East Dallas is not one to shy away from food fads. Over the years, to varying degrees of success, we embraced food trucks, chef-driven American fusion restaurants and $4 fancy tacos.
It looks like 2018 will be the year of the Poké in the neighborhood. The deconstructed sushi bowls have been all the rage over the last couple years, with locations popping up all over the country. Dallas welcomed a few of these Instagram-worthy (and relatively healthy) eateries, and soon there will be three right in the neighborhood.
Freshfin Poké Co. on Lower Greenville opened across the street from the Granada Theater at 3611 Greenville Ave last year. Freshfin is gluten- and dairy-free with vegetarian options, and aims to use local produce. The fast-casual restaurant was started by CIA graduate Joon Choe after he made a two-month research journey across Asia. There is another location in Plano.
Another Poké location is on the way at Mockingbird and Greenville, next to Floyd’s Barbershop, less than a half mile from Freshfin. There isn’t much of an online presence for Poke Sushi Roll, but soon East Dallas neighbors will have more than enough opportunities to eat fresh fish in a bowl.
Poké Bop is still under construction in the former Zuzu location at Mockingbird and Abrams. Its first Dallas location opened in March 2017 on Lemmon Ave. Owner Marc Mattox says that of the 31 restaurants he has worked with, this remodel was one of the most difficult. The have had trouble leveling the floor and have had to replace sheetrock. “It is like a whole new space,” he says. They are shooting for a soft opening in early February.
