Grey Whale Ramen & Poke — Restaurant in Lincoln

Being both from Hawaii (origin of Poke) and Japanese, its very very good considering. Is it "real" poke? No. But it is satisfactory to both mainlander and the Hawaii transplant missing home. I REALLY appreciate that they cube their fish and do not grind it. For those who do not know, sushi/sashimi grade fish is soft and free of the tough connective tissue, but normal fish is not (when you cook it, it is indistinguishable). So in order to save money, some places will use the soft parts for regular ahi and grind up the tougher bits for the spicy ahi, they do not do that here. I personally prefer the thinner white noodles for my ramen which for tonkotsu broth has good capillary action. However, for their tonkotsu ramen here they use the thicker yellow curly noodles which are more commonly used for miso ramen as the curls "grab" pieces of miso. However, I cannot fault them as these yellow noodles are more widely avaliable as "fresh" preprepared noodles. If Grey Whale made their own noodles I would be astounded as it is a difficult (skilled) labour-intensive process. Some obvious downside is the price but getting sushi-grade Ahi in the middle of the United States is impressive enough. Also while some of their menu is resembling Japanese/Hawaii food, part of it is bastardisation. I have never heard of "Honolulu Salmon" in Hawaii. That being said, I appreciate the effort put into having pork belly for a ramen topping, the soft boiled egg for ramen (I cannot tell you how many places just put a hard boiled egg), and using common Japanese/Hawaii ingredients. It is without a doubt more authentic than putting that qualifier just because something has pineapple or mango on it. Overall, it is a great place serving great food. The only downsides is really price and some very minor obscure details that the average customer will...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Grey Whale, and I can honestly say it was one of the best culinary experiences I’ve had in a long time! From the moment I stepped inside, I was welcomed by the warm, inviting atmosphere and the incredibly friendly staff who made me feel right at home.

The menu is diverse and thoughtfully crafted, with something for every palate. I decided to go with the chef’s special, and it did not disappoint! Every dish was beautifully presented, bursting with flavor, and prepared to perfection. The freshness of the ingredients was evident in every bite, and you can tell that the chefs here truly care about the quality of their food.

The service was impeccable—attentive without being overbearing. The staff went above and beyond to ensure that my dining experience was flawless, and their knowledge of the menu helped me make the perfect choices. They were more than happy to accommodate my dietary preferences, which I greatly appreciated.

To top it all off, the ambiance is simply delightful—whether you’re looking for a cozy, intimate dinner or a fun night out with friends, Grey Whale strikes the perfect balance. The decor is tasteful, and the atmosphere is lively yet relaxed, making it the perfect spot for any occasion.

If you’re looking for a restaurant that offers incredible food, outstanding service, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, look no further. Grey Whale has quickly become one of my favorite spots, and I can’t wait to come back. Highly,...

Food - 5☆I got a BYO poke bowl. Spicy tuna and spicy salmon. I always add as many toppings as possible to get extreme flavor out of the entire jam packed bowl.

Atmosphere - 5☆ I have been to all 4 of their locations and this one rates slightly below the Atmosphere of the Grand Manse location. Great decor and plenty of spaces out seating. Very nice sit down vibe. One suggestion to them would be to clean up the tables behind the counter some with some cloth drapes or something to hide their storage and misc stuff.

Service - 1☆ As I walked in the door, no one was in the restaurant. No employee was in front of house either. I could see people walking in back but no one came to the front for a good 5+ minutes. When they finally came up front, she simply looked at me, grabbed some ingredients and went straight into the back without saying a word. Another lady came in 2-3 minutes later and finally waited on me as I stood there. She was very short on words and extreme hard to hear her talk. As I got my food and walked away, not a single word of thank you or have a good day or anything.

Note ** They also pay FIRST at this location instead of AFTER you get your food. Slightly confusing at first, but does make sense if you know the order is backwards.

Overall - 3☆ I have always loved grey whale from each location and each of their concepts. Food is always top notch, service is always top notch, but the service at this location fell flat. 3 ☆ soley on the lack of...