It’s been a few years now since we Tucsonans have been treated with fresh-cut, high-quality fish daily with housemade sauces at 6501 E. Grant Rd. The goodness is spreading now, too, with the addition of Pure Poke & Prep’s second location at 7315 N. Oracle Rd. #105.
Pure Poke specializes in authentic Hawaiian poke, which is fish cut into cubes and then tossed in housemade marinades made with authentic Aloha Soy.
Owner of Pure Poke, Greystone LaPoint, has been in the restaurant industry for at least 15 years, spending some time at local restaurants and helping with Tucson Originals food competitions like the Margarita Championship. When COVID struck its chord, LaPoint took some time off and even spent some time in O‘ahu eating as much as he could — growing quite fond of poke.
“I noticed there wasn’t a lot of poke in Tucson, as far as locally-owned spots, or people who were actually serving authentic marinated Hawaiian poke,” said LaPoint. “So, I opened my Grant Road location about three years ago and just opened my Oracle location in mid-December.”
For those that look forward to Fish Fridays here in the desert, LaPoint welcomes you with open arms and healthy options.
“Poke is a much better option for Fish Fridays as we are an Island-style raw poke bar, serving only Ahi Tuna Saku and sustainable fresh salmon, cut daily before lunch and before dinner,” said LaPoint. “All of our veggies are also cut daily and our sauces are all made from scratch in-house.”
“Poke is a considerably healthier option as well because our eight different Poke’s are made daily from fresh, raw lean proteins and packed with as many veggie toppings as a person can fit on the bowl.”
Over in the bowl department, it’s most of the toppings you’ve come to expect in a poke bowl with a few additions. And, of course everything is super fresh. Just like the fish, the veggies are cut fresh multiple times a day. Choose (or mix) from four different bases of white rice, brown rice, sesame noodles, and baby salad greens.
Poke bowl mix-ins include: avocado (+$1.50), purple cabbage, organic mixed carrots, cilantro, cucumbers, cucumber salad, edamame, ginger, green onion, jalapeño, mango, seaweed salad, maple-soy roasted sweet potatoes, wasabi, watermelon radish, and white onion.
Right now, both locations are open 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily.
Pure Poke & Prep is located at 6501 E Grant Rd. and 7315 N. Oracle Rd. #105. For more information, including social media pages, menu, and online ordering options, visit purepokeprep.com.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
