Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Poke Bowl – San Francisco
Poke Bowl - San Francisco
Photo from Poke Bowl
Poke Bowl at a glance
San Francisco Union Square
- 🍍 Hawaiian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 35 of the guests
#1655 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#6 Hawaiian Restaurant out of 19 in San Francisco
Good
7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
227
Reviews
67%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Fresh food
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Slow service
- Subpar ingredients
The restaurant Poke Bowl in San Francisco’s vibrant Union Square neighborhood is your go-to Hawaiian Restaurant. You’ll find a casual spot perfect for a quick bite, offering delicious and healthy options.
Whether you’re craving a fresh lunch or a satisfying dinner, this spot has you covered with its diverse menu.
Overview: Introducting Poke Bowl
Poke Bowl offers a compelling option for those seeking fresh, customizable meals. Many appreciate the fresh protein and generous portions, often noting the friendly staff who make the ordering experience pleasant and efficient.
However, be aware that service can be slow at peak times, and some have found the tables a bit sticky. While the food generally satisfies, a few ingredients might seem less premium than expected.
Good
7
out of 10
227
Reviews
67%
Satisfaction
58
negative
17
neutral
152
positive
Poke Bowl earns a solid 7 overall, indicating a generally good experience for many. Customer satisfaction, however, sits at a more mixed 67%.
This assessment comes from 227 customer remarks, with 152 positive and 58 negative observations, suggesting areas of both strength and concern. The Food (7.6) is clearly a highlight, frequently praised for its freshness and flavor.
Customers also find the Value (8) to be quite strong, especially for the area. However, the Ambience (5.9) is more average, and Service (5.4) appears to be an area needing attention, often cited for inconsistencies or slowness.
What people like
- Fresh, flavorful food
- Excellent value
- Friendly staff
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Subpar ingredients
- Sticky tables
With a recommendation score of 7.4, Poke Bowl generally delivers a satisfying experience, particularly if you prioritize fresh ingredients and good value. It’s a solid choice for a quick, customizable meal.
If you’re seeking a reliable poke option and don’t mind potential service inconsistencies or a less polished dining area, it’s certainly worth considering. Just manage expectations for peak times.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Poke Bowl
Food (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 98% of the guests
Overall, the food here is definitely a highlight, scoring a solid 7.6 and boasting a 73.9% customer satisfaction rate. Based on 102 positive comments, diners consistently rave about the incredible freshness, generous portions, and delicious flavor. Many appreciate the high quality of ingredients, especially the fish and seafood, making for a truly satisfying meal.
However, not every bite is perfect. A smaller number of 25 critiques point to some areas for improvement, such as stingy portions of toppings and occasional low-quality fish. Some diners also noted issues with rice flavor and generally subpar ingredients, like canned pineapple, suggesting a bit of inconsistency in the culinary experience.
Food
138
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
25
negative
11
neutral
102
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, tasty ingredients
- Generous portion sizes
- Explosion of flavors
What people don't like
- Inconsistent ingredient quality
- Stingy topping portions
- Subpar rice/sauce
Often praised
- foodMy experience at the restaurant was wonderful! The portion sizes were generous, and the food was delicious. The staff was incredibly kind and attentive.
- poke bowlMy experience at this restaurant was excellent. I found it to be the best poke bowl choice in downtown SF. The small size, with 2 scoops, was a perfect portion size for what I should be eating.
- ingredientsI paid $13 for my poke bowl, which included two proteins and an avocado supplement. We had the option to choose from a multitude of ingredients. My poke bowl was copious, fresh, and delicious.
- dishI had an incredible poke bowl with fresh fish and a deliciously tangy sauce. The fusion of flavors was simply divine, and each mouthful was a sheer delight. The dish left me completely satisfied and craving for more.
- fresh ingredientsmade with fresh ingredients
- pokeMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found it to be a great place for poke, and they even have my favorite crab meat. I also loved the service; it was both fast and efficient.
- portionsI found it to be THE BEST poke bowl in San Francisco. The reasons for this are the FRESH protein, generous portions, and friendly staff. It was also very moderately priced, making it an absolute gem!
- bowlThe bowl is good. It tastes fresh.
- fishFish, sauce, toppings to their kim chi were all on point
- flavoran explosion of flavor in his mouth
Frequently criticized
- ingredientsMy experience at the restaurant was mixed. The bowl tasted fine, but I felt the ingredients seemed subpar. For example, the pineapple was clearly from a DOLE can, reminiscent of what you might serve to a child.
- ricethat kind of rice they use is not any good for poke
- sauceThe sauce is not mixed in well
- seaweed saladMy only issue is that they are extremely stingy with the amount of each topping. You get a tiny pinch of seaweed salad, one small spoon of edamame.
- amount of each toppingThere is no extra charge for fish like tuna. My only issue is that they are extremely stingy with the amount of each topping. You get a tiny pinch of seaweed salad, one small spoon of edamame.
- bone in fishthere was a bone in a piece of fish
- clear noodlesclear noodles that weren't very good
- edamameMy only issue is that they are extremely stingy with the amount of each topping. You get a tiny pinch of seaweed salad, one small spoon of edamame.
- fishLow quality fish
- foodFood:2
If you're looking for fresh, flavorful poke with generous portions, this spot is generally a great bet. While some minor inconsistencies in toppings or rice quality might pop up, the overall food experience is highly praised and worth trying.
Service (5.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 62% of the guests
While the overall sentiment for service is a bit of a mixed bag, with customer satisfaction at 44% and an average score of 5.4, many diners had genuinely good experiences. Based on 22 positive remarks, guests frequently praised the friendly staff and their helpful recommendations. The unique paper order form also made for a fun and easy ordering experience.
However, with 26 negative comments, service was unfortunately a significant letdown for others. Issues ranged from staff exhibiting a rude manner and a general lack of greeting, to severe understaffing leading to long waiting times and inconsistency. Some even reported being refused service or having to clean their own tables.
Service
50
Reviews
44%
Satisfaction
26
negative
2
neutral
22
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Efficient ordering
- Good recommendations
What people don't like
- Rude, unhelpful staff
- Severely understaffed
- Service inconsistency
Often praised
- staffI found it to be THE BEST poke bowl in San Francisco. The reasons for this are the FRESH protein, generous portions, and friendly staff. It was also very moderately priced, making it an absolute gem!
- serviceCuisiner efficace, qui répond promptement à toutes nos questions
- CLOVER appCheck-in with the CLOVER app to earn points
- Sunday openingThey open on Sunday. This is really good in that area when most of restaurants are closed.
- bowlsThe food was delicious, and the staff was nice. Our bowls were made rather quickly, and the pricing was good. We would definitely come again.
- dude helping usThe dude helping us was super friendly and welcoming
- friendlyI especially appreciated that the food was not too salty, which was a big plus for me. Even when I changed my mind multiple times about additions, the staff remained friendly and never showed any frustration. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal and would definitely recommend it!
- ordering experiencewhat a fun ordering experience!
- paper order formThe staff were SUPER nice. AND they have a paper order form you fill out, so no need to panic when making your selections.
- recommendationsI arrived close to 9 PM, and the staff kindly provided recommendations and made pokes. The portions were big and delicious!
Frequently criticized
- serviceI particularly enjoyed their side dishes, often ordering an extra bowl. However, the service can be a bit slow during rush hours.
- staffSeems short staffed
- branch closureMy companion described his as an "explosion of flavor in his mouth, " and I agreed. We wanted a repeat a couple of days later, but unfortunately, the branch was closed on Sundays. I know I'll return.
- clean my own tableMy experience at this restaurant was underwhelming, though the price was right. The establishment was severely understaffed, and I had to clean my own table as the sole employee was swamped, even just outside of the lunch hour. I wasn't aware of the order strips in the corner, and it was rudely pointed out once I reached the front of the line, rather than the employee simply taking the order.
- customer servicehorrible customer service
- employeesemployees are willing to do their jobs
- free waterThe lettuce assortment on top tasted like dirt. To make matters worse, the water we ordered from a fridge labeled 'cold drinks' was hotter than room temperature, and they don't offer any free water. The customer service was horrible overall.
- good servicethey don’t provide good service
- greetingwasn’t greeted
- inconsistencythere is a great deal of inconsistency
So, whats the verdict on service? It seems to be a bit of a gamble. If you catch them on a good day, youll likely enjoy friendly and efficient staff, but be prepared for potential inconsistencies, understaffing, or even rudeness, which could definitely sour your experience.
Ambience (5.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 27% of the guests
Stepping into this place, many found the vibe quite appealing! With 10 positive remarks, guests frequently praised the convenient downtown location and the overall enjoyable atmosphere, even calling it a cute small place with a unique post-decor-cyberpunk restaurant feel. The kitchen cleanliness and quiet noise level also earned high marks, making it easy to chat.
However, the ambience isn't without its quirks, landing an average score of 5.9 and mixed customer satisfaction at 52.6%. Out of 7 negative observations, some found the space to eat a bit tight, and a few mentioned sticky tables. There were also concerns about the restroom being closed and chairs put away too early, indicating room for improvement in comfort and convenience.
Ambience
19
Reviews
52%
Satisfaction
7
negative
2
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great downtown location
- Enjoyable atmosphere
- Quiet noise level
What people don't like
- Limited dining space
- Sticky tables
- Restroom unavailable
Often praised
- atmospherethe atmosphere was enjoyable
- cleanlinesslocale abbastanza pulito
- cute small placeIt's a cute small place to eat
- kitchen cleanlinessLa cuisine est très propre
- locationVery convenient downtown location
- noise levelNoise level:Quiet, easy to talk
- post-decor-cyberpunk restaurantfelt like you're in a post-decor-cyberpunk resturant
- restaurantAmazing Poke Bowl restaurant!
Frequently criticized
- tablesWe would definitely come again. The tables were a little sticky, but beyond that, everything else was excellent 👌.
- atmosphereHele kille sfeer binnen
- chairschairs were put away 1 hour before closure
- dining area cleanlinessla salle l'est un peu moins
- restroomthe restroom is still closed for guests which doesn't make sense anymore.
- space to eatNot a huge space to eat on premises
If you're seeking a spot with a unique, enjoyable vibe and a great downtown location, this place might be worth a visit. Just be aware that seating can be limited, and some past guests noted sticky tables and an unavailable restroom, so manage your expectations.
Value (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 35% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines! Customers are overwhelmingly happy, with a fantastic 90% satisfaction rate. The score of 8 confirms it's a good deal, with 18 out of 20 observations praising the reasonable prices, great value for money, and fair price-performance ratio.
Interestingly, out of all the feedback, there were absolutely no negative comments or concerns raised regarding the pricing or overall value. It seems guests consistently find the cost to be fair and justified for what they receive, leaving no room for disappointment in this area.
Value
20
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
0
negative
2
neutral
18
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Great value
- Fair pricing
What people don't like
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was underwhelming, though the price was right. The establishment was severely understaffed, and I had to clean my own table as the sole employee was swamped, even just outside of the lunch hour.
- pricesvery reasonable prices, particularly for San Francisco
- fair pricefor a fair price
- locationGood price for the location too
- price-performance ratioThe price-performance ratio is great
- pricinggood pricing
- reasonableMy experience at this restaurant was super good. It's a Japanese fast food place that offers healthy options and is very reasonable for the quality. They have incredible choices.
- reasonable priceMy experience at this restaurant was great! I had a poke bowl that had a great taste and was at a reasonable price. I will definitely go again.
- value for moneyIt's a very good value for money.
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If you're looking for a place that offers excellent bang for your buck, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. You can expect fair and reasonable prices that consistently satisfy, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious diners.
How are the prices at Poke Bowl?
You’re looking at roughly 17 per person – reported by 35 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.
Looking at what people actually spend, most diners stick right around this average, with the vast majority of prices falling within the $11–$20 range, and just a few venturing slightly higher.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 35 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering it’s a Hawaiian spot in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers good value for a casual, tasty meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Poke Bowl
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
2
Disappointing Poke Bowl Experience
My experience at the restaurant was not great. The atmosphere inside felt a bit chilly. We decided to try the poke bowl, but it was very fishy and dry.
The service received a rating of 3 out of 5, and the food a 2 out of 5.
- service6
- atmosphere1
- poke bowl2
- food2
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Good Food, Poor Service
I always come to this Pokeball restaurant. However, they don’t provide good service, and the staff speak in a slightly rude manner.
- good service2
- rude manner2
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Fish and Portions
My experience at the restaurant was disappointing due to the low quality fish and small portions. The sauce was also not mixed in well. I found Bimi poke nearby to be much better.
- fish2
- portions2
- sauce3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Excellent Value Near Union Square
My experience at this restaurant was excellent. The quality of food and service was top-notch, and the prices were very reasonable, especially for the location near Union Square. I appreciated being able to try multiple sauces to find what best suited my taste profile.
The atmosphere was also enjoyable, rated a 4 out of 5, and it was quiet enough to have easy conversations.
- quality of food10
- service10
- prices9
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Subpar Ingredients in My Bowl
My experience at the restaurant was mixed. The bowl tasted fine, but I felt the ingredients seemed subpar. For example, the pineapple was clearly from a DOLE can, reminiscent of what you might serve to a child.
- bowl taste5
- ingredients3
- pineapple2
What Poke Bowl offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Poke Bowl?
At Poke Bowl, you’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite. You can enjoy healthy and vegetarian options for both lunch and dinner. The restaurant offers convenient service options including dine-in, takeout, and delivery, making it easy to enjoy your meal.
Is Poke Bowl accessible and family-friendly?
Yes, Poke Bowl is designed to be accessible, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance and seating. It’s also a great spot for families, as it’s considered good for kids. You can pay easily using credit cards, debit cards, or NFC mobile payments.
How does Poke Bowl generally perform?
Poke Bowl holds an overall score of 7. Its Value (8) and Food (7.6) are highly rated, while Ambience (5.9) is average, and Service (5.4) shows room for improvement.
What do customers appreciate most about Poke Bowl?
Many customers praise the fresh ingredients and generous portions, often highlighting the friendly and welcoming staff who enhance the ordering experience.
Are there any common concerns at Poke Bowl?
Some patrons have noted slow service during busy periods, occasional subpar ingredients, and issues with dining area cleanliness, such as sticky tables.