Souk Trinity Groves Dallas Review: A Journey Through Authentic Mediterranean Flavors

Having thoroughly explored Souk, a captivating Mediterranean bistro and bar nestled in Dallas’ vibrant Trinity Groves area, across two memorable visits, I am delighted to share my comprehensive Souk Trinity Groves Dallas Review. My experiences there were so exceptional that I would eagerly return many more times, if given the chance. Souk truly left an indelible impression, making it a standout culinary destination.

A quick note for readers: While this review captures my initial experiences, Souk has since refined its concept and menu, evolving into more of a kebab house. However, I’ve been assured by the team at Souk that many beloved favorites, including the exquisite harissa chicken, the delightful goat cheese cigars, and the aromatic Moroccan coffee, remain cherished staples on their updated menu. This ensures that the core essence and popular dishes reviewed here are still available for you to enjoy.

Souk Trinity Groves Dallas Review: The Irresistible Harissa Chicken

Souk’s Harissa Chicken is nothing short of a culinary masterpiece. Visually stunning, with its perfectly seared skin and vibrant spices, it promises a feast for the eyes before it even reaches your palate. Beyond its striking appearance, the chicken itself is incredibly tender, moist, and infused with rich, savory flavors. Typically, this dish is served over a creamy risotto, offering a comforting and luxurious texture. However, due to my dairy allergy, the thoughtful staff at Souk recommended a substitution: perfectly roasted cauliflower. This alternative proved to be an absolute revelation. Whether you have an allergy or not, I wholeheartedly recommend pairing the Harissa Chicken with the roasted cauliflower; it provides a wonderful earthy counterpoint to the chicken’s robust flavors. Furthermore, knowing my preference for spicy food, they graciously amplified the heat level for me, achieving a perfect balance that truly tantalized my taste buds without overpowering the dish’s intricate flavors.

Al Fresco Delights: Drinks on the Patio at Trinity Groves

My inaugural visit to Souk was a delightful lunch date with my long-time friend, Nancy Farrar. Nancy is not only a cherished friend but also a fellow PR professional, a passionate foodie, and an exceptionally talented food photographer. Early in my blogging journey, I had the privilege of taking her one-hour iPhone food photography class, and the transformation in my photo quality was dramatic—from truly abysmal to significantly better, and often quite impressive (though I admit, I’m still continually learning!).

Given the glorious weather on that particular day, we eagerly chose to embrace the charming ambiance of Souk’s patio for our meal. The outdoor setting in Trinity Groves provides a wonderful backdrop, allowing diners to enjoy the fresh air and vibrant surroundings.

To complement the perfect afternoon, I ordered a Moroccan Mule. This refreshing concoction is expertly crafted with Kruto vodka, muddled jalapeño for a subtle kick, zesty lime, fragrant hot mint tea, and effervescent ginger beer, all served generously over ice. The blend of flavors was exquisite—a harmonious mix of spicy, sweet, and tangy, with an invigorating mint finish. It was so remarkably good that I’ve already decided it will be my go-to drink for future visits, especially during weekend excursions. I’m already planning to order one… and then promptly another!

My friend opted for a crisp glass of white wine. Unfortunately, the specific vintage or varietal has slipped our minds, as our conversation and enjoyment were soon interrupted by the unexpected, yet determined, presence of a bee…

Appetizer Spotlight: Harissa Goat Cheese Cigars

The aforementioned persistent bee proved to be quite the nuisance, deciding to make a concerted effort to hover around my friend, Nancy. Curiously, it left me entirely alone, but continued its determined buzzing near her. Was it perhaps sensing her bee allergy? To ensure her safety and our peace of mind, we wisely decided to relocate indoors, trading the sunny patio for the comfortable interior of the restaurant.

Once settled inside, Nancy, who had dined at Souk previously, enthusiastically recommended the Harissa Goat Cheese Cigars as an appetizer. As I am only allergic to cow’s milk and can happily consume goat milk and cheese, I was thrilled to sample these. What arrived was a masterpiece of textures and flavors: creamy, tangy goat cheese perfectly blended with the smoky, spicy warmth of harissa, all encased within a delicate, golden, and incredibly crispy phyllo dough. Each bite offered a delightful crunch followed by a rich, melting interior. The combination was so utterly captivating that it immediately became clear why Nancy raved about them. Honestly, the experience left me wishing I didn’t have to share the appetizer at all! They are truly an unforgettable starter.

During my second visit to Souk, I made a conscious effort to broaden my culinary horizons and try a different appetizer. While my heart yearned for the familiar comfort of the harissa goat cheese cigars (“hello harissa goat cheese cigars, mama is back!!”), I knew that for the purpose of a comprehensive restaurant review, it’s far more beneficial to readers if I explore and assess a wider variety of menu options.

Thus, on my return, I opted for the Baba Ghanoush appetizer. This classic Mediterranean dip is crafted from fire-roasted eggplant, lending it a wonderfully smoky depth, skillfully blended with garlic, creamy tahini, a hint of tart pomegranate, and vibrant tatbileh. It is served alongside fresh, warm triangles of fluffy pita bread. I have a profound appreciation for fresh pita bread; a childhood friend’s father, originally from Lebanon, meant that her mother often prepared homemade pita. I would devour it plain, whenever offered, politely declining any condiments or dips, a testament to its simple perfection. So, it takes a lot to impress me when it comes to pita, and Souk’s pita bread genuinely did. While my experience with baba ghanoush isn’t as extensive as my pita connoisseurship, I found Souk’s rendition to be exceptionally delicious, boasting a more complex and varied flavor profile than other versions I’ve tried. The addition of fresh pomegranate seeds, in particular, provided a burst of sweetness and a lovely textural contrast that elevated the dish significantly.

Exploring Souk’s Sandwich Selections

During my initial visit, both my friend and I gravitated towards the sandwich and wrap options. She chose the savory chicken shawarma sandwich, while I selected the crispy falafel sandwich. We both enjoyed our respective choices, finding them flavorful and satisfying. However, in retrospect, I wished I had given my order a bit more thought. While I adore falafel, its inherent texture is already quite “bready” (despite not being made with grains), and when nestled within a wrap or sandwich, it created a texture that was simply a bit too much for my personal preference. That being said, it remains an undeniably delicious and robust vegetarian/vegan option, and I certainly appreciated its taste and quality. An honorable mention must also go to the accompanying harissa dipping sauce – absolutely yum!

Moroccan Coffee: The Perfect Aromatic Finish

As a self-proclaimed coffee aficionado – some might even say a bit of a coffee snob – I have very specific standards. I simply cannot abide weak coffee, cold coffee, lukewarm coffee, overly “bright” coffee, or stale coffee. Imagine my utter delight, then, when I experienced my steaming cup of Moroccan-flavored French roast coffee at Souk. It was everything a perfect cup of coffee should be: robust, exquisitely aromatic, piping hot, and boasting a rich depth of flavor that speaks to quality beans and expert preparation. The subtle Moroccan spices infused into the French roast created a uniquely comforting and invigorating experience, providing the ideal conclusion to a wonderful meal. It wasn’t just coffee; it was a warm, fragrant embrace that perfectly capped off the culinary journey.