Idaho game- Best BBQ & Tex Mex in Denton

[ragpicker]

I will not eat at a franchise restaurant unless I am starving to death. Someone needs to open up a good independent BBQ place in Denton. We used to have them and a good one could still compete against the soulless assembly line chains.

[KRAM1]

I will not eat at a franchise restaurant unless I am starving to death. Someone needs to open up a good independent BBQ place in Denton. We used to have them and a good one could still compete against the soulless assembly line chains.

Metzler's and the Smokehouse are both locally owned as is This Old House. Rudy's is owned by some good guys who do support UNT, so while not a one shop operation they get a bit of a pass on that from me...the green chili stew is great by the way!

BBQ and Mexican Food ... Which is good and which is not ... Is a very personal thing. Message board debates on this is never going to get anywhere. Sort of like women...all are good, just some are better than others...wisdom from my Dad. A wise wise man, indeed.

[eulessismore]

I like Metzler's. And I consider Roy Metzler to be a UNT supporter.

[KRAM1]

I like Metzler's. And I consider Roy Metzler to be a UNT supporter.

Roy Metzler is indeed a big time supporter of UNT. Mean Green Club Member, season ticket buyer, Alumni Association supporter, etc., etc.

In fact, I met with Roy today to discuss this year's Alumni Oktoberfest event set for Sept. 7th at the Pavilion. He will be a sponsor (again this year) and will be helping with both the food and the beer. Very generous in his support.

As an aside...After the meeting I took BBQ home for dinner...anyone who says there is no good BBQ in Denton was certainly not sharing the ribs, sausage and brisket I ate this evening....excellent!

[eulessismore]

Roy Metzler is indeed a big time supporter of UNT. Mean Green Club Member, season ticket buyer, Alumni Association supporter, etc., etc.

In fact, I met with Roy today to discuss this year's Alumni Oktoberfest event set for Sept. 7th at the Pavilion. He will be a sponsor (again this year) and will be helping with both the food and the beer. Very generous in his support.

As an aside...After the meeting I took BBQ home for dinner...anyone who says there is no good BBQ in Denton was certainly not sharing the ribs, sausage and brisket I ate this evening....excellent!

I agree with something Roy said after a loss last year; that we'd never win some of those games without better secondary play. I hope we achieve that this year!

[bstnsportsfan3]

I will not eat at a franchise restaurant unless I am starving to death. Someone needs to open up a good independent BBQ place in Denton. We used to have them and a good one could still compete against the soulless assembly line chains.

check out goldmine bbq. Its new in town.

[ragpicker]

Okay, I will try Metzger's and and Smokehouse. I guess the tiny little places with sawdust on the floor that only served ham and beef BBQ sandwiches are a thing of the past anyway. "Alas the years"!

[ColoradoEagle]

I'm sure I'll catch grief from some of the Mean Green fans out there for saying this, but I can't find good B-B-Q or Mexican food anywhere around Denton. I had Cousins down in Fort Worth. I know Texas Monthly had named them as good B-B-Q, but for me, it was just okay.

Cousin's is vastly overrated, and I think most people know it (made me sick both times I went there). The one at Alliance is always empty; I'm sure it's just a matter of time before there's a new sign on that building.

[UNTexas]

^{There is no "good" BBQ in Denton, closest you'll find may be in McKinney. I hear good things about Hutchins BBQ. They made Texas Monthtly's Top 50 list}

Hutchins is solid. Good brisket and really enjoyed the hot links last week. Some guys I work with have been trying to hit as many on the Texas Monthly list as possible. The guys who did the list got it wrong on some of their choices. Example: the joint in Grapevine, which I won't name because it was so forgettable and is not even on par with Dickey's. Or like leaving off Hard Eight (Stephenville/Coppell/Roanoke) or Saltlick (Driftwood/Roundrock/or even DFW airport) and there are others.

If I were in town for that game and was in need of BBQ near Denton, Hard Eight, hands down. Pricey, however, big variety and you buy by the pound. Shoot down 35 into Roanoke right next to Twisted Root and Babe's. Try their hot apple cider bbq sauce. Amazing. You won't need bbq sauce on most of their stuff though.

Sidebar, Lockhart in Oakcliff is really good and they are going to be opening a location in downtown Plano. Pecan Lodge is moving as well. I heard they may be going near the original Twisted Root. Additionally, a little off topic but try the chop house in Arlington. They mix brisket into their hamburger meat. Brilliant burger.

Edited July 24, 2013 by UNTexas

[oldguystudent]

Okay, I will try Metzger's and and Smokehouse. I guess the tiny little places with sawdust on the floor that only served ham and beef BBQ sandwiches are a thing of the past anyway. "Alas the years"!

Metzler's has an on-premise retail beer shop. It's the only place I've seen in Texas that will allow you to purchase and consume on premise. I say this not because you need to get blasted while eating your ribs, but because they've got probably the best beer selection in Denton.

[Maduro]

has anyone besides me been to the new Villa Grande location in Denton on the west side of town? I'll go ahead and proclaim that it's now Denton's best tex-mex followed by Mi Taza (mazatlan south). i've had about everything on each of their menu's and have left happy each time.

each have good on the rocks margaritas and I recommend getting the large size at VG.

guapo & casita should both be ashamed of themselves and just leave town. casita especially... far and away the worst breakfast tacos on earth. there is absolutely no point in arguing with me about those tacos, you will fail and embarass yourself.

[Proud North Texan]

Prairie House is good

[oldguystudent]

Tex-Mex in general should leave town. Velveeta poured over fried flour tortillas? That's something that goes with the phrase, "Don't bogart that joint, my friend." I'll take any taqueria on McKinney Ave over any Tex-Mex joint any day, any time.

There is so much legit Mexican food in Denton. I believe there was a thread on it a month or so ago even.

[Side Show Joe]

has anyone besides me been to the new Villa Grande location in Denton on the west side of town? I'll go ahead and proclaim that it's now Denton's best tex-mex followed by Mi Taza (mazatlan south). i've had about everything on each of their menu's and have left happy each time.

each have good on the rocks margaritas and I recommend getting the large size at VG.

guapo & casita should both be ashamed of themselves and just leave town. casita especially... far and away the worst breakfast tacos on earth. there is absolutely no point in arguing with me about those tacos, you will fail and embarass yourself.

I have to agree. Villa Grande is better then the other Mexican places in Denton.

[LongJim]

La Azteca Meat Market on 35E. Go in and pick the stuff you want for your taco plate and they will fix it up for you. Take it over to the couple of tables near the produce and sit down and open a Big Red with it.

You're welcome.

Edited July 24, 2013 by LongJim

[oldguystudent]

La Azteca Meat Market on 35E. Go in and pick the stuff you want for your taco plate and they will fix it up for you. Take it over to the couple of tables near the produce and sit down and open a Big Red with it.

You're welcome.

That place is legit. Love going there.

[ColoradoEagle]

guapo & casita should both be ashamed of themselves and just leave town.

Was talking with someone yesterday who said a couple years ago Guapo lowered the quality of their ingredients to keep prices down. I was inclined to call it conspiracy, but I do remember really liking the place when they first opened and the last few times being really put off by it.

[Green P1]

I judge TexMex joints by the quality of their Steak a la Mexicana and salsa.

1. El Matador

2. Mi Ranchito

3. Mazatlan

4. La Milpa ( go on Friday night for the music)

5. Mi Taza

[LongJim]

I judge TexMex joints by the quality of their Steak a la Mexicana and salsa.

1. El Matador

2. Mi Ranchito

3. Mazatlan

4. La Milpa ( go on Friday night for the music)

5. Mi Taza

Man, different strokes, I guess.

Based on salsa (haven't tried the other dish at all locations) I'm:

Ranchito (This used to be the best Tex-Mex in Denton AFAIC. Last visit was VERY disappointing. I hope it's better next time, because the carnitas I had there on my first visit were probably the best I've ever had--and that's saying a lot.)

Matador (An old favorite. Solid, not spectacular Tex-Mex--for Denton. Hate to qualify it like that.)

Matzatlan (Breakfast is very good. Like the fruit smoothie with it. Dinner was good last time there. Pretty good place overall.)

Taza (Decent. Good for Denton Tex-Mex, actually, based on the lunch I had there.)

Milpa (My 1 visit here was NOT impressive. Had heard nothing but good things. Maybe it was a bad night for them.)

Let's put it this way--I lived quite near to the FW North Side for over 10 years and know many (if not most) of the restaurants there well. There are more than a couple of restaurants above that would not have lasted 6 months there, IMO. Still, there's decent dishes at all of them if you give them a shot.

Edited July 24, 2013 by LongJim

[LongJim]

has anyone besides me been to the new Villa Grande location in Denton on the west side of town? I'll go ahead and proclaim that it's now Denton's best tex-mex followed by Mi Taza (mazatlan south). i've had about everything on each of their menu's and have left happy each time.

each have good on the rocks margaritas and I recommend getting the large size at VG.

Villa Grande--have heard good things. Will be checking it out this week. Will need more convincing from Taza to proclaim it's the best in Denton yet, though.

Edited July 24, 2013 by LongJim

[glick1980]

Pappasito's is a chain. Good Mexican food comes from authentic, family owned joints like El Guapo's or Mi Casita. Sadly, there really isn't a great BBQ joint in Denton. Metzler's and Rudy's are not bad, but they aren't coming close to being ranked in Texas.

El Guapo's is owned by a white man who used to manage Tia's in Denton. Most of the menu is copied from Tia's, a chain restaurant. The Mazatlan or El Matador for me since Miguelito's is no longer in Denton. Honestly I would probably just drive to Sanger or Krum for Miguelito's.

[glick1980]

I'm sure I'll catch grief from some of the Mean Green fans out there for saying this, but I can't find good B-B-Q or Mexican food anywhere around Denton. I had Cousins down in Fort Worth. I know Texas Monthly had named them as good B-B-Q, but for me, it was just okay.

Go to Texas Pit BBQ in Saginaw, you won't regret it.

[glick1980]

Okay, I will try Metzger's and and Smokehouse. I guess the tiny little places with sawdust on the floor that only served ham and beef BBQ sandwiches are a thing of the past anyway. "Alas the years"!

Don't try the Smokehouse, they are probably the worst BBQ on Earth. Metzler's is good, and has a great selection of beer and wine.

[Baby Arm!]

Back in the day Mercardo Juarez used to have "College Nights" on Wednesday. You could get a fishbowl goblet of beer for a $1 and never ending free chips and salsa....mmmmm good times

[Side Show Joe]

Go to Texas Pit BBQ in Saginaw, you won't regret it.

Thanks, I'll do that during the school year. Since I still have a few weeks left before I go back to work, I think I'll smoke a brisket. I've never found BBQ I liked more than my family's, though Leon's in Galveston, and Joe's in Alvin are good. I guess I'm just partial to my family's recipe.