Magnolia Market isn't just for the DIY addicts & HGTV fans. With a delectable bakery & food truck park, this market in Waco, Texas is a must-visit destination for foodies too...
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I will be the first to admit it- I don't watch HGTV all that often, and I have never caught an entire episode of Fixer Upper. (I know- GASP, right?)
I mean, I know who Chip & Joanna are. I have seen parts of Fixer Upper a few times (my parents are HGTV addicts & love the show, so I have caught bits & pieces of it when visiting them).
So when I tacked on the day excursion to Magnolia Market with my ticket to the Indulge Conference earlier this month, it wasn't because I am a fan girl or wanted to make the ultimate DIY pilgrimage to the home decor mecca of Texas. I wanted to go for one reason & one reason only- the food, folks. ;)
While the food was my main goal of visiting Magnolia Market, I came away with an unexpected fun & laid back experience as well. There is much more to Magnolia Market than just the food. And home decor & DIY inspiration is not all you will find when exploring this famous pair of silos. But let's chat about the food first, shall we?
The Silos Baking Co.
After taking a quick spin through the Magnolia Market home store (more on that later), I made a beeline straight for the Silos Baking Co. No matter which day of the week you decide to visit, you can expect to wait in a line to place an order at the bakery.
We got there around 10am on a Wednesday & waited in a line about 15 minutes long. But no worries. Someone from the bakery mans the line outside and provides you with a paper menu that you can mark your choices on so the process goes a lot quicker & smoother once you reach the counter to place your order.
The Silos Baking Co. is known for their cupcakes, and even though I am not much of a cupcake gal I had to order one nonetheless. I mean, how could I come to Magnolia Market & not try Chip's personal favorite, the Strawberries & Cream? ;)
The cupcake was moist & packed with real strawberry flavor, and it paired wonderfully with a freshly brewed cup of their Common Grounds coffee. At just $3.50 a piece, I was pleasantly surprised with how affordable the cupcakes are.
I also grabbed one of their sugar cookies to snack on later that evening during my flight back home. This sugar cookie was definitely more my speed- the outside was slightly crisp, but the inside was soft & thick. Cookie perfection.
Besides cupcakes, cookies, & coffee, the Silos Baking Co. also offers a wide array of biscuits, pastries, huge cinnamon rolls, and more. Grab something to enjoy on the lawn at Magnolia Market & order a few things to take back home to enjoy later.
Magnolia Seed & Supply.
Just pass the Silos, you will find an area with raised garden beds and the Magnolia Seed & Supply store. I included this part of the market in my post because I know many foodies (myself included) like to grow their own veggies or at the very least keep a few potted fresh herbs near the kitchen.
The store itself isn't much to marvel at. You will find a few fancy pots, seeds for dill & chive plants (didn't see any other herb seeds there), and some fairy garden accessories. But the raised garden beds themselves are worth looking at for at-home gardening inspiration.
I was most impressed by the giant fresh herb display that they had. Brimming with parsley, thyme, rosemary, and even strawberry & tomato plants, it appears that they built this tiered herb box from old wood pallets. I think I just may be inspired to try something similar at my own home. ;)
The Food Trucks.
Okay, now we are at the good part, folks- the food trucks that grace the outer perimeter of Magnolia Market each and every day. You can find everything from southern-style comfort food to wood-fired pizza to freshly popped kettle corn and more at the Magnolia Market food truck park. In fact, the market boasts 11 full-time food trucks on any given day.
After taking a quick spin around the food truck part & after much deliberation, I finally settled on the Sic 'Em on a Chicken biscuit from the Milo Local Provisions truck. I mean, how could I pass up sweet tea brined fried chicken? ;)
I paired it with a small order of their Truffle Fries- hand cut fries topped with Parmesan cheese, truffle oil, and fresh herbs. This meal was heaven, folks. Of course, looking around the table at what my fellow food bloggers had ordered from other trucks made me a little envious, but I was perfectly happy with my crispy & juicy fried chicken.
One thing that I really loved about Magnolia is that there was plenty of seating to enjoy your food truck deliciousness. You could find a spot to eat at any picnic table or at one of the long communal tables under the shaded pavilion. You could even spread out a blanket on the turf lawn & enjoy your meal picnic-style.
The Magnolia Market Home Store.
Though I came for the food, I knew I couldn't leave Magnolia Market without at least meandering through the actual home decor store. Though it was a little crowded, I easily made my way through the bi-level store. But a bit of a forewarning for you all- I have heard that you usually have to wait in a line to get inside of the store on busy weekends.
The reason I am including the actual store as part of my foodie's guide to Magnolia Market is because they do have a beautiful collection of simple, yet timeless kitchen pieces and dishware. Personally, I found most of it to be a bit pricey, but I did leave the store with a $14 Magnolia Market mug as a souvenir to take home.
If you happen to be a super fan of the show, you can most certainly grab t-shirts & baseball caps (both at standard prices) and even Chip's signature fleece vest to commemorate your visit to the Fixer Upper mecca.
Even though I didn't purchase any of Joanna's signature-style kitchen items, I did find a little inspiration in some of her store displays. It was definitely worth taking a peek inside the store for...
What You Need to Know Before You Go.
- Visit on a weekday, if possible. Lines were to be had for the restrooms, the food trucks, & the bakery even on a Wednesday morning/afternoon when I visited the Silos. If you can only make it on a weekend, then prepare yourself to spend a little time waiting in lines for most everything.
- Bring the kids! There is plenty for them to do at the market from the astro turf lawn that they can play games of tag on, to the swings, fairy gardens to explore, and more. Behind the food trucks is an active railroad, so it is highly possible that the kiddos will get to catch a train or two going by during your visit as well.
- If you decide to splurge on a few items from the Magnolia Market store but are not sure you have room in your luggage, they do have a shipping station in the store. You can send your goodies back home safely without having to purchase another suitcase or worry about something getting broken in your carry-on during your flight home. ;)
Have you visited the Magnolia Market Silos before? What was your favorite thing to eat there?
What would be your number one tip for a first time visitor to the Silos?
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