Our Story

For more than two decades, The Flying Tomato, later known simply as The Tomato, was a fixture of Fry Street across from the University of North Texas. Opened in 1984, it became known for big slices, stuffed pizza, and a personality all its own. Becky and Robert “Ski” Slusarski took over the business in 1996, and two years later renamed it The Tomato Pizza.

The original location closed in 2007 as Fry Street changed hands, and the building that had housed The Tomato was destroyed in the Fry Street fire shortly afterward. But The Tomato had left a lasting mark on Denton, and the recipes, memories, and community around it never really disappeared. 

In 2023, Becky and Ski’s son Michael Slusarski brought The Tomato back as a permanent food truck at Austin Street Truck Stop, using the same recipes and techniques that made it a local favorite. Today, The Tomato operates permanent food-truck locations in Denton and Lewisville, carrying that family legacy into a new generation with pizza by the slice, Chicago-style stuffed pizza, breadsticks, salads, and more.

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A message from the owner, Michael Slusarski -

“Ever since I was a kid, I thought The Tomato on Fry was my future. I wanted to work side by side with my parents providing tasty pizza for generations of Dentonites and helping out the community however we can. I also wanted my parents to be able to retire and know that someone would keep their legacy going. This is my opportunity to do just that.”

  • 1984

    After working for multiple locations in Illinois, the original owners asked Becky and Ski to help open and operate “The Flying Tomato Pizza in a Pan” on Fry Street in Denton, Texas.

  • 1996

    Original owners sell The Flying Tomato to the Slusarski family

  • 1998

    The Flying Tomato becomes “The Tomato”

  • 2006

    Becky and Ski were notified by their landlord that the entire Fry Street block was sold to a developer.

  • 2007

    The Tomato closed its Fry Street doors in May 2007. On June 27, the building that had housed The Tomato was destroyed in the Fry Street fire.

  • 2011

    After a brief hiatus, a group of ex-employees, along with Becky and Ski, put together some funds to reopen The Tomato in Sanger, Texas in 2011.

  • 2012

    The Sanger location proved that part of The Tomato charm was its proximity to Denton, forcing the doors closed once again after just 18 months.

  • 2023

    Michael Slusarski, son of Becky and Ski, brings The Tomato back to Denton as a permanent food truck at Austin Street Truck Stop, opening in May 2023.

  • 2024

    After a fire damaged the truck in December 2023, The Tomato returns once again, reopening at Austin Street Truck Stop in July 2024.

  • 2025

    The Tomato expands beyond Denton with a second permanent food truck at Buffalo Hirsch in Old Town Lewisville.