I think the coffee is pretty good and I love the atmosphere. However, the fact that they don't post the cost of each drink is terrible. In Waco, there is a large number of individuals who are not in a financial place to be able to afford expensive coffee. Because CG doesn't post the price, it makes people who are on a budget feel uncomfortable and further segregates the "working poor" from the "financially comfortable." I don't think it is right. No wonder why most of the guests seem to be Caucasian...and Baylor students. It's inappropriate. The selection of tea is okay, but they don't offer loose-leaf, which I would like to have. read more

If I pay $4 for a coffee drink (and even a basic cup of coffee here costs more than Starbucks), I expect it to be served in a paper cup, with a sleeve, and a lid. Not a gas station-quality, cancer-linked, earth-destroying Styrofoam cup. I think that is a gross sign of disrespect towards the customer. Everything tastes alike in this place to me, also. Unlike what one of the other reviewers said, it is NOT the only independent coffeehouse in town. Legacy Cafe is on 7th and Austin. There's also that gallery across the street from Legacy. There's a bunch of stuff in downtown Waco, quite honestly. read more

Coffee was tasty! They aren't allowed to give you water though so you have to buy water. But I guess jay saves a lot of headache when there are tons of tourists! The coffee comes with a double shot automatically which I appreciated! I got an iced coffee with room for cream. It was pretty good! Especially in the hot summer heat. They have a pretty extensive menu so. Many good options' read more

Ahhhhh this place is great! Makes me wish I'd made college choices based on coffeehouse selections within walking distance of class. I made the wrong decision after coming here. This place has such a welcoming vibe as soon as you walk in. We parked in the back and walked up through the backyard where there was a collection of different tables and chairs and benches and a stage amongst the many trees that I imagine provide great shade during the summer. We came at night. Once inside, there are couches, funky chairs that look well worn and loved, and walls covered in art and funny pictures and just...this place immediately offers a feeling of belonging, even if it's only your first time. They have a fun menu and after reading reviews I tried their Mint Madness Mocha. Quite tasty! The counter service was great. Very friendly and happy to help. I think I need to go visit my sister soon so I can pass through and stop again! read more

All the college memories! I spent hours here studying, catching up, and hanging out with puppers on the patio during my undergrad. Recently came through the drive through on the way to Dallas and was not disappointed. Mexican hot chocolate or the February seasonal chocolate/strawberry drink is the way to go! read more

Common Grounds has a great location and a very cool atmosphere. I'm giving it two stars due to the high prices, so-so service and not-so-great coffee. I work nearby, so about once a semester I walk over to CG for a cup of coffee. Each time I have regretted the decision. The $5 coffee is served in a Styrofoam cup, giving the drink an icky chemical flavor. The flavored coffees generally have too much syrup and when I have ordered tea it has been too watery -- a large Styrofoam cup of hot water with a single lonely teabag floating around. The pastries are very good, but you can get the exact same things from the Olive Branch for what I suspect is a lower price. As for the service, I often feel like the folks behind the counter only like to help young cool-looking people. I'm not a student and I gave up on trying to be cool a long time ago. I just want a nice cup of tea or coffee. Adding up the prices, drinks, atmosphere and service, it seems like Common Grounds is mostly a place for students who want a place to see and be seen. read more

One of my favorite place in Town while I was in exchange in Waco. I'd love to come there during the week after class. It's Close to Campus, plus, the staff is amazing. A cool place to come and study or just to relax and read. The James Callihan is a Must ! Give it a try. Thanks for the memories. read more

Ahh, Common Grounds... This place definitely makes my short list of things I miss about Waco. If you're boycotting the quasi-Starbucks that's run by Aramark employees, as you should be, then you'll need someplace to get good coffee. That would be Common Grounds. read more

As other reviewers have noted, Common Grounds has a fantastic atmosphere. I really loved the look of the place. I'm not a Baylor student, but I feel like this is somewhere I would spend a lot of time if I was. Free, fast wireless is a big plus. That being said, I agree with other reviewers about the quality of the actual product you're paying for. I spent $1.93 on a small coffee that came in a styrofoam cup. There was no decaf available unless I wanted an espresso. Coffee refills were 50 cents. The coffee itself was bitter. I understand coffee is bitter, but it was almost as bitter as Starbucks. $1.50 would have been a fairer asking price for so-so coffee in a styrofoam cup. The guy at the counter wasn't a jerk, but he seemed a little indifferent. I stood there for about a minute not knowing my coffee had been served to me on a side counter, which he neglected to tell me and only pointed out after he did a few things behind the counter. This would probably be a great place to be if you had some friends with you. As I am a visitor in town, I can only appreciate Common Grounds's atmosphere so much. Two stars for the sweet decor and awesome outdoor seating. Now if they could only improve their service and product. read more

Can't get through the morning without my cowboy!!! Amazing coffee. Definitely worth the wait!

Since leaving Waco and Baylor University, I have had time to reflect on my experiences from both. Certainly, I cannot ponder these times without having Common Grounds come to mind. Nestled across the street from BU, Common Grounds is a swanky coffee house (literally an old house) that many Baylor students patronize. Always bustling and inviting, the interior is comforting and intimate even though you may be sitting less than a foot away from a total stranger. If you cannot find a dimly-lit corner or an antique couch to sink into, there is always the newly-expanded outdoor area. Sacrificing what little parking they have, they added two covered porch areas as well as many tables and chairs in the middle of a courtyard that faces the new stage. They host many bands and other forms of artistic expression (as a coffee shop should) and raise money for various charitable causes. Enough about the building, what about the coffee? Always a bit of a coffee/tea snob, I have had a varied experience when it comes to their coffee. Some would find that intriguing since they prepare all of their beverages by hand (aside from the weird slushy machine). One drink I do enjoy in particular is the Cowboy Coffee. I know I am not alone in this obsession. Coffee, cream, secret sauce, and ice come together to make a truly refreshing iced coffee beverage. They do have the usual suspects that you would expect at a coffee house as well as some fun concoctions of their own (Summer Sparkler, anyone?) Their coffees are Fair-Traded as far as I can recall, and their prices are usually more than Starbucks, but you are supporting local businesses and their charities. "Sleep Is Overrated" is there slogan so stop on by, grab a Rodeo Clown or an Arnold Palmer, and read a book on the patio. read more

I personally LOVE common grounds, I get it at least three times a week if not more. Not only is the quality of the coffee higher than any where near Baylor's campus but it is so cute inside. If you are looking for a place to go get a coffee with friends or a place to study it is always perfect. There are events their all the time, from concerts to book clubs there are always people there enjoying themselves. read more

Great coffee. Too bad it's so good and so popular it takes a kind of long time to get your drink ready

Common Grounds has been around forever. Now it even has concerts. The commitment to great coffee and a fun atmosphere is the reason that it has lasted so long. This is a Waco MUST. read more

Awesome atmosphere. Coffee was great both at the store and the coffee truck. There was live music out back and retro furniture inside. I have never seen more choices for coffee and tea. It was great. Plenty of room and seating both indoor and out. Excellent place to hang out. They also had very good iced chai. Nice place!! read more

Common Grounds is a Waco institution that is definitely worth a stop when you're here or driving by. The coffee here is not just about the beans or the way it's brewed, but it is also how they mix it with other ingredients. They serve them up hot or cold so it is great any day you want a good caffeine fix. I really enjoyed the Soy Boi and the Cowboy. It is slightly pricier than other coffee shops, but not by much. Once you try their coffee, you won't even be thinking about it. read more

Although my wife, and I didn't visit the actually location, they had cart set up at the magnolia farm which was very good. It's not meant to hold that many people inside so your just going in, and out. The coffee was great for such a small place. I got the "Hot No Bull" very tasteful, and didn't burn my mouth (unlike Starbucks). If you're going to be at Magnolia Farm then you need to make your way over to their stand! read more

Dirty, dirty, dirty! I understand they are trying to go for the rustic look, but it looks like a trailer park. Probably just fine for College students but gross. read more

If you are not a hipster or a college student you will feel really out of place at common grounds. If you are then you will love this place. Great vibe and great coffee. Generally cheaper than dichotomy (although maybe not as good). Good quality product and good service. read more

Common Grounds - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Waco, Texas

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We absolutely love Common Grounds! All of my family has gone to Baylor including two of my kids. Still we stop at Common Grounds whenever we are passing through Waco. This weekend we stopped while on our way to drop off my other son at UT and we went back by on the way home. Unfortunately both visits they were out of everything! They were out of energy drinks...Dr Pepper...Sprite...and much more! We have never experienced this before but were very disappointed. I am still going to give them four stars because the staff was excellent and we've never had this experience before. read more

Fabulous coffee options--hip and rustic vibe. Cowboy coffee is my go-to... over ice. Half+half and coffee = the perfect caffeine jolt with just the best flavor. Run by college kids, but service is still pretty decent. Prices aren't bad. I haven't attended any of their music shows, but they bring some pretty great acts to Waco! A great place for those, young and old, to swing in for a coffee treat. read more

A friend of mine spent a summer at Baylor and raves about Common Grounds so much that I remembered the name. I never had a reason to go until now because normally I drive through Waco in a hurry without stopping. In need of a caffeine fix on a rainy drive, we stopped in because it was the only coffee shop I knew of in Waco. I was expecting there to be sandwiches or some sort of small food items but they only had baked goods, bagels, and some oatmeal cups. I got a Soy Boy variation of the Cowboy coffee which was pretty good and an oatmeal. It seems like a good place to hang out and study for Baylor students and now I might be more inclined to stop in Waco when driving through. read more

Had a Cowboy coffee and did not realize it was so sweet; but it was good. Later visit I had just a double espresso and it was a God shot. Very, very good; like velvet. I'll stick to the straight coffee in the future and avoid the fru fru drinks. read more

While visiting Waco the week before Christmas I visited their " box" at the Magnolia Silos as well as their store on my way out of town and both experiences were just lovely. Both stops resulted in my getting chai related iced drinks and they were absolutely delicious: creamy and sweet. Coming back to Colorado, I even called CG to inquire about their chai and what they use.... It was THAT good. Discoverd they use David Rio and ordered some online that day. Certainly worth a stop in the store or at the silos if you're enjoying the day there. read more

I went back to see if it's gotten better. It hasn't. Why don't these people realize that they're are essentially drinking overpriced milkshakes "flavored" with instant coffee. Just buy your own grinder and coffee maker, you will have more knowledge in 2weeks about coffee than the sum baristas. read more

Stopped here with my boyfriend on the way to Austin . I heard about this coffee shop after watching the "fixer upper" show that featured the owners . Ever since then I wanted to try it . So we stopped here for a break from driving . It was easily accessible from off the freeway . Parking FYI is in the back . We didn't know this at first and circled around a couple times before calling :p when you first walk in ( from the back ) it's almost like walking through a quirky vintage/ antique warehouse . They have all sorts of funky furniture and chairs . Looks like the perfect spot for college students to grab a coffee or talk over a book . The staff at the coffee shop were pretty nice which is always important to me. I read a couple yelp reviews before coming ( of course ) and so I ordered the vanilla Carmel iced latte . It was really tasty and refreshing ! My only regret is not getting the large:p . My boyfriend ordered the powered chai latte hot and it was amazingly delicious ! I will for sure come back ! Thanks common grounds for a great experience . read more

I think this place is great by any standard. Sure, it's adjacent to a conservative Christian school and has a bit of that Christian hipster vibe, but it's really not all that affected. They care about coffee, community, and creativity. Who can disagree with those things? It's located in an old house, so the space escapes that soulless, strip-mall, monoculture feel that Starbucks has popularized. It's a bit artsy in decor with some Texas and college flavor; the aesthetic includes dark greens, earth tones, and raw wood accents. The indoor seating is limited, but the outdoor seating is plentiful, and quieter, provided their music venue out back isn't in use. To avoid the crowd, try weekday mornings. Otherwise, you'll probably overhear some conversations about Jesus and relationships, but I find it refreshing that those things are still taken seriously here. In the way of coffee, I keep going back to their iced cowboy coffee, since it's still quite warm outside. That consists of an iced coffee of your choice mixed with half and half and some sort of syrup. Also, it's sonic ice, which is the best. Someday, I'll branch out and try their coffee untainted. Their menu is pretty extensive though, including all kinds of syrups, baked goods, and other non-coffee drinks. read more

I don't even want to know how much money I spent at Common Grounds between August of 2002 and January of 2007. I love CG, and besides my brother, I think it's what I miss most about Waco. My order was almost always the same, and I still stop by when I'm driving down I-35 -- a Rodeo Clown (an iced drink with coffee, skim milk, and secret sauce; Cowboy Coffee is the version with half-and-half) with medium roast. There is nothing like the "secret sauce" that's in the Cowboy Coffees and the Rodeo Clowns (except maybe heroin, which I've never tried). Tried many different coffee drinks at many different coffee establishments in Austin, and the only thing that even comes close to Rodeo Clown nirvana is Jo's Iced Turbo. To sum up, I miss Common Grounds SO MUCH. Also, tip your baristas. read more

What can I say about common grounds? It's a Waco staple, where one can really get a feel for the Baylor-bubble crowd--i.e., students and locals who like coffee and coeds (even if they wont admit to the later... you know the type). I, of course, go there to study... and drink coffee... and, yes, sometimes to talk to coeds--don't judge me, it's a college town and I get bored. Jill, the wonderful young Baylor alumnus who started common grounds, is no longer running the show--but her successor seems to be excited and doing a good job. There are events outside, where the stage is, on most nights and there is usually a small crowd in attendance. Pros--coffees are really good, especially if you like the hard-black stuff--good variety of espresso, "cold brew" (try this!), French-pressed, Chemexed, and normal drip-brewed coffee. Folks and friends seem to like the sweeter coffees too; there is a variety. People watch or converse--GS tends draw a diverse crowd. Many are "hipster-like" and others are normal joes and some frat daddy-boys-and-girls... they're all pretty entertaining. Cons--the crowd. Sometimes there are too many people there, but that is usually just during peak hours. Cost--its pricey, like more than Starbucks. But, these things are hardly worth taking a star away from this local staple! In Sum--YOU MUST VISIT! It's worth the trip despite the price and even the frequent crowd. read more

In an effort to introduce me to all great things Waco, a business associate brought me to CG when I was down there for a business meeting. I think my visit to CG was the first seed to begin growing in my brain that sounds something like, "Hey, Waco might actually be COOL!" As a notorious clausterphobe and prone to panic attacks, my entry into CG was a bit concerning for me. The place was packed with 20-somethings. The decor wasn't the usual coffee house clean design lines and sparse artwork. It was funky, trendy, thoughtfully shabby, and absolutely brilliant. I fell in love with the place within 60 seconds. While I normally prefer not rubbing up against strangers to get to my coffee, it just works here. I went with an Angel's Kiss Cowboy Coffee and I was in love at first sip. I would have loved to stick around and slowly drink my coffee, but there literally wasn't a seat available inside or outside. In retrospect, it might have been finals week at Baylor. I have decided to move to Waco, and I can honestly say CG had a little something to do with that. I prefer city life and access to civilization. I now know Waco has that. I'm excited CG will soon be my regular coffee place. Just hope to see some 30 and 40-somethings hanging around! read more

3 words, POWDERED. CHAI. TEA. Reading the menu I was conflicted between the chai tea and the caramel coffee crunch (is that the name?) but decided to stick with something simpler and I am so glad I did. That was perhaps the BEST chai latte I've had in my life. It was creamy, smooth, and felt as if angels were hugging me every time I took a sip. Win! The husband on the other hand ended up getting the coffee caramel crunch and let me have a sip of it, it was very good as well, but I was reassured I had made the right decision with my chai latte. As for the inside of the coffee shop, it is super cute! Love the mismatched furniture and coffee cups on the wall behind the counter. The patio reminds me of the coffee version of the "Truck Yard" back in Dallas so that was also a win in my book. If I lived in Waco I would come here every single day of my life. Will be stopping here every time we go somewhere down south and have to drive through Waco. read more

We went to the Common Grounds at the Silos! Adorable decor inside and out. It was a refurbished shipping container which we thought was an awesome transformation. I got the cowboy iced coffee. Delish! very good coffee flavor and sweetened perfectly. read more

Common Grounds - The Common Grounds at the Silos! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Waco, Texas

I don't check in to many places, but this place was worth a review. It was a long wait to order, but it was certainly worth the wait. I got the Iced No Bull which has espresso and it was the best iced coffee i have ever had. I'm contemplating going back to get another right now. I wish I lived here so I could drink one often. Check it out if you have the time, it was delicious. It's not often places are worth their wait times. read more

I want to give Common Grounds a 4 or 5 star rating. Their coffee and drink combinations are amazing. But at the same time their location was like 95 degrees inside with no a/c or fans and their blender was broken so they couldn't make any frozen drinks. That said, their White Fang Chai and and other iced concoctions are awesome. I like the atmosphere and decor. It was just too hot and muggy to stay. read more

Since graduating and leaving Waco 5 years ago, my mind sort of created myths and idealized Common Grounds (CG). I am sitting in CG right now (my second visit of the day) and it really is not all that. Here is what I like: the staff are great and very friendly; I dig the quaint casual ambience; the music is cool pop rock track and very unobtrusive; there is outside sitting; and the wireless works great. Here is what I'll change: It just happened that 2 of my major pet peeves were present today- styrofoam cups and flies. This morning I got a latte and it was below average (compared to all the lattes i've ever had anywhere in the world), it was just too wet; and two flies constantly hovered around me. This evening I opted for simple coffee, I'm sipping the dark blend "Bear blend", and I feel I could brew a better cup at home. I didn't try any sandwiches or desserts. In summary; CG is a great place to hang-out, I will almost certainly come here anytime I visit Waco (it is kinda unique in the area); but it is supposed to be a coffee shop after all, and the coffee is merely average. read more

Best coffee in Texas! A "must visit" every time we are in WACO! I recommend you buy the beans and bring them home. You won't regret it!

I recently stopped in Waco on a trip to get coffee and do some work on line. I found Common Grounds and was very surprised. It is a nice place, their lattes are surprisingly good. My latte was great, althought the barista looked confused when I explained that I did not want any "flavor" in my latte. Their prices were pretty standard, and the employees were helpful. They have a huge patio, and a good amount of comfortable seating inside. Check it out if you are ever in Waco (ack!). read more

The atmosphere at Common Grounds is a lot more appealing than the coffee. My house coffee was pretty weak. I was also a little turned off by the multitude of mixed coffee drinks they had on their menu. My friends had some breakfast tacos which they said were decent; price was expensive, but at least they were large tacos. Like I said the setting is nice and comfy, but they could improve otherwise. Also, if the owners read this.. tip: your milk and half and half containers need to have screw tops so that when the container is full the liquid doesn't come pouring out far too fast thus trashing the coffee. read more

If you're not a HUGE coffee drinker like me, try the 254! (vanilla, raspberry, and dr pepper) It's DEEELICIOUS. You may have to take a couple sips because it's quite interesting. read more

So I read about this cute little coffee shop in one of Chip and Joanna Gaines book. I thought that I must try it out and see what all the hype is about. It's definitely a chill little shop with great coffee. There were many people studying or chatting. It is right next to Baylor University, so I am sure that they do really great with business. Most importantly, the coffee was lovely. I got a soy chai and enjoyed it thoroughly. read more