Okie Pokie
I have repeatedly gone to Cuppies and Joe, noticed a little restaurant called Okie Pokie on the other side of the parking lot and said to myself, “I should go there one day.” This week, I finally did. I visited on a Wednesday evening, right after class. I am a big seafood fan but had never had poke before, and I was excited to try something new. Walking up, I noticed the patio area for the first time and loved the string lights and cozy setting! During the warmer months, this area would be perfect for group gatherings and casual dining.
The entrance sign, indicating where the restaurant was located in the building.
The whole restaurant setup threw me for a loop. Entering the building, I was greeted with a sign indicating that the actual restaurant was downstairs. Upstairs, there were chairs and tables sitting unused, which felt a little confusing. I went downstairs and went up to the counter. The whole place felt very grab-and-go, with little comfortable seating and no booths. Here’s what I found most confusing–Okie Pokie and the adjacent restaurant, Noodee, are one and the same, but have separate menus and separate branding (click here to view their site). This wasn’t made clear to me until I asked the server at the counter about where to order certain items and later did some research for confirmation.
The main counter and seating area.
The menu didn’t give much indication on how to order. I had to ask the server for the price ($11 for one bowl), and decided to choose my own adventure. I loaded up with two different kinds of seafood and lots of toppings, including seaweed salad, crab salad, guacamole, and roe. The bowl was fantastic. I ate the entire thing in one sitting and felt very full, but not bloated or nauseous. After eating here, I went into a two-hour dance rehearsal, and this meal kept me feeling energized and focused the whole time. The ingredients were all fresh, and I would be intrigued to go back and try a noodle bowl, in order to get the full experience of this restaurant.
My build-your-own-bowl order.
Next time I’m craving poke, this place will definitely be on the top of my list for a good meal. The portion size was fitting for the price of the meal, plus it was totally customizable. However, I would like to see them refine their restaurant layout and synthesize their branding. I would give this restaurant an 8/10.
If you want me to review a specific new restaurant or business in the area, comment below!
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