Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
oChef » I’a Poke – San Francisco
I'a Poke - San Francisco
Photo from I’a Poke
I'a Poke at a glance
San Francisco Duboce Triangle
- 🍍 Hawaiian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 39 of the guests
#2052 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#12 Hawaiian Restaurant out of 19 in San Francisco
Good
6.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
267
Reviews
57.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Friendly Staff
- Fresh Ingredients
- Customizable Bowls
Frequently criticized
- Small Portions
- Poor Ambience
- Online Issues
The restaurant I’a Poke brings a taste of the islands to San Francisco’s vibrant Duboce Triangle neighborhood. As a Hawaiian restaurant, you’ll discover a casual yet trendy spot perfect for a quick bite.
Whether you’re seeking healthy options or delicious vegetarian choices, this inviting eatery offers a fresh culinary escape.
Overview: Introducting I'a Poke
I’a Poke offers a mixed experience, where the welcoming nature of the staff often stands out, making your visit pleasant. Many appreciate the ability to build your own bowl, ensuring your meal is just how you like it.
However, some experiences suggest inconsistencies, particularly with the overall dining comfort and the reliability of their online systems. While the ingredients can be quite fresh, there are notes of concern regarding portion sizes and occasional quality dips.
Good
6.3
out of 10
267
Reviews
57.7%
Satisfaction
92
negative
21
neutral
154
positive
Overall, I’a Poke lands with an average Restaurant Score of 6.3, reflecting a generally acceptable but not outstanding performance. Customer feedback shows a Customer Satisfaction of 57.7%, placing it in the mixed category.
This suggests that while many customers leave content, a significant portion finds areas for improvement. Looking closer, Service shines with a good score of (7.1), often praised for its friendly and helpful approach.
However, Food (6.3), Ambience (5.1), and Value (5.0) all hover in the average range. This assessment is drawn from 267 customer opinions, with 154 positive remarks balanced against 92 negative ones, indicating clear strengths alongside notable weaknesses.
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Fresh, quality ingredients
- Customizable poke bowls
What people don't like
- Small portions, poor value
- Uncomfortable dining atmosphere
- Online ordering problems
With a Recommendation Score of 6.7, I’a Poke is a place worth considering if you prioritize friendly service and the flexibility of customizing your meal. It can be a solid choice for a quick, fresh poke bowl, especially if you visit during consistent hours and order in person.
However, be mindful of potential inconsistencies in portion sizes and the dining environment. If you’re seeking a consistently comfortable atmosphere or relying heavily on online ordering, you might find the experience less predictable.
It’s a spot with clear upsides, but also some areas that could disappoint.
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Verdict: Our expert take on I'a Poke
Food (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food, it seems like a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.3 (which is average) and customer satisfaction sitting at 59.3% (mixed). Based on 177 customer comments, with 105 positive and 61 negative, many appreciate the overall freshness, quality ingredients, and large portions, especially with the variety of toppings available. You can often customize your bowl just the way you like it.
However, some diners have had less stellar experiences. Concerns often revolve around inconsistent portions, a fishy smell, or even old ingredients leading to stomach issues. Terms like food poisoning and off-tasting fish unfortunately pop up, suggesting that quality can sometimes be a dealbreaker for others.
Food
177
Reviews
59%
Satisfaction
61
negative
11
neutral
105
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, quality ingredients
- Generous portions
- Variety of toppings
What people don't like
- Inconsistent portions
- Questionable fish freshness
- Risk of food poisoning
Often praised
- foodThe food quality is exceptional
- pokeThe service is great, and the portions are good. The food is fresh, making it overall great for poke. We enjoy the half salad, half rice version.
- fishConsistently good fish. Like there was not a single time when salmon was plain — it's always fresh, fatty, delicious.
- ingredientsthe rest of the ingredients feel the same way.
- poke bowlsSteven made our bowls and put the perfect ratio of ingredients
- build my own bowlthis place is perfect because you can build your own bowl or sushi burrito, not put up with premade recipes.
- fresh ingredientsAll ingredients were super fresh and tasty
- menumenu is marked for which items contain gluten
- portionsthe portions are the best bang for your buck
- qualityMy experience at this restaurant was amazing. I specifically requested that the salmon be kept extra crisp, as they usually do, and that they never skimp on quality. It's great that they maintain this standard, as other poke spots often decline once they become comfortable.
Frequently criticized
- fishThe interior of the restaurant had an unpleasant smell, like pool chemicals. Most unforgivably, the ingredients were old; the fish was out of date and the rice was mushy. The quality was totally irredeemable.
- riceThe only downside for me was the rice. They were kind enough to make sushi rice upon my request (which I really appreciated), but the texture was too soft and watery for my taste. If you prefer firmer rice, I’d suggest going with the brown rice option.
- foodThis place has very bad food
- pokeMy experience at the restaurant was honestly not the best. I was really craving poke, but this didn’t really hit the spot. I expected a bit more, as the dish needed more sauce and seasoning.
- avocadoIt's quite affordable for its location. I would recommend against adding avocado if you're making your own bowl, as the extra $1 for a quarter, which also counts as a topping itself for the small bowl, might be a little steep for some.
- food poisoningUpon opening the container, the food smelled a little funny, but I decided to eat it anyway. This was a grave mistake, as I ended up with absolutely horrible food poisoning.
- poke bowlMy experience at the restaurant was disappointing due to the extremely small portion size of the poke bowl. I’ve never seen a poke bowl with such little food. My bowl was all rice and literally had only 5 little pieces of tuna.
- portionsthis is the amount of food I got for $15. Portions are smaller
- Poké bowlgot a Poké bowl with marinated tuna, yellowfin, and shrimp
- amount of foodWow… I’ve been coming here for at least 3 years and this is the amount of food I got for $15. The portions are smaller each time.
If youre craving fresh, customizable poke with generous toppings, this spot might hit the mark, but be aware that consistency can be an issue. Its worth trying if you're in the mood for a build-your-own bowl, but proceed with caution regarding the freshness of certain ingredients.
Service (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 54% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally shines! With a solid score of 7.1 and customer satisfaction at 71.4%, its clear most folks have a good experience. Many rave about the friendly staff, quick order-to-pick-up, and excellent service, with 35 positive remarks highlighting these aspects.
However, its not all perfect. Out of 49 total comments, 13 pointed to some hiccups. Some customers faced frustrating website ordering issues, while a few mentioned unhelpful staff or inconsistent opening hours.
A minor gripe about being stingy with napkins also popped up.
Service
49
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
13
negative
1
neutral
35
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Quick order pick-up
- Excellent customer service
What people don't like
- Website ordering problems
- Inconsistent opening hours
- Unhelpful staff occasionally
Often praised
- staffI visit this place quite frequently. The food is usually pretty good, and the staff is always exceptionally friendly. However, on my last couple of visits, the fish has not been cut well, or perhaps the quality has diminished.
- serviceThe service was excellent.
- ServiceService:5
- StevenSteven made our bowls and put the perfect ratio of ingredients
- conversationalHe was a really nice guy and very conversational.
- customer servicegreat attitude and customer service.
- everything was correctgot everything right and some more
- folks who work hereThe folks who work here are hardworking, friendly
- generous with utensilsbeing generous with utensils
- helpful with loadingso helpful with loading everything
Frequently criticized
- serviceTerrible service
- staffthe staff couldn’t be bother to help you
- napkinsstingy with the napkins
- new orderThe site will route your order to a different restaurant than the one you selected. Then when you show up they will tell you your order is at a different store and ask you if you want to start a new order and pay for it again. The food was ok but I’d recommend taking your business to an establishment that doesn’t try and steal from their customers.
- opening hoursopening hours were not updated on maps
- opening timesometimes opening ranges anywhere from 1130 to noon
- ordering processComplicated ordering process via website
- serverThe server didn’t replace the condiment shaker
- waitressThe waitress didn't speak English well
- website orderingDO NOT ORDER USING THE WEBSITE. The site will route your order to a different restaurant
Overall, the service here is generally good, making it a pleasant experience for most. Just be mindful of potential website ordering quirks, and youre likely to enjoy the friendly and efficient team. Its definitely worth a visit if you value good customer interaction.
Ambience (5.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 24% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, many folks appreciate the easy-to-reach location and the convenience of nearby street parking, with some even finding charm in its hole in the wall vibe. While the overall ambience score sits at an average 5.1, these aspects certainly get a nod from the 5 positive observations. However, the interior and general atmosphere seem to be a sticking point for others.
Complaints range from a tight space and unpleasant smells (like pool chemicals or fish) to a lack of air conditioning, making it uncomfortably hot. This contributes to a rather poor 26.3% customer satisfaction for the ambience, based on 7 negative comments out of 19 total observations.
Ambience
19
Reviews
26%
Satisfaction
7
negative
7
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Easy to reach location
- Ample street parking
- Charming hole-in-wall vibe
What people don't like
- Unpleasant interior smell
- No air conditioning
- Tight seating space
Often praised
- locationThe location is easy to reach
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- hole in the wall locationNice hole in the wall location
- street parkingfair amount of nearby street parking available
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereThe poke was just functional, and the service was also just adequate. A significant drawback was the atmosphere; it was hotter inside than outside, which is not ideal for a place serving fresh fish. This made the dining experience less enjoyable.
- air conditioningno air conditioning really makes you wonder
- closed doorsstanding in front of closed doors
- interiorthe interior of the restaurant smelled like pool chemicals
- seatingI wish there was more seating for larger groups inside
If youre looking for a convenient spot with easy parking and dont mind a very casual, potentially warm, and tight interior, this place might work. However, if comfort and a pleasant indoor atmosphere are high on your list, you might find the experience disappointing.
Value (5 out of 10)
mentioned by 33% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot is a bit of a mixed bag, landing an average score of 5. Many customers appreciate the fair prices and affordability , often finding great value for their money, especially noting no extra charge for certain toppings. Based on 22 customer remarks, 9 of them highlight these positive aspects.
However, a slightly higher number of comments, 11 to be exact, express concerns, with many finding items pricey or overpriced . Some feel there's an extra charge for certain components, leading to a customer satisfaction of only 40.9%, indicating a mixed reception regarding the overall cost.
Value
22
Reviews
40%
Satisfaction
11
negative
2
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fair prices offered
- Good overall value
- No extra charges
What people don't like
- Can be pricey
- Extra charges add up
- Overpriced for portions
Often praised
- pricesprices were normal for the area
- affordabilityQuite affordable for its location
- fair pricesThey were able to take my order and communicate all the options clearly, even while assembling another poke bowl for a separate order. This is a physically small poke spot that delivers big flavors, great service, and fair prices in a good location.
- great valueoverall great value
- no extra chargea lot of toppings and no extra charge.
- priceI thought that was a really fair price for Poké
- valueWe enjoy the half salad, half rice version. It offers good overall value.
Frequently criticized
- priceway overpriced at $35 after tax for two bowls
- $15Wow… I’ve been coming here for at least 3 years and this is the amount of food I got for $15. The portions are smaller each time.
- extra chargepaid $2 extra for one shrimp
- highway robberyno need for the highway robbery
- moneyNot worth the money I paid
- priceyA bit pricey
- toppingcount as a topping itself for the small bowl might be a little steep
If youre looking for good value, you might find it here, especially if you stick to the more affordable options. However, be mindful that some items can feel pricey or come with extra charges , potentially leading to disappointment if youre not careful.
How are the prices at I'a Poke?
You’re looking at roughly 20 per person – reported by 39 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Hawaiian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests find themselves spending in the $11–$20 range, with a good portion also choosing options in the $21–$30 bracket. This shows prices generally cluster around these mid-tier choices.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 39 reviews.
Comparing value for money against similar restaurants in San Francisco.
Given it’s a Hawaiian spot in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. It offers a good balance for those looking for a tasty meal without breaking the bank, with options for a slightly higher spend too.
Customer Reviews: what people think about I'a Poke
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Good food, but skimping on avocado
My experience would have been a 5-star if the restaurant hadn't skimped on the avocado. I always pay the extra $1. 50, so there's no need for what felt like highway robbery.
Lol
- avocado3
- highway robbery2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Terrible Food Poisoning Experience
I've been a regular customer, visiting this restaurant about 1-2 times a month for the past two years. It's a pretty standard poke place that generally gets the job done if you're looking for poke and a quick meal. However, my order last night unfortunately resulted in the worst food poisoning I've ever experienced.
Due to this severe incident, I likely won't be returning.
- poke place6
- quick meal6
- food poisoning1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Portions and Service
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. I found them to be stingy with the napkins; when I asked for more, I was given only a single thin one. Additionally, the food portions weren't great considering the price.
Overall, it was a disappointing experience.
- napkins2
- food portions3
- price3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
1
Terrible Sushi Burrito Experience
My experience at this restaurant was unfortunately very negative. I ordered a sushi burrito, and it was terrible. The fish chunks were cut unevenly and were too large, and to make matters worse, they were completely unfresh and sour.
I was also surprised by the choice of using salted roasted seaweed as the wrapping instead of traditional sushi nori. This seaweed was flaking apart, causing the contents to spill out. It was the first time in my life I've been unable to eat poke; it was nearly inedible.
I would avoid this place.
- sushi burrito1
- fish chunks1
- salted roasted seaweed2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
3
Smaller Portions for the Price
Wow… I’ve been coming here for at least 3 years and this is the amount of food I got for $15. The portions are smaller each time.
- portions2
- amount of food2
- $152
What I'a Poke offers
Crowd
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What dining options and services does I'a Poke offer?
At I’a Poke, you have several convenient service options. You can enjoy your meal with dine-in service, or opt for takeout, delivery, and even no-contact delivery. They serve both lunch and dinner, making it easy to fit into your schedule.
Does I'a Poke cater to specific dietary needs or preferences?
Absolutely! I’a Poke is known for its healthy options, ensuring you can enjoy a nutritious meal. If you follow a plant-based diet, you’ll be pleased to find a variety of delicious vegetarian options available to satisfy your cravings.
What is the overall customer sentiment regarding I'a Poke?
I’a Poke has a mixed customer satisfaction rate of 57.7%, with an overall Restaurant Score of 6.3. While Service scores well at 7.1, Food (6.3), Ambience (5.1), and Value (5.0) are considered average, indicating a balanced but not consistently excellent experience.
Are the staff at I'a Poke generally helpful and friendly?
Yes, many customers consistently praise the staff at I’a Poke for being exceptionally friendly, helpful, and having a great attitude. They are often noted for getting orders correct and being conversational.
What are some common complaints about I'a Poke's food and dining experience?
Some customers have reported issues with inconsistent food quality, such as old fish or mushy rice, and concerns about small portion sizes leading to poor value. The dining atmosphere can also be a drawback, with mentions of hot interiors, unpleasant smells, and limited seating.