Brian C.
Yelp
Here at Poke Square, they do a pretty good job showing the quick-serve potential of the traditional dish, and with a few tweaks and stern attention to quality, I think they will be a success in this neighborhood. For those new to poke, scroll to the bottom of this review for an introduction.
Like most seattle poke bars, Poke Square offers the opportunity to assemble a bowl for yourself as you move down a line, like you would at a Chipotle or Subway. Poke Square keeps it simple but interesting, with a variety of fish proteins to choose from. I particularly like the addition of scallops here, which are delicately sweet.
Almost all their sauces are spicy in some fashion- I think there's room for different flavors here. Condiments are those you might find with sushi, except for "krab" salad and avocado. Few surprises on the toppings list too, mostly ramen-style offerings like corn, nori and furikake.
Detracting factors: an unnecessary $1 upcharge for avocado, given its tiny portion size. Also, the tuna looks gassed, the salmon appears farmed (though it shows good fat content), the shrimp looks a bit overcooked. Advice to the management: I get it; proteins are expensive. But the quality of your protein is what will set you apart from the crowd, and is the reason for a missing star here; be careful. Lastly, there are few sugar-free options for beverages beyond water and maybe iced tea. Coconut water would be a welcome addition.
Service is friendly and fairly efficient, despite the usual growing-pains of a newly-opened business, and they keep a clean store here, which I appreciate. The restroom signs are hilarious!
A welcome addition to the Ballard food scene. A few tweaks and continued innovation will keep then a favorite. Recommended!
INTRO: Poke (pronounced "poe-kea") is a traditional Hawaiian variant of Japanese chirashi, the difference usually being the quality and variety of proteins and the sauces or dressings they are coated in. At its heart, poke is raw fish over rice, but it gets a bump in flavor and interest when the fish is tossed in a sauce and different condiments added, like vegetables, fish roe, seaweed, sesame seeds and others.
Some folks may dismiss the emergence of poke locally as just another flash-in-the-pan fad. "Hokey Poke" © if you will. I think it will be with us for some time, especially if the genre evolves and quality is rewarded with patronage, as it should be. Poke's customizable, healthy, and fun when properly prepared.