Blue Whale Poke Bar and Grill

70 Hillsdale Shopping Center, San Mateo - 94403
142 reviews
Hawaiian Poke Asian Fusion
(650) 458-3179

Great place to get a variety of poke and hot plates. The staff is fast, friendly, and efficient. I will be coming back often!

Too expensive for the bad quality poke and extremely juicy noodles. Employees with bad attitude.

This is my second time trying it! And haven’t been-satisfied. I’m a poke bowl lover & because it’s the only one around I give it. 2nd try…& I can totally said the ingredients aren’t fresh as I would like.The mixed of the green salad base looks very old and all my protein fish it’s sticky and slimy. Not fresh!!The portion and taste of their sauces are good. So definitely just the improvement on keeping their ingredientes more fresh!I just hope I don’t get sick late :)

BE FOREWARNED if you have dietary restrictions: the "yam noodles" were actually RICE noodles the day I went. This is an easy mistake to make for the restaurant since they look similar, but this error is potentially dangerous for those with certain medical conditions. Two stars off for that.Other than that, the poke was pretty good and the service was fast.

So I typically really like this place, good fish and selection for the price and close to where I live. The only complaint I have is that they sometimes close 2 hours earlier than what their hours are listed as. Today, 12/26, they said they usually open until 8:30pm, but closed at like 6-6:30pm instead. So if you want poke, I would say to come earlier than 6pm to make sure you're not disappointed.

Slow and no proper organizations and order system. Got 3 items together and told my name, and they said they would called me. I was waiting for them but saw the 3 items ordered came out separtely from different employees and people just took them without checking. And then they saw me and asked what I got which means they do not have any system whatsoever. Waited for 20 mins to get this so-called semi fast food. Will never come back. There was no apology and I do not expect them to know what they messed up.

Now serving Korean food! Didn't try though but their poke is pretty good. Regular is $14 for 3 scoops of fresh fish. Spam musubi is delicious and is made to order and warm $6 for 2.

Their Korean food is FRAUD. I ordered $16 short rib bowl and this was what I got. The portion is tiny and it looked NOTHING like the picture they show. I had to go back and asked if they gave me the wrong bowl but they said it was right. Then I asked why it did not look like the picture on the menu. A lady who claimed to be the manager came out of the kitchen, and said she was Korean, and I did not know how authentic Korean food looked like. It really upset me because - 1) I have been to tons of Korean restaurants owned by Korean speaking people, and I have visited Korea myself, and I never had short rib bowl like this. They all look like what's on their menu. 2) If she thought the picture on the menu was not right, why would not she change it. Imagine if you go to McDonald, pointing at the picture and order a big Mac, and they give you a tiny hot dog? Yea they are both beef. 3) Her attitude was terrible and disrespectful.I am giving one star for the poor taste of food, small portion, false advertising, and bad attitude. I would never come back again. You will be better off getting Panda Express next door.

Hate to write this review… but I got a very upset stomach within 2 hours after eating poke from here.

Love their Poke and it always tastes fresh