Excellent Texas Size Steaks
July 19, 2003...2 adults and 2 children went out to Heitmiller's for dinner. We had heard by word of mouth and other web reviews that the place had a great reputation. They were all correct. the servings were large the quality was excellent. There wasn't one item over $20 on the menu. The novelty here was that you pick up your "Plain White Paper" menu and a pencil at the front before being seated. The menus are professional yet obviously homemade (just like all the food). Your hostess takes your drink order and soup or salad order (that comes with every meal) then explains how to work the menu. It's pretty cool...put your name at the top of the menu so they deliver it to you by name. Circle the items you want and the size...then give the menus to your server that takes them to the kitchen. The place seems almost over staffed...every plate is picked up as soon as you finish. Everyone helps on every table...but they are not intrusive. Grandma Heitmiller greats you at the door, one of the grandkids (30 something years old) is your hostess. Dale Heitmiller visits every table once or twice during your visit. A family restaurant with personal attention that uses all fresh homemade stuff. The beef is USDA Grade A, the salad dressing is a perfect blend of something like homemade ranch with a hint of blue cheese. We thoroughly enjoyed the meal. The steaks were huge...but affordable ( a one pound sirloin is $14.95) Don't miss a chance to visit Heitmiller's Family Steakhouse on your way through Waco. The restaurant seats over 300 but does not lose the personal touch and attention to service.    [19 Jul 2003 22:59:33]

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     ­Dave Seeley, Whitney, TX   daveseeley at yahoo dot com

Good Steak
Just ate at Heitmiller's on Saturday night (1/24/04), and everything you mentioned in your review is dead on. The steaks were good but not great, but spending $14.95 on a good t-bone is better than spending $40 on a great one. If ever in the Waco area, stop by for dinner, you won't regret it.    [26 Jan 2004 15:17:17]

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     ­memphis dude   

Trucker Know!
Just north of Waco on I-35 is the community of Elm Mott. Look for the rather large billboard of a steer and a convention of 18 wheelers. Here you will find Heitmiller’s. This is one of those places that make you curious every time you drive by Waco – too busy to stop- but still wondering, “Why are all those cars are there?” The unusual ordering system that has each diner fill out his/her own menu with a golf pencil is certainly out of the ordinary. The steaks are tasty grilled pieces of assorted beef cuts. Probably not prime but certainly the pride of some Texas rancher. An enormous chicken-fried steak and Waco’s only calf fries are menu standouts. Homemade salad dressings make you wish the salad was not served in a teacup.    [29 Mar 2004 11:14:37]

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     ­Ole Doc   

BEST I EVER HAD
Ate there some time ago. Was the best meal I have had in a very long time.
Plan on visiting there again and hope it hasnt changed.    [05 Jun 2004 13:27:31]

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     ­Sparky, Rowlett, TX.   lucky4759 at yahoo dot com

A Terrible Experience
Trying to get a waitress to do anything was almost impossible this night. It took 20 minutes to get the drinks on a slow night. The food was bland and definitely needed spicing up. Of course, this countered the apathy of the waitstaff. Avoiding this place can be the highlight of the night. They did nothing to deserve the high praise that others give them. I doubt that I will ever eat there again no matter how many times I pass the place on the road.    [21 Oct 2004 00:06:55]

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     ­ , Dallas   pteska at yahoo dot com

Very good Food
The food was very good. Please be sure to drop by the owner and say hello. She works there too. I left feeling full after eating a typical meal. I ate everything that they put in front of me. I only wish that the wait staff would volunteer more information.    [16 Nov 2004 20:10:18]

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     ­pteska, Banking   pteska at yahoo dot com

not all that great
We had heard so much about Heitmiller Steakhouse, we were driving in from Austin to Dallas and decided to stop. I was not impressed at all with the food. Now if you like a steak that has ZERO flavor then by all means check it out. The chicken fried steak was frozen, so tell me how that is good country cooking?? Doubt it!! I was very disapointed! I dont think paying 20 bucks for lunch was worth it!!    [21 Mar 2005 18:27:34]

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     ­christy   

Excellent Filet Mignon!!!!
Stopped off every time that I had time as I passed by. I always get the Fillet Mignon rare and cut it with my fork every time. I have been there 6 times and each time was the same - outstanding steak!
I have eaten Fillet mignon all over this country and Canada and I would rank this Filet amongst the upper 3 or 4!!    [03 Nov 2005 09:55:37]

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     ­Anonymous   

Best I have ever eaten ..
The best food an plenty of it. The food was out of this world, You could not ask for better service. As we were eating we were asked at least 3 times is everything ok. We had the Chicken fried Steak, could not eat it all. Asked for a doggie bag, The portions are more than we could eat, and we were very surprized at the price. Surely will stop by there again.    [29 Dec 2005 19:01:44]

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     ­Don & Naivaline Shirley   

Great Steaks!
I always have the filet mignon. Where else can you get a full course meal with a 10oz filet mignon for less than $25? It comes out juicy (and I get mine med-well!), _NO_ fat, and NOT wrapped in bacon for that nasty bacon flavor. Your choice of baked potato/fries, soup/salad. With food this good, the furniture doesn't have to be fancy like Ruth Chris (another great place but costs $$$). On Friday and Saturday night is Oompah Band night from 7pm-10pm.
Having lived all over Europe (ex-military) and travelled far/wide, I have fairly broad tastes but I'm picky about my food. If you're going to run a restaurant you should take pride in what you serve, and these folks do! I used to travel by car in Texas for my job, and any time I came thru Waco I'd try to time it for supper because of the great steaks here. Anybody that complains about this place has only been there once and probably was expecting a lot more than they got. Folks, you didn't get gypped, you just didn't set your expectations correctly. This ain't the Ruth Chris Steak Hose with $50 Porterhouse to pay for all that expensive furniture so you can have a powerlunch and get that $10,000 sale from your customer. This is a steakhouse where they realize the food makes the place and they don't put up false fronts. I've eaten there at least 15 times over 5 years and I NEVER had 1 bad meal (filet every time)! Try it, you'll like it!    [06 Jul 2007 06:48:11]

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     ­Tom