What’s new to eat in Waco? Plenty.

If it’s been awhile since you visited the Baylor campus, make sure you come hungry the next time you visit.

Students who live on or near campus have never had it so good. In addition to the old stand-bys near campus (think Whataburger, Fazoli’s, McAlister’s, etc.), the on-campus dining options have been dramatically improved in recent years, from the addition of East Village to the renovation of Penland and Memorial.

But it’s the off-campus eateries surrounding the Baylor campus that have attracted the most attention this year. Across I-35, within walking distance from campus, five new eateries have gone up in just the last two years: In-N-Out Burger, Torchy’s Tacos, Twisted Root Burger Co., Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, and a new Chick-Fil-A. And the growth isn’t stopping; the Waco Tribune-Herald reported in January that Chipotle, Pie Five Pizza, Steel City Pops, Raising Cane’s, Panera Bread, Smoothie King, Jersey Mike’s and Wok Box Fresh Asian Kitchen are all set to join the area, near I-35 between Fourth and Eighth streets — with more still to come.

And nobody can ignore the food truck explosion in Waco. Every day at the corner of University Parks and Franklin Avenue, between campus and downtown and just off the banks of the Brazos River, a veritable food court’s worth of food trucks sets up shop. Tandoori Trailer offers Indian food; Xristo’s Café, Greek; and Mi Cali Bella, Colombian and Latin American. (Plus Mrs. Thompson’s Most Wonderful Cupcakes!)

Even more trucks have made their home at the new Magnolia Market at the Silos downtown; the regular lineup includes Cheddar Box (sandwiches), Milo Provisions and Co-Town Crêpes (both breakfast/brunch offerings), Club Sandwich (“Asian food, American style”) and 900 Degrees Pizzeria (wood-fired pizza).

Many of these trucks and even more set up at Baylor and Waco events, from the Waco Downtown Farmers Market (every Saturday morning, just down the river from campus) to special events like Diadeloso, 4th on the Brazos and Waco Wonderland.

The point is, this isn’t the Waco you used to know. Things are changing; you can feel it every time you drive along I-35 or stop downtown. A dynamic food scene is developing, giving Wacoans and Baylor students plenty to explore.

Sic ’em, Waco!