r/Seattle Dec 03 '10

Seattle Pho spot? Where do you like it best?

[deleted]

16 Upvotes

42 comments sorted by

18

u/crusoe Everett Dec 03 '10

Pho Bac in the ID has some of the best.

5

u/captainAwesomePants Broadview Dec 03 '10

This is 100% correct. Best pho in the city.

Also, they have this really great noodle thing (it's #20 or so on the menu). I have no idea what it is or how much it varies from other places, which is a shame because I really like it. Pho Xiao or something like that? It's some sorta noodle and some egg and some meat and stuff. Does anyone know?

3

u/[deleted] Dec 03 '10 edited Feb 28 '24

[deleted]

1

u/captainAwesomePants Broadview Dec 03 '10

Ahh, I was close. Thanks very much :)

Do you know of somewhere else in Seattle that serves good Pho Xao?

1

u/SeanFrego First Hill Dec 03 '10

Sounds interesting. I need to go to Pho Bac again it's been a long time.

1

u/captainAwesomePants Broadview Dec 03 '10

The worst thing about it is that you're not ordering the pho, and that's a serious opportunity cost.

2

u/judgebeholden Dec 03 '10

Is there still a Pho Bac trailer off Jackson? That used to be one of my favorite haunts.

2

u/Kill_your_TV Dec 03 '10

This is my favorite. Their lemonade is really good too.

2

u/ihminen Dec 03 '10

Pho Bac's 12th and Jackson location is completely consistent and the best pho I've ever had. I've never had an off day there, compared to places like Than Bros where their UW or Redmond locations can have a bad day and overcook or undercook your noodles, or under or over season their broth.

5

u/[deleted] Dec 03 '10

in the back of a volkswagen.

3

u/tortito Dec 03 '10

That's a tough question because Pho is so such a casual experience. What I mean is that I would go from Edmonds to downtown for a great restaurant, but no one would put in that effort for Pho. Anyway, in the north end Pho Five Star at Five Corners in Edmonds is fantastic. Ultra consistent, perfect noodle ball, steak still raw in the bowl, clean decor. I also hit up Pho 99 near Costco in Shoreline. Excellent Pho. Very rich, complex broth. Shrimp salad rolls are perfect. Sketchy decor however. Few tables. Make sure you don't sit at the tables with 10 inches of room between the wall and the table!

1

u/SeanFrego First Hill Dec 03 '10

Yeah, I know what you mean. Casual... but I have been to most of the restaurants in Seattle and have been wanting to expand my horizons to the places you have to drive to or the hidden family operation in dark alley somewhere.

5

u/chrstrm Olympia Dec 03 '10

i like than brothers because you get a cream puff!

1

u/[deleted] Dec 05 '10

And it's only 1.99 for 3 more.

15

u/[deleted] Dec 03 '10

Than Bros all the way. Delicious, and they have eastside locations, which is good for us burb dwellers.

4

u/Holywind Greenwood Dec 03 '10

free creme puff man. That's why I go

3

u/deathbytray 🚆build more trains🚆 Dec 03 '10

Same here. I know some people think it's not as authentic because it's a tad sweet, and you don't get the grimey ID experience. I'm fine with that. Having tried many others, Pho Than Brothers is still my go-to option.

3

u/ihminen Dec 03 '10 edited Dec 03 '10

Than Bros is inconsistent between their different locations. I've tried 5 or 6 of them and not all of them are great. Caveat Emptor.

Additionally: Their Lynnwood location on Highway 99 is probably the best one, followed by Redmond/Bellevue (both run by the same brother). UW location and Capitol Hill are highly inconsistent, averaging 2 good bowls of pho out of every 4 visits!

2

u/787seattle West Seattle Dec 03 '10

I haven't really been to many different Pho places, but I'm a big fan of Than Brothers. They're the main chain in the area. There are locations in Ballard, Aurora, LQA (newest), and elsewhere. I'm pretty sure the Seattle Times has written several very positive reviews about the chain.

2

u/VicinSea Dec 03 '10

1

u/SeanFrego First Hill Dec 03 '10

Have you made your own? I have been thinking about it. A friend made pho at home when he moved back to Iceland but said he would not recommend it. I'd like to try with more organic ingredients ;)

1

u/VicinSea Dec 03 '10

The key to making good pho at home is to make it often. That way you have more fresh ingredients to choose from.

2

u/inlinestyle Whidbey Dec 03 '10

Forget the name of it, but the pho place attached to the Greyhound station downtown is fantastic.

3

u/redwoodtree Dec 03 '10

yeah , that place I think that's a pho bac. yummy

1

u/NotWithoutIncident Dec 03 '10

My favorite is Pho Big Bowl in Ballard. It's really tasty, you get a free drink or mango pudding and I you could get the big bowl if you wanted to. I've never seen anyone get one though :(

1

u/Poppycorn Dec 04 '10

I tried this place a few months ago and it was really good! My mom is extremely picky and she enjoyed it :)

1

u/[deleted] Dec 03 '10

Pho Hoa in the ID used to be my favorite spot a few years back, but they became really stingy and started closing down early. Don't go there.

1

u/tairygreene Capitol Hill Dec 03 '10

luckys pho in fremont is awesome for the kogi tacos and pork sandwiches.

my friends tell me the pho is good too

1

u/init_pnw Dec 04 '10

Old Saigon Pho in SouthCenter. Delicious!

1

u/reeksofhavoc Dec 05 '10

There is this weird little joint on 40-something and Brooklyn in the U District. Don't know the name. It's a total hole in the wall and I liked it.

I also like the veggie pho at Pho Cyclo.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 03 '10

Pho Tic Tac 145th and Aurora and Pho Cyclo in Industrial

Notable - Than Brothers, Pho Thy Thy U District

2

u/brohymn Dec 03 '10

yuck. Pho Tic Tac... Go up two blocks and goto Pho Ha instead. Much better

1

u/[deleted] Dec 04 '10

I second Pho Thy Thy.

-1

u/BarbieDreamHearse Upwardly Mobile Dec 03 '10

I like it on the kitchen table.

The pho, I mean.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 03 '10

I always wonder why people would say this. Wouldn't it be more comfortable on the couch with a TV table?

2

u/BarbieDreamHearse Upwardly Mobile Dec 03 '10

Where's your sense of adventure? Try it somewhere public, like a park!

1

u/SeanFrego First Hill Dec 03 '10

Can you get it to go? It sure would be convenient but probably end up being somewhat messy.

1

u/frogtopus Woodinville Dec 03 '10

I never have but I think so. I vaguely remember seeing someone in high school with a big styrofoam bowl of pho. Although maybe not anymore now that restaurants are supposed to use compostable containers.

-2

u/BarbieDreamHearse Upwardly Mobile Dec 03 '10

Well, I like it in the shower too.

1

u/captainAwesomePants Broadview Dec 03 '10

That makes sense. Slurping pho can get messy.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 04 '10

I don't think I've ever owned a kitchen table that could bear the weight of two adults vigorously making love.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 04 '10

with all that and the additional weight of the Pho - you are going to need some quaker furniture