Meridian restaurant to close, new one to open. Tako Tuesdays (not Taco) are coming.

If you love poke, here’s bad news: A Paddles Up Poke in Meridian will permanently close on the evening of May 15.

If you love poke, here’s good news: The local franchisee plans to open his own new restaurant, Poke Vibes, in the same space.

The rebranded eatery at 13601 W. McMillan Road should make its debut by late May, owner Jordan Tapangco said. Paddles Up Poke continues to operate restaurants in the Treasure Valley and Ketchum.

Poke (pronounced “POH-kay”) is raw, marinated fish with roots in Hawaii. Poke Vibes still will have a menu rooted in poke bowls, Tapangco said. But unlike Paddles Up, there will be no poke burritos. Poke Vibes also will offer a larger assortment of specific poke styles, he said, along with customizable bowls popular with customers.

“I’m working on the recipes right now to get the menu finalized,” he said. “... I asked my family. My dad’s side of the family is from Hawaii, so I asked them to give me as many recipes as they can.”

Tapangco, who opened his Paddles Up Poke store in 2018, plans to start painting and updating the decor immediately after shuttering it. He hopes to launch Poke Vibes the day after Memorial Day: May 26.

He’s begun offering tidbits about the new restaurant on its Facebook page.

“Introducing tako!” he posted. “Tako is prepared octopus and is a traditional Hawaiian favorite! Not only is it beautiful, but the flavor is out of this world delicious! Once we open our doors we will be serving up the Treasure Valley with this deliciousness every Tuesday, bringing a new twist to an old favorite with Tako Tuesdays!”

How crazy will that twist be? Poke Vibes won’t serve tako in actual tacos, Tapangco said. It will be offered as a rotating protein in bowls.

At least for now.

Actually, why not do an octopus in a tortilla?

“That would be super good,” he said. “I don’t know why it wouldn’t be.”

Online: pokevibes.com.

This story was originally published April 30, 2020 at 3:01 PM.