Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Poké Chop – San Diego
Poké Chop - San Diego
Photo from Poké Chop
Poké Chop at a glance
San Diego Pacific Beach
- 🦞 Seafood Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 80 of the guests
#365 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#3 Seafood Restaurant out of 10 in San Diego
Good
7.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
416
Reviews
73.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Fresh food
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Limited seating
- Service issues
The restaurant Poké Chop is a vibrant seafood restaurant nestled in the heart of San Diego’s lively Pacific Beach neighborhood. You’ll discover a casual yet trendy spot perfect for a quick, healthy bite.
Whether you’re craving fresh poké bowls or other delicious seafood options, this place offers a fantastic dining experience. It’s an ideal choice for lunch or dinner, providing a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy quality food.
Overview: Introducting Poké Chop
Poké Chop offers a satisfying experience, particularly with its focus on fresh fish and generous portions. Many appreciate the quality of ingredients, finding it a healthy option.
The overall offering is often seen as a good deal, providing substantial food for a decent price. However, some experiences at Poké Chop are less consistent, with occasional reports of awful service or issues with order accuracy.
The physical space also presents limitations, as there’s often no indoor seating and amenities like public restrooms are absent, which can impact the overall dining comfort.
Good
7.4
out of 10
416
Reviews
73.1%
Satisfaction
90
negative
22
neutral
304
positive
Overall, Poké Chop earns a solid 7.4, reflecting a generally positive dining experience. This is further supported by a 73.1% customer satisfaction rate, indicating most patrons leave content.
A significant driver of this positive sentiment is the Food (8.2), which consistently receives high marks for its quality and freshness. However, Service (6.4) appears to be more of a mixed bag, with some experiences falling short.
The establishment also offers good Value (6.7), with many finding the portions and pricing reasonable. On the other hand, the Ambience (5.3) is noted as average, often due to limited seating options.
These insights are drawn from a substantial body of feedback, with 304 positive comments outweighing 90 negative remarks out of 416 total customer observations.
What people like
- Fresh, quality food
- Generous portions
- Good value pricing
What people don't like
- Limited seating
- Inconsistent service
- Extra charges
With a solid 7.7 recommendation score, Poké Chop is generally a worthwhile stop, especially if you prioritize fresh ingredients and substantial portions. It’s a strong contender for a quick, healthy meal, offering good value for what you receive.
However, be mindful of the casual setting and potential for varied service experiences. If you’re seeking a comfortable dine-in atmosphere or consistently flawless service, you might find it less ideal.
It’s best suited for those looking for quality poke on the go.
Similar Restaurants in San Diego
- Seafood Restaurant
7.7
out of 10
out of 10
353
75.4%
- $$
- Kearny Mesa
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Seafood Restaurant
7.6
out of 10
out of 10
598
77.8%
- $$
- Mission Bay
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Seafood Restaurant
7.3
out of 10
out of 10
472
72.9%
- $$
- Mira Mesa
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Seafood Restaurant
7.3
out of 10
out of 10
586
72.9%
- $$
- University City
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Seafood Restaurant
7.2
out of 10
out of 10
374
69%
- $$
- Kearny Mesa
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Seafood Restaurant
7
out of 10
out of 10
337
67.4%
- $$
- Carmel Mountain Ranch
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Poké Chop
Food (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 93% of the guests
The food here really shines, boasting a strong 8.2 score and a fantastic 86.2% customer satisfaction rate. Diners consistently rave about the fresh fish, generous servings, and wide variety of toppings, making for a delicious and customizable poke experience with plenty of protein options. However, out of 246 comments, a small number (25) did express some concerns.
A few mentioned limited toppings or a perceived drop in quality and portion size compared to previous visits, with one even noting canned corn instead of shoyu corn, and some reporting food poisoning.
Food
246
Reviews
86%
Satisfaction
25
negative
9
neutral
212
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, quality fish
- Generous portions
- Wide variety options
What people don't like
- Food poisoning reported
- Limited toppings
- Inconsistent quality
Often praised
- foodAt first, I thought it was a little pricey, but you get a lot of food for what you pay for! It was yummy and tasted fresh. There were lots of options and the staff was friendly!
- pokeThe employees were ready to answer my questions and friendly to me as a first-time customer. I ordered the poke, and the small size was plenty of delicious, fresh food for a reasonable price. While there isn’t much seating available, I will definitely get poke here again on my way to the park or a friend’s place.
- fishMy experience at the restaurant was really good. I was impressed by the lots of fish and the many sides available, which is a stark contrast to other places that charge the same but offer very little. I will definitely be coming back often!
- portionsGenerous portions, even the small is enough
- fresh fishfresh fish like yellowtail
- poke bowlsPoke bowls abundant, full of freshly marinated fish pieces
- portion sizeThe fish is great, and it's an excellent healthy food option. The portion size is great for the price, and I've consistently received great quality food.
- ingredientsMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The poke was amazing, made with super high quality ingredients. The service was outstanding, especially from DJ.
- poke bowlMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had the best poke bowl in SD. While it is expensive, I believe you pay for quality.
- saucesThe 5 scoops is enough for 2 or 3 meals easily, and the best part is that all 5 can be different if you want! I often find the regular tuna a little dry, but it's no big deal because sauces fix that. The salmon is fresh and perfect 99% of the time, and the yellowtail is always really good.
Frequently criticized
- pokepoke tastes like someone's leftover
- food qualityPool food quality
- Poor qualityPoor quality
- Shoyu cornNot terribly authentic. Your menu says Shoyu corn.
- avocadopaid extra for avocado and imitation crab
- better optionsthere are better options around
- calamaricalamari is over fried
- canned cornNot just canned corn. You sell canned corn.
- extra spicy mayokinda stingy on giving out extra spicy mayo
- fishfish smell bad
If you're craving fresh, customizable poke with generous portions, this spot is definitely worth a visit. While a few experiences mention limited toppings or inconsistent quality, the overwhelming majority praise the delicious food and variety.
Service (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 63% of the guests
Service here often shines, with many customers praising the friendly staff and fast service. Out of 96 comments, 58 highlighted positive interactions, noting employees are frequently helpful, patient, and bring great energy. While the overall score sits at an average 6.4, customer satisfaction is a mixed 60.4%, indicating a generally pleasant experience for many.
However, not all experiences are smooth sailing. 34 comments pointed to issues like rude servers, long waiting times, and staff unhelpfulness. Some customers reported awful service, order mix-ups, or a lack of attention to detail, suggesting there's room for improvement in consistency and customer care.
Service
96
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
34
negative
4
neutral
58
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast service
- Helpful employees
What people don't like
- Rude servers
- Long waits
- Order errors
Often praised
- staffstaff was very knowledgeable about what I could and could not have
- serviceThis is easily my favorite poké shop in the area. I consistently find the ingredients to be fresh, the service is great, and the price is reasonable for the quality of the product.
- DJDJ is bringing the amazing energy
- ServiceService:4
- employeesthe employees were ready to answer my questions and friendly
- EmployeesEmployees were very friendly and efficient
- EveryoneEveryone is super nice
- Service:DeliveryWhoever made my bowl 30 min ago. You rock my world.
- Vivian and DJI've been looking for the local poke and am happy to say it's here. Vivian and DJ took care of us and guided us through the process. They also have seared options?
- adorable young Asian girlequally adorable young Asian girl greeted me
Frequently criticized
- serviceAwful service. Really awful
- dine inthey said we cant dine in
- orderThere were a couple of people in line, but it wasn't too busy. I was disappointed to find that when I came home to eat my bowl, it was someone else’s! I had even paid extra for avocado and imitation crab, which weren’t on the new order I received.
- staffthe staff today was rude
- GrubHubGrubHub. 👎They work their tails off to provide good food and Grub destroys the experience.
- attention to detailDespite these issues, I'm still giving 4 stars because the taste and freshness were on point, and we appreciated the outdoor order taking. We lost a star for the lack of attention to detail and not serving customers in the order they arrived.
- closing timeThey are sus about their closing time online
- crewthe crew was having a bad day and took it out on the customers
- customer serviceThis business practice is ridiculous. The quality of the food was poor, and the customer service was lacking. I don't believe places like this belong in San Diego.
- delivery👎 They work their tails off to provide good food, and Grub destroys the experience. Happy with Poké Chop, I never order delivery anymore because of Grub. On the flipside, we get to visit the shop and enjoy their happy smiles!
If youre looking for quick, friendly service, youll likely be pleased, especially with the energetic staff. However, be aware that some experiences have been marred by rudeness or order issues. It's a bit of a gamble, but often worth it for the good interactions.
Ambience (5.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 35% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot has some real charm! Many customers, based on 17 positive remarks, loved the overall atmosphere and found it to be a great location, often described as having a cool vibe or even being a hidden gem. Youll likely walk out feeling happy, especially with the clean establishment.
However, the experience isnt without its challenges, as reflected in the 5.3 average score and 36.2% poor customer satisfaction, stemming from 23 negative comments. Key concerns include the lack of a public restroom and no indoor seating, which can be tough depending on the weather. The parking situation and lack of shade also frequently came up as drawbacks.
Ambience
47
Reviews
36%
Satisfaction
23
negative
7
neutral
17
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great location
- Cool vibe
- Clean establishment
What people don't like
- No public restroom
- No indoor seating
- Difficult parking
Often praised
- atmospherethe atmosphere were equally impressive
- 3 locationsgreat that they have 3 locations too
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- Plenty of parkingParking space:Plenty of parking
- establishmentThe establishment was very clean and neat
- experienceVery cool experience
- feeling happywalked out of there feeling happy
- free street parkingParking options:Free street parking
- great locationGreat location to grab some poke
- hidden gemThis hidden gem 💎
Frequently criticized
- indoor seatingThere's still no indoor seating
- outdoor seatingHowever, the dining experience was somewhat hindered by the lack of amenities. They do not have a public restroom, and there is no indoor seating, with only very limited outdoor seating available.
- public restroomHowever, the dining experience was somewhat hindered by the lack of amenities. They do not have a public restroom, and there is no indoor seating, with only very limited outdoor seating available.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:2
- areas to sitI also enjoyed the salmon dinner plate. The only drawback, which led me to mark it down one star, was the lack of areas to sit and eat.
- atmospherekinda worn out
- customer bathroomno bathroom for paying customers
- dining areathe only concern were only the dining area
- dirt on handsThe staff working at the restaurant saw this happen. I asked them to please allow me to wash my hands in some way, as I could actually see the dirt from the homeless person on my hands. They said there was no way they could help me.
- hygienemade me concerned for how clean they are being preparing the food
If youre looking for a quick bite in a great location with a cool vibe and dont mind the lack of amenities, this place could be a good fit. However, be prepared for potential parking hassles and the absence of a public restroom or indoor seating, which might disappoint if comfort is a priority.
Value (6.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 26% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid 6.7 score and 17 positive remarks out of 27 total, many diners appreciate getting a lot of food for their money. Guests frequently praise the fairly priced and reasonable price options, often noting the decent price for great value and generous portions.
However, the customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 63%, with 8 negative comments suggesting some areas for improvement. A few guests felt the price wasn't always aligned, citing extra charges for things like extra avocado or fake crab charge. There were also mentions of minimums for card purchases and feeling shorted on portions in larger bowls.
Value
27
Reviews
63%
Satisfaction
8
negative
2
neutral
17
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Generous portions
- Fair pricing
- Excellent value
What people don't like
- Extra charges for add-ons
- Card payment minimums
- Inconsistent large portions
Often praised
- priceI've been a regular here for nearly a year and find it unbeatable for the price. The fish is great, and it's an excellent healthy food option.
- valueLove the spicy krab add on. Great value if you're craving poke! :)
- decent priceThe service was great, with super friendly employees who made my bowl quickly right in front of me. I was impressed by the fresh fish, large portions, and infinite customizations, all for a really decent price. I can't believe I've been sleeping on this place while living in PB!
- fairly pricedThey made the ordering process clear and methodical, which was helpful given the large selection. The small size poke was plenty of food for me and fairly priced.
- pricesthe prices are great
- prices are reasonablethe prices are reasonable
- reasonable priceThe employees were ready to answer my questions and friendly to me as a first-time customer. I ordered the poke, and the small size was plenty of delicious, fresh food for a reasonable price. While there isn’t much seating available, I will definitely get poke here again on my way to the park or a friend’s place.
- spending exorbitant amountsThis restaurant is an excellent alternative to fast food if you want to get full in the USA without spending exorbitant amounts. You can compose your Poke bowl to your liking according to your tastes.
Frequently criticized
- business practicePoor quality, customer service, and business practice
- card purchasessaid $10 minimum for all card purchases
- extra avocadoCharged me $1 for extra avocado
- fake crab chargeThey also charge for their fake crab
- junkPaid $66.18 for these junk
- large bowlWhen we received our food to-go, we discovered that both bowls were missing some protein and toppings. We felt a bit shorted, especially since a large bowl is almost $20. Despite these issues, I'm still giving 4 stars because the taste and freshness were on point, and we appreciated the outdoor order taking.
- priceIt is expensive however
- spicy Mayodo not charge for the TINIEST cup of spicy Mayo on the side
If you're looking for generous portions at a generally fair price, this place is worth checking out. Just be mindful of potential extra charges for certain add-ons or minimums for card payments, which could impact your overall value perception.
How are the prices at Poké Chop?
You’re looking at roughly $19 per person – reported by 80 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Seafood Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests (58 of them!) found themselves in that $11–$20 sweet spot, clustering nicely around the average. A good number also spent a bit more, around $21–$30, showing a nice mix of options without straying into super high-end territory.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 80 reviews.
Value for money: How this restaurant compares to similar spots in San Diego.
For a Seafood Restaurant, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers good value for a mid-range experience without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Poké Chop
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Fresh Options for a Quick Bite
My experience at this restaurant was great for a quick bite. I appreciate the variety of protein and topping options, and the food was consistently fresh. The service and food both received a 5-star rating.
- variety of protein and topping options9
- consistently fresh10
- quick bite8
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Best Poke and Friendly Service!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had the best Poke I’ve had in a long time. The employees were very friendly and efficient.
I will certainly be back.
- Poke10
- Employees9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Service Intent
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Ridiculous Fees and Poor Quality
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. They charged me $1 for extra avocado, which is fine, but then refused to accept my card for a $10 minimum purchase. This business practice is ridiculous.
The quality of the food was poor, and the customer service was lacking. I don't believe places like this belong in San Diego.
- extra avocado2
- card purchases1
- business practice1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
2
Quality Dropped, Not Recommended
I used to frequent this place, but the quality has dropped significantly. The fish smells bad, and the poke portions are very small compared to before. I no longer recommend this place!
- quality2
- fish1
- poke3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Service Intent
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
A Must-Visit Poke Spot in San Diego
This place, though small, is a must-visit every time I come to San Diego. The poke bowls are generous and packed with freshly marinated fish. The price is absolutely fair for the quality and quantity.
Highly recommended!
- poke bowls9
- price8
- food9
What Poké Chop offers
Crowd
- Tourists
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Healthy options
- Beer
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What service options are available at Poké Chop?
At Poké Chop, you have several convenient service options. You can enjoy your meal with outdoor seating or dine-in. If you’re on the go, takeout and delivery services are also available for you.
Is Poké Chop accessible and what are the parking options?
Yes, Poké Chop is fully wheelchair accessible, including the entrance, parking lot, seating, and restrooms. For your convenience, free street parking is available nearby, making your visit hassle-free.
How does Poké Chop generally perform?
Poké Chop holds a 7.4 overall score, driven by strong Food (8.2) and good Value (6.7). Service (6.4) and Ambience (5.3) are more average, indicating areas for potential improvement.
What do customers appreciate most about the food?
Customers frequently praise the fresh fish and generous portions, noting the high quality ingredients and the ability to customize their poke bowls for a satisfying meal.
Are there any common drawbacks to dining at Poké Chop?
Some customers have noted limitations with the ambience, such as no indoor seating or public restrooms. There are also occasional reports of inconsistent service and extra charges for certain add-ons.