San Ramon has a new destination for poke bowls, pokerritos and poke nachos.
Oke Poke has quietly soft-launched its new restaurant at 188 Market Place in the Market Place shopping center. The restaurant is now serving customers ahead of a larger grand-opening celebration planned for Saturday, August 1.
We’ve always found Oke Poke’s name a bit amusing.
“How’s the poke at that new restaurant?”
“Oh, it’s oke”
Anyway, the fast-casual concept specializes in customizable poke, with diners selecting a base, proteins, mix-ins, toppings and house-made sauces.
Protein choices typically include options such as ahi tuna, salmon, albacore and shrimp, while customers can also choose tofu for a meat-free bowl. The menu extends beyond conventional rice bowls with seaweed-wrapped “pokerritos,” poke nachos served over crispy chips, miniature bowls and poke sold a la carte.
Sides, desserts and drinks round out the menu.
A Walnut Creek Brand Expands South
Although Oke Poke was founded in Southern California in 2015, the company’s best-known East Bay restaurant is its downtown Walnut Creek location at 1529 Locust Street.
The San Ramon restaurant represents the brand’s latest Northern California expansion, joining locations in Walnut Creek, Napa and San Francisco.
Plans for the restaurant were announced more than a year ago, but the project encountered delays during the design and permitting process. Oke Poke recently thanked customers who attended its soft opening and introduced San Ramon operators San and Alex as the people behind the new location.
The opening adds another quick-service dining option to the Market Place, the shopping center near Bollinger Canyon Road and Interstate 680.
Grand Opening Set for August 1
Oke Poke’s official grand opening is scheduled for Saturday, August 1, beginning at 11 a.m.
The San Ramon Chamber of Commerce is also holding a ribbon-cutting event at the restaurant that morning. The chamber lists the celebration as beginning at 10:30 a.m. and says the event is free and open to the public.
Oke Poke has advertised giveaways and grand-opening specials, including free food for some of the first customers. Given the promotional offers and the strong turnout reported during the soft opening, prospective visitors may want to arrive early.
The restaurant’s regular posted hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day.
Oke Poke describes its approach as Hawaiian-inspired rather than strictly traditional, emphasizing customizable combinations and what the company says are fresh, ethically sourced fish and produce.
We’ll try it out! Make sure to join our free 925 News newsletter so we can share a review.
