Hawaii Poke Bowl — Restaurant in Apple Valley

Normally I️ love HPB, but today it was absolutely disgusting. Today’s story is a story of disappointment and extreme stupidity. Let’s start with a little bit of background: my sister came into town and wanted to try HPB because of how highly I spoke of it. Every week I️ go in and get the same thing. The workers are always friendly and often ask you about your day. My sister was very impressed with the costumer service and the cleanliness and friendliness of the workers. Well, let me tell you: never again are we going there. Nothing was fresh and all of it tasted so off. I️ should have know by the smell. Today, the smell of my bowl didn’t smell like it normally did. It smelt off; like feet, but not quite. The scent wasn’t strong enough to scare me away, so I️ figured there wasn’t any harm (stupid, I️ know). During the moment I️ took my first bite, I️ knew there was nothing to worry about. It was delicious. The flavors blended together beautifully like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin’s voice. But that moment of pure bliss soon disappeared as soon as I️ took my second bite. There it was again: the foot. Only it wasn’t the smell, it was the taste. This bite tasted like Hell in my mouth. It was absolutely disgusting. I️ was forced to spit it out. While looking at my mushed up piece of food, I️ found something rather interesting. My salmon was very pale and smelt very fishy and foot-y. As someone who’s diet mainly consists of sea food, I️ knew something was not right. So, upon further discovery, I️ found all of my salmon to have the same color and scent. The salmon they had SERVED me (a paying and loyal customer) had gone bad. Knowing that this is a great way to get food poinsing, I️ asked my sister how hers had tasted (she had already finished it) and she said it tasted gross and that it wasn’t like anything I️ had described. The only reason why she finished it is because our mother brought us up to not waste food. One other detail I️ forgot to mention: the reason why my sister is in town is for her birthday. So now on her 21st birthday, we will most likely be suffering from food poising from a place that I️ used to love so dearly. And that, my friends, is a story of dissapointment...

First time trying this spot today. The service was fantastic as the guy behind the counter explained the whole process to me as a newbie. The food was prepared quickly and the presentation was fantastic. The rice is served warm underneath the cold toppings, which made for a nice mix in the bowl. The flavors were wonderful and there were many varieties of Signature Bowls to choose from, or you can customize your own bowl from the several items behind the counter - similar to ordering from Chipotle where you stand and watch them prepare your meal from many containers of prepared items.

If I had one critique, it would be that the Volcano Bowl is heavy on the heat with a mix of Sriracha, spicy mayo and fresh jalapeños, but is clearly marked on the menu board so no fault of the establishment, just my weakened tolerance for spice over the years. Some may say it isn’t spicy enough if you have a high tolerance.

Overall, I would recommend this place to anyone who enjoys sushi and is looking for a twist on the traditional roll. For $14 I got a good sized bowl of fresh food that left me satisfied and satiated. Photo of an empty bowl for proof of enjoyment!

I will definitely be coming back...

I would love to be able to call and talk to someone or write an email instead of doing this publicly. The thing is is on their website I don’t see any email to complain to and I also don’t get an answer when I call. I ordered for the second time on Uber eats and both times were bad experience. This time I ordered a two scoop make your own and received a Poké bowl with a very small amount and absolutely no fish. I also got a side of crab salad, which was dry and disgusting. Typically it is very good. I am more concerned, however about the fact that I got a Poké bowl with absolutely no fish in it. It’s not like It is cheap, I expect to get what I pay for. Unless I go and actually watch them make my bowl to make sure it’s done correctly, I will not be ordering delivery again. Even the past few of times I’ve been in the store. It has been hit or miss on if it’s good or not. It makes me sad because it was a favorite, and I don’t know if I will be going back, especially considering the fact I cannot even get in contact with anyone to try to...