Pine Isle opened for business on Oct. 1.

Pine Isle, located at 3005 S. University Drive, is a Hawaiian-inspired takeout restaurant owned by Kevin Singharaj. The restaurant offers a large selection of menu items, including poke bowls, its most popular item, with about 35,000 sold since April 2025. The poke is marinated in the traditional Hawaiian style and can be served over steamed white rice with furikake, mixed greens, or a combination of both, which is the recommended option.

Pine Isle’s first location is about seven minutes from Southern Methodist University’s campus in Dallas.

“The neighborhood showed us so much love that we were able to open a second location,” Singharaj said.

Pine Isle owner Kevin Singharaj. (Justin Schwartz)

Pine Isle came about after Singharaj lived in Hawaii for six years and wanted to share the Hawaiian comfort meals he ate regularly with others.

After living in Hawaii, Singharaj moved to Washington, where he opened a poke bar, before moving to Texas during the pandemic. Singharaj’s family owns Zaap Kitchen, which inspired him to open his own restaurant, Pine Isle.

Singharaj previously lived in the area surrounding TCU. “I love the mix of students, faculty and neighbors around TCU,” Singharaj said. “It felt like a place where Pine Isle could fit right in.”

Singharaj said students should expect “good, consistent food and a team that’s happy to help you figure out what to order. Come hang out with friends, order ahead for pickup, or get delivery through Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Grubhub.”

Singharaj said Pine Isle has something for everyone. Whether it’s the grilled BBQ chicken plate, shoyu salmon, creamy spicy ahi over rice and salad, or poke nachos, customers can stay in their comfort zone or try something new.

I had the opportunity to dine at the restaurant before the grand opening. I tried the poke bowl, which was amazing. The mix of tuna and salmon paired with rice, seaweed salad, edamame, ginger and crab salad worked well together. I also tried the BBQ chicken plate, which was my personal favorite.

Pine Isle’s poke bowl. (TCU 360/Whitney Charlson)

Pine Isle sits on University Drive next to Dutch’s Hamburgers, Buffalo Bros, Ampersand and McAlister’s Deli. What makes Pine Isle different is its approach to Hawaiian-inspired food.

“Our food reflects the mix of cultures and flavors you find in local Hawaii cooking,” Singharaj said. “We make about 90% of our menu in-house, mix our poke with its sauces and ingredients and cook our hot plates to order. And to me, how we treat people matters just as much as the food.”

Singharaj said preparing for the opening has been “exciting and hectic.” The restaurant recently focused on training its team and learning how to maintain the same consistency “from Dallas to Fort Worth.” Pine Isle also held a friends and family event Sept. 24 to give the community a taste of the restaurant before its Oct. 1 opening.

When asked how he sees Pine Isle fitting into the TCU community, Singharaj said he hopes the restaurant becomes a regular spot for students.

“I hope we become one of your regular spots, whether you’re grabbing lunch between classes or dinner with friends,” Singharaj said. “We’re proud to be here and I want Pine Isle to be a good neighbor that people are happy to come back to.”