Featured in the April 2012 Sunset Magazine issue, Like Poke? is a food truck serving up the most freshest fish you could ever get in a FOOD TRUCK! I couldn't believe the taste and the size of the fish I got when I ordered my plate. But more on that later.
To quote Sunset Magazine: "Just five minutes from the airport, in a warehouse parking lot where tourists would never go, is some of the island's best poke. Danny Kalahiki mixes it to order in his vintage-style quilted-steel lunch wagon. Must-have: the ahi shoyu wasabi poke. The marinade is a perfect balance of salty, sweet, spicy, and umami. Locals eat lunch early, so it's best to get there around 11."
I have to concur that it is imperative that you get to this truck early because with it being situated near blue collar businesses, many of the employees have already made plans ahead of time to be in line right away and order their favorites. So get there early.
All the fish plates were $10.00 each. It included 2 scoops rice (of course) and your choice of entree over a bed of greens (at least both my lunches looked that way). Food was divided into 3 categories and the menu at the time I visited was:
"COW' - Hamburger Steak
"HIPPY FOOD" - Katsu and Poke
"FISH" - Katsu, Poke Bowl, Fried Bone, and Garlic Belly.
The specials that day were: Fried Poke, Pork Tofu, Ahi Kama, and Ono Katsu
My cousin RAVED and uploaded a picture of the Fried Poke on Instagram and I was adamant about trying it. Here in the Bay, it is rare to have raw fish truck much less a poke truck (and if there were one I might be mad knowing that it would not do the poke justice). So I was on a quest. My first time at this truck I was late and the fried poke dish (one of their best sellers) was already sold out. So, I opted for the Shoyu Ginger Ahi Poke plate. OMG, let me tell you that normally when I order poke whether it be at a restaurant or at the fish market/local Hawaiian grocery store, I get a similar size cube of fish. THIS TIME, the ahi was cut in bigger chunks! It was so meaty and fresh and although I was somewhat disappointed at not getting the much talked about Fried Poke, I was delightfully surprised at this Poke dish! I loved it so much that I was mad I didn't get a 2nd order of it. Normally I would have chosen a different flavor but some of the ahi flavors were also sold out and I had a few to choose from. The ginger flavor did not disappoint and I would be more than happy to order it again in a future visit. Wow. Mind blown. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/d8kXgsbYFBvFERzv--1Xow?select=nqN-oQJ1EijbIuxKQCHS7g#FjPwZqSussdGJ7kLUqoghQ
2nd visit: I went early this time and got the infamous fried poke. But, because I knew I was leaving my island home the next day to go back to the mainland and because I ordered spontaneously, I also got the Ono Katsu. (Ono = Fish. Not Ono = Delicious).
- The Fried Poke was mixed with Fried Maui Onions over a bed of micro greens and drizzled with the Chef's special sauce. It was really good and I can see why this particular dish is always sold out early. The batter was light with spices. It packed good flavor even without the sauce. It was bite sized as big as the fresh poke dish I had the day before. The Fried Maui Onions was a great addition to the dish. Again the batter is light compared to Blooming Onion or Onion Rings. The only critique I would have of this dish is that my particular Fried Poke was cooked all the way through. Not sure if this is always the case, but I assumed it would be similar to the Fried Poke first made famous by Celebrity Hawaiian Chef Sam Choy. His Fried Poke was fried halfway with the middle still raw. Again, I don't know if it was just my dish that was cooked all the way through or if this is how Danny Kalahiki meant it. Either way, it was still delish. But, I wouldn't be mad if my inside was raw the next time. ;) Just saying. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/d8kXgsbYFBvFERzv--1Xow?select=nqN-oQJ1EijbIuxKQCHS7g#nBU_1R_VL4inCatEIMTIPA
- Had I known the texture of my Fried Poke ahead of time, I would have chosen a different dish other than the Ono Katsu. I've always had such great Ono Katsu's before at various eateries and was happy to see it on this menu as well. So, I took advantage of it. The Ono Katsu was almost the same meaty consistency as the Fried Poke and had the same special sauce drizzled over it. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/d8kXgsbYFBvFERzv--1Xow?select=nqN-oQJ1EijbIuxKQCHS7g#ReL4laMb8Bk6CMYZLUfnsQ Being that it was a Katsu dish, the batter was slightly different, but not heavy at all. Although it was just as tasty and delicious, I know better next time than to order two fried and almost similar dishes.
I can't wait to go back and try out their other dishes and get more of that beautiful, gorgeous, and super fresh poke!
If you're ever in the area or are visiting Maui, stop by Like Poke, you won't be disappointed. Well, unless you arrive late. read more