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The Ultimate Local Reference Guide: Denton, TX




I've been a Denton County local since I was born. But there are still those days when I have trouble finding new places to eat, places to go, and things to do around Denton with my friends and family. 

Sometimes, we just can't decide on where we want to go. 

I wanted to know the LOCAL HOT-SPOTS of the town, instead of all the obvious food and shopping chains that are anywhere you go  (Wal-Mart, Subway, Chili's, etc.) when you Google "food in Denton."


I also specifically wanted to know places that served frozen margaritas, had happy hour specials, bubble tea, restaurants with an outdoor patio, etc... 

So I decided to create my own blog.

Like a good Dentonite, I only listed places that are locally owned or semi-locally owned (i.e. started in Dallas or nearby, and then expanded to Denton).

**I am "advertising" these local businesses for free without endorsements or any affiliation.

What can I say, I [heart] Denton.


LOCAL = started in Denton, locally owned.
SEMI-LOCAL = started in an area near Denton (in Dallas metroplex), hot-spot in Denton.
NON-LOCAL = did not start near Denton, but still a place of reference to go.

** = favorite hot spot / suggestion


Local Food Reference Guide


Mexican / Tex-Mex / Street Taco:



    • Local:
      • Mazatlan
      • La Milpa
      • Agua Dulce
      • Mi Casita
      • La Estrella
      • Killer's Tacos
      • Any Taqueria off McKinney Street
    • Semi-Local:
      • Fuzzy's
      • Rusty Taco
      • Villa Grande



    Italian / Pizza
    • Local:
      • Giuseppes**
      • Pizza Snob
      • TJ's Pizza & Wings
      • Bagheri's
    • Semi-Local:
      • J&J's Pizza
      • Crooked Crust
      • Luigi's
      • Fera's





    Wings / BBQ / Chicken

      • Local:
        • Wing Pit
        • Metzler's
        • Cartwright's
        • TJ's Pizza & Wings
        • Juicy Pig BBQ**
        • Tex Tapas**
        • Horny Toad**
      • Semi-Local:
        • Cowboy Chicken
        • Boomerjack's Wings**
        • Rooster's Roadhouse**
        • Babe's**



      Burgers & Fries





      • Local:
        • RG's**
        • Denton County Independent 
        • Burger Time Machine
        • LSA Burger**
        • Barley and Board**
        • Horny Toad
      • Semi-Local:
        • Fat Shack



      Chinese / Japanese / Asian
        • Local:
          • I Love Sushi**
          • Mr. Chopsticks
          • Chinatown Cafe
          • Thai Ocha**
          • Sweet Basil
          • Andaman
          • Viet Bites
          • Thai Square**
          • Keiichi**
          • Komodo Loco**
        • Semi-Local:
          • Shogun



        Deli / Cafe / Bakery
          • Local:
            • Greenhouse**
            • Denton's Deli
            • Chestnut Tree**
            • New York Sub Hub**
            • Seven Mile Cafe**
            • Loco Cafe**
            • Beth Maries
            • Ravelin Bakery
            • Royals Bagels & Deli
          • Semi-Local:
            • Old West Cafe
            • Le Peep
            • Cafe Brazil



          Greek / Mediterranean

            • Local: 
              • Yummy's**
              • Green Zatar**


            Cajun / Seafood
              • Local:
                • Dani Rae's
                • Hoochie's Oyster House
              • Semi-Local:
                • Frilly's Seafood

              Breakfast / Lunch

                • Local:
                  • Seven Mile Cafe**
                  • Loco Cafe**
                  • Chestnut Tree**
                  • Kolache Haven
                  • Royal's Bagels & Deli
                  • La Estrella (breakfast tacos)
                  • Horny Toad**
                • Semi-Local:
                  • Old West Cafe
                  • Le Peep
                  • Cafe Brazil 



                Fine Dining / Date Night
                  • Local / Semi-Local:
                    • Hannah's**
                    • Greenhouse
                    • Giuseppe's**
                    • 940's K & C**
                    • Barley and Board**
                    • Keiichi**
                  • Semi-Local:
                    • Queenie's Steakhouse
                    • Shogun



                  Miscellaneous
                  • Local:
                    • Cool Beans
                    • Abbey Inn Restaurant



                  Desserts / Candy / Bakery
                    • Local / Semi-Local:
                      • Candy Haven
                      • Beth Marie's Old Fashioned Icecream**
                      • Ravelin Bakery
                      • Waffle Wagon
                    • Semi-Local:
                      • Yogurt Story
                      • Hypnotic Donuts**







                    Drink / Beverage Reference Guide


                    Frozen Margaritas:


                        • Fuzzy's
                        • El Fenix
                        • La Milpa**
                        • On The Border**
                        • Rusty Taco
                        • Greenhouse
                        • Lucky Lou's
                        • Chuys**
                        • Taco Cabana
                        • Mulberry Street Cantina**
                        • Cool Beans
                        • Villa Grande
                        • Barley and Board


                      Coffee Shops
                        • Local:
                          • Jupiter House
                          • Zera's**
                          • Kaleo Bubble Tea
                          • Seven Mile Cafe
                          • West Oak Coffee Bar**
                          • Cultivar
                          • Shift
                            • Places you can also get coffee:
                              • Old West Cafe
                              • Loco Cafe
                              • Chestnut Tree
                              • Le Peep
                              • Kolache Haven
                              • Royal's Bagels & Deli
                              • Ravelin Bakery
                              • Cartwrights


                        Smoothies / Juices
                          • Local:
                            • Naranja Cafe
                            • Kaleo Bubble Tea**
                            • Everyday Nectar Juice Bar
                            • Juice Lab**
                          • Non-Local:
                            • Smoothie King
                            • Kung Fu Tea



                          Beer / Wine / Bars & Clubs
                            • Local:
                              • On or Near The Square
                                • Abbey Underground
                                • Paschall's**
                                • Andy's
                                • The Labb
                                • Oak Street Draft House**
                                • Dan's Silver Leaf
                                • Hooligan's
                                • Loophole
                                • II Charlies
                                • Hickory Street Lounge
                                • Dusty's Bar & Grill
                                • East Side Social Club**
                                • RT's
                                • West Oak Coffee Bar (beer and wine)
                                • Harvest House**
                                • Mulberry Street Cantina**
                                • Backyard on Bell**
                                • Denton County Brewing Company**
                              • On or Near Fry Street
                                • Lucky Lou's
                                • The Garage
                                • Public House
                                • Cool Beans
                                • Rip Rocks
                              • Clubs / Dance Halls
                                • Public House
                                • Rockin' Rodeo
                              • Wine
                                • Wine Squared**
                                • Steve's Wine Bar**


                            Outdoor Patio / Seating Area:

                              • Local:
                                • The Labb
                                • Oak Street Draft House**
                                • Lucky Lou's
                                • Cool Beans
                                • Rip Rocks
                                • Wine Squared**
                                • Hannah's
                                • Mr. Chopsticks
                                • East Side Social Club**
                                • Backyard on Bell**
                                • Harvest House**
                                • Horny Toad
                                • Denton County Brewing Company**
                              • Semi-Local or Non-Local:
                                • Chuys
                                • On The Border
                                • Rusty Taco
                                • Fuzzy's
                                • Rooster's Roadhouse


                              Daily Food Specials



                                Happy Hour Drink Specials

                                  • Denton Daily Drink Specials Guide
                                  • DentonWiki: Weekly Drink Specials
                                  • Denton Deals
                                  • Specific Specials:
                                    • Abbey Underground: $1 wells on Tuesday
                                    • The Labb: $1 wells on Thursday, $1 beers on all Mavericks/Rangers/Cowboys season games
                                    • Rockin' Rodeo: $1 wells, $150 domestics until 10PM on Friday and Saturday
                                    • Loophole: $1 drafts on Monday
                                    • Hooligans: $1.50 Ziegen Bock
                                    • Dusty's: $2 Shiner Draft
                                    • Lucky Lou's: $2 Margaritas on Monday
                                    • RipRocks: $2 double margaritas on-the-rocks on Thursday
                                    • Get a free shot at Oak Street Draft House after running their 5k (every Wednesday evening)
                                    • $1 Knotty Brunettes at Horny Toad every Monday.
                                    • Monday - Thursday 4-6pm, Barley and Board



                                  Want to know the best-of-the-best places to go, voted by locals? Go to "Best of Denton Guide."





                                  Entertainment Reference Guide


                                  Live Music
                                    • Local:
                                      • The Labb
                                      • Dan's Silver Leaf
                                      • Rockin' Rodeo
                                      • Wine Squared
                                      • Andy's
                                      • Abbey Underground
                                      • The Garage
                                      • Harvest House
                                      • 35 Denton
                                      • Denton Arts and Jazz fest
                                      • Oaktopia
                                      • Band Together Denton


                                    Movies / Theatre Performances
                                      • Local:
                                        • Denton Community Theatre
                                        • Campus Theatre 
                                        • Murchison Performing Arts Center
                                      • Non-Local:
                                        • Movie Tavern
                                        • Silver Cinemas
                                        • Cinemark 14



                                      Things To Do (Seasonal)



                                      Shopping



                                      Other Guides:

                                      You can go to We Denton Do It for the in's-and-out's of Denton. 

                                      There are also student guides listed on the UNT/ TWU website and you can go to discoverdenton.com for a basic guide. 

                                      Only in Denton helps you find a local business in all other categories that are not listed on this food and drink guide (such as sports & fitness, real estate listing, arts & entertainment, medical & health, automotive, etc.) 

                                      (Any suggestions? Comment below.)

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