Recently, the Missus sent me to National City an urgent mission to get an ahem, "essential item". So off I went. I really don't get to the area as much as I used to….you know, when we used to complain about gas being $3.50 a gallon? Since my destination didn't open until 11, I decided to pick up lunch….but the question was where? It was a rather warm day for November and I decided that a revisit to Poke Etc. would be in order. I knew I hadn't been there in a while; but man, it had been over 7 years since my last visit! Time sure has flown by, hasn't it?
I was surprised to see the parking lot only half full….on a weekend! It looks like they've refreshed the sign since I last visited and now even call themselves a "Hawaiian Restaurant". Hmmm…..
Well, at least from what I remember, they aren't one of those "Chi-poke" places…you know 2 ounces of poke and all kinds of other "stuffs" for twenty bucks….
I just went with the "create your own bowl" priced at $14.95. I'm glad the guy working asked me how many scoops of rice. I only wanted/needed one scoop. I got my plate and headed on home.
I saved the seaweed salad for the Missus, not a fan of the stuff. The rice was moist and cooked decently.
I had checked out the poke and ordered the Spicy Garlic Ahi and Ahi Limu.
The ahi in the spicy garlic was really chewy and tough, not great quality fish. It was however, decently spicy, so much so that I really couldn't make out any garlic.
The quality of the fish in the ahi limu was better, though not great. But at least it didn't have too much "sugi" (connective tissue). I love the crunch and the oceany with a slight touch of salty-iodine flavor of good ogo. I do wish there was more of it. The seasoning wasn't overly salty; I could taste a bit of sesame oil and of course shoyu. Overall this was not bad. I'll put the place in the "etc" category.
My curiosity abated; it's back to HFS at Centerpark Labs for me.
Poke Etc
916 E 8th St
National City, CA 91950
Current Hours:
Mon – Sat 10am – 730pm
Sunday 10am – 7pm