The State of Poke in San Francisco

2016 in San Francisco (and across the country) has brought a tidal wave of fast casual poke bars, and that movement doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Since the start of 2016, eight counter service poke restaurants have opened, with four more scheduled to arrive shortly. Here’s an update on the current poke scene in SF and the East Bay.

Now Open

CASTRO — Newly-added to The Myriad is Poke Delish, a standard poke bar with fish and mix-in options. It’s open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and 7 p.m. on Sundays. [EaterWire]

MID-MARKET — Poke is continuing its fast San Francisco invasion, now with Poke Bar in The Market at 1355 Market St., the food hall at the base of the Twitter building. See the menu here. [EaterWire]

LOWER PACIFIC HEIGHTS — Limu & Shoyu at 2815 California St. offers pre-determined options, or the ability to make your own for a $13 large bowl. [EaterWire]

CASTRO — Yet another poke place has opened; this one is at 314 Church St. and named I'a Poke. The counter-service spot lets you design your own poke bowls and sushi burritos. Hours for now are 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily, but will be open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. once fully up and running. [Hoodline]

INNER SUNSET — Poke spot Poki Time has opened at 549 Irving St. It’s open daily from 11 a.m to 9 p.m. [Hoodline]

MARINA — The second location of Outer Sunset poke spot Poki Time has opened inside the former combination Kentucky Fried Chicken/Taco Bell space at 2101 Lombard St. It’s a temporary lease, since the building is set to be demolished in coming years. [EaterWire]

TENDERLOIN — Whole Beast, the meat stall in The Hall, has opened a seafood stand next door. Owner John Fink used to be a commercial fisherman and is using those talents to source the product for oysters, smoked salmon and sablefish, chilled seafood salads and tuna poke. See the menu and hours here. [Inside Scoop]

WESTWOOD PARK — Choose from 13 different protein options — including eel and scallop — at Poke Bowl at 1250 Ocean Ave., open daily from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. [EaterWire]

FINANCIAL DISTRICT/MID-MARKET — Roving food truck Bowl d'Acai has added poke bowls to its offerings, giving 622 Sacramento St. and 14 Mint Plaza another raw fish option Thursday through Monday. [EaterWire]

FINANCIAL DISTRICT — 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. [EaterWire]

MISSION — In addition to sushi and raw seafood to go, Basa Seafood Express at 3064 Mission St. has spicy salmon and tuna pokes to go. [EaterWire]EMBARCADERO — Pier 33 is home to Sammy's Aloha, where you can walk in to get poke to go, in addition to sandwiches, salads and rice bowls. [EaterWire]

Opening Soon

MISSION — Jeannie Ho, the daughter of the owners of Tao Yin sushi next door, is opening Our Poke Place 3517 20th St. Expect a mid-July opening with tuna, salmon, hamachi, and shrimp available for pre-chosen or custom bowls ranging from $10 to $15. It will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily with about 20 seats. [EaterWire]

BERKELEY — Replacing Mokka is #Poki, a restaurant specializing in the raw fish bowls (and hashtags) that have taken the Bay Area by storm. It should open in August. [EaterWire]

EMBARCADERO — David Fukuda, a partner in La Mar Cebicheria Peruana, is reportedly bringing Coast Poke Counter to One Market Plaza’s food court. Details are very scarce, so stay tuned.

FINANCIAL DISTRICT — Look out for Ohana Poke Bar at 605 Kearny St. to add yet another option in worker land. [Hoodline]