In a short time, poke (pronounced po-KAY) has gone from a meal mostly found in Hawaii to the next “it” food of fast casual. According to data from Foursquare and Swarm, in August mentions of poke bowls and poke increased 160% from the prior year. Dozens of poke-focused fast casuals have launched in the last year or so across the continental U.S., starting in California and expanding to other markets like Chicago and New York City. While each concept has its own take on poke, the dish usually consists of cubed ahi tuna in a bowl over rice or greens with sauces and toppings.
These fast-casual poke concepts have a few things in common: they feature a build-your-own, assembly line-style format, and many promote high-quality, sustainably sourced fish. Units tend to be small, as kitchens don’t require a lot of equipment because most of the ingredients are raw.
Another factor in common—long lines, which is why poke concepts are quickly expanding and new brands are launching to capitalize on the poke craze. Here’s a look at some of the notable poke concepts worth watching.