One of the favorite poke shops among Island-style enthusiasts is Ocean Beach’s It’s Raw, which is run by a duo from Oahu. No-frills ahi, salmon, octopus and more is served by the scoop or pound with corresponding scoops of rice and little else, the way its done on the islands.

The group behind Kettner Exchange opened a daytime poke spot in Pacific Beach in late 2016 called good time poke. Their bowls are ripe for customization with plenty of bells and whistles—known as mainland style poke—and come with fish like albacore, ahi and salmon and spicy shrimp. Tiki enthusiasts will know it as the adjoining restaurant to The Grass Skirt.

While Little Italy Food Hall’s Single Fin Kitchen doesn’t serve a traditional Hawaiian poke bowl, it does serve donburi bowls, which should satisfy any fish and rice in a bowl cravings. On any given day an order might be interrupted with fisherman trotting up to deliver his or her freshest catch, which should give customers an indication of just how well they’re sourcing their fish.

One of the Poke OGs is National City’s Poke Etc., which serves a variety of different fishes and accompanying sauces and dressings island style with rice. Word on the street is that they have a killer kalua pig, too.

Encinitas fish joint Fish 101 serves many of the best versions of various dishes in several categories. Known best for their fish taco, their poke is well worth a try, as well according to Neens Camilo of Ono Yum and the I Love Poke Festival.

Executive chef DJ Tangalin sources his fish from Pacific Shellfish, a company that he says is, “extremely picky with their fish. They buy straight off the dock from fishermen.” His award-winning poke, which was crowned the 2018 I Love Poke Festival winner, can be found on Bivouac’s regular menu.

College Area’s Fish Pit serves poke with fish they claim were line-caught. The protein options include tuna, salmon, tofu and an ever-changing seasonal fish.

Old school Filipino restaurant Zarlitos is known as one of the go-to island style poke spots in National City.