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nicole |
Pokez is by far my favorite place to eat. They have the best veg choices anywhere, so delicious! Everytime I take someone new there with me it becomes their favorite too. If you're a pain in the ass they will treat you like crap, if not, they treat you just fine, it's never taken more than 15 minutes for my food to be in front of me there. |
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Tom G. |
I hate to badmouth a veg-friendly place, but this place was not so great. Food was OK, but not great. Service was horrible. They weren't so much rude to us, as indifferent. We waited a reeeeeeally long time for service, and were (apparently) a nuisance to the staff. I've been very hesitant to go back. I wouldn't really recommend this place. |
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XDANIELLEX |
I could have given them 4 Stars but I added that 5th one for all you haters out there! So suck it :) |
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Suz |
I decided to take a trip down memory lane, and check out my review here from 2005. Can't believe this place actually has been rated the same by so many others.
All I have to say is... Hope the economic down turn takes you losers down. Making customers miserable shouldn't be anyones priority. I am proud to say I ate here once, and never came back.
Waving the middle finger at someone who asks for water is unacceptable. |
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Dan |
We're not from San Diego or the US, we're not 'Emo' or have tattos/piercings and we were served quickly and well.
If you want the 'fake' smiley service you get elsewhere then don't go here.
If you want very good cheap food served by normal people you'll enjoy Pokez. |
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Eric |
This is by far the worst restaurant in San Diego, either veg friendly or not. I have eaten here several times because they are the only one's with vegan enchilatas. The service here is so horrible that I would rather forgo the food than have to deal with the staff. They are disrespectful, rude, and make you feel like you are bothering them when you order. They are running a business and should not try to drive away their customers. Let me tell you about the most recent visit:
Myself, my girfriend, and two of her friends went there for dinner while we were in downtown. We walked in and sat in one of the booths and were never greeted at the door. We sat down and someone put a basket of tortilla chips on the table (I think he was the busboy). When the waitress eventually came over she was rude. I asked if we could separate checks as nobody carried cash and she said we couldn't. I told her that we would need to pay separately and she said 'we don't do that homie'. I asked her if she would rather lose the business or let us separate the checks. She began to yell at me (yes, yell at the customer) so we all left. The worst part is that this is not uncommon. ALSO, there is a sign outside of the restaurant that states that they lost their liquor license because they sold to minor's!! They are rude and break the law! DON'T EAT HERE!!!!!!!! |
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Darren Bolforth |
I've tried this place several times looking for decent vegan fare downtown. The first time it was because it got good reviews. Sorry to say that their Tofu burrito was as greasy as any ground beef burrito and I hope that grease didn't come from runoff from non-vegan dishes cooked on the same grill without at least wiping it off? I've tried some of their other 'vegan' dishes and not only were they not very tasty, they all were nearly as greasy as any dish prepared with ground beef or cooked in manteca. Sorry but this place is not for someone interested in their health or in good tasting food. |
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Delanyemae |
Might be the worst place to dine out in San Diego. I can't wait until somebody buys this restaurant and gets rid of all the a**holes working there. Keep the menu but fire everybody!!!!. I would eat there all the time because the food is well price and often very good, but who wants to feel worthless when they go pay somebody to serve them? It's like: 'I'm sorry am I inconveniencing you??? Then get a new job!' I think its really funny that they lost their liquor license. I really hope they never get it back until Pokez has new owners. I bet they never would have lost it if they didn't draw such LARGE amounts of negative attention to themselves by POOR service. |
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Tina Fortin |
Pokez has the greatest mexican food in San Diego, and they give you plenty. The people that work there are great too! I love Pokez. You guys are the best! |
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Kerenna Soul |
Pokez is amazing. Their food is great and they have a great atmosphere. Who cares if the service is sometimes slow, get over it. They don't have a huge staff and they do what they can, stop whining about it. Their food is amazing I would eat it everyday if I could! Their beans are delicious and I love all the people that work there!! |
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Layne and Princess Diana |
I read almost all of the below reviews and decided since my wife and I have just recently become quasi-vegan (still wearing leather shoes) we would come see what all the fuss is about.
Imagine driving up to an old southern rural town in a late model european sports car blasting the theme to Miami Vice. You roll down the window to ask directions and an old man sitting roadside asks 'Yer not frum around here ar' ye?'
Pokez is NOT complicated. You either get it or you don't. The people that work there are NOT evil, they are just on a different vibe then your A-typical downtown condo-dwelling tree hugging granola munching yuppie.
POKEZ is not Morton's Steakhouse complainers, their wait staff probably will move on to another career(maybe even your boss)so suck it up and deal or else stop crowding up the place so I can get faster service.
The vegan fajitas were awesome and enough for two. Chips and salsa were on the table almost as fast as my butt hit the seat. The jukebox in the corner added in-meal entertainment.
We were dressed in sweats and Chargers hoodies (they won yesterday)looking like your garden variety gen-Xer's. I can't resist telling you that I'm all tatted up (wifey too) but none were visible (so there is no dark evil link making that manditory for good service).
Bottom line fanatical vegetarian reviewer, if you wrote a lousy review... YER NOT FRUM AROUND HERE AR YE?
No I am not related to anyone there or have any interests in their business. |
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stn |
i love pokez. i live on the east coast and miss it terribly. i once decided to drive to san diego from las vegas just to eat pokez, en route to san francisco. and the last time i visited SD, it was the very first place i stopped. the waiter was perfectly awesome, relaxed, didn't hover, and we left a massive tip. please consider a satellite store on the east coast. i'll run it. |
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Greeny |
I REALLY REALLY REALLY miss eating here but the dust beard hanging off of the lamps over the table and watching tufts of dust fall onto our table - you guys MUST be making enough money to invest a bit in keeping the place clean. I MISS YOU POKEZ! |
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***** |
pokez is a delicious and affordable establishment with excellent vegetarian and vegan options. you are always treated with respect regardless. as far as hearsay and complaints about the service and wait...be grateful that we even have the option to have a meal prepared and served to us, not everyone is so lucky.
two thumbs up, five stars, kudos and all that jazz to my favorite restaurant |
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Kevin |
Okay - I must say a lot of the reviews here had me nervous. Let's start with the service. I had gone in expecting the worst and was pleasantly surprised. The waiter was very polite and got us going right away. The food came out exactly as ordered. My only complaint on service is that once the food was served the waiter did not come back at all.
The food itself was very good. I had the vegan potato burrito and my children had Quesadilia's. They were huge and supposedly very tasty.
For the price I would highly reccomend Pokez to anybody who is looking for quality food at a reasonable price. |
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Renee |
If you're uncomfortable with their whole getup then just don't go.
Bottom line: Cheap, yummy, relaxed.
Oh wait, it's because I have piercings and tattoos that I like it so much, right? Haha |
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David ag |
Look I'm sure this site has been throw around on e-mail as a place to complain about Pokez horrible treatment of the autistic child. I think people should boy- cott pokez too. However blasting this site with 30 reviews all saying the same thing doesn't help your issue. I doubt Pokez reads this and they have gotten the point by now.
The average VSD user is already with you, you have to worry about the indie rock and punk scene hipsters who hang out at pokez if you want to make a dent. but I think you would be better off calling the turko files on KUSI or having a demonstration during their dinner or lunch time rushes. That would get their attention.
Rancho's is better veg mexican food anyhow. |
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Patrick McKinnion |
My experiences with the place? It's a sty (amazed it hasn't been shut down on health code violations), the food was lackluster at best, and the wait staff are attitude on the hoof.
What makes it worse is what happened to a party that a friend of mine was in. The manager and one of the waitresses at this restaurant should not just be fired, but should be in court on assault and battery charges.
I don't care how stressed you are, you DO NOT scream at and yell at an autistic child, NOR do you lay hands on him and shake him.
And if you're the manager, you should fire the waitress on the spot, not blame the parents for having a 'defective child' and order them to leave.
If you're into service beyond horrible and possible ADA violations, then go ahead. Otherwise, avoid this place until they're either closed, or the manager and waitress are fired like they deserve.
The above incident simply insures that not only will I NOT spend my money there, I will recommend to people they avoid it as well. |
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fer |
this is THE place. super affordable, well put together and a fantastic, I mean FANTASTIC, service. |
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George - a vegan |
I wonder if people complaining about the service because they don't look 'emo' or don't have 'tattoos and piercings' just feel defensive and out of place and mistake normal service for a busy restaurant as elitism. Even though my politics are radical, I do not look like a hipster. I dress like a stick-in-the-mud Republican and have always received pleasant service and delicious food. The vegan options are awesome! The service is a little slow, but the place has always been really busy when I've been there so that is expected. I have been with different numbers of my friends -- a diverse bunch -- and have never encountered attitude. |
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malinda |
good prices but still a waste. i expected bad service but got good service. the problem was the bland flavor of the food. i must have ordered the wrong thing. however even the basics: the rice/beans and chips were blah. i also ordered a cabbage salad was good but it was way overloaded with dressing. the atmosphere was cool. i want to eat there, i like the atomsphere but will not go back-even for cheap prices, it is not worth wasting the money. |
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habeeb |
if you don't look hip your food is going to taste like diarea and you will be nothing more than just a fly on the wall.
if you do look hip you will be treated great and your food will be good.
i was not treated so well because i am just your average gal looking for a good vegi burrito because i hate meat. but i dont look emo like all the other wannabe 'hip' people. |
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Ziva |
Good, cheap food, but the service varies. I've been going here for a few years now, and it seems that if you look like you have no tattoos or piercings, you get either ignored and/ or treated like a second class citizen. They seem to be improving, but we had stopped going there for awhile because of this treatment. I hope it continues to get better. If it does, we'll be returning on a regular basis. |
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Thorski-Roc |
My best friend works here...I love the food, the staff,the atmosphere.Best food in the world.I used to love the carne asada but recently started a strict vegan diet and the food has only gotten better.If you're lucky you can get either Rafa or Carlos to cook....they're the best cooks.Pokez for life!!!!!P.s.Iwork in Old Town San Diego and people always ask me what the best mexican restaurant is and I always tell them go to Pokez!!!!!P.p.s.If you think the service sucks it's probably 'cuz you're a dick!!!HA!HA! |
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xXTIMONSCHAOSXx aka:Super Vegan |
OMG when i first had the chimichanga i craved for another one...Hmmm soo good...i also recomend the vegan fajitas...soo good yummi...i love pokez...thank the owners for vegan options for those like me...hehehehe....POKEZ...YOU ROCK...
sincearly:xXTIMONSCHAOSXx |
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Sarah |
This place is all around punk rock. If you can't handle that, then don't go. If you can and you like to eat kick-ass mexican food, GO! |
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Brenda winkle |
Dude, i always send people to Pokez. I've never been unsatisfied. I'm there all the time. Jon Jon, Lupe, Carlos, all of them, whenever i'm in, i get friendly conversation and great service. If you're a dick, they won't sellout for your cheap dick tip. Admirable. i work at sbux, i degrade myself for a $1 tip. They're G. Anyway, expect to be treated the way you treat them. The food is ROCKIN'. The damn best and best prices. Let's go to Pokez. 9/10 times that's where i go. |
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red wizard |
This is our first time eating at Pokez. We've been searching for a good place to munch on mex cuisine & this fit the bill perfectly. My husband is a vegetarian; I am a vegan. The prices are great, the food is outstanding, and the service was perfect. If you're an uptight, cranky and impatient person...go elsewhere...there's no ass kissin' here. We will definitely be back, and much thanks to the owner and staff for super eats and service!! |
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po yao chuang |
I tried to get a job at pokez, because its so cool of a place, food, people, family, vegan, vegetarianism, music, beer, mystic, vibe, I agree Pokez is San Diego, peace and love |
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R. PP |
There's probably nothing that fills me with quite as much joy as observing bad service provided in a restaurant, and the fully atrocious customer service at Pokez is beyond splendid...Being a food service professional myself, I can say with confidence that all customers, myself included, are mildly irritating to some extent, while a number of them are entirely dicks. This is mainly due to the fact that servers have to traditionally grin and bear even the most tyrannical treatment....seeing the Pokez people disregard all conventions of the customer-server hierarchy is truly inspiring, and the fact that they don't even get paid allows them to be as aloof as they please and puts annoying patrons pretty much at their mercy....I even like it when I get a taate of non-service. I don't eat meat, and, having ordered a tofu burrito, the waitress brought me a fish burrito, which I mistook as a poor version of my actual order for a couple of bites, due to the its complete lack of taste and leathery, overcooked texture....far from upset, I was compelled only to praise the glorious name of Pokez. |
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ARgirl |
I must say that I am not a big fan of Pokez food -- too greasy for my tastes. But my boyfriend and son love it and the prices are hard to beat. As for the staff, I've never had anything but friendly waitresses with great service. I wish the beans and rice were more flavorful and the food was more nutritious because I really like the atmosphere. |
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anja gunn |
I have been going to pokez since it has opened, and will continue going as long as it is open. I dont live in San Diego any longer, but when I do travel back it is the first thing on my list! The tofu buritto super vegan with sauce makes me droll( I could prolly drink the sauce straight!) Pokez is the firt place I tell people to go when they get into san diego, it is my one true staple for the city. I am hoping one day Rafa will move to San Francisco and make pokez II- |
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jessica |
I LOVE this place. As a vegetarian theres no better place to get amazing mexican food, and i can bring my vegan and carnivorous friends there too as they offer a wide array of choices. I see the staff has gotten some negetive reviews, but as someone that also works in customer service i'm sure it was the customer, not the staff. If you respect them and treat them like more than just a servant, you'll see they are a friendly and interesting bunch! They, like all restaurant staff, utterly do NOT tolerate stupid, RUDE customers...and they shouldnt have to. |
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PrincesaMichelle |
Positive things first: I like the food, don't find it all that greasy, love the tofu burritos or the vegan fajitas. My husband and I can split a dish and get away with dinner for two people under ten bucks.
Negative Things: I heard that staff doesn't get paid and that they only get the money they receive in tips. You would think this would be reason enough to be more friendly to people. Not so at Pokez. Staff is completely unattentive and rude. Customer service is definitely not on their priority list. Also, I spoke to a waitress who worked there a short time, who was vegan, who informed me that they do use the same fryer to cook their meats and their veggies, for example, that great tasting basket of chips you get before each meal...deep fried in the same oil they do their chicken and beef flautas etc. THAT ISN'T VEGAN!
I'll eat there if I'm in downtown, but I won't go out of my way to eat there. |
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Mae |
Have given them a few chances, and two days ago was the last. A mistake in the order was followed by confrontation and rude service instead of an apology or an offer to correct the problem. In addition, I do not think that they are tops on taste, either. (Salsa is too sweet, beans and rice are rather unflavorful...) Their homemade vegan chorizo is well seasoned, and the cabbage salad is an interesting garnish, but there is better in the city. If you go, remind yourself that it is for the prices, not the cuisine or experience. -And mind the time...the hours listed here (and painted on the outside of the building) are incorrect. |
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JMM |
I will consistently drive from LA to San Diego for the sole purpose of eating vegan fajitas at Pokez!!! |
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schramm |
Checked out Pokez for the first time recently. The food was great! the place was packed, and while the service was a little slow, so what? we went there to eat great vegan food and hangout --- Pokez fit the bill perfectly.
Super food, clean place, friendly & helpful waitstaff = 4 stars.
I expect to be back there a lot. |
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Mona |
Cheap with good sized portions. Tasty, but seemed to take much longer than necessary to make vegan Mexican food. If you go when there's a baseball game, look for parking on the other side of the major street, away from all the $15+ special event parking lots. Recommended for casual, no rush, cheap dining. |
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NewVeg |
The food is pretty good, as a vegan if you want Mexican food, it's a lifesaver. I heard somewhere that the waitstaff is volunteer and only makes tips, which would make the service forgivable. I've never really had a problem though, always get the same female who is super friendly, especially to my son. |
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Suzanne Savolainen |
The waiters intentionally did not give me any water with my food. I asked several times, and was ignored. Finally, I just left with out paying. What a stupid place. Dick's Last Resort which is known for its sarcastic service is still not mean and that is how I felt. |
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T.M. |
I love Pokez! The food is always delicious and super cheap, lot's of vegan options (the owner is vegetarian). I have never been dissapointed and I've eaten there a lot. If you are set on super attentive service and always spotless tables this may not be the place for you. Pokez has a funky urban arty vibe. Fun people watching and just good food from the chips and salsa to the Sangria. My faves: potato flautos, tofu mushroom tacos or enchilada's, Vegan chorizo chimichanga. The burrito's are so huge, I take home leftovers. Because I usually go for the fried food I might feel like a nap after but it's a happy nap! |
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Christine |
ive been to pokez a few times.
i must say, i have never had a problem with their service and although there are many flies in the resturan...i thought the service was pretty good.
theyre food is dank and the environment is pretty chill.
it makes me feel very warm and fuzzy that i can find a big variety of vegan food there. i recomend it to anyone, veg or not.
thumbs up! |
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sara |
this place has the worst service. they should get fired. |
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Crystal |
I visit San Diego every other year and I always look forward to the food and drinks at this joint! I love the sangria! |
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NICK |
POKEZ HAS LONG BEEN THE BEST PLACE TO FIND DELICIOUS VEGAN AND TRADITIONAL MEXICAN CUISINE, IT HAS A GREAT FUNKY ATMOSPHERE, INTERESTING PEOPLE, AND HAS A NEW MUSIC/BAR SPACE RIGHT NEXT DOOR, IT COMES HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. |
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shideon |
Complaints, complaints, complaints. So everyone is like...'this place is messy', 'their service sucks'...blablabla. You are also paying $4.25 for a burrito that can make 2 meals for any 250 pound male (although i eat the whole thing there). As far as the service...yes I have seen the bad service here and there...but everyone has their bad days including the people working at pokez. As far as the food....I doubt they cross contaminate. The owner is vegetarian. He is friends with SEVERAL vegetarians and vegans and I have never seen that happen when walking back to the bathrooms. I have however had mistakes happen and had cheese on my vegan burrito but no matter how rude the server may have been that day they INSTANTLY corrected it and I got the food very fast. As far as people saying the place should be 100% vegan, yeah that may be true...but it's not so make due with what they got...or don't support one of the few 25% vegan spots we have in San Diego and watch another friggin vegan restaurant go out of business here. Seen it happen over and over again. |
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Sevur |
I've been a patron of Pokez for the last 8 years. I must say... the food is grrreat! Some have said Pokez is dirty at times and the service is handled in a rudely manner. This is true to a certain extent, but that's why I like Pokez... it's different. If the food is good, then that's all I care about. I highly recommended the Tofu Enchiladas... yummy! |
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fishygirl |
hi i went to pokez for lunch. i don't think the food is that bad and my friend who eats meat really likes it. i like the atmosphere. it reminds me of the saturn cafe in santa cruz. the food is too big. |
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Dan |
Ive never paid to eat here and that will always be my policy. I refuse to pay to sit in that place, most people hear my complaints of the stench, the greasy tables, and the random stuff people have found in their food (ie. cockroaches and a nut for hardware). I will give them that their tofu burrito with sauce is pretty yummy, but i be sure to dissect it first and scan for any unkowns. |
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Jessica |
It's too bad...they had really yummy mushroom tacos. The rudeness from the staff is unbearable. I will make do without them. |
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Eva |
pokez is only for serious eaters. if you are not ready for the best burrito, tostada salad or fajitas you have ever had, don't bother coming here. the portions are big and the food is cheap. i love the vegan tofu burrito with sauce. for lighter eaters, bring tupperware with you and have the rest for lunch tomorrow! p.s. i have never found cheese or meat in my food and the service has always been great. p.p.s when one of my companions did receive an obviously non vegan burrito (cheese on top), it was sorted out right away, no messin'. |
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Katrina |
My husband and I have been going to Pokez for 5 years, and we go as much as we can. The service has gotten a lot better in the past year or so, but be prepared for a little wait if you get there at the lunch or dinner rush. Our favorites are the Tofu Potato Mushroom Burrito, and the Vegan Machaca Plate. For all of us that grew up eating standard Mexican food, this is the place to go for authentic flavors with a compassionate twist. The owner is a vegetarian, and a very nice guy, and though the bathrooms can be dirty at the end of the day, I believe this is more of an impression because of all the graffiti. I have never seen anything amiss in the kitchens, and the owner gets up early every morning to buy all their ingredients (often organic) fresh. I used to think the dining area was kinda dirty, but this has improved a lot lately. I have no qualms taking my two daughters there, and my oldest, at 2 1/2, is a confirmed Pokez addict, she asks to go there every day. |
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ed... |
Ive given Pokez 2 chances and the place is still not up to the hype. The food is not only way too greasy, but its not that good. Yes, the service sucks as well and the place is filthy. |
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matt |
food is good and priced fairly.
didnt know the vegan items were cooked using the same utensils as the meat (see comments below mine).
the servers arent very friendly. that is what really kills it for me. if i am downtown i will stop by here, but dont go out of my way to eat there. |
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Linda_vegan |
I used to be a regular but I am too suspicious of the inevitable cross-contamination. Just take a look in the kitchen when you visit the filty restrooms. This place is really dirty. The salsa is excellent. The food is just okay. But the word vegan is actually on the menu and I like that. I have found bits of cheese on my plate too many times and I would rather not sh!t fluid for days. |
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John |
Although the food is cheap and the grub good, I find myself trying to cheer up the rude and antisocial servers. Go, but its not a place to introduce a non-vegan or your parents to. |
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Kia Eichert |
Being veg, it's important to go somewhere to eat that has many veg options. Pokez has the BEST veg mex food real cheap! |
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Matt Leonard |
Tons of great vegan Mexican food, from tofu burritos and enchiladas, to vegan chorrizo and fajitas. Food is really cheap, and a very community-based atmosphere. |
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Maria |
Pokez' punk rock environment and inexpensive food makes me happy. There are lots of veggie options and the servers are down to earth. This place is worth checking out. |
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cari |
the food at pokez doesn't quite do it for me. they offer a few vegan items, but for a place that could be all veg, it's disappointing to find flesh and dairy on the menu. |
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David |
Lots of vegan options and a funky atmosphere. This resturant is very popular. Warning to vegans they use the same deep fryer for meat and vegan items. |
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3.49 out of 5 (61 reviews) 