Meet Danielle and Travis Young of Revival Eastside Eatery and Street Dog Cafe

When Danielle and Travis Young moved to Waco in 2011, they expected Baylor University to be a temporary stop. Danielle came to earn her graduate degree in psychology, while Travis brought his background in sales and marketing. But like so many others, they found themselves captivated by the city. 

“They call it the Waco suck,” Danielle laughed, explaining that it’s not a bad thing. “Once you’re here for two years and build community, it’s really hard to leave. It’s a magical city. The people are kind, and the pace of life is perfect.”

Today, the couple owns Revival Eastside Eatery and Street Dog Cafe, two businesses just down the street from one another on Elm Avenue in East Waco. Together, they’ve created welcoming spaces centered around hospitality, quality food, and meaningful connections.

Filling a Need

When the Youngs first arrived in Waco, they noticed a gap: not enough local restaurants that prioritized fresh, thoughtfully sourced food.

“There really weren’t a lot of local places that you could go where you knew where the food was sourced from,” Danielle explained. “We really just wanted a space that you just felt good being in and eating in.”

Instead of waiting for that place to exist, they decided to create it themselves. Revival became a reflection of what the Youngs wanted to see in downtown: approachable, welcoming, and committed to making every guest feel valued.

“You don’t have to be at a Michelin-star restaurant to get great service,” Danielle said. “We really wanted to create a space where our guests feel known.”

More Than Great Food

For Danielle, Revival stands out because of its people.

The restaurant uses a community-style service model, where multiple team members care for each table — the goal being attentive service and genuine hospitality.

“The best compliment people give us is, ‘Your staff seem so joyful to be here,'” Danielle said.

That same philosophy extends behind the scenes. Revival staff are encouraged to collaborate across front and back of house, building an environment rooted in relationships.

Growing with Purpose

Street Dog Cafe gave the Youngs room to grow — and a platform for another passion: animal welfare.

Located just a few blocks from Revival on Elm Avenue, Street Dog has become a neighborhood gathering place where locals and visitors alike can slow down, grab a bite, and experience the character of East Waco. Together, the two businesses are helping bring a new energy to the historic Elm Avenue corridor while celebrating the community that has been there all along.

“Our mission for Street Dog is to partner with a lot of organizations that are involved in animal welfare,” Danielle said. “It’s just so hard to get dogs adopted, so if we can do anything to help, we want to.”

Why Waco?

Choosing East Waco wasn’t just about finding the right building — it was about investing in a neighborhood they believed in. The Youngs intentionally planted roots on Elm Avenue, seeing the area’s history, culture, and growing sense of community as an opportunity to build something lasting. As more local businesses open their doors, they’re proud to say they played a small part in the continued revitalization of the area while honoring what makes East Waco unique.

“I think in the next couple of years, we’ll see more of the revolution of art, music, and fun things that are already starting to happen,” Danielle said.

Like many small business owners, they’ve navigated real challenges — construction disruptions, rising property taxes and increasing operating costs. Through it all, they’ve stayed committed to the community they chose.

Looking Ahead

As Revival and Street Dog continue to grow, the Youngs hope to expand their catering services while staying true to what started it all.

For Danielle, the most rewarding part isn’t the growth — it’s the people.

“We just get to love our staff really well,” she said. “We’ve retained our staff, which is a huge deal in the restaurant world. And I’m super thankful for that.”

Her message to the community is simple: “Support your small businesses. And just remember to be kind.”