Da Poke Shack – Best Place To Eat in America

In the past year, Yelp.com reviewers rated Big Island’s Da Poke Shack as the “2014 #1 Best Place To Eat In America.” The #1 Best! Isn’t that so amazing? One of Hawai’i’s all time favorite ono grinds just won some national attention, and rightfully so from this Hawai’i eatery.

Da Poke Shack has two locations; the original spot located in Kailua-Kona at the Kona Bali Kai, and their newly opened second location in Captain Cook, on Mamalahoa Highway (right at mile marker 6). The Daily Meal rated Da Poke Shack as #9 out of “America’s 33 Best Seafood Shacks,” and Matt Duckor wrote a rave review for Bon Appetit Magazine in 2013 stating “there’s perhaps no better place to eat your weight in fish than Da Poke Shack.” So, why do all these publications think that Da Poke Shack is the bomb?

Not only does this poke palace buy all their seafood direct from local fishermen, but they serve it up fresh daily. So, that shoyu poke you love was caught this morning, and now you get to enjoy it for lunch. That’s pretty amazing, and it tastes way better than the frozen Yellowfin Tuna that’s commonly found at poke bars throughout the islands; although, we still love all that poke too…

When visiting either of Da Poke Shack locations, take advantage of as many of the selections as possible, go ahead and order a few things. Fish is sold by market weight, the Ahi is “A” sashimi grade, and you can even “Create Your Own” poke by combining your best version of all the goodies on the menu.

Two favorite choices are Pele’s Kiss and the Dynamite Poke. Pele’s Kiss is appropriately spicy just as you’d expect, and the Dynamite is super yummy with a creamy avocado aioli. The Shack Special Poke is a new and unique flavor, mixed with organic local honey and a miso base. Other items you should try are the heaping chunks of Kona King Crab (seasonal), Wet Hawaiian Poke, Spicy Garlic Sesame Poke, Tako Poke, Kimchi Mussels, Teriyaki Calamari, Raw Wasabi Tako, and the Cucumber Kimchi.

Yelp.com reviewers rave over the Poke Plate, so you should probably pick up one of those too. The Poke Plate comes with two scoops of your choice of white rice, brown rice, or quinoa (50 cents more) sprinkled with furikake, a 1/3 lb of your poke choice, and two sides. If you’re not so much into seafood, Da Poke Shack also has regular local style plate lunches with Lau Lau, Kalua Pork or Huli Huli Chicken. This spot is definitely worthy of a visit, check it out!