Truluck's - Ocean's Finest Seafood & Crab - La Jolla

Name: Truluck's - Ocean's Finest Seafood & Crab - La Jolla
Address: 8990 University Center Lane, San Diego, CA, United States, 92122
Telephone: (858) 453-2583
Price range: $50 and over
Rating: 4.8

4.8

4638 Reviews

$50 and over

Seafood

Top Tags:

Located in UTC at The Aventine on La Jolla Village Drive just east of The 5, Truluck’s La Jolla sits a short drive from the beach, UC San Diego, and historic Torrey Pines. Indulge in Prime Seafood & Crab. Our chefs honor and elevate with superior ingredients, precise execution, and classic presentation. Truluck’s maintains an unwavering commitment to serving the highest quality, sustainable products that make sense for the plate, the palate, and the planet. We strive to serve only the best ingredients and are dedicated to serving exceptional seafood and fresh Florida Stone crab, from the traps to your table in less than 24 hours.
Delight in the ocean’s finest seafood and crab, remarkable cocktails and wines, captivating ambience and the service you deserve. Your table is waiting.

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Party Size

2 people

DateTime

May 26, 2022

May 2022

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

7:00 PM

Booked 48 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(858) 453-2583

Private dining

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Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Cuisines
Seafood, Shellfish, Steak
Hours of operation
Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(858) 453-2583
Website
http://trulucks.com/lajolla_location.php
Payment options
AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Brian Moran
Private party facilities
For fabulous parties, lasting memories and none of the stress, choose Truluck’s. With flexible floor plans and a variety of spaces, we can accommodate parties large and small for any occasion (rehearsal dinners, corporate events, board meetings, milestone celebrations).
Private party contact
Rebecca Wright, CPCE: (888) 725-7115

Location
8990 University Center Lane San Diego, CA 92122
Neighborhood
University City/Golden Triangle
Cross street
La Jolla Village Drive
Parking details
Free 3-hour hotel garage self-parking
Entertainment
Live piano music on the outdoor Terrace Thursday through Sunday evenings.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

The Most Romantic Restaurants in San Diego

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Popular dishes

Crab Louie Cocktail$20.00
jumbo lump crab, remoulade
Chef's Daily Oyster Selection*
horseradish, cocktail sauce, champagne mignonette
- Market
Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail$22.00
5 shrimp, atomic cocktail sauce
Hawaiian Tuna Crudo*$14.00
with grape and cherry tomato medley
Salmon Crudo*$16.00
with cucumber dressing and curried crème fraîche
Jumbo Lump Crab Cake$22.00
with dilled tartar sauce
Salt & Pepper Calamari$21.00
stir-fry vegetables, specialty mustard, sweet Vietnamese chili sauce
Prime Meatballs
prime chuck, brisket, short rib
- Three$9.00
- Five$14.00
Parmesan Yeast Rolls$5.00
made to order, Maldon sea salt

Second Course

Lobster Bisque$12.00
lobster morsels, horseradish goat cheese
Caesar Salad*$12.00
white anchovies, shaved pecorino, fresh lemon
Wedge Salad$14.00
iceberg, blue cheese, warm bacon, cherry tomatoes
Sonoma Greens Salad$12.00
spicy pecans, goat cheese, apples, kalamata olives, honey vinaigrette
Heirloom Tomato$15.00
with buttermilk ranch, shaved red onion, dill and warm bacon
King Crab Stuffed Heirloom Tomato$42.00
with buttermilk ranch, shaved red onion, dill and warm bacon

Seafood Classics

We maintain an unwavering commitment to serving the highest quality, sustainable products following Ocean Conservatory guidelines

Norwegian Salmon$35.00
with asparagus
Miso-Glazed Seabass$50.00
crab fried rice, chilled cucumber slaw
Pacific Swordfish$48.00
broiled steak with tomato, grape, mint, dill and lime
Hawaiian Ahi Tuna*$40.00
sesame-crusted, parmesan mashed potatoes, tamari reduction
Mediterranean Branzino$59.00
roasted whole fish, olives, capers and lemon, oregano vinaigrette
New England Sea Scallops$49.00
colossal size, with parmesan mashed potatoes and piccata sauce
Pearl Grouper$79.00
whole roasted grouper seasoned with garlic, herbs, red chili flakes and fresh lemon

Prime Steaks

Our steaks are hand selected from true artisans with over 100 years of experience. All steaks are seasoned and broiled at 1200 degrees

Prime New York Strip*$65.00
wet aged 60 days, 16 oz. center-cut
Filet*$46.00
7 oz., single farm, barrel-cut

Jewels of the Sea

Our chefs honor and elevate with superior ingredients, precise execution, and classic presentation. It is with great care that we have sourced these rare and exclusive items for your enjoyment

Fresh Crab Claws
Served fresh and never frozen, these sweet and meaty claws are pulled from the traps and arrive at your table chilled, pre-cracked, and with our house specialty mustard sauce. All in less than 24 hours
- Market
South African Cold-Water Lobster Tail
Steamed in white wine and served with lemon garlic butter. The Rolls Royce of lobster. This is a true cold-water lobster tail from the Southern coast of South Africa. Only 3 boats are permitted to harvest them, and these come from the Rigel 4
- Market
Prime King Crab
1 lb. of the largest available. Our king crab is delivered to us with only the finest and thickest full crab legs available with the most premium consistency level. Due to the cancellation of the upcoming king crab season, demand far exceeds supply
- Market
Black River Oscietra Caviar
Served with warm blinis and traditional accoutrements. The Southern Hemisphere sturgeon farm established 30 years ago. Sustainably raised in free-flowing waters and 100% traceable, we hope you enjoy the purity and provenance of the Black River
- Imperial (30g)$200.00
- Royale (30g)$150.00
- Tradition (30g)$125.00
- Trio (20g of All 3)$330.00

Plant-Based

Vegan Meatballs
with smoked tomato sauce
- Three$14.00
Vegan Bolognese$32.00
Field Roast sausage, Impossible meatballs, tomato, cashew ricotta, basil and pappardelle
Vegan Cauliflower Steak$24.00
with whipped mashed cauliflower, asparagus and vegan "béarnaise"

Shared Accompaniments

Lyonnaise Potatoes$14.00
Crab Fried Rice$20.00
Parmesan Mashed Potatoes$10.00
Steak Mushrooms$12.00
Steamed Spinach$9.00
Garlic Mashed Cauliflower$10.00
Vegan Bolognese$12.00
Pan-Seared Broccoli$12.00
Creamed Spinach$12.00
Asparagus$12.00
Mac and Cheese$18.00
Lobster Mac and Cheese$55.00

Cocktails

Take It Easy

Voila!$16.00
A sensory tour de force of dry ice smoke, Vodka, cava, Chambord, pineapple juice, raspberries
Pretty in Pink$14.50
Vodka, muddled strawberries, almond syrup, mint, fresh lemon
Lively Up$14.50
Hendrick's, raspberry syrup, lime juice, ginger beer, with cucumber slices
Lake Garda Afternoon$14.50
Meyer lemon vodka, grapefruit juice, lychee purée, rosé wine
Key Lime Martini$15.50
Malfy con limone, olive oil simple syrup, lemon juice

We Dare You

House Old Fashioned$14.50
Bourbon, spiced orange syrup, angostura & orange bitters
Nuevo Old Fashioned$14.50
Añejo Mezcal, Meletti, Amaro, Ancho Reyes, West India Orange bitters
Smoke & Mirrors$18.50
Mezcal Añejo, Tequila, fresh lemon, Chambord, cilantro leaves, cucumber
Upper Manhattan$18.50
Butter-Washed Rye, Chinato Vermouth, maple syrup, black walnut bitters
Sunken Treasure$14.50
Bourbon, Licor 43, fresh lemon, ginger syrup, Ruby Port
Spicy Blackberry Margarita$15.50
Plata Tequila, orange liqueur, blackberry purée, habañero lime syrup, lime juice

Pride & Joy

Stonefruit Rita$14.50
Blanco Tequila, peach, apricot, fresh lime, Hibiscus tea
Ginger Blossom$14.50
12 year rum, Orange Blossom Vodka, ginger, almond syrup, fresh lime
Blood Orange Ice"Berg"$14.50
Hendrick's, Bergamot Liqueur, Blood Orange Cordial, fresh lemon
Espresso Martini$14.50
Vodka, Averna, demerara gum syrup, cold brew coffee

Bourbon & Whiskey

Blanton's$26.00
Angel's Envy$18.00
Basil Hayden's$16.00
Eagle Rare, 10 Year$22.00
Jack Daniels, Single Barrel$18.00
Jefferson, Reserve, Very Small Batch Bourbon$18.00
Knob Creek$14.00
Larceny, Small Batch$14.00
Old Forrester 1920 Prohibition Style$18.00
Stagg Jr. Barrel Proof$18.00
Weller, Special Reserve$26.00
Whistlepig, Piggyback, 6 Year Rye$22.00

Tequila & Mezcal

Avion 44$30.00
Azunia Black$22.00
Clase Azul, Reposado$32.00
Dobel 50, Cristalino$28.00
Patron, Añejo$20.00

Scotch

Glenfiddich, 15 Year, Speyside$20.00
Glenmorangie, 10 Year, Speyside$15.00
Lagavulin, 16 Year, Islay$28.00
Macallan, 15 Year, Highland$21.00
Macallan, 18 Year, Highland$48.00
Macallan, Rare Cask, Highland$44.00
Oban, 14 Year, West Highland$18.00

Cognac & Brandy

Cerbois, Armagnac$15.00
Courvoisier, V.S.O.P., Cognac$16.00
Hennessy, X.O., Cognac$40.00
Remy Martin V.S.O.P., Cognac$28.00
Remy Martin, X.O., Cognac$34.00
Remy Martin, Louis XIII, Cognac
- 0.5 oz.$95.00
- 1 oz.$190.00
- 1.5 oz.$285.00

What 4,638 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.8Service
4.7Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Diego
Seafood
San Diego
Seafood

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s
shopstew
Phoenix
26 reviews
5.0
26 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Time at Trulucks was awesome. Matt was our server and did an outstanding job. My wife had the Crab Cake appetizer and the Sea Bass. Both were prepared excellent. I had the Shrimp Cocktail and for entree I had Scallops. Excellent again. It was our 55 Wedding Anniversary and were treated to a Baked Alaska. We definitely be back.
KC
KathyC
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was fantastic, our waiter Sammy was very accommodating and enhanced the experience.
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Celebrated my late birthday
OT
OpenTable Diner
Orange County
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
overall4food5service4ambience4
Delicious, but careful of the up sales. Waitress was pleasant and professional. She was very polished in the art of up sale in a polite manner, so we didn’t realized the impact until the end - slow death…. Even though we spent more than anticipated, it was a worthy evening of delicious foods. Will definitely return, but more mindful or caution of their well trained revenue producing waiters.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
6 reviews
vip
3.0
6 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall3food2service4ambience4
Service by Yin was top notch! Very knowledgeable and accommodating. We tried multiple dishes since this was our first time going to Trulucks in SD. I have been to other Trulucks in the US. Low lights - Started with the tuna crudo, grapes, tomatoes and pickled onions. Watery and lacked any flavor. Stone crabs were a major disappointment. These are from the Yucatán not Florida. You can taste the difference, dried out and seemed not fresh. 18 oz wet aged center cut ribeye. Cooked correctly in center but lacked flavor and dry on outside. (Expect top quality for $75) Highlights - chopped wedge, lobster tail (slightly over priced at $110) juicy and sweet, and parma rolls.. For $500, sad when the rolls and salad were two of the best things on the menu in which we tried.
LB
LBWJr
Orange County
50 reviews
5.0
50 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent service and great food. Wonderful dining experience
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food and service. Had a very nice out door dining experience next to a romantic fire pit.
R
Rohan
Orange County
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food Great service def recommended!! They even have us a comped dessert for our anniversary. Lobster and sea bass was delicious and fresh. Good private seating booths and not conjusted. Would def rec for a bday or special occasion.
E
Edsiesgems
San Diego
67 reviews
vip
5.0
67 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food4service5ambience5
For fine dining with excellent food and service it’s our Go to restaurant for both celebrations and when we want to step out for romantic dinner. Also love their stone crab from either Fla or Yucatán.
1
1cathe1
San Diego
23 reviews
vip
5.0
23 reviews
Dined on May 18, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had a fabulous birthday dinner and our waiter Jason was wonderful
NK
NancyK
San Francisco
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on May 17, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
My spouses birthday! It was amazing!
AC
AnnC
San Diego
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on May 17, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Celebrated our 60th anniversary at Truluck's. Everything was so delightful and perfect we went away totally contented. We started with 2 glasses of champagne to toast our special day. We ordered the shrimp cocktail which had 5 very large shrimp with amazing cocktail sauce seasoned perfectly with horseradish sauce; the jumbo crab cake that had huge chunks of crab meat and a dilled tartar sauce that complimented beautifully. Husband had lobster bisque that he said was the best he'd ever had - it too had large chunks of lobster in it. I had the Sonoma salad which was refreshing and delicious. We continued with the last day of their special Stone Crab Claws which were awesome! We ordered key lime pie for dessert, but were surprised with a beautiful baked Alaska - fired right at our table - complimentary for our anniversary, along with a sweet card signed by the entire staff and rose petals on our table. We were so honored and appreciative of this beautiful, delicious dinner to celebrate our 60 years together. Truluck's is a gem and at the top of our list.
LV
LorenaV
Las Vegas
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on May 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicioso. La calidad de los alimentos es excepcional, mucho mejor que otras veces. El servicio excelente y la. Java estuvo buena. Pedimos king crab, carne con mac n cheese con langosta y el pastel de zanahoria no puede faltar
MD
MickeyD
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall3food4service2ambience2
Reservation at 830pm and we arrived at 815pm to be seated at 850pm. From there we’ve waited some more to only finish dinner by 1030pm. Service was extremely slow and it was such a horrible experience. Food was great but we probably won’t return anymore.
GM
GilM
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 15, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing food and service. Our dinner was DELICIOUS!! Was a nice night out for our anniversary and the special touches were much appreciated. That being said, WOW e x p e n s I v e!!!!! Nonetheless we enjoyed ourselves and everything Truluck’s had to offer
OT
OpenTable Diner
Orange County
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 13, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great experience as usual. Thank you!
MS
MSP27
San Diego
18 reviews
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on May 11, 2022
overall5food5service3ambience5
Great seafood place. They just added fresh water lobster tail in their menus.
j
jamess
Los Angeles
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on May 10, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
This has been our "special event" place for years, and has come back from Pandemic strong as ever. Our business guests were very happy.
JB
JaniceB
Los Angeles
122 reviews
vip
5.0
122 reviews
Dined on May 10, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We always enjoy coming to Truluck’s when we’re in town. Especially when stone crabs are in season. Everyone loved their food. Dinner rolls r a must! Service top notch.
GS
GarettS
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 10, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Second time I’ve been. Best seafood I’ve had. Outstanding service. Drinks are amazing.
DV
DonnaV
Palm Springs
23 reviews
vip
5.0
23 reviews
Dined on May 9, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We love this place that’s why we drive all the way from the desert to eat here !!! Excellent service and food .
SB
StanB
Exclusive
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 9, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Excellent service, great food.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Las Vegas
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on May 9, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
My family took me for Mother’s Day and it did not disappoint! The giant crab leg is the best thing in the world.
LM
LotzM
San Diego
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on May 9, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
My Mother’s Day celebration was memorable thanks to our server Derek , he is very professional & attentive to our needs. Truluck’s is still # 1 in all aspects. The food were all cooked to perfection and they always try their best to accommodate your request. If you want the best dining experience, Truluck’s is the answer. Thanks Truluck’s for your overall excellence & perfection 👏🏻
k
katiep
San Diego
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our dining experience on Mother’s Day was so special and amazing. We receive a flower upon arrival and all the details like that made it spectacular. We had the Viola cocktail which was magical. The filet we ordered was so delicious as well as the mushrooms and mashed potatoes side. The service was fantastic and ambiance so beautiful. Thanks for making it so special.
TG
TommyG
San Diego
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
This is our favorite restaurant for any occasion. One of our main reasons is the staff!!! They are always friendly, helpful and professional. Never a bad service or meal!!!
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Best Anniversary experience ever! Thank you for everything!
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always awesome
G
Greg
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great place to dine - outstanding service and delicious food!
FG
FrederickG
San Diego
28 reviews
vip
5.0
28 reviews
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great experience, everything was excellent!!!
P
Pablo
San Diego
10 reviews
4.0
10 reviews
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience5
Truluck's was a great restaurant to celebrate our 29th Wedding Anniversary. We truly enjoyed ourselves and our waiter was great! We ordered Calamari for appetizer, a lobster bisque and wedge salad as second course, and finished it off with their Seabass and Ahi Tuna plates. All the food tasted great, but the time it took the food to come out of the kitchen could have been better. Our waiter did stop by the table often and made conversation with us. At the end of the meal, our waiter brought us a dessert that really finished off our evening with a bang. Great tasting ice cream covered in white topping. Overall, we had a great evening. I would definitely recommend!
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
My wife and I came here for our one year wedding anniversary and it was such an amazing night! All of the bf old was beyond incredible, the service was spectacular and they went above and beyond for our special night! Highly recommend! We will definitely be back!!
K
Kelly
San Diego
42 reviews
vip
5.0
42 reviews
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Awesome food! Expensive but expected. Great service.
H
Habib
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Megan was amazing, she made our night very special!
W
Warren
San Diego
7 reviews
vip
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on May 4, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
A wonderful but expensive restaurant
VS
ValerieS
San Diego
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 2, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food, ambiance and service were amazing. There were rose petals and a card signed by the staff on our table for our anniversary. The Stone Crab Claws were so good. And it was all topped off with a delicious complementary Baked Alaskan desert. Perfect!
G
Gino
San Diego
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on May 2, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Omg the crab claws were outstanding as well as all the other items our party of twelve ordered Vi and Alex were on top of it Thank you Gino Race
d
datenight
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 1, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Good and service top notch!
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 30, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everyone was fantastic as usual! Our server Gray is the best
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 30, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful food and ambiance. Arrived a few minutes before 5 from the East coast. Wish the employees who were inside had exhibited hospitality and opened the door to offered us a glass of water or a table to sit at even though it wasn’t exactly 5 pm. Always wonder in those instances what the owner would think and I think today the owner would have been disappointed in the staffs decision to ignore our presence until it was exactly time to extend the courtesy of good service.

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers

Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
- Staff temperature check required

FAQs

Truluck's - Ocean's Finest Seafood & Crab - La Jolla offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (858) 453-2583.

Truluck's - Ocean's Finest Seafood & Crab - La Jolla is rated 4.8 stars by 4638 OpenTable diners.

Truluck's - Ocean's Finest Seafood & Crab - La Jolla does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.