With nearly three decades of experience, Pho So 1 is ready to impress and satisfy.

Back in February, I was in the mood for a nice lunch at My Vietnam, but when I pulled up, I saw two signs. One on the window indicated they were under new management and would be open again soon, and another had a very familiar name: Pho So 1. I used to eat at their Seattle location in Little Saigon every week, and it’s great to hear they’re still going strong after all these years.

I asked the owner if this was a second location or if they moved, and she said Everett is her restaurant and Seattle is her husband’s.

It was surprising to see their extensive new menu. Back in the day, they had pho and nothing else. I’ll be eating my way through that menu for a while, but naturally I had to start with the pho tai gan, my favorite.

When she asked how everything was, I mentioned to the owner that my favorite thing about their other location was that it was the only pho place I’d ever been to that had vinegar on every table. She ran to the back and returned with some for me.

A little vinegar brings a whole new depth of flavor, and I can’t recommend it enough. I also like that they have fish sauce on the tables instead of soy sauce. But be sure to enjoy their broth on its own at first, you may not even want to add anything.

Another dish I judge a restaurant by is its bun thit nuong cha gio, vermicelli salad with grilled pork and egg roll. On my second trip there, I ordered number 39, which is all that plus shrimp. Solid option.

I was lucky on my third trip, because I wanted duck soup. They only serve it on weekends, and it happened to be Saturday. Do you have any plans this weekend? I suggest making this one of them.

This delicious soup has the pho noodles you’re familiar with, and long, thick chunks of bamboo. I like adding a few of the pieces of duck to the soup and eating a few on their own, plus eating a few with the cabbage salad. It comes with a garlicky dressing plus a lot of crunchy fried onions and peanuts.

Go slowly with this dish and be careful, because there are bones in the duck to contend with. No complaints from me, though, because it’s better when cooked with the bone in. I always like to dump the last of the salad into the last of the broth to mix up the last few bites of each.

I’d just returned from a night in a cabin and a morning hike, so to continue my awesome day, I also asked for a grilled pork banh mi to take home for dinner. It sat in the fridge for a few hours so I didn’t think it was fair to take a photo, but it was fantastic. Everything inside was perfectly contained within the bread, making it one of the least messy sandwiches I’ve had in a while.

TIPS:
Park with Patience
Pho So 1 has two reserved parking spots in front, which come in handy because Kush Mart is next door, and very popular. If the parking lot is full, just wait a few minutes; people are in and out of Kush Mart constantly, so spaces open up quickly.

Bring a Friend
There are so many dishes on the menu to try, you’ll need all the help you can get. Tripe with ginger fish sauce? Three kinds each of spring rolls and crispy rolls? Ask for the to-go menu, it’s more up-to-date and all the options will make your head spin.

Pho So 1 (CLOSED)
6309 Evergreen Way
425-610-4778

Christopher Bragg works from home in Everett and loves walking, swimming, and cats. You can find him all over town, but only if you keep weird hours and avoid crowds like he does.