Pokedoke - Saint Louis

The staff are friendly, and the service is good. However, there was a problem with the rice. I ordered a lunch that came with white rice, but it was full of dried clumps that were hard and some were inedible. We frequently cook and eat rice at home, so I recognize that this kind of dried clumping usually occurs when rice is left in the cooker on the 'Keep Warm' setting for too long, or if the lid is left off, causing the top layer to dry out. If it's the former, it suggests the rice was left over from the previous night. If it's the latter, it indicates that the restaurant lacks a proper protocol for maintaining the quality and taste of the rice, or that such a protocol isn’t being followed. To clarify, I'm not comparing fast food to a high-end Japanese restaurant; I’m merely stating that the basics should include fresh and edible food. It’s disappointing for a restaurant that embraces Japanese and Hawaiian flavors, as it should prioritize the freshness of its ingredients and the quality of its rice.

The bowls are delectable, though a bit on the expensive side. While I usually prefer sushi, it's nice to change things up occasionally. The ahi tuna in the PokeDoke Bowl tasted incredibly fresh, and I appreciated that the fish was served chilled rather than at room temperature. The ShrimpTastic bowl featured delightful little shrimp. Both bowls were quite satisfying, thanks to the generous portion of rice at the bottom.

I've been here three times in three days, and the poke is outstanding! The portions are incredibly generous, and they offer all the toppings you could possibly want. There's definitely no shortage of masago here. My boyfriend particularly enjoys the kani salad as well. They have a great variety of delicious beverages, and the combo deal is perfect for satisfying both sweet and salty cravings. It’s a wonderfully refreshing choice for the warmer weather. This is exactly what I look for when I’m in the mood for something sushi-like but want to enjoy it at lower prices than nearby sushi spots. The service is always friendly—everyone is very nice and helpful, especially if you're feeling overwhelmed by the options! This has become my favorite spot on the Upper West Side, and there are plenty of other places just a few blocks away!

I've ordered from here on 3 different STL visits in 2023 when I've needed something fresh delicious. That's what you get- good flavors, good quality food, great spot.

I Like this place a lot. The quality is fresh and they offer different portion sizes. Even with all the add ons and modifications, they do a good job getting the order correct 97% of the time.I have noticed how drastically their prices rose in the past 2 years. Which is both expected and a bummer because half the meal is rice. So everything but the fish is rather inexpensive. Plus most of the stuff is raw so no real preparation is needed. Other than maybe some quick Mandoline work or putting things through a food processor with attachment.I do wish the bowls were more long instead of tall. Because the style is more of a cup, the distribution of the ingredients leaves you eating through to find the rice and ultimately ending with a ton of rice at the bottom once all the stuff is gone.I don’t mind paying the price increase but for that, they should really make presentation a priority.