I think we can all agree that once you’ve eaten at one of these newfangled build-your-own-bowl poke shops, you’ve eaten at all of them. Sure, there will be slight differences in saucing, but there will always be something in ponzu and something else that’s going to be spiked with Sriracha. With that said, wherever you go, you’re still likely going to be pretty happy with what you eat. These poke bowls shops are just a great idea—the best way to get a sushi dinner without paying sushi prices.
Still, some poke shops are better than others. And what makes the difference for me is usually three things: the price (whether or not they nickle-and-dime you for essentials), the turnover (more customers equals fresher fish), and the variety of toppings.
What I like about the new H2O Poke & Grill is all of the above. There’s one set price ($8.99) for a standard bowl with 3-scoops of fish. There’s constant queue of people that ensures the fish is constantly cycled out. And there’s the fresh array of free toppings, most of which actually adds complementary flavor to seafood, such as Mandarin oranges and mango.
As far as poke toppings goes, H2O’s choices certainly works better than crumbled Hot Cheetos, which I’ve actually seen offered at other poke shops who are desperate to distinguish themselves from the pack.
But who could blame them for trying? Once you’ve been to one poke shop, you’ve been to ’em all.
13262 Jamboree Rd., Irvine, CA 92602, (714) 544-0066; h2opokegrill.com
Before becoming an award-winning restaurant critic for OC Weekly in 2007, Edwin Goei went by the alias “elmomonster” on his blog Monster Munching, in which he once wrote a whole review in haiku.