I used to love going to Common Grounds when I was at Baylor...but pretty much every student did. They were the place to go to for a homey feel and yummy coffee drinks that tasted like candy bars and anything else a sweet tooth would want. Just across the street from the edge of Baylor made it an easy walk to get to, which is good because their parking behind the building is very limited. The staff is nice, however kind of slow which isn't good if the place is constantly busy. Other than that I have no problems. Next time I go to Waco I will definitely be making a stop at Common Grounds. read more

Drove all the way from Fort Worth to visit this place! I had been wanting to visit here for years and after seeing the owners on fixer upper, I figured it was time. Well worth it! The environment was laid back, eclectic and friendly! The staff was great! We bought a tshirt, mug and of course some drinks! I had the Arnold Palmer which is ginger peach tea with lemonade. My hubby had a Frappuccino with a shot of espresso in it (forgot the name). Both equally delicious! We will be back!! read more

We were visiting from California, touring Baylor. We got an iced caramel coffee crunch and loved it! We went back every day for the rest of our trip. The employees were SO sweet and friendly. Caution: do not park in the Pizza Hut lot! Even if it's empty, the local towing company tows cars away. There is parking for Common Grounds customers behind their building. There's also a drive through. We love Common Grounds! read more

Ordered two beverages and the total was just over $10. Neither beverage was hot or that tasty. When I asked for a cup of water I was told it is 10 cents. Felt overpriced. read more

My sister and I waited in line outside the Magnolia location for 10 minutes. We were trying to decide which of several trucks to try, and we decided on Common Grounds as we both enjoy trying local coffees. Sadly, we did not try the coffee, because once we got into the truck/freight car to order our coffee the 2 gentleman that we're working on April 8th (4:00 PM) that it was more important to count their tips, and then distribute them instead of waiting on my sister and I. I hope that $10 a person was worth leaving a bad taste in two customers mouth. read more

Love Common Grounds. Waco has embraced them and they have embraced Waco. Any trip to this city isn't complete without an iced No Bull. Only iffy part: don't expect to find a place to sit most evenings when Baylor is in session. The place will inevitably be crawling with study bugs and chatty groups. Plan to potentially grab your coffee to go. :) (extra parking in back!) read more

Baylor desperately needs more places like this within walking distance of the campus, imo. Most of the coffee drinks are much too sugary for me, so I'd usually stick to a plain ol' latte, which was decent. They have a huge selection of teas which is really nice. Sometimes they'll have bands come and play. Like Laurie said, the atmosphere is like that of the Spider House in Austin. read more

A bit expensive for a drip coffee or latte, but consistent with what is available in town. I rarely will drink my coffee there though because many undergrads (understandably) use it as study space and it's often too crowded for me to enjoy hanging out there. There is beautiful open space in the back and along the side of the shop, often there is live music on the weekends, although I haven't been yet. read more

The line was out the door during my visit, which is a sign that it's gonna be some killer coffee. Huge selection of drinks for the coffee lover. Even nitrogen-infused coffee and komboucha on tap. I went with the iced cowboy coffee which was DELICIOUS in a sweet way. Very smooth coffee. The decor is charming and cozy. Plenty of seating indoor and out. Recommended 100%. read more

Best coffee and atmosphere in town. Docked one star because they are pricey. CG also has other drinks beside coffee, such as Italian Soda and smoothies. read more

Must-see coffee shop/event venue in Waco. Check their website for what shows they have when you plan to be in town! Love the ambiance, very friendly and fast service, seems like it's always busy (often there are long lines) The coffee is a little sweet for me--they are known for their specialty drinks :) read more

Common Grounds has it all as a coffee shop! Hospitable atmosphere, unique design, and most of all great coffee. They have a drink for you whether you want something that tastes like snickers or you want an expertly brewed pour over! read more

great local coffee spot near the Baylor campus. Live music out in the back and rumor has it there is an expansion planned soon.

Wonderful coffee & super swift and friendly baristas :) I'd recommend stopping here and the creamery right next door.

Frequenter of this coffee shop. Kat made a specialty drink for me and it was one of the best drinks I've ever had and that's coming from a drink connoisseur. Amazing customer service also! Connor the shift lead was very nice and was obviously setting a positive work environment. What a man! And the other two baristas Caleb and Kelsey were also very professional and had such great interpersonal tact. It is evident that not only did they receive great training, but also that the managers know how to pick em well! Sic 'em bears & sic 'em Jesus! read more

I love the atmosphere of this shop so much! It reminds me a lot of my hometown coffee shop, and the coffee itself is delicious! I'd definitely recommend it. The service was nice and friendly, the customers were respectful of other customers, and even though they seemed to be pretty busy, they moved quickly through the line and getting orders out. read more

Was in town for a work trip and was fortunate enough to find this place on day 1. I usually just drink a black drip but had to give one of the Cowboy Coffees a try, it was worth it, try one! Awesome coffee and cool environment and feel. read more

This place is one of my favorite coffee shops. I especially love the "No Bull" and the "Cowboy Coffee." The baristas are always hipsteriffic! The atmosphere is great for conversation and/or studying. And the owner is a top notch dude, who is passionate about providing a great coffee experience. He is very cool and always great to talk to when you get your drink. read more

My favorite coffee shop. The coffee is good, and there are often fun seasonal drinks. The vibes are pleasant and there's usually good music playing. Live shows here are also so much fun to go to--I'm kind of in love with them, and have discovered lots of new bands just by looking at the list of upcoming shows. read more

Common Grounds is legit and lives up to all the talk and hype it gets. There are those places that seem indelibly tied to the life and fabric of a town or campus, and Common Grounds seems to be that place for Baylor. The place is so close to the Baylor campus, yet really close to the freeway, which makes it easy even for non-Baylor people like myself to find. The atmosphere and decor of Common Grounds is what immediately strikes you, even before you step into the place. The patio area, the outdoor stage (which they hold regular live shows)--it's very college-y and hip. Even if it's not really your scene, you still have to give them credit for committing to creating and cultivating that feel. Inside is also very charming, albeit small; I came over this past Baylor Family Weekend and it was incredibly crowded--even to the point that the line was snaking outside the front door. Nevertheless, the decor inside is cute and woody. They sell Cuvee and Tweed coffees--both really quality coffee roasters in Texas. Common Grounds makes a pretty good cold brew--not the best I've had, but pretty good and clean-tasting. They also make good sweet drinks; I was with my brother who is a Baylor student, and he's not much of a coffee person, so he got an iced caramel coffee crunch--latte, cream, and their "secret sauce" (whatever it is), which he actually liked. The place, by the quality of their drinks alone, would probably be a 4. But because of the decor and atmosphere, as well as the friendliness of the staff, Common Grounds gets a 5. I really dig this place, can't wait to come back! read more

Best place for coffee with great menu choices, workers and environment

There's something about the taste of this coffee just does it for me. I love it-especially the Cast Iron blend. 10/10. And the mixed drinks are sooo good. Best coffee around! read more

Common Grounds is a fun place to stop for coffee on a long road trip down I35. You can get good coffee and experience a little of the local college culture. They serve a mean Americano and have soy milk, too. It's right off the highway so you can get in and get out pretty fast, or you can stick around for some good people watching. read more

The Coffee definitely beats Starbucks but the atmosphere and service are slightly jaded. Someone should remind them they make coffee not far from the hood in Waco, TX. Ijs read more

great coffee and place to talk and visit. Close to Baylor and across the highway from the Silos. Love that I can walk over there and then keep exploring downtown. read more

Love this place! Delicious latte and Alex was our barista! He was so pleasant and helpful :) definitely stop in if you come to magnolia market! read more

I've been here a couple times while passing through Waco on the way to Austin, but last night I actually spent a considerable amount of time there to attend a concert in the backyard. I have to say that I was very happy with my experience! Crowded? Yes, but it was exactly what I expected. Parking is a pain and you will get towed from Pizza Hut, but there are signs telling you not to park there. We had to walk a little bit, but it really wasn't a big deal. I got a cup of angel's kiss coffee and it was delicious! I thought they handled the crowds nicely and I'll continue to be stopping by on my trips through town. The baked goods looked wonderful so I'll be trying one of those mini red velvet cupcakes next time I'm there. read more

Love this local business! Friendly and serves up some great specialties!

My girlfriend being a Baylor Sorority Alumna means one thing...Common Grounds trips. We went last year and this year, I forget what I got last year, I believe it was one of their pumpkin hipster seasonal drinks. But this time I chose the Snickers, no idea how you get peanut butter into a latte, but that was delicious. It warmed up a blighty day of a Baylor loss. read more

New to Waco, I love this place. Great coffee, good vibe, and plenty of space to chat with a friend or camp out to work. It's usually pretty busy, but they seem fairly well staffed. Prices are moderate, depending on what you order. They have almond milk, which is great for people who can't have dairy or soy. Every time I've had a latte, the milk/ foam are impeccable. Cons: 1) Little to no parking. Even though it's practically on campus, a lot of people drive and parking is badly needed. 2) Their Wifi is inconsistent and sometimes goes out. It's never out for long, but it's a little irritating. 3) I think their almond milk brand is Blue Diamond, which unfortunately has the preservative Carageenan, which a lot of studies have shown is not good to consume. I really wish they'd change to Silk or other non-Carageenan brands. Update: to my knowledge Blue Diamond has removed carrageenan from their almond milk. Also, I really have to say, Common Grounds has one of the best lattes in town. My work is close to Moody Starbucks which I hate. I love my CG latte foam--perfect! read more

Common Grounds is located just off Baylor's campus. It has solid coffee (though it tends to be pretty sweet, so you may ask for half the syrup), and the concerts are fun. It has a great outdoor area! However, it's usually packed with college students and parking can be hard to find, so as a Waco local I only venture there during school breaks or for an occasional concert. read more

Not even sure this place deserves 3 stars, but that's what I'm going with because it was pretty average. I think this is a place that you come to for coffee and love before you actually know what well made coffee tastes like. I get that this is a staple in Waco, but it just isn't that great. The parking is horrible, the wait was long, the place is too crowded with tables and couches so walking through it is ridiculous, you order your coffee and pick it up right by the bathrooms. Yuck. My coffee was burnt and so hot that it was probably 30 mins before I could actually drink it without burning my tongue. There is an outdoor seating area which is a plus, but overall this is not a place I would come back to. If you are a college student looking for a study spot close to campus, this may be for you (if you can find a table), but for everyone else, I recommend finding a better spot in town. Hopefully next time I'm in Waco, I can figure out what that place is! read more

Love the quintessential college-coffee-shop vibe they have going here. I ordered their iced chai tea latte with almond milk, and it was way too sweet and... just not good. However, my friends ordered their Caballero and a latte and they loved both of these. I'd say that overall, the drinks are a bit too sweet, and if you're over the age of 22 you will feel old. However, definitely stop by Common Grounds as opposed to a Starbucks if you're driving through Waco. It's pretty close to the highway, so it's a good place to go if you're needing a caffeine jolt during your drive. read more

Great local coffee shop on Baylor's campus! The drinks are super creative, the staff is really funny and easy-going, and the wait is usually pretty short. It's completely packed with Baylor students 24/7 and gives off a very hipster vibe. The backyard is the best part. Lots of room and they have several open mic nights and concerts. Definitely a stop if you are in Waco. read more

I love common grounds. I go at least once a week for an iced cowboy. The atmosphere is great and the outdoor seating is nice to catch up with friends. The seasonal menus that rotate every few months have unique drinks that are worth trying. A Waco and Baylor must have experience read more

One of my favorite cafes. My friends from austin and dallas always want to go here when they visit becuase of their awesome atmosphere and great drinks. Common grounds also have great concerts!!! read more

A hip coffee house that is trying so hard to be a hip coffee house that it would be unbearable, if not for the fact that the coffee is actually very good. The drinks are creative and delicious. If you have a strong tolerance for caffeine, the Nervous Breakdown is super intense and super tasty. Parking can be an issue here, and the reclaimed house that is the shop can get a little bit crowded as well. It also takes a while to get your drinks prepared. There's a venue in the back patio, which is a nice enough, good for more intimate shows. read more

This coffee shop is one of the bests. Everything is so unique, from the furniture, to the people, to their amazing menu. There are also so many picture opportunities there as well. The cafe is trendy yet vintage. The service was amazing and the college students working there seemed to be very nice and friendly. Their wifi was fast and great and the back and front outdoor seating was perfect in the wonderful weather. They as well have a drive thru which was very handy if you wanted to swing through and pick up one of their specialties but didn't want to walk in yourself. I would definitely recommend this coffee shop to all ages. read more

I've stopped in here twice on longish road trips and I've been impressed both times. The latte is quite good. The roast is fairly dark, but not overly so. The place has a good vibe and the staff is friendly. Totally a place I could hang out if I lived around here. read more

I agree with most people on here, If you're driving through Waco, & like coffee--then this is a place for you to check out. I do it all the time. The only reason I didn't give it a 5 star, is their cashier system has been down alot lately and the lines get super backed up & long, (which delays my trip). Their coffee is delish, and my family demands i bring at least a lb or 2 every time I head back home. read more