Lettuce Entertain You to launch delivery-only poke concept

Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Inc., or LEYE, is joining the poke craze with a delivery-only concept called ASAP Poke. 

Scheduled to open on July 11, in Chicago, ASAP Poke will serve signature and build-your-own poke bowls and sushi rolls. The concept is a collaboration between chef Tim Hockett of LEYE’s M Burger, Nacional 27 and Tallboy Taco, and Naoki Nakashima, chef of of Naoki Sushi, and chef Hisanobu Osaka.

Hockett said the idea came about as they were sourcing fish for restaurants within the group.

“And we thought it would be great to be able to share this product with our guests in a more convenient, affordable way,” he said.

Customers will be able to select from four signature poke options, in a bowl or as a maki roll, or they can create custom bowls or rolls starting with a base of sushi rice, brown rice, tabbouleh or greens. They can then pick a protein, six toppers and a sauce with garnish.

The Classic Avocado Poke includes ginger, scallions, classic poke marinade, rice, sliced cucumbers, avocado, soy beans, shredded lettuce, watermelon radish, seaweed, pickled ginger and sesame seeds.

Photo: ASAP Poke

The Ginger Yuzu Poke includes gingered beets, scallions, classic poke marinade, rice, soy beans, sliced cucumbers, avocado, pickled ginger, crispy shallots and sesame seeds.

Items will be available in two sizes: a 24-ounce bowl or roll priced at $12.95, or a “shortie” 16-ounce bowl priced at $9.95. 

ASAP Poke will use third-party delivery services Caviar, GrubHub and UberEats to bring food to customers, with fees that range from $2.50 to $5.95, depending on the service.

The food will be prepared in a kitchen connected to Naoki Sushi, utilizing the restaurants chefs and high-quality fish, but in a separate space, the company said. Delivery will initially be limited to a three-mile radius.

ASAP Poke is the first poke concept for Chicago-based LEYE, which owns, manages or licenses more than 100 restaurants across the country and in Canada, from the casual Wow Bao to the higher-end Everest and Tru. 

Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected]

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