Fast-casual poke bowl restaurant Poke Munch has opened its newest location at 1762 Clarkson Road in Chesterfield, bringing its fresh and flavorful offerings closer to an already loyal customer base. The expansion marks the brand’s fourth location and its most successful grand opening to date.
The journey to securing a Chesterfield spot was not without its challenges. According to Poke Munch owner Nadeem Hosseini, finding the right location took years due to exclusive agreements between landlords and existing tenants. “We’ve been wanting to come into Chesterfield as our second location since 2021,” Hosseini shared. “However, a lot of the plazas we wanted to be in had exclusives. For example, Chipotle had an exclusive on rice bowls, and sushi spots in other plazas saw us as competition.”
After extensive searching, an opportunity finally arose in late 2023. The team secured the keys in November 2024, and despite minor delays due to weather and signage, Poke Munch successfully held its soft opening on Jan. 20, followed by a grand opening on Jan. 31. The turnout exceeded expectations. “It was the best grand opening we’ve had as far as revenue and sales,” Hosseini said. “Ninety percent of the people I spoke to were returning customers saying, ‘We’re so happy you moved to Chesterfield. This is so much closer to my house!’”
As Poke Munch continues to grow, Hosseini is adapting to shifting consumer preferences. While raw fish remains a staple of the brand, demand for cooked protein options has risen significantly. “In 2018, poke bowls were everything,” he explained. “But now, we’re seeing a shift towards more salad-driven bowls with different protein options. Chicken, in particular, has taken off for us – we now sell more chicken than all our seafood proteins combined. 2024 was a year of expansion. 2025 will be a year of menu redesign and operational change,” he said, hinting at upcoming innovations throughout the year.
Beyond the food, Poke Munch prides itself on fostering a welcoming and familial atmosphere. “At every location, we have a sign that says ‘Ohana,’ which in Hawaiian means family,” Hosseini said. “Many of our employees are either literally my family or people I’ve known since they were kids. That warmth extends to our customers. In our Creve Coeur location, 80% of daily sales come from returning customers. We know their orders by heart. We’ve watched their kids grow up. That’s the kind of relationship we build.”
The Chesterfield location follows the brand’s signature aesthetic – clean, modern and inviting. Each store features a hand-designed mural, a tradition that began during the pandemic when a loyal customer, Nathan Jeffords, designed their first mural. While Jeffords has since relocated, his designs remain an integral part of Poke Munch’s identity.
With strong community ties, an evolving menu and a devoted customer base, Poke Munch’s Chesterfield expansion is already proving to be a resounding success. With more exciting menu developments on the horizon, fans have plenty to look forward to in 2025.
This article appears in January/February 2025.