Poke Is Having a Moment in San Francisco

The South Bay is crawling with fast casual poke bars, and with the trend spreading across the country, it was only a matter time before it invaded the big city. Set to open in San Francisco shortly are four dedicated poke bars, and a fifth is rumored to be on the way. That’s in addition to the few poke spots that already exist in SF, not to mention restaurants (Liholiho Yacht Club, Pacific Catch, Chubby Noodle) that offer the marinated raw fish dish as an appetizer.

Though there is a plethora of menus with poke on them, here is a roundup of the counter-service spots where you can find (and soon find) the addictive usually-tuna dish around the city.

Coming Soon

Poki Time

Not one but two locations of Poki Time are set to open imminently. The first will softly open this Friday, March 11 at 549 Irving St. The second will follow in the coming months at 1143 Taraval St.

Poke Bar

The Castro is also on the docket for some poke — and sushi burritos — with Poke Bar set to open at 314 Church St. sometime this month.

The Market

With the same name as the one above, Poke Bar, an unrelated Southern California poke chain is coming to The Market on Market Street as a part of its makeover to a Ferry Building-style food hall. No word yet on timing.

Poke Cali

David Fukuda, a partner in La Mar Cebicheria Peruana, is bringing Poke Cali to 36 Battery St. Details are very scarce, so stay tuned.

Open Now

Basa Seafood Express

In addition to sushi and raw seafood to go, the Mission's Basa Seafood Express at 3064 Mission St. has spicy salmon and tuna pokes to go.

Blue Hawaii Acai Cafe

The Financial District seems to be ground zero for San Francisco poke, and Blue Hawaii Acai Cafe has been serving it up for a few years now, counter-service style, at Two Embarcadero Center, in addition to acai bowls.