McDonald’s is closed for renovations.
But a much more flavorful and interesting fast food place just opened in Compo Acres Shopping Center.
Pokéworks is the newest addition to Westport’s fast-casual culinary scene. It’s also the first to serve Hawaiian-inspired cuisine here.
Poké today is based on Hawaii’s variety of cultures, though it dates back to Polynesian times. It features pungent sauces, crunchy toppings, and bases like rice, lettuce and kale noodles. The key to most poké is fresh, raw fish.
In Hawaii the dish is a mainstay of social gatherings, as a side or appetizer. Instead of deli counters, Hawaiian grocery stores have poké counters.
Welcome to Pokeworks.
Pokéworks — which sits between Compo Farm Flowers and Jersey Mike’s, not far from Trader Joe’s (where the staff, coincidentally, wears Hawaiian shirts) — offers an array of choose-your-own proteins (ahi and albacore tuna, salmon, shrimp, scallops, organic tofu and chicken), plus mix-ins including edamame, seaweed, shiso and mangoes; flavors like umami shoyu, wasabi aioli and spicy ginger; toppings (furikake, surimi salad, thai chicken) and “crunch” like roasted macadamia nuts.
Pokéworks is a rapidly expanding national chain. They’re in 23 states — but this is only the second location in Connecticut (the first was in Wilton).
The company website says that all seafood is sustainably and responsibly sourced.
I tried Pokéworks today. Ordering was fun. The food was certainly flavorful. It blows McDonald’s out of the water.
But it’s not 100% Hawaiian. No shave ice, unfortunately.
Excellent food and something truly different for Westport. Been to Hawaii dozens of times and have never seen anything like this. However if I had I may have extended my many trips.
i liked it. I wonder what the carb amount and calories are?
Calorie counts are on every item
You could say something nice about this restaurant without disparaging McDonalds. The owners of many of these McDonalds live in our community and have done lots of charitable giving to our community as well as provided employment and lots of tax revenue to the community.
Bob Jones
Sent from my iPhone
I am so sorry. What wonderful recipes this McDonald’s has cooked up! How unique it is! I am so glad that awful Big Top Shoppe is no longer there! How’s that?
Seriously, please let me know about all that charitable giving. I haven’t seen McDonald’s listed in any donations for any local organizations, so I’d love to know. I want to give credit where credit is due.
Pokemoto has been on the Post Road in Fairfield for about a year or so, will have to try out the newcomer.
Actually, you could say there is a connection between McDonald’s and Hawaiian food: inexpensive and informal. That’s where it stops. While there are several McDonald’s along Ala Moana Blvd and in Waikiki (for the tourist crowd mostly), you can also find hundreds of “Mom & Pop” “Plate-Lunch” wagons at beaches and anywhere locals work or hang out. Locals would much prefer “Plate Lunch”. Menu items vary from day to day in random order. One day it’s Kalua Pig, Laulau or Surfer-boy stew (meat and potatoes). Side dishes might be Lomi-Lomi Salmon, Poke, Haupia, or Poi. These “plates” are not complete without two giant, softball-sized scoops of ‘sticky-kine’ rice. After school, kids would head for the “Cracked Seed” store (preserved fruit) or “shave-ice”. This Malahini looks forward to checking them out. I only hope they do this wonderful cuisine some justice.
Dan,
Happily surprised re: your McDonalds comments.
Bravo 👏🏼
I miss the Big Top too❗️😉
Like Tom Block’s knowledgeable
Hawaiian critique. Aloha 🌴
Dan, you disappoint me. Now you disparage BTS. That place offered many jobs to Westport youth. I worked there. After the Crest was gone, on Saturdays and Sundays, especially during the warmer months, you would have wall-to-wall customers inside. It was another part of Westport’s eatery history, although it probably would not withstand the culinary critics of today.
Tony, I was being sarcastic. I loved Big Top. I have written about it often. I would much rather have it there still than McDonald’s. Sorry you didn’t get my humor!
Reading is fundamental, and so is comprehension. I thought it was abundantly clear Dan was NOT disparaging BTS.
I just went to one of these places when in Nashville recently and it was Amazeballs!! Was wishing something like this was local. So excited to try.
Why isn’t there a restaurant chain called Amazeballs?
Scary to think what they would serve.