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View Winners → Archive Jun 05, 2015
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So maybe you couldn’t make it to Hawaii this summer for your dream vacation, but we have the next best thing: the top eateries in LA with authentic poke that will make you feel like you’re on the islands. From classic Hawaiian poke to innovative recipes with a twist, these seven poke spots will have you coming back for more.
1) Mainland Poke – 8312 1/2 West 3rd St, LA
Opening just this year, Mainland Poke is making waves on the mainland with their take on classic Hawaiian Poke recipes. Aside from their tuna poke, they’re also serving up some albacore poke to mix things up. Keep an eye out for the new casual raw fish bar open now on West 3rdStreet in Venice, CA.
2) Sweetfin Poke – 829 Broadway, Santa Monica
Situated right in the heart of Santa Monica just a couple blocks away from the Third Street Promenade, Sweetfin looks to be as sustainable and health-conscious as possible. They source all their ingredients from high quality, sustainable sources and for the health-conscious Angelinos out there – their entire menu is gluten and dairy free. Their philosophy has always been, “From Pole to Bowl”, and after enjoying anything off their menu, you’ll understand what they mean. So the next time you’re taking a stroll along Santa Monica Beach or go visit the Promenade, make sure you stop by Sweetfin, you won’t regret it!
3) Poke-Poke – 1827 Ocean Front Walk, Venice
Calling their Poke “The Surfer’s Sashimi” is pretty appropriate since they’re literally right on the beach. What set’s this Poke spot apart is that they are the first Poke deli to hit Los Angeles, and since their founding four years ago, they’ve done nothing but shell out some top-notch Poke to surfers and beach goers in Venice Beach.
4) Big Daddy’s Poke Shack – 79 Windward Ave, LA
With fresh high quality tuna coming in every day, Big Daddy’s Poke Shack is truly preserving that “Hawaii Fresh Feel”. Aside from the fresh delivered, fresh cut tuna turned to ahi tuna poke, the authentic Hawaiian poke restaurant really tries to set itself apart by serving up acai bowls, fruit sorbet, smoothies, and a host of other fresh items that leave customers with a great experience. The customer service here is top-notch because their philosophy is that the best advertising travels through word of mouth, and every customer encounter is important.
5) Poke 2 Go
Poke 2 Go does just as its name implies – it mixes high quality ahi tuna with the best local ingredients to bring some good Poke to the streets of Los Angeles. Since the beginning, the food truck has been about making high quality restaurant meals accessible both physically and in price, but without compromising value and taste. Book them to cater your next event or go catch them the next time they’re at for a food truck meet up!
6) Poke Bar – 8539 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood
Poke Bar’s story starts way before Poke became such a popular trend on the mainland. Back in 1989, the original owners opened Yanagi Sushi in Northridge and developed a strong following there, enjoying great success to this day! With years of experience working with sushi, the owners wanted to try something new and decided to open up one of the most popular one-stop Poke spots in West Hollywood and have dedicated themselves to serving you fresh, fast, and affordable Poke without sacrificing quality.
7) Jus’ Poke – 501 N Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach
Drawing on deep native Hawaiian roots filled with fishermen and surfers, co-owner Stefanie Honda linked up with her partner Jeff Snow to open the ever so popular Jus’ Poke in Redondo Beach. Aside from serving up some delicious, authentic poke, the small shop also gives back to the community. They’ve promised to donate a portion of their sales to the Surfrider Foundation: South Bay Chapter, which promotes the rehabilitation of local beaches and waterways.
