Pokeworks is leaning into the fast-casual protein arms race with a new limited-time offering that puts a hard number on the menu board. The Irvine, Calif.-based poke chain launched its High-Protein Surf & Turf Bowl on June 16, pairing ahi tuna and chicken breast in a single entrée that delivers 44 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber per bowl.
The nutritional profile is the clearest signal of intent. At 44 grams of protein, the LTO lands well above the threshold that health-forward fast-casual operators typically market as a performance-meal tier — a benchmark competitors including Sweetgreen and Cava have chased through chicken-heavy menu builds and third-party protein add-ons. The 10-gram fiber count adds a satiety angle that has become a secondary selling point across the better-for-you segment. Pokeworks has not disclosed pricing or calorie count for the new bowl.
The dual-protein format — surf and turf — is a less common construction in the poke category, where single fish proteins typically anchor the ticket. Stacking ahi tuna alongside chicken breast allows Pokeworks to attract both traditional poke consumers and guests who have drifted toward warm-protein bowls at competitors. The move tracks a broader fast-casual LTO trend in which limited-time menu events are increasingly structured around macro-nutrient positioning rather than flavor novelty alone.
For Pokeworks, the timing aligns with the summer daypart window, when on-premise lunch traffic in suburban and urban trade areas typically peaks for fast-casual bowl concepts. The chain, which operates customizable poke bowls and burritos, has built its menu around fresh, made-to-order assembly — a format that accommodates high-protein builds without significant back-of-house retooling. Whether the Surf & Turf Bowl converts to a permanent menu slot will depend on LTO velocity data the brand has not yet shared publicly.
The launch is consistent with a segment-wide pivot toward protein-forward menu development that has accelerated since 2024, as operators respond to consumer survey data linking protein content to repeat visit intent among millennial and Gen Z lunch guests. Pokeworks has not announced a sunset date for the LTO.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
