Truluck's Ocean's Finest Seafood and Crab — Restaurant in Leyden Township

Coming back to offer a revised review of Truluck's. After my initial experience, I was contacted by the Managing Partner, Rick Rinella to come back and experience Truluck's the right way. It was truly magical. From the moment that we walked in, we were greeted warmly and taken to a wonderful table. Our server (also named Rick) offered some amazing recommendations for our wine as well as our entrees. It was one of the best pinot noirs that I have had. The lobster bisque and the crab cake was mouth watering. My surf and turf special was one of the best that I've ever experienced and so was my husband. And I was not only able to get the carrot cake that I was longing for, I was able to taste the key lime pie which was extraordinary and the top notch, mind-blowing chocolate cake! I appreciate Mr. Rinella's offer to come back and it was such an amazing dining experience. He didn't have to do that, but I am grateful Both my husband and I travel regularly and we will visit the other locations as well. My husband and I had been to the downtown Chicago location and had an awesome experience. When we visited on 8/5 for our friend's anniversary dinner, the service was bad and very dismissive. We were a part of a large party and the server announced at the beginning of the meal that they were known for their service which was hard to believe after the service we experienced. My husband wore dark pants and had to ask the server 4 times for a black napkin. The server never brought it and he had to ask another server. When we received our appetizers, soup and salad, we requested crushed black pepper. The server said 'it will be a few minutes' and never brought it. This is something that should be readily available at a restaurant of this caliber. The server seemed in a rush to take our order and because of this, he left off one of the sides for our friends. My miso seabass was tasty. The crab fried rice had very little crab. 2 people at our table ordered the ribeye prepared medium. One of the steaks came out medium well, borderline well done. Our friend sent it back. When the second steak came out, it was medium rare and burned on the outside. When she notified the server that she didn't like it, he sent the manager over. The manager proceeded to mansplain why her steak wasn't done properly instead of apologizing and saying we will cover it. We have eaten at steakhouses all around the world. So we understand how they should be made and re-made if there is an issue. He made the excuse that the kitchen rushed because she was sitting there without food. So that's acceptable? They should try to get it right to the customer's request as opposed to getting it done fast especially with the prices that they are charging. They did end up taking her steak off the bill and suggested she go home and cook it to her liking. Terrible! Once the plates, were cleared the checks were immediately brought with not even the offer of dessert/after dinner beverage from our server. I had been looking forward to the carrot cake but it turned into a blessing because it was wise not to give this restaurant any additional funds since they seemingly were trying to rush us out of the restaurant. $300 and I actually recommended this to my friend for her anniversary dinner after my experience downtown but now I realize not all Truluck's are created equal. There is no shortage of steakhouses in the Rosemont area, even in the Chicagoland area. This is definitely NOT one that I...

A Disheartening Experience at Truluck

Celebrating a milestone event should be a joyous and unforgettable experience. Sadly, our recent visit to Truluck took a distressing turn that left us feeling hurt and unwelcome. After spending $7,000 on a private event to mark a significant life occasion, our evening ended in disappointment due to actions by the restaurant’s management that appeared racially motivated.

Our celebration began on a high note. Cassandra and her team were exceptional in their service, ensuring every detail of our event was handled with care and professionalism. Their graciousness and attentiveness made the evening feel special, and we were initially thrilled with our choice of venue. Once the formal event concluded, several members of our group decided to continue the festivities downstairs during the restaurant’s happy hour.

The atmosphere in the lounge was lively and inviting. The talented lounge singer, Tony, added a charming energy to the room, and our server, Sydney, was kind, accommodating, and efficient. She ensured we had everything we needed, and our group enjoyed food, drinks, and each other’s company. For a couple of hours, it felt like the perfect extension of our celebration.

Unfortunately, the evening took an unexpected and unsettling turn when the general manager, Blake, approached our group and informed us that we were “cut off.” When we asked for an explanation, his response was vague but carried an implication that left us shocked: he implied that we “did not fit the demographic” of the establishment. His tone and words strongly suggested that we were being singled out because of our race.

This was deeply hurtful and humiliating. Our group was composed of respectful, professional individuals celebrating a joyous occasion, and there was no justification for this treatment. Blake’s actions starkly contrasted with the earlier hospitality shown by Cassandra, Sydney, and Tony. The abruptness and discriminatory nature of the interaction left us no choice but to leave the restaurant.

What makes this experience especially troubling is the broader implication: if this could happen to us, it could happen to others. Discrimination, whether explicit or implicit, has no place in any establishment, especially one that markets itself as inclusive and sophisticated.

We want to ensure that no other minority group has to endure the hurt and disappointment we experienced. We strongly urge Truluck to implement sensitivity training for its staff, establish transparent and fair customer service policies, and promote diversity and inclusion within its management practices.

While we are grateful for the hospitality shown by Cassandra, Sydney, and Tony, the actions of Blake overshadowed what should have been a joyful evening. We hope Truluck takes this feedback seriously and commits to creating a welcoming environment for all guests, regardless of their background. Every customer deserves to feel valued and respected, and we hope our experience serves as a catalyst for...

This is a difficult review to write. I’ve never had an experience this mixed in any restaurant prior. Great service and food with the desert to celebrate a birthday falling flat on its face.

My wife and I set a reservation for this restaurant to celebrate my Father-in-law’s (FIL) 70th birthday. For context, it’s difficult to get my in-laws to go to restaurants, much less at a finer dining establishments. My wife convinced them to try Truluck as an experience, not just for the food.

Leading up to the reservation, we called the restaurant to ask if anything can be prepared for FIL birthday. We’re told about the Baked Alaska and we’re happy it’s an option. This is a key piece to our experience, as my in-laws are practically sold over this desert as part of having a great experience.

Everything about the restaurant and service was phenomenal, up until desert time. My FIL has been fixated on so many tables getting their Baked Alaska and he’s eagerly awaiting for his desert for his birthday. Our waiter disappears for around 20 minutes, so the anticipation is really building.

Our waiter comes out with plates, we’re all super excited as he absolutely loves ice cream. The idea of ice cream being served on fire was his selling point. Our waiter sets the desert on the table…and it’s a slice of chocolate cake?

My wife explains that she called the restaurant ahead of time to ask to set aside the Baked Alaska, so we’re confused. We were willing to pay for it, birthday be damned, that was the one thing they saw and wanted. Our waiter explains that they ran out for the night and cannot provide this.

We’re not sticklers and we understand these things happen, but we’re confused on why this wasn’t communicated to us in the first place. Not to be ungrateful for the slice of chocolate cake, but neither of my in-laws enjoy cake, much less chocolate cake, so it puts us in an awkward position where the one thing FIL was most excited for was not only there, but was substituted for something he didn’t even like.

We expressed our disappointment and confusion to our waiter, though he didn’t really respond and rushed the interaction so we can have our bill and leave since things for a bit awkward. No discussion on it or resolution, just ‘hey sorry, next time, see ya’ vibe instead.

I have never been at a restaurant where a birthday desert is unavailable, and not had this communicated to me. The way in which it was handled, and our waiter just rushing the whole thing was just such a strange and poor ending to what was otherwise s very...