Don Poke

don poke, don poke reviews

In New York City, where healthy, customizable, and quick meal options are always in high demand, poke bowls have become a popular choice. Don Poke, located on 5th Avenue near Union Square, is one of the many establishments aiming to satisfy this craving, offering a menu centered around the fresh, customizable Hawaiian-inspired dish with a Japanese twist. For New Yorkers looking for a convenient and often quick meal, poke bowls present a compelling option, blending fresh ingredients with savory sauces.

Don Poke aims to provide a fast-casual dining experience where customers can either choose from signature poke bowls or build their own, selecting from a variety of proteins, bases, mix-ins, and sauces. This customizable approach is a key draw for many, allowing diners to tailor their meal to their specific preferences and dietary needs. Beyond poke, their menu also extends to other Japanese-inspired comfort foods, like chicken katsu and dumplings, offering a broader appeal for those seeking diverse flavors.

However, it’s important to note that experiences at Don Poke can vary. While some customers praise the freshness of ingredients and flavor combinations, others have reported inconsistencies with freshness, order accuracy, and customer service, particularly concerning delivery orders. As with many popular delivery-focused establishments in a busy city like New York, individual experiences can differ. This article aims to provide a factual overview of Don Poke based on available public information, allowing potential diners to make informed decisions.

Don Poke is situated at 74 5th Ave, New York, NY 10011, USA. This address places it strategically in a bustling part of Manhattan, bordering the Flatiron District and Union Square, a highly sought-after location known for its vibrant energy, diverse businesses, and accessibility. 5th Avenue itself is a major thoroughfare, making the restaurant easy to locate.

The restaurant's proximity to Union Square ensures excellent accessibility for New Yorkers relying on public transportation. The Union Square - 14th Street subway station, a major transit hub, is just a short walk away. This station serves multiple key subway lines, providing convenient access from nearly any part of Manhattan and beyond:

• 4, 5, 6 (Green Line): Connects directly from Uptown, Midtown, and Lower Manhattan.
• L (Grey Line): Provides easy access from Brooklyn and Manhattan's West Side.
• N, Q, R, W (Yellow Line): Offers broad coverage across Manhattan and connections to Queens.

The surrounding area is highly walkable, making Don Poke an ideal spot for a quick lunch for those working in nearby offices, or a casual dinner for residents and visitors exploring the dynamic Flatiron and Union Square neighborhoods. Its central location ensures that a healthy and customizable meal is never far for New Yorkers on the go.

Don Poke primarily specializes in poke bowls and other Japanese-inspired fast-casual dishes, catering to a quick and customizable dining experience.

• Customizable Poke Bowls: This is their core offering, allowing customers to "Create Your Own Bowl" by choosing from a selection of:
  • Proteins: Options typically include salmon, tuna (ahi), chicken, and tofu. Some menus also list unagi (eel), albacore, hamachi, octopus, and scallops.
  • Bases: Common choices include white rice, brown rice, or various salad greens (e.g., romaine lettuce, spring mix).
  • Mix-ins & Toppings: A wide array of fresh vegetables and textures such as cucumbers, edamame, mango, seaweed salad, scallions, cilantro, masago, onion crisps, and shredded nori.
  • Sauces: Various options including creamy Don Poke sauce, sriracha aioli, yuzu kosho aioli, sweet shoyu, chili togarashi, spicy mayo, ponzu, and unagi sauce.
• Signature Poke Bowls: Pre-designed bowls with popular flavor combinations like the "Don Poke Bowl" (salmon and tuna with creamy Don Poke sauce), "Spicy Salmon Lover Bowl," "Spicy Ahi Tuna Bowl," "Chili Togarashi Bowl," and "Creamy Yuzu Bowl." They also offer cooked options like "Glazed Salmon Bowl," "Chicken Katsu Bowl," and "Crispy Garlic Tofu Bowl."
• Hawaiian Comfort Bowls: Expanding beyond raw fish, they offer dishes like Chicken Katsu Bowl, Hawaiian BBQ Chicken, Gyudon Beef Bowl, and BBQ Pulled Chicken Bowl.
• Appetizers & Sides: A selection of starters and complements to the main bowls, including Miso Soup, Truffle Edamame, Potato Croquettes, Truffle Shishito Peppers, Spam Musubi, Hawaiian Garlic Chicken Wings (boneless and regular), Crispy Brussels Sprouts, and Mac & Cheese.
• Dumplings: Options like Homemade Fried Pork & Chives Dumplings, Steamed Pork & Chives Dumplings, and Fried Vegetable Dumplings.
• Desserts: They offer a selection of desserts, including Ube Coconut Chia Pudding, Ube Coconut Mochi Brownie, and other bespoke brownies.
• Beverages: A variety of drinks such as Passionfruit Iced Green Tea, Iced Lychee Hibiscus Tea, Thai Iced Tea, and Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water.
• Delivery & Takeout Focused: While there may be limited in-store seating, Don Poke appears to be heavily geared towards online ordering for delivery and pickup through platforms like Grubhub, Seamless, and DoorDash. Some sources identify it as a "Virtual Restaurant" operating from a shared kitchen space.

Don Poke aims to offer a convenient and customizable Japanese-inspired meal experience, with several aspects that frequently stand out to customers:

• Customization Options: The "Build Your Own Poke Bowl" feature is a major highlight, allowing diners to personalize their meal with a vast selection of proteins, bases, mix-ins, toppings, and sauces, catering to individual tastes and dietary needs.
• Diverse Menu Beyond Poke: While poke is central, the inclusion of Hawaiian Comfort Bowls like Chicken Katsu, Gyudon Beef, and Hawaiian BBQ Chicken, along with appetizers such as dumplings and Spam Musubi, provides a wider range of options for those not exclusively seeking raw fish.
• Variety of Sauces: The diverse sauce selection is often praised, with the "creamy Don Poke sauce" and "Togarashi chili" being noted for their flavor and ability to complement the fresh ingredients.
• Convenient Delivery Service: Don Poke is well-integrated with major food delivery platforms, making it an accessible option for those looking for a quick meal delivered to their home or office in NYC. They frequently advertise quick delivery.
• Positive Feedback on Cooked Items: Some reviews specifically highlight the quality of cooked items, such as the "tender beef" in Gyudon bowls or "crispy and flavorful" tofu, suggesting strengths beyond just raw fish.
• Portion Sizes: Some customers have found the portions to be generous, providing good value for the price point.
• Dessert Selection: The inclusion of unique dessert options like Ube Coconut Chia Pudding and Ube Coconut Mochi Brownie adds an appealing finish to the meal.

Don Poke frequently leverages online delivery platforms to offer various promotions, making their menu more accessible and appealing to New York City diners. These offers often change, so it's always recommended to check the current listings on specific platforms.

• Delivery Platform Deals: Don Poke is known to offer discounts and special deals through services like Grubhub, Seamless, and DoorDash. Examples seen include:
  • Percentage-off promotions for first-time orders.
  • Specific dollar amount discounts on minimum orders (e.g., $5 off an order of $15 or more).
  • "0 delivery fee" offers, especially for subscribers to platform services like Grubhub+.
• Combo Deals/Bundles: They may offer meal combos or bundles that provide a main dish with an appetizer or drink at a reduced price compared to ordering items individually.
• Seasonal or Limited-Time Offers: Like many restaurants, Don Poke might introduce seasonal specials or limited-time promotions on certain poke bowl combinations or new menu items.
• Loyalty Programs (via platforms): While not a direct Don Poke program, customers frequently ordering through delivery apps may accumulate points or qualify for loyalty discounts provided by the platforms themselves.

To find the most current and active promotions, New Yorkers should check Don Poke's listings on popular food delivery apps like Seamless, Grubhub, and DoorDash. These platforms are usually the primary source for their special offers.

For New Yorkers interested in ordering from or learning more about Don Poke, here's their contact information:

• Address: 74 5th Ave, New York, NY 10011, USA
• Phone: (929) 345-3277
• Online Ordering: Don Poke is widely available on major food delivery platforms, including Grubhub, Seamless, DoorDash, and Uber Eats. Checking these platforms directly is the best way to access their full menu and current ordering options.
• Hours: While hours can vary, common operating hours listed on delivery platforms are extensive, often from 10:00 AM to 2:15 AM for both pickup and delivery, catering to a wide range of meal times.

Given the nature of their business model, which appears to be heavily delivery and takeout-focused, online platforms are the most direct way to interact with Don Poke.

For New Yorkers, Don Poke offers a convenient and accessible option for customizable, Japanese-inspired fast-casual meals, particularly appealing to those seeking quick, flexible, and often healthier dining choices. Its prime location on 5th Avenue near the Union Square transit hub makes it incredibly easy to access for anyone working or living in downtown Manhattan, or simply passing through one of the city's busiest areas. The extensive operating hours, extending late into the night, also provide a valuable option for late-night cravings or flexible schedules.

The core strength of Don Poke lies in its "Build Your Own Poke Bowl" concept, allowing New Yorkers to tailor their meal precisely to their preferences, whether they're craving fresh salmon, flavorful tuna, or plant-based tofu. This level of customization, combined with a diverse range of sauces and toppings, means there's always a new combination to try. Beyond poke, the menu's inclusion of Hawaiian comfort bowls like chicken katsu and savory dumplings offers a broader appeal for different palates. While consistency in quality and service, particularly for delivery, has received mixed reviews, the positive feedback often highlights fresh ingredients, tasty sauces, and generous portions, especially from those satisfied with their orders. Don Poke serves as a practical choice for a quick, customizable, and generally satisfying meal in a city that values both speed and personal preference in its dining options. For locals on the go, it remains a go-to for a convenient and customizable poke fix.

Don Poke

74 5th Ave, New York, NY 10011, USA