4. Restaurants

Pho Bac

1314 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA, 98144
  • (206) 323-4387
  • Store is closed

Pho Bac Menu

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  • Danh N.

    Definitely the best pho in Seattle period. Don't expect any fancy linen or silverware as this is a no frills pho joint. They do one thing only and they do it very well. Be sure to order some chinese fried bread sticks (dau chao quay) to dip in your pho broth. Trust me it's good.

    (5)

  • ngoc v.

    I have been eating pho here as long as I could remember! Best tasting pho for an affordable price and I can always count on how fresh and filling the broth is! I always order pho with rare steak, fatty brisket and meatballs and let me tell ya, it never disappoints!! And if you want to try something different then get the vinegar onions to eat with the meat! Just add siracha, hoison sauce and a squeeze of lime for more favors! Also their stir fried noodles and rice dishes are also a plus!! Must try them all! My only advice is come here before 6 pm because they switch cooks twice a day and I am always a fan of the ladies that cook my pho in the mornings! ^^

    (5)

  • Kate S.

    It is that time of year again. It is cold, dark, and rainy. Everyone seems to be getting sick, or just sick of the weather. So my best personal cure for this? Pho. Lots and lots of Pho. I'm eating it at least once a week during these dark winter months...And this Pho Bac. Out of all the Bacs i've been to, is simply the most delicious. It's a little divey in here. And the heaters dont seem to work that well. But man oh man. The pho here is lovely. The most flavorful, delicious broth i've had. Perfect rare beef in boggling quantities -- how much can they actually fit into these bowls? The basil is fresh, bright and green. The jalapenos spicy. Condiment bottles full, fresh, and never stale. Seriously, this is the best Bac out there. Cash only -- but hey, they have an atm. So don't you fret. Just come down and enjoy a bowl.

    (5)

  • Daren D.

    Board this boat very good pho down your throat it shall go. Side note: Watch your step at the door; you be trippin'.

    (4)

  • Terran W.

    This shabby location on the edge of LIttle Saigon is tiny, packed, and consistent. Invariably when I'm here someone asks a worker for something they don't have and they are met with poor English blank stares and a point at the menu board. Vegetarian? Next door. Tofu? Perplexing eye roll. The broth is delicious, everything (pho, cause that's all they got) always is, here. It's not expensive or pretentious and is my go to Pho king. The Pho Bac (equally crowded and delicious) down the road on Rainier has those Veg and stir fry options...

    (3)

  • Brandon C.

    Some of the best pho in Seattle. I actually did not know this place was a boat until last year, I mean I walked by this place everyday during my middle school years and ate here every now and then, but wow. It's a boat. The cafe sua da here is pretty good too. These guy make the pho broth right. Really authentic, good pricing, and good sizing. A funny memory I have of this place is when they gave me a 50 cent coin and I was so confused.

    (5)

  • Carla M.

    No fuss neighborhood Pho joint. What you see is what you get. A family run establishment that has been cooking Pho for generations. Fresh, cheap, clean, in and out. The round steak Pho was delicious on a rainy day. Love that they drop the pieces of raw meat into your soup bowl to cook (in the kitchen) so it's not over cooked. Also a fan of the thin noodles.

    (4)

  • Clonal M.

    I love this place. I mean the food not the atmosphere. Best Pho in Seattle! Very friendly staff. Great service. Convenient location with parking.

    (4)

  • Julie S.

    Best Pho I've had yet, and I love Pho:) the proportion of meat to noodles and broth is impressively done to perfection. Add veggies to it and mmmm, Impeccable. Well done Pho Bac!!

    (5)

  • Mac O.

    This place was dirty and the pho was just meh. Plenty of other pho places to go to.

    (2)

  • Michael N.

    They accept debit/credit cards here. The Pho: Order the pho with everything and you can make sure your 7$ goes very far. 8$ for a large pho. The broth is fantastic. Not greasy, and yet completely packed beefy flavor. Spices are aromatic and flavorful. Very stellar and clean accoutrements. Basil , bean sprouts, lime and sliced jalapeno. The staff is friendly and quick to serve and the tables are clear and clean. No cream puff is served at the end of the meal. Who needs it? Visit Pho Bac if you're sick, hung over, sober, single or married. This is the place to fill that empty pho space in your soul

    (4)

  • Mydao H.

    I come here pretty regularly when I need my pho fix. Today, I've been hungover all day long and all I wanted was 7-up and a bowl of pho. I managed to finally get out the house around 4p. When I get here I was the only customer. 'Sit anywhere you like,' a lady said to me. I ordered a small pho tai and a Chinese donut, but they ran out of the donuts. Boo! The pho came out in a minute. I put all the fixings in it, bean sprouts, basil, squeezed lime on it and put one jalapeño and some of the red sauce. I think I mainly come to this place for the red sauce. I don't add the brown sauce or the rooster sauce if they have the red sauce. My pho was good, as usual, and filled me up. If you have a big group or looking for a cleaner looking place, Pho Viet, who they share the parking lot with is just as good and has more than just pho.

    (4)

  • Sarah B.

    Soooo yummy!! Some of the best Pho I've had. Don't let the appearance of the place deceive you. The food is de-lish.

    (5)

  • Laura T.

    This place may not seem too clean and a bit ratchet, but I love the pho here! I've been eating here since my toddler years. The service is fast and workers are friendly. The Vietnamese coffee and Chinese donut are bomb.

    (5)

  • Renee O.

    Had the rare beef pho. Good but not great. Beef was a tad fattier than I'm accustomed to.

    (3)

  • Etta H.

    The outside of this place is pretty weird but oddly encouraging. We came in here after one of the worst days I've had in recent memory and were warmed by the delicious broth and flavorful meat in the $7 Pho. The service was kind. The interior a bit dank but not any more than expected. Lots of happy customers on a random Wednesday night past 8pm. Definitely happy to find a decent Pho place near our new digs since having to leave the Pho Viet Ahn neighborhood of lower Queen Anne.

    (5)

  • Sylvia W.

    My first pho experience was here 20+ years ago. Still consistently good. Hit or miss on MSG levels (sometimes I leave parched, other times I'm just fine). Prices have only slightly gone up, currently $7/small, $8/large. Cash/CC accepted. Not too worried on the decor appearances, high turn over of food and having never been sick from sketchy looking kitchen are hallmarks of this PB's longevity.

    (4)

  • Rian R.

    I've been eating here since 2000, back when it was across the street. I've come here for countless birthdays, dates, and even before prom. Prices have been creeping up, but that won't keep me away. Here's a secret, order Shrimp Pho, it's not on the menu, but I get it every time and have never looked back!

    (5)

  • S A.

    Best pho in Seattle, a city with lots of good pho. Sure the place is pretty run down, but the pho is fantastic. The broth is flavorful, the meats are all good and they are very generous with the basil, sprouts, jalapeno and lime.

    (5)

  • Herm G.

    This is definitely my fav place for Vietnamese pho when I'm in Seattle. This restaurant has been here since 1982 & they only have 2 items on the menu - large or small...! Your choice of round steak, well done brisket, fat brisket, tendon, tripe and meatballs.

    (5)

  • Ashley Z.

    I guess I just love hole in the wall place. Been living in LA for couple of years, I had numerous bowls of pho often at the best neighborhood joints. But nothing beats Pho Bac. I admit, I like Pho, but I don't loooove it, and Pho Bac made me love and crave Pho. The highlight, of course, is the broth. I mean the meat is probably second in importance, but it is a distant second. The broth is everything, and Pho Bac's hit the right balance between sweet and savory.

    (5)

  • Nacirfa R.

    I'm on a boat, I'm on a boat, everybody look at me 'cause I'm eatin' Pho on a boat! Couldn't help it. I love the remodeled boat shaped building. Impossible to miss, and once you taste the pho it'll be almost impossible not to come back. Simple menu. Simple layout inside. But excellent pho and generous portions. I've never been to a pho restaurant that gives so many noodles without having to order extra. How could they possibly fit extra noodles in there with as much as they already give? Boggles my mind. The broth is excellent and needs little tampering. They serve tea to compliment the pho, which is always a plus. Oh, and did I mention you're eating inside of a boat? How tight is that? Pay with cash. It saves both you and them time. Not sure what's up with their card system, but it sucks. I've found another go-to spot to satisfy my pho cravings. BOOM.

    (4)

  • Emmalee S.

    I have not had the pleasure of enjoying very much Pho. I would say I have only had it a hand full of times. Pho Bac was great. Simple and tasty menu, nice wait staff,n and free tea. I had the chicken with a side of bread. Best hangover cure EVER!

    (4)

  • Vinh T.

    Are you hungover? Wishing that you didn't take that last shot that someone left on counter? Well...there's a solution; Pho Bac! I enjoy authentic tasting Pho, and the best time for an authentic bowl of Pho is in the morning. Around 8 a.m in the morning, me and my girlfriend would T-rex our way into Pho Bac. I would order a large combination with a vietnamese coffee while my girlfriend would slur "a small number one please". The service is extremely quick. The server will bring out the Pho within 5 minutes or less. The broth is sweet, and the vegetables are fresh. The coffee is surprisingly delicious being a non-deli. Lastly, the price is very reasonable. I would highly recommend this place for the delicious tasting pho, early hours, quick service, and reasonable prices.

    (4)

  • Mike S.

    This is the best Pho, been coming here for over 25 years, they still have the best, and I eat a lot of Pho. Don't expect much else, coffee is good, but go for the soup.

    (5)

  • Dina H.

    Holy crap the broth here is good. The exterior looks like a boat and the interior is horribly tacky, but the pho broth is pretty fantastic.

    (4)

  • Roger W.

    I love this Pho place! You come in, sit where you want, order.....and before you can check in on Yelp, your delicious, enormous bowl of Pho has arrived! Complimentary hot tea and decent service means 5 stars from me.

    (5)

  • FatAsianman L.

    Soup is not hot enough so the rare meat will keep dripping blood in the soup. They put cilantro even you tell them no to.

    (3)

  • Jason Z.

    Hands down best place for pho in the Seattle area. It's a hole in the wall place, but the place has its charm. The pho noodle is prepared perfectly and the broth is rich. They give healthy portions of meat and fixings, I do not want to pay for pho anywhere else in Seattle!

    (5)

  • Mario G.

    The best pho I have had in the state of Washington!

    (5)

  • Justin B.

    This place is slowly becoming my early morning go to pho spot. If you're looking for a very quick, light, and affordable bowl of pho in the morning - this is your place.

    (4)

  • Julie Marcellina V.

    Best meatball Pho I've had. :) I love this place

    (5)

  • Noelle R.

    I love this place. I like both sizes, and I like the location. It's close to the Mt Baker train station, and then also on the bus lines that go up and down Rainier. Cheap, and good beef. I had some other beef pho in Portland - way too gristle-y. I've never had really icky meat here. Make sure to bring cash, as the other peeps have said, as they don't take cards. The boat-shaped Pho Bac on Jackson has a funky smell to it, whereas this one doesn't.

    (4)

  • Nicole B.

    Best Pho in Seattle!! I CRAVE the Brisket at-least once a week :) Don't judge a book by it's cover {I'll admit, I was leery at first because the outside appearance leaves a little to be desired} because you'll miss out on some yummy food!

    (5)

  • Sharon B.

    Best Pho I've found in greater Seattle! Didn't get 5 stars only because the place is divey. Once that bowl of heaven is in my face I forget all about the esthetics. =) Updated: I've changed to 5 stars because I seriously can't get enough of this place! Mmmmm

    (5)

  • LaDonna L.

    The boyfriend has been almost been having a heart attack each time I say pho. He is in love with Pho Bac. Actually the Pho Bac in China Town. He says no other can compare. Mind you, I eat pho at different places at least once or twice a week. He doesn't care. We decided to go right before going to a movie. The place is pretty small but apparently, it is the place to be on a Monday night. The menu is not large at all. You can get either a small or a large beef, chicken or veggie bowl of pho. I believe they have shrimp too if you so choose. We both ordered a large beef with mine being rare and his being the well done. We also ordered the Chinese donuts. They of course bring out the lime, jalapeños, bean sprouts and basil for our sides. He only likes a small amount of basil and lime and nothing else, while I go for the gusto and dump in everything. The flavor of the broth was really good but the abundance of meat was incredible. The Chinese donuts were warm and delicious too. Perfect for dipping. The pho is of good pho prices ranging from small $6.50 to large $7.50 and the donuts being $1.25 per order. Very cheap for the amount of food you are getting and the quality of the products. Since I am in Chinatown now quite a bit, I will definitely go back for my pho craving.

    (4)

  • Jerry L.

    Have been coming here for a few years now, and their prices have gone to $7 for small and $8 for large. While prices have gone up, quality has not. Soup is not as hot as before, and it isn't as beefy as before. I think pho hoa might be a better choice, and a cleaner place too.

    (3)

  • Maren H.

    I like this place the pho is pretty good, a little greasier than I'm used to but has good flavor. The inside of the restuarant is a bit cold and the parking is a pain...

    (3)

  • Gian-Luca M.

    I LOVE THIS PLACE. Hands down my favorite in the city, and not just for the ambiance (although that does help). The Pho is delicious, the menu is simple, and the service is quick. At one point, a friend and I were going there every week (until I moved to Magnolia).

    (5)

  • Nico S.

    Absolutely love this place! Great pho, nice service, and the building is shaped like a boat! I have no qualms coming here alone for dinner because those who are eating there know how awesome it is :)

    (5)

  • Emily B.

    Ok, so the outside is not very welcoming, and when I went in at 6:30 on a Thursday night, the place was dead. Not great signs. But I was coming down with a cold, and wanted pho. I asked for one with chicken instead of beef--- the chicken itself was not good. That's my own fault. But the broth was amazing, so I was happy!

    (4)

  • Diana C.

    Really delicious pho at bargin prices! This place is the real deal, but beware of the notoriously slippery floors, the small tables, and the only thing on the menu is Pho! Servings are generous, so be sure you know how hungry you are before you order a large! Yay for pho on cold winter nights!

    (4)

  • Crystal M.

    I am Vietnamese. I grew up with parents originally from North Vietnam where Pho came from. My father, before he became too old to do so, cooked Pho on the weekends the authentic way. So my palette for Pho is a picky and a high end one. To make the broth clear and delicious , fragranced and flavored with natural beef and not with of a lot of MSG, you must put in a lot of time and labor and lots of beef bones. You have to roast the onions, ginger, star anise, cinnamon stick and have the right proportions. In all my travels in the U.S., the only place that has better Pho than this specific location of Pho Bac in Seattle are in San Jose, CA. Hands down, in Seattle, this place has the best Pho that I will pay money for since I am such a picky Pho eater. I only wish they would add fresh sawtooth mint on to their offer and also an upgrade of oxtails. This would make them a super star! Oh and btw, I have spotted local star chef Tom Douglas chowing down here twice! He must have the same picky taste buds I do! Yeah, it's kind of a shack but that reminds me of how long they've been there and it's quaint. It's kept clean and they are consistent with their Pho. Even though, I am sure they use MSG, their broth is still very beefy and not sweet like sugar and overwhelmed with cinnamon like at other places. I have eaten at Than Brothers, Cyclo, Pho Hoa and I feel they are nothing to write home about. Also, because this location is very busy, the cooked beef never has that icky refrigerator taste which I hate. I order my reg. size bowl with tendons, semi fatty beef and extra onions. You can go off the menu and order yours with specific types of beef choices like all rare or with meat balls or tripe, I always have a Vietnamese ice coffee with condense milk here. It's a cheap, tasty and healthy meal. I am moving to Long Beach in a few weeks and this place will be missed. This shack is a Pho institution. Pho You! ;o)

    (4)

  • Kim R.

    if you like Pho ... this place has the best Pho, well at least in Seattle. We came here almost every weekend when we used to lived in Seattle area. (worth the trip, we lived in Bellevue before).

    (4)

  • Angie K.

    Don't you dare talk dirty about my pho bac. I will come at you sideways - srirachi in one hand, hoisin in the other. Pho Bac is the OG.

    (5)

  • Erika M.

    I truly believe it is THE BEST pho in the world!! So lucky to live a block away! :) tastes perfect....and shrimp is my favorite!!!

    (5)

  • Keriche C.

    Don't be scured! The graffiti, shady neighbors and windows with bars are necessary to get pho this delicious. I have been here a few times for noodles and such but for some reason never felt like eating pho. I finally had the chance to taste it last week. First things first. If you're a vegetarian, this is NOT the place for you. You can get the pho without meat but I don't recommend it and I am pretty sure they don't have any vegetarian broth. I ordered the number 6. I think it was lean brisket. I have to say the broth is some of the best pho broth I've had and the meat really was tender and lean. They fill your bowl with noodles and give you heaps of sprouts, jalapenos, limes, and basil to top it off. I was very pleased to say the least. It was $15 for 2 of us (including the tip and cash only). I know where I'll be in the winter when the rain comes and all I want is a steaming hot bowl of pho.

    (4)

  • Paula S.

    All I could think about since moving to Seattle was "now I can get really good Vietnamese food whenever i want..." well not here, at least not tonight. I ordered spicy chicken and vegetables upon the recommendation of the server and it was one of the worst meals I have had anywhere. The carrots were colorful and cooked perfectly, some of the broccoli was raw and some was cooked perfectly, some of the onions were limp and overcooked, some were OK and some were literally raw. The chicken was tough, taste-less, and I like dark meat, but the cook really messed this bird up. The sauce had little flavor and the table condiments did not help the dish to the spicy category. The cup for the tea had a gnat in it and I do not understand why a steward decided to mop the entire dining room floor during the dinner hour with customers arriving moment to moment. I felt like it was closing time, not dinner time (5:30-6PM). The service was non-existent. Maybe other menu items are better, but I will not know because I will not be back.

    (1)

  • Pauline T.

    Pho is one of my top 3 favorite foods and I definitely can tell when pho is not at my standard. Pho Bac is definitelythe place to go! I frequent here during lunch at work and am pleased with their fast service and exceptional food. I still have yet to try their vermicelli bowls because I'm so hooked on their pho still. A small pho is $6.50 while their large is just $1 more. They even offer a veggie pho made with vegetable broth for those who need that in their diet. Not to mention the chicken and shrimp options too. My friends tend to ask for no onions or no cilantro and are always happy when they follow through. I also tend to ask for extra limes and they easily bring them out to me. Tea is served as their drink so if you would like water you can immediately ask for some or wait a little bit until your server asks if you'd like some.

    (5)

  • Janis T.

    This place has the best pho broth in town. I think it's the first Vietnamese pho restaurant established in Seattle. It needs remodeling but the soup is so good. If it felt cleaner I would go here all the time for my pho.

    (4)

  • Erich B.

    There is no better pho restaurant in Seattle, period. The broth here is truly magnificent... Forget about Than Brothers, or any of those other joints. I've tried 20-30 of them in this town, and Pho Bac is the best. For some reason, the pho seems to be best in the morning (they open at 8:30, which is awesome. Breakfast pho FTW!) But it's amazing pretty much anytime. The interior looks like it was designed by a 3-year-old, but who gives a shit? Go here.

    (5)

  • Katy H.

    By far some of the best Pho I've ever had. If you're a neat freak and you want frills, a big menu, and a million options, keep walking! Pho Bac (like In N Out) has just a small number of options. Basically large or small. They specialize in pho so there's pretty much nothing but soup here. Why bother making anything else if they make the best pho in town right? Servings are generous and I always encounter more meat and noodles in my soup here than at any other place. Tables are often sticky, the place looks like a wind storm can blow it over, but service is quick and the soup is unphogettable! Get it? You're missing out if you don't eat here!

    (4)

  • Natalie M.

    Because this place is so good, I don't have much to say. I only come here for pho and PHO ONLY because that's what they do best here. I also love how they have the baked doughnuts (not the sweet ones) that you can eat with your soup. The interior is not so appealing but who gives a DAMN?!

    (5)

  • Nancy C.

    IMHO, i say this place smells like urine. I don't know if it's all the years of cooking and the pho smell just absorbs into the walls or whatever it may be, I don't care for it. I don't like how the place is so dingy. With the money they got, i'm sure some sort of fixer upper wouldn't hurt. Im usually a person who does not mind a hole in the wall restaurant (even if its run down) but in order for it to be labeled as a "hole in the wall" the place must have AMAZING food. This was definitely not the case. There are other pho places in the ID that i would rather visit then this place. So why not the one star? I don't like giving one stars unless it's absolutely horrid. The staffs are decent here, so they got a plus one * for that. Sorry

    (2)

  • Laura L.

    Taste, quality, fast friendly service, and good portions for the price. Don't be fooled by the bars on the windows, this is in my top 3 for pho in King county.

    (4)

  • Vanessa J.

    Surprisingly one of the best pho I have had in Seattle! Simple yet tasty. Will absolutely be coming back.

    (4)

  • im j.

    Gross! I googled street map this Pho Bac to make sure it is the right one. I want in, ordered Pho ( the broth is better than most) I ordered meat ball & steak, I think I had 2 slices of the meat ball & some steak with bunch of noodle for the medium size. Get this, I was sitting facing the TV. which you will see people coming out of the restroom. I saw one of the cook wobbled out from the rest room with her glove still on her both hands. I almost throw up, atleast she is not the one who touch my food. How expensive is a pair of glove or how long does it takes just to change glove. Yah! while you sucking in the noodle, glance over and look at those streached,old, worn out gloves on their hands. You think if they wear glove to the rest room,would they wash their hands after touching thier butts? 2 star for the broth, I guess.

    (2)

  • Derek J.

    This is, without question, the best chicken pho in the city. Cash only. Look past the bars on the window and the remnants of disco balls and things stored on the south end of the seating area. Very reasonably priced.

    (4)

  • Roxy S.

    OK place to get Pho; however, there are so many great one in the area to go back to closer to home. Simple menu so you can order quickly. It's a bit scary to see other reviews about bad stuff showing up in the soup. It didn't happen to us, but the place is not necessary look that clean comparing to others in the area. It used to be in a better shape.

    (2)

  • Radford T.

    We wanted some Asian food one night on our trip to Seattle, and somehow ended up here for pho. It was pretty good, but I've had better. Then again I'm comparing it to the pho I had in Northern Virginia, which has pretty damn good pho.

    (3)

  • Jimmy H.

    Pho is pho, lets get to the wtf moment. I paid with a debit card and these two ladies in front of me tried paying with plastic as well. They don't have a card machine, so I assume after the limping lady took our card to the jeweler to run the cards. It was weird and we were like wtf! Hence, the wtf moment! PAY in CASH! The beef here was a bit overcook for my looking and they ran out of the fat scallion broth :( PSA - All pho establishment will have it. If you never have the fatty broth ask for it. It comes out in a small bowl, pour as much as you like. It makes your broth from yummy to Yummy!

    (3)

  • Henry L.

    I've been coming here for 20 years. I'm not exaggerating, because it was the same time the original power rangers came out, streetfighter 2 came out on super NES, that old furniture store was at the kitty corner from it, and Randy Johnson was still at the Kingdome. Pho Bac was in my top 5 pho spots in the 206, but not anymore. I've let them off the hook for the occasional eye lash, mosquito, and even saran wrap. $h!t happens, I get it. But not this time. I came here to meet with an old friend and she found a hair in her soup. At first I was like "Girl, stop trippin', it's just hair, it'll be alright." No, it was NOT alright. You see, this wasn't just any kind of hair. I was thick and curly. Maybe they got a chef with some thick, curly, course-a$$ fro'. For those of you who've been there, you know you can see the kitchen from your seat, and you know what? THERE AIN'T NO MUDDA EFFIN' BROTHAH WORKING IN THE BACK! SO YOU TELL ME WHAT PART OF THE BODY THIS PARTICULAR STRAND OF HAIR CAME FROM!!!!!!! So I tried to be a little discreet about it and waved for the lady at the counter to come over, but she didn't. She just stood there and gave me that "the eff you want" look. So I decided to just take the bowl up to her, and the ladies at the next table already knew what was up when they saw the hair on the side of the bowl. When I got up to the counter, I pointed at the hair and she asked me, what was wrong. o.O? Me: There is was a piece of hair in my soup. Her: You want another one? Me: No, that's alright. We're going to leave and I'm not going to pay. Please tell your chef about this. Her: Ok, I won't charge you for this one. Your total is $10.00. (The original total was $16.50) Me: No, no. I didn't finish my food. I'm not going to pay. We're leaving, ok? Her: You want me to give you another one for free? Me: No, I don't want another one. We're not going to eat here anymore. Her: Ok, just pay $10.00. Me: No, no, I'm not going to pay, understand? Her: But if you don't pay, I will get into trouble. Me: How about I speak to the owner? She waves for a man from the kitchen to come over. Cook?: What's wrong? Me: I got a piece of hair in my soup. Cook?: Fine, just go. - and waves his hands, shoo'ing me out the door. It saddens me that one of my favorite restaurants, has become one of my most disliked restaurant. I grew up on your pho. When did you go to the darkside :'( ??? Did the owners change? I sure hope who ever the current owner is, knows that something like this is happening and is hurting the business. I will never come back. Not until I hear (from multiple people), that you guys have cleaned up. We need to keep our Ma' and Pa' shops. You are what makes Seattle, Sea-town, the emerald city, da deuce oh sickness. You are where Rainier ends, and Jackson begins. You were the one place where 'souff-end' and 'district' cats can come and not beef. Whether it was the 7, 9, 48, 60, you were always how I knew I've arrived to the International District. You are a historical landmark in this city and I really don't want you to leave because of bad business, or get shut down because of health code violations. I don't want to see the 'boat' sink.

    (1)

  • Ashley G.

    I don't often write reviews, but when I do it's serious business. This place had the best pho I have ever consumed in my entire lifetime, hands down. And I have consumed a shitload of pho. I opted for the well done brisket and it was absolutely heavenly. And the tea! Delicious tea was served to us immediately when we sat down, which probably only seemed significant at the time because I was incredulously hungover. And it's in a boat, how awesome is that? tl;dr - best pho in Seattle, eat here.

    (5)

  • Michelle F.

    I love your pho. And you have the best chicken pho in Seattle... But we have to break up. There is so much msg in your soup that neither my boyfriend nor I can eat your food anymore. Sadsauce.

    (4)

  • Aloysius L.

    Delicious pho! The secret is in the broth, which was absolutely flavorful. Nice, rustic feel, as if you were eating in a restaurant in Vietnam.

    (5)

  • Trent T.

    Some of the best pho I've had. Place is kinda dirt and nearly half the tables weren't bussed, but let me tell you, the pho was worth it. Nice phocking find if you ask me!

    (5)

  • Cynthia L.

    I am very disappointed to have to report that what was formerly one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle has slid to the point that I'll never visit again. The last time I was here, I found a huge BUG in my pho after a few bites. I fished the bug out, placed it on a napkin, and took it over to the front desk, where my waiter was standing, to complain. The waiter showed it to the woman cooking in the kitchen. The waiter translated her reply (which was in Vietnamese). She claimed that it was part of a mung bean sprout!! This was clearly, no question whatsoever, a bug. Stake my life on it. When I asked for it back so I could show them the LEGS AND ANTENNAE, he said it had already been thrown away. Why how convenient, get rid of the evidence! The waiter finally sort-of admitted it might have been a bug, saying that they get bags of noodles that sometimes have bugs, and claiming they have no way of knowing (um, if you know these noodles sometimes have bugs, could you not LOOK?! I would think a huge non-noodle-colored bug would be hard to miss).... and he let me leave without paying, which also implies he really did know it was a bug. I don't know if I ever would have been back given how DISGUSTING this bug was, but the response on the part of the staff when I found it guarantees that I won't.

    (1)

  • Teesha O.

    I love this place. I have been coming here since 1992. The prices have not changed much... from $5.25 to $7.25

    (5)

  • Sean H.

    Hi Pho Bac!! Its Sean Hoops, President of the Seattle Pho-Natics. Thank you for the great service on Monday! You all were great! The pho was awesome and the service was really fast and wonderful! I hope you enjoyed the story that was aired on King 5 and Kong on Monday night!!! Thank you again, Sean Hoops The Seattle Pho-Natics, President king5.com/news/technolog…

    (4)

  • Jennifer S.

    Best PHO in Sea Town hands down!!! It really is the OG. I've been coming here with my family for a long time and they know us and always give us great service

    (5)

  • Emma R.

    Now I am not going to try and tell anyone that I am some sort of Pho expert. I have recently realized just how in love with Pho Seattle is and I do not want to get on anyone's bad side. This place is good though. Sure the decor is christmas lights and fake plants but when the bowl arrives (about 2 minutes after you place your order with the sweet women) everything else will fall by the wayside. The broth. Oh that broth. When I first started coming I would add all the sauces and vegatables but now I only add a few basil leafs because in my opinion anything else just takes away from the flavor of the broth. Please humor me and try the broth by itself before you add anything. Whenever the weather is gloomy I head here. Warm and satisfying. Never disappointing, only fast and fantastic. Every single time.

    (5)

  • Rachel B.

    This is the best Pho I've found in town. It has the best broth. Sounds like Benjy caught them in on a really bad day or something.

    (4)

  • Danny L.

    I heard a lot of people said the place has the best Pho? Let me rethink about it. I work very close by, and by noon I came over for a bowl of Pho. Everytime I had the meatball it seem like the meatball were spoil. The pho broth is good but service alrite, mostly women work in there. This is what I always get when I left the place, I smell like Pho myself.

    (2)

  • cate t.

    Holy Cow! This place was awesome. While visiting Seattle with my husband, he took me to this oddly-shaped dive. Being Vietnamese, I had to admit I was a bit leery. I've had the most amazing pho in my mother's kitchen, and in the best places in Viet Nam, and this place is definitely on par. It may even be better than my mother's--though I'll swear it was a lie if she ever finds out. The broth was flavorful, the meats were tasty, and the noodles were cooked perfectly. Our iced coffee was good and strong, but not too sweet. Word of caution: those chile peppers are HOT! The decor is definitely lacking, and if you need that sort of thing to make your food tasty, then you may not like this place. And if you're opposed to eating beef, then this place is not for you--there are no non-beef alternatives.

    (5)

  • Aline P.

    This place started it all. How can anyone hate this place? If it weren't for this simple pink (well, its a diff color now) shack, good pho in Seattle wouldn't exist. We gotta thank this place for starting it all no matter how old the little shack is!

    (5)

  • Jesse P.

    this place IS a dirty shack. broth is extra greasy, I felt like I was doing something wrong by eating it. I haven't tried the other location, and probably never will. In my opinion, you're better off telling them to take their pho bac, then go down the street to pho so #1.

    (1)

  • Me H.

    I did the same thing Benjy did I went to the wrong Pho Bac. I walk in and greeted by an abrupt lady pointing at a table for me to sit at. The table was dirty and sticky and I didn't want to sit there but was too scared to say anything. I look up at the menu and go oh crap it's all beef. I ask do you have chicken, she yells NO GO NEXT DOOR! So I walked out with my tail between my legs and made the mistake of going next door to some place I thought was called Pho Viet but I can't find it on yelp or in any yellow pages on-line.

    (1)

  • Betty L.

    Pho? This place is the place to go if you want BOMB-BUTT PHO. The lady knows my family and we always go weekly to order our own "usual". Order a "everything" w/ Nook Bew and you're good to go! I just went yesterday. I go EVERY WEEK.

    (5)

  • Melinda C.

    I like it. Better than the "famously good" Pho Bac on 7th, which I couldn't stand at all. The broth seems cleaner. Nothing outstanding but good for a regular bowl of pho.

    (3)

  • Derrick D.

    The best pho joint in Seattle, albeit not always the cleanest. I usually get the Pho Tai Nam with an iced coffee. Without fail, it's been solid every time. The broth is money, noodles plentiful and accompanied by a generous amount of meat. Although the price point is higher than I would like, it's still worth the drive for me, especially when needing to shake a hangover. I have yet to encounter the random bug in the pho but I honestly wouldn't doubt if that happened. Admittedly I've inspected a few spoons to find a clean one, but I can overlook that. I'm asian; I've eaten in worse places for better food. Regardless, it's great pho and the service is fast.

    (4)

  • Aaron C.

    i remember my first bowl of pho when i was a kid was there. like with the pho bac in chinatown this place is busy. the parking sometimes is a pain. i dont expect anything but a great bowl of pho. dont have high expectations but good pho.

    (4)

  • Maggie D.

    Best pho I've ever had? YOU BET. First of all, this place is HISTORIC. The first pho place in Seattle, which is definitely something worth noting when you consider the size of the Vietnamese community there. They started out serving sub sandwiches and switched to pho full-time, and boy, am I glad that's the way history worked out. I ordered my pho with EVERYTHING--meatballs, tripe, tendon, brisket, the works! They pack a flavorful broth full of noodles and meats, but honestly, I'd pay to drink the broth alone. It's so flavorful! No need for add-ins, although sauces and bean sprouts/mint are offered. It was pretty empty around 11am, but once it hit noon, the place was packed. The service was minimal, but who needs it when you're slurping away at perfection? Stay away if you're a vegetarian... but if you're down for meat, have at it!

    (5)

  • Mary L.

    This is the best place ever. Really good pho, a small is $7.50 and a large is $8.50. The large is huge. The service is quick, and the food is quality. The best thing about this place isn't the food, because you can find pho just about anywhere in Seattle. I like this place because the owner must have a great sense of humor. Signs such as"uncooked food could cause food borne illness...dun dun dunnnn" fill the walls. I've had miriachi bands wander in and play a few songs, and watched the waitress call the cops on random crazies. This place is a guaranteed good time,in addition to a great meal. If you haven't been here then you're a fool.

    (5)

  • Gil R.

    So after not coming here after nearly 7-8 years (and it's only right down the street from my place!), I decided to come here again to see how they've been. It's...still good phó. See, when I was coming here am during the late 90s and early 2000s, it was pretty much the best phó in town. Since then, I've made 2 visits since about 2006. And quite frankly, it's been pretty disappointing. While the core elements, in terms of basic food and fast service, has remained intact. The number of options and overall quality just isn't what it used to be. Now, I'll be honest, I could be nostalgic over it all. But the broth was not as flavorful as I remember. And the options were minimal (only 6 meat options). In addition, they didn't provide soy sauce as a condiment. Even upon asking during BOTH visits, they said no to my requests. And even more disappointing was the inability to serve me a bowl with green onion, but without cilantro. They said they only have a mix of it and cannot make it one way or the other. This, quite sadly, is unacceptable. There are dozens upon dozens of other restaurants in the city (or outside of it) that will do this...even if they only have a mix on hand, but will make cut fresh options for you. All in all, the food was passable. The service was super fast. And the dining area isn't perfect, but I come to expect that from Viet joints. But the lack of options on back to back occasions was really unfortunate. I'd much rather walk next door to several other places than come back to Phó Bac. And I wohold recommend those places over them.

    (2)

  • Emily K.

    Best pho I've had! So glad I found this place because I'll definitely be coming back. I ordered a small mixed beef pho and the portion was huge!

    (5)

  • Alex M.

    Something about this Pho tastes different than any other I've had before, and it is SO GOOD.

    (5)

  • Johnny L.

    Been coming here since I was 5 years old or younger. Intro: The best and original Pho in Seattle since 1983 or 1982 as they claim. There used to be four different locations in Kent, Rainier (South Seattle), Chinatown and here in Little Saigon. The Kent one is no longer. The "C" ran away from the Chinatown one and is now Pho Ba. And this location as well as the one on Rainier are the only ones left. Pho Viet across from it, is it's sister; refer to one of my earlier reviews. The prices are still reasonable considering the best broth you can find with meat and noodles. You can order small or large. As well as chicken and shrimp toppings outside of the different beef choices. Beef is the only way to go. I always order their pho with brisket and rare steak; that is the best way to go in large size. I recommend a greasy stick (otherwise known as Chinese donut) to go along with it in dipping it in the hot tasty broth. I like it when the greasy stick is toasted perfectly with a little crisp. Now to the experience today, I want to say it was the best as everything we ordered came out timely. They even came back to check on the tables in refilling water, which is a first out of all these years. And what did I order you say? I had my usual large pho tai nam and it is the best. It's like even on Pho Bac's bad days, it still tastes better than any other. A perfect bowl of pho to me is: (1) one that tastes good in well seasoned with no nasty cinnamon flavor, (2) beef is not tough but tender and on-point, (3) noodles is done perfect and not gluey or hard and (4) plenty of sliced onions, cilantro, and green onions in the broth. Add some lime and hoisin into it.. Boom! Masterpiece I can eat here everyday if I can.

    (5)

  • Jon L.

    I admit it. I judged Pho Bac by its cover. I am sure most would given the weird rundown boat shaped building it resides in. My folks were in town and they were looking for a lunch spot after shopping in Little Saigon. Since we were in the area, I came up with Pho Bac since it was nearby. After parking in the lot, we were still on the fence about it. Seeing some diners inside, we relented and entered the restaurant. The offerings here are limited. Just pho, Chinese doughnuts and drinks according to the board menu on the wall. The pho prices here are easy on the wallet. $7 for a small and $8 for a large, tax inclusive. They have beef, chicken and shrimp meat options here for the pho. We all decided on the combo small beef pho ($7). The combo contains six different beef toppings including round steak, two varieties of brisket, tendon, tripe and meat balls. After trying out the broth here, I was impressed. It was flavorful with a little sweetness to it. No need to add any sriracha for flavor unless you are looking to add some spice. The meat offerings were good too. I would say the brisket and tendon were my favorites. The pho was a little off. It was still partially jumbled in a ball. But it did not deter the quality of the dish. If you are looking for good pho at reasonable prices in or near the International District, Pho Bac is a place I would recommend. Though you will need to overlook its exterior shortcomings.

    (4)

  • Yen P.

    Very cute place to have pho! very fast and fresh soup! I love the place is shaped like a boat! The price is very reasonable for Seattle! Love the atmosphere and customer service! Good pho!! Thank you!

    (5)

  • Jingwen Y.

    I think this is a classic pho place. So classic that they don't have menu and you have to read from the board up front. I like the fact that you can customize your own combo for your pho. I'm definitely the girl that wants a little bit of everything. Great place to grab your pho without fuss and questions during your hang over days. Just get your cash ready. Don't expect great service here as it is the internatinal district. You come to places around here for the food and not for service. Also I think it's kinda cute that the place is shaped like a boat.

    (4)

  • Alexander Y.

    My friend said, "You're coming here with me." I was like ok...not like I had much of a choice. Pho cravings don't go away no matter where you travel. And it hit me again when I needed it in Seattle (curiously, I had also been partying heavily the night before). Been in more than enough pho places in Cali, so had to see what Seattle had to offer! It was a bit confusing that there weren't actual menus, you just ordered everything off the sign on the wall. As usual, my preferred bowl of pho is the large bowl with everything. Overall, the pho was excellent and exactly what I needed to cure my ails. Broth was on point with a little sweetness to it, although I could taste the slightest hint of MSG. Noodles were definitely some of the better noodles I've had. I was a bit disappointed in the meat offerings though, as I've had better (but it's still pretty good). For $8 (cash only though), it's a great bowl of pho. Definitely one of the better pho places I've been to!

    (4)

  • James H.

    The best pho since I've moved to Seattle. Will be going back soon. The pho taste like my mom's.

    (4)

  • Jin S.

    I don't know why this place rated 4 stars??? It's super dirty and smell awful!!! And I found this huge piece of bandage or gauze in my pho. Never come back here ever again. So disgusting!!!

    (1)

  • Tan Lo S.

    Pretty good pho for no fuss! This location is fresh off the boat-or should I say shore? Located literally in a boat next to Pho Viet (previously also Pho Bac I believe), this is a super small location that probably fits 30 diners, maybe a little more. Either way, this is a straightforward pho restaurant. Simple letter board menu that serves only pho. I love it! Because they specialize in pho, everything is always hot and fresh! & you get your order within just a few minutes! No waiting around for it! I always get the small because they fill that tiny bowl up to the brim and it is piping hot with the most tender slices of brisket. $7 for a simple small and it's always that. No added cents. They have a few drinks like soy bean or coconut juice if you want for $2+. Otherwise, the only other thing they offer is the chinese donut which many people actually like with their noodles. Overall, love their service because of its size - it's fast and pretty attentive. Straight to the point, no fuss or long waiting for pho. The broth is hot and so clear and tasty. Definitely makes my mouth water thinking of it. Very homey beef flavors that really can be eaten without added sauces. Oh and they definitely dont skimp on the meat either (always a plus!). Jist beware of the small parking lot during peak hours. Otherwise parking is sufficient.

    (4)

  • Pauline M.

    I don't really know Seattle's scene for pho in general, but pho bac was pretty legit. We were craving some afternoon pho, and my trusty yelp app led me to here. They only sell pho. The menu is simple. Beef or chicken broth. For beef, you get any combination of the meats listed on the menu board. I went with tendon, rare steak, and tripe. The tendon was a big piece and cooked well. The rare steak was also tender. The broth it self was not like your usual MSG overload. Beef broth was better than the chicken broth. They have their own parking lot!

    (4)

  • Vince N.

    Good stuff. Worth Visiting. No hate for the funky boat..We came to America on a boat. This thing has been around for many years, it should be a landmark. Good pho, good price...just don't get sea sick.

    (4)

  • Desiree S.

    I've been frequenting this location for a very long time, since before I could walk and form proper sentences. So yes, I'm a loyal customer and for good reason. I always get a large with extra meatballs, let's face it you NEED meatballs, and they're one of the few pho restaurants that have meatballs without tendons in them. I hate that extra chewy bit... Ask for the spring onion oil they skim off the top of the broth, if you're not watching your figure, & add it to your bowl. It's delicious and makes it 100% more amazing. The best thing ever, I called 15 minutes before closing and they still packed up a large for me and loaded me up on noodles.

    (4)

  • Tom B.

    Man, these guys know how to make the vermicelli noodle soup. Should probably be they ought to, given that their first location was the first pho location of all pho locations in Seattle (at least that's what the TV said a couple weeks ago, anyway). That one's up in the ID, and this one's down in Columbia City, but, man, this place makes a good bowl. From the outside it's barred windows and heavy graffiti, hard by a top-speed section of four-lane Rainier Avenue. Not exactly gritty, but close enough to it that a few bits of grit wouldn't feel out of place. The graffiti is an intentional, professional mural that includes the name of the place, along with a bunch of huge tags and a Vietnamese girl wearing headphones and a Sonics sweatshirt. I liked the place as soon as I parked. Actually, I was pre-disposed to like it quite a while ago, given how long I have been meaning to try it. In through the barred door, with the chains and padlock tastefully pulled back like a curtain sash, and there's a huge low-ceilinged dining room with a couple dozen tables. It can't possibly be this big on the inside when it's that small on the outside, can it? Is this like the Weasley family tent from the Harry Potter movies, that looks like it sleeps 2 but actually sleeps 30? Whatever. No matter. It feels nice enough. The tables and chairs don't match, and the floor is worn old linoleum tile, but you'll live. Have a seat. It's a bit dim inside, even on a blazing summer day. It's a bit at the mercy of outdoor noise and temperature; if it's warm out, it's warm in here, which means the door is open and you can hear traffic. But if you sit toward the back, the noise fades. The menu's pretty short. They have all the major pho groups and a few of the usual suspects for appetizers and drinks. They pretty much focus on the soup. The condiments hit the table first. Huge sprigs of deep-green and peppery-fragrant basil. Crisp, juicy, huge leaves. Crisp, huge bean sprouts. The jalaps and limes are equally fresh and explosively flavorful. The broth is mild and tangy, not much earth, a little seasoning but not heavy and definitely not hugely spicy. The chili paste and hot sauce hook you up, of course. House-made hot sauce, a little too sweet and tomato-y for me to go crazy on, but still well spotted in the bowl. The noodles are perfect. Nice chew, not too clumpy even if you're slugging to stir them. The meat is amazing--fresh and flavorful, perfectly flat, no crinkle. True pink when it hits the table, truly cooked by the time you get to it. Everything down to the last spoonful is delicious. A big, a medium, and a lime juice were $17 after tax. Dig the hell out of this place for sure. Definitely be back whenever I get a chance.

    (5)

  • Katherine L.

    We came here for breakfast on Sunday morning since we have never tried a Pho restaurant in Seattle before. Got some recommendations for a few Pho joints but we decided to come here instead. Parking lot was small so might be hard to find a spot. We smelled the delicious aroma even before we entered the restaurant. We ordered a large Pho chin and a large combo with everything in it. Service was quick and efficient. We were quickly seated, got our order done and got our food quickly. Pho here was excellent, with perfectly cooked rice noodles and tasty broth. This is the best Pho I have had by far, even better than the best pho joint in Portland. We were glad we checked this place out and had a delicious breakfast here. Definitely will come back again.

    (5)

  • Melissa N.

    I've always seen this restaurant in the International district but have never actually been inside. This is the infamous pho boat, how can I not?! So one day I decided it was time to finally try it! They have a little parking lot it actually was a lot bigger inside than I expected. They probably have about 10 ish tables ranging from small to large round ones. Their menu is in the front and you can make any kind of combination for pho including steak, brisket, fatty brisket, tripe, meatballs, etc. I LOVE this idea! I normally go to Than Brothers and I wish there were certain combos I can make. $7 for a small and $8 for a large already including tax. Another thing I also like is that they sell chinese donuts! This is such a great thing to dip into the broth. Overall, this is a quick eat and the ladies serving and in charge are efficient! It's a staple in the ID that everyone should go to!

    (4)

  • Jill M.

    Shitty service, kinda dirty, a little pricier than other places like in the u district, but dank ass pho though. Usually shitty service and kinda dirty doesn't sway me away from tasty pho, and I would have given them 4 stars, but yesterday was ridiculous. So -1 star for shitty service and another -1 star for a bad experience. Yesterday I had a bad cold and had taken some cough syrup so I was super out of it. Me and my SO had gone there since I was sick. The drinks came way after our food did. Then when we were paying, I realized I had forgotten my card and we were a dollar off to pay in cash (although more like 4 for tip). So I went to go get my card and my SO paid her cash and I'd pay the difference when I got back. I get back and he reminds her that we paid a certain amount already and she charged the full amount on my card :/. So we paid almost double what we had actually gotten. We tried to explain it but she just sat in front of the cash register and said sorry. Didn't give us the cash back or anything. So we just left. It's whatever though, they saved us money because now I will never tip there. Obviously my case is extreme, and it was a bit my fault, but if anything goes wrong when you eat there, expect 0 customer support and expect to get ripped off. I defiantly wouldn't tell someone not to go there, but now I defiantly wouldn't recommend it either. The service is still pretty shitty, drinks usually come after the food, no water refills, long periods of time of not bussing the tables.

    (2)

  • Nelson Y.

    Cheap and delicious. Very heavy, beefy broth.

    (4)

  • Tiffany S.

    I got a number 9 medium and it was perfect. Granted, I just had it after a long morning of hiking and starvation so my review may be a little skewed. The broth was fatty and full of flavor. They give a good proportion of meat and it's all tender and tasty. The noodles don't get soggy and hold up well in the broth. Definitely recommend for any hangover meal! Or even just when you're hungry because it really hits spot.

    (5)

  • Doris C.

    It's a big red boat! How can that not be fun? The bow of Pho Bac faces the corner of Jackson and Boren in Seattle's International District, and the boat has been anchored there since 1982. It really doesn't matter if you know who's at the helm. Just like Ahab, there is a single-minded obsession working here. The menu emphatically reflects the preoccupation with that one thing - Pho. Prices include tax, so everything is simple. You sit down, order your meat, and decide if you want small or large. Then your meal materials literally within minutes (like one or two minutes). The experience is so satisfying in the most simple of ways. We ordered three bowls of Pho. The girls had Pho Tai (rare beef) and I had Gan (tendon). We were really hungry, so the noodles disappeared almost as quickly as it appeared. Lia ate hers so fast (due to teenage hunger, I believe) that I am not sure the food was in her mouth long enough for her to form any opinions on taste. And indeed, she merely said "I'm full." three minutes late see the full blog and others at phothefunofit.wordpress.…

    (3)

  • Arnold P.

    4.5 stars. This is the best pho I've found in a decade plus of hunting for the perfect broth in western Washington. The location is kind of crazy, but eating in an old boat shaped establishment is fun and historical. It can be a little dirty, but so what. If you're scared stay away...that goes for most asian joints, countries, etc. DON'T BE SCARED!

    (4)

  • Arthur K.

    This is my favorite pho joint in Seattle by far. I've been coming here for a few years and is definitely my go to spot for some hangover busing goodness. There is not much for decor here, but usually the best Asian spots don't. Also, it's not a spotless restaurant. Again, the best Asian spots aren't. This place also has a VERY limited menu. If you don't like pho, you'll be going hungry here. The broth here is awesome. I usually consume about half of it before I even add the hoisin sauce & sriracha just so I can get that natural flavor. I finish off the noodles and high quality meat with the typical sriracha/hoisin sauce mix. The portion of meat here is also a bit more than other places. When you keep your menu simple it's easy to be a bit more generous. The service isn't always the greatest but the place is small enough that you can flag someone down. It's hard to knock true Asian places on service as standards tend to be quite a bit lower there. Finally, the price here is awesome, but bring cash as they don't take card.

    (5)

  • Brian L.

    I think this may be the best pho in the city. What more needs to be said?

    (5)

  • Megan T.

    First time coming to Pho Bac and the food was acceptable. I tried to come there second time and it was fucking terrible. The Pho bowl was so cold that the meat couldn't even change its color. The service even fucking worse. I asked to warm the soup for me but she even said no and got the fuck off. I was so pissed. Never recommend anyone come to this place. Food is shit and service is even worse. This place should have been burned down!!!

    (1)

  • Karen L.

    Food: 4 stars Environment: 3 stars Good broth, fast service, dirty dining room. Horrific smell welcomed us when we opened the door. The floor was slippery (prob grime). It seems like they never clean the sauce containers. Filthy dining chairs... They seriously need to clean the restaurant. It annoys me that I am not coming back to this restaurant not because of its food but because of its unpleasant environment :(

    (3)

  • Cameron L.

    This little red boat has been open for over 20 years! My parents talked about how they came here years ago and its still open so you know they are good! Environment: It does look a little dirty and sometimes stinks. But the food is so good I can deal with it. Food: Really good! Their broth is not clear like other Pho places probably because they use bones for the broth (I saw them dealing with bones from the parking lot from the back of the kitchen). You also dont get a cream puff like other places. Price: Cash only, no tax.

    (4)

  • Mariko L.

    I've always felt that I've never met a bowl of pho that I didn't like (except for What The Pho in Bellevue, but that's a different story for a different day). In fact, I hesitated to recommend pho places since my taste is so non-differentiating in this arena that I felt I had to chalk it up to being like my movie taste (and my friends at one point blacklisted me from picking movies since I would watch and enjoy almost ANYTHING). So then we stumbled across Pho Bac when we were in the Beacon Hill area. Holy crap is this good pho. No, the decor doesn't look like you're going for afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel. And yes, your intestinal tract might give a hesitant/fearful twinge just by visually scanning the restaurant - but power through. Sit down, order, and slurp down some of the best pho I've had yet since I popped my pho cherry one fateful day in college. An obsession had been born. How do they fit so much meaty goodness into a "smaller than my usual" bowl? How is it that the broth makes me feel like I've never had a good pho broth before? Also, yes- cash only - but there's an ATM by the entrance so, fear not, pho can be had by all.

    (5)

  • Jason J.

    I wish I could pick this place up and put it in my truck so I could take it back to Aberdeen with me best pho I have ever had.

    (5)

  • Michelle N.

    This place is the sh$t. I love it. Please don't get discourage by the way it looks. Yes it's a boat & yes restaurant does not have settings of a five star restaurant, but it does taste a lot better & satisfying than majority of four star restaurants I have tried. Food comes out faster than McDonald's & healthier I guarantee that so give it a shot before you judge. It's been around for decades so they sure know what their doing to stay open. The servers may be loud, but if that doesn't bother you, it's a great hole in the wall. Parking available Credit card accepted Family friendly Love it! Avoid bathroom :)

    (5)

  • Xuan-Nhi N.

    I decided that I needed to say more about this pho restaurant since my last review about this place was about 2 sentences long. I've been going to this pho place ever since I was a child. I remember coming up to Seattle with my mom & always stopping by for a hot bowl of pho on a rainy day. I don't particularly love pho anymore since I've grown tired of it, however, I can never get tired of pho from here. Their broth is so good & flavorful and the noodles are always cooked right, not soggy or over cooked. I also always get a cup of Vietnamese coffee here. The owners are super nice & polite. I can go on and on about my love for this place but it really is hands down, the best place in Seattle to get pho.

    (5)

  • Ben W.

    Went to the Pho restaurant for lunch. We ordered combo, large, it was $8.5. I also requested to cook the noodle a bit longer time, the lady at first couldn't understand, and she got it after I changed to say cook a long time. The taste again was just good as usually. I noticed that beef tendon was missing today.

    (5)

  • Kristin W.

    Deep in my obsession with pho, I decided to trek up here from downtown and try their pho. I arrive at around 11:45a and there's lots of open tables, not busy, greeted and sat immediately. I ordered a small Pho Tai (rare beef) and it appears within a few minutes. There was lots of meat and noodles for a small. I was stuffed at the end; happy I didn't get the large. The broth was pretty beefy, not too much sweetness that I've encountered at other pho spots, but flavorful enough. I like a little sweetness I've decided. I added hot sauce and a little bit of hoisin sauce for sweetness. I didn't add sugar, though it was there and I've read people do that... The restaurant, though a little run down looking from the outside, is surprisingly clean. My table was clean anyway. Not grungy. Menu is up on the wall. Simple. Small pho tai was $7 even steven. Service quick and friendly. Nice top 40 music playing quietly in the background. Mostly enjoyed the sounds of the restaurant while I read my iPad and ate my pho.

    (4)

  • Tim C.

    Don't be dissuaded by how this restaurant appears. It's by no means fancy, or even modestly put-together, for that matter. The chairs don't match, the tables are haphazardly arranged, and it's just generally not very pretty on the eyes. But the pho is good. Actually, it's one of the best, if not the best, pho in Seattle that I've tried. All your basic criteria for pho are met here: excellent broth, generous portions, and lots of meat (most pho places skimp on this important aspect!). More meat than I've ever had at a pho restaurant, as far as I can remember. The hardest part of eating here is getting over appearances. I'm sure they are in compliance with whatever health codes are in effect, but just they way the restaurant presents itself inevitably leads to raised eyebrows. This isn't a place I'd take my parents or any newcomers that I'd want to impress. Ben Thanh down the street has comparable pho with a much nicer interior. But if I'm in the mood for some pho on a typical rainy Seattle evening, and it's just my wife and I, then I have no qualms about coming here. The service was fine, and I do believe it's cash only.

    (4)

  • Misha B.

    This is hands down the best Pho i've ever had in Seattle. It makes other pho places look like crap!

    (5)

  • Kim K.

    The Pho here is solid but not the best that I've had. The service is good. The place has some characters. I wish they could update the boat a little bit.

    (4)

  • Tim U.

    Simple pho spot, quality for the price, would recommend getting a chinese donut to dip with.

    (4)

  • Tina C.

    I have to admit that the broth at this place is the best i have found in seattle. But the location and environment itself is a bit dingy -- but the price is still super cheap -- around 7$ They only sell pho. There is ample free parking and I think the food wise = 4 stars Cost wise = 5 stars Environment/atmosphere = 3 stars. I will def. come back to this place for takeout! P.S. They take credit card :)

    (3)

  • David N.

    This place is gold! My mom came here before she made me. I've been here about once a week, every week! I've tried pho everywhere, but nothing compares. It's as authentic as you can get. I get the fatty brisket with meatballs with a side of heart-attack (liquid fat, with onions).....Duma! You may not be into "hole-in-the-wall" places, but this is a must try. You can beat lunch UNDER $10 with a drink. The only reason it's not a 5 star? Find out yourself:)

    (4)

  • Alicia H.

    Really, really bad service at this place. We waited for fifteen minutes for a server to acknowledge our presence & none of the waitstaff took time to look our way or even say 'welcome, we'll be with you in a moment.' We ended up leaving and heading over to the taco truck on the same block. (Which was absolutely delicious btw). Also, while we had cash, it's really annoying that a sit-down place like this doesn't accept debit or credit cards.

    (1)

  • Jeanny M.

    You can certainly order a pho with all the meat options (dac biet style). The broth is flavorful and clean. I had a large dac biet ($8) and didn't feel super weighed down upon finishing. It was fast service and simple service (that is, they didn't check on you after receiving the food). Split checks is easy, cash/cards accepted. The single occupancy restroom was a bit sketch with a hook/loop locking mechanism (which allows the door to move enough to startle the occupant). The restaurant is shaped like a boat, what. My experience had a negative ending. I asked to purchase several "Chinese donuts" to take home with me. The man refused. I questioned him further, and basically the answer was they were not good if not eaten immediately. I get that. But seeing as I was standing next to the display case that had several donuts pre-cooked in plastic bags..they were not fresh there either (perhaps not even made on-site). I ordered my pho in Vietnamese and I don't see why I had to argue with him in either English OR Vietnamese to sell me some fried dough. Meh.

    (2)

  • Alex T.

    Come have some pho in a boat. I love it. Probably feels like how my ancestors did it (kidding). Simple menu. Two sizes and you get to choose whatever part of the cow (almost, you can guess the limitations) you want in your bowl. Pho comes out pretty much immediately. They do NOT HAVE VINEGAR ONIONS! I repeat. So bring your own or...just deal without it. It's across from Saigon Deli which I'm so glad exists. Now I know where to get my banh mi (Viet sammiches). Prices include tax AND they accept CC even tho it says cash prices only. Loves it!

    (5)

  • Vivian D.

    I love Vietnamese Pho. I'm the one know how to cook and how to eat,so I'm not easy to give 5 stars for the restaurant.Only if they are very good cooking. The soup here is good,the noodle is good, and very nice service. Com Tam here very good too. The price very cheap. Coffe very good. I will be back

    (5)

  • Brian I.

    I'm finding it harder and harder these days to find a Pho place where the broth is not on the sweet side. But with some Yelp digging and lost in Chinatown under questionable reasons, I found this boat. Great broth, good size, in and out type of service. My type of Pho place. I'm not really into the fancy Michelin, James Beard award winning decor of the newer Pho places opening up these days. Take me back to the hole in the wall place and I'll give you my money! I digress. The Pho is good, not sweet. The meat was fresh and the meatballs didn't taste like freezer burn. The noodles was al dente (a first, but I didn't mind). They look like they only take cash, but they take card. I paid with cash. Verdict: I'll be back sooner then later...Ooo squirrel!!!

    (4)

  • M M.

    I'm really a pho fan, so I feel like I know what I'm talking about when it comes to pho. That said, I was not at all impressed by this. The small is rather large and well priced. I couldn't finish it, but I'm not sure if that's because it was too much or because I really felt nauseated afterwards. The atmosphere was also not really comfortable to me. Wouldn't go back.

    (2)

  • Daniel B.

    Had the round steak, trails behinds my favorite spot in NYC but still solid. Delicious, fragrant broth, but the beef slices were cut too thick and took away from the texture. Whatever you do don't venture into the bathroom, at least not until your done eating...

    (4)

  • Tiana B.

    The food is really good. My family goes every Monday but the past few times the service was horrible!!! The lady is always yelling and this is the third time we had to ask for water. Don't expect them to do any side meat as they stick to the menu. Very tired of being talk to like a child so we will find a new Monday Pho place.

    (1)

  • M.C. S.

    The noodle was good, however the brisket was too thick (thicker than various Pho restaurants that I have been too). That took out the joy from the soup. I didn't see an option for extra noodles (should have asked). Service was fine. The sandwich shop across the street gave a nod to Pho Bac, perhaps other cuts of meat would be nicer, but I wasn't in a mood for tendons or extra fat.

    (3)

  • Clint W.

    cool neighborhood? no. modern interior? no. friendly staff to accommodate your every whim? no. great alcoholic beverages that bring you to your knees? no. booming good pho, with a savory broth, plenty of goodies swimming in your bowl and fresh fixin's? hell yes! oh yeah, extensive use of a credit card to pay for your addiction? no. p.s. hops and props to kate s. for bringing this place to my attention.

    (5)

  • David M.

    This is the one that is shaped like a boat. Their prices include tax and there is parking if you need it. The pho broth was excellent - near clear. Order a size up from what you typically would.

    (4)

  • Alanna M.

    Fresh off the boat. Literally -- the restaurant is in the shape of a red boat! I believe it was the first pho place that popped up in the area in the early 1980s. This is one of my favorite pho spots in Seattle's ID. MSG or not, I've been coming here since I was a kid. Today's prices are $7 for a small and $8 for a large any way you want it. Broth is hearty and flavorful. All condiments available at the table, including sugar. The Vietnamese don't typically put sugar in their pho, but other SE Asians do. Way to cater to the customer PB! Pho is all they serve aside from beverages so if you want bun... better find another place to eat. They open super early at 8 AM and stay open until 9 PM so you can have your pho just about any time all day long. It appears they've done some cleaning too because it's not as dingy as the last time I was in.

    (4)

  • Sy K.

    I love this place. It was my first pho experience in Seattle, and 2 months later, nothing has beat it. The broth is rich and beefy and not too salty. The ingredients are incredibly fresh, and they give you plenty of meat. The produce they offered (sprouts, lime, peppers and herbs), were clean and a bright vibrant green. The place is a definite hole-in-the-wall, but it doesn't feel dirty, especially because the food looks so clean when it comes out. I once walked into the Pho Bac on Jackson Street, which gets such good reviews, but I walked right back out because the place had a sweaty, rotting, moldy smell that I couldn't stand. This Pho Bac on Rainier doesn't have that at all. Just great pho!

    (5)

  • Dana S.

    Pho in a boat! Definitely a hole-in-the-wall place, but super good pho, simple menu, and good prices. We got a small with shrimp and a large with well done beef, and we were both happy.

    (4)

  • Andrew C.

    I consider myself a Pho connoisseur as I am always seeking quality Pho. I am been to many Pho places and I consider this one of the best. Yes, the quality varies a bit, on some days, the soup is lukewarm and the tai (rare flank) is a substitute and not true flank cut. But even their worst days are quite good. Their basil is always fresh, not like many Pho places where the basil is shriveled and black. I always ask for extra soup and except once, they have never charged me extra. However, the cleaniness of the place is a question mark. The tables, floor are dirty. I wander about their utensils. If you can get over that, the food is awesome. If they are clean, definitely a 5 Star.

    (4)

  • Syde K.

    This restaurant is one of my favorite go to place if I am craving for pho! They also have rice dishes available on the menu but I just really come here for their pho. They serve you just the right amount on each bowl of soup(I usually get the large and it is more than enough for my toddler and I to share). Another thing I like coming here is that they are always very welcoming and genuinely nice. They would put on a cartoon and on our recent visit they played Disney movie "Frozen" to keep my daughter entertained. (: Oh this place is cash only and like everywhere around Intl District, it's only street parking.

    (5)

  • Jean Y.

    I once attended a talk by Tom Douglas, and he listed the Pho Bac on 12th as one of his favorite places to eat and said that if you keep going back to a place although it smells like pee, you know the food is good. I finally tried the pho here today. The inside really did smell like urine. The rancid smell lingered in my nose until I started eating. I ordered pho with well-done brisket, and my boyfriend got both well-done and fatty brisket. My broth was slightly light and flavorless, but his broth was extremely fatty. I saw a lot of Yelp complaints about greasy broth, but I think the meat you order makes a difference. My boyfriend liked his pho, but the urine smell didn't bother him much because he had a stuffy nose due to allergies today. The pho was pretty standard. Nothing to rave about. Despite what Tom Douglas said, I did not find the food worth the urine smell, so it's very unlikely that I will be coming back. I much prefer the Pho Bac on 7th. Other Notes: * In addition to the standard beef selection, Pho Bac offers chicken and shrimp pho. No vegetable pho. * The shared lot between Pho Viet and Pho Bac makes parking here convenient.

    (2)

  • carmen l.

    Who needs Baby when Pho got Bac?! Bean sprouts and rice noodles didn't miss her (bowl). Okay, okay, I will spare you the bad, bad, BAD rendition of Sir Mix A Lot's "Baby got Pho Bac". But seriously, Pho Bac even got me to shout (or yelp rather). The exterior, an awkward bright red painted boat shack, but inside.... Pho Nirvana. Seriously. This place is the bomb, and cheap. The broth has that rich flavorful kick I'm always looking for, and no-no-no skimping on rice noodles and meat. You walk in and you are immediately seated, and before you can even grab your napkins and chop sticks, they have your bowl in front of you. Since my first encounter here, (approximately a month ago) I have been back four times. And I am always finding myself over a steaming bowl; slurping, broth spraying, chop stick dunking, as I squeeze my limes into submission, and sriracha to my mouths desire. What more can any Pho lover want?

    (5)

  • Austin R.

    This place is pretty good. I've eaten at a ton of pho places in all around in California, and comparatively, this place is pretty delish. The place itself is kind of ghetto looking, but that's how you know it's good! Decent service, and they give you plenty of basil, lime, etc. They also serve you tea!

    (4)

  • Helen N.

    This is a great place for people that have never tried pho before. I will admit I have had better pho, but this is place is always consistent, noodles soft but not mushy, broth without that dry-mouth MSG-infested sensation, always gives tea and all for under ten dollars. I think one should always try the special (tripe, tendon, beef strips, meatballs, etc.) the first time, but my companions always look at me funny so maybe it is not for everyone. This location is bigger than the other Pho Bac, so it s less weird bringing a pho newbie because there is less judgmental staring, but both is good.

    (5)

  • Sabine S.

    This place has nothing to offer in terms of location or design of the actual restaurant, but the Pho is the best I've had so far in Seattle. The broth is very flavourful, but the best thing is the quality of the meat. The beef is very thinly sliced and super tender. Highly recommended!

    (4)

  • Dan T.

    Just close your eyes if you care about decor. Meat Pho Rocks!

    (5)

  • Tommy K.

    I love restaurants that focus on just one thing ... assuming, of course, that they do this one thing well. Pho Bac serves Pho ... and that's it. There's no menu. You walk in, tell them you want a large or a small and tell them what kind of meat you want in it (there's a list of five "cuts" on the wall). No salads, no rice dishes ... just pho and man is it good. I don't think I've ever had pho with a broth quite this rich. It's still a very clean broth but there's a great density of flavors going on. It almost seemed a shame to start throwing in basil, sprouts, etc. The noodles here are also very different. I don't know if it's the cooking process or the actual noodle itself but these noodles have a bite to them that I've never really had with any other pho. Other people have mentioned this already but I think it's worth mentioning again ... the only possible drawback to this place is the "ambiance." Pho Bac is basically a glorified shack in an odd corner. I'm not sure if this place would survive the next earthquake as it seems to have barely survived the last one (judging from the uneven floors and broken tiles). Pho Bac is the Vietnamese equivalent of a greasy spoon. In other words, if you're a germaphobe then you should stay away. However, if you don't mind the "urban rustic" atmosphere and appreciate amazing food done well and done cheap, then this is a must-visit place.

    (5)

  • Cat A.

    Best. Pho. Ever. In. Seattle. I can't handle bad pho, so just trust me. Go here if you want good pho. Beef Brisket is delicious every single time. The Boat looking establishment is in fact Pho Bac, but only serves pho. If you use credit or debit at the boat, make sure you have time, because it seems like they share their credit card machine with the establishment behind the boat. Behind the boat serves other items like bun, short ribs, rice dishes, plus pho. Does this even make sense? Inexpensive. Savory. Down-Right comfort food. Just go get some already.

    (5)

  • Toa B.

    Came here tonight after another volunteering event at the Treehouse. The Pho is okay but the broth was too salty for my taste. I ordered a small bowl with Beef Steak and Meat Balls. They are very generous on the size, noodles and meat but I couldn't get over how salty the broth was. By the time I was done with the meal, the tea pot was empty as was the glass of water I had asked for. Not bad for the quick pho fix. Service is as expected. You order, they bring it out and leave you alone while you eat. Once you're done, go to the cash register and pay and you're out. Maybe tonight was an anomaly with the salty broth. I'll probably come back if I'm craving for some pho and in the area.

    (3)

  • Megan S.

    Found a rubber band in my pho, enough said

    (1)

  • Lisa N.

    I've been going to Pho Bac since I was a child. This is likely the best pho in Seattle (outside of my mother's kitchen), but stay away if you're expecting vegetarian pho-- they definitely make everything with delicious, beefy meat. Their broth is rich and flavourful and the meat is soft and tender. Remember to bring cash-- their card machine is finnicky and dealing in cash at Vietnamese joints is usually easier anyway. Oh and don't look too closely at your water glass. You won't like what you see. Just focus on the bowl of goodness in front of you and be happy.

    (5)

  • Michelle N.

    You know what? I can put up with how run down and crappy this restaurant is because of their pho. I mean, it's Chinatown. The ugliest places probably have the best food, if you know what I'm saying haha. If you're new to the place, their system might catch you off guard - seat yourself, a server takes your order, however - their menu is posted on the wall. Sometimes I drive 30+ minutes just to grab a bite of their pho, it's one of the best I've had. It's cheap. Broth is rich, noodles are soft and mooshy, they aren't stingy with the vegetables/limes and stuff either (woooo!). I usually order pho tai-gan-sach/steak-tendon-tripe and they throw a lot in your bowl. The steak isn't served dry like some other restaurants, either. Often time, my order comes out wrong but it's an easy fix for them - there's only like one super sweet guy who can get my order right. Going to this restaurant makes me notice how universal pho has gotten, I see lots of different kinds of people there :) Buuuuut, on a sad note, I brought my white girlprenn with me and as she started using her chopsticks, a server rudely grabbed them out of her hands and handed her a fork. I was shocked, and so was she - luckily, we laughed it off haha. The server also purposely gave her a glass of water without a Vietnamese label/writing/image on it -__- He gave it to me instead. Weird, right?! Hahaha.

    (4)

  • Tam Q.

    I was extremely hesitant to go into this restaurant due to its appearance - graffiti on the sides, lack of a noticeable sign. The restaurant itself is actually really big for a pho restaurant. Extremely delicious broth and meat. It would have been nice to have some televisions in there to watch football on a Sunday morning, but other than that, one of the better pho places I've been to in Seattle.

    (4)

  • Kim K.

    Yummy and cheap! Fast service and cute inside.

    (4)

  • MA N.

    Good pho broth. Meatballs tasted funny but eye-round steak was perfectly cut. The veggies on the other hand were a bit dirty; found srircha on the basil leaves. Also, my boyfriend's bowl had a fruit fly in it...which means the entire pot has fruit flies.

    (3)

  • Lala M.

    My favorite pho in Seattle so far. (& it was so good that I probably won't try anywhere else until I'm forced).

    (4)

  • Hien L.

    My first yelp review and I had to write one about Pho Bac! First of all,I laugh every time a customer comes in and ask can I get a menu. The menu is pasted at the front of the restaurant. I've been coming here ever since I was 5 and now I'm 15 :) So, that's 10 years of eating here. Literally, I have ate at Pho Bac 3 times a week before. It's the only Pho place I like :) If you've tasted Pho in Vietnam before than you'll know that Pho Bac's taste is almost perfect. Every time I go there I order a large bowl of steak and meat balls with fat brisket! I love the sweet and sour kind of sauce they have that's slighter lighter than the sriracha a.k.a rooster sauce. The place might look run down and all that and there might be a dent in their tile, but I don't care the pho is the bomb dot com! Always count the change you get back! I went here and paid for a bowl of pho with 20 dollars and got 5 dollars back and didn't even notice and had to run back and get the rest of my money from the cashier. It's alright though :)!

    (5)

  • May Y.

    So we recently moved back to this part of town and we're happy to know we have like four pho places within walking distance of us. I'm not new to rainier ave. I grew up here. Passed by this place ever since I was a little girl a billion times but not once have I tried this place until last week and now I'm sad I've been eating mediocre pho for this long. What was I thinking?? I'm borderline insomniac (not really, I just like staying up way past my bedtime) and I've laid many a times in bed in the middle of the night yelping nearby stuff. Yeah bored much? But I'm glad I found this place. Like other yelpers have said, the broth here is AMAZING. No condiments (besides half the bottle of siracha added) needed. It really is fantastic as is. In my experiences in the past I've always had to add tons of hoisin and soy sauce; not here. It is good all on its own. It's a refreshing change to not have to add to the broth to "make it better." Usually at other pho places I avoid getting any meat in my pho, I usually do seafood or shrimp or sometimes if I'm in my carnivorous mood I'll do a little meatball and tripe but I decided hey, why not, I won't truly experience a good pho experience unless I get some tai in it. And boy am I glad I did. Unlike other places where the meat is all stuck together in one glob of uncooked meat, the pieces of beef here were sliced extremely thin and were tender in such an unexpected way (or maybe I'm just used to tough chewy beef at other places) that I finished all my meat; never usually happens since I'm not a big meat eater. Their meatballs were delicious albeit a little on the small side. The noodles were cooked perfectly, the beansprouts and basil aplenty and they even gave us those little bowls to mix siracha and hoisin so we could dip our meat in. Service is what you would expect from a pho place. You come in, you find your own place to sit down at and they take your order. There were all ladies working there. The place was not the cleanest or in the best shape and one side of the restaurant was dark and looked like they were selling random shit like chairs and teapots and etc but hey, if I'm ever in need of a disco ball, I'll know where to go. I'm def a fan and I'll def be back. Heck I can even see the restaurant from my apt window now and my mouth is drooling thinking about a nice hot bowl of pho in front of me. Extra points for having cilantro in their pho =) Other places do not.

    (4)

  • Calvin Y.

    The Telltale Signs of a Noob Eating at Pho Bac (AKA a list of Noob crimes that I committed): - You wait for the menu to only discover that the menu is hanging on the wall when the waitress comes by to ask you what you want (bring your reading glasses or you'd have to run up to the board like me) - You ask for the "beef fatty broth," not having remembered the actual term, Nuoc Beo. For a clarification the waitress asks, "Is it the one with the green onions?" Your response? You stare blankly at her until your dinner companion (BTW -- thanks Zachary Sam Z!) steps up and says, "Yes." - You wait for the bill to come to your table only to realize that you have to go up to the front to pay. - Lastly, you try to pay with credit. EPIC FAIL. I like this place a lot - they give very generous amounts of bean sprouts, limes, basil, and chilies which shocked me because the ones on the Ave are so stingy! As well, the Nuoc Beo makes the already amazing broth even better because it's true -- when you want something to taste better add fat! With the Nuoc Beo, you'll get yourself extremely hydrated because you will drink the entire large bowl of pho!

    (4)

  • Dennis S.

    Pho Bac on Jackson and Rainier is the very first restaurant in Seattle. Give it up to the Godphother of pho! Ha. I remember going there as a little pho-king kid with my parents when they first opened in the early 80's.The restuarant was only about a third the size that it is today (imagine how small that was!) with only a few tables. I used to always look forward to going there and the owner himself and his wife used to serve us. Now the couple just drive around in their fancy cars and check on their different Pho Bac restaurants, as they've expanded. Baller$. Props. Ha. I went to Pho Bac for lunch today. I hadn't been there in YEARS! So much nostalgia; the tasty aroma, the poker face customer service. The place pretty much looked the same to me as it did years ago, other than that they now have newer chairs LOL. Pho Bac's broth is rich and flavorful and their prices are good. For a small pho dac biet ($6.50) and a cafe sua da (Vietnamese ice coffee) I paid a total of $9. That's a buck or two (at least) cheaper than at most other pho places I've been to. This Pho Bac accepted "cash back only" in the day. Now they accept debit/credit, but only before 8:30 pm LOL. There's a sign by the menu on the wall that tells you this. And I like the fact that the prices on the menu include tax - some things never change... photastic! I'm pretty sure that the reasonable prices, coupled with good pho and a great location, attracts the loyal following that Pho Bac has. In these challenging economic times a little savings means a lot to families. Pho Bac on Jackson and Rainier used to be called "Red Shack" by the masses, and I wished they would've kept it that color. It's now a boring, non-descript beige/light blueish color with "I can't remember what color" trim. But it doesn't matter, their pho is still great and this Pho Bac will always be a pho-king legend!

    (5)

  • Meghan F.

    I'm giving it 5 stars because I've eaten at about 25 places in Seattle, and this is my favorite so far. Great broth, generous portions of meat, and cheap-I mean dirt cheap. I can get out of there for $15 for two. Make sure to ask for the donut, it's not on the menu but it's delish! Kind of sketchy Rainier Ave location, bars on the windows, and what looks to be a craft bizarre of some kind staged in the back. But the food is outstanding.

    (5)

  • Jen L.

    I love pho! My friend brought me here tonight. She's Vietnamese and this is her most favorite pho place. It was fantastic! The broth is so rich, great cuts of rare beef, and they give tons of sprouts and basil! Amazing. Even though it's a little out of the way, it's worth it. And better than the other pho bacs in the chain!

    (5)

  • Heather M.

    This place is awesome, the best Pho I've ever had. Great noodles, perfect broth. Generous portions. Good price. Better'n Argyle Street in Chicago, better'n Pho in Manhattan. Probably there is Pho that'll top this in Vietnam, but this is somewhat closer. Friendly service! Cash only!

    (5)

  • Breanne M.

    While in Seattle over the weekend a friend and I visited Pho Bac due to reviews we read on the internet. If you can get past the disgusting filth that is crawling all over this restaurant, you may still want to eat- but I doubt it. The floors were nasty, there was cakey dirt on the window sills and the waiter wiped down our table with a nasty smelly rag and proceeds to also wipe our chairs down with the same wet nasty rag. We had to sit on the wet chairs that were basically wiped down with the nasty soup that the last customers spilled all over the table. I was ready to leave at this point but we decided to tough it out. The soup was mediocre at best. I actually make better Pho myself. They were extremely stingy on the tripe and meatballs. The center of the meatballs were cold- almost frozen. The worst part yet was the restroom. I had to walk almost in the the kitchen to access the most disgusting tiny outhouse of a women's bathroom. The whole thing smelled like urine, the floor was crusted with dirt and grime, and the toilet seat was covered in piss old and fresh. At that point I almost ran from this place. Will NEVER EVER return and I hope people will not lower their standards to this level of muck.

    (1)

  • Eric B.

    It's a little hole in the wall in a blighted area, but the pho is one the best best I've ever had.

    (4)

  • Randon A.

    Cheap eats. Bun Bo Xao (fried beef with fresh vermicelli, and vegetables) and the Pho Tai, Nam, Gan, Sach (round steak,well done brisket, tendon, tripe) are my favorites.

    (4)

  • Nick B.

    For some reason, whenever I take my first bite of Pho (anywhere) I tend to shudder. Maybe it's the realization that I actually ordered something containing tendon and tripe, but usually I expect the first bite of Pho to hit me in the face with a pungent aroma, finally subduing me with its broth. This place however, had amazing Pho. From the first bite to the last it truly was superb. There are two reasons why I don't give this place a 5 (even though the main reason to go here, the pho, is quite excellent): 1) It is hot in here. I was sitting at a table with floor fan blasting onto my back. This isn't exactly the environment in which you want someone going around the tables asking if you'd like more"hot tea." 2) The service is pretty atrocious. It is truly barebones in that someone comes and takes your order (they appeared to get frustrated when we asked them where we should sit) and then doesn't even give you the check. Finally, the biggest minus to this place is that they don't give you the creme puffs that Pho Than Bros do.Without that, you will never be a 5.

    (4)

  • Epan S.

    I love the pho here. It is probably the best pho in town. I just wish that they can reduce the amount of msg in the broth. I am not a fan of that special spice. Somehow I kept Coming back here even though I didn't like the fact that it has too much msg, but I could be wrong... It might be something else, not msg.

    (4)

  • Phoenix mi m.

    LOVED IT!!! LOVED IT!!! LOVED IT!!! What more can I say! Food was definitely delicious! THANKS Daren for recommendating!

    (5)

  • Stephanie J.

    This is my favorite place for Pho! The Rainier location does something special with their chicken pho: they sauté the chicken and it's AMAZING! The combination of their flavorful broth, fresh basil, bean sprouts, and limes, and meat, make for the best Pho here in Seattle.

    (5)

  • Lisa P.

    Like everyone says, this is the original place to eat Pho. It's the best thing next to the Pho in Vietnam. My aunt used to work here and I've been eating here since I was old enough to hold chopsticks.Though it does look "grimy," the Pho here is top notch! Here are some things you should know before you go: 1) Yes, it looks dirty. Every time you eat here, you will see people wipe down their chopsticks and spoons even before the food arrives. It's just a habit with most Asians. We are mysophobes by nature. But really, you shouldn't let the age of the place discourage you from enjoying the authenticity of this beef noodle soup. 2) Make sure you go into the right building. The building with the magenta paint and the blue outline is the one you want! 3) Like most restaurants in or near International District, this place accepts CASH ONLY! 4) The wait service here is different from most restaurants. Be sure to know what you are ordering, if not, then bring someone who does. As for the Pho, the broth is heavenly. I have eaten Pho outside of Seattle, and it doesn't compare (ever) to this place. Their portions are always very generous, especially with their noodles and vegetables, and the meat portion is healthy as well. If you need to warm up on a cold day, or find some comfort, Pho Bac is the place to go!

    (5)

  • Stacy Y.

    I'm giving 3 and 1/2 stars for Pho Bac so far. I usually don't care going to a hole in the wall restaurant as long as the food is good I have read great reviews and my parents said it's good, so I finally gave it a try. I ordered a combination pho which should come with rare and well done beef, tendons, tripe and meatballs. I thought the noodles were cooked well, the broth was good, but it was a bit more MSG than I would want to have. I was disappointed that I didn't realize my bowl did not come with tendons, and only two pieces of tripe . There was a generous portion of rare beef but they could not be cooked properly because the pieces were all sticking together, and there were still raw parts by the time I finished the bowl. When I read on Yelp, I saw several restaurants with the name of Pho Bac, I don't know if they all run by the same ownership or not, but I still prefer the pho from Pho Bac on 7th Ave in International District so far. Free parking in private lot.

    (3)

  • Olivia S.

    I've rediscovered my childhood pho shop my parents always took me to. Simple, clear and in salty broth.. It's really comforting for that weekend hangover or even for a quick and I mean QUICK meal before work or event. I swear I ordered a bowl and less than 4 minutes I had a steaming bowl right in front of me. They even have a small lot to avoid all that other Chinatown chaos.

    (4)

  • Nathaniel P.

    Still 5 stars. I've lived here in Seattle longer now, I've had to try pho in some different places due to proximity or lack of time, and Pho Bac is still the gold standard, the pho against which all other pho is judged. I've had some other pho that is good enough but nothing compares to the liquid gold that they serve at Pho Bac. Whenever I walk by Pho Bac, I always notice the large beef bones in the dumpster, no doubt the secret to their delicious broth. Whatever they are doing, it's working because I can't get enough.

    (5)

  • Burt S.

    Sunday Morning. Hungover. I want pho. PHO BAC. They have a simple menu on the wall. They are all about PHO. This is the best pho i've tried in this area. I wish they had spring rolls, but you can walk across the parking lot for those if you really want some. The pho here is VERY good! I'll be bac.

    (4)

  • Jack T.

    This is my kinda place. It's in the international district, it's small but packed, the employees are in jeans and the five or six option menu is on an old sign on the wall. You walk in, tell the guy what you want get a seat a enjoy. Mmmm meat and broth like it's from the old country... had I'd ever actually been, but I can imagine. It's gruff, it's filling and it's pho heaven.

    (5)

  • Lily I.

    The noodles in the pho here are definitely better than Pho Viet (the blue building behind Pho Bac) but on everything else, Pho Bac loses out just marginally. Not very much meat, broth is just ok, quite a few of the basil leaves were brown, etc. Cleanliness, ok. Service, bleh. Overall, just... bleh. Not sure I would come here again, especially with a better alternative literally a few feet away.

    (4)

  • Mee Y.

    Pho Bac is triangular-shaped and strangely situated on the corner of Jackson and Boren. From the outside, it looks random and a bit run-down. On the inside, well, the place is run down that leads one to suspect how sanitary this place might actually be... But, I will say that they serve up a mighty-good bowl of pho. I'm talking about, MSG-free, home-made taste without the cubed-store-bought-flavorings, with a tender selection of meats. The broth speaks for itself. This is as good as store-bought pho gets! So I guess this would be a 5-star joint, but seriously sometimes I just want to go to a clean looking place to satiate my pho-appetite. If you don't have any Vietnamese friends with mothers who can make you a bowl of pho that's out of this world, Pho Bac is the next best thing in Seattle. Seriously. Look on the brightside, when you come here for your hangover-pho-cure, you can look and feel like crap without worrying about the other patrons.

    (4)

  • Chris F.

    Lisa P. said: "As for the Pho, the broth is heavenly. I have eaten Pho outside of Seattle, and it doesn't compare (ever) to this place." THIS!! The pho is amazing! At a normal pho place I would add in a lot of extra fish sauce and chiles, but Pho Bac's broth is so delicious I usually skip 'em. This place is really really worth a visit.

    (5)

  • Jen P.

    Rated the "best" pho in the city. Pho was good... but to be honest, I couldn't tell much of a difference from the place we usually go and get it in our neighborhood. The place was honestly a hole in the wall with no frills what so ever. We couldn't even get spring rolls. But it was no doubt yummy, and hit the spot.

    (4)

  • Bobby C.

    Best Pho in Seattle! A Vietnamese friend took me here and I have not been able to enjoy pho anywhere else. The broth is incredibly rich and flavorful. There is no other place in Seattle like it. I go to places like Pho Than Brothers, which are good, but not great like Pho Bac. I can get full from the broth here on its own. The noodles are a perfect texture (not too soft, not too stiff) and the meats are great cuts. The fatty brisket is fatty, the well done brisket is tender, the tripe is fresh, and the tendon is soft and melts in your mouth. Good thing I stopped being a vegetarian before I was introduced to this place. The Vietnamese coffee here is delicious as well. Sweet and strong. Definitely strong -- kept me up for ages, which was just what I needed. The service is quick and attentive. They have always been super nice every time I go.

    (5)

  • Debi F.

    There are a million pho restaurants out there, and this particular one is my absolute favorite. Early in the morning, or late at night when I need a little pick-me-up, I order my usual, the #10 medium, and life is good. A big bowl of steaming, hot, flavorful broth arrives, with an ample amount of meat and lots of chewy noodles. Fresh condiments, sprouts and basil, peppers and lime accompany the dish. I always ask for more onions, but that is just me. There are other Pho Bacs, and I am sure they are all fine. But, this is the location I love.

    (5)

  • Audrey H.

    Egads! Are you serious? I'll give it 2 stars for having parking and being open early as pho restaurants should. I was up early doing errands with a hangover so I was on a mission for pho. I could not get past the griminess of the place. I am not an obsessed clean freak by any means. But there is a level of dirt and sticky things I can handle whilst eating. The service was appropriate: take your order, drop off your order and leave you alone. It was hard not to imagine some creepy crawlies that I might have ingested. Leave those to Andrew Zimmern!

    (2)

  • Coraline L.

    I come here everytime I go to Seattle . Their pho is way way better than all the pho places in Vancouver .

    (4)

  • Erica W.

    The pho broth here is some of the best I've had. I know it sounds impossible to mess up broth but I've had many terrible pho in this city before. I didn't even need to add anything to it. I had a perfect balance of meat vs noodle, I left satisfied, not hungry or stuffed. The chinese donut wasn't that great though, very dry and stale tasting. I do wish they had a larger menu but they keep it simple and I can appreciate that :)

    (4)

  • Kyle T.

    You want Pho, you go to Pho Bac. End of discussion.

    (4)

  • Jason G.

    Ah Pho Bac.. The gold standard of pho. I love it that they only offer pho. I love it that there is no menu, other than what's posted on the wall. I love that it's so simple to order, small or large, then throw in whatever meats I feel at the time. (Custom orders are welcome, no veggies, cilantro etc.) You're expected to seat yourself, and you're not greeted with a hello, but with a cup of water instead. I've eaten at a ton of other pho shops in my life, but I always end up comparing their broth to the broth of Pho Bac.

    (5)

  • Caz C.

    Best Pho in Seattle. Super fast service and they do take credit/debit cards which is a huge plus for me cos some places in Chinatown takes cash only! Broth and noodles - delicious. Get the combo with lots of weird meat and put lots of Sriracha and hoisin sauce. That's how you eat pho Asian style. haha! Minus one star for greasy chopsticks and spoons. Their vietnamese coffee is awesome, too. Better than 5 hour energy. :)

    (4)

  • Ricway A.

    Probably the best tasting pho I ever had. They only serve pho and they do it best. What they could improve on is their service, but pho alone gives them 4 star.

    (4)

  • Scot K.

    It was lunch time and my mother wanted to get a bowl of noodles from her favorite pho place. Both of my parents eat here so often that the wait staff recognize her and ask her if she wants "the usual", which is pho with shrimp. They asked where my father was and noted that I look just like him. The portions are pretty similar in size to other places, however the difference was the amount of meat that I was given and the flavor of the broth. It was very good and didn't have that over powering anise taste or Chinese 5 spice taste that a lot of pho restaurants have. Service was quick and attentive, not because I was there with a super regular customer, but because that's how they roll. The interior is clean although the building is a little run down. The walls have scenes of what appears to be a Viet Namese village. A little less would be better. Also, they have a section that has clothes and other items for sale on one end of the restaurant if you need a spare dress or shirt. Mother wholeheartedly recommends them to everyone. Since this was my first visit, I can't give the same enthusiastic recommendation, but the food is really good! I plan on eating there again if I'm in that part of town.

    (4)

  • Chiem S.

    good pho. a little pricey for pho imo. menu is on the wall as you walk in, they only serve pho. no other entree

    (4)

  • Alexis J.

    Did not like my chicken pho. I have never had chicken pho where the chicken was grilled. It had (charr lines?) on it so there was black flecks of in my pho. All the pho ive had the chicken was just boiled. It felt like i was eating chunks of teriyaki chicken in my pho. It was gross.

    (2)

  • S Y.

    The restaurant is shaped like a big red boat and the inside definitely is a dive. However, those are some tell tale signs of a place worth trying. I haven't really had good Pho since moving to Seattle and Pho Bac was really good. Pick your meats and the size of the bowl and that's pretty much it. I think they also sell Chinese doughnuts but I didn't get one. The broth was tasty and savory. The meat was a decent amount but the noodles were a bit overcooked for my tastes. The bean sprouts, basil, lime, and jalapenos were fresh. I'd go back to cure my hangover.

    (4)

  • I-Wei F.

    Since there isn't yet a photo of the wall menu, here it is: Pho (small or large) with: tai (sliced rare round of beef) nam (well done flank) gao (brisket) gan (tendon) sach (tripe) meat balls chicken (extra) shrimp (extra) Drinks: the usual, plus vietnamese coffee complete with a drip apparatus. Tea is free It's cold, grey, snow showers, perfect day for pho. After passing by this place on the bus practically everyday and hearing so many good things about it, I finally ate here for lunch today. Service is efficient, the only times you see the waitress is when you give your order and when they bring your food. Ring up at the counter (no credit cards after 8:30pm). Breakdown of the pho: Noodles - not bunched up in the bowl. Neither mushy nor too chewy, just right. Meats - meats are perfectly fatty and tender, generous amounts of all. Garnish - again, generous portions. Here's the downfall, the broth. I am so sorry to say, I found this broth lacking in flavor, having to dress it up a lot with hot sauce and hoisin sauce. Not only that, it was tepid. So tepid that my paper thin slices of raw beef stayed raw despite numerous efforts to separate slices and push them to the bottom of the bowl. I like my steaks medium rare, but the soup being tepid, left a bloody taste in my mouth. Since it was around noon time and the restaurant was mostly full, I can't really figure out why the broth was tepid, maybe it was put together in advance and left to cool. I was very disappointed but may give it another try.

    (3)

  • Honey R.

    Pretty awesome. I tried their Chicken Pho and a fried rice dish - great flavor, good portions, cheap. Really good Pho!!! The interior is comfy enough, a little divey but clean and spacious. Good service. Easy to park. Kind of a no-brainer: When in area, eat there. Pho is great in the morning, too.

    (4)

  • Mike T.

    This is the OG original pho joint in Seattle. The flagship, the papa bear, the mother from Aliens of pho. The quaint purple shack does one thing and one things well...serve up steaming delicious bowls of pho. Compared to other pho joints, I like the way you can order your soup exactly the way you want it. The menu on the board says small/large, and then a list of all the goodies you can add from meatball, tripe, tendon, beef brisket, etc. Pick one or pick all for the same price. The difference for me is that the meat quality here is a bit higher than other pho places. While some places may order just cheap bulk meat, Pho Bac meats appear a bit more quality than others which inevitably equals tastier and more tender cuts in your soup. The broth has a more "umami" taste about it that other places where the broth may be slightly sweet or slightly salty depending on how you add you condiments. While the space is small, it's charming and not in the Craigslist apartment hunt "charming" means "small and dingy" sort of way.

    (5)

  • Gar L.

    I used to have a favorite pho restaurant close to Pho Bac that I believed was the holder of the ultimate broth. My life went into a very different direction the moment I tasted the broth here at Pho Bac. I have found my new favorite pho restaurant! The noodles and meat were plentiful and amazing as well, but man I am salivating just by writing this review!

    (5)

  • Janis H.

    'Filthy' is a pretty good description of this place, but is that worth forgiving for their "spectacular" broth? A 'People on Yelp Love Us' sticker greeted us on the door, confirming the search I ran on my iPhone. The service was fairly quick and the first few slurps of broth were promising until I noticed that I had another dining companion swimming in my soup...a BUG*! I am a pretty forgiving person, I sat him beside my bowl and we had a lovely conversation regarding his journeys with my other dining companions (the human ones). They were all pretty hungry so they kept slurping as my appetite walked out the door past the Yelp sticker. I watched as the lunch hour rush began and a predominantly asian crowd enthusiastically ordered their pho. I thought: 'now how on earth could this place be bad?' 'How could Yelpers be SO WRONG?' That bug was probably a one in a million chance happening, even if the table we were eating at was a little sketchy. I turned my spoon in my fingers and wondered if it was just me or if that weird rancid flavor was all part of experiencing the best pho around. I asked a dining companion for a new spoon reasoning that maybe the off flavor was because the spoon didn't go through the diswasher properly. I bravely took another bite. I know, I know...but I figured the broth came from the same pot. So asking for a new bowl of broth might be an exercise in futility. Besides, Mr. Bug might have just fallen in my bowl. I've probably watched too much Survivorman and Fear Factor. Bugs are extra protein, not a death sentence, right? My husband assured me that during his travels in asia, he endured some pretty awful looking places to eat some outstanding pho. I felt a little better as I took another slurp. Weird, I could taste a pretty good broth...but there was that rancid overtone again! I looked across at a table of stylish Asians. The three guys were talking, the girl was laughing as she pulled ALL of the spoons at her table and inspected them. She went through the entire stack until she sighed, selected one and started rubbing it clean with her napkin. Now I really was grossed out, because it seems that everyone in the restaurant was aware of how dirty this restaurant really is...and they eat the pho anyways. I cursed myself for being a sheeple. I majored in Biology, in which lab classes consisted of growing all sorts of creepy crawlies in BROTH. Now I was done. Well that is what I thought. I started swelling up, a sure sign that the broth had some fake salts in it like MSG. My son's hands ballooned as well. I had an upset stomach, but wrote it off as situational until later in the day my daughter mentioned that her tummy felt weird too. Read ALL the reviews on this restaurant before going. Despite the high rating, there are some that indicate a dirty restaurant and a broth that just doesn't set right in the stomach. There is TRUTH in those reviews. Pho Bac should have that door sticker confiscated by the health department. If you get suckered into going anyways, may I suggest ordering a bottle of bleach instead of tea? *A google search on cockroach nymphs will bring up mug shots of Mr. Bug...ugggg.

    (1)

  • Winona R.

    This has to be a contender for the best pho I've ever had. I just ordered a simple bowl of beef pho, and it was a revelation. I tasted the broth before adding anything to it, and it was so flavorful and rich! They gave us an ample plate of basil and bean sprouts, lime and jalapenos, and for a sublime 20 minutes, there was no sound but the slurping of noodles and broth. Wonderful. I'll be back for sure... the sooner, the better!

    (5)

  • Mimi L.

    Oh Pho Bac! The original pho house in Seattle. I've been meaning to write about this place since I used to go here quite often...Lately though, I've been distracted by one of their competitors: Pho Thy Thy. Anyways, some friends were visiting and they wanted to go to our old pho hang out, Pho Bac. The broth here is pretty tasty. Noodles are firm and meat quality is good (meat could be better but for $7...just enjoy it). The pho here hits the spot especially on Sunday after a late night out. I would give this place a 5-stars if it weren't so dirty looking. However, I can safely say that in all the years I've eatten here...I have never gotten sick from them. Wanna know a little pho secret? Ask for the extra fatty broth with the green onions. It's free and there's no name for it except the vietnamese description "nuoc beo" which literally translate into "fatty broth". Put a spoonful of it in your pho and the broth instantly goes up another star rating. Your arteries won't thank you but at least you'll have really good pho :p

    (4)

  • Emily A.

    haha this place is SO dumpy on the outside and inside but the food is SOOO good. Sometimes the ugliest places have the best food and the prettiest restaurants have the worst food. I've been going here forever and its always CONSISTANT, that's what I like about this place, same high quality food every time!

    (5)

  • Quynh-An P.

    This is where I come for pho now. I came here the first time when my dad was visiting. He was really itching for some early morning pho, which is apparently how you're really supposed to be eating it. We took him here because it was the only place we knew to be open. We were all pleasantly surprised on how good it was. My dad gave it the seal of approval...and he's even more picky about his Viet food than I am...since you know, he grew up eating Viet food in Viet Nam. The large pho bowl is a lot for the $7.50 that you're paying. I ALWAYS finish my pho and eat all of my noodles, but when I get the large bowl, there's always a bit left over. The small for $6.50 is enough to fill my tummy and make me happy! Overall, great place for good, authentic, warm fuzzy feeling all over your body kind of place. And you can't go wrong with the "Official Viet Dad" stamp of approval.

    (5)

  • Zachary Sam Z.

    I was questing for pho with Calvin Y, and we decided to follow Mimi L's recommendation and hit up Pho Bac. Of course this place has the standard ultra-prompt service you expect from a pho place. But I also have to agree with other reviewers that their broth is quite tasty. Although you might not take my word for it, because apparently I "pollute" my broth with all manner of spicy things and nuoc beo (good reco Mimi!). Yet, despite the ecclectic mix of ingredients, I can still taste the quality underpinnings of goodness. Yum yum. My one wish is that they had a chicken alternative; however, I have to say the brisket was tasty (which is as close to a compliment as beef will ever get from me). As we were standing in line to pay, my eyes drifted to the sign under the menu. "We don't accept credit cards after 8:30pm." ... Huh. I made a note to ask Calvin what the big deal might be with 8:30. Just then, he stepped forward with credit card in hand. "Ah, no credit cards," the server said. My watch said 7:15. So a last bit of handy advice: Bring cash. Just in case! You never know when stepping in to Pho Bac will cause a time warp.

    (4)

  • Aaron H.

    Can't go wrong with a little Pho Tai from this location. A hot steamy bowl of pho-goodness is delivered to your table usually within 3 minutes of sitting down. Now at other places this would be a cause for concern...but no no, not here. The broth is the best I have tasted and their meat is of good quality for the soup. Small pho tai with the fixins will run you around $6. Perfect for lunch or a dinner.

    (4)

  • Kyoni R.

    This is the first place I discovered when I moved to Seattle. Needed a pho fix and I looked through the window. It was crowded so that was a good sign. I ordered the pho with the works. Broth was great and it hit the spot. Slurping noodle heaven. Plum sauce and hot sauce with every bite. If your near the pink pho bac building on the top of Little Saigon. Find a parking spot. And walk right in. Order a number on the wall. If its cold outside a bowl of hot pho will turn your whole day around.

    (4)

  • Barry F.

    I have to say that I think I found my favorite Pho place.. Who knew it was so close to home. You know you've made it to a place that serves up awesome food when the space is less than desirable.. and boy is it. The broth is absolutely perfect, I didn't want to stop sipping on it... I had the Chicken Pho and the BoyF had the everything and the kitchen sink pho... mine was yummy and he said it was good.. which means yummmmmy.. cuz he's kinda a debby-downer. Can't wait to eat here again.... maybe now!

    (5)

  • H T.

    I came here with a group of friends on a weekday. I was eager to try pho at the oldest pho house in Seattle. This was only my second pho experience ever, and being a vegetarian, I was a bit nervous considering vegetarian pho is not on their menu (which consists of 5 things total). Luckily, my Vietnamese friend who frequents here was able to get me a bowl of vegetarian pho. I'm no pho expert but it was pretty good! The service here is excellent (very accommodating) and the prices are very reasonable. I'm not going to lie, the place looks a little run down and is awkwardly situated at the corner of Jackson and Boren. The parking lot is pretty small and the restaurant itself is "cozy" nevertheless, we were able to pack 8 of us fairly comfortably around a table. Honestly, I probably would've never found this place on my own but am glad I tried this little piece of history in Seattle!

    (3)

  • Pai P.

    Wow... only 3 reviews before me? I eat a lot of pho -- whether I crave it, hungover, or just need hearty survival meal. And I've probably eaten here hundreds of time, literally. Ok, so I do live walking distance from here, but even if I didn't, I'd still come here for pho. Good pho means a lot of different thing for people. For me, it's the broth. And theirs has a satisfying "aahhh" component built in. Even if you're a broth purist like me, or like to dress it up with condiments, the broth is so good universally that it satisfies a broad range of souls. I've found that Sunday evenings have had the best broth.

    (5)

  • T A.

    solid pho. flavorful broth. i get the #6 (well done brisket) and it is very good.

    (4)

  • Knute P.

    This place is the truth. Best Pho this side of Ding Dang.

    (5)

  • J. P. K.

    The pho tai here was delicious: piping hot broth and some of the thinnest slices of steak I've seen in a while. The caf sua da was good, too. Great comfort food for a cool, wet day. And easy parking!

    (5)

  • Yuichiro M.

    Looks like a broken down old shack...however, it is definitely one of the best places in seattle to get some pho! Try it sometime and I guarantee you will not be disappointed!!

    (4)

  • Eric L.

    I have a weakness for pho and love to try new spots. I heard Pho Bac was one if the best and probably not far off. The broth was good, loved the browned garlic. Everything else seemed very similar to any other resturaunt. I also like spring rolls but they don't offer any. Diddnt enjoy the location or visual aspect as much as other places. All in all good place to eat if you are close.

    (3)

  • William J.

    Background: Used to live near Atlanta and hit up all the great dirty south Pho places with the random numbers (someone please explain to me what they denote). I have had home-made Pho at friends' houses. I would say I have a good taste for Pho. Being a recently badged Seattle-lite, tonight we decided to venture out of our comfort zone Pho Than Bros. Even though I'm tempted to, I did not take 1 star off for the lack of a delicious pre-meal (for those like me who can't wait until dessert) cream puff waiting. Old habits die hard. I'll start with the ambience. The place is a tiny dirty looking shack at the corner of the dingy Little Saigon area. Some would call it hole-in-the-wall. Very happy to find a small parking lot though. As for the food, there was no menu and you just order off the wall. They keep it pretty simple. I got the large with everything and extra noodles. Did not notice any, if any extra noodles but then again I didn't get charged. The broth was tasty and not too salty. The meat was tender and wasn't so chewy to make me gag while trying to swallow all that tripe and fat brisket. They even throw in meatballs, which were small but less tasty than ones I'm used to but still good. It was pretty odd that my friend got 4 meatball pieces and my other friend only got 1 even though they ordered the same thing. Service was adequate. Bring out the bowls and peace out. I do have a pet peeve with places that charge you a fee for using a credit card but I guess I should be glad they even take plastic. Strangely, the guy ran out the back door for the credit card transaction and they only take cards before 8:30. In summary, I thought the food was delicious, as long as you're willing to give up your cream puff and dine in a rundown purple shack.

    (4)

  • B G.

    I'm not a big Pho person, and have only been to a handful of the Pho places in Seattle, but every 4 and 5 star rating for this place is SPOT ON. The flavor of the broth is great, and the price makes it even better. Best 7 bucks for soup I've ever spent.

    (5)

  • Neil W.

    I don't think much needs to said about another Pho place. This was a good place with a simple menu. The broth had a lot of flavor and with the right amount of meat.

    (4)

  • Catalina C.

    As a Phonatic, I think this restaurant is Phobulous. Very unPhogettable. UnPhortunately the decor's Phogly but the Pho makes up Pho it.

    (5)

  • Allison A.

    This place is the jams! She ain't much to look at, but her soup is the finest in the city. It cost me $7.50 for a large bowl of chicken pho, but I have been dreaming about it since (and hey, better than Boom Noodle prices). Staff were super, super nice. And I like the interior, honestly -- it's got a nice homey diner feel to it. Don't miss out on this place!

    (5)

  • cindy w.

    The broth really makes the Pho the best. The interior and exterior isn't anything special but if you want great Pho, this is the place for you. Cash only.

    (5)

  • Mary M.

    I haven't been to this place in maybe 10 years. Seriously needing pho after Halloween night and I remembered this place use to be pretty damn good. They only serve pho and nothing else besides pho so I held high expectations. Pho is pretty decent. Serving is generous. Lots of meat and noodles. I just wish there was more broth. I'm thinking 2 stars but I gave it an extra star for having parking and the pho came out 2 minutes after order.

    (3)

  • H C.

    3.5 Pretty good pho. They don't have appetizers like salad rolls which is a downfall for me. There are so many pho places around here that I would rather go to in order to support the smaller businesses with equally good pho.

    (3)

  • Bailey S.

    It turns out there are two Pho Bacs within four blocks of each other, and apparently I went to the wrong one. The only menu was a plastic deli sign on the wall, my table was a little grubby, and the space's limited air-conditioning could not keep up with the sun and the windows on all sides. And while my pho was quickly delivered, it did not deliver: The beef was fatty, cooked grey, and left a thin layer of grease on the top of the broth. To top it off, the price wasn't even particularly great and something in there left my stomach rumbly upset for the rest of the afternoon.

    (1)

  • Zaher H.

    yeah the place doesn't look great, and the wait staff are impatient but the Pho is absolutely amazing. Buck up and go in, you will not regret it.

    (4)

  • Nicole B.

    Their broth was magic. The cure to my headcold/lingering hangover. Mmmmm so good. Service was Eh. Place wasn't super clean. Not a deal breaker tho. But I can't give 5 stars to a place whose diet pepsi tastes like root beer.

    (4)

  • Benjamin K C.

    I didn't realize I have yet written a review for this place. They have one of the best pho in town. The broth are made to perfection. You can also choose the meat combination however you want, instead of picking from a confusing menu. I also love that they have parking all the time! That's very important for someone living outside of Seattle :)

    (4)

  • Farhan A.

    I don't know what the fuss is all about, this place is not that great. You want good Pho? Go to Pho Hoa. Or Pho Cyclo. Eating at this place made me feel dirty - can someone please wipe the tables and mop the floors? Also, the quality of the meat was questionable - I mean, I shouldn't need to chew on that piece of weirdly-textured steak for more than 5 minutes, right? Do yourself a favor, go to one of the other places.

    (2)

  • akzidenz g.

    you know its legit when: the tables are sticky they dont serve water, and if you ask for it, youre scared to drink it theres food on your tea cup the chairs needs to be re-upholstered (talk about oily and gross) the condiment jar wont open bc its too sticky i grab a spoon from the utensil holder and theyre still wet theres still leftover bits of food on the table bc it wasnt wiped clean they only accept cash yes, this is true vietnam living. the first time i came here, i loved the pho, this time, not so much. maybe the experience was just too...raw. and the broth wasnt right. would this stop me from returning? probably not.

    (3)

  • Jenni T.

    Great, really flavorful broth, lots of meat. Heaping plate of basil and sprouts. I've driven by here many times and never have had the interest to go in, but I'm really glad I did today. Actually, it's much better than most other pho I've tasted in Seattle. I didn't eat anything else but the Pho Chin (egg rolls? dang, I'm sorry I missed these!) but I want to try a few more things so I'll definitely go back!

    (5)

  • Philip L.

    One of my favorite pho spots in Seattle. The broth is just incredible. Greasy fat bubbles laze happily on the surface. It's so meaty and rich that I usually savor a few spoonfuls before mixing in any condiments. I enjoy a place that sticks to one thing and does it exceptionally well. That said, your vegetarian friends are out of luck, because there are no non-beef options.

    (5)

  • Maggie F.

    This place has been in Seattle for decades, and it's still the best pho place in town. It may not seem like the cleanest restaurant, but I've never had a problem. They make great pho at a reasonable price, I'm running out of things to say, it's simply the closest you can get for a good bowl of pho besides flying to Vietnam.

    (5)

  • Thai D.

    Been back enough times to give it 5 stars. Oh fuck yeah.

    (5)

  • N W.

    Perfection! Went to Little Saigon to pick up "fake pho" soup packets (like Top Ramen but pho) for a family member living overseas. Had never eaten pho in this neighborhood before. Chose this Pho Bac on Jackson St. thanks to yelpers. The pho tai chin here was far superior to the best places I've previously been to. Dark, fragrant, clean broth without MSG/overabundance of salt. The way the meat is sliced is just perfection (sorry to over use the word, but it's only fitting). I definitely need to get to Little Saigon more frequently for a fix of this goodness. And the place was packed at 1pm but service was lickety-split fast. Friendly peeps running the place. P-H-O P-E-R-F-E-C-T-I-O-N. SIDEBAR: Little Saigon has wonderful shopping for food/veggies and rolls for homemade banh mi sandwiches - Gwyneth Paltrow has a FABULOUS recipe in her new cookbook. Vegenaise + c0ck sauce + juice of one lime - banh mi sauce heaven!

    (5)

  • Sarah G.

    Solid pho, all around. On a chilly, rainy day, their pho tai really hits the spot -- large or small, cash only. Delicious & soul warming!

    (4)

  • Jason L.

    This is currently, and has been for years, my favorite place to get pho. I haven't found a better place in Seattle. If you don't like hole-in-the-wall establishments and care about cleanliness and are vegan or vegetarian then don't bother coming here. If you like a good bowl of pho and don't care about all of those previously mentioned things then I highly suggest it.

    (5)

  • Jen N.

    Didn't know what to expect from this place but decided to try it out when we were on vacation. The broth was good, the rare steak were so tender that I can't even compare it to any other pho place in California. Definitely a hit and I would come back here again!

    (5)

  • Jeremy C.

    This is one of the best pho spots I've encountered. Don't let the unpretentious, dirty looking building steer you away. In fact, allow it to lure you inside. Clearly, they are so confident that the quality of their product will keep people coming back for more, that they feel little need to glitter the place with flair or fix up the decor. You don't come to Pho Bac for ambience; you come here to eat some good pho. Case closed.

    (4)

  • Zac A.

    Really quite a treat! I love the fact that they add roasted garlic to the broth. Such a yummy place.

    (4)

  • Abby M.

    This was my very first foray into the vietnamese style soup. I went with some people from work, and they, being vietnamese, were quite helpful since the staff were limited English speakers. I was a little apprehensive about some of the meat choices (meatball, tripe!) so I got the well-done meat, small size ( I was warned) Very tasty though a bit salty, but less so than subsequent places I've tried. Very good portion size. Still one of my favorites.

    (4)

  • Leo E.

    The BEST pho, bar none. I'm Japanese-American, and Vietnamese pho has become my "comfort food" when I come back from trips. I've had pho in several places around the U.S. & Canada, and this place beats them all. I'm a native Seattleite . . . and I remember when this triangular building was the Coffee Corral in the 1960s! It was a greasy dive then; it's still a funky-looking place that cooks one thing better than any other place. While most folks order "tai" (rare flank steak) or the default mix of meats, I order the tastier "nam" (brisket, which has a little bit of flavor-packed fat!). And, don't forget to order the iced coffee at the beginning of the meal--it takes at least 15 minutes to drip. The place is often crowded at lunch and all day on weekends. I've seen the staff from the Japanese Consulate eat here, as well as hordes of Spanish-speaking families from Mexico & Central America. Indeed, I'd say that Spanish is the second language at Pho Bac.

    (5)

  • Tam N.

    We're from out of town and he Pho definitely hit the spot on a cold cloudy morning (I guess you guys get a lot of that up here =D ). In any case, the place is a little iffy, but the food was good.

    (4)

  • Scott H.

    This is the best pho place I've found in Seattle and the Northwest in general, including Vancouver, BC. The broth is excellent, they don't skimp on the ingredients, and prices are reasonable. This place may test the will of people looking for a more upscale dining experience because frankly this place is pretty spartan, to put it mildly. That said there's nothing better on a cold wet dreary day then a hot bowl of pho. You can be in and out of this place in 20 minutes. Of note the restaurant across the parking lot is under the same ownership and has the exact same pho in a nicer but less charming environment, as well as a full menu.

    (5)

  • teresa w.

    Brought my friend from LA, who is both Vietnamese and a foodie... He got the combo Pho. He loved it! I spent all weekend taking him to places I thought he might like but only got two hits out of ten tries. They just added on a chicken soup, I love it!

    (5)

  • NANCY H.

    With all these new pho restaurants popping up here and there it is always good to go back to the original where the people who know how to do it best have been doing it for years. I know for a fact that these people make their broth fresh every morning. Some restaurants use a base or make theirs ahead of time and store it in the fridge. The shabbiness is all part of the experience.

    (4)

  • scott k.

    ive had a lot of pho in my life... but pho bac is hands down the best of the best. why you ask? they dont miss on anything. -best meat... meatballs melt in your mouth -best noodles -best broth -veggies are usually fresh you know youre at a true pho restaurant when they dont serve anything else, enough said.

    (5)

  • Stan F.

    Pho is pretty good here. I used to think that all Pho was created equal. I know better now. The broth is just right. The brisket is pretty good and sometimes they are generous. We prefer less noodles and more broth, though. They do accomodate us with extra onions and cilantro on the side in lieu of .hanh dam. We would prefer that they also have chicken or vegetarian pho on their menu too, but they don't. Neighborhood is kind of sketchy.

    (4)

  • Lydia P.

    Well, I quite enjoyed my giant bowl of well done brisket pho yesterday... so much so, that I went back again for lunch today. Granted, I'm still quite new to the world of pho, but I found both visits to be highly satisfactory. The noodle portion is generous, and the broth is very nice. I like the fact that there's a very limited menu... makes choosing much simpler. The choice is made even easier since the options of tripe and tendon are eliminated right from the get go (at least for now... maybe once I've braved the chicken feet at Jade Garden), leaving me with meatballs, brisket, fatty brisket, and beef to choose from. I found that the "small" bowl suits me just fine... especially once it's topped off with their $2 coffee (tiny cup of very strong coffee filtered over an equal amount of condensed milk). Super sweet and yummy. There isn't much atmosphere, but I don't mind... Here, I've got a table full of hot sauces, fish sauce, hoisin, limes, basil, bean sprouts, jalapenos, noodles, coffee, and tea. Everything comes to the table in less than 5 minutes, and I'm out the door, completely satisfied (if a little sniffly) for less than $10. Good stuff!

    (4)

  • T A.

    solid pho. flavorful broth. i get the #6 (well done brisket) and it is very good.

    (4)

  • Knute P.

    This place is the truth. Best Pho this side of Ding Dang.

    (5)

  • J. P. K.

    The pho tai here was delicious: piping hot broth and some of the thinnest slices of steak I've seen in a while. The caf sua da was good, too. Great comfort food for a cool, wet day. And easy parking!

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :7:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : No
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Pho Bac

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