Aloha Poke Co.
Hawaiian restaurant · Old Town ·
Build-your-own poke bowls with fresh tuna, salmon, shrimp, & veggies
Build-your-own poke bowls with fresh tuna, salmon, shrimp, & veggies
"If loving the poke craze makes you a follower, then consider us the first cult members willing to drink the Kool Aid. Aloha Poke was the first poke shop to reach Chicago and we adamantly stand by the fact that it’s the best. It might cost a little bit more than a sandwich, but you’ll get your money’s worth with an abundance of fresh tuna, salmon, and veggies for lunch. Make it a salad over a rice bowl because health and all." - sam faye
"Aloha Poke Co. faced backlash for trademarking 'aloha' which angered native Hawaiians. Despite the controversy, the chain plans to expand with 100 new locations by 2022. CEO Chris Birkinshaw acknowledged the need for a more nuanced approach to enforcing trademarks." - Ashok Selvam
"Remember that poke trend? It took a significant blow thanks to Aloha Poke Co.’s handling of a PR nightmare. Native Hawaiian restaurant owners were angry after they received cease-and-desist letters demanding they change the names of their poke shops by dropping any references to “aloha.”" - Ashok Selvam
"After a viral video accusing it of cultural appropriation, the company posted a lengthy apology attributed to CEO Chris Birkinshaw for triggering emotional responses while also denying any attempt to monopolize the Hawaiian words “aloha” or “poke.” The statement pointed to two federal trademarks covering the chain’s logo and the combined phrase for restaurants, catering, and takeout, asserted those marks do not prevent others from using “aloha” or “poke” separately, and characterized outreach to other businesses as cooperative — adding that it has not sued or forced any restaurants to close. Nonetheless, many locals remained angered, saying the trademark enforcement and attorney letters effectively pressured small, often Native Hawaiian–owned businesses to rebrand and sparked concern that community members cannot freely use their own language." - Ashok Selvam
"Aloha Poke Co. is a Chicago-based chain that has opened locations across America. It was first to market the poke dish in Chicago in 2016, serving its version of poke in rice or salad bowls. The chain has expanded to other cities including Washington, D.C., Minneapolis, LA, and San Diego. Recently, the company has been involved in controversies over sending cease-and-desist letters to businesses with "aloha" and "poke" in their names, causing social media backlash and accusations of cultural appropriation." - Ashok Selvam