12/16/2025 09:54:25 AMCraving a dash of UNT spirit in your food? These local restaurants will fill you up.Jessica DeLeónstory  Mean Green can mean a lot of things — a bit of guacamole, some pesto, a hint of mint. Restaurants in the Dallas-Fort Worth area have concocted dishes inspired by UNT, its alumni and its traditions. Check them out. Know of other Mean Green dishes we should add to our menu? Email us! Entrees Rodeo Goat, Denton Mean Joe Greene's salad Named after the legendary football player and alum, this salad features mixed greens, applewood smoked bacon, hard-boiled egg, avocado, roma tomatoes, chive goat cheese, crispy jalapeño croutons, avocado ranch dressing — and you can order it with steak. The menu also features meals named after alums Don Henley and Larry McMurtry (’58). "We love to celebrate folks who have left their mark on our community, and Mean Joe has definitely done that in Denton at North Texas!" Shannon Wynne, partner The LakeHaus, Denton The Mean Green Burger This burger features guacamole, bacon, cheddar, jalapeños and chipotle ranch. “Named in honor of UNT, the Mean Green Burger celebrates the spirit of Denton and its hometown team. It’s a local favorite that brings a little UNT pride to the table.” Florian Kloes, owner Graffiti Pasta, Denton Mean Green Chicken Lasagna The restaurant elevated an Italian classic with layers of whipped herbed ricotta, tender roasted chicken and lasagna pasta sheets smothered in house-made creamy pesto sauce. Look for its availability on social media. “My mother used to make us a chicken lasagna with a cream sauce, and I visited Portofino, Italy, where they serve up green lasagna. I decided to smash the two together to get our now Mean Green lasagna.” Anthony C. Morel, founder Komodo Loco, Denton Mean Green Roll It features spicy salmon, avocado and cucumber inside, as well as hamachi, wasabi tobiko, kizami wasabi, garlic ponzu and chimichurri sauce. “At the time of creating this roll, we did not have any rolls on the menu that were all fresh fish. I love sashimi and wanted an all-raw fish option roll, and this one was my creation. It is one of the most popular rolls.” Kyle Krueger, owner/general manager Snacks   Verde Everyday Express and The Market by Clark Bakery, UNT Denton campus Lucky Break Mean Green Popcorn This sweet and salty combo puts a green-hued twist on classic kettle corn. “At UNT Dining Services, we’re popping with pride! We’ve combined our love for popcorn and our Mean Green spirit to celebrate what makes our campus community so special.” Sandeep Basu, director of retail dining Desserts Woolley’s Frozen Custard, Fort Worth The Mean Green Concrete The creation features mint syrup and Oreos mixed into a vanilla frozen custard. “We decided after opening that we needed some favorites to make it easier for customers to pick what to order. We added the UNT Mean Green, since Brett Allen (’00) and I and both our wives all graduated from UNT. It has given us support from all the area UNT alums over the years! Go Mean Green!” John Woolley (’00), co-owner with Allen The Market, Campus Chat Food Court, Verde Everyday Express, Eagle Landing and Bruceteria Scrappy’s Ice Cream Named after our mascot, UNT’s trademark ice cream is produced on campus and boasts 22 flavors. Clover’s Dream With cinnamon chocolate ice cream, ribbons of fudge and pieces of toffee and peanut butter cups, this flavor is just as sweet as its namesake — UNT’s comfort dog, Clover, a black Labrador Retriever. “Scrappy’s Ice Cream began with a big idea and just needed a little bit of schooling. After executive director Peter Balabuch (’97), then director of residential dining, attended Ice Cream University to study the art and science of ice cream making, he and his team crafted six original recipes. The brand launched in 2014, and thanks to its high cream content and inventive flavors, Scrappy’s quickly earned a reputation for premium quality at an affordable price. It’s a true campus classic that punches well above its weight.” Bryant Canzoneri (’04), creative director, UNT Dining Services