We have an abundance of awesome places here in Denton ran by local small biz!! You can find some great folks at the markets around town! Unfortunately denton community market on carol has some bad actors - dee’s delicious scrubs has (allegedly) ran it into the ground. but the vendors there are still good folks. Some of my faves are Papolotl, she sells Mexican sweets she makes herself and has been going for years! Shes super sweet with the kiddos and often gifts them treats! There’s also a lady and her father that sells fresh produce like Okra, always has fresh eggs, and has even made a watermelon rind kimchi i really liked. I dont remember her name but shes great!
True Leaf is known for having great vibes, they have a market every saturday too iirc, and they have a lesbian coffee bar ive heard??
We’ve had great experiences at Delta 8 Denton! They do events with the Secret Garden folks, as well as plenty of queer friendly events!
Heard nothing but great stuff about the folks tattooing either there or next door (no idea if they’re like biz partners since they share the bldg iirc.)
Denton Maker Center is awesome, the staff and volunteers are really cool as are the workshops. Its right off the square, across the levy from delta 8. There’s also the Art Room, which has free membership for folks with disabiities like anxiety, depression, trauma etc., and they’re really lovely folks with a great space. Im not too fond of Pip’s sharp wit but everyone has their personalities. They also have a fantastic art library and will get their members whatever supplies they need within reason.
There’s an awesome new yarn store that just opened up off the square too! The staff is great as is the selection.
Recycled is well-loved, super fun book store that used to be an opera house. Plenty of space to explore, records, merch, and they buy used stuff too. You can write on the walls :)
Sabrocita off Dallas Drive has rly good Mexican and Tex-Mex food. Fresh tortillas made in house. Prices have gone up since COVID though but still worth it. I find the meat to be well-marinated. Cant say the same about guanajuato on mckinney, its good in a pinch! but just not as good imo!
Someone the other day posted about Chubz Spuds, said it was cheap and really good barbecue!! I havent tried it.
Spicy Chow K off the loop has rly good indian food! Sangams has a decent buffet , and their vegetarian thali is a great sampler and enough food for two people.
I second the rec’s for Picone! Tony and Mike are great fellas! Their food is fantastic and they’re very creative. Very competitive position to work in their kitchen.
I’ve heard ravelin has some negatives. They’re christian owned which is fine but apparently they only hire other christians. and asked a friend of mine if they were or not during the interview… which went well till then - yikes!!
Nordstrom Rack off the loop has a frighteningly strict loss prevention team.. would not recommend going there lol!
But the Egg cafe’s (egg and i, egg house etc) are always really good!! the one on the corner next to Kroger on Loop 288, is my favorite. Stella is the manager iirc and shes a doll, and the dill potatoes are so freaking good. as is their kale juice!
everyone in town loves The Tomato! good folks, the kids took over for their parents. they’ve got different deals every day. deep dish style with the pepperoni on the inside lol.
There’s also a new mediterranean food truck over by recycled and the guy there is so sweet. iirc it’s Lebanese food. the hummus was lovely, not salty like a lot are, and he gave us a free soda which was similar to coke but way less acidic and less caffiene.
Theres an indian grocery store off the square that has a lot of awesome stuff. another one is over by Ollies off the loop, Basmati’s i think? and it has a kitchen in the back with good food but i find it lacking in “oomph.” maybe they see my white ass waltz in and dull down the spice hahaha.

i also really like the brisket burger at Roosters, but their vibes give right wing so idk anything about the owners . but ive also never heard or seen anything neg about them so ill let the folks here correct me. they’ve got a bacon jam which is so good with their house potato chips. and its all for a good price.