Poke Munch — Restaurant in Creve Coeur

I hate to even post this review because this was one of my favorite places to grab a quick lunch. My last experience on December 15th was unlike any I'd had previously, so maybe it's under new ownership/management. The person taking orders told the lady in front of me that she should have told him her appetizer order... as if someone was not allowed to add to their order once they placed their bowl selection. Feeling uncomfortable for the lady, I was up next. I ordered my three bowls all at once... they were menu items. In all my previous experiences, they would ask if I wanted everything on the bowl. When I realized the next guy was already building my order, I requested no onions on one and no cucumbers on the other. The older gentleman that took my order promptly interjected that it was too late and my order was already complete... which was physically impossible unless the guy building the bowls was made of speed. I accepted my shortcoming and moved to the check out clerk (who also seemed annoyed by the older gentleman's behavior)... only to wait 5 minutes. Why am I waiting when my order was "complete." For $40 worth of food at lunchtime, I feel like it's little to ask for a minor customization. Nonetheless, there's plenty of other Poke places in town, so I will not be giving this place my money...

Atmosphere was negatively impacted by the negative service. I ordered a specific number bowl and requested two substitutions. I was told in a very angry tone and upset manner that I couldn’t do that because those items don’t come with that specific number bowl. The guy taking the order then angrily yelled that I would be charged an extra dollar for substituting anything in the area of the crab salad. I said that was fine. And had to read off all the items that I wanted from the menu for that specific bowl specifying the two items that were to be substituted. I asked for a fork when leaving and was told that there was one in the bag. There wasn’t one in the bag! I had to go back in and ask again.

Why the anger? I don’t know! For the last year I’ve only ever ordered that exact same bowl item number, maybe 50 times so far, with one or two substitutions at no extra charge and definitely no negative attitude! Never had my order taken by that older gentleman though so maybe that was the problem.

Anyway, I’ve told so many people that this is my favorite poke bowl restaurant. Many have tried it due to my positive in-person reviews. Hate to leave a negative one because the food is good. But I have to leave a negative review because that service actually left me shaken and soured the meal...

A repurposed pan-Asian restaurant that disguises as a poke shop... Came here for a late lunch and was thrown off by its unusually large menu of fried food.. I proceeded to order a fail-safe spicy ahi bowl. But what I received at the end of the line was this unrecognizable “thing”. Two unnaturally rounded scoops of tuna paste on top of an unforgivably small portion of rice... you can add whatever you like to your poke concoction, no judgement. But a good bed of rice and chunky seasoned ahi are not negotiable. No wonder they use these stainless hoods to cover up what they’re serving. I would’ve walk straight out if I saw that tuna paste... And true to its appearance, the spicy tuna has the texture of mashed potatoes and tasted like nothing. If you just like fried chicken cutlets on rice with toppings, knock yourself out. But if you’re looking for a decent poke bowl then look somewhere else. Not sure why they even have poke in their restaurant name since they obviously have no respect for what poke...