“A longtime Riverside poke location is getting a fresh island makeover,” said an Instagram post published this week by JAX Food. “After nearly a decade in the neighborhood, the space at 1661 Riverside Ave is transitioning into Makai Poke & Musubi — bringing a new concept, a revamped menu, more variety, and traditional Hawaiian-style poke the way it’s eaten in Hawaii.”
“Hospitality investor John Panghulan made an unexpected investment in the store when he saw an opportunity to open a new Hawaiian food high-quality quick service restaurant, a concept that was lacking in his Riverside home neighborhood,” said coverage by the Jacksonville Business Journal.
Panghulan, who is opening Makai in partnership with Nathan Ferrer, is also the founder of the Jacksonville-based Curbside Marketing Agency. What Now reached out to Panghulan on Friday to ask about plans for the opening. Panghulan was not immediately available to discuss Makai Poke & Musubi.
But the details are already getting out!
“Makai Poke Bar serves authentic Hawaiian poke in Jacksonville’s Riverside,” says a description of the restaurant on Google Maps. “Enjoy traditional poke bowls with fresh ahi tuna or salmon over rice, alongside classic Hawaiian musubis. Simple, fresh, and rooted in real Hawaiian food culture. Find us on Riverside Ave.”
You can keep up with the opening by following @makaijax on Instagram.
