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What a cute spot in Costa Mesa! The shop's vibe has captured Hawaii so well; I feel like I'm transported when I step inside. I ordered the poke bowl with 3 kinds of fish; unfortunately, they all sounded much better than they tasted. The fish was definitely fresh but could've used more flavor and ideally, more toppings/sauces on the poke bowl. The wonton chips were a generous portion alongside the bowl.
I wish I had loved this place more but I just found the food to be overpriced and dry. The spam was overly packed with rice.. and the sushi bowl was just so small for the $20 + we paid for. We tried to order a hot sandwich and they said the chef said they were not offering that today, it was 2:30 pm, it would have been nice to maybe put a sign on there stating that, as it seemed we weren't the only ones left confused. Inside it's super fun, they have so many different Hawaiian goodies, merch to choose from so aesthetically it is pleasing to the eye but I don't know if I'd make the trek over here to try this again..
We visited Exit 8 Bodega around 1:15 pm on a weekday during their soft opening, and it was BUSY. It took about an hour before we were able to order, and parking in the plaza was pretty tight. If the front is full, I'd recommend driving farther into the plaza since there seemed to be more parking toward the back. We ordered two bowls, both with Thai Ahi, Kilauea Salmon, Spicy Crab, and Seaweed Salad. They let us sample the different poke flavors before choosing, which I really appreciated because everything we tried was delicious and it was genuinely difficult to decide. We also got a small sample of the Pineapple and Strawberry Dole Whip, which was really tasty. The fish was incredibly fresh and high quality during our visit. I've seen reviews mention inconsistent cuts and fish quality, but I can only speak to what we received, and everything in our bowls was honestly perfect. I've also seen some comments about the portions being small, particularly for the poke-only purchases, but I found the bowls to be very generous. My partner and I honestly could have gotten away with sharing one. It is a little pricey, but I was happy with the amount of food we received. The staff was very kind, but I did feel for them because they seemed overwhelmed by how busy the soft opening was. Fish was running out faster than they could prepare more, which likely contributed to the long wait. Hopefully things stabilize as they settle in because I genuinely think that if the quality I experienced is consistent, Exit 8 Bodega could be a really great poke spot in OC. The inside is small but SO cute, and I love the whole vibe and decor. Despite the long soft-opening wait, I had an amazing experience and really enjoyed the food. I'm hoping my next visit is just as good, and I'd also love to come back and try their breakfast menu.
Spicy Ahi flavor is so fire and definitely hits the spot! Whatever sauce they put on there was for sure perfected! However, the portions were def NOT it and extremely small for the price. A customer In front of us ordered 1 lb but the container looked like just one scoop lmao. Needless to say, he was not happy. Should we bring our own scale to compare? Lmao. We ordered a 1 choice poke bowl which looked like half a scoop of poke with a thin layer of rice. We did get a full scoop of crab salad so I'm grateful for that. Poke ETC and Ry's Poke def give you a generous portion for the price. In addition, the poke containers are constantly taken out of fridge and put on counter at room temp so they are not held are proper temp for food safety standards. Yikes! I've seen poke places where they scoop straight from the fridge to maintain the proper temp. Furthermore, we only asked for 3 samples where we were provided with a bitter attitude. Such a drastic mood change from serving us vs the person behind us. I like the flavor but for everything else, I don't know if we will return.
We went here during the soft opening towards the end of the day. The line was still long and we knew we probably wouldn't have a lot of options. There was only a little of the regular hawaiian tuna left so we got that. There's also some hawaiian merch and products here but they're overpriced so I wouldn't buy them here. We also got a dole whip swirl and I they're even more expensive than the dole whip at Disneyland lol. At first glance it seemed disappointing at the proportion of the fish we got. But as we were close to finishing we realized it was enough. The fish chunks are quite large than a usually poke place so they are filling. It's not exactly the same as the poke in Hawaii however the fish quality is still the closest that you can find in OC. I personally did think the marinade was quite weak. I normally don't add soy sauce to poke but in this case I needed to. It's hard to say since we pretty much got the last scraps of that tuna so I wonder if it would've tasted better when there were more in stock. I don't mind trying here one more time later when the hype goes down a bit to try other poke.
The pokes we got were so fresh and each piece of fish was generously cut!! It is definitely a lil pricy for the portion but the quality and service makes it more worth (also family business) They allow you to sample the poke to choose your favorite flavor which I really appreciated. Definitely recommend stopping by this spot!'
Fun Hawaiian snacks and themed interior! Unfortunately, it did not live up to the social media hype. Poke was drenched in sauce and crabmeat was added to the poke, as a filler. Wonton chips were stale. Portions were small. Prices are on the higher end and not well displayed. - $12 for wonton chips - $9 for 1/4 lb of poke - $20 for 2 protein poke bowl (no other toppings except crabmeat
'Ai Pono has been one of my go-to Hawaiian spots in Orange County for a long time, so I had high hopes when they opened Exit 8 Bodega. It lives up to the family name. It's a grab-and-go spot built for a quick fix of sandwiches, poke and musubi. Before you even get inside, the hula girl painted on the window tells you where you're headed. Local Moco Sandwich: The star of the visit. It's an open-faced loco moco with bread instead of rice. They drown it in a dark, glossy brown gravy, then top it with a smooth layer of egg and a handful of fresh chives. The gravy was savory and deep, and the egg made the whole thing even richer. It got the flavors exactly right. Bring a fork and lots of napkins. This sandwich isn't trying to be neat. Guava Brisket Musubi: Don't skip this one. The brisket was fall-apart tender, and the guava glaze gave it a sweet, tangy edge that worked really well with the rice and nori. It's six bucks well spent. Spam Musubi: It was fine. It's the classic, done the classic way. It didn't blow me away, but Spam musubi doesn't have to. Egg Salad Sandwich: It came on toasted bread, which I really appreciated. The crunch held up to the creamy filling, so you get a soft center with crisp edges in every bite. Ahi Poke: Fresh, bright and delicious. The case is lined with more than a dozen options, from wasabi garlic and truffle garlic ahi to kimchi tako. That's dangerous for anyone who can't make a decision. The poke was clearly the real thing. The wonton strips on the side didn't add much, so next time I'll skip them and save room for more fish. The catch: There's no seating. It's takeout only, so plan to eat on the hood of your car or bring it home. If you need a quick bite, though, this is a great option. Overall, a few bites in and I was back on vacation in Hawaii. Exit 8 is an off-ramp worth taking.
Little spot in a strip mall. Pretty hard to find until you're right in front of the store. No seating and just a line. To be honest I think it was pretty mid. I think the portions are way too stingy, considering a fourth pound is like a container not even close to fully filled. I rather have a pricier spot that does fill your container all the way; however, this place is more expensive with smaller portions than others. It's to the point that they samples, but you could see the lady in the back looking uncomfortable giving them out. Vibes were just off. As for the fish itself, I think it was alright and wasn't anything stand out from other spots. it looked good and tasted fresh, sauce gave it another layer of texture, but the taste itself was pretty boring despite the look. Beef tallow wonton chips were solid too. Not super different from normal wonton chips and again extremely overpriced. I think prices not considered, I still wouldn't go back, atleast for poke. You can find better taste else where and go out with an overall better experience
I kept seeing this place on insta so since it was in the same shopping center as Sidecar, I had to stop. There was already a little line at 10:45am. So I figured I'd wait. They have a wide variety of poki flavors and you can try them. It does slow the line down but what can you do. I ended up getting 2 of the 1/4 lb poki of spicy ahi and garlic spicy salmon. It was $9/1/4. But as you can see, it barely covers the container. I took it home and measured it, yes it's 1/4lb but that includes the container. Wow! As others have said, got to Bear Flags instead!! I tried so I'm good.
Went to check out this Hawaii-Inspired bodega from the folks from one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE places to grub in OC, Ai Pono Cafe! Place had a great variety of everything I would want; Poke by the pound, sandos, Musubis, Tako, etc. plus a really unique dessert menu and shaved ice! Hype is definitely high right now with a bit of a wait to get into the place itself but totally worth it for the freshness and delicious flavors/variety of the Poke! Got myself a nice selection of Poke and loved every single one of their savory/spicy/umami recipes! Looking forward to trying more items on the next round!
amazing flavor of poke, fresh fish There is a line so there will be a bit of wait, no ac inside but a big fan so it is a little humid but not too bad There are sampling of poke when you reach the counter and the staffs are very nice and partient! There are little snacks and dessert you can grab when you make your way around the line I got the furikake and kilauea salmon for two protein bowls, it comes with crab salad The flavors on the poke are marinated perfectly and not too spicy There are plenty parking but no seating area
Busy parking lot. Great tasting items, sampled several of the pokes they had which were all great. Additionally they have chicken musubi which I loved since I do not eat pork. Must try spot if In the area.
14 days ago
This was all over my hubby's FYP and ofc we had to make the 100+ miles round trip out to Costa Mesa to try it out during a poke craving wknd. The vibes in here were on point-jamz and the fresh scent of poke, shoyu and sesame oil. We tried the spicy mayo ahi bowl and kimchi Tako. Everything tasted fresh and perfectly seasoned. The rice tasted slightly seasoned like sushi rice, not bad however we're used to plain white rice. It was surprisingly quiet on a Sunday at noon- we must've got there before a lunch rush. They have merch, shaved ice, Hawaiian drinks and other stuff. Next time I'll come back to try the loco moco!! read more
16 days ago
Good but the small portions are expensive. I wasn't a huge fan of the chicken or brisket musubis ($5-$6). The purchased three 1/4 pound pork for $27. I'd really like to a little more portions. I'm glad I waited after the hype simmered down. The store is really cute and on theme. It's located at Fifth Street Promenade next to Nothing Bundt Cakes and parking can be tough during busy lunch and afternoon hours. read more
To start, it's expensive. The quality and portion sizes don't justify the prices, especially considering that the fish didn't taste very fresh. On top of that, the service was really disappointing. I wasn't greeted when I walked in, and from the moment I stepped inside, I genuinely felt like I was bothering the staff just by being there. Nothing was explained to us, and the guy who served us was extremely monotone and unhelpful. The store is small and is meant to be to-go, as there aren't any seatings available. read more
What a cute spot in Costa Mesa! The shop's vibe has captured Hawaii so well; I feel like I'm transported when I step inside. I ordered the poke bowl with 3 kinds of fish; unfortunately, they all sounded much better than they tasted. The fish was definitely fresh but could've used more flavor and ideally, more toppings/sauces on the poke bowl. The wonton chips were a generous portion alongside the bowl. read more
I wish I had loved this place more but I just found the food to be overpriced and dry. The spam was overly packed with rice.. and the sushi bowl was just so small for the $20 + we paid for. We tried to order a hot sandwich and they said the chef said they were not offering that today, it was 2:30 pm, it would have been nice to maybe put a sign on there stating that, as it seemed we weren't the only ones left confused. Inside it's super fun, they have so many different Hawaiian goodies, merch to choose from so aesthetically it is pleasing to the eye but I don't know if I'd make the trek over here to try this again.. read more
We visited Exit 8 Bodega around 1:15 pm on a weekday during their soft opening, and it was BUSY. It took about an hour before we were able to order, and parking in the plaza was pretty tight. If the front is full, I'd recommend driving farther into the plaza since there seemed to be more parking toward the back. We ordered two bowls, both with Thai Ahi, Kilauea Salmon, Spicy Crab, and Seaweed Salad. They let us sample the different poke flavors before choosing, which I really appreciated because everything we tried was delicious and it was genuinely difficult to decide. We also got a small sample of the Pineapple and Strawberry Dole Whip, which was really tasty. The fish was incredibly fresh and high quality during our visit. I've seen reviews mention inconsistent cuts and fish quality, but I can only speak to what we received, and everything in our bowls was honestly perfect. I've also seen some comments about the portions being small, particularly for the poke-only purchases, but I found the bowls to be very generous. My partner and I honestly could have gotten away with sharing one. It is a little pricey, but I was happy with the amount of food we received. The staff was very kind, but I did feel for them because they seemed overwhelmed by how busy the soft opening was. Fish was running out faster than they could prepare more, which likely contributed to the long wait. Hopefully things stabilize as they settle in because I genuinely think that if the quality I experienced is consistent, Exit 8 Bodega could be a really great poke spot in OC. The inside is small but SO cute, and I love the whole vibe and decor. Despite the long soft-opening wait, I had an amazing experience and really enjoyed the food. I'm hoping my next visit is just as good, and I'd also love to come back and try their breakfast menu. read more
2 months ago
Spicy Ahi flavor is so fire and definitely hits the spot! Whatever sauce they put on there was for sure perfected! However, the portions were def NOT it and extremely small for the price. A customer In front of us ordered 1 lb but the container looked like just one scoop lmao. Needless to say, he was not happy. Should we bring our own scale to compare? Lmao. We ordered a 1 choice poke bowl which looked like half a scoop of poke with a thin layer of rice. We did get a full scoop of crab salad so I'm grateful for that. Poke ETC and Ry's Poke def give you a generous portion for the price. In addition, the poke containers are constantly taken out of fridge and put on counter at room temp so they are not held are proper temp for food safety standards. Yikes! I've seen poke places where they scoop straight from the fridge to maintain the proper temp. Furthermore, we only asked for 3 samples where we were provided with a bitter attitude. Such a drastic mood change from serving us vs the person behind us. I like the flavor but for everything else, I don't know if we will return. read more
2 months ago
We went here during the soft opening towards the end of the day. The line was still long and we knew we probably wouldn't have a lot of options. There was only a little of the regular hawaiian tuna left so we got that. There's also some hawaiian merch and products here but they're overpriced so I wouldn't buy them here. We also got a dole whip swirl and I they're even more expensive than the dole whip at Disneyland lol. At first glance it seemed disappointing at the proportion of the fish we got. But as we were close to finishing we realized it was enough. The fish chunks are quite large than a usually poke place so they are filling. It's not exactly the same as the poke in Hawaii however the fish quality is still the closest that you can find in OC. I personally did think the marinade was quite weak. I normally don't add soy sauce to poke but in this case I needed to. It's hard to say since we pretty much got the last scraps of that tuna so I wonder if it would've tasted better when there were more in stock. I don't mind trying here one more time later when the hype goes down a bit to try other poke. read more
2 months ago
The pokes we got were so fresh and each piece of fish was generously cut!! It is definitely a lil pricy for the portion but the quality and service makes it more worth (also family business) They allow you to sample the poke to choose your favorite flavor which I really appreciated. Definitely recommend stopping by this spot!' read more
2 months ago
Fun Hawaiian snacks and themed interior! Unfortunately, it did not live up to the social media hype. Poke was drenched in sauce and crabmeat was added to the poke, as a filler. Wonton chips were stale. Portions were small. Prices are on the higher end and not well displayed. - $12 for wonton chips - $9 for 1/4 lb of poke - $20 for 2 protein poke bowl (no other toppings except crabmeat read more
27 days ago
'Ai Pono has been one of my go-to Hawaiian spots in Orange County for a long time, so I had high hopes when they opened Exit 8 Bodega. It lives up to the family name. It's a grab-and-go spot built for a quick fix of sandwiches, poke and musubi. Before you even get inside, the hula girl painted on the window tells you where you're headed. Local Moco Sandwich: The star of the visit. It's an open-faced loco moco with bread instead of rice. They drown it in a dark, glossy brown gravy, then top it with a smooth layer of egg and a handful of fresh chives. The gravy was savory and deep, and the egg made the whole thing even richer. It got the flavors exactly right. Bring a fork and lots of napkins. This sandwich isn't trying to be neat. Guava Brisket Musubi: Don't skip this one. The brisket was fall-apart tender, and the guava glaze gave it a sweet, tangy edge that worked really well with the rice and nori. It's six bucks well spent. Spam Musubi: It was fine. It's the classic, done the classic way. It didn't blow me away, but Spam musubi doesn't have to. Egg Salad Sandwich: It came on toasted bread, which I really appreciated. The crunch held up to the creamy filling, so you get a soft center with crisp edges in every bite. Ahi Poke: Fresh, bright and delicious. The case is lined with more than a dozen options, from wasabi garlic and truffle garlic ahi to kimchi tako. That's dangerous for anyone who can't make a decision. The poke was clearly the real thing. The wonton strips on the side didn't add much, so next time I'll skip them and save room for more fish. The catch: There's no seating. It's takeout only, so plan to eat on the hood of your car or bring it home. If you need a quick bite, though, this is a great option. Overall, a few bites in and I was back on vacation in Hawaii. Exit 8 is an off-ramp worth taking. read more
3 months ago
Little spot in a strip mall. Pretty hard to find until you're right in front of the store. No seating and just a line. To be honest I think it was pretty mid. I think the portions are way too stingy, considering a fourth pound is like a container not even close to fully filled. I rather have a pricier spot that does fill your container all the way; however, this place is more expensive with smaller portions than others. It's to the point that they samples, but you could see the lady in the back looking uncomfortable giving them out. Vibes were just off. As for the fish itself, I think it was alright and wasn't anything stand out from other spots. it looked good and tasted fresh, sauce gave it another layer of texture, but the taste itself was pretty boring despite the look. Beef tallow wonton chips were solid too. Not super different from normal wonton chips and again extremely overpriced. I think prices not considered, I still wouldn't go back, atleast for poke. You can find better taste else where and go out with an overall better experience read more
I kept seeing this place on insta so since it was in the same shopping center as Sidecar, I had to stop. There was already a little line at 10:45am. So I figured I'd wait. They have a wide variety of poki flavors and you can try them. It does slow the line down but what can you do. I ended up getting 2 of the 1/4 lb poki of spicy ahi and garlic spicy salmon. It was $9/1/4. But as you can see, it barely covers the container. I took it home and measured it, yes it's 1/4lb but that includes the container. Wow! As others have said, got to Bear Flags instead!! I tried so I'm good. read more
Went to check out this Hawaii-Inspired bodega from the folks from one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE places to grub in OC, Ai Pono Cafe! Place had a great variety of everything I would want; Poke by the pound, sandos, Musubis, Tako, etc. plus a really unique dessert menu and shaved ice! Hype is definitely high right now with a bit of a wait to get into the place itself but totally worth it for the freshness and delicious flavors/variety of the Poke! Got myself a nice selection of Poke and loved every single one of their savory/spicy/umami recipes! Looking forward to trying more items on the next round! read more
amazing flavor of poke, fresh fish There is a line so there will be a bit of wait, no ac inside but a big fan so it is a little humid but not too bad There are sampling of poke when you reach the counter and the staffs are very nice and partient! There are little snacks and dessert you can grab when you make your way around the line I got the furikake and kilauea salmon for two protein bowls, it comes with crab salad The flavors on the poke are marinated perfectly and not too spicy There are plenty parking but no seating area read more
Already a huge fan of Ai Pono, so was ecstatic to see that the owner opened up a different concept. Saw the spot pop up on IG and wanted to try asap, so drove straight down today to check out the spot. They literally just opened so be patient! Arrived around 1030 since I saw the hours were 0800, the sign on the door said 0900-1800! So heads up! Love the decor and the vibe of the place. Lots of Hawaiian merch and snacks. Plenty of poke options. Got the 3 poke combo with wonton chips. Ordered the Kilauea, Hawaiian, & Spicy Mayo all in tuna. Also ordered a 1/4 of the Thai Tuna Poke. All were so fresh and bursting in flavor. The Thai Tuna poke and Kilauea are probably my favorite. The Thai tuna has a total punch of flavor when it comes to the lime. I can taste the zest and then the bits of chili with sweet onion is just addicting to eat. The Kilauea had a bit if kanikama(crab salad) and masago in it. The spicy mayo and Hawaiian were also both excellent, but I would say the Thai and Kilauea stood out on uniqueness. Poke isn't overpowered with sauce or marinade. You can still taste the fish. So fresh! Wonton chips are fried in house. Still have yet to try the Ube tres leches but will update later once I try a bite. The food really reminded me of Hawaii and appreciate that we have a taste of Hawaii so close to home now. Since it's still soft opening they didn't have the hot sandwiches available just yet but excited to come back later on to try that and the shave ice! Location: Also, the sign isn't updated on the strip mall. They are right where the invitation store sign is at, next to the photo lab store. Plenty of parking! read more
3 months ago
An awesome new Masubi and Poke spot from AiPono. The esthetics are freakin cool here. It looks like a small bodega on the island. There's lots to see and purchase here. I got the 3 pole combo and a 2 pole combo to make sure I try most of the pole recipes. My favorite was the Thai poke and the house poke they have. I got one on white rice and another on wonton chips. Fresh made wonton chips. 4/5 stars. Each was 20 and 16 bucks for the bowls. I got the short rib 3 pc 4/5 stars super thick and meaty portions. Pork belly Masubi was just ok to me. The pork wasn't crispy in the outside and felt a little rubbery. Flavor was good but texture was off. 3/5 stars I was forth. Line today completely in accident but I got lucky. Hit tk try the soft serv and it was delicious. 4/5 stars The cucumbers were very tasty, but not super crispy. It seems like they were marinating in there for a little extra time possibly from the night before, but these were from the grabbing go fridge selection so that could make sense if it was made super fresh in the morning I bet would be super crispy. Otherwise the flavor was spot on just the texture was slightly off on this one as well. 3/5 Oh, and all those great spot to visit love the aesthetics makes you feel like you're somewhere else so many colors so many signs that I need to go back and really pay attention and take some better photos of each because I would like to appreciate the effort they put into the design read more
2 months ago
Ahhh, where do I even start? First off, the parking situation in this plaza is atrocious. If you're planning to come, I'd definitely recommend going before or after the lunch rush. When I arrived, there was already a line out the door. The shop itself is packed with all the Hawaiian vibes you can imagine, but it's a pretty tight space, so it felt extra crowded. The staff was super friendly, though! Unfortunately, most of the pies in the fridge were already gone, but I managed to snag a chocolate hopia pie ($8). I also got a side of tall (octopus) poke ($9) and two poke bowls ($16 each) one with rice and one with chips. I have to be honest, I was really disappointed with the portions. What they advertised on social media looked significantly more generous than what I received in person. Even my husband was shocked when he saw the bowls. (Photo below for comparison.) Maybe they're still figuring things out, as all new places do, and I'd definitely be willing to come back and see if things have improved. But at the prices I paid, the portions just weren't worth it for me this time around. Side note: I'm sure everyone knows where this plaza is. Stop honking and be patient. Everyone is trying to find parking so be nice. read more
Went on 07/31 around noon and there was a bit of a wait and not sure if it was a soft or grand opening. I loved the decor and little details of the whole place. There isn't any seating area inside sadly and not really anywhere to sit outside. Food however was really good! Poke was yummy, just wish there were free sides that come with the rice as well. Spam musubi was on point too can't go wrong with that. However, I will be coming back to try more of the poke options and other food too!! The dessert was all sold out last time I came so I lucked out on that but will forsure try to snag something next time. read more
2 months ago
Decided to try this place out after seeing it all over my IG feed. We came on a Sunday afternoon and there was ample parking as expected, there was a line out the door. It looked short but we waited probably around 30 minutes. I love how when you walk in it seems like you're instantly transported to Hawaii though with all the decor and different Hawaiian snacks to purchase. I also like that they allow you to sample the poke before you order. I ended up getting a spam musubi, seaweed salad and I think the Hawaiian poke (or whatever the original one is). The poke was good, it tasted fresh but I will say it could've used a little more flavor. Overall, it's a cool spot I just don't think it's worth waiting like more than 10 minutes for it. read more
Poke was pretty good, but the line was a bit long. Be prepared to wait a little, but it's definitely a good poke spot to try in the OC area. The ahi was so buttery. I loved all the decor, it felt like I was back in home in Hawaii! read more
2 months ago
Got there at 10:45AM right after they opened and there was no line. Poke was super fresh and good. Got the furikake salmon and the sesame ginger ahi. Beef tallow won ton chips were tasty! Will definitely come back to try the rest. The spot is in a strip mall between Shirley's bagels on one end and Jersey Mikes on the other. And if you go around the corner Stella Jeans and Sidecar. Yea there are no seats, but the complex has a shaded area across from sidecar with Tables. read more
15 days ago
2 months ago
Just for background im born and raised on Oahu. Solid poke, ive been 3 times and only had their spicy ahi, but its solid. Super fresh fish, you can tell from the texture, best poke ive ever had on the mainland. People complaining about price and flavor don't understand how expensive fresh fish is. This is quality you can taste. Lots of bad reviews are coming from people who have only ever had mainland poke, they dont even know that hawaiian style isnt supposed to be drowned in sauces and flavor read more
1 month ago
This is my first time here and this is ridiculous! How do you charge this much for poke and give this little of a portion. I paid for a 1/2 size and this is all I got?!! I can wait till bear flag opens for a better poke. You need to do better exit 8!! This is horrible!!!!! You didn't fill the container to make it a1/2 size. This is like 1 scoop and that was it!! Folks, do go here. This is terrible. read more
1 month ago
I've tried Ai Pono and honestly was not very impressed by it. I was willing to give this place a try since I went to Hawaii recently and fell in love with the poke there. It's a little deceiving that they had set containers of the different weight amounts. The weight amount is actually only half of the container and doesn't take up the entire container. The poke itself was pretty fresh and there were good options considering that we came close to closing. You can sample the different options that they have. They even let you sample the variety. It's also a shame that they don't let you mix flavors in the container. The Haupia Chocolate Pie was not a pie, there was no crust at all and was just jello, pudding, and whipped cream. The wonton chips were unusual to me, they tasted more like egg roll wrappers. The reason for my low rating is mainly the price, the 1/4 lb of poke was $9, haupia chocolate pie was $8, and small bag of wonton chips was $6. The store was difficult to find because there's no signage, so keep your eyes peeled. read more
3 months ago
I came to this place because someone on TikTok raved about how yummy and how the poke tasted very native to the poke in Hawaii. Upon arrival to the plaza it's in, it was kinda hidden. The plaza itself has terrible parking, but I remembered they use to have a huge sign on top, but I guess they don't anymore? Anyways, there was a huge line out the door, I thought to myself 'man it must be POPPIN' good for them.' I'm super hyped because there's a ton of different flavored selection of poke. And they let you sample it too. In my experience, poke places are very generous but when I looked at what I got, I was shook how little of the portion of poke I got... like the Tupperware wasn't even full. I got two different flavors and wonton chips. Yes it was yummy, but it was expensive. Kinda disappointing. read more
3 months ago
I wanted to love Exit 8 because the concept sounds great on paper, but the execution fell flat. We waited in a long line, only to get to the register and find out that over half the menu wasn't even available. They told us items like the sandos and shaved ice, were still in "testing phases"which is fine, but if half the kitchen isn't ready, those items shouldn't be listed in the first place or customers shoukd be informed way before joining the line. When we finally ordered, the line felt super rushed, but the service itself was surprisingly slow. The setup makes it almost impossible to actually look over or sample the poke options before choosing. To make matters worse, half of our order ended up being wrong when we got it. we were missing items and received completely wrong poke selections. As for the food itself: it's very overpriced for what you get. The portions were small, and the flavors were just okay. A little underwhelming. Most of the poke tasted virtually identical. It is heavy on the "inspired" by hawai and really didnt taste anything like poke in Hawaii. It feels like way too much effort went into making the space look cool, and not nearly enough into basic staff training, service, and food quality. Hopefully, they can iron out these operational issues bc they deserve to succeed, but right now, it's definitely not worth the price or the wait. read more
3 months ago
Got the poke bowl with California tuna, Thai tuna, spicy garlic salmon, and half rice half salad. The quality is definitely comparable to what I normally get at Foodland in Hawaii--everything was so fresh. I think my fave was the spicy garlic salmon, then Thai tuna which was basically lemongrass flavored. The California style tuna was good too but I prefer Foodlands version better..would still order again! My husband got the prime rib dip sando and really enjoyed it as well. Meat quality was great, sandwich was dripping with flavor. Excited to try their desserts next time.. really hoping the haupia pie is comparable to Ted's in Oahu! The line was just out the door when I got there but it moved reasonably quick since most people were there for the ready made poke. Took me about 20 min to go through the line and get my food. Vibes were great, music was loud and everyone there was excited for this new bodega to open up! Service was also great and helpful answering my questions. read more
3 months ago
WORTH THE HYPE! Chef doesn't miss. From the second you walk in, the hand painted signs, carefully chosen Hawaiian snacks, curated playlist, this place is a vibe. I came on day 2 of the soft opening. Full menu wasn't being served yet. I got 1/4 lb ahi wasabi garlic, 1/4 lb spicy mayo ahi, 1/4 lb furikake salmon, bag of wonton chips, and two spam musubis, $42. Perfect for two people. By far best poke in town (sorry, Ry's). Big cuts, fresh flavors, not drenched in sauces. HOT TIP do not pass up on the house wonton chips! They honestly were the biggest surprise, not too salty and has that umami taste. Line was out the door but took about 20 min until I had food in my hands. Will definitely be back to try the rest of the menu. read more
1 month ago
17 days ago
1 month ago
heard great things about this spot! was pretty disappointed when I spent $9 on a 1/4 container of spicy ahi and received what was pictured. The flavor was great, i just expected there to be more for the price. The employees were very kind and got my sister a spam musubi when they didn't have any available in the case. I can't say I would return until the value matches the portion sizes. read more
1 month ago
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