The people working there were great-- know their stuff, get it done right. The food is good-- who doesn't like poki (poke?)-- but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. There's poki all over. But if I'm in the area, 100% I'll go there again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Victor Garcia
THE SERVICE WAS AMAZING!! The young lady Tali that attended me was super sweet and patient with me and helped me choose my food Since it was my first time trying poki poki Will definitely go back!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Albert Joseph Javier
[ EDIT TO REVIEW 5/28/2025 ]
After the last edit to my review, I started going back semi-regularly for my poke fix. Two days ago, on 5/26/2025, I got my usual, and noticed two things: the initial scoop of imitation crab meat is a LOT less in quantity now, and they now charge $1.50 for extra rice.
Yet again, I cannot justify paying $19.95 for a large bowl (plus $1.65 in taxes for a total of $21.60) for this bowl. Again, food quality and taste is great, and the staff has always been the nicest, but it's just too expensive now.
Adjusting my food rating to 1 star and keeping service and atmosphere at 5 stars. Overall rating 3 stars.
[ EDIT TO REVIEW 5/1/2025 ]
After a month of being paranoid to come back considering how much this Poki Poki branch has changed in the last few weeks of me going there, I decided to give it a try again last night on April 30, 2025.
The place is much nicer with the renovations. The staff are the usual people I would see every time I'd come in before, and they're as nice as ever. I let them know I was trying to order again after a while especially with new management at the helm (and letting them know it's nothing against them at all!).
I had a white rice base and asked for a little bit of extra rice, which they happily gave me.
They DO weigh out your fish now - but once I saw them mix everything in and put it on top of the bed of rice, personally it looks pretty similar to the amount of fish I'd normally get from before. If it was less, maybe it's a tad less and I haven't noticed. But I was okay with it since I normally get salmon and tuna - I think more people might've been complaining with bigger protein like shrimp. I can't review that just because I don't order shrimp.
Toppings were pretty standard, nothing crazy. You could pretty much ask extra for everything (within reason) except for imitation crab (unless you pay extra), but that's always been the case.
The price of the large bowl increased by a little over $1.50 after taxes.
Was the atmosphere still good? Yes. Was the service still good? Yes. Was the food still good? Yes!
All in all, I guess this renewed Poki Poki isn't so bad. I think I may go back regularly again, just might need some small tweaks to my order now but if it gets me what I usually get before, it works! Maybe one day I'll try out one of their drinks too, now that they offer them.
Bumping my 1 star food review to 4 stars. Service and atmosphere stay at 5 stars!
[ ORIGINAL REVIEW 4/1/2025 ]
This place used to be my go-to poke place. I moved to Vista back in March 2024 and I used to have poke from here a TON of times - I was a regular! To this day, I still am, but I fear the times of me being a regular here is going to dwindle down insanely quickly.
The portions were generous and it always tasted great, but over the past few weeks, I've noticed that over the past few weeks, the portions are a lot less now. Such a shame - the food itself still TASTES great, but the AMOUNT of food you're getting doesn't justify its cost now.
I believe this specific Poki Poki branch is under new management. The staff has always been amazing and the atmosphere is great, but cutting down on the portions significantly will very likely get me to stop coming to this specific Poki Poki branch.
New management - if you're reading this, please reconsider how much you put in the bowls! I can't pay $16.99 + taxes if I'm getting significantly less than what I used to get over the past year!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Tan Tran
This place food went straight down the hill with food taste bro, before couples months ago food super delicious I can’t coming back but now… nah!! Sorry but straight to the point “ 101% I got food poisoning from ur place.” Oh! Forgot DOL will contact u guys soon about employees violating, good luck owner of the small business. Keep on track brother!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 5
Curtis Cox
If you know you know and you should try it if you don't know try it anyway.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Todd
Somewhat cheap on the meat scoops. Salmon seemed off. Way too many hand written signs telling the customers what they can and can't do.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Regular Bowl
Kat
Best poke you’ll have. Every time I go the portions are generous and satisfying. The fish is so fresh and delectable. The amount of food you get for a regular bowl is insane! One regular bowl can fill two people. And for the price, you can’t beat it for a good lunch. The shy young gentleman was very nice and did a great job with my bowl! Will be coming back for my lunches.
Best dollar for dollar poki place in North County.
Love this place.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Juan Sepulveda
The flavors are on point!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Regular Bowl
Julian Enriquez
I recently moved to Vista and was on the hunt for some seriously delicious poki. I’ve tried a few other spots, but this one definitely takes the cake. They make sure to fill up my bowl with generous portions of protein, which is a huge plus compared to other poki places. The staff is also super friendly and helpful. I’ll definitely be back for more!
To the sweet young lady who took my daughter’s note and created a masterpiece tonight- you deserve to be recognized by your company. You were so kind and patient; we could feel what a sweet soul you are. Really loved how kind you were to us. Thank you again!! ?✨?♀️✨?
-the that says “salmon” not “salami” post-it note people ?✨?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dakota Ortiz
The guy helping me at the counter was nice and did not skimp on the protein scoops! Will come back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Poke
Carlos Torres
Second time dining here. Food is good as usual. The workers are friendly and knowledgeable. The ask for clarification if you're not sure what you want to add. They don't offer complimentary water. Not a deal breaker. They do have bottled water for sale. We'll be back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
roman quevedo
Great food, great customer service and the portions are excellent. Highly recommend this location!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steve Ellingson
Standard poke place. Good fish!Standard ambiance. Clean restaurant area and kitchen. Staff were respectful and followed food safety precautions in addition to trying their best to accommodate people’s allergy concerns.
Kid-friendliness: TV in restaurant plays movies and shows sometimes
The people working there were great-- know their stuff, get it done right. The food is good-- who doesn't like poki (poke?)-- but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. There's poki all over. But if I'm in the area, 100% I'll go there again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
THE SERVICE WAS AMAZING!!
The young lady Tali that attended me was super sweet and patient with me and helped me choose my food Since it was my first time trying poki poki Will definitely go back!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
[ EDIT TO REVIEW 5/28/2025 ]
After the last edit to my review, I started going back semi-regularly for my poke fix. Two days ago, on 5/26/2025, I got my usual, and noticed two things: the initial scoop of imitation crab meat is a LOT less in quantity now, and they now charge $1.50 for extra rice.
Yet again, I cannot justify paying $19.95 for a large bowl (plus $1.65 in taxes for a total of $21.60) for this bowl. Again, food quality and taste is great, and the staff has always been the nicest, but it's just too expensive now.
Adjusting my food rating to 1 star and keeping service and atmosphere at 5 stars. Overall rating 3 stars.
[ EDIT TO REVIEW 5/1/2025 ]
After a month of being paranoid to come back considering how much this Poki Poki branch has changed in the last few weeks of me going there, I decided to give it a try again last night on April 30, 2025.
The place is much nicer with the renovations. The staff are the usual people I would see every time I'd come in before, and they're as nice as ever. I let them know I was trying to order again after a while especially with new management at the helm (and letting them know it's nothing against them at all!).
I had a white rice base and asked for a little bit of extra rice, which they happily gave me.
They DO weigh out your fish now - but once I saw them mix everything in and put it on top of the bed of rice, personally it looks pretty similar to the amount of fish I'd normally get from before. If it was less, maybe it's a tad less and I haven't noticed. But I was okay with it since I normally get salmon and tuna - I think more people might've been complaining with bigger protein like shrimp. I can't review that just because I don't order shrimp.
Toppings were pretty standard, nothing crazy. You could pretty much ask extra for everything (within reason) except for imitation crab (unless you pay extra), but that's always been the case.
The price of the large bowl increased by a little over $1.50 after taxes.
Was the atmosphere still good? Yes. Was the service still good? Yes. Was the food still good? Yes!
All in all, I guess this renewed Poki Poki isn't so bad. I think I may go back regularly again, just might need some small tweaks to my order now but if it gets me what I usually get before, it works! Maybe one day I'll try out one of their drinks too, now that they offer them.
Bumping my 1 star food review to 4 stars. Service and atmosphere stay at 5 stars!
[ ORIGINAL REVIEW 4/1/2025 ]
This place used to be my go-to poke place. I moved to Vista back in March 2024 and I used to have poke from here a TON of times - I was a regular! To this day, I still am, but I fear the times of me being a regular here is going to dwindle down insanely quickly.
The portions were generous and it always tasted great, but over the past few weeks, I've noticed that over the past few weeks, the portions are a lot less now. Such a shame - the food itself still TASTES great, but the AMOUNT of food you're getting doesn't justify its cost now.
I believe this specific Poki Poki branch is under new management. The staff has always been amazing and the atmosphere is great, but cutting down on the portions significantly will very likely get me to stop coming to this specific Poki Poki branch.
New management - if you're reading this, please reconsider how much you put in the bowls! I can't pay $16.99 + taxes if I'm getting significantly less than what I used to get over the past year!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
This place food went straight down the hill with food taste bro, before couples months ago food super delicious I can’t coming back but now… nah!! Sorry but straight to the point “ 101% I got food poisoning from ur place.” Oh! Forgot DOL will contact u guys soon about employees violating, good luck owner of the small business. Keep on track brother!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 5
If you know you know and you should try it if you don't know try it anyway.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Somewhat cheap on the meat scoops. Salmon seemed off. Way too many hand written signs telling the customers what they can and can't do.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Regular Bowl
Best poke you’ll have. Every time I go the portions are generous and satisfying. The fish is so fresh and delectable. The amount of food you get for a regular bowl is insane! One regular bowl can fill two people. And for the price, you can’t beat it for a good lunch. The shy young gentleman was very nice and did a great job with my bowl! Will be coming back for my lunches.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salads, Hawaiian Poke Bowls, Regular Bowl
Best dollar for dollar poki place in North County.
Love this place.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
The flavors are on point!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Regular Bowl
I recently moved to Vista and was on the hunt for some seriously delicious poki. I’ve tried a few other spots, but this one definitely takes the cake. They make sure to fill up my bowl with generous portions of protein, which is a huge plus compared to other poki places. The staff is also super friendly and helpful. I’ll definitely be back for more!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
To the sweet young lady who took my daughter’s note and created a masterpiece tonight- you deserve to be recognized by your company. You were so kind and patient; we could feel what a sweet soul you are. Really loved how kind you were to us. Thank you again!! ?✨?♀️✨?
-the that says “salmon” not “salami” post-it note people ?✨?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The guy helping me at the counter was nice and did not skimp on the protein scoops! Will come back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Poke
Second time dining here. Food is good as usual. The workers are friendly and knowledgeable. The ask for clarification if you're not sure what you want to add. They don't offer complimentary water. Not a deal breaker. They do have bottled water for sale. We'll be back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food, great customer service and the portions are excellent. Highly recommend this location!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Standard poke place. Good fish!Standard ambiance. Clean restaurant area and kitchen. Staff were respectful and followed food safety precautions in addition to trying their best to accommodate people’s allergy concerns.
Kid-friendliness: TV in restaurant plays movies and shows sometimes
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Poke
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