“The Corner Stop ★★★★☆ (4/5) This visit wasn’t just about food—it was about paying attention. Pulling into the parking lot, the first thing that showed up was the smell. Not subtle, not neutral—heavy, oil-forward, loud. For some, that’s the signal to go in. For others, that’s enough information to pause. That moment matters. Inside, the setup is clear: hot case, volume cooking, fried rib tips front and center. No confusion about the identity of the place. What I Ordered * Spicy fried ribs (small) * Peach cobbler * Tea cakes * Pecan pie (did not finish) The Food Spicy Fried Ribs The ribs didn’t land for me the way the reputation suggests. * Visually: dry, heavily breaded, small meat-to-bone ratio * Taste (no sauce): flat, not much going on * Taste (with sauce): improved, but more covered than elevated The structure felt like it depended on sauce to come alive. And because they’re held in a hot case, not cooked to order, texture and moisture take a hit. That’s part of the system. Peach Cobbler This was solid. Warm, sweet, and actually delivered on flavor. No complaints here. Tea Cakes These were the standout for me. Simple, clean, and worth coming back for on their own. Pecan Pie Too filling-heavy for my preference. Not enough pecan presence, so I passed on it. The Experience Service was excellent. Friendly, welcoming, and patient. That part is real and deserves to be said. There’s also something else worth noting: this place clearly means something to people. The reviews reflect loyalty, history, and community—not just taste. That’s part of why it’s lasted. Final Thought This is one of those spots where two things can be true at the same time: * A lot of people genuinely love it * This particular experience didn’t fully connect for me No attacks, no hype—just a report of what actually happened from start to finish. I’d come back… just not for the ribs.”
“I really wanna shout out to one night associate. I didn't catch his name, but I was lost looking for my place one night, and he was very friendly and helpful, and got me on the right path to my destination. 10/10 service. God bless you, man”
“My car broke down in this area and the owner was very hospitable and generous enough to allow it to be parked there for several days until a wrecker could be afforded! They have everything you could want here, friendly staff, and there is also Grady's Grub food truck out back! Might I also add they do have all grades of Gas available! Stop By, grab some custom looking sun shades and a cool drink!”
“Just needed two tomatoes on my way home from work and didn't want to have to drive an extra 5 to 10 mi to a regular grocery store. This place was great, they had tomatoes and I could either buy a sack with five or six tomatoes or they made up a smaller sack just for me with two tomatoes”
“It's small, crowded, and always busy. Parking has a lot to be desired. The cashiers are good people, fair, and upbeat. This store is popular due to its location and ease of in and out. Lots of business from south Waco. You'll like it here, it's kept clean as possible for a small space store. No attitudes from anyone (staff or customers) usually. Quality store, despite its appearance.The soda fountain is my only area of... wariness. Got a fountain drink from it only once because it tasted, well, really dirty. Other than that, it's a great little store. I always leave here happy.”
“I love this place! LOVE LOVE LOVE I figured the drinks might be a watered down too sweet drink. Absolutely NOT they have a good amount of alcohol and are delicious”
“This little mart is a treasure trove of international treats. I found my favorite Japanese candies, British biscuits, and unique sodas. The owner is always adding new items, so there’s always something fun to try.”
“It's small, crowded, and always busy. Parking has a lot to be desired. The owners are good people, fair, and upbeat. This store is popular due to its location and ease of in and out. Lots of business from south Waco. You'll like it here, it's kept clean as possible for a small space store. No attitudes from anyone (staff or customers) usually. Quality store, despite its appearance.The soda fountain is my only area of... wariness. Got a fountain drink from it only once because it tasted, well... dirty. Other than that, it's a great little store.”
“This is my favorite.. corner convenient store. Josie the owner and Boss is one of the kindness person you would want to know...That is why they have a booming and successful business establishment. Don't take my word... Drop by and check it out for yourself.. I am sure you will enjoy the warm and inviting atmosphere. You may even see me there holding the door open for you to come on in.. They have an abundance of everything for your shopping Needs. BLESSINGS...???”
“Best burgers & fried burritos. Always has been one of my favorite burger joints, you won’t find a good juicy homemade burger & fries for $6 anywhere else I can bet you that lol my only problem is the women that run the kitchen I’ve been coming here all my life & literally every single time the cook is rude, this was a different lady from last time & she was rude also. It’s like no matter who the cook is just know she’s gonna be angry lol it is hot in there so I can understand but you have to have some kind of customer service. Other than that I would have gave 5 stars.”
“Very friendly staff. I don’t know if the person who commented about the staff standing around behind the counter and the coolers being empty picked the right location, but I live right down the street and am in here multiple times a week at different times of the day and I’ve literally never experienced anything but friendly and productive staff, and a clean and fully stocked store.”
“I've been coming to this store for years, the store is kept clean and the shelves are always stocked, never have I bought or saw anything out of date, friendly as can be”
“Amazing customer service from this lady at register . I think her name was Jaime . She always so friendly in afternoons . I often stop by every other day just because she is nice every time .”
“Brings back memories of the old family corner stores back in the day. I finally pulled over grabbed 2 brisket and rice burritos with a big red....glad I did very flavorful and the rice, just like my tia used to make . I will be back ?”
“We were on way out from airport Park to Abeline and refueled our tanks at this gas station. We had to wash our windshields and boy...not that they had water in the buckets but soap as well. There is not many gas stations who don't provide water so you can't wash your windshield. Thank you for the extra touch with the soap.”
“Nice clean store..nice hardworking staff..always cleaning or cooking when I go in..I also use their gas when I'm on that side of town and have had no problems..”
“I believe this is the only drive-thru beverage Barn in the Waco Bellmead area. It is super clean and fresh inside the liquor store with a good vibe! If you don't feel like getting out you can drive through and order whatever is inside the store soda juice liquor beer ice snacks tobacco products, you name it they probably have it! The people that work there are very knowledgeable and polite! Go check them out! Thank you beverage Barn ?”
“Pumps worked, no out of stock gas pumps. Ne need for employee interaction. Valero phone app is great. No worry of credit card skimmers. And you get a .10 discount when using it.”
“I usually purchase only an item within the store ,I'm very much so polite too,with a smile their friendly their helpful and all employees that were seen was very NICE. !!!!!!⁰”
“They try to keep the store clean. The shelves are well stocked. The exterior appears clean of debris. There is easy access to the gas pumps. I was able to get what I needed and check out quickly.”
“This is a great place with helpful an respectful staff,i really enjoy knowing that it's soon to be a casy's convenience store. So if you decide too stop in for a refreshing beverage or something to snack on,it's a good place too start your day or to finish up the day.plz stop in”
“Mike the owner has been here for years and knows his customers on first name basis he's the only store in the area and has most things you could need prices are pretty decent for a convenience store”
“This is my first review that I’ve ever felt strongly enough to write. My boyfriend and I nearly broke down on the highway, so we pulled into the parking lot of this store. We needed coolant, and we were lucky enough that this location sold it. We were completely clueless about what we should do but the store manager helped us with everything without asking for anything in return. I tried to offer him a tip as a thank you for his help, and he refused. Incredibly kind man. We are so sincerely grateful to him.”
The Iowa retailer, the third-largest convenience store operator in the country, built its new three-year plan around three priorities: store growth, food and beverage expansion, and kitchen technology upgrades. The company plans to add 120 stores during the current fiscal year. Its previous plan, launched in 2023, delivered more than 500 new stores and earned the company a spot in the S&P 500.
Love's Travel Stops is starting 2025 with ambitious growth plans, adding 20 new stores and updating 50 current locations across the country. The truck stop company will upgrade its stores through its Strategic Remodel Initiative, which started in 2022. This includes the modernization of its recently acquired turnpike location in Stroud, Oklahoma. By 2035, over half of Love's 655 stores will be either new or updated.
Food service giant Sodexo plans to open nearly 100 "Food Hive" locations on campuses nationwide by 2026. The company has already started the process, aiming to launch about 30 new college convenience stores during the current 2024-25 academic year.
7-Eleven is going big on food and "frictionless shopping." The convenience store giant plans to open 500 new "food-forward" locations across the U.S. from 2025 to 2027. The expansion builds on 7-Eleven's "Evolution" store concept, first launched in Dallas in 2019. These larger-format stores feature in-store restaurants, premium products like craft beer and cigars, and an emphasis on fresh, grab-and-go meals.
Amazon has quietly opened a new type of grocery store in downtown Chicago. Called Amazon Grocery, the 3,800-square-foot store is a testing ground for Amazon's latest experiment in brick-and-mortar retail. The first Amazon Grocery location shares a building with a Whole Foods Market, which Amazon purchased in 2017.