Truluck's Ocean's Finest Seafood and Crab — Restaurant in Southlake

Sooo… it’s my wife’s birthday month, and I wanted to do something special since, let’s be real, my cooking skills are limited. I mean, I can throw down on some hot dogs and noodles like a pro, but that’s about it. So, I thought, “Let me take my queen somewhere nice.” I’m talking fancy fancy—Truluck’s type of fancy.

We pull up, and immediately, I know we’re in for a treat. Valet service. Dim lighting. Soft music playing. Everybody dressed up like they got money. I’m feeling good. Like a man with a plan. My wife, thinking this is just a cute lil’ dinner for two, has no idea what’s coming.

The hostess, playing it cool, walks us to the back and says, “We’ll seat you behind this curtain for more privacy.” My wife just nods, thinking nothing of it. And then… BOOM! The curtain flies open, and her entire family and all her friends JUMP OUT! “SURPRISE!!”

Listen. My wife panicked. I mean, full-on fight or flight mode. Why? Because I forgot one tiny detail—SHE HAS ASTHMA. Now I’m scrambling, flipping pockets inside out, checking under the table—where is this woman’s inhaler?! She turns to me, catches her breath, and says, “Babe, I’m okay.” Me? WHEW. Almost lost her.

After she recovers from the near-cardiac event I caused, we finally sit down and look at the menu. The descriptions sound like poetry. Seabass with truffle-infused blah blah, butter-poached whatever. But one thing is missing… THE PRICES.

Now, I’m no fool. When a restaurant hides the prices, you already know it’s above your tax bracket. So I lean over and whisper, “Babe… how much is this stuff?” She smiles and says, “Don’t worry about that, just order.”

So I did. I got the seabass with all the sides. Let me tell you—that food hit different. It was so good, I physically couldn’t contain myself. I got out of my chair, walked straight into the kitchen, and high-fived the chefs. Then I Texas Two-Stepped all the way back to my seat.

My wife? Mortified. She grabs my arm, leans in, and whispers, “Fred, SIT DOWN. You are EMBARRASSING ME.”

Sorry babe, but listen, when food is that good, a simple “compliments to the chef” ain’t enough.

Now here’s where things took a turn…

The bill comes. I casually open the tab, ready to pay like the responsible man I am. But when I saw that number… my SOUL left my body.

“$300?!?” I damn near passed out at the table. I flagged the waitress down like I was calling a timeout in the fourth quarter with the Cowboys.

“Ma’am, I think you gave us the wrong bill.”

She double-checks.

“No sir, this is yours.”

I stare at it again. Blink twice. Look back at her.

“Ma’am… for food??”

Y’all. For $300, I could’ve gone to H-E-B, bought groceries, and cooked an ENTIRE meal—appetizers, main course, and dessert—AND had leftovers.

The whole table busts out laughing, but me? I’m hurt. Feeling defeated, I slide my card across the table like a man saying goodbye to his last paycheck.

But hey—my wife was happy, the food was fire, and we made memories. So, in the end, it was worth every penny.

(But best believe next year, we’re celebrating at the house. With hot dogs...

A Memorable Anniversary at Truluck’s

My Wife and I recently celebrated our anniversary at Truluck's, and the experience was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we stepped through the doors, we were enveloped in an atmosphere of elegance and warmth that set the tone for a perfect evening. The customer service is exemplary. From our initial reservation to our departure, every interaction was marked by genuine warmth and professionalism. We were greeted with smiles and escorted to a beautifully set table adorned with a discreet "Happy Anniversary" card, a thoughtful touch that immediately made us feel special. Our server was attentive without being intrusive, ensuring our glasses were never empty and our needs were met promptly. The entire staff demonstrated a level of attentiveness and care that made us feel like the most important guests in the restaurant.

The presentation of the food is an art form. Each dish was meticulously plated, showcasing a harmonious blend of colors, textures, and garnishes that were almost too beautiful to eat. Our appetizer, a delicate crab cake, arrived looking like a masterpiece, and it tasted as good as it looked. The main courses were equally impressive: my partner's pan-seared salmon was cooked to perfection and served with a vibrant medley of seasonal vegetables, while my filet mignon was a tender, flavorful delight, accompanied by a rich red wine reduction. Every dish not only tasted divine but also looked stunning, enhancing the overall dining experience. What truly set our anniversary dinner apart were the special touches that Norm and his staff incorporated to make the evening unforgettable. Knowing it was a special occasion, the restaurant surprised us with a card and rose petal covered table, followed by a personalized dessert platter. The dessert, a decadent Baked Alaska, arrived with "Happy Anniversary" written in elegant script on the plate, and the flavors were an exquisite finale to our meal.

The ambiance of the restaurant also contributed significantly to the meal. The subtle piano live entertainment created a romantic setting that was perfect for our celebration. Every detail, from the fresh flowers on the table to the impeccable timing of each course, reflected the restaurant’s commitment to providing a flawless dining experience. Our anniversary dinner at Truluck's was a truly special experience that exceeded all expectations. The exceptional customer service, stunning presentation of the food, and thoughtful touches throughout the evening made it a night to remember. We left feeling thoroughly pampered and appreciated, and we are already looking forward to our next visit. If you're looking for a restaurant that excels in every aspect of fine dining, Truluck’s should be at the top...

Unfortunately dining here was a huge disappointment.

Our party of four sat in the lounge area. Three adults and an minor. My friends wanted full dinner and my son and I weren't very hungry but I figured I would order at least a couple of appetizers, drink and dessert for my son and I to accompany their dinner. My first impression was that minors in general are not welcome at the establishment but they didn't ask us to leave so I figured it's ok. I met my friends and proceeded to request a wine menu and dessert menu. I was greeted with attitude from the waitress when I requested the dessert menu as she assumed we were all there for just desserts. She actually made snide remark regarding the dessert menu. I pointed at my son and told her well he wants a dessert so if you could get the menu for us. She proceeded to take our drink order, my son requested a lemonade to which he received another snide remark about the restaurant not serving lemonade so he opted for a soda instead. I understand that the restaurant does not offer lemonade (a lot don't) but they are actually kind enough to offer other options.

She brings the wine menu, and we wait to place our order. When she comes to get our order I ask her once again for the dessert menu and she tells me she's too busy to bring it to me. We all order our food and my wine (dinner menus stay stacked at our table). One of our friends orders the "boneless Branzino" per her recommendation. Fifteen minutes go by and we wave her down to see about the wine. The wine finally makes it to the table. The dessert menu also makes it. Bar may have been super busy and that could be why the wine didn't make it for twenty minutes.

Food comes out, I can't say that was great either. My friend almost choked on a bone from the boneless Branzino she ordered (the Branzino had tons of bones). The Seabass was fishy, the risotto was undercooked, the crab fried rice was burned etc... We weren't offered more water, we weren't offered a new soda, I wasn't offered another glass of wine. Remember the dessert menu? well we didn't get to order dessert.

It truly was a disaster. Service was below par. There were menus on the floor at the table next to us (which was empty). She picked up one of those menus (left the other one on the floor) and just handed it to the people that sat at another table nearby.

Stark contrast from our visit to Perry's the evening before. I hope they can fix their issues.

Positive - the music at the lounge area was pleasant, and the lighted menus were amazing. Pretty sad when the menus are more impressive than the food...