I ate at Chip and Joanna Gaines’ restaurant, Magnolia Table, and thought it was worth the hype

When I arrived at around 9 a.m., there were already groups of people waiting for their tables to be ready.

The exterior of Magnolia Table.

Erin McDowell/Insider

The restaurant is open from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m., meaning many guests get up bright and early to get their breakfast at the popular restaurant. Given that it was a busy weekend in Waco due to Silobration, I wanted to get there relatively early in order to get a table. 

After walking up to the outdoor hostess stand, I put down my name and said I would be willing to sit at the counter, rather than needing a whole table to myself. They asked for my phone number and told me it would be about a 15-minute wait.

I overheard other guests, who were looking for a table, being told it would be about an hour’s wait. I was thankful that it was just me eating and that I was happy to sit at the counter to avoid a longer wait time.