| Dallas Restaurant Reviews |
| Truluck's Steaks, Seafood, Stone Crab 2401 McKinney, Dallas, TX. 214-220-2401 (Second location at 5001 Beltline Rd. in Addison) |
Dallas Restaurant Review:
Truluck’s offers top-notch seafood and steaks in an elegant art deco diner.
SETTING - A neon-lit building in the trendy Uptown area of Dallas. There is another
Truluck's on Belt Line Road in busy Addison to the north, and they have locations in several
other cities in Texas and Florida.
FOOD - Truluck’s serves a variety of seafood and steaks, and not run-of-the-mill. To start,
I like the Hot House Tomato Salad, at $10 almost a meal in itself. The Chicken & Corn
Chowder is excellent, and the Crab and Artichoke Bisque soup is a specialty. There are eight
steaks and chops ($25-$45), and if you want to throw caution to the winds, consider the 16 oz.
Niman Ranch Prime Hand-Cut Ribeye. They also offer King Crab legs large enough to be a table
leg; half a dozen grilled fishes; and a dozen other seafood dishes (such as Thai Chili Day Boat
Scallops in a sweet & spicy Thai chili glaze). The sides are also a little more creative than the
usual steak house fare, my favorite being the flavorful Crab Fried Rice. If you want to see
their dinner menu, click here.
STONE CRAB CLAWS – Truluck’s is famous for their fresh Florida stone crab claws. They
come in Medium, Large, and Jumbo – all very large and very expensive – and available October
15 to May 15. They are not only beautiful to look at, but are meaty, sweet ,and delicious.
Prices range from $18-$59 depending on size and quantity. Truluck's sometimes offers an
“all you can eat" Stone Crab special ($45-$60) – like on Monday nights and whenever they feel
like it. If they do – go for it! It includes all the soups, sides, and salads.
WINE - They have a steak house-quality wine list starting in the $40 range, and a
phenomenal 100 wines by the glass. You can also order them in samplers, or “flights” – three
1/3 servings to sample and compare. (Decisions, decisions.)
AMBIANCE - Old Chicago. It's part art deco diner, part steak house or upscale seafood
joint, and part vintage Pump Room in the downtown Windy City. You'll find dark, polished
woods including the ceiling; black & white celebrity photos; and spacious & comfortable booths
and tables. Neon trim on the outside, even a hint of subtle pink neon inside. Frank Sinatra
playing lightly in the background. They also have a comfortable patio for the many months of
nice Dallas weather (the one in Uptown is better than Addison.).
Downside? - The large bar in the back of the Uptown Truluck's looks good at a distance but
was my only disappointment. The industrial equipment behind the bar is way too visible, and
worse yet, their "efficiency experts" built a dishwasher under the bar which vibrates my
martini every time they turn it on -- a definite no-no. So skip the bar and enjoy your drink at
your table.
RESERVATIONS - Recommended, or you may end up becoming part of the vibrating
dishwashing experience at the bar.
BOTTOM LINE - Truluck’s is a sleeper – you may not expect much when you first lay eyes on
their deco diner exterior, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Truluck’s offers top-notch seafood and steaks in an elegant art deco diner.
SETTING - A neon-lit building in the trendy Uptown area of Dallas. There is another
Truluck's on Belt Line Road in busy Addison to the north, and they have locations in several
other cities in Texas and Florida.
FOOD - Truluck’s serves a variety of seafood and steaks, and not run-of-the-mill. To start,
I like the Hot House Tomato Salad, at $10 almost a meal in itself. The Chicken & Corn
Chowder is excellent, and the Crab and Artichoke Bisque soup is a specialty. There are eight
steaks and chops ($25-$45), and if you want to throw caution to the winds, consider the 16 oz.
Niman Ranch Prime Hand-Cut Ribeye. They also offer King Crab legs large enough to be a table
leg; half a dozen grilled fishes; and a dozen other seafood dishes (such as Thai Chili Day Boat
Scallops in a sweet & spicy Thai chili glaze). The sides are also a little more creative than the
usual steak house fare, my favorite being the flavorful Crab Fried Rice. If you want to see
their dinner menu, click here.
STONE CRAB CLAWS – Truluck’s is famous for their fresh Florida stone crab claws. They
come in Medium, Large, and Jumbo – all very large and very expensive – and available October
15 to May 15. They are not only beautiful to look at, but are meaty, sweet ,and delicious.
Prices range from $18-$59 depending on size and quantity. Truluck's sometimes offers an
“all you can eat" Stone Crab special ($45-$60) – like on Monday nights and whenever they feel
like it. If they do – go for it! It includes all the soups, sides, and salads.
WINE - They have a steak house-quality wine list starting in the $40 range, and a
phenomenal 100 wines by the glass. You can also order them in samplers, or “flights” – three
1/3 servings to sample and compare. (Decisions, decisions.)
AMBIANCE - Old Chicago. It's part art deco diner, part steak house or upscale seafood
joint, and part vintage Pump Room in the downtown Windy City. You'll find dark, polished
woods including the ceiling; black & white celebrity photos; and spacious & comfortable booths
and tables. Neon trim on the outside, even a hint of subtle pink neon inside. Frank Sinatra
playing lightly in the background. They also have a comfortable patio for the many months of
nice Dallas weather (the one in Uptown is better than Addison.).
Downside? - The large bar in the back of the Uptown Truluck's looks good at a distance but
was my only disappointment. The industrial equipment behind the bar is way too visible, and
worse yet, their "efficiency experts" built a dishwasher under the bar which vibrates my
martini every time they turn it on -- a definite no-no. So skip the bar and enjoy your drink at
your table.
RESERVATIONS - Recommended, or you may end up becoming part of the vibrating
dishwashing experience at the bar.
BOTTOM LINE - Truluck’s is a sleeper – you may not expect much when you first lay eyes on
their deco diner exterior, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
| An order of large, cracked Stone Crab claws. (photo by Truluck's) |