A poke eatery that touts fresh fish and healthy ingredients is set to open early this summer across from the Lake Street Theatre in Oak Park.
Poke Burrito has signed a lease for 1025 Lake St. The 900-square-foot commercial space will be the third location of the young business that offers customizable poke — which rhymes with “OK” — bowls and burritos featuring raw fish or tofu, rice, vegetables, fruits and sauces.
“What I want to bring to our customers is healthy, fresh, quality food,” said owner Caixun “Jimmy” Chen.
David King, the broker who executed the lease for the commercial space, said there were four poke concepts interested in the space, an indicator that there’s a market for the cuisine.
“In my world, I would consider that a tell,” King said.
Chen, who has been a sushi chef for 15 years and is chef/owner of 153 Akira in Wilmette, oversaw the implementation of sushi stations at several Pete’s Fresh Market locations, including Oak Park’s, which has given him a familiarity with the village.
“So this is all I’ve been doing, is sushi,” Chen said.
For the past few years, he’d been trying to think of a new concept, and took note of the popularity of Hawaiian poke and sushi burritos in California and New York, and more recently, Chicago.
“I want to put something together that is unique, that nobody else has,” he said.
Chen opened the first Poke Burrito in the North Center neighborhood of Chicago less than five months ago. A second Chicago location in the Loop followed, about three weeks ago. He hadn’t thought a third location would come this soon, but the spot was perfect, he said.
Chen hopes to open in Oak Park in late May or early June.
A decade ago, the space was home to a Ben and Jerry’s, King said. More recently, it was a cafe that focused on crepes. Because it’s served as a restaurant already, the bulk of the work to be done is cosmetic and involves updating decor with a more modern, clean look, Chen noted.
“If there’s any place in Chicago where that concept would work, it’s Oak Park,” King said. “The new apartment construction is creating additional demand.”
The space, which seats about 15, will focus more on grab-and-go dining. Chen hopes to serve alcohol down the road. Prices range from $9.95 to $13.95, depending on customization, Chen said, and there will be some cooked items on the menu as well.
“Our menu is completely customizable,” Chen said. “… I’m pretty confident with the food, what I have. Once they try, they will get it.”
Chen said they’ll be open from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. every day. For more information, visit www.pokeburritochicago.com.
