Pokéworks Opening in West Hartford September 21

Get pumped West Hartford foodies. On Sept 21st, Pokéworks, the much beloved, healthy, fast-casual poke restaurant, will be opening its doors. The new spot is going into Corbin Collection (across from Westfarms mall) located at 1445 New Britain Avenue, and brings a fresh take on Hawaiian-inspired poke bowls and burritos with a convenient and customizable menu.  (Check out our review for the Pokéworks Westport location here.)

This fast-casual restaurant franchise, founded in 2015, is all about healthy food served in a convenient and responsible way. To celebrate the grand opening, the West Hartford location will offer a taste of the islands with a special all-day buy one, get one free deal on September 21st, between normal business hours. In addition to exclusive giveaways and prizes, the first 50 guests in line will enjoy a coveted Pokéworks branded coconut.

Pokéworks West Hartford Co-Owners, Sonny Chen and Max Condren, are long-time childhood friends who grew up together in Hartford. Their entrepreneurial spirit began at a young age eventually evolving into a professional business relationship, with the opening of Black Bamboo, a beloved Chinese Food Restaurant in West Hartford, CT, and now as business partners with the opening of Pokéworks. 

“Max and I met when we were 7 and we have been close friends ever since,” says Sonny Chen, Co-Owner.  “We grew up together having attended Noah Webster school in Hartford and played soccer together for many years.  We both have always had that drive in us to work hard, having started a little business together when we were just 14, selling things out of our garage on EBay.  Our professional background in hospitality began with the opening of Black Bamboo in 2011 and now Pokéworks. We are really excited to introduce this incredible global brand to our West Hartford community.”

Inspired by sustainable, seasonal and natural ingredients, Pokéworks believes in the importance of meeting today’s needs while preserving our oceans. Guests of all dietary restrictions, including those maintaining gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan, as well as cooked or raw protein diets can enjoy a build their own poke bowls, burritos or salads by selecting a base protein – tuna, salmon, chicken, shrimp, scallops and tofu, unique regional mix-ins, flavoring sauces, toppings and crunchy texture.

“Poke lovers in West Hartford will quickly come to find that Pokéworks is substantially different than your typical fast-casual restaurant,” says co-owner Max Condren. “Our genuinely fresh ingredients, responsibly-sourced seafood and chef-curated sauces, paired with the unique demographic of the Greater Hartford community makes Pokéworks the perfect destination for fresh, fast and reliable food.”

Founded in 2015 with its first store in Midtown Manhattan, Pokéworks is building on momentum largely fueled by its millennial relevance and deep-rooted commitment to sustainability efforts as seen through its certified reclaimed wood building material.  With restaurants in California, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, Connecticut, Illinois and Texas, Pokéworks has carved out a unique niche in the industry with over 40 locations open and more than 100 locations projected to open by end of 2020.

There are two other locations in Wilton, CT and Westport, CT and a Greenwich location coming soon.  

Pokéworks of West Hartford is open from M-Sat: 11AM-9:30PM, Sun: 11AM-9PM. For more information on Pokéworks of West Hartford, call 860-521-8888 or visit their website.