Poke Etc.

Hawaiian restaurant · National City

Poke Etc.

Hawaiian restaurant · National City

1

916 E 8th St, National City, CA 91950

Photos

Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by Yelp
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null
Poke Etc. by null

Highlights

Fresh Hawaiian poke bowls, grilled meats, and island favorites  

Featured in Eater
Placeholder

916 E 8th St, National City, CA 91950 Get directions

pokeetc.site

$10–20 · Menu

Information

Static Map

916 E 8th St, National City, CA 91950 Get directions

+1 619 474 2866
pokeetc.site

$10–20 · Menu

Features

wifi
payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations

Last updated

Aug 15, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@eater

Where to Eat Poke in San Diego | Eater San Diego

"One of the Poke OGs is National City’s Poke Etc., which serves a variety of different fishes and accompanying sauces and dressings island style with rice. Word on the street is that they have a killer kalua pig, too." - Jackie Bryant

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/where-to-eat-poke-in-san-diego
View Postcard for Poke Etc.

Emma Lam

Google
A great place to try authentic Poke, you can really tell the fish is prepared well and taste great. For a “make your own bowl” it was about $15 to pick two proteins and I chose the Cali Hawaiian and spicy mayo salmon. Both tasted delicious. My only one wish is that I could get some more toppings with it like you would get with other poke place. Like ginger or edamame! But I did leave feeling very satisfied

yupin kim

Google
I ordered a custom poke bowls. Two proteins, and you can choose this option. 1. two rice bowls 2. One rice bowl&seaweed salad I don’t recommend to get seaweed salad. It’s too small amount. Look at my photo.

Gil Corpuz

Google
Came here on a Sunday for lunch with friends. I ordered the Shoyu Salmon Poke Bowl and a Spam musubi. The food was delicious for San Diego. The poke flavor is close to poke in Hawaii. The line was long when we got there, but it moved. The place is clean and had plenty of seating. I would come back again if I was in the area and wanted poke.

jajaJoey

Google
This review is long overdue. If you're expecting poke where you throw on all kinds of sides and sauces, then just know this ain't it. With that out the way, this is my favorite poke and Hawaiian restaurant in S.D. I started working in the area a few months back, and this is the place I grab lunch from the most. Love their traditional style Hawaiian poke and spam musubi. I've had other Hawaiian lunch plates here, and I was happy with them all. The portions are good sized to where I find myself splitting a meal into two. It can get busy during lunch, but I've never had a difficult time finding parking or a table if I chose to dine in. They sell other Hawaiian and Filipino goods there as well. I'm always greeted with a friendly smile, and service is fast and great. Salamat for the good food and see you next time.

Ali Mo

Google
I always come here when I come down to SD. I live around LA and seriously it's so hard to find a legit poke place. This place reminds me of the poke from Hawaii and ugh wish it was closer to me.

Jeff Ryan

Google
Phenomenal poke place. The poke is super fresh and deliciously prepared. I highly recommend the spicy garlic! The non poke dishes are also very good. My little ones love the karage and katsu curry. Overall it's a great place and is maybe my favorite eatery in San Diego.

M M

Google
My recent visit to Poke Inc in Chula Vista was nothing short of remarkable. As I entered, the ambiance enveloped me in a welcoming embrace, enhanced by the staff’s genuine warmth and expert guidance through their diverse menu. Fun, No frills. Straight up mom and pop joint with awesome food. Choosing the ahi tuna poke bowl proved to be an excellent decision. The freshness of the tuna was unparalleled, each bite bursting with harmoniously balanced flavors. The array of toppings and sauces added a delightful personalization to my meal, transforming it into a unique culinary journey. Moreover, the generous portions underscored the exceptional value Poke Inc offers. Poke Inc is a gem in Chula Vista’s culinary scene, a testament to the art of poke bowls. Their dedication to freshness, flavor, and customer satisfaction is evident in every aspect. This is not just a meal; it’s an experience I highly recommend and eagerly look forward to reliving.

milkt

Google
Went over here for the first time and the poke was very well marinated and fresh. A lot of poke places that does Shoyou Ahi Tuna does not have the flavor penetrate into the fish, its more of a coating, but Poke Etc., did an amazing marinade on their Shoyou Ahi Tuna as it well through the fish. The other flavors we tried like the Spicy Garlic and Cali-Hawaiian were very well done and flavorful. It is indeed sauced up but you can still taste the fish through it. Ordering was done like a quick cafeteria style so it was kinda hard to order as a first time customer when first taking in the order options, but the employees did their best in explaining the “Top Sellers” and being patient with us at least. The atmosphere was very typical “local, family owned shop” vibes, I don’t know how to explain it, but as an SD County native, it felt almost just as home-y as my favorite childhood family resturant. A friend of mine also had Hawaiian Poke in HA and she stated that this poke shop was the most closest thing to the original in the islands, and I honestly believe as I’ve also had many poke shops, and they passed my personal “shoyou” marinade test
google avatar

Susan R.

Yelp
This family-run Hawaiian restaurant is such a gem! The ambiance is casual and laid-back, with a small but well-organized dining area, clean tables, and tropical décor--think flowers, surfboards, and a touch of Hawaii everywhere you look. Light background music adds to the relaxed vibe, and the staff is always warm, friendly, and helpful, making you feel right at home even when the place gets busy. While there can be lines during peak times, the food is absolutely worth the wait. They offer a nice variety of poke--honestly, the closest I've found to Foodland in Hawaii! Everything I've tried here tastes fresh and flavorful, and the mac salad is a must-have side. I also love the refrigerators stocked with Hawaiian Suns, Ramune, kimchi, seaweed salad, and other island favorites. I usually come here for lunch or dinner, but they also have tempting island breakfast options I can't wait to try. The bathrooms are clean and well-maintained, which is always a plus. Whenever I'm in the area, this spot is one of my go-to stops to satisfy Hawaiian food cravings.
google avatar

Phuong H.

Yelp
Fresh, tasty poke! I usually go for the plate which comes with 2 different fish options. Good amount of poke, everything's super fresh. The only down side is that it's kinda pricey per plate & the portion of the seaweed is literally 1.5 bites lool. Service & speed is always great!
google avatar

Donald T.

Yelp
Poke Etc -- So Much Fish, You'd Think I Negotiated a Trade Deal with the Ocean! Okay folks -- let me be very clear. I know seafood. I've eaten lobster with billionaires, I've had caviar in gold bowls, and once -- yes, once -- I caught a trout with my bare hands. But let me tell you: Poke Etc? Tremendous. Absolutely tremendous. The bowls? STACKED. You don't get a little sprinkle of fish like some places -- no, no, no. These people respect protein. I ordered a two-scoop bowl and I swear they gave me enough ahi to feed my entire legal team. Beautiful cuts of fish. Fresh. Gorgeous color. Like the red states on Election Night. Very powerful. The toppings? Endless. I said "extra seaweed salad," and they didn't blink. Said "crispy garlic," and boom -- garlic so crispy it could have been a Supreme Court justice. Even the rice was elite. That's right, I said it. Elite rice. And the service -- fantastic. Very fast. Very friendly. One guy even called me "boss," which I always enjoy. The line moved quicker than some presidential motorcades I've seen. Impressive operation. Well-oiled machine -- unlike Congress. The place itself? Clean. No fishy smell, no sad decor. Just chill island vibes and poke that makes you feel like you're on vacation in Hawaii, except you didn't have to fly commercial. The music? Perfect. Like Bruno Mars met a soy sauce bottle and made a hit single. I'm telling you -- Poke Etc is the real deal. They're not messing around with "small portions" or "fusion confusion." It's poke, it's fresh, it's big, and it's winning. If I ran a fish empire, these are the people I'd hire. -- Donald J. "Big Tuna" Trump
google avatar

Katarina O.

Yelp
Oh my god. This was so special. I've only heard raving reviews and they do it justice! I got a create your own plate with Spicy Garlic Ahi, and Spicy Mayo Salmon. I was blown away by the perfection of the ratio of flavors and fish and everything!! The service was great as well, very welcoming environment, and helpful & kind workers! Poke etc. has changed the California poke game for me!
google avatar

Juzenne C.

Yelp
I've heard good things about this place and came by on a Sunday for lunch. We ordered three create your own combo poke bowls. The poke was delicious and fresh, and the service is fast even with a line. I ordered an extra seaweed salad because the portion they give you is small. We weren't aware that the salmon poke was +$3 extra a scoop but apparently it was written on a printed out piece of paper on the glass case. I was just looking at the big menu above us when I ordered and I didn't see that indicated there. Next time I'll just get the tuna to save some money lol
google avatar

peter n.

Yelp
Great affordable Poke spot in SD. Lots of Hawaii style poke options to pick from. The counter is split between poke ordering and Hawaiian food ordering. Service was fast, it took about 3 minutes for them to assemble your poke plate after you pick your protein options. Generous portion for the build your own plate option. The shoyu salmon and garlic tuna were great options, will be returning to try the other options.
google avatar

Danielle B.

Yelp
The best island style poke you'll find in San Diego! It's so refreshing and they have so many options. I recommend going upon opening because they can sell out quickly. But it's a testament to how delicious they are.
google avatar

kim d.

Yelp
Great bang for your buck--seems like a local spot with almost pre-recession prices! The fish was great! No notes on flavor, as everything was very balanced and well sauced! The spicy garlic ahi had a good tingle on the tongue & the spicy mayo salmon was creamy too. You had the choice between a double scoop of rice or one rice and half seaweed too! Great place to stop by for some fresh poke!
google avatar

Jessica S.

Yelp
As I was in the area, I decided to get poke from here again as my boyfriend had never had the poke from here yet. I told him the Hawaiian food was really good but since we were planning to cook at home, we decided to only get poke. We got 1/4 lb Spicy Mayo Ahi, 1/4 lb Spicy Mayo Salmon, and 1/2 lb Ginger Ahi. The sauce of the spicy mayo on both fishes were sooooo good. It felt very nostalgic eating these two as the flavor were closely similar to the ones back home in Hawaii. However, the ahi/tuna was not fresh whatsoever. I could taste that it was previously frozen which was a huge bummer. The salmon didn't have that frozen taste which was nice. The lack of freshness wasn't a deal breaker but imagine if the fish was fresh with the spicy mayo sauce they had, mmm! My boyfriend was looking forward to the ginger ahi/tuna, but unfortunately this was a miss that day as it was kind of bland and missing that strong ginger flavor that he was looking forward to. I'll definitely be back for more in the future if I'm in the area especially for their Hawaiian plates. There's a variety of different poke options so maybe I'll try the others next time as well.
google avatar

Julia B.

Yelp
Food- Got the Kama'aina Plate with Limu Poke. I've been really obsessed with lau lau for the past year and this one was pretty good. The poke was also really good, fresh, and didn't taste fishy (I feel like a lot of poke in the states tastes fishy). Service- The guy working in the front, SUPER nice. He was really helpful when I had questions about the menu and asking him what things were popular. The service was also very quick. There wasn't much of a line when I went in the evening on a Wednesday but it wasn't empty either. But because it was later in the day, there weren't many poke options.
google avatar

Courtney O.

Yelp
Born and raised in Hawaii, but have called San Diego home for many years and am so confused at how I've never been to Poke Etc. before. This place is the real deal. They serve poke Hawaiian style. You aren't going to find the chipotle style build your own bowl. Instead, it's like walking into Foodland. All of the poke is pre-mixed and marinated. The spicy ahi was great! The poke is well flavored and tastes delicious. They have a variety of ahi pokes but also some salmon as well. You can buy it by the pound or on a plate or bowl. Beside the poke, they also have plate lunch options. We ordered the teri chiken that was very good. They also have local favorites like lau lau and kalua pork. It's not all Hawaiin food also. They also have different Japanese dishes and Filipino dishes as well! They have a big dining area with lots of local snacks too! You can find all your favorite Hawaiian sun drinks and different crackers, chocolates and cookies from Hawaii for purchase. The food here is delicious and a great taste of home!
google avatar

Claudia P.

Yelp
I really wanted Poke for lunch and Yelp showed this place as 4 stars. I give it 5 stars. The portions were so big and the staff so friendly and helpful. The line to order was long but I only waited 20 minutes so not that bad. They are a big area to eat inside, very clean. Love this place!!! Try it

Barbara B.

Yelp
I've been a loyal customer at Tuna Etc. since they first opened. I used to love coming here not only for the quality of the food, but because it felt like a spot that truly valued its customers. Unfortunately, that no longer seems to be the case. On my recent visit, I asked the person who claimed to be the one to "prepare the tuna" (who was also serving at the time) for a full tuna serving something I've always been able to request. Instead of honoring that, he argued with me about how he makes the tuna and said he tells everyone how much to serve. It honestly came off like he thought giving a full portion would somehow put the business at risk. What made the situation even more frustrating was that, at the time of charging, he didn't even know how much to charge me for the chocolates I picked up he actually asked me what the price was. That tells me all I need to know. I'm not sure if I'm in the wrong here, but this definitely didn't look like a full poke bowl. Tuna Etc. used to be consistent and generous, but now it feels like they're cutting corners and arguing over portions. Really disappointing.
google avatar

Angelina C.

Yelp
It's well worth the drive and the inevitable wait once you get there! This place is well loved so I heard there is often a long line. I came by on. Saturday and really enjoyed the ambiance. They have lots of leis and tote bags, in addition to sodas and side dishes you can choose from while you wait in line to choose your entree. The staff were wonderful and the food was even better. I got the spicy mayo salmon and the kimchee ahi, along with a side of Mac salad, rice, seaweed salad, and some spam musubi. Wow, did I love it. The fish was so fresh and well seasoned. I can't wait to come back.
google avatar

KayAnna S.

Yelp
SO happy my husband and I were able to experience genuine poke again all while being home in San Diego! Poke Etc is an absolute must try when it comes to poke. Their rice is perfectly fluffy and they have too many fantastic options for marinades on all of their ahi, salmon, etc. I wanted to have salmon shoyu again, but as we were in line (it was short!) they ran out of salmon shoyu twice. We ordered a 1/2 pound of it to enjoy in addition to our poke orders since we didn't want to wait on a fresh batch in the moment. It was well worth the wait! My husband had the basic spicy ahi and I had the spicy salmon. We were in heaven with each of our orders. The salmon shoyu was just the cherry on the top. All of the fish was incredibly fresh and the salmon was so buttery. Couldn't get any better! Can't forget our side order of Hawaiian Mac salad. I have no other words besides, it was perfect and creamy. For the restaurant itself, there is a good amount of indoor seating for all different groups sizes and plenty of parking in the lot as well. They do have a small general supply of Hawaiian market items too! We also loved that they had Hawaiian suns available, as it made our meal just that much better.
google avatar

Natania C.

Yelp
There's a wide selection of fish available and a large variety of options in general. The sweet and spicy salmon/tuna is probably their most unique flavor. The pricing on the menu in the establishment is a bit off, so we ended up getting charged a bit more than we originally expected.
google avatar

Veronica H.

Yelp
We found this place through Yelp and we are beyond glad we did. We were looking for something refreshing to eat on a hot day and we decided for Poke. When we walked in, it wasn't busy but they did have a few people dinning in and a couple in front of us. As it was our first time here we weren't sure what to order. The lady who took our order was really nice. We opted to create our own order: one was rice, seaweed salad, spicy salmon and garlic tuna and the other was twice the rice, spicy tuna and garlic tuna. Everything tasted fresh, especially considering it was around 4pm. They had ran out of a few items but they still had a great selection of Poke to choose from. We added a half order of pork lumpias, they exceeded our expectations. The flavor was amazing and they were the right size. As we waited for our lumpia, they went through a rush of people coming in to both dine in and for take away. This is definitely a place you want to give a try. They had music playing in the background which added to the overall experience. We paid around $55, which included the poke, two sodas, the lumpia and a seasoning.
google avatar

Helen V.

Yelp
The wait wasn't long when we came into order. The worker was super friendly and welcoming to talk to when ordering. People can choose to eat there with lots of seating options or take it to go. However, the quality of fish wasn't the greatest. At first the taste of the poke was good but the more we ate it, it just started tasting salty and less flavorful. The scoop of rice and portion of seaweed salad was pretty small in comparison to other poke spots I've eaten at.
google avatar

Julie R.

Yelp
I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet! This and It's Raw are my favorite poke spots in San Diego! Their poke is super fresh and delicious and they have a lot of great combo deals. If I'm being honest, my favorite thing here is not even the poke, it is their absolutely delicious Samoan corned beef breakfast! Their Aloha Plate is also insane and a must order. And I can't neglect to mention that their SPICY MAYO is the best I've ever had! I have no idea how they make that stuff. Actually, if I had one piece of advice, it would be for them to add the spicy mayo to their DoorDash menu so that I could order a million extra every time I put in an order. They would make so much money off of me. As it is, I just beg for freebies in the "special request" note section and hope for the best. I have only ordered DoorDash from here and have never been in person, so I can't speak to the ambience, but the food is amazing.
google avatar

Kathleen L.

Yelp
I was visiting my friends in San Diego and I really wanted some poke. Saw this spot reviewed by an online foodie and decided to give it a try. When we arried to the shop, there was a long line. The line moved kind of slow, but it gave me some time to decide on what I wanted. I went with creating my own bowl with 1 single serving of rice and 2 poke. I added an extra small cup of poke. The poke was pretty good, tasted fresh and authentic. My friends ordered like every other poke in the sample cups so I got to try mostly all of their poke. I believe the ones that stood out to me were the spicy ones. The spot was pretty good, but when I come back to San Diego, there are definitely other poke spots I want to try out. I just really did like the fact that you can order sample cups of the poke so you can try every flavor.
google avatar

vanessa c.

Yelp
Have heard so many good things about this spot and my partner and I both tried it today! The poke options all looked soo good and we ended up getting 2.5 lbs of spicy mayo salmon, spicy garlic ahi, and half a pound of Hawaiian salmon The poke was soo good and very fresh, spicy garlic ahi was by far my favorite I could eat the pound by myself! We came in around 12 and it wasn't super busy but that quickly changed as we waited in line
google avatar

Alyssa N.

Yelp
I was finally able to visit this spot! I've seen so much buzz around this restaurant on social media. I visited on a Sunday at noon and there was no line, but around 12:30 the line was out the door! We ordered the spicy ahi bowl and the california poke bowl. The spicy ahi was sooo good, it reminded me just like the foodland poke. The California poke bowl was good too, sweeter than the spicy ahi. It has imitation crab and is more creamy. The fish is fresh and has the right amount of sauce. The rice was also hot and fresh. The shop also has a bunch of goodies from Hawaii if you want to stock up on snacks. The bowls were are $11-$12 each, which is pretty cheap for poke in SD. I would visit again when I'm in the area!
google avatar

Sandra Y.

Yelp
I got here before noon and they were pretty busy. The interior feels like you're in Hawaii haha. The line moved quickly and the service was good. I got the spicy garlic, kimchi and limu poke. The kimchi was our favorite and the spicy garlic was good. Both were not very spicy just has a good kick. The limu doesn't come sauced but the hawaiian seaweed was surprisingly nice to eat. Will try their other flavors next time!
google avatar

Jane R.

Yelp
Great poke! My husband doesn't eat raw fish, so he got the chicken cutlet. He said it was good, nothing out of the ordinary. He did pay extra to get poke as well. We thought it would be regular portion, but it's actually on a tiny sauce cup, not really worth the upgrade - unless you want to try some for a cheaper price. I got spicy salmon and shoyu tuna. Both delicious. Spicy salmon is extra $2.50. Overall, I enjoyed my poke. Service and ambiance was also nice. I wouldn't say it brought me back to Hawaii, but cute decor overall. There was regular flow of customers coming in and out to dine in and get take outs, so I guess it really is a hit! I'd consider going back here again if I'm in the area.
google avatar

Marcus A.

Yelp
Heard of a lot of good things about this place and was kinda underwhelmed. This place serves a variety of Hawaiian foods and mostly known for the poke. I got the spicy salmon and spicy garlic tuna. Both were very well made but I felt like the quality has gone down since the last time i was there. The service was friendly and informative. The ambiance feels as though you're in a friends house about to eat. Overall this place could be better but hasn't made a big impression as the last couple times I went.
google avatar

Allison L.

Yelp
Sadly, will not be returning. We've been stopping by for years. We come here for the convenience of the location but I can no longer justify the prices, especially with the quality of the fish. If you try the other poke spots with fresh caught fish, you will be able to tell the difference in the ahi. They also up-charge for so much. If you want salmon or octopus -- +$2.50 If you want double rice instead of the seaweed salad -- +$2.50 They will show you how small the seaweed salad is to get you to choose double rice. Even the hot dishes that come with the small poke on the side. If you choose salmon -- +$2.50. That's like the value of the cup itself. Turtle chips -- $7 when they're typically $4 If you want to try something, go for the hot plates. I don't like to leave this review because the owner has been very kind but this has been our experience.
google avatar

Ryan N.

Yelp
I tried the Spicy Salmon, Shoyu Salmon, and Shoyu Tuna at Poke Etc. The portion size for the price is solid, and the chunks of fish are big. The salmon on its own was good, soft and tender, but the tuna wasn't as great. It was much denser and lacked the flavor I've experienced with tuna from other places. The Shoyu Salmon was the best of the three. The soy-based shoyu sauce was typical but delicious, and the slices of onion absorbed the sauce well, adding a nice crunch along with the velvety salmon. The Spicy Salmon was decent. In my opinion, it was very heavy on the mayo, which made it feel too rich and a bit tiring to eat. Definitely needed a bit more acid or sweetness to offset the fatty mayo taste. The Shoyu Tuna was a bit of a miss because the fish didn't hold the sauce too well. The tuna quality/flavor, as mentioned, was not the greatest, so paired with the sauce (or lack of) was just an okay poke flavor. The shop's ambiance and service were great. It feels very family oriented and welcoming, which makes me want to come back and try other items on their menu.
google avatar

Lea L.

Yelp
First time here at Poke Etc In National City. My son was craving Poke, so this is where he suggested. It was a full house when we went around 3pm. You stand in line, order & pay at the counter. Service was friendly, just a bit rushed. Prolly due to the line behind us. There's several tables inside & you seat yourself. They call out your name when your order is ready & you pick it up at the counter. For a second, it felt like I was transported on a mini Hawaii trip with all the Island decor & merch for sale... I was surprised to find out that they had different food besides their signature poke. If someone in your group doesn't care for poke, there's more options. Poke was good. I tried their popular Special Salmon Spicy Mayo & the Tuna. Had a tiny kick. Some say it's a small portion, it was okay for me... Now the seaweed salad, talk about a tiny portion. The lady we ordered w/ even said that the seaweed salad was small. So, prolly stick with the double rice, unless you order extra salad. I would come back here again if I'm in the SD area, when I'm craving some ono Island grinds.
google avatar

Jozel R.

Yelp
My cousin came home with these little slices of heaven. Omg the freshest poke I've ever had. The flavors are so delicious perfect level of spice. Highly recommend and I could just eat all day.
google avatar

Stephanie R.

Yelp
Amazing spot for Hawaiian food. Depending on the time of day the tables can be packed and the line can be pretty long, but orders goes by fast. I loved the crispness of the pork katsu and the spicy garlic tuna was strong on the garlic, perfect for garlic lovers! I personally loved the laid back ambiance of the restaurant and can't wait to go back!
google avatar

Marvin P.

Yelp
The food is absolutely fire!!!!! Like my gawwwwwwddddd. Thank you for coming into my life. That is all!!!!!
google avatar

Daniella S.

Yelp
I've been here a few times before and I really enjoy the food! We ordered combo plates each. My favorite was the spicy mayo salmon. Great place to sit and enjoy your meal as well.
google avatar

Diana L.

Yelp
Feels just like stepping into an island deli. Very casual seating, and decorated interior. The restaurant is located in a strip mall. There was a constant stream of patrons. Poke is on displayed at the deli counter. There are options of both cold and hot meals. Snacks and "souvenirs" can also be purchased. Food was okay and portions are average.
google avatar

Kiana F.

Yelp
We were downtown and in the mood to try poke in the area as we aren't down this way often. We found this place on Yelp and were very happy with the choice! The food was great. We got the Lau lau plate with poke and Chicken Katsu with Poke. The Poke was great and the entree options. It wasn't as fresh as a Hawaii option but the flavors of the poke mixes were on point. Literally a better L&L plus poke replacement. Lots of parking. Easy to find. Staff was nice. Unfortunately the menu for lunch and bowls was now working but we looked it up online prior to going in. The place had a good size crowd and great ambiance; very casual with lots of HI style souvenirs to take home. We will be back !
google avatar

Vanessa R.

Yelp
I had a create your own bowl with rice, seaweed salad, spicy salmon and shoyu tuna. It was fresh and delicious! very buttery and easy to eat. I'm pretty picky about tuna but this one was 10/10 Stop by this place for some authentic HI poke. There's plenty of seating and other staple HI items like masubis, breakfast rice plates and a variety of snacks.
google avatar

Anh-Vy P.

Yelp
HOOOOOOMAGOD. This place is one of my favorite poke spots, second only to Fish King in Glendale. They have so many marinated flavors here, and the fish is so creamy and fresh. 10/10, I can't say enough great things about this place. It's definitely a family run establishment--they're all so sweet and kind, always joking around with customers. This place feels like home!! The decorations are also so fun.
google avatar

Olga M.

Yelp
Finally had the opportunity to try Poke Etc. SD Hawaiian Restaurant located in National City, CA, after watching videos of many food bloggers talking about how great this restaurant is. There was a blogger who traveled all the way from Los Angeles to try it. Poke Etc., knocked it out of the park with their poke plate. It's hands down some of the best I've had in San Diego!! The tuna & salmon was very fresh. The portions are smaller than your average poke bowl for the price. Our group tried the following plates and give it a 5/5: -Spicy Garlic Tuna (BOMB). -Chicken Katsu -Shoyu Chicken -Salmon poke w/spicy Mayo. -Ohana combo They have so many food options. The restaurant was nice and clean. I enjoyed the Hawaiian music and decor. The restaurant also sells many Hawaiian food products and some clothing. The employees behind the counter were very welcoming. There's only indoor seating with enough parking. The plaza where restaurant is located at is very old needs renovation and not in the best area, but still looking forward to going back. Give it a try! Happy Yelping :)
google avatar

David M.

Yelp
First off, the staff was incredible and extremely friendly + credible for recommending their most popular fish. The staff member asked if I would like two rice scoops or one rice and one seaweed salad. Of course for the price, I'd assume that the seaweed salad would be placed into a ration that would be as fulfilling as the rice scoop. Once I opened my box, I died in laughter. The seaweed salad is so mediocre and small? I hate when restaurants like this are so stingy with their platters (despite their prices being average as well.) Taste: Despite my extremely low satisfaction with the serving sizes, the wasabi flavor was a 7/10! It has great flavor. Taste just like wasabi, but without the extreme burning part in your head, nose and throat. I would get wasabi again. I also got the spicy garlic which I thought would be as good as other poke restaurants I've been to. However, my smile dropped so fast once I took my first bite. It definitely is spicy and has a whiff of garlic. But the spice is so random and does not match with the sweet to savory ratio. I do not recommend it. 3/10. The rice texture was decent, but I would've turned my head the other way if the seaweed salad ratio made sense. Presentation: 7/10 Flavor: 6/10 Serving sizes: 2/10 Side freshness: 3/10 Fish cleanliness: 8/10 It's a good place if you're not familiar with poke. But I'd still prefer to get Poke on 8th and B, better proportions, better flavors, better pricing, and they're not stingy! I'd hate to say it, but Blue Poke down the street is better in flavor and proportions too. (Sigh!!) Would I eat here again? - If every other poke store was closed. Parking sucks, by the way! Pot holes everywhere, small parking spots, and terrible steep driveways that are shaped like pyramids. Don't bring your nice cars here!
google avatar

Stephanie W.

Yelp
This place is MAJAH! So ONO ( delicious)! As someone who's lived in Hawaii many years and whose boyfriend is Hawaiian from Oahu, this is his number 1 poke place in San Diego County. Plenty of parking spaces in the lot. Close highway access. Friendly service always! The place is usually very stocked with all the goods. Ambiance is basic but most people take food to go.
google avatar

Angela D.

Yelp
I love Poke and it can be so hard to find. I live in Florida and cannot find any true poke. However, we came across Poke Etc while out and about and I was so glad to find real poke, not poke bowls. There is a good variety of types. I tend to like ahi the most and they had many to choose from. I went ahead and got the California and the spicy. The California had a bit more jalapeño than I like but it was very good. It is just a personal preference. The spicy was fantastic! The service was great and they have a cute little shop inside. I would absolutely return next time I am in San Diego.

Jocelyne A.

Yelp
Once you try poke from Hawaii it's hard to eat just any poke but this place came very close to it!! Their cali and shoyu flavors were very yummy. The spicy garlic was good as well. The staff was very nice and the restaurant had a good amount of tables.
google avatar

Audrey R.

Yelp
Would give 3.5!! Honestly great price for the portions, they definitely stack the scoops. The rice scoop is kind of small, would recommend double rice if you want a better rice to fish ratio. You can buy seaweed on the side. I got the mild spicy mayo and shoyu, both great! The mild wasn't enough spice for my taste, but it was tasty! The area inside looks like a little grocery market, you can go up to the stand and make your own or order hot food. The workers are kind, there's a lot of other snacks you can buy there as well.
google avatar

Aleksandar K.

Yelp
Has absolutely no business being this good, five star spot- way cheaper alternative than going to the islands yourself to get a bite Poke: Spicy mayo tuna 5/5: perfect balance of mayo spicyness and the freshness of the fish, probably the best poke I've ever had Shoyu regular tuna 4.75/5 Excellent texture and flavor that tastes most like the fish- no frills Shoyu seaweed tuna 4.5/5 Texture could be off putting to some but otherwise similar to the shoyu but with a twist Ambiance: it's a hole in the wall place so good for a quick lunch bite or takeout Pro Tip: I just buy pounds of the actual fish at a time and make the rice at home to make my own bowls as meal prep- gotta max out the protein
google avatar

Ariana C.

Yelp
I love Poke Etc. A great place to get Hawaiian style poke in Southbay. The workers are so kind and patient. They have a great variety of flavors and I still want to try their Hawaiian/Filipino food! I wish they were a bit more generous with the sides though to balance out the fish.
google avatar

Ashlyn R.

Yelp
This place was amazing! The servers were super helpful in recommending poke flavors. Highly recommend the spicy mayo salmon (with double rice!!) or the sweet and spicy! Loved that they had a mix of Hawaiian style favorites along with their poke as well!
google avatar

Phuong T.

Yelp
This place reminds me of Hawaii. A great option for Hawaiian poke. Decent portions for the price but I wish the seaweed salad portion was a but larger. The fish was fresh and they have several flavors to choose from. The spicy mayo was a little plain and not spicy at all.
google avatar

Rj L.

Yelp
Love the poke, quality of food is great however $14 for this was a bit disappointing. Service behind the counter is great, and I'm greeted with the sweetest titas. Inside is relatively clean and product is always stocked to give a market like ambiance. Gonna have to find a new spot though.

Hailey H.

Yelp
The freshest and most soft tuna I've had in a long long time. Very impressed with this place and the vibes they bring. Traditional inside as well as traditional hawaiian style poke. I got the Shoyu Ahi and Garlic Ahi and both were simply amazing. The garlic ahi was a tiny bit spicy but had so much flavor. The shoyu ahi was so soft and fresh and the rice was so flavorful too. For 2 different fish choices and double rice (u can get mac salad instead) my total was like $15. Not bad at all. 10/10 poke spot.
google avatar

Eva C.

Yelp
This is one of my two favorite spots for Hawaiian food in San Diego! I would rate it the best in South Bay for sure! The flavor and quality is always top tier, and the food is always freshly made! My recommendation would definitely be the Kalua pork, which is flavorful, and melts in your mouth! You can't go wrong with any of the poke options, but my favorites are the spicy ones! They also have a wide variety of drinks and snacks that will definitely make you want a trip to Hawaii. Staff is always super friendly and welcoming, which makes both the dine-in and carry out experience great! From my experience, it is usually busiest the hour before closing, so take that into consideration if you're coming in around that time. If you are looking for a solid Hawaiian restaurant or if you've never tried Hawaiian food, Poke Etc. is definitely the place to go!