Pokeworks was just ranked as one of the best pokechains!

For those unfamiliar with the concept, poke is a traditional Hawaiian dish — the term “poke” means to cut in Hawaiian. While the original version of the dish typically consisted of chopped raw fish such as ahi tuna or Hawaiian albacore with rice or whatever ingredients were around at the time, today’s poke bowls are an entirely new beast. Poke bowls, as we know them, usually come with ahi tuna or salmon served over a bed of rice, quinoa, or greens. The final product is then topped with various ingredients such as seaweed, avocado, shiitake mushrooms, red onions, cucumber, edamame, and pickled ginger, as well as a range of sauces.

Over the last decade, the number of poke restaurants in the U.S. has skyrocketed, reflecting the growing popularity of this Hawaiian-inspired food. Not just delicious, poke bowls blend the convenience of fast food with the use of fresh and wholesome ingredients, making them a popular choice for health-conscious consumers. Moreover, they are also often served Chipotle-style, where individuals can customize their orders along an assembly line. This approach gives customers ultimate control over the flavor and texture of their meals, making it easy to accommodate various dietary preferences and restrictions.

Ready to embark on a delicious poke adventure? To simplify your upcoming journey, here is a list of popular poke chains ranked from worst to best.

1. Koibito Poke

With locations in Arizona, Missouri, Nevada, and North Carolina, and three new spots in the works, Koibito Poke was co-founded by the former professional baseball player Todd Stottlemyre. Inspired by Stottlemyre’s passion for nutrition and healthy living, the chain serves Hawaiian and Japanese-style bowls with a wide range of ingredients. The term “koibito” means “love” in Japanese, reflecting the care poured into crafting each poke bowl. Some of the more unusual ingredients served at Koibito Poke that you may not find at other similar eateries include spicy crab, octopus, masago, crab mix, and furikake.

While most reviewers seem to have enjoyed their meals at Koibito Poke, some highlight that the chain could offer better value for money. One patron said, “I felt the quality and flavor was overall very good. It did seem that the quantity of the protein was a little light. I was a bit surprised to see the guy pull out a scale as he added the proteins.” Another customer said that while Koibito Poke’s range of toppings is quite extensive, their quality can be hit-or-miss, adding, “Unfortunately, coming at the end of the day, you always run the risk of old food that’s been sitting there. My bowl had stale/burnt white rice, the brussel sprout shavings were really old tasting, and they ran out of the imitation crab mix.”