location.
119 N Church Street

hours.
mon-thurs 11am-3pm & 5-9:30pm
fri 11am-3pm & 5-10pm
sat 12-3pm & 5-10pm
sun 12-3pm

what they are known for.
sushi burritos!

menu.

features.
​outdoor dining

Pokenori has made a huge splash in the Spartanburg restaurant scene.  It’s new, innovative, and above all, insanely delicious.  Their twist on sushi is as fresh as the ingredients they are serving up!

I’ll admit, I was a bit overwhelmed on my first visit (and there have been multiple). There are many, many selections...and what makes that exciting is that you can design your favorite meal and order it over and over, or you can get something different every time you visit. 

Your meal can be ordered as a rice bowl, salad, or yes, a sushi burrito. Check out “The Signatures” if you are feeling overwhelmed by the choices before you. “Spicy Ahi” will get you spicy tuna with lettuce, sweet onion, cucumber, masago (those tiny orange fish eggs which are standard in the sushi world), and sriracha aioli. “Umami Poke” features raw salmon with lettuce, mango, carrot, cucumber, masago and spicy ginger. I can’t wait to try the “Honey Wasabi Shrimp and Scallop” which has both shrimp and scallops, lettuce, masago, cucumber, sweet and green onions, and wasabi aioli – perfect for those that aren’t fans of raw seafood!

​If you go down the rabbit hole of creating your own dish, don’t fret.  They move the line quickly but they do not rush you, so take your time! First up is choosing your protein like raw tuna or salmon, tempura shrimp, scallops, and tofu. Next, your basic veggies: lettuce, sweet onions, green onions, cucumber, carrots, edamame, cabbage, jalapenos…you get the idea.  After that, you get some more complex toppings like crab salad, seaweed salad, mango, pickled ginger, radishes, pineapple, etc.  Then there are the sauces…sriracha aioli, wasabi aioli, spicy ginger, sweet teriyaki…YUM.  And last, but very important, your crunchy toppings like sesame seeds, lotus crisps, garlic crisps, shredded nori, onion crisps, and wonton crisps.  Crunch-factor should not be overlooked!

Good news and bad news: the above lists are not exhaustive! This is the most customizable meal you will find in Spartanburg.  

I’d be remiss not to mention the décor of this new space. Its light and airy, contemporary, and right in line with the Japanese-Hawaiian fusion they aim to serve up.  There is ample seating inside for small or large groups, plus outdoor seating in the alcove where LIT coffee was set up for a little while.

You may already be planning a visit to Pokenori for your next lunch meal, but don't discount them for dinner!  They have wine and beer...date night anyone?!

​What a welcome Pokenori has received so far, and I know it’s just going to get better for them.  Thanks for being in Spartanburg, and y’all be sure to check them out!

​And if you’re looking for more Spartanburg restaurant reviews, look no further!

location.
201 Wall Street, Suite D

hours.
mon-fri 7:30am - 3pm

what they are known for.
breakfast and lunch dishes, fresh baked pastries

menu.

features.
​outdoor dining

​New to the Spartanburg restaurant scene, HenHouse Brunch has made a name for itself on Wall Street downtown. The day I visited, I waited in line for nearly 20 minutes and only barely found a seat! This did give me ample time to take in the décor which is quite charming; quirky prints and a chalkboard menu surround the counter where you order. After making my menu decision, plus picking up a pastry for the road, I took a seat and eagerly awaited my order: the Hipster sandwich and a side of She Crab Soup. 

When it arrived, I loved the casual presentation right off the bat. The sandwich was served on a waxed paper-lined metal tray with wooden utensils, with the soup piping hot in a plastic container. The Hipster features roasted red pepper, egg, cheddar cheese, scallions, wilted spinach, roasted tomato, and harissa sauce on a brioche bun.  The bread was thick and fluffy and soaked up lots of flavor from the veggies and the spicy roasted pepper sauce.  The star of this particular meal for me was, surprisingly, the She Crab Soup.  The creaminess was unmatched and the roasted corn on top added a sweet and salty crunch that I couldn’t get enough of!

On another visit not too long after this one, I tried The Benny: poached egg, Canadian bacon, and hollandaise on an open-faced croissant. The sauce and the egg yolk soaked right into the nooks and crannies of that croissant making for delicious decadence in every bite. 

​And don’t forget to pick up a fresh-baked pastry for later! Now that summer is here, there’s additional seating outside, so if you happen to visit HenHouse Brunch when it’s busy, sit back and relax…it’s worth the wait.

And if you want more Spartanburg restaurant reviews, look no further!