Chain Wine List, Tuesday's the Only Reason
Southridge / Town Center Trail · Denton · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed July 1, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Houlihan's Denton reads like the shelf at a mid-tier grocery store — familiar labels, zero surprises, and a format that screams 'corporate approved.' Sixteen options sounds like a decent number until you realize they're all by-the-glass and there's not a single bottle on the list that would make a wine-curious person put down their phone.
The lineup is a greatest hits of restaurant-safe pours: Kim Crawford, Kendall Jackson, Murphy-Goode, Mark West — names your aunt recognizes and your wine group rolls its eyes at. California dominates, with token representation from Italy (Ruffino Pinot Grigio, Cantine Maschio Prosecco), New Zealand (Kim Crawford), and Argentina (Portillo Malbec). The one quasi-interesting entry is the Bloodroot 'Undertow' Red Blend from Sonoma, which at least has a story behind it. Everything else is built for maximum inoffensiveness, not for anyone who actually wants to explore wine.
All 16 labels pour by the glass, which sounds generous until you realize the whole list IS the by-the-glass list — there are no bottles to speak of. Pricing is structured across 6oz and 9oz pours, though only the happy hour Canyon Road rate of $8 for a 9oz is publicly confirmed. That structure at least gives you flexibility on pour size, but the selection ceiling is low.
Portillo Malbec — Ask your server
Portillo from Argentina punches above its weight class — made by the same folks behind Zuccardi, it's a legitimate bottle that outclasses most of its neighbors on this list. On Tuesday at half price, it's the obvious move.
Bloodroot 'Undertow' Red Blend
It's the only wine here with any personality. A Sonoma red blend sitting in a sea of supermarket standbys — most people will default to the Murphy-Goode and miss it entirely. Don't be most people.
Canyon Road Chardonnay
Canyon Road retails for around $6 a bottle. Even at a happy hour $8 for 9oz, the margins are punishing and the wine itself is a non-event. It exists to fill a checkbox, not to be enjoyed.
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc + Chicken Tortilla Stack
The bright citrus and grassy snap of Kim Crawford cuts through the richness of a cheesy, saucy tortilla stack without competing with the spice. It's not a complex pairing, but it works — and on this list, workable is about as good as it gets.
Tuesday — Half price on select bottles of wine, all day every Tuesday
❌ The Bottom Line
Houlihan's Denton is not a wine destination, and it has no interest in being one. The one genuine reason to order wine here is Tuesday — half-price bottles all day is a deal worth setting a calendar reminder for, especially if you're grabbing the Portillo or the Bloodroot.
Downtown Denton · Denton · Seafood, American Cajun
Hoochies is an oyster bar first and a wine destination never, but the list is functional enough that you won't feel stranded. Order the catfish, grab a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, and save the wine deep-dive for another night.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Golden Triangle Area · Denton · American
Cheddar's wine program exists to check a box, not to serve you well. Order a cocktail or a beer — they've actually put thought into those — and save the wine for a restaurant that cares.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Golden Triangle Area · Denton · American
BJ's Denton is a beer hall that happens to stock wine, and the list makes that priority crystal clear. If you must drink wine here, come on a Tuesday — Half Off Wine Tuesday is the one thing this program does that actually earns a tip of the glass.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Golden Triangle Area · Denton · Texas steakhouse / American
Saltgrass Denton is a solid place to eat a steak; it is not a place to drink wine. Order a Shiner, grab the J. Lohr if you need something in a glass, and save your wine curiosity for somewhere that shares it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
South Denton · Denton · Steakhouse
Texas Roadhouse Denton is not a wine destination — it's a rolls-and-steak destination, and that's completely fine. Order the cocktail, drink the beer, and save your wine enthusiasm for somewhere that returns the favor.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South Denton · Denton · American / Tex-Mex
This wine program exists to check a box, not to enhance your meal — if you're at Chili's Denton for the wine, something has gone wrong. Stick to the margaritas, which is almost certainly what the restaurant intended all along.
Grocery Store
Gouge
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Old Fort Pkwy · Murfreesboro · American
O'Charley's isn't where you come for a wine experience, but if you're here for the food and want a fair pour at a fair price, the list delivers exactly that. Send a friend here for the Wednesday half-price wine night and keep expectations calibrated.
Crowd Pleasers
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
East Vancouver · Vancouver · American
The Cove is a genuinely lovely spot to eat near the water, but the wine list is an afterthought dressed up in decent pricing on one pour. Come for the view and the food — just don't expect the wine program to keep up.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Overland Park · Overland Park · American
The Cheesecake Factory's wine list exists to reduce friction, not create excitement — it's a corporate safety net dressed up as a wine program. Order the Decoy, enjoy your Chicken Madeira, and save your wine curiosity for somewhere that actually wants it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.