Poki Poki — Restaurant in Albuquerque

If you're looking for somewhere that is fresh, and modern, you've found it. From the decor, to the food, everything seems to break the mold.

Let's start with the food. It's an amazing marriage of Asian food, mixed with traditional Poke, with South American influences thrown into the mix. Rather than just the yellowfin Tuna, you'll also find ceviche shrimp, and sushi-grade Salmon all in the same bowl. You have a few options for your base, whether it be a salad, or different kinds of rice. This is all then complimented by things such as chipotle mayo, avocado, kimchi, edamame, plantain chips, tortilla chips, and much, much more. I always go for the spicy bowl, or the boss bowl. The combinations are expertly crafted, and all the different ingredients perfectly compliment each other. They also have some less adventurous options, such as a carnitas taco, although I cannot speak to the quality, as I've never tried them.

The decor is also interesting. It's a bold combination of street-style graffiti, with, as you may have guessed, an Asian them. When they list themselves as an Asian fusion restaurant, they don't just mean that it pertains to the food. The place feels young, and hip.

On top of food, Poki Poki offers a bar, and a tap room. The bar is located directly within the main dining area. The selection here isn't great, but you can find a few staple beers. I prefer the tap room. It's directly adjacent to the restaurant proper, and they're connected by a large opening in the wall. The selection here is phenomenal, and they serve a wide variety of local, and imported beer. You can bring your food here, from both Poki Poki, and the attached Boba, and Espresso bar (Sweet Cup). This area sometimes features live music, karaoke, and even trivia nights.

If you're partial to Red Door Brewing's beer, you can also go there, and have someone from Poki Poki walk over your order.

All in all, Poki Poki is a great place to get a quick bite to go, or if you'd like to eat and grab a beer. It is easily one of my favorite places...

As always, food is top-notch, which is known by all who come here. I want this review to highlight the top-notch customer service given by the young man at the cash register. I didn’t get his name, but I know he disclosed to me that he was in high school still and he was wearing a Cowboys hat. This young man knew how to strike up conversation and make the customer feel like they were the only thing important in their day, he asked how my day was going and about my life as if he was a new friend trying to get to know me. So I did the same. He told me about his ambitions in life and that he wants to be somebody. Let me tell you, sir you are already somebody and you’re somebody that is great! You’re by far one of the best at customer service in the food industry in Albuquerque and the overall service industry in the state. I can guarantee that you’ve impacted more lives than you could imagine and you’re still in high school. Just realize that you’re already great and doing great things and you’re gonna go even further in life, this restaurant is lucky to have you as their cashier and you are definitely the reason why I will be coming back to this location. I wish I would’ve gotten your name because you deserve the direct recognition by your employer but I’m sure they can put two and two together to quickly realize who you are because I doubt I’m the first one to ever recognize you for your great customer service, so you keep doing what you’re doing man and you will continue to be somebody. The world needs more people like you. You’re a high schooler and you’re greater than most adults in this industry and in this world. So God bless you and your journey, wherever that may take you and thank you Poki Poki for employing such a...

We used to come here all the time; at least once a week. We loved how great the food was, AND the excellent beer selection. It's hard to find a place with great food AND great beer. But lately Poki Poki has decided to branch out and start trying to brew their own beer. They used to offer their own beer in conjunction with local favorites, but now they only offer their own beer.

Poki Poki, your food is great but your beer IS NOT!!! Please stick to making great food and leave the beer brewing to the professional breweries. Your wheat ale is disgusting and awful. Your red ale has less flavor than any red ale I've ever had, including Marble Red. Your red ale tastes like a beer made of nothing. Your single IPA is sad and lacks character And your double IPA is the only thing that you brew that actually has flavor and can actually be called an IPA. Still not as good as most other local breweries IPA's though.

The mix drinks you offer are hit and miss. We have had some that were phenomenal, but most were just okay, overpriced and weak. This is why we generally prefer drinking known local beers instead - consistently great beer.

If you're only going to be serving your own beer for now on, I don't think we'll be coming back nearly as often. We'd rather pick up poki to go and grab better beer at the grocery store or convenience store. Or we'll just go somewhere that does actually server the beer we like and excellent food.

Hope your management is willing to reconsider. Please cut bait and stop making your own beer. It's not good, and trying to force customers to drink it isn't going to make it better. Your Poki is delicious. Love the spam musubi. The fresh fish is so wonderful. If only I could have a wonderful cold pint of beer to...