like I was on vacation! Brisket, Pickled Red Onion, Mustard Slaw and Cotija Cheese. Served with salsa and fresh made chips from Jesse’s Tortilla Factory just minutes away! I dined by myself and became completely immersed in watching pedestrians and activity on the street below. The food was great and service, excellent today!

Went for dinner and drinks around Christmas after hearing they had hired a new chef from Nashville. There was a group of 8 of us and we were all super impressed by the food and service. Our waitress was kind, attentive and very knowledgeable about the menu and food in general. The food was incredible. Very creative menu, everything seemed fresh, especially the fries, which were incredible. Definitely not taken out of a freezer and fried. The «hot chicken» tacos (a Nashville original) which included a house-​made slaw and house-​made pickles were incredible. The mac & cheese was delicious. The wings were big, juicy, and cooked perfectly.
The only negative I could point out is the beer selection. They do have Stone IPA on tap, but other than that, standard light beers, not a ton of variety. Would like to see them add one or two local beers to the rotation.
Great addition to the Waco food scene. Looking forward to going to a movie soon. Hopefully the audio issue people have mentioned has been figured out.

Stopped in for dinner tonight. First, let me see that I can only speak for the restaurant — I did not go see a movie.
I got the American (bacon cheeseburger) with mac and cheese as my side. Just shy of $ 10 with tax before tip (water to drink).
I was really impressed with both the food and the service. The restaurant is upstairs and got directions from a very friendly girl, and then got great service from my waiter Randy.
The cheeseburger was really good — like, surprisingly good. The patty was very thick, obviously hand-​formed /​not frozen, and cooked excellently (a bit rare, which I like). the bun was absolutely awesome — not sure if I just lucked out, but perhaps my favorite burger bun in Waco. Am I gushing? Perhaps.
The mac and cheese was really good as well — definitely above average, but I’ll gush over it when they add bacon or lobster to it :)
The ambiance is great — windows overlooking the city, the building itself is a well renovated oldie, and there is just something nice about eating off the ground floor (it’s funny how rare that happens. think about it! McLane stadium does not count).
All in all, a very pleasant experience and I would definitely recommend the restaurant for its food and atmosphere. I will note that a few of my friends have gone to see movies and commented the sound was not up to par — unfortunate, but if they pay as much attention to details on the theater as they do to most everything else, I imagine (hope!) that they will get a bomb speaker system in there ASAP.
A Waco gem for sure!