I'm a Chip and Joanna Gaines Fixer Upper fan and came to Waco from New Zealand to visit Magnolia Marketplace at the Silos!
My husband had no idea where we were going. To him (and to people of a certain era), Waco is synonymous with the horrific cult and fire that took place 30 years ago at the Branch Davidian building about 15 minutes from Waco.
But Chip and Joanna Gaines, two of the sweetest people you've seen on TV over the past decade, put Waco Texas on the map for a different reason. Both men grew up and attended college here and have now built an empire that employs about 500 to 600 people across multiple locations.
![Magnolia Marketplace Silos, Waco](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Silos-Waco-1024x689.jpg)
![Magnolia Marketplace Silos, Waco](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Silos-Waco-1024x689.jpg.webp)
So your question: Is it worth the 13-hour flight and 4-hour road trip (with a layover) to Houston? A night in Galveston On the Gulf Coast, just for fun)? of course!
Not only did I visit Magnolia Market in Silos We've been to downtown Waco twice, but I made reservations for us at the house on the show.
![Fixer Upper Shotgun House, Waco](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Megan-at-shotgun-house-waco-outside-1024x768.jpg)
![Fixer Upper Shotgun House, Waco](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Megan-at-shotgun-house-waco-outside-1024x768.jpg.webp)
We stayed at the Shotgun House., available for rent online (you can see my photos and tour video), along with four other properties that I've found and added booking links to. It's within walking distance (maybe a mile) of Magnolia Marketplace, but we had a car. Parking there can be tricky though!
The impact of Gaines' business on Waco has led to new hotels being built downtown around the market post-COVID-19. And when we were there the couple was still working on renovating the hotel. Picture below.
Fans of the show will also enjoy driving around Waco while seeing some of the other properties featured on Fixer Upper. Like an amazing castle, like a country house with a German schmear on red bricks.
![Fixer Upper Schmier House](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Fixer-Upper-farmhouse-waco-1024x768.jpg)
![Fixer Upper Schmier House](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Fixer-Upper-farmhouse-waco-1024x768.jpg.webp)
![Megan from Fixer Upper Castle, Waco](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Megan-at-Fixer-Upper-castle-1024x768.jpg)
![Megan from Fixer Upper Castle, Waco](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Megan-at-Fixer-Upper-castle-1024x768.jpg.webp)
Before the hugely successful Fixer Upper show, Waco was a college town best known for Baylor University. People come here because they are in college or visiting their children who are in college.
Chip Gaines is a Baylor graduate and so is Joanna, a girl from Wichita, although they never actually met there. It's a pretty cute story in itself, but when Chip first saw his picture hanging on the wall in his dad's car garage, he thought, 'I'm going to marry that girl.' And he did.
And with five children and $50 million in personal wealth, they are transforming Waco's sleepy economy.
We drove around the house a few blocks from the Marketplace, built around two old silos in the heart of town next to the railroad tracks.
![](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Silos-and-cupcake-shop-waco-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Silos-and-cupcake-shop-waco-1024x768.jpg.webp)
The first thing we noticed were some surrounding businesses capitalizing on Magnolia's success. Joanna's signature white building and black trim were also being used in other stores.
Driving through downtown Waco, you'll find thrift stores and Joanna's Antique Shop. You'll also notice that the city appears to be in a state of regeneration. So what do locals think of the Magnolia Empire?
I asked Waco's public relations representative for tourism about this when I met him at a travel conference I was attending in San Antonio. What do locals think of the Gaines family's influence? What was Waco before Chip and Joanna and the mighty Magnolia? Do some people object to the Gaines family and their $50 million worth, which draws countless tourists to the quiet streets of small-town America every year?
Waco was and still is a college town. Baylor University is a prestigious university, but that's what you came to Waco for. Unless you came for that “other” reason…
Most people say they love what Chip and Joanna have done for Waco, putting it on the map for all the right reasons and providing new business opportunities for many local residents. The old saying that a rising tide lifts all boats is true here.
![Austin Street, the heart of Waco](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Austin-street-waco-texas-1024x722.jpg)
![Austin Street, the heart of Waco](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Austin-street-waco-texas-1024x722.jpg.webp)
Driving through Waco, you will notice that it is not a wealthy city. Other than Baylor, I can't think of why you would want to live here. But now new business is thriving here, as literally millions of tourists taking day trips from Dallas and Austin add Waco to their Texas road trips.
![](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Fixer-upper-Magnolia-hotel-waco-1024x771.jpg)
![](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Fixer-upper-Magnolia-hotel-waco-1024x771.jpg.webp)
In the last few years, three new hotels have been built in the downtown area between Magnolia Silos and Baylor. And there's a lot of potential for developing vacant land or fixing and flipping crumbling homes.
I'm sure Chip and Joanna will agree that not every problem can be fixed. So if anyone wants it, work it out.
Magnolia Empire's latest project is fixing up a hotel in town about three blocks from the Silos. This is our biggest project to date and we can't wait to see the six-part series complete filming in August 2023.
![Magnolia Marketplace Map](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-marketplace-map-1024x768.jpg)
![Magnolia Marketplace Map](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-marketplace-map-1024x768.jpg.webp)
So what is Magnolia Marketplace and is it worth coming to Waco for?
If you love Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel, you'll love Joanna Gaines' country-chic, modern vibe. She designed her own tableware, linens and kitchen accessories. There are aprons, tea towels, and t-shirts. Plus Joanna’s cookbook.
But not only does she embrace the farmhouse/industrial look, she also collects and sells authentic antiques. At Magnolia Marketplace, you'll find her massive collection of doors, tables and furniture, as well as smaller accessories like flower pots, jars and books.
memo: If you've got your husband along (or if you're not a big fan of Chip and Joanna), there's a cafe where you can pop them, and there's a food truck and picnic tables under the weatherproof pergola. There is also a small baseball field, so send the kids here to play ball while you buy candle holders 😀
![Antique shops at Magnolia Market](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-welcome-mat-antiques-1024x768.jpg)
![Antique shops at Magnolia Market](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-welcome-mat-antiques-1024x768.jpg.webp)
![](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/magnolia-market-waco-antiques-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/magnolia-market-waco-antiques-1024x768.jpg.webp)
![](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/magnolia-home-table-setting-waco-1024x757.jpg)
![](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/magnolia-home-table-setting-waco-1024x757.jpg.webp)
![](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-Home-linen-Waco-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-Home-linen-Waco-1024x768.jpg.webp)
Inside this little cottage, across the immaculate green artificial turf, there are shops selling stationery, clothes and more, as well as a sports shop selling Chip's favorite brands.
This is when I realized that this place was too commercial! This store is not filled with products designed by Joanna, just random products you might like.
If you look back, you'll see another white building across the street that matches everything else in the market. It is now the studio of hardware merchant Jimmy Don.
![](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-marketplace-church-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-marketplace-church-1024x768.jpg.webp)
![](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-marketplace-shops-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-marketplace-shops-1024x768.jpg.webp)
![Green space in front of Magnolia Market Silo](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-silos-and-green-1024x768.jpg)
![Green space in front of Magnolia Market Silo](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-silos-and-green-1024x768.jpg.webp)
![Inside the Magnolia Market cupcake shop](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/magnolia-silos-cupcake-shop-1024x768.jpg)
![Inside the Magnolia Market cupcake shop](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/magnolia-silos-cupcake-shop-1024x768.jpg.webp)
![Magnolia Strawberry Cupcakes](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Megan-Magnolia-cupcake-1024x768.jpg)
![Magnolia Strawberry Cupcakes](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Megan-Magnolia-cupcake-1024x768.jpg.webp)
Dine at Magnolia Table
Located a few miles from the Magnolia Marketplace location in downtown Silos. magnolia table. This is a large restaurant with colorful floor tiles, decorations, and a delicious menu.
This restaurant opened in 2018 and is very popular, with tables flocking for hearty breakfasts and lunches.
![Chip Gaines' road sign:](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/road-trips-are-more-fun-with-cupcakes-1024x726.jpg)
![Chip Gaines' road sign:](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/road-trips-are-more-fun-with-cupcakes-1024x726.jpg.webp)
![Magnolia Table Restaurant, Waco, Texas](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-table-restaurant-1024x768.jpg)
![Magnolia Table Restaurant, Waco, Texas](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-table-restaurant-1024x768.jpg.webp)
![](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-table-restautant-diners-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-table-restautant-diners-1024x768.jpg.webp)
If you remember watching the show, restaurants were Chip's passion. He wanted a breakfast restaurant, but it was Joanna who hosts a cooking show on the Magnolia Network (not accessible online outside of North America; you'll need a VPN to access it).
She creates Southern-style comfort food with a unique twist. Like biscuits with strawberry butter. I wanted to try so much of the menu, but I had to hold back!
I started with a large mug of filter coffee (I still prefer the NZ Flat White!), and then we shared three meals between us. The photo below.
!["The good times are still ahead" coffee mug](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-coffee-mug.jpg)
!["The good times are still ahead" coffee mug](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-coffee-mug.jpg.webp)
It was May when we visited and the air conditioner was too cold. I don't know why they set it so low, but people were shaking. Including me. This is also mentioned in numerous reviews.
However, I went to the bathroom at one point to take more pictures of everything along the way, and noticed that the restaurant was warmer in the back. please refer to this!
![Magnolia table floor tiles and bathroom](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-table-loo-and-tiles-768x1024.jpg)
![Magnolia table floor tiles and bathroom](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-table-loo-and-tiles-768x1024.jpg.webp)
I ordered Joe's famous French toast, coated with cornflakes for a crunchy texture, topped with strawberries and cream, and a jar of honey on the side.
Being from New Zealand, we don't really get the hype for biscuits and gravy, but since we're fans of Joanna's cooking show and know how much she loves it, we had to order that too. I'm still on the fence. A “biscuit” is what we call a scone (pronounced scone!) in New Zealand, Australia and the UK. It was too dry for my taste.
My husband wanted to try the farm breakfast of eggs, sausage, toast, etc., but couldn't get a picture of it! Things to check are as follows. In NZD it was $100 including tip, but it was worth it to me. I will definitely go back and work through the menu.
![Joanna's Crispy French Toast](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-table-french-toast-1024x768.jpg)
![Joanna's Crispy French Toast](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-table-french-toast-1024x768.jpg.webp)
![Biscuits and Gravy by Joanna Gaines](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-biscuits-and-gravy-1024x768.jpg)
![Biscuits and Gravy by Joanna Gaines](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-biscuits-and-gravy-1024x768.jpg.webp)
![Magnolia Table Menu](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-table-menu-958x1024.jpg)
![Magnolia Table Menu](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-table-menu-958x1024.jpg.webp)
![Magnolia table check](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-table-bill-check-961x1024.jpg)
![Magnolia table check](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-table-bill-check-961x1024.jpg.webp)
I loved the Magnolia table. We made a reservation on their website and followed up with a phone call. The website is not accessible from outside the United States. International visitors can make reservations through Open Table. When you arrive, you will need to check your name at the door and possibly have to wait.
We spoke to a couple who come by us regularly. They were all about the burgers and were surprised they could make reservations since they usually walk in without a reservation and the wait averaged up to 30 minutes.
There is also a gift shop here, but note: Magnolia Marketplace sells a variety of items. I bought a sweet metal soleplate benchtop protector and tea towel in the shape of a magnolia flower, but when I returned to the market near Fixer Upper Cottage the next day, I couldn't buy more, so my patient husband agreed. On my way out of Waco I'll stop by Mt Carmel and Branch Davidians and try to call Magnolia Table again…
The post will be up soon.
Our Texas road trip took us to San Antonio for five days.
![Magnolia Table Takeout and Gift Shop](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-table-takeaway-1024x768.jpg)
![Magnolia Table Takeout and Gift Shop](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Magnolia-table-takeaway-1024x768.jpg.webp)
View more of my Texas posts
We stayed at the Fixer Upper Shotgun House. Near Magnolia Marketplace
that much Best things to do in Houston For a short stay or weekend
What to do in Houston on Monday – Because I usually come here on Mondays!
Why should we do it? Add Galveston to your itinerary
Last day visit to JFK in Dallas, Texas
amazing Why You Should Visit Grapevine, Texas
Why should we do it? Visit Fort Worth, Texas And the best thing to do there is
![Megan in San Antonio in front of the butterfly mural](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Megan-and-butterfly-wings-san-antonio-1024x763.jpg)
![Megan in San Antonio in front of the butterfly mural](https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Megan-and-butterfly-wings-san-antonio-1024x763.jpg.webp)