Coffee Crawl: Into the Hill Country

Childress to Waco

Coffee is my comfort drink—my treat on bad days and my travel companion on long road trips. This “Coffee Tour” was something I’d wanted to do for a long time.

Rating System at the bottom.

Childress, Texas, likely has better coffee spots than the ones I visited, but Childress Bakery Sandwich Shop & Deli is definitely a must-stop for donuts and kolaches in the north-west part Texas Panhandle. I know this is a coffee tour, but coffee is sweeter with a donut, and the kolache was a necessary protein boost.

The coffee isn't the star here. They offered lattes, but I opted for black coffee, as I always do with donuts. You’ll see as this blog continues that my coffee choices are more about tradition than pattern. ⭐️ - for coffee

Childress Bakery is a must for its drive-thru (perfect for shy folks) and its donuts. I love a classic old-fashioned cake donut, and their buttermilk donut was like biting into a perfectly sweetened cloud. The sausage and cheese kolache was good, but the flaky, buttery dough stole the show—much better than anything from McDonald’s and easy on the wallet. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - for food

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Frank & Joe’s Coffee in Wichita Falls was my next stop. If you’re looking for a mid-drive coffee and want to skip Starbucks, this is the place. There are plenty of local spots on this drive, and it feels silly to go to Starbucks when you can try something new. But if you want a familiar vibe, I get it. Still, if you’re in Wichita Falls and feeling adventurous, I recommend Frank & Joe’s Coffee. They have multiple locations, including a drive-thru, but the one I visited had a welcoming space to sit and take a break. The atmosphere was relaxed, with a mix of gym-goers, families, and friends enjoying the patio. It’s a great spot for anxious travelers, and they offer a wide variety of drinks—they can likely make whatever you’d order at Starbucks, but probably better.

I tried their Texas Chili Mocha Latte, iced, because of the heat. It sounded intriguing and seemed to be a specialty. This drink is great for anyone wanting to try something different without venturing too far out of their comfort zone. The chili kick was a surprise, but I enjoyed it. I imagine this drink is even better hot, on a chilly day, and I hope to try it again when it’s colder.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Avoca , in the Stockyards of Fort Worth, Texas, is a nice spot for coffee. It was a hot day, and I needed to get some work done before meeting friends for dinner. The café is tucked away, offering a quiet retreat from the bustling area. With two stories, the top floor has a great view, and if you snag a chair near an outlet, it’s a great place to work. Even with the heat outside, the air conditioning made me wish I’d brought a jacket.

I had their Bourbon Butterscotch Latte, an interesting flavor combo. I enjoy bourbon (no, this wasn’t alcoholic), but at some point, the flavor reminded me of a “Butterbeer Latte” I used to make when I was a barista. It was a delicious combo and perfect iced for the hot weather. Next time, I’ll try a regular latte because I have a feeling their beans are the real star. Avoca is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a fun latte to sip with friends in a cool spot to beat the summer heat.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fabled Bookshop & Café is a cute bookstore and coffee shop in downtown Waco that wasn’t as busy as I expected on a Saturday morning. I arrived early to grab a drink and a journal for a workshop I was attending. It’s the perfect date spot, and I wished I had more time to explore and find an obscure book—something I have a knack for. The vibes were immaculate, and I highly recommend it for any book lover or casual browser, especially if you’re in Waco and looking for a unique date idea.

I got a Cortado to go, which meant I missed out on the sparkling water some places offer if you stay. Still, it was cortado heaven! One of the best I’ve ever had, rivaling Strayhouse Espresso and Bakery in Clinton, Oklahoma. A good cortado isn’t one you gulp down—it’s meant to be savored. A Cortado is a 1:1 ratio of espresso and steamed milk, with the milk balancing the strong espresso. Some coffee-and-book spots don’t live up to the hype, but Fabled in Waco, Texas, definitely did. The beans and baristas really shined.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Magnolia Press, near the Magnolia Silos in Waco, Texas, was a scouting mission for my mom, who really wants to visit. What was supposed to be a quick coffee stop turned into an exploration of their showroom, where I browsed souvenirs, bedding (which I couldn’t afford at the time), and eventually wandered the Silos. I found a new duvet cover in the discount section, which I’m snuggled under right now as I write this. For a tourist trap, I got pretty deep—and enjoyed a wonderful iced coffee along the way.

I got their Lavender Latte, my all-time favorite drink. Though I love a good cortado, I’ll usually choose a lavender latte over it. There’s a lot of nostalgia and emotion tied to this drink for me, and any coffee lover would understand if they tried the Magnolia Lavender Latte. It was the most flavorful, balanced, and smooth lavender latte I’ve ever tasted. I can still taste it as I write this. I’m kicking myself for not grabbing a bottle of their syrup before I left. The quality was so impressive that I’m tempted to drive back to Waco just for another one. I’m not usually a fan of popular tourist spots, especially from HGTV megastars, but Chip and Joanna deliver quality and a satisfying experience no matter what. I never thought one of my favorite drinks would come from Magnolia Press, but here we are.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Buon Giorno Coffee House and Roasters in Fort Worth is part coffee spot, part museum. This area of downtown is filled with sculptures and paintings, and I’m pretty sure there’s a gallery in the same building. I wish I’d had more time to enjoy the art because I love a good museum. This place would be a great spot for a different kind of Sunday brunch. They offer food, but I was full from a leftover pastry from Gerik’s Old Czech Bakery (also worth a stop!).

I ordered a classic iced latte with Ristretto shots. When I say my coffee preferences are diverse and unpredictable, this is what I mean. I chose this drink because they advertised Ristretto shots on the menu—if you’re going to showcase it, I assume it’s worth trying. Ristretto shots have less water, making them bolder, while their counterpart, the Long shot, has more water. They even offered a darker roast espresso, which I couldn’t resist. This drink was a bit of an odd duck, but I was satisfied. It was a particularly hard morning for me, and a drink like this wakes you up, while the milk eases you into it. It was a nice challenge for my taste buds and a good way to try something new.

This coffee tour wasn’t just about finding the best brew; it was about stepping out of my comfort zone and discovering the joy of new experiences. Each stop, from the cozy bakery in Childress to the charming bookstore café in Waco, offered more than just a cup of coffee—it provided a chance to explore, to connect with new places, and to break the routine.

For those who might be hesitant to venture out, especially shy travelers, I thinks these coffee spots might be worth exploring. It’s easy to stick with what we know, but there’s a world of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. You don’t have to be a coffee expert or a seasoned traveler to enjoy the experience—just a willingness to take that first step and see where it leads.

RATING SYSTEM - based off quality of coffee, vibe of the store, customer service, and rememberability of taste.

⭐️ - can skip it 😬

⭐️⭐️ - works in a pinch 👌

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ - a quality place for coffee! ☺️

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️  - should be a routine stop 🚨

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ - MUST STOP 🤩

Remember; this is MY opinion. If you think I'm wrong feel free to write a review yourself! All these places have a Yelp and a Facebook you can show support 🙌 #ShopLocal #supportsmallbusiness