Poke It Up

4.3 (113 reviews)

Sushi Bars, Poke, Hawaiian

Closed • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

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Poke It Up - Sushi Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Poke It Up - Royal milk tea - Sushi Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Poke It Up - Build your own Burrito! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Sho R.

I had a quick lunch from here on a weekday. Mostly people were taking out food from here. I just sat down and had lunch. I went for a hawaiian green chicken. It was a good one. I was trying to get something like shrimp tempura, unfortunately they didn't have such fried items. Quantity was really good. I also had a royal milk tea, which was also a good tea to try.

George M.

Very yummy, super fresh, generous portions and reasonably priced. Interior was a bit cluttered and no background music meant the background was an employee talking non stop on their cell phone which was annoying.

Abdullah A.

I ordered a large build-your-own poke bowl. I cannot complain about the quantity of food: it was massive. Of course, the bulk of the mass was rice, probably about 70+% of the bowl was rice despite requesting rice and salad combo as my base. The large bowl comes with three scoops of protein. I chose spicy tuna, salmon, and shrimp. The fish quality was fine, not incredibly fresh but not sketchy either. I liked the volcano sauce, it was basically a spicy mayo but a little sweeter. I rounded out my bowl with avocado, fish roe, jalapenos, green onion, seaweed salad, and cucumber, all of which were good quality. Summary: you could do worse, especially as far as quantity, but you're going to end up with a lot of rice, and the fish quality is average.

Mina H.

This was a tiny corner shop that's easy to miss, but I'm glad we didn't! This is a poke shop, so it's a healthy option if that's what you're looking for. The Crunchy Style Salmon Bowl is what I got. It's sweet and savory with eel sauce. I loved this and would order this again! My brother got the Salmon Obsession Bowl of which he gave me a bite to try. It was slightly spicy, but still really yummy. My mom got the Tropical Island Bowl to try. This one had ahi tuna, and it was overall a really sweet bowl. I didn't love this as much when I ate a bite, but to each their own because my mom loved it! With our bowls averaging $13, it's kind of pricy, but maybe it's a fair price for a shop downtown. The portions are pretty fair too, but it definitely feels like a light healthy option after eating.

Regular Poke Bowl with spicy tuna and white tuna and variety of vegetables. Very tasty!

Nataliya Z.

We stopped for the poke bowl with my friends at this tiny lunch spot. All 3 of us were happy with the quality of the fish, the freshness of the vegetables, the size of the portions and the reasonable price of the food. I recommend!

Ellena K.

Definitely the best poke in the downtown area in terms of quality and price. Super fast build your own bowls. The place is usually pretty clean too.

Grant L.

I'm a big fan of poke and a big fan of this place. There are a few poke places downtown, but this one is the best. The service is freakishly fast, but doesn't lose it's quality like that one sandwich place we all know. The portions are large and worth the price tag. I usually get a small with salmon and some delicious add ins. With the large portion, even for a small, I find myself saving for later. Poke It Up is a concrete miracle.

Akshita P.

This is my go to Poke Place in downtown Madison!! I always make my own bowl my go to is - sushi rice, shrimp and salmon, seaweed salad, avocado, edamame, tofu, carrot, corn, and crispy garlic with spicy aioli and poke sauce. It's heavenly every time. Poke It Up bowls have large portions that are filled to the brim with good ratios of protein to rice to sauce to veggies. The workers are all very nice and accommodating to special requests. Definitely go here if you're looking for good poke!

Ben E.

Stopped by this place last night for dinner. It sounded really interesting, it's sushi, it's a burrito, what's not to like??? We got two different burritos just made to order. Both were pretty good, but I'd say not as good as just regular sushi, and maybe not as good as a poke bowl version of the same ingredients would be. But all that said, it was pretty good, and GIGANTIC portions for not much money. We got 2 sushi burritos and the total cost was $25. This was however probably enough for 4 people, as the burritos are huge and could feed 2 each. If I go back I'd definitely try one of the specials instead of making my own burrito, since they probably put a bit more thought into the composition than I did.

Food was really fresh and they gave a lot in my bowl! The place was super clean and the employees were really nice as well.

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Susan B.

Elite 23

249

6 years ago

Big portion sizes and friendly service. Open and socially distance friendly for take out during Corona. read more

Poke It Up - a burrito with a side of sauce - Sushi Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Ginny W.

4 years ago

Favorite poke place hands down. The service is quick and they really loadddddddd up the poke bowls. Love.

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Mark S.

3 years ago

Consistently delicious! My only beef... no place to park. Have used a loading zone directly across the street. Thankfully, my car had always been there when I return. read more

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Rebecca R.

5 years ago

I've ordered poke from several other places in town and this is the place that's earned a spot in my lunch-delivery rotation. I always order the regular (not large) Green Hawaiian Bowl. The fried onions in the top set it apart from others. The regular size is enough for a meal and a snack. Bonus points because they use recyclable bowls, lids, and bags. read more

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Bryon S.

133

6 years ago

We used the online ordering and picked up. First time ordering from here. The bowls are stunning to look at. They tasted absolutely delicious. We've ordered from a few other places and this is definitely our favorite new place. Quick service. Bag was waiting on a table in front of the counter. You have to pay in the store. Big thumbs up. read more

Poke It Up - a bowl of food on a table - Sushi Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Clare O.

Elite 25

164

115

208

7 years ago

I LOVEE this place!!! Favorite poke place in Madison. Would highly recommend, and they're super fast. read more

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Derek S.

Elite 21

5 years ago

I can't say that I know exactly what an authentic poke bowl tastes like, having gone through most of pre-adult life without tasting this wonderful Hawaiian dish, but I will say that I'm a pretty good judge of quantity and value in a meal. I had a regular size salmon/tuna poke bowl with wasabi mayo, and I was fully stuffed after taking my last bite. The fish tasted fresh and blended so well with all the other toppings and sauces I ordered. After a good mixing, no one flavor was too overpowering, and the blend between the sweet, tangy, and spicy ingredients that supplemented the hearty fish and rice was excellent. I'm not huge on food textures, but I will say that just like the flavors, there are a diverse set of textures that only added to the eating experience. There are so many fast-casual restaurants out there that skimp on value, but I was quite satisfied with how large my portion was, especially the salmon/tuna. An overall delicious, memorable, and filling meal--if you're hungry, definitely give this place a try! read more

Poke It Up - Poke bowl - Sushi Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Hanna G.

117

6 years ago

Picked up my first order with Poke it up. The food was phenomenal!! I got salmon and tuna and it was fresh and delicious. The veggies were great! I would highly recommend this business. The owners were sweet :) read more

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Andrew J.

110

8 years ago

I liked the cost for delivery but the quality was a little low. Some gnarly bits of fish (tasted fresh, just poorly cut), some ingredients are stingy while others are way overabundant. Jalapenos just chopped up, not seeded etc. The regular bowl had a reasonable amount of fish but a huge amount of rice and other filler. Not bad, but not the great east/central poke place of my dreams. read more

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Nick C.

4 years ago

Amazing value. Tons of protein and toppings, and all of good quality. Pictured was $12 and really filling. read more

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Pazong T.

3 years ago

I order 2 different sushi burrito and 2 cans of drinks. I got 1 sushi burrito and a mango drink from doordash. This restaurant got my order mixed up with someone else or didn't care to double check who's order it was. I didn't finish the food because it tasted like it's been sitting out. I'm very disappointed and I don't like wasting food. read more

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Donny K.

Elite 18

8 years ago

Many people wandering around campus might not aware of this place because it is in old space that Erbert and Gerbert used to occupy. Never judge a poke place by its facade! Pro: - Strategic location in campus - Hearty portion (up to 7 toppings) - They pack the bowl until it's really full - Reasonable price - Burrito (I call it Sushirito) option Con: - Limited sitting space I have not tried the sushirito, but would probably going to enjoy it more than the bowl. I personally like to mix-in my poke bowl, which can be difficult because they are so generous that they pack my small bowl so full..I cannot even mix it without having bits and pieces falling to the table. Having it to-go would fix this problem, since you will get a lid and can shake the bowl to mix everything together! read more

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Serena M.

150

8 years ago

Absolutely delicious. Store is extremely clean as you walk in. No fishy smell. I had salmon and spicy tuna poke bowl and it was wonderful. Fresh and full of flavor. Big portions and good price. I will be back. read more

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Michelle D.

Elite 21

332

196

7 years ago

I have only come once for take away. I heard the buzz about the Poke Burrito and I was ready to try it. It was pretty when I unwrapped it. Nori wrapper outside and poke goodness on the inside. Maybe too much goodness. It was a nightmare to eat. With every bite, rice, fish, and veggies fell out. I think as a gimmick it was fun. But I will stick to the bowl next time. That said, the flavor was good. read more

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Maikayeng V.

Elite 26

8 years ago

The way you order is that you fill out a little sheet and they make it for you. I liked that a lot, because I'm a little socially awkward lol. They also give you a lot for the price! They aren't stingy with the extra add ons and the quality is quite good. I actually think *this* might be my favorite poke place in Madison, but they just keep popping up! I definitely think that the value is the best here and the quality is great. The location is good as well. The restaurant looked clean, it was nothing super fancy. I recommend that everyone who isn't sure which one of the newest poke places in Madison to go to, go here! read more

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Lydia R.

Elite 22

220

127

5 years ago

Seeing the good reviews I went here to check it out and boy was I disappointed. My pole came with over half a cup of mayonnaise on it that I had to spoon off with a table spoon. It was drowning. Completely inedible, the the point where I was fiberglass trying to salvage scarce bites. Ended up having to throw more than half of it out. read more

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Samantha G.

5 years ago

I have been to this restaurant many times and food is always made quickly with large portions and a neat presentation! The sheet we use to order the food made it easy to look through the options and see what we wanted. They have many yummy options to top the bowl with and the protein always tastes fresh! Great place for ahi! Honeslty I can't say enough good things about this place! read more

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Yang L.

8 years ago

Great quick bite to eat in the summer. Healthy option for both vegan and vegetarian. Tofu is unique and flavorful. Love their brown rice read more

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Fan W.

8 years ago

Taste very good, and cheaper than other poke places in town. The fish and vegetables are very fresh as well. read more

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Gene Y.

313

8 years ago

Super good, great flavors, fresh fish. The staff is really nice and helpful as well. The store interior is clean with tables as well as a large area to wait for take it orders. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a taste of Hawaii or LA food truck life read more

Poke It Up - Sushi burrito with a tastefully bokehed sushi bowl in the background - Sushi Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Caitlin U.

166

8 years ago

This is the best poke place in Madison. The one on state st made me so sad because, coming from California, I have missed poke SO MUCH, and in spite of my expectations being set qquite low, that place was CRAZY over-priced and bad. This place has great quality, perfect pricing, generous toppings (at no extra cost, because that other sham of a poke restaurant charges extra for SEAWEED SALAD!! IT Is POKE FOR PETES SAKE!!), AND DID I MENTION THIS PLACE HAS A GREAT PRICE FOR A TON OF FOOD! Do not waste your money with other poke places in Madison, this is the best. Coming from a poke expert. Also the staff is extremely friendly (especially compared to the young jerks at the place on state st). Anyways, keep this place in business as they are wonderful and all other poke places around here are bad and should feel bad. read more

Poke It Up - ALL OF THIS, BURSTING...$10. I MEAN COME ON THATS FANTASTIC!!! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Adam D.

176

6 years ago

My wife and I just moved to WI from CA. She loves poke and had a major craving so she picked this place cause of their reviews. The employee was very rude, didn't wash her hands AND didn't put gloves on both hands even though she was touching the inside of the bowl my wife was going to eat out of. GROSS. My wife is too shy to complain so she took her food and when she went to eat it there were two prominent hairs sticking out of the bowl. We know they aren't ours cause of the color. Very disappointed read more

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Jodi E.

209

3 years ago

All of the ingredients were fresh and good but it just isn't like Hawaiian Poke. This was an okay substitute but I can't really call it Hawaiian Poke. read more

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Julie W.

7 years ago

Love this restaurant!! We have been here twice now and am quite satisfied with the service and food!! The kids even love it! What a great idea to have sushi in a bowl or wrapped up like a burrito with the toppings and dressings of your choice! We will definitely be going back soon!! read more

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Claire S.

Elite 21

202

8 years ago

Delicious poke bowl! I got the regular size and they're very generous - I got two meals out of it! I did the make your own bowl and I loved the options of ingredients and sauces. Got it delivered and it was prompt and the delivery man was super friendly!! I will 100% be going there a read more

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Nicholas H.

6 years ago

Poke it up is a great place to get poke. When ordering 2 scoops they really pack the container, even with avocado which can be added for no up charge. This is my ideal poke meal, it doesn't pretend to be healthy. My only issue is that there isn't enough rice to balance all the add-ons and the sauces. It's a strange problem to have since rice is usually cheap. Getting just 1 scoop may fix this problem. In my opinion the burrito (maybe call a wrap) was not worth it and I won't get it again. However, the bowl more than made up for this disappointment. read more

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Juliana G.

7 years ago

What a shame. This place has been my go-to when I don't want to cook but I will not be eating here again. The last two times the fish was almost gray-ish color and just overall unappetizing. If you are selling raw fish it has to be decent quality. The assembly has also dropped in level a lot. Well, it's back to Miko Poke! read more

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Ameer S.

3 years ago

best poke in madison by far!!! great selection of fish, protein, and toppings. havent tried the sushi burrito yet but ive only heard good things about it from friends. the free hot green tea is such a lovely bonus, the nicest people work there read more

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Brooke M.

165

6 years ago

The best poke place in Madison! Always fresh, delicious ingredients and fast service. You choose what you want by filling out a form making it easy if you're unsure what you want right away. I go here at least once a week and am always happy! read more

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Andrew N.

151

8 years ago

Good portions, a pleasant surprise to find in this college town. Fish seemed pretty fresh, the mango topping is something I don't usually see even out in LA. I ordered the large salad/rice situation, and they do pack on quite a bit of rice--- maybe I just do the salad only variety next round. I tend to lean towards less rice, but maybe that's what you're into? read more

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Stephanie K.

4 years ago

I'm new from Arizona and had a spot there I ordered my poke bowls from several times a week because I'm addicted to poke bowls. So I'm looking for my new poke bowl spot. For some reason my poke bowl here lacked flavor even though I ordered all the same topping. Fish was fresh from what I could tell but the avocado here was brown. read more

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Steve R.

7 years ago

Freaking amazing. My last couple trips to Madison I've had mediocre food. This one was a highlight!!! Great food and selection.

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Daphne D.

291

8 years ago

Loved the service, sweet people. Super affordable for poke and very generous portions! read more

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Rachel F.

6 years ago

Easily the best poke place in downtown Madison!! The prices are similar to others in the area, but you get WAY more food for the price (plus getting avocado is no extra charge!). The ordering system is super easy and great for both first-timers and poke pros! The food is always super fresh, and the staff is always so friendly. I can't get enough of this place!!! read more

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Nathan S.

4 years ago

The staff were friendly, the food got delivered in super fast time and it tasted amazing

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Nupur M.

156

8 years ago

Amazing and fresh ingredients! Healthy and yummy! You get so much in one bowl and so many options to choose from. read more

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Amy K.

7 years ago

I've eaten from here twice now. The first time was just OK, so I gave it another shot (second time was delivery). Because I ordered it online via EatStreet, the system accidentally ordered it in burrito style, which I was initially not happy about but enjoyed in the end. I'd be fine to go back but I am knocking a star because of the delivery. One star because I just checked the delivery status and it wasn't updated that it was already on its way. While I was glad it arrived rather fast, I almost left my office and would have missed it, thinking I had time to be away. The update was, in fact, not up-to-date. Second, due to a glitch in the system that didn't allow me to submit my order, I was changing the tip amount to see if that would help and randomly typed in $1.00, which allowed me to submit it. Since this was less than 15% tip (mind you, tip is optional) and there is already a delivery fee, I had planned to give an additional tip in person. But when the delivery guy showed up, he immediately commented that "just so you know, tip is 15%" at which point, I decided not to give him his additional tip because of his expectation. I did not appreciate that he felt entitled to make this comment when a tip is OPTIONAL and I was planning on explaining myself anyway. I called the restaurant about the delivery guy's comment and was contacted right away by the manager, who was gracious and offered me a deal for my next order. I appreciated this aspect of the customer service given the scenario above. I hope they were able to address this with the delivery person. As long as I don't have to deal with that delivery guy, I'd eat here again. read more

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Minneh S.

5 years ago

Super quick service and great portion sizes for the poke bowls. They do not skimp on the avocado either! The fish tastes really fresh and I would definitely come here again. read more

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Anthony C.

Elite 20

155

7 years ago

Tasty, friendly service, and nice presentation. I got the spicy style bowl, which was done in about 1 min. It was tasty. The fish was fresh, and the sauce was good, but it was a bit heavy on the onions. The ambiance could use a little more effort; some music and a fresh coat of paint would do wonders. read more

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Amanda O.

Elite 18

304

8 years ago

Very impressed by the quality of fish and portion size here. I got take out for lunch one day and usually, after a poke bowl lunch, I'm hungry again in a few hours. But they definitely do not skimp on portions here; my bowl was heaping full of fish and avocado -- two things that restaurants usually skimp on. I got the brown rice and mixed greens base. At first, when I opened it up, I thought that they might have forgotten the greens because there was sooo much rice in my bowl, it seemed like a full portion. But nope, my greens were there too, buried underneath the wealth of fish and toppings. Also, one of my pet peeves of poke places is when they oversauce your bowl but this place used just the right amount of poke sauce. There is a wide variety of toppings to choose from and seaweed salad doesn't cost extra (I think it costs extra at the poke place on State). Definitely think this will become my go-to poke place in Madison. read more

Poke It Up - Light yummy work lunch - Sushi Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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540 University Ave
Madison, WI 53703
Capitol
Directions
(608) 709-5511
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
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Visit Website
http://www.pokeitup.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Poke It Up open?

Poke It Up opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Poke It Up close?

Poke It Up closes at 9:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Poke It Up take credit cards?

Yes, Poke It Up takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Poke It Up serve alcohol?

Yes, Poke It Up serves alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does Poke It Up have TVs?

Yes, Poke It Up has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Poke It Up have outdoor seating?

No, Poke It Up does not have outdoor seating options.

Does Poke It Up have parking?

Yes, Poke It Up has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Does Poke It Up have free WiFi?

Yes, Poke It Up has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

New Ownership, Family owned, and vegetarian friendly!

More Info

Health Score

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Sake Sushi

Fabulous. Everything fresh, plentiful and tasty. So many things on the AYCE menu. Tons of options…read more Soups salads appetizers, ramen, teriyaki oh yeah and SUSHI. Like a billion different rolls all of them are GREAT. The Philly roll is a standout. As was the Madison roll. The price was very reasonable. Great service too. Will return

Was hungry after touring 2 Frank Lloyd Wright sites and felt like sushi so I was happy I had…read morebookmarked Sake Sushi. Located on the West side of Madison, and I was already half way there. The neighborhood is nice and Sake Sushi is located in a small plaza, however I almost missed it since it is located on the side of the plaza and was not visible from the street. Inside I found an interesting mix of decor, it seems like a traditional Asian restaurant with white linen tableclothes and also some very modern touches including neon strip lighting along the ceiling and a variety of light fixtures. Overall a bit of a mishmash that would be better if they picked one style and stayed with it. I got there in the late afternoon so the place was empty at first, I was seated and given the menu which allows you to fill out what you want. The menu is fairly similar to other AYCE sushi places I have been at. Of note is that at dinner you can order up to 15 pieces of sashimi without an extra charge. I ordered a nice selection of sashimi, some sushi, a couple of different maki rolls, the salmon skin salad and the seafood soup. Interestingly the sashimi and sushi came out first, then the maki rolls, then the soup and salad. The sashimi was very good, fresh with nice sized pieces; the nigiri sushi had a nice portion of seafood to rice. I was a bit disappointed with the seafood soup, just a bit under seasoned and too much bean sprouts. The salmon skin salad was excellent with nicely roasted smoked salmon skin mixed with a bit of eel sauce, delicious, crunchy and one of my favorites that you don't see everywhere. I also enjoyed the scallops sashimi, large fresh raw scallops with a nice delicate flavor and texture. The maki rolls were good as well, nicely sized with plenty of filling. I did really enjoy the Super Lobster Roll with shrimp tempura, cucumbers, avocado then topped with lobster salad; the lobster salad was a nice treat, although I think it was made with lagostino lobsters it was still tasty. I also liked their version of spider roll, the soft shell crab was crispy and flavorful. I enjoyed my meal at Sake Sushi, dinner was $30 for all you can eat. The sushi and sashimi were very good, of course not quite the same quality as the best sushi bars but pretty close. Service was good and there are plenty of choices, including noodle dishes, fried rice, hibachi and tempura. The decor is a bit of a miss, but nothing that will keep you from enjoying your meal. Well worth a try if you are hungry and feel like some sushi and Japanese food.

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Nori Sushi & Grill

4.3

(31 reviews)

4.0 mi

Quite possibly not just the worst sushi, but the worst food I've ever had in my life! The young…read morewoman in front was friendly and seemed nice, but had zero knowledge about the food. She called the sushi "chef" (that's a stretch in this case!) several times to answer questions. I asked if there were any spicy rolls, and he suggested a few, but they all contained imitation crab, which I find unappetizing. I finally settled on a Spicy Salmon Roll and a Soft Shell Crab Roll. I also ordered a Miso Soup. The Miso Soup arrived first, and it was a very watered-down version of Miso Soup with no umami. I stopped and pushed it aside after a couple of spoonfuls. The rolls arrived, and I was about to ask for wasabi and pickled ginger when I noticed these little pre-packaged plastic bags of wasabi and pickled ginger. I should have left then . . . a big mistake to stay. I started on the Spicy Salmon Roll. One bite and I knew I wouldn't enjoy it. I've never tasted such a mediocre take on sushi rolls. I ate two pieces because I was hungry, but it was all I could stomach. I looked at the Soft Shell Crab Roll and noticed that it contained imitation crab. I called the young woman over, and of course, she went and got the "chef". I told him that I didn't recall seeing imitation crab in the description of the roll on the menu. He said he'd make me a fresh batch without the imitation crab. The replacement roll came, and there were little red bits of something sprinkled on top of each slice. I called the young woman over and asked her what it was. She insisted that it was tobiko. Honey, I'm from California, and I know tobiko when I see it. This ain't tobiko. I gave her the benefit of the doubt. Again, another big mistake. I took a bite and quickly spat it out because my chest suddenly felt constricted. I started coughing, and tears began streaming down my face. My mouth felt like there had been a chemical explosion, and I had trouble breathing. I called the girl over again and, with a raspy voice, asked her what was in the roll. Of course, she called the "chef", and instead of answering my question, he told me he would refund me for the roll. My curiosity got the better of me. I was pretty certain it was the little red bits of "tobiko" that caused the reaction I had, so I scraped them off the next roll and removed the piece of soft shell crab, ate it, and it was fine. I braved myself and took a bite of the roll with the "tobiko", and had the same reaction as before. That was it. I'd had enough of this wannabe sushi joint. I gathered my things, told the young woman this was the worst food I've ever had, and left. That was such a frightening experience. The pain in my chest subsided after an hour or so, but my voice remained raspy for the rest of the day. I will never go back and wouldn't recommend this place to my worst enemy. How this place garnered 4.4 stars is beyond me. Giving it 1 star is being overly generous!

Delicious sushi for a good price, and located close to my home. Perfect for a lunch date or take…read moreout at home! My husband and I stopped in a few months ago, and we enjoyed it so much that we did take out for New Year's Eve. We chose Tree City, Yummy, Dragon, and Mini Volcano rolls. Don't skip out on this absolute gem!

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Yummy roll

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Very easy to spot!

Sushi Lover Madison

We had lunch here today and honestly -- we loved it! The way it works: it's $18 per person for…read moreall-you-can-eat (alcohol is extra), but if you waste food, they charge you -- totally fair. We ordered 3 Philadelphia rolls, a dragon roll, shrimp tempura, rainbow roll, 3 miso soups, and finished with ice cream for dessert. Total for two people came out to $40 before tip -- and we were stuffed! Everything was super fresh and tasted amazing. The quality of the ingredients really stood out. Service? Absolutely incredible. Our server, Kelsey, was handling multiple tables but still gave us top-notch attention -- seriously, one of the best service experiences I've had in the U.S. The vibe inside was cozy and clean, and the bathrooms were spotless too. If I could give it 10 out of 10, I would. Highly, highly recommend!

This place used to be pretty good, but the service is now abysmal. It seems to be entirely…read moreunmanaged or supervised, and the food quality has fallen to half of what it was while the bar quality is now nonexistent. I would describe its current ambiance as similar to the waiting room in a dentist office. Hard pass.

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Jacknife

4.4

(99 reviews)

1.5 mi

We were on the east side and decided to try Jacknife which is affiliated with RED. Parking can be a…read morelittle tricky; there's some street parking, but it really depends on your luck. Thankfully, we came around 1 pm after the lunch rush, and managed to find a couple of spots. We ordered online ahead of time, and pickup was quick and easy. When I walked in, I didn't immediately see my name at the pickup area, but the cashier was helpful and handed me my order right away. The packaging was really nice, and we got the lunch special (half bowl). The flavor was good overall, though the rice was a bit overcooked and on the mushy side. I also would've liked a little more salad dressing. That said, the salmon was fresh, and the portion size was decent. At $18, it's on the pricier side for lunch, but the quality and amount of food made it worth it.

Stopped in for dinner on a Thursday night. Lots of seating available, it wasn't too busy. I ordered…read morethe salmon nigiri and orange crunch roll. Both were good but pretty expensive. Decent spot for quick sushi.

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ANGRY BADGER, PEAR PRESSURE, MISO SOUP

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Niji Asian Cuisine

4.0

(48 reviews)

5.7 mi

Checked out Niji for hibachi during a weekday for a late lunch. We were both happy with our steak…read moreand shrimp hibachi meals. It even included fried rice plus either a salad or soup. Our hibachi chef was very entertaining even though it was just for the two of us. The food was plentiful, fresh and seasoned nicely. No complaints.

First time here and it was yummy! The crab rangoons were super unique-- crunchy with lots of…read morefilling. I had the crunch 2-in-1 roll which was filling, tasty, and prepared well. Service was excellent-- super attentive and checked in the perfect amount. There is plenty of space in the restaurant with lots of rooms and busy with conversation. I wish I could order smaller quantities of more variety instead of just a giant roll, but the taste definitely delivers.

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Seating Area and Sushi Bar at Niji

Godzilla Roll, Tokyo Roll, and Spicy Shrimp Tempura Roll

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Bento Box with Teriyaki Chicken and Teriyaki Shrimp at Niji

Bradbury's

Very small but usually quiet on a weekday. Weekends are crazy busy! Great natural lighting. Great…read morefor catching up with a friend or getting some work done. Workers are very nice and hardworking! The coffee is some of the BEST you can get in Madison. I have never been disappointed with an order. Same with the food! My favorite is their ham, Gruyère, mustard crepe but I recently tried their ramp pesto, egg, and balsamic reduction crepe and it was also DELICIOUS! Their sweet crepes are amazing, as well. I recommend the lemon curd one as it is not overly sweet.

Such a cute little cafe! Went on the recommendation from a chef at the restaurant we ate at the…read morenight prior and he did not steer us wrong. I got a vanilla latte, the espresso is smooth and tasty, and lets the true coffee taste shine! You won't find crazy drinks with all the frills here but if you want quality coffee/espresso from good beans, this place has it! I wish I had tried a crepe, saw them going to other tables and they looked fire. It gets busy so recommend getting there early if you can!

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Indoor

Bacon & Brussel Sprout Crepe

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Madison Sourdough

I had the root vegetable quiche, and coffee, he had a Mexican breakfast and seemed happy with it…read more We bought pastries and bread to go. I love the "immigrants welcome here" message, and the self-serve atmosphere they share. It's all good for the community. We'll be back.

This stylish bakery and cafe is a great place for lunch or dinner…read more I had the golden beet Reuben with sauerkraut on their caraway rye bread, which was absolutely delicious! This is a great vegetarian sandwich - I'm not sure if it can be made vegan. The kid's turkey sandwich is really nice and comes on a freshly baked roll with a generous side of fresh fruit-it doesn't come with mayo or another spread, so you might want to ask for. The bread was delicious and I was sad, but not surprised, there were almost no loaves left for purchase. The only negative was the greens served with the sandwich. The mixed greens were fresh, but had almost no dressing or any other veggies or toppings included.

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Vintage Brewing

Fabulous Food with great Customer Service!!!…read more Had a nice bite to eat with my flight crew after arriving in Madison. When I stop in I have to get the Fried Cheese Curds along with Buffalo sauce so I can toss them and add even more flavor! The pretzels are handmade and huge! They also come with honey mustard and cheese. They have an extensive beer menu and a great casual vibe! Addi was amazing and I hope I get to be seated in her section next time I'm there.

I love Vintage!!! I usually stop at Vintage East but was meeting my daughter. This visit wasn't as…read moregood as normal, but still great overall. I always get a house salad and I opted for soup this round. The soup was so ick. It was French Onion and it was weirdly sweet. My daughter ordered a shrimp rice bowl that seemed very skimpy. There was a good amount of shrimp but they were very light on the rest. Also ordered an old fashioned sour and it was really good! The staff was amazing and helpful especially when my reward app wasn't working properly. Of course we will be back as this is one of our regular stops.

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Thai Salad

Exterior

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Black & Bleu burger with a fried egg, Sidewinder Fries

Le C’s Patisserie & Tea House

Tasty! Ordered via Uber Eats and was fast and cold. I got it with 100% sugar and it was the perfect…read moreafternoon sweet treat. Will be back & would order the same thing again (Ancient Brown Sugar boba tea)

Favorite spot in Madison for boba! The Lychee with Mango and Strawberry Jelly/荔久迷心 is my favorite…read moredrink to get, and it never fails to disappoint. It comes with very cute star-shaped mango jelly and heart-shaped strawberry jelly. Reasonable prices, and the baristas are very quick at making drinks! Lots of students come here to study or hang out. It was a little crowded, but not too noisy of a spot. Very casual café spot and a great option to hang out with friends.

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Durian Cake Roll/榴莲卷 ($11) - it's good! Really light and fluffy. Not too sweet. Has durian pieces inside the whipped cream filling.

Inside of Taro Mochi Puff Bread ($5.49) - bread is soft and has a layer of flaky Chinese pastry on the outside. Not overly sweet!

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Durian Cake Roll/榴莲卷 ($11) - it's good! Really light and fluffy. Not too sweet. Has durian pieces inside the whipped cream filling.

Ledger Coffee Roasters

great place, my uncles friend Steven works there. he is the best at making what ever you need, form…read morechai to matcha to just a regular coffee its allways good, nice little spot outside to sit and drink your beverage. speedy and nice employees. always clean. if i could give a 6 just for the chai i would.

This place gave me New York coffee shop vibe, but in the snooty way. Is their coffee good, yes. Was…read morethe wait long, yes. Were the staff friendly...not really. This place is giving, no nonsense, here's your coffee - get it and go with a premium price. I would say their location is prime - being the only coffee shop inside garver feed mill, so they will always have a steady stream of people, plus orders online, which added to the wait. Was it worth it - to have a coffee while strolling, I suppose. Any time else, not really.

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Lazy Jane's

One of my fav breakfast spots (and really the only) that I went to when I lived in Madison. I still…read morehave dreams about the raspberry and lemon scones. Menu isn't your typical breakfast that you find, though they do have a basic eggs, hash-brown, and protein w/ toast option. Chai tea latte was always good, however, very very hot. Sometimes too hot to enjoy with breakfast so I'd recommend asking for them to not make it with scalding hot water. If you want to get the scones, make sure you get there early before all the good ones run out. Service here was meh. Typical order food at the register and find your own place to sit. No personalism with the staff at the register really. Again, make sure you get here early as sometimes later in the morning or afternoon you'll have to wait for seating. This goes for parking. Sometimes the parking lot is a disaster. Very cutely decorated, overall 10/10 recommend

Scones were amazing and iced coconut latte was also really good. We had the lemon and chocolate…read morescone; lemon was moist and fresh but chocolate was a tad bit dry. Biggest negative was the staff. The lady that took our order was dismissive and rude. When we ordered an iced latte, we asked for a small and she said in a negative and derogatory tone that we couldn't and needed to get a large. I thought I was overthinking it but the person I was with also agreed that she was overly rude. We noticed WiFi was not available so we asked about this too and she was very dismissive and simply said no WiFi available then.

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Upstairs

Granola with berries and banana

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Morning bun

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Greta M.

8 years ago

I was visiting town for work and ordered delivery for dinner. Everything was delicious, fresh, and my order arrived early. I would absolutely order again when I return to the area! The only negative that I want to mention is that I was caught unexpected with the delivery person knocking on my hotel room door, the delivery status was not even showing that my food was on its way yet. read more

Janna L.

2 years ago

I absolutely love this poke place! The portions are generous, especially the fish, which is fresh and plentiful. The owners are friendly as well! It's a great spot for college students because it's not too expensive considering how much food you get. The interior also has plenty of seating. Highly recommend! read more

James Z.

8 years ago

Way lacking atmosphere and mood. Seemed a little grimy in a very old building. Food was less than average and I am definitely going to get poké somewhere else next time since multiple much better poke restaurants opened in Madison. read more

Michelle R.

6 years ago

O M G!! This place is AWESOME !! There is such a variety of fresh, beautiful yumminess in a burrito OR a bowl. Seriously.. this is a must go place. read more