Pokemoto, Sadot Group Inc’s expanding Hawaiian Poke bowl restaurant concept, is saying “aloha” to north Houston’s City Place with an approximately 1,500-square-foot quick service location at 2174 Spring Stuebner Road. A mid-November 2023 debut is expected at The Market, one of two retail clusters within City Place, a sustainable, forward-thinking and dynamic hub for business, leisure and living, situated at the axis of the Grand Parkway, Hardy Toll Road, and Interstate 45. This will be the first Pokemoto in Greater Houston and just the second in Texas.
Pokemoto joins an array of popular restaurants – several first to market – and service businesses within the 170,000-square foot, LEED certified and Kroger anchored lifestyle center, which was developed in a joint venture by Regency Centers and CDC Houston. First time Pokemoto franchisee and longtime Spring, TX resident Matt Judice was represented in the lease transaction by Pouya Tiraie of the Weitzman Group.
No stranger to the industry, Judice comes from a hospitality family. His grandfather and great uncles founded a restaurant that is still in operation after a remarkable 75 years. The experience of working side by side with them instilled the importance of using quality ingredients, providing exceptional customer service, maintaining a keen attention to detail and ultimately creating memorable experiences for customers.
According to Judice, “While researching franchise opportunities to bring close to home at City Place, I was immediately drawn to Pokemoto’s delicious menu items and the brand’s broad appeal. It’s a perfect complement to the diverse dining options at The Market, which attracts a bustling lunch and dinner crowd from nearby residences, businesses and hotels.”
Guests can look forward to a menu of bowls, burritos and salads featuring popular signature bowls, as well as build your own offerings with an array of bases, proteins, mix-ins, toppings and crunches from which to choose. While Judice is personally fond of the spicy mayo, there’s a dressing for every taste, ranging from creamy miso and sweet teriyaki to umami shhoyu and Himalayan salt. Diners can also get a taste of classic Hawaiian SPAM musubis – snacks of sliced, air-fried spam with steamed rice and nori – plus a variety of milk and fruit boba teas.
The interior will showcase Hawaiian decorative elements paired with bright colors and patterns.
Job postings for crew and shift lead positions are currently posted online at Indeed and the Pokemoto website, and the goal is to have up to 10 employees hired by the opening.
