Long has been the debate over Phở – who has the most authentic, largest variety, what do you do with the dish of stuff on the side and not to mention how the heck do you pronounce it correctly without sounding like a tourist?
Fear not faithful blog fans, I have come to rescue you from the overwhelming list of options, narrowed it down to the top five locations between Burien and White Center and can tell you it’s NOT pronounced “fo.”
With French and Chinese influences it is the Vietnamese whom perfected this dish. Pronounced “fuh”, this popular lunch dish can be eaten at any time of day and is commonly served as breakfast in the Vietnamese culture.
Varieties of ingredients vary depending on location, however most commonly you can find the brisket, meatball, tripe, tendon and tofu for the veggie eaters out there. One thing to keep in mind if you are a vegetarian, just because you ordered tofu does not make this an animal-free dish…the broth is meat-based so be sure to verify with the server if they have a vegetable broth as an option. Each bowl, no matter what protein you choose, will come with rice noodles, broth and onions, what you choose to add from the plate on the side is up to you.
Purists each have their own way and will debate authenticity, however I say add what you like ‘cuz it’s your lunch! I suggest going for a handful of bean sprouts, squeeze of lime, torn up Thai basil, a generous squeeze of Siricha (the red sauce with a rooster on the jar) and a splash of soy.
On the table at most places you can usually find Hoisin or fish sauce, an intense looking chille paste concoction, and jalapeños if you dare. I am personally a no more than 2-3 star kind of gal so how you turn up the fire is your call. Break up the noodles, stir in your additions and don’t be a wimp… eat this dish with chop sticks and a spoon!
If you’re not craving Phở by now, you need to wake up and get into one of my top five faves and see what the fuss is all about. In a very particular order from most consistent, most authentic, and best price I give you my Phở Five:
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1. Phở: 9642 16th Ave SW, White Center 98106 |
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2. Phở Tai: 148 SW 148th St # B100, Burien 98166 |
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3. Phở Lily: 14611 1st Ave Burien, 98168 |
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4. 88 Restaurant: 9418 Delridge Way SW, Seattle 98126 |
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5. Phở Mỹ Lợi: 10439 16th Ave SW, White Center 98146 |
I tried each and every Phở place I could find in the area (some more than once) and these are the ones I know you will find a dish that tastes like you are visiting your long lost Vietnamese relatives not matter what culture you’re from.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: This Review originally appeared on our sister site The B-Town Blog, but we're re-publishing it here because The Barrel is so dang close to White Center.]
The term “dive bar” conjures up negative images of dark, smoky, smelly taverns, shady staff and questionable menus full of deep fried mystery food.
The Barrel Tavern is in no way any of these things.
In a time where trendy bars are becoming dives or using gimmicks to lure you in, while dive bars are becoming trendy bars by serving 40s or watered down versions of drinks they call “specialty beverages,” there are fewer and fewer places serving up a good old dash of reliability.
After numerous visits, purely for research of course, I found there was far more at The Barrel than meets the eye:
- The moment you walk in you are treated like a regular.
- There are no unidentifiable smells that overwhelm you when you walk in. Rich local history.
- Plenty of parking. Come on it used to be a Drive In! Built in 1963 as the “Triple XXX Drive In,” owner Linda Enright has worked hard to keep the integrity of the original landmark building.
- Bikers welcome…but you can come too.
- Live bands that you actually want to see. And did I mention NO COVER!
- Seattle’s longest-running open Jam Session every Tuesday.
- Karaoke every Saturday and sometimes Fridays. Hundreds of great karaoke singers…and 3 bad ones.
- The most dedicated owner you may ever meet. She cares about her customers and her community.
- No drama policy. Do not test this one – trust me, the staff will win.
- Free poker tourney every Wednesday.
- A menu that could put most dinners to shame. Fresh, well made pub grub that will have you returning for more than just a beverage. Insiders tip: go for the fresh, not deep fried tacos, the Barrel burger (fresh never frozen) or the Barrel chicken sandwich.
- Saturday & Sunday breakfast menu that could cure any hangover.
- If you need more than just liquid entertainment there are darts, a pool table, pull tabs, video games, and flat screens always playing the game.
- A jukebox that is filled with only the greatest classic rock, country and 80’s faves.
Leave your club clothes at home and forget the overdone hair, this is one spot it won’t work.
Be prepared to sit back, hang out with old friends and even make some new ones.
If you’re looking for a dependable neighborhood bar with a ton of character, in more ways than one, you need not look any further than The Barrel. 11051 1st Ave S
The Barrel is located at:
Seattle, WA 98168
(206) 244-7390
| Dec ’08 |
| 15 |
| 5:00 pm |
It plays a huge role as part of this area’s “secret passageway” to downtown Seattle, and it often allows one to get into town within 10-15 minutes.
We’re speaking of course about the Alaskan Way Viaduct, which will be the topic of a public meeting on Monday, Dec. 15th, from 5pm to 7:30pm in downtown Seattle.
Everyone has an opinion on how best to deal this aging, sinking and deteriorating behemoth, and this meeting will be a good opportunity to not only learn about the final options for replacing the viaduct and seawall, it’ll give you a chance to speak your mind and propose your amazing ideas.
There will be a presentation, question and answer session, and opportunity for public comment on scenarios being considered. No word yet on what kind of donuts will be served.
According to a press release we received:
WSDOT, King County and the City of Seattle want to hear from you.
You can learn more about the options or provide comments at www.alaskanwayviaduct.org.
WHAT: Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall public meeting/discussion
WHEN: Dec. 15, 2008, 5pm-7:30pm
WHERE: Town Hall Great Hall, located at 1119 Eighth Avenue in downtown Seattle
INFO: 1-888-AWV-LINE or viaduct@wsdot.wa.gov
B-Town Blog’s Mark Neuman filed this late-night missive with Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer around 11pm Thurs. night:
Scott -
Got back, about an hour ago, from the City of Burien’s community meeting at Boulevard Park Presbyterian Church earlier tonight (Thurs., Aug. 28). Topic: proposed annexation of North Highline and the temporary withdrawal of the City of Burien’s request to pursue said annexation.
About 45 people attended, and one could reasonably assume that a goodly portion of the attendees (this correspondent included) would have preferred to view, live, the televised acceptance speech of Senator Obama. Must rely on delayed broadcast for that.
About half of those in attendance were Boulevard Park residents, and about half of those are home owners. As noted by one attendee, most everyone there was Caucasian and not exactly springing from the younger side of life.
But all were earnest, many were skeptical, and few were without opinion.
While this was only my second meeting regarding the annexation proposal, I believe I came away with some accurate observations:
Burien City Manager Mike Martin is a very decent fellow, with a reserve of patience greater than that which most folks, myself included, would likely muster and maintain in assemblages such as tonight’s.
“This annexation, if approved, will be revenue neutral,” Mike said. “This move would not make a dime for Burien, nor cost Burien a dime. In that sense, financially, annexation as proposed would be a wash.”
Mike said this several times, not because he is a repetitive person, or one who forgets what he just said, or loves the sound of his voice.
The reason Mike said this more than once is because it is the truth and because some in the audience either weren’t listening or suffer from CDS (Chronic Disbelief Syndrome).
With respect to emergency services, I think it’s pretty clear that the King County Sheriff’s Department works quite smoothly with local police departments.
And for Pete’s sake, does anyone really think the good men and women of any Fire Department would indeed fail to respond to an emergency because it’s occurring a block or two beyond a city boundary? Of course this won’t be allowed to happen.
The only things that should be left to helplessly smolder are the scare tactics of some and the ignorant fears of a few others.
Scott, I know you were looking for a Wake ‘Em Up in The Morning Headline, but frankly, I think the temporary withdrawal of the annexation request is a wise, brief and prudent move.
Perhaps the headline for this report should be: Extra! Extra! Sometimes Truth is Dull.
Well, gotta go, Scottso. Somewhere sits a PBS station ready to roll tape on Barack and Michelle and those two cute kids of theirs.
Just a quick reminder that the City of Burien will be holding the first in a series of informational open houses tonight, starting at 6:30pm at Boulevard Park Presbyterian Church, 1822 South 128th Street in SeaTac.
The goal of these meetings is to answer questions about what a Burien annexation might mean for the people within the proposed annexation area:
Details:
WHEN: Tonight, Thurs., August 28th, from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Boulevard Park Presbyterian Church, 1822 South 128th Street
Format:
- There will be a presentation followed by a Question and Answer session.
- Refreshments will be provided.
- Supervised play activities for children will be available
- Interpreter services can be arranged if requested in advance
Download a pdf version of the flyer for the Open House.
More info at the City of Burien website.
MAP:
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| Sep ’08 |
| 2 |
| 7:00 pm |
The Washington State Boundary Review Board for King County will be holding a meeting on the proposed annexation of White Center’s “North Highline” area on Tues, Sept. 2nd at 7pm at Riverside Residences Inn, 11244 Tukwila International Blvd in Seattle (see map below).
As always, the meeting is open to the public.
There proposed annexation area can be seen here:
Here’s the official notice via the King County website:
WASHINGTON STATE BOUNDARY REVIEW BOARD FOR KING COUNTY
| YESLER BUILDING, ROOM 240 |
400 YESLER WAY |
SEATTLE , WA 98104 |
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| PHONE: 206.296.6800 |
TTY: 206.296.1024 |
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CITY OF BURIEN – NORTH HIGHLINE ANNEXATION – FILE NO. 2281
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the WASHINGTON STATE BOUNDARY REVIEW BOARD FOR KING COUNTY will hold a public hearing at the hour of 7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 2, 2008. If required Thursday, September 4, 2008 has also been set aside. The hearing will take place at the Riverside Residences Inn, 11244 Tukwila International Blvd, Seattle, WA. The Hearing Room/Building is located behind the main building of the Inn. The purpose of the hearing is to consider proposed annexation to the City of Burien of an area known as “North Highline” all in King County, Washington.
To reclassify certain Real Property lying northerly of the City of Burien and the City of Sea-Tac City Limits, lying easterly of the City of Seattle City Limits, lying westerly of the City of Tukwila City Limits, lying southerly of SW ll2th St., SW 116th St., South 107th St, and described as all or portions of Section 1 and Section 2, Township 23N. Range 3E and Sections 4 through 9, Township 23N, Range 4E, W.M., all in King County, Washington.
A COMPLETE LEGAL DESCRIPTION IS ON FILE AND AVAILABLE AT THE OFFICE OF THE BOUNDARY REVIEW BOARD.
The Boundary Review Board conducts all meetings and hearings in locations that are wheelchair accessible. Any person requiring other disability accommodations or special assistance should contact the Boundary Review Board staff at least two business days prior to the meeting.
The Boundary Review Board telephone is 206-296-6800. For TTY telephone services. please call 711.
Each request for accommodations or assistance will be considered individually according to the type of request, the availability of resources and the financial ability of the Board to provide the requested services or equipment.
DATED at Seattle, Washington, this 21st day of July 2008.
WASHINGTON STATE BOUNDARY
REVIEW BOARD FOR KING COUNTY
Lenora Blauman
Executive Secretary
Map to Riverside Residences Inn:
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