by Steven Doyle
There are actually few places that make a hearty bowl of seafood cioppino in Dallas. Cioppino is a fisherman’s soup that that is an amalgam of various Italian seafood stews and soups, but originates from San Francisco using the freshest catch of the day brought in by local sources from the sea. Pair this action up with toasted slices of sourdough and you have this marvelous meal that will certainly satisfy and take the chill off from any evening.
We have searched the Dallas area for the perfect bowl of soothing cioppino for you to enjoy. Check out our favorites.
Truluck’s: The fresh version of Truluck’s opened its doors this week on McKinney Avenue. The new space is breathtaking, and has many of your old favorites including that soothing comfort food, cioppino. Certainly you will want to devour a few of the large or jumbo stone crabs which they are so famous for. But definitely make a date with this bowl of cioppino that will have you reeling. It is chockful of fresh fish, shrimp, mussels, calamari, and crab simmered in a tomato and herb broth. Save room for one of the massive desserts which are definitely meant to be shared, or take home or a sugar redo.
TJ’s Seafood Market: You know we love our TJ’s, and they reserve this special bowl of cioppino for Tuesday evenings only. But it is well worth the wait with its spicy tomato and saffron broth, halibut, shrimp, mussels, clams and toasted sourdough bread. There are also other themed evenings such as TJ’s lobster night and also spicy crawfish Sundays. Two locations in Dallas.
Sea Breeze: This Plano seafood shop also has dine-in service that serves up a nice spicy version of cioppino that is loaded with clams, mussels, shrimp and calamari in Mike’s Tomato Broth. This is served with the requisite toasted bread to soak up all that spicy goodness, and a side salad.
Chef Point: This is our little hidden gem located at a gas station in Wautaga, actually not in Dallas but Tarrant Co, that serves chef specialties that not only surprise, but genuinely rock. Their cioppino is loaded with a blend of New Zealand green lip mussels, George Bank scallops, salmon, clams, calamari, shrimp and vegetables cooked in a blend of tomato fish broth and white wine. You will love this stuff.
