Restaurant roulette
Upcoming East Austin development reels in local poke shop as others pull out
With all the restaurant shuffles over the past year, East Austin’s Plaza Saltillo has had more twists and turns than the Real Housewives franchise. Now it's adding another addition to the cast.
A rep for Poke Austin has confirmed that a second location of the popular Sunset Valley eatery will open in the ambitious mixed-use development in January 2020. The shop will be similar to the original, which opened at 5601 Brodie Ln. in 2018.
Like most area restaurants with “poke” in the name (Pok-e-Jo’s being the exception), Poke Austin offers build-your-own versions of the signature Hawaiian bowl along with a suggested options for those who do not want to flex their creativity.
Bases like rice, quinoa, and spring salad mix can be topped with raw or cooked seafood, tofu, Wagyu, or Spam and mixed with a choice of vegetables, sauces, and add-ons. Poke Austin differentiates itself with some uncommon ingredients, including octopus, oshinko (a type of Japanese pickle), and fukujinzuke (a crunchy condiment often served with curry).
The rep tells CultureMap that all the customers' favorites will be identical at the new location, but the business will be expanding its beverage program. On tap will be more beer, wine, and sake options.
The announcement of the upcoming Poke Austin marks a tumultuous period for Plaza Saltillo. Over the past few months, San Antonio seafood eatery Pinch Boil House and Tex-Mex chain Chuy’s have pulled out of planned locations, while the Kebab Shop and Japanese barbecue restaurant Gyu-Kaku have signed on, joining flagship tenants like Target and Whole Foods Market.
