Seattle Fish Guys – Best Poke in Seattle

Seattle Fish Guys

Recommended by: After reading our Stop N Shop Poke post, my wife’s co-worker advised we need to hit up Seattle Fish Guys for the best poke.

Description on the Seattle Fish Guys website: “Fish handling is a lost art now. Everything is so processed now.
Being a third-generation fisherman, I handle fish out of respect, heritage, honor and tradition”-SAL PANELO, OWNER

Neighborhood/Type:  Central District

Address: 411 23rd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144

What we ate/drank:  Shoyu Tuna/Salmon Poke Bowl with Mac Salad. Shrimp Tempura. Garlic Cajun Shrimp Plate. Scallop Poke,calm chowder.

Comments:  As mentioned above, a co-worker of my wife recommended that we had to visit Seattle Fish Guys for what she believed to be the best poke in Seattle. As I mentioned in our Stop and Shop Poke blog post, there’s been a proliferation of poke places in Seattle. So much so, that many of poke places have had to close due to over saturation.   I also mentioned that Stop N Shop Poke and goPoke were my two favorites.  I have to admit, we rarely venture out to the Central District, so we had never been to Seattle Fish Guys before.

First, the parking situation. There are very limited parking spaces outside of the actual storefront, but there is a lot of designated parking under the building and it’s free. The storefront looks like any other and doesn’t stand out although there are signs, so it’s not hard to find. Seattle Fish Guys is actually a seafood market, but also a restaurant.

As you enter the poke is located on the left and the actual seafood market is on the right and then to the very right are a few televisions and a few seats.This is where you’d eat if you intended on eating in. There’s no hostess. You just find an open seat. Don’t come here with a group of more than four if you plan to eat here due to the limited seating and constant crowds.  There was a steady stream of customers when we went on a Saturday afternoon and finding a table for three of us was a challenge and a stroke of luck that a table opened right as we ordered.

After ordering our meals, we paid and they brought out the dishes as they were completed. The poke bowls are very simple- rice(white or brown), salad(macaroni, kim chee, squid salad or seaweed salad), poke(shoyu tuna, tako or scallop(+$2 extra). They also serve fresh oyster shooters as well crab or shrimp cocktails. In addition to some clam chowder this is what we ordered..

Overall, I’ve got to admit, Seattle Fish Guys has the best poke we’ve had in Seattle. It’s family owned and you can feel it in the service and quality. The atmosphere while not fine dining is perfect for the type of food and business. The portions are massive and you will have left overs. Although the Central District is out of the way for us, we believe Seattle Fish Guys is worth the visit. I think our strategy in the future will be to go to Seattle Fish Guys intending to eat there, but if it’s too crowded to just do take out and order some extra to eat for later meals.

Ratings:

Atmosphere: 4.00

Service: 5.00

Food/Drinks: 4.75

Bang for the Buck: 4.75

Overall: 4.75

Locals Only Factor: “Locals Only” grading-We’ll assign a grading as to how “local” a place is.

• • Well known or Touristy. Most locals don’t go there unless they have business dinners or visitors in town.
• • Most locals know about it
• • Locals “in the know” know about it
• • Only those who live close by know about it.
• • You’re in on the secret. Don’t tell anybody!

 Servers recommendations to visit in the future:  

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