Latest visit: Aug 2015 (Dallas, TX)
First visit: Aug 2005 (Dallas, TX)
Truluck's maintains 12 locations including the 2 reviewed below. Otherwise they are in disparate areas around the county, but none around Colorado.
And speaking of which, I was completely disoriented when I arrived. This isn't where the restaurant used to be is it? And the answer is no - there's a new structure they built at the other end of the parking lot, and the old building along McKinney has since been torn down. I thought I was having a Mr. Robot moment there (yea, that's right, the RJG is hip, mannn).
High end steak and seafood. I recommended we both start with the Lobster Bisque, one of Truluck's signature items, and it once again was delicious (rich and creamy). For an entree, I decided to slum it this evening and ordered the cheapest item on the menu: The "Hot 'n' Crunchy Idaho Trout" ($27) with rice pilaf and a mango chili sauce. It was a nicely breaded trout and the rice was very good. All the same, I begin to regret not ordering the Chilean Sea Bass, which has become my favorite at Truluck's over the years. Not sure what I as expecting - perhaps something with a bit of fire and spice - but that's not what this dish about. It is good, though maybe a bit dull in the end. OK, well I tried it anyway (folks, get the Sea Bass). The Boss wanted steak (mmm... he-man want steak) and he told me that he prefers a ribeye to a filet. So he went for the 16 oz All Natural Rib Eye ($48) which he subsequently devoured with much glee. And the potatoes were gone before I noticed as well. Boss man happy. Better be in my next performance evaluation too....
Drink: For a swanky restaurant in the center of Dallas, I would expect Trulucks to offer high quality local craft beers. No such luck. Shiner Bock is their idea of a local beer. No thanks. Of course, the markups are in wine, and they are more than happy to oblige. We both settled on single classes of Cabernet, and they are pretty chintzy for $10. When it comes to drinks, Truluck's is running a shakedown operation. Maybe next time, I'll get water.
Location: Truluck's sits on the NW corner of McKinney and Maple. I find it easier to head east (southeast) on Maple and enter that way. As mentioned above, the new building is now in the back of the lot, and thus even more easy to get from the Maple side. The new structure is, as you might imagine, somewhat opulent especially compared to the diner-like neon lit building of the past. There's a full bar area, and two stories of seating. It is definitely befitting of the term "high end dining".
Notes: In addition to the two DFW locations (note link below), Truluck's operates two restaurants in Austin, one in Houston, 4 in Florida, and one in the San Diego area. Oh, one other need I need to mention. I used Open Table to make a reservation, which of course meant I left my phone number. The manager actually called me the next day to see if our meal was satisfactory. I thought that was a nice touch!
Rating: 4.0. The food here is delicious, and the ambiance is top notch. The drinks are a rip, but if corporate is buying, perhaps I won't notice?
Drink: For a swanky restaurant in the center of Dallas, I would expect Trulucks to offer high quality local craft beers. No such luck. Shiner Bock is their idea of a local beer. No thanks. Of course, the markups are in wine, and they are more than happy to oblige. We both settled on single classes of Cabernet, and they are pretty chintzy for $10. When it comes to drinks, Truluck's is running a shakedown operation. Maybe next time, I'll get water.
Location: Truluck's sits on the NW corner of McKinney and Maple. I find it easier to head east (southeast) on Maple and enter that way. As mentioned above, the new building is now in the back of the lot, and thus even more easy to get from the Maple side. The new structure is, as you might imagine, somewhat opulent especially compared to the diner-like neon lit building of the past. There's a full bar area, and two stories of seating. It is definitely befitting of the term "high end dining".
Notes: In addition to the two DFW locations (note link below), Truluck's operates two restaurants in Austin, one in Houston, 4 in Florida, and one in the San Diego area. Oh, one other need I need to mention. I used Open Table to make a reservation, which of course meant I left my phone number. The manager actually called me the next day to see if our meal was satisfactory. I thought that was a nice touch!
Rating: 4.0. The food here is delicious, and the ambiance is top notch. The drinks are a rip, but if corporate is buying, perhaps I won't notice?
--- Southlake review
Typically Mrs. RJG and I travel on our anniversary, but this year we decided to stay home. As such we went for a "splurge" meal to celebrate. This blog is named the Regular Joe's Guide for a reason, and that's because we both really, truly (to repeat: really truly) prefer regular restaurants to the fancy ones. So it is mainly in my business life that I will end up at these restaurants. Again, I would prefer more down-home places myself, but I'm clearly in the minority with my peers on that front. In any case, it is no surprise that my first two visits to Truluck's were for business. The first goes back to my former job in 2005 at the McKinney Avenue location - and about 3 years ago, a vendor came into town and we dined at the Southlake store. Obviously I enjoyed it enough to suggest to Mrs. RJG that this would be an excellent place to celebrate our wedding anniversary.
And Truluck's did not let me down. Though it is, without a doubt, a pocket drainer.
Mrs. RJG and I both know that ordering a bottle of wine is the real culprit at these places. The markups on wine are ridiculous. However, neither of us felt like a beer, and we usually enjoy wine with our meal - so we went "dumb" and ordered a very nice bottle of Chardonnay from Oregon (for $60 - online price $30). Certainly it was an excellent wine, and is worth all $30 (wheez). They provide homemade bread (a darker cranberry bread, and a more traditional Italian white, with sweet made butter), both of which were delicious. As an appetizer, the hot n' crunchy shrimp proved to be a good choice. A tempura styled fried shrimp with hot chile flakes in the mix. 4 huge shrimp came out, and had to be considered a highlight of the meal. For dinner, Mrs. RJG started with a garden salad - which is the classic "backyard" mix of greens and a sweet honey vinaigrette. And I had the Lobster Bisque, which was stunningly good. So rich and creamy. For entrees, we each went with the Chilean sea bass. Hers was the Miso glaze with crab fried rice, and mine was pan seared with rice pilaf. Along with swordfish, Chilean sea bass has to be at the top for flavorful thick white fishes. Both of our dishes were expertly prepared, and delicious. Since the waiter figured out we were on our anniversary, something we weren't going to advertise, he gave us a free chocolate cake with a hot cherry jubilee. It was super rich - very good - but ultimately too sweet for us to finish. But it was extremely nice of the gentleman, and the restaurant, to do that for us. Mrs. RJG finished the evening with an Irish Creme. I usually don't comment on the service, one way or the other, but our server this night was exceptionally professional. Superb.
Overall, a sublime meal. Worth $240 (after tip)? Probably not, because I'm just not sure anything at that price is. Some of the best meals I've ever had came in under $20 after tip (for one). But if someone else is paying, or you are on an elaborate (i.e. Sales) expense account - then Truluck's is a must. I consider it better than most places in this category.
And Truluck's did not let me down. Though it is, without a doubt, a pocket drainer.
Mrs. RJG and I both know that ordering a bottle of wine is the real culprit at these places. The markups on wine are ridiculous. However, neither of us felt like a beer, and we usually enjoy wine with our meal - so we went "dumb" and ordered a very nice bottle of Chardonnay from Oregon (for $60 - online price $30). Certainly it was an excellent wine, and is worth all $30 (wheez). They provide homemade bread (a darker cranberry bread, and a more traditional Italian white, with sweet made butter), both of which were delicious. As an appetizer, the hot n' crunchy shrimp proved to be a good choice. A tempura styled fried shrimp with hot chile flakes in the mix. 4 huge shrimp came out, and had to be considered a highlight of the meal. For dinner, Mrs. RJG started with a garden salad - which is the classic "backyard" mix of greens and a sweet honey vinaigrette. And I had the Lobster Bisque, which was stunningly good. So rich and creamy. For entrees, we each went with the Chilean sea bass. Hers was the Miso glaze with crab fried rice, and mine was pan seared with rice pilaf. Along with swordfish, Chilean sea bass has to be at the top for flavorful thick white fishes. Both of our dishes were expertly prepared, and delicious. Since the waiter figured out we were on our anniversary, something we weren't going to advertise, he gave us a free chocolate cake with a hot cherry jubilee. It was super rich - very good - but ultimately too sweet for us to finish. But it was extremely nice of the gentleman, and the restaurant, to do that for us. Mrs. RJG finished the evening with an Irish Creme. I usually don't comment on the service, one way or the other, but our server this night was exceptionally professional. Superb.
Overall, a sublime meal. Worth $240 (after tip)? Probably not, because I'm just not sure anything at that price is. Some of the best meals I've ever had came in under $20 after tip (for one). But if someone else is paying, or you are on an elaborate (i.e. Sales) expense account - then Truluck's is a must. I consider it better than most places in this category.
4/6/05; 4/20/10; 4/7/13 (new entry); 9/4/15
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