Pokez Mexican Restaurant

I love this place so much. I havent been in a while but you get MORE than what you pay for. Everything is so delicious!

Poor service the guy was an ass hole bad service. Extremely rude to us told us to get out a d never come back. I asked for something and they gave me something else. I was polite and he was a jerk.

Pokez is one of thee best vegan/​vegetarian Mexican food places in San Diego hands down, I think people are giving it low ratings because it’s not the fanciest place you have ever been but, so what! the food is great, I’ve took friends there and they loved it too, I will continue eating here and recommending it to friends

As others commented, this isn’t a place you go to for fabulous customer service or a quick bite to eat. You go here for fantastic food that can feed an army for super cheap! The food is so worth the slow service.
Let’s be clear… the wait staff is not rude by any means and the service is not absurdly slow. The waiters just don’t constantly check on you and are in a hurry so they don’t give you the warm and fuzzy feeling some people do. We asked our waitress for recommendations and she was very happy to provide some great tips and suggestions. Food wasn’t that slow — maybe 20 mins to get our order.
Okay let’s get to the good stuff… the food! So many options and so little room in my stomach! I finally decided on the steak/​chicken fajitas mixed and they were the bomb freaking diggity! Whatever «sauce» the meat is cooked in is fantastic! So much flavor! The servings were so big, I could barely eat half and i have a big appetite! I totally loved the cabbage slaw too! Nice fresh surprise to enjoy on the side!
My fajitas were only $ 10 and it included all the usual stuff like sour cream, guacamole, pico, rice, beans, cabbage slaw and of course the tortillas with the meat and veggies in that saucy goodness. I couldn’t believe the amount of food for the price!
The atmosphere is fun… very punk feeling with good music playing and fun art/​wall stuff to stimulate your eyeballs. When we were leaving we walked past the outside door to the kitchen and we could hear Bad Religion playing in the kitchen. Extra bonus points for great taste in music!

Since I’ll never be back in the area, let me leave my footprint here.
Why is this place listed as Vegan when they don’t have any vegan meats or vegan cheeses? I was SO excited to eat. I searched Vegan in San Diego as my friend is visiting for work and Pokez was in the top 10. I didn’t read through the reviews because I had listed 10 places and that’s too much research considering my friend is not particular about food, prefers a more authentic taste since he is limited to what Oregon offers.
I ate a lot of tofu and beans.
Vegan tostada just means 3 slabs of marinated/​seasoned tofu.
Vegan torta just means no cheese, lots of beans, rice, and added avocado.
I was really excited. but oh well. The people who originally listed as Vegan, I would like to SMITE YOU!

Portions are huge! Food is delicous! Prices are cheap.
Our food took a little while to come out but the food was well worth the wait. Fresh ingredients!
Great place for vegetarians
My only tip would be to have more napkins on the table.

Been going here since I was in high school, almost 10yrs later things hasn’t changed. The food has been consistently delicious! I always bring people who are visiting from out of town because the décor is unlike anywhere else and there’s food for everyone.

Went here for dinner and got the tofu fajitas, its not fully vegan I thought they would have vegan cheese and other vegan condiments, basically they can substitute tofu instead of meat and call it ‘vegan’
the food was really good the only problem that the service was so SLOW! I Felt like I was in there for hours, it wasn’t even busy, maybe 3 other tables, waited forever to order than waited so long for the food and the waitress never came back to the table to check how everything was or if we needed anything I had to go up and ask for a plate and a to-​go box cause she never came back after she brought the food out, I can’t believe how long and slow it took for everything I wanted to go put on an apron and serve tables to put some fire up their asses.
Anyway they were very nice and the food was good but the service was incredibly slow.

Wow. Blows my mind that this place doesn’t have a higher overall rating then again, I need to keep in mind that every city has their thing that the inhabitants are a little (rightfully so) particular, if not downright snobby, about. In New York, it’s pizza, bagels, Chinese + Italian food. In KC and Memphis, it’s BBQ. In New Orleans it’s Creole food. I’ve lived or spent extensive time in all of these places, so I get it.
You San Diegans have Mexican food at every turn that makes me want to stuff my face with tacos and burritos all damn day long! I’m giving Pokez five stars because my vegan burrito was fucking top notch from my touristy, Mexican food-​deprived self. So take this review as you will.
They’ve got options for vegans, vegetarians, and meat-​eaters alike. I went with the tofu, mushroom and potato burrito + a side of guac (phenomenal). I will take potatoes over rice in my burrito any day, OK? There’s one place in Brooklyn that I used to go to (Taco Chulo) where they do ‘em up this way, and I think it’s ruined me for rice-​filled burritos 4ever. I’m also glad there’s no beans in it. I was able to eat ¾ of it without feeling like I needed to be immobile for four hours, yet it was filling enough that despite eating it around 3pm, I didn’t even need to eat dinner. Weird the way that works. If I were still tending bar, this would be the perfect thing to eat right before my 8 hour shift (yes, I still think that way).
Service is friendly, if not the most attentive (I really didn’t need attention. I just needed that burrito in my mouth!) I don’t know about the place being «hipster» but it’s definitely casual and as fast as you need it to be, though they do not at all rush you to leave.
Finally, it bears mentioning that in New Orleans, I still haven’t met a bowl of salsa that I want to drink that way!

Vegan goodness 7 stars 5 thumbs up
Wait to be seated. Pay at counter. Friendly staff.
Their tofu is marinated and delicious in burritos!

Great food, but service is a bit slow and scatter-​brained. Not too big an issue since I had some time.
I walked in and waited about a minute to be acknowledged and was told to sit wherever I’d like. Sat down, looked over the menu, and ordered vegan fajitas, which was really good! Comes with a side of rice, beans, salsa, guac, and tortillas. The fajitas were grilled strips of seasoned tofu with peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, etc. Really, really good.
Next time I’m back I will order the tofu and mushroom enchiladas… I was torn between this and the fajitas.
I’ll be back!

Be prepared when coming here for the first time! The seats have character, and even their bathrooms :) You will see what I mean when you arrive. They give you a ton of food for your orders! Tons of vegan and vegetarian options!
I would have given this location another star but what did it for me was the lack of service. For it being my first time, I was super confused as to where to pay (you dont pay at your seat fyi) and my order was incorrect. No one ever came back to my seat after receiving my food, in order to have the cook correct it. But, the good news to that is, when I went to pay bc I didn’t eat my food due to it being incorrect they didn’t charge me for that part of the meal.
I think I would come back and give it a try!

I know it looks creepy lol. Don’t be afraid to come in and try their food! It’s very simple and delicious Mexican tacos burritos and more. Friendly staff and free chips and salsa with each order. I will come back

We were referred here by my Nephew… and he is a Vegetarian. His Sister was in town visiting from Boise… and we decided to try it… and none of our group is Vegetarian… or Vegan. When we saw the sign on the building… we almost changed our minds… imagining something as bad as bean sprout tacos :-)
We went inside to check it out though… very friendly staff… and our waiter told me their Fajita’s were his favorite. So I had Carne Asada (real steak) Fajita’s. Terri had Pollo Asada tacos… and thought they were «OK»… but that the chicken did not have much chicken flavor… that’s not the restaurants fault…
My Niece had a tostado and burrito combo… said it was good… but I don’t think it was outstanding based on her reaction…
But… My Fajita’s were the best Fajita’s I’ve ever had. And both gals picking from my plate agreed. Steaming hot crisp. perfectly done bell peppers, onions, and delicious steak in a «Teriaki» based thick sauce … it was fantastic. Re-​fried beans and Spanish rice were fine… very good pico de gallo, and very good Guacamole too. Warm tasty corn tortilla’s all together a fantastic taste treat.
I look forward to going back… and the people around us… mostly Vegetarians and Vegans all said they loved the place.
Price are great… value is excellent… service is fast and friendly. Graffiti in the bathrooms takes on contemporary art status :-)

Very interesting place… very BUSY place. Easy for me to see why.
Delicious food and unique atmosphere. Vegan/​Vegetarian friendly. Beer only– no margaritas but that’s entirely ok.
I give mad love to the owner Pokez… Mahalo nui for the awesome food & service. I know I have a solid place to eat

It’s San Diego’s version of good Mexican food. And in true style, it’s a run down place, with very. interesting employees. and very. interesting décor. If you’re a local, shut up and eat. If you’re a visitor: hear me know, hear me well.
The area can be a bit sketchy. Specifically at night.
The interior is a bit alarming. The bathroom is artistic, and frightening. Like, Dr. Suess meets Steven King and they consume some mind altering food.
The servers might put you off a little, or, a lot. They’ll feed off your vibe.
It’s so San Diego. The food is toe curling, unbuckle your top pants button, good. A million options for what ever your dietary culture is. The portions are over the top. And, if you were to visit San Diego and NOT eat Mexican here, I’d say you missed out.
There’s locals here. They might look at you funny. If you’re 3 shades of pale/​sunburnt pink, wearing «I heart SD» shirts, cargo shorts, black socks and sunday dress shoes with a 9 billion mega pixel camera around your neck: you’re going to stand out anywhere. The locals aren’t to concerned with you, and won’t eat your chips.
Go. Trust me. Just go.

Whaaaaat?! I’ve never reviewed Pokez…
Better late than never.
The place is awesome! The menu is extensive, the food is great and thy have mad vegan options. You can’t complain about a thing when you have all that!

I’ve been here about 10 years ago and for some reason I remember it being «better.» Maybe I just ordered something that they aren’t that great at. I had a shrimp burrito and it was ehhh I’ve had better in encinitas. My boyfriend had the heart attack burrito which I tasted and it was bomb. So I’m sure I will be back and order a California burrito and see how they do. Staff is semi friendly, not rude, but she didn’t smile once… like I said I feel it was a 1 off so I will give this place another try soon as I love the vibe and I remember them being fantastic. I have high hopes.

I love pokez!
They love me so much they let me write on their bathroom walls, Haha. If you havent been to pokez you need to go asap. Its one out of two of my favorite mexican food resteraunt, hands down. Not only do they have delicious food but the vibe they have there is contagious.
They are serious about their food and have a passion for it along with art and you can tell right when you walk in. I have a passion for art and food too so we go together like rice and beans. They have food for the meat eaters and vegetarians. Ive tried their burritos flautas chile rellenos tacos and many more items i lost track of but its great food for great prices and a fun atmosphere youll love it and want to come back again and again.

Based on the reviews, you would think you are walking into some psychedelic jungle as you enter the restaurant. It’s funky for sure but not much different or funkier than the businesses found in most beach cities. Now, the surrounding area, on the other hand, is a borderline horrorshow. I know the uninspired unimaginative realtors call this area the «East Village.» I call it «Skid Row.» But I digress.
To my surprise, it’s a normal sit-​down restaurant. I always thought it was a divey taco shop. I came around noon and the friendly counter gal immediately took my to-​go order. I waited a reasonable time for my «Texas» burrito (pollo asado, a few fries, sour cream and, supposedly, cheese and guacamole) and a smattering of chips. I also ordered it «wet» (heh heh) with salsa and cheese on top at no extra charge.
The burrito may have been the largest burrito I have ever seen. The thing was enormous and is a true belly buster. Unfortunately, most of it was tortilla. Nevertheless, the pollo asado was well cooked and very tasty and seemed of good quality. There was also plenty of flavor. I just wish there were more fillings, less tortilla, and a couple more chips. But these are minor quibbles.
I wouldn’t say Pokez is a home run. I would call it a solid double. It’s a 3.75 on the stingy Unilocal scale and I’m rounding up. I also appreciate that they have lots of options for vegetarians yet offer plenty to those of us who use our canine teeth.