Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
oChef » Poke Origin – San Francisco
Poke Origin - San Francisco
Photo from Poke Origin
Poke Origin at a glance
San Francisco Inner Sunset
- 🍍 Hawaiian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 28 of the guests
#2163 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#14 Hawaiian Restaurant out of 19 in San Francisco
Average
6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
248
Reviews
52.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Freshness
- Customization
Frequently criticized
- Service inconsistency
- Hidden costs
The restaurant Poke Origin, a delightful Hawaiian Restaurant in San Francisco’s vibrant Inner Sunset neighborhood, invites you to discover a world of fresh, healthy flavors. You’ll find an array of healthy options here, perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
This casual and trendy spot is known for its commitment to fresh ingredients and customizable poke bowls, making it a local favorite for those seeking nutritious and delicious food.
Overview: Introducting Poke Origin
Poke Origin offers a customizable poke experience with generally fresh ingredients and generous portions. Many appreciate the ability to tailor their bowls, often highlighting the helpful staff and efficient service.
However, some experiences at Poke Origin have been less consistent, with occasional reports of rude staff interactions and concerns about food quality. Finding parking can also be a challenge for visitors.
Average
6
out of 10
248
Reviews
52.8%
Satisfaction
85
negative
32
neutral
131
positive
Poke Origin holds an overall 6, placing it in the average category, which aligns with its 52.8% customer satisfaction, indicating a mixed reception. This assessment is drawn from 248 customer opinions, with 131 positive remarks balancing against 85 negative ones.
Diving deeper, Food (5.9) is a central point, often praised for freshness and customization, though some quality and portion concerns exist. Service (6.2) generally receives positive feedback for speed and friendly staff, despite occasional rudeness.
The Ambience (6.8) is noted for being clean. Value (5.5) is the lowest-scoring aspect, with some finding add-on prices a bit high.
What people like
- Fresh ingredients
- Customizable bowls
- Friendly service
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- High add-on costs
- Parking difficulty
Poke Origin presents a mixed experience, offering appealing customization and generally fresh ingredients, backed by often friendly service. However, potential inconsistencies in service and concerns regarding food quality, alongside some pricing for add-ons, temper the overall appeal.
With a recommendation score of 6.3, Poke Origin is a reasonable option if you’re seeking a quick, customizable poke bowl and are willing to overlook minor service hiccups or parking challenges. It’s worth trying for its core offerings, but manage expectations.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Poke Origin
Food (5.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 98% of the guests
Based on 176 opinions, this spot offers a decent food experience, landing an average score of 5.9 with a mixed customer satisfaction of 52.3%. With 92 positive remarks, many diners rave about the delicious and fresh poke bowls, highlighting the quality ingredients and generous portions. The extensive customization options, from proteins to bases, are frequently praised.
However, with 65 negative remarks, its not all sunshine and poke. Some customers have reported issues with inconsistent quality, including fish that wasnt fresh, leading to concerns about food handling and even food poisoning. Complaints also surface regarding small portions, particularly of protein, and a perceived lack of authenticity or flavor in certain dishes.
Food
176
Reviews
52%
Satisfaction
65
negative
19
neutral
92
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh ingredients
- Customization options
- Delicious poke bowls
What people don't like
- Fish not fresh
- Food poisoning risk
- Inconsistent quality
Often praised
- pokeMy experience at the restaurant was great! I enjoyed the good poke, which came in a huge portion size. I particularly loved the customization options and the wide variety of toppings they offer.
- foodIt's conveniently located, being the closest spot to Golden Gate Park, allowing me to walk back in 10-15 minutes. While the service can be a little bit slower during busy hours, the food is good.
- ingredientsMy experience at the restaurant was positive, featuring good quality poke bowls with a nice selection of ingredients. The prices were also reasonable.
- fishDespite my somewhat random assortment of add-ons, I was quite happy with my bowl. The fish tasted fresh, and the brown rice was good. I'll ask for more sauce next time, and I will be back.
- portionsA week after my second visit, I can attest to the freshest ahi tuna and imitation crab I was served. The staff was friendly again, and the portions were excellent, especially the proteins and ginger. I eagerly anticipate my next visit!
- poke bowlsMy experience at the restaurant was positive, featuring good quality poke bowls with a nice selection of ingredients. The prices were also reasonable.
- ahi tunaregular with ahi tuna, salmon, and octopus
- freshMy friend and I both really enjoyed our bowls! This was filling, fresh and very vegetarian friendly. Highly recommend!
- poke bowlevery poke bowl is completely customized
- salmonahi tuna, salmon, and octopus
Frequently criticized
- foodThe food did not look great
- unagiI ordered the unagi (HUGE mistake) I swear someone from the back brought it out from the microwave. It was mushy and fishy and disgusting. The ahi was whatever.
- add-onsOn January 22nd, my husband and I experienced severe food poisoning, specifically scombroid poisoning, approximately 30 minutes after consuming spicy tuna poke bowls via delivery from this establishment. Initially, we were disappointed with the minimal add-ons and the excessive amount of rice, also noting that the fish seemed a bit off. We should have trusted our instincts.
- fishOn January 22nd, my husband and I experienced severe food poisoning, specifically scombroid poisoning, approximately 30 minutes after consuming spicy tuna poke bowls via delivery from this establishment. Initially, we were disappointed with the minimal add-ons and the excessive amount of rice, also noting that the fish seemed a bit off. We should have trusted our instincts.
- freshnesspoke lost it's freshness
- poke bowlsThe poke bowls were served in extremely large chunks of fish, which had a very fishy flavor and generally didn’t taste fresh at all. I would definitely avoid this place, as it was certainly one of the worst poke bowls I’ve had.
- portionit was such a small portion.
- portionsthe portions for the large bowl are the same as the regular ones
- riceOn January 22nd, my husband and I experienced severe food poisoning, specifically scombroid poisoning, approximately 30 minutes after consuming spicy tuna poke bowls via delivery from this establishment. Initially, we were disappointed with the minimal add-ons and the excessive amount of rice, also noting that the fish seemed a bit off. We should have trusted our instincts.
- wasabiThe price is also affordable. While the sauces and wasabi were a bit disappointing, I'm very satisfied with the quality at this price point. If you're tired of Western food, I recommend stopping by here~~
If youre craving a customizable poke bowl with fresh ingredients, this place could hit the spot. However, be mindful of potential inconsistencies in quality and portion sizes, as some experiences have been less than ideal. Its a bit of a gamble, but can be rewarding.
Service (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 51% of the guests
Alright, let's talk service! This place gets an average score of 6.2, with customer satisfaction hovering at a mixed 54.8%. Based on 42 pieces of feedback, 23 experiences were quite positive, often highlighting *fast service*, *friendly staff*, and a *smooth order process*.
Many appreciated the helpful employees and quick preparation times, making for an enjoyable visit. On the flip side, 13 negative comments reveal some inconsistencies. Customers occasionally encountered *rude staff members*, *wrong orders*, or frustratingly *long wait times*.
There were also mentions of *canceled pickup orders*, suggesting that while often good, the service can sometimes hit a snag.
Service
42
Reviews
54%
Satisfaction
13
negative
6
neutral
23
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fast, friendly service
- Helpful, polite staff
- Smooth order process
What people don't like
- Rude staff incidents
- Order mix-ups
- Canceled pickup orders
Often praised
- staffI have visited this restaurant 5-6 times, with my first experience in Fall 2020 being wonderful. The order process was smooth, the staff was kind, and my bowl was incredible. I returned in February 2021, even after seeing a negative review about food poisoning, and my second visit was even better than the first.
- serviceenjoy the friendly service
- ServiceThe lady serving me kindly helped me
- employeeemployee was really helpful and nice
- fastFast fresh and delicious
- fast servicethe service was fast
- hoursI really like this poke spot in particular. A bonus is that they’re open later. Their ingredients always taste sooo fresh, and they are one of the few places that sears the tuna fresh.
- menu directionsmenu has easy-to-follow directions
- order formsorder forms located to the right when you walk in
- order processthe order process went wonderfully
Frequently criticized
- staffThe service really depends on who is working. Most of the staff are solid, but every so often I’ll get someone who looks like they don’t know what they’re doing, or like they’re stressed, even when there are only two people working. Overall, I recommend it.
- cancel my orderthey decided to cancel my order
- customer serviceno one ever got back to us to even apologize
- do pickupHowever, they later decided to switch to delivery only and canceled my pickup order. When I went to pick up my lunch, I was told, "Sorry, we don’t want to do pickup any more. " This decision makes no sense.
- orderMy experience at this poke place was amazing. Although there was a mix-up with my order where they put something else in, I still think the place is amazing and highly recommend it.
- pickup experience5 stars. However, I had a bad experience picking up food today. One of the staff members was very rude, and the reason given for this rudeness was that I was "super early" for pickup.
- responseWe emailed Poke Origin later that day, and never received a response
- serviceReally poor quality. Bad service. Not aloha!
- staff memberOne of the guys was very rude
- understaffedsometimes they can be understaffed
So, should you go? If youre looking for generally fast and friendly service, its definitely worth a try. Just be aware that theres a chance you might encounter some inconsistencies, like a longer wait or an order mix-up.
Its a bit of a gamble, but often pays off.
Ambience (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 23% of the guests
Alright, lets talk vibes! Many folks really dig the atmosphere here, with 9 positive remarks out of 14 total. Customers frequently praise the restaurants cleanliness and how clean and organized the place feels.
They also appreciate the flexibility of indoor and outdoor seating, making it a great spot. The overall score for ambience is a solid 6.8, indicating a good experience for most. However, its not all sunshine and rainbows.
Theres one notable point of contention: the seating available. One customer specifically mentioned that while the food assembly was good, there wasnt much seating available, which can be a bit of a bummer. This contributes to a customer satisfaction of 64.3%, which is a bit mixed, suggesting theres some room for improvement in this area.
Ambience
14
Reviews
64%
Satisfaction
1
negative
4
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean and organized
- Indoor/outdoor seating
- Convenient location
What people don't like
- Limited seating available
Often praised
- placeThis place is great
- clean and organizedreally clean and organized
- cleanlinessit's bright, clean
- convenient locationIts a few blocks from where i live which is very convienent.
- indoor and outdoor seatingIndoor and outdoor seating available
- insideI came here with my friends when craving poke, and it definitely hit the spot. The surrounding area is nice, and the inside is clean with seating, but there are also places to stand outside on a nice day. The poke is the cheapest I've ever had in the Bay, $13.
- restaurant cleanlinessrestaurant was very clean
- seatingw/ seating but there's also places to stand outside
Frequently criticized
- seating availableMy experience at the restaurant was centered around the ability to choose my own ingredients, which they then assembled for me. However, there was not much seating available.
If a clean, organized spot with flexible seating options is what youre after, youll likely enjoy the ambience here. Just be aware that seating can be limited, so it might not be ideal for larger groups or during peak times if you're set on sitting down.
Value (5.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
When it comes to value, many customers find the prices here to be quite appealing, often describing them as affordable or even cheap for the generous protein portions. Out of 16 total opinions, 7 lean positive, highlighting that you can get a good amount of food for your money. While customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 43.8%, the overall score for value is an average 5.5.
However, not everyone agrees, with 6 negative sentiments pointing out some tricky spots. Concerns arise around extra charges for certain protein options or adding avocado, which can quickly inflate the bill. Some feel the overall value isn't there, with portions sometimes perceived as less than what you pay for, leading to feelings of being overcharged.
Value
16
Reviews
43%
Satisfaction
6
negative
3
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cheap base prices
- Affordable protein portions
What people don't like
- Extra protein charges
- Avocado costs extra
- Poor perceived value
Often praised
- priceMy experience at the restaurant was delicious and fresh. I was impressed that $17 dollars gets you 5 scoops of protein, which I found to be affordable compared to other places. I will definitely be coming back.
- pricesprices for Small (two scoops of protein) was $11.50, and Large (three scoops) was $13.50
Frequently criticized
- avocadoadding a small scoop of avocado adds $1.25
- foodthis was about $5 worth of food.
- parkingtricky for parking in the evening
- parking spaceDifficult to find parking
- protein optionspaid 2 extra dollars for one of my protein options
- valueWhat a rip
This spot offers a bit of a mixed bag on value. If you're looking for affordable protein and stick to the basics, you might find it a great deal. However, be mindful of add-ons like extra protein options or avocado, as they can quickly make your meal feel less budget-friendly.
How are the prices at Poke Origin?
You’re looking at roughly 18 per person – reported by 28 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 right in that $11–$20 sweet spot, with just a few spending a little more in the $21–$30 range. So, prices are pretty consistent around that average!
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 28 reviews.
Comparing this restaurant’s value for money against similar places in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for a Hawaiian spot in San Francisco. It offers a good value for a casual, tasty meal without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Poke Origin
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
8
Tasty Poke with Kid-Friendly Customization
My experience at this small poke place was great. The food was tasty, and the service was fast. They have a few tables if you want to eat in.
My kid really likes this place better than our closer-to-home poke spot because they include mango as an option, which is a nice touch. The bowls are completely customized, making it great for kids. While it's mostly fish, there is a tofu option for vegetarians.
Parking in this neighborhood can be tricky in the evening, with a paid parking lot available, but finding a spot can be difficult.
- food9
- service10
- tables6
- parking3
- parking space3
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Delicious and Quick Poke Bowl!
My experience at the restaurant was great! I had a delicious poke bowl that was prepared super fast. I appreciated being able to customize my own poke bowl exactly how I wanted it.
- poke bowl9
- preparation time10
- customization9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
8
Solid Poke Bowl Experience
My experience at this poke place was solid. I appreciated the unique ordering system where you check off your desired ingredients on a paper sheet, similar to ordering a deli sandwich. There are lots of good options to choose from.
I would recommend this place and plan to go back. The regular bowl size offers a sizable portion. A minor point of feedback is that the wasabi appears to be imitation, likely colored radish, as it lacks the authentic wasabi taste.
Additionally, adding a small scoop of avocado incurs an extra charge of $1. 25. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating.
For the base, I recommend a mix of half rice and half mixed greens; it's a great combination in my opinion!
- poke place8
- good options8
- regular bowl size7
- wasabi3
- avocado4
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Poke Bowl Experience
My experience at this restaurant was largely negative, primarily due to the food. The poke bowls were served in extremely large chunks of fish, which had a very fishy flavor and generally didn’t taste fresh at all. I would definitely avoid this place, as it was certainly one of the worst poke bowls I’ve had.
- fish chunks2
- fish flavor2
- freshness2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Great Poke with Flavorful Sauce Mix
My experience at this restaurant was great! I enjoyed the good quality poke in SF. I highly recommend trying their house sauce and mixing it with another sauce you like, as the flavor blends well.
- poke8
- house sauce9
- flavor9
What Poke Origin offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Vegan options
- Healthy options
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of healthy and dietary-friendly options can you find at Poke Origin?
At Poke Origin, you’ll discover a variety of healthy options, including delicious vegan and vegetarian choices. It’s an ideal spot for a quick bite, ensuring you can enjoy a nutritious meal that caters to different dietary preferences in San Francisco’s Inner Sunset.
What service options are available at Poke Origin, and is parking easy to find?
Poke Origin offers convenient dine-in, takeout, and delivery services for your Hawaiian food cravings. When visiting, you’ll find both paid parking lots and free or paid street parking options available, making your visit to this Inner Sunset spot hassle-free.
What is the overall verdict on Poke Origin?
Poke Origin receives an average Restaurant Score of 6 and a mixed Customer Satisfaction of 52.8%. While Ambience (6.8) and Service (6.2) are generally well-regarded, Food (5.9) and Value (5.5) show room for improvement.
Are the ingredients at Poke Origin fresh?
Many customers praise the ingredients at Poke Origin for being fresh, especially the fish, and appreciate the wide variety of toppings and customization options available for their poke bowls.
What are some potential drawbacks when visiting Poke Origin?
Some customers have reported inconsistent service, including rude staff experiences or order issues. Additionally, finding parking can be tricky, and certain add-ons might increase the cost more than expected.