If you’re like me, you stick to what you know, especially food orders at restaurants I regularly visit. It comes in handy when I only have a thirty-minute lunch and I need to get in and out quickly, when there’s a long line at the drive-thru, (don’t worry this is gonna be real quick) or when date night comes and I don’t want my boyfriend to get a headache by waiting for me to pick which spot to go to. Unlike Allie Hamilton, if you know you know, I know what I want.    

So if you would have asked me what I wanted for dinner, I may have pulled up my roster of burger joints as alternatives. However, my position as staff writer allows me to push my boundaries and get out of my comfort zone. Instead of sticking to routine, I decided to venture to the west side of Bakersfield and pay a visit to the seafood spot, Poke Land.   

Poke Land is a California franchise with five locations. The one I visited was located on Stockdale Highway in the nook of the River Walk Park shopping center.  

Poke Land is met by folks from all over the country. Their walls are decorated with photos and letters from foodies both traveling and in town.  

I’ve only tried Poke Land one time before, several years ago, so my memory fails me on what I remember ordering.  

Jessica Hairo, manager of Poke Land on Stockdale Highway, recommends the Poke Bowl for doe-eyed customers like myself.  

“It’s all customizable so they can pick whatever they want,” said Hairo.  

So I did. For my bowl I picked: sushi rice, krabmeat, avocado, pineapple, spicy shrimp, green onion, ginger, spicy mayo sauce, eel sauce, and sesame seeds. 

It’s a mix that was motivated by the beaming sun that Saturday. It’s not typical for me to mix fruit with my seafood, but my taste buds requested something refreshing. The pineapple activated a cool-down effect while providing a touch of sweetness.  

For the most part, I stuck with what I knew and enjoyed the spicy shrimp and krabmeat.  

Ginger on the side? Nope. Implemented straight into the dish to provide me with a cleansed palette, making each bite a new experience. 

I’d give this experience 4.5/5 stars. The staff were very inviting and helpful. The space was clean and aesthetically-pleasing and as a bonus, the food was great! 

If you’re looking for a spot to tease your palate, stop by this local seafood chain that’s about ten minutes away from California State University, Bakersfield.