Tucson’s first poke-focused restaurant, PokeZone Sushi, will host its grand opening on Saturday, May 6. Guests who want an early preview can visit as early as Tuesday, May 2 for its soft opening.
Pharmacists and University of Arizona College of Pharmacy graduates Mobeen Moslem and Kevin Tran are the duo responsible for opening PokeZone.
“My family’s been in the restaurant industry for twenty-five years, while Kevin has his background in California where poke is popular,” Moslem said. “We wanted to bring another healthy, fresh, and flavorful option downtown.”
The 2,000-square-foot, 80-seat space at 54 W. Congress St. previously housed Rice House China Thai, which closed in April 2016. Now it features mostly black and white decor with dark wood tables.
“We did everything,” Moslem said. “Flooring, lighting, the whole place.”
PokeZone will have a full bar and offer four beers on tap once their liquor license is approved, hopefully in June.
Guests begin their order at the counter by choosing their base of white rice, brown rice, salad, half and half, or a poke burrito.
Next, they choose their scoop count ($9.25 for two scoops, $10.75 for three scoops, and $1.75 for each additional scoop) and type of protein:
- Spicy tuna
- Ahi tuna
- Salmon
- Yellowtail
- Octopus
Scallops are a possible addition down the line, Tran said. The protein is then tossed in one of the sauces available:
- House sauce (sesame ponzu)
- Ginger onion
- Spicy mayo
- Sweet chili
- Asian ginger salad dressing
- Eel sauce.
Lastly, guests choose from a variety of toppings:
- Crab mix
- Seaweed salad
- Cucumber
- Red onion
- Edamame
- Avocado
- Wonton strips
- Pickled ginger
- Wasabi
- Furikake
- Crispy onion
- Fresh jalapeño
- Green onion
- Chile flakes
Operating hours will be 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Saturday.
For more information, visit pokezonetucson.com.
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Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
