Food Network star to bring poke concept to key mid-century Uptown building (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=470-Food-Network-star-to-bring-poke-concept-to-key-mid-century-Uptown-building)

The long-vacant mid-century gem at 1520 NW 23rd will soon get a complete renovation and be home to Oki Poke restaurant.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okipoke4.jpg


Los Angeles-based Chef Penny Davidi is the executive chef for the project which will also feature hearty noodle dishes in addition to poke, a healthy Hawaiian dish comprised of sliced raw fish and various mix-ins.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okipoke5.jpg


Davidi has been featured on the Food Network through appearances on Chopped All-Stars, Food Network Star, Cut Throat Kitchen, Kitchen Inferno, PUMP and several other national television shows.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okipoke13.jpg


Also a consultant for Sysco, Davidi told OKCTalk that her position allows her to see food trends as they happen nationwide, and that poke has been at the top of the list the last several years.

Davidi said she and her team chose Oklahoma City after traveling here and seeing the potential, and hopes to be able to take the Oki Poke concept to other markets.

Due to Oklahoma's changing weather, the group decided to also offer a hot noodle bar with the choice of 3 broths, 3 types of noodles plus fresh vegetables, proteins and other toppings.

For beverages, Oki Poke will offer several of Davidi's private label wines as well as local craft beers.

The 3,600 square foot Uptown building was built in 1964 for Foster's Flowers and Gifts on the southeast corner of NW 23rd and McKinley.

Foster's closed shop in 2003 and sold to a local doctor but the building has been empty for a considerable time and has fallen into complete disrepair.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okipoke10.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okipoke11a.jpg


The renovated structure will feature a drive-thru and a large covered patio facing 23rd Street. Oki Poke hopes to be open this summer.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okipoke3a.jpg

Great news! I’ve been worried about that building for years. Mid-century modern gem for sure.

That looks super cool. I’ll have to try

Great news! This stretch has a bit of momentum with Syrup, Pollo Campero and now this. Come on Gold Dome and Rainbow Records!

Poke is amazing! So excited for this to open.

Great news! This stretch has a bit of momentum with Syrup, Pollo Campero and now this. Come on Gold Dome and Rainbow Records!

Don’t forget Chea and the newly renovated Flamingo apts.
this stretch is coming along nicely.

Yaaaay! I’ve been driving by this building for years hoping something would happen, especially after the wild windstorm ripped all the plywood covering off and exposed the (at one time) all glass storefront. I’m lol’ing at the “hope to be open this summer.” Why does everyone think they can do a resto job in 90 days? Typical landlord allowance for white box tenant improvement I suppose.

Poke is amazing! So excited for this to open.

Can't wait to add this to my ever expansive list of must eats list when in OKC. Yes, Poke is awesome!

I wish they would use the same font and sign-style as the old "Foster's" sign for the new Oki Poke...

In Dave Cathey's article, it says that there will be two new poke restaurants, Oki Poke and Okie Pokie, coming to 23rd. Oki Poke in this building and Okie Pokie going into the downstairs of the old Guernsey Park location with Noodee going upstairs. I imagine one of the spots will have a name change soon.

http://newsok.com/uptown-stating-its-case/article/5584069

In Dave Cathey's article, it says that there will be two new poke restaurants, Oki Poke and Okie Pokie, coming to 23rd. Oki Poke in this building and Okie Pokie going into the downstairs of the old Guernsey Park location with Noodee going upstairs. I imagine one of the spots will have a name change soon.

http://newsok.com/uptown-stating-its-case/article/5584069

Hey they actually credited OKCTalk as a source on this!

All this Okie Pokie/Oki Poke stuff has me turned all around.

But I guess that's what it's all about.

^^^
That's a top notch dad joke right there. Lol

Any updates on this?

Work has started on this.
15053

Yes!

I saw this yesterday and it made me very happy.


I had spoken to the proprietors and was told everything was still in the works, but with such long delays you always wonder.

Are they still planning on using the same name?

Are they still planning on using the same name?

Yes, as far as I know.

They have plans to have multiple locations.

That's great news, I just assumed this project was off after Noodee and Okie Pokie opened literally 0.7 miles down the street lol.
This building is a blight, glad someone is going to fix it.

This is the rendering of the final, approved plan.

They removed the drive-thru but everything else is pretty much the same as the original rendering.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okipoke120518b.jpg

glad they removed the drive-thru. Need more Urban walk-ups and streetfronts.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okipoke020219.jpg

Work on this project has stalled for at least the last couple of months.

Glad to report that work is now slowly moving forward here.

Hard to see, but storefront is starting to go in.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okipoke070619a.jpg

Moving forward, but at a glacial pace.

https://i.imgur.com/iP2M2kX.jpg

How is possible for a project to move this slow? Are they just showing up once a week, nailing down a piece of plywood, calling it a day?

Still not much happening here:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okiepoke022920a.jpg

Pete,

Any idea what is going on with the property directly east of this? You can see the roll off in your drone shot. Noticed that appeared a couple of weeks ago and they have been working pretty extensively on the property. Both small buildings there seem to be getting worked on to some extent.

Pete,

Any idea what is going on with the property directly east of this? You can see the roll off in your drone shot. Noticed that appeared a couple of weeks ago and they have been working pretty extensively on the property. Both small buildings there seem to be getting worked on to some extent.

There are no building permits so not sure what is happening there.

Still not much happening here:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okiepoke022920a.jpg

Probably because the poke bowl fad is slowly fading away, IMO. Unfortunate, as I love poke bowls.

There are no building permits so not sure what is happening there.

My guess is they're either having financing issues or they already went over budget (or even both).

My guess is they're either having financing issues or they already went over budget (or even both).

Just to be clear, my comment was in regard to the building to the east; the one in the photo with the dumpster.

That would make a great artisan bakery and coffee shop.

There has been a For Lease sign here for at least a couple of weeks. I'm guessing this project fell through?

There has been a For Lease sign here for at least a couple of weeks. I'm guessing this project fell through?

I think it finally did.

This building is now going to be a dispensary.

Just filed plans for new signage, etc.

This is the rendering of the final, approved plan.

They removed the drive-thru but everything else is pretty much the same as the original rendering.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okipoke120518b.jpg

Still a ways to go on this one...

Oki Poke to now Oki Toke? Easy change. LOL

I guess they're being a slow....wait for it.....poke :wink:

:lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2::l ol2::lol2::lol2::lol2:
Oki Poke to now Oki Toke? Easy change. LOL

��

Don’t Bogart that joint my friend, pass it over to me, you’ve been hanging onto it, and I sure would like a hit....

Oki Poke to now Oki Toke? Easy change. LOL

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d7/68/db/d768db4f5b77db746a1b9d8624effe31.gif

Well, the dispensary fell through as well...

Plans have now been submitted for Seoul Pocha, a Korean bar and restaurant.

Pocha is a term used for Korean food and bar carts that offer popular street food. Looks like it could be an interesting new addition to Uptown and will be good to see this building finally open once again.

Well that is some great news. I cannot wait until this building is finally finished and active again.

You had me at Korean street food!

Yes!!! We needed a Korean restaurant in this part of the city badly. Tired of driving to MWC/Moore just to get our fix.

^

Technically Del City and Moore... No Korean in MWC that I'm aware of.

There is also this option at I-40 and Meridian

Maples Korean BBQ
4420 W I 40 Service Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73108

^

Technically Del City and Moore... No Korean in MWC that I'm aware of.

There is also this option at I-40 and Meridian

Maples Korean BBQ
4420 W I 40 Service Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73108

OK Ko mart grocery store in MWC has a korean restaurant in the back it is fantastic

OK Ko mart grocery store in MWC has a korean restaurant in the back it is fantastic

You are correct.... I always forget about it since it looks more like a convenience store.

So technically Mid-Del/Moore area. ;)

^

Technically Del City and Moore... No Korean in MWC that I'm aware of.

There is also this option at I-40 and Meridian

Maples Korean BBQ
4420 W I 40 Service Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73108

My mistake. I’m not too familiar with the area, so I just lump everything in that part of town as mwc.

And I’ve been to Maples once before and it was ok. But I think they’re strictly AYCE Korean bbq, and we like to order specific dishes off the menu. And even if we were able to order off the menu, not sure how good the food would be, as I heard the owners were Chinese. For Korean bbq, check out Gangnam in Moore. Very good.

Awesome news! I hope they have short ribs...

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/seoul121121a.jpg

very good to see OKC expanding it's food options from Asia!!! Keep it up.

I think I mention this in every thread where Korean food comes up, but if anyone is ever in Dallas, try BCD Tofu House. It is AMAZING!!!

I think I mention this in every thread where Korean food comes up, but if anyone is ever in Dallas, try BCD Tofu House. It is AMAZING!!!

Will definitely have to try it next time I’m down there. Went to Gen in that same shopping strip before and had a really good experience.

Seoul Pocha is definitely moving forward...

Took this photo today:

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/uptown022722a.jpg

I saw that the restaurant was finally open.

Couldn't find anything online yet other than a blurb on google listing from the owners. "Coming SOON! Korean restaurant and bar with a private Karaoke room. Come and try K- cultures."

Dictionary.com describes K-culture as "K-culture is a catchall term for Korean entertainment, food, music, movies, beauty, and fashion products that have become popular worldwide." Sounds like this could be an interesting place especially with a private karaoke room. Excited to see the menu and taste the food.

I don't think that they're open yet. They have a temporary sign up but driving past, it still looked like there's quite a bit of work to be done inside still.

I don't think that they're open yet. They have a temporary sign up but driving past, it still looked like there's quite a bit of work to be done inside still.

Noticed they were landscaping and working on the parking lot and fence