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Mon-Fri. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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With so much pho competition on the same street (I think there are four pho restaurants within a quarter mile stretch), I'm quite surprised that this place received as high of a rating as it did. Coming from a man with pho running through his veins, I can honestly say that this place is just ok. The broth was rather weak and bland, and when it comes to pho...it's ALL about the broth.
The decor was nice but not enough for me to pass up trying the other pho places on the same street next time I'm looking for pho in the Capital Hill area.
Great place to people watch and get a good bowl of Pho!
This place is pretty no-frills. But what is great about it is the consistently good, cheap food.
I come here specifically for the vegetarian Pho, which is the best in town. The broth is perfect, the noodles are always wonderful and they pack the soup full of an assortment of fresh veggies. The egg rolls are great too. The tea is always good and hot and the Vietnamese coffee is not bad either.
The great big windows make this a wonderful people-watching spot. The music is usually pretty awful Techno/ R&B but somehow it works.
I went for another visit to Pho Cyclo the other day to get some pho for my sore throat. But I was drawn to the tasty pork bun that everyone raves about. What's a brotha to do? Order both! Hah, I'm such a pig but it was totally worth it.
The pork bun was super tasty and charred just right. Delicious. This is my first time getting something other than the pho and it won't be the last! The pho was tasty, savory and comforting as always.
I love the decor in this joint. Nice wall murals, good lighting and cleanliness.
Good rice noodle bowl and tea in a comfortable yet busy setting during lunch. Parking out front (1hr) and behind and to the sides so no real need to use any of the pay lots.
I would first like to preface this by stating that I am an actual Pho Expert. I know many people who will argue this point, but have no fear-I love Pho and I consider myself to be an expert on what good Pho should taste like.
I have been talking about writing a review on all of the many Pho restaurants in the Seattle/Eastside area and until now I have failed to live up to my dream.
I will in time review them all-but I'd like to start with my favorite Pho establishment-Pho Cyclo Cafe in SODO.
Pho restaurants always have a "thing"...whether it's a free cream puff, special sauce, or 1 extra little item that they include. Pho Cyclo is no exception. Their "thing" is actually 2 things-AWESOME home made chili sauce, and garlic.
Each delicious bowl of hot steaming gorgeous Pho is served with a side of their specially made chili sauce, and their broth includes bits of roasted garlic-this is what truly sets them apart.
The service is never over the top-in fact you are lucky to get a greeting hello, but you will ALWAYS get a fantastic bowl of Pho.
I actually lay in bed and think about their Pho-THAT is how good it is.
I'll be attempting to document the many other Pho restaurants I've frequented-but for now, Pho Cyclo is tops for me.
When I used to work in Sodo, I would eat at that Pho Cyclo location at least once a week, sometimes twice a week. All my coworkers did the same, whether dine-in or takeout. I've had nearly everything on their menu, from all the lunch specials, to the noodle and rice plates, to the pho, the banh mi (sandwiches), and even the cafe sua da (iced coffee). Although there aren't many other restaurants within walking distance in that area, there's a reason why we all went back all the time. Everything I've had was quite good, although I the pho is definitely not their strong suit. I prefer everything else on their menu over the pho.
This place gets PACKED during the lunch rush, so you have to expect a short wait during that time. However, the staff is very efficient, from the order-taking to bussing, seating, and ringing you up. If you work anywhere near this restaurant, you should definitely check it out. I'm sure you'll be back.
Unbelievable...I have tried many pho places..hard to find a good quality soup and cleaniness....Always dirty and customer service here was decent. For example...The broth is beyond bland...no flavor at all...They put in the cheapest meat in the soup and the meatballs tasted old!! Lately I have been just asking them to not include lemongrass in the soup!! Thats the worst if you want bad smelling breath and odor on your clothes for the day.
Delicious Pho at a reasonable price. My only complaint is the music, which at times seems ill-suited to a leisurely meal (top 40 pop ain't good for the digestion).
Open, airy, well-lit. There's a nice mural of some scenic landscape from Vietnam perhaps? There are quite a few tables, but today at lunch it was particularly crowded. Turnover is high so getting a seat wasn't a big deal.
On previous visits I've had Bahn Mi as takeout, and they are delicious. I usually get two. This time I went for the Bun Thit Nuong + egg roll. The Bun was great - had a good balance of the vermicelli, greens, daikon, and meat. The egg roll wasn't great, but the bbq pork more than made up for it. Next time I'd go without the egg roll.
A point to note - they don't offer Bahn Mi to patrons who dine in, which is horse shit in my book. Adam really wanted one, so we asked, and they accommodated. I'm not a fan of this policy.
With a boyfriend whose review about Pho Cyclo begins with "Hi, my name is Ryan and I'm addicted to Pho," I wonder why I haven't written one about this place...
Let's say I have mixed feelings about Pho Cyclo, even though I have lunch there with the Dude AT least once a week. Yes, he likes it that much. On his Yelp ranking, Pho Cyclo it's a five star (the "I would cry-a-river if the place closes" ranking for him). Me, in other hand, appreciate it. Some times, I find myself wondering when Ryan is going to ask me to one of our "pho dates," which usually happen on Friday. Some times, I'm just blah about the place.
I've had many of their dishes. I won't bother explaining food that doesn't make me jump with joy or growl with annoyance. I like their pho. But I also have the suspicion that I will find a better one, with a more aromatic broth and less and better noodles (yes, you read it right--less in quantity and entanglement).
Now one thing I do adore from Pho Cyclo is their tofu. Being the kind of person who longs for her meat to moo (ain't no close to vegetarian or similar, no gracias), tofu wasn't an attractive culinary option to me. Well, until that day when I felt so guilty about overindulging the prior night and, "Zas! Let's order tofu!".
To my surprise, it was absolutely delicious and nicely prepared. I've had their tofu many, many times and it's pretty consistent. I actually enjoy the pho better when I order it with tofu, but lately I've been sticking to the very light dish of said tofu and steamed rice. Feels healthy and taste great.
I also like their bubble tea. It made me forget an awful experience I had back in Atlanta in just seconds. I have tried pretty much all the flavors. All good.
What I don't get is the "soup nazi" attitude some of the servers have. This goes especially to the ladies, because the gents can actually be very nice. We're regulars and still get the grumpy treatment some times. It goes to a point we have begun to talk about it, say, tenderly. I'm still waiting for that day when someone will yell at me "NO SOUP FOR YOU!"
If that day ever comes, my love Ryan will go and bury his head, tears and tribulations in the ground.
Three point five stars for great tofu and for making my man a happy, happy person.
Their pho is decent. I prefer their char grilled pork dishes, though (Over rice or cold rice noodles). Portions are decent. Their service is lightning fast and they get you in and out quickly. It can get very busy, though. I wish the area had more selection; It's one of the few restaurants in the area and in my opinion the best (I'm not a big fan of Pecos, Macrina or the Mezza Cafe in the Starbucks building).
The soup from Pho is VERY sweet. However, the sweetness does not come from beef or cow bone (which is supposed to come from) but from rock sugar. This is not authentic Pho from North Vietnam. It's probably prepared by Southerners who tend to make their dishes very sweet (by adding lots of sugar). The restaurant also (accidentally?) put double portions of rice noodle in my bowl. I was in a mood from a bowl of Pho but could not eat it. This is the worst pho I have ever tasted.
I also ordered BBQ pork over rice dish. It's also so sweet (from MSG?). The sweetness lingers in my throat for a long time.
I have probably eaten at this Pho Cyclo a hundred times. No joke and no exaggeration. I work in the area and there is a huge void of decent restaurants around. So when Pho Cyclo opened I was going there multiple times a week, getting take-out, and generally becoming a "regular". When they first opened I was impressed with their super low pricing and the consistent high quality of the food I would get from them. Since they've been open I've seen their prices steadily go up - however not to the point where its over-priced - but I think when they first opened their prices were almost too low for the quality and size of their portions. I would say that the price of their pho is higher than normal but still worth the price.
I've always had a great experience there and I'd recommend the place to anyone. I'd recommend their bun noodles with fried eggrolls. It comes covered w/ eggrolls and always makes me full. I'd also suggest their pho - the broth is always hearty and flavorful - although I think theres a bit too much MSG in it. I always get #15 which is their pho with "the works". And for those looking for take-out they have a great take-out counter with combo meals for $5.25.
Vietnamese Pork
Pickled Veggies, Cliantro
Crunchy Roll, Delish!
$3.25 for banh mi!? You've got to be f***ing kidding me? I could spend a dollar in gas driving to Seattle Deli in a HUMMER and still spend less on a pork banh mi, and it will taste better too.
Pho Cyclo would have gotten 4 stars from me 5 years ago when their pork sandwiches were only $2.50 (still $.50 more than I would normally shell out, but worth the convenience).
The pho is decent. The broth is flavorful, but I've had more robust broths before, and it isn't hot enough (I've argued with them about this). They aren't liberal with the meat, but they don't skimp either.
I don't think the owner/manager of this location likes me because his wife likes me better than him (or does she flirt with all the dudes that come in?). Anyhow, he used to be nice. Now I just get the evil-eye.
"Hi, my name is Ryan and I'm addicted to Pho."
I work a few blocks away and lately Valentina and I eat here for lunch at least twice a week, including our regular Friday lunch date. She's opening her photography studio loft nearby and I'd be perfectly happy if we ate here for lunch everyday.
I order the number 12 (pho with rare steak, flank and fatty flank) and when it comes I just admire the beautiful dish before my eyes before adding the delicious accoutrements of basil, bean sprouts, onions, chili sauce, and lime. The broth is delicious and the meat has a perfect flavor, like the delicious beef roast my grandmother used to make.
It's nirvana in a soup bowl. And I always leave happy.
Service here sucks. They serve very good food though, so I keep coming back. I can't help it. There aren't a ton of options so close to my work.
Every now and then I fein for a hot bowl of pho. I once scouered Washington looking for a great bowl of pho. At one point in my life for 2 years straight I ate pho 3x a week. Scary isn't it? I'm now clean and relapse every now and then on the weekends with friends.
I ate there once with 2 others we each had a bowl of pho and iced coffee. I don't know what they put in it, perhaps msg!!! I felt dizzy, dehydrated and sick. Did we go on a bad day? I don't know. Whatever it was I'm not returning. I never knew you could get a hangover from pho.
This is my official Pho spot. I work in the area and hit this spot with colleagues about twice a week. I must say the service is spotty. The waitresses appear to be under stress and have tunnel-vision to any raised hand as they pass by with others. I would suggest getting there 30 min prior or after the lunch rush or you can expect to wait 30-40 minutes to sit.
I did have a bad experience last week with the service. I stood up to hug a long lost friend who tapped me on the shoulder as I was slurping noodles and the waitress, who theretofore was invisible, comes to my table and poured my tea into my Pho bowl before I could tell her I wasn't done. While I had enjoyed my food up to that point, I didn't leave a tip because I thought she should have checked with us first.
That experience notwithstanding, I would probably return to this spot at least once a week.
I've had pork banh mi a few times from here and they've been fine. Finally had a chance to stay and try their pho last week. It was awful. The broth wasn't very hot, had a weird taste, and the noodles were too mushy. The fresh rolls were ordinary/
The entire staff never seems to want to be there to do their jobs. Our waitress got our order wrong, which she discovered upon delivery. She snapped at the poor guy holding the tray and shoved him back in the direction of the kitchen, without saying a word to us, and walked away.
Soon after that meal, we both started feeling queazy, weak, dehydrated, and I got a raging headache. I also had a bout of stomach troubles later that afternoon.
Nope, we won't be going back. What a let down.
Average pho~ definitely better places in the city.
The Spicy Tofu with rice noodles, however, is a solid dish.
BEST TOFU SANDWICHES IN SEATTLE.
I've been on a mission for some time now, discovering the 38947123049237108947239140 pho places in seattle and devouring on tofu sandwiches.
These are by far the best. Friendly & fast staff. The place gets PACKED around noon, so uh, scribble their number down to order take-out before hand!
For some reason I like this one better than the one on Capitol Hill, it just taste better. The broth is flavorful, the noodles are perfect, the chicken is always plentiful and the basil and bean sprouts always fresh. A small Pho Ga and this girl is happy, full and still has money in her pocket a sweet treat later if she wants.
I only go at 'dinner' time and never have had to wait for a table, the service has always been prompt and the restaurant is filled with interesting people to watch and listen too while enjoying your pho and plus at this time of night parking is ample, as long as there isn't something going on at SAFECO or QWEST.
First of all, I'd like to stay that my star rating in NO WAY implies that I do not like this place - I'd cry if it ever went away, given the lack of lunch options in SODO, especially for asian food!
Food-wise, their pho is tasty but standard, and I'd say slightly sub-par in terms of value/tastiness compared to any place you'd find in Chinatown or local suburb (LINH SONH in FEDERAL WAY!). I've found it to be slightly too greasy, not hot enough, not enough meat, etc.
Their sandwiches (3.85) and spring rolls are spectacular! Sandwiches and 5.25 lunch specials are to-go only, so make sure you plan ahead.
I love the food over here. They have a really good Spicy Tofu lemongrass dish. (It's no.31) ... Everything else is just really delicious, from their bubble tea, banh mi sandwich, pho, and rice dishes.
A great place for lunch.
I've been here a few times and while their service is nothing to write home about its manageable considering how busy this place gets. As Pho places go this place is actually pretty large so the fact that its this busy regularly says a lot - though I think that's partly because there's not a lot of other eating options in the area.
In any case, the large pho - is truly large as there's no way you're fitting more than two of those bowls on any tray. The meat balls were plentiful and the broth was tasty. Pricing isn't too bad either and the place feels clean unlike other hole in the walls located in industrial areas.
Anyway, great place, they offer take out if you don't want to wait in line and if you want to sit down i'd encourage you to get there by 1145 on weekdays.
So as a minor note apparently its pronounced Pho Sit-Low not how i used to say it. Also a Cyclo (sit-low) is that little buggy thing that you get in and some old dude peddles you around in. Anyway... that's my cultural lesson for the day.
This is far and away my favorite Pho place in Seattle. It is also the first place I ever had Pho (or bubble tea, for that matter) so it holds a special place in my Pho-heart.
I always ordered #30, the Pho Tofu. I have never had any tofu dish, pho or otherwise, that had so much tofu in it. The regular size is a seriously delicious and filling meal, especially given the price.
I was here most every Saturday for lunch with a group of friends. Sometimes the waiter had a look of fear at 15 people approaching at once, but we always found enough tables and chairs to squeeze into.
This place just set the bar up a bit higher for pho.
Basically I'd have to agree with what Janeane said, though I skipped the "ginger sauce" which smelled like vinegar to me. Some people like it in their soup, I'm told. I don't know any of these people. I'm more of a Hoisen and Rooster man.
Bahn mi is available for less than $3, but isn't on any of the menus. It's available in pork, chicken, beef, tofu, and mushroom.
Good luck parking though. That'll be the toughest part about eating here.
Wait service is pretty weak, but they'll get to you eventually. If you ask for bahn mi when you're having your soup, they'll bag it up for you and put it on your bill. Pretty sweet! Strictly speaking, sandwiches are takeout only, so don't think you can hang out with your baguettes.
In my quest to find the ULTIMATE pho restaurant in Seattle, I gave Pho Cyclo a shot. Although I don't think it's "the one," it's currently the front runner. (I'll have to revisit Pho Bac and Pho Viet.)
The broth was excellent---well seasoned and with all the aromatics. The noodles were cooked perfectly (I hate overcooked noodles!) and the basil and sprouts were fresh. Oddly enough, they served pho with a side of red "ginger sauce," which I was instructed to mix in with the broth (I didn't though). The slices of beef were a little too big for my taste and I had to tear each one in half. But the amount of meat they give you is perfect.
I ordered the small for $5.75, which I finished. I left feeling extremely full and like I needed to lie down. Of course, I was hungry within two hours, but that happens.
Location-wise, it's not that convenient (across the street from Startbucks HQ), but at least parking isn't a huge hassle like it is in the ID. Also, they take plastic, which was a real life saver for me. Overall, I really liked this place and I'm eager to try their Capitol Hill location. Still looking for "the one" though....
The pho here is good, pretty standard, but the prices are really too high for pho. I would much rather pop down the street to Than brothers where the prices are lower and the food is just as good, and you get a cream puff!!
This place is so yummy! The soups are deliciously flavored, not too salty.
They also serve blended bubble tea drinks. The tapioca pearls are good, but the drinks taste kind of powdery.
Pho-Cyclo is the first place I experienced Pho that didn't smell and taste like gym socks. The only items on the menu I've ordered are the spring rolls and the shrimp and squid pho. Previously I would have given this place 5 stars but their quality has gone down as quickly as their popularity has risen. Whereas I used to love my pho order, I now have to consistently remove the squid because it tastes freezer burnt. I also think they have begun to pre-wrap the spring rolls because I've recieved orders with hardened rice paper.
Good eats, prompt service. That's what you get at Pho. They have a great lunch menu, but I recommend splitting your meal with a friend or saving the leftovers -- the portions are huuuge.
The only dull spot on this place is that the food kind of starts to taste the same (and a little fishy) after a while if you over-patronize it.
One last note: be prepared to suck on mints or chomp on gum all afternoon after you've eaten there. And for the sake of your co-workers, don't plan to eat at Pho if you're headed into meetings or planning to be within close proximity of others. Chili peppers and onions are a double-whammy of nastiness for the breath and generally for body odor. Consider yourself warned!
$3 dollar sandwiches? Are you kidding me right now! I must go here at least two times a week. Service is great, quality of food is excellent... can't beat the price.
Only problem is that you can't dine in when ordering sammies. I only go at lunch time - totally reccomend!!!!!
Pho Cyclo if you are listening... Can you please put a veggie pho on the menu!?
Sad... as I'm reading through some of these more current reviews I'm starting to wonder whether Pho@ 1st Ave has changed. Say it ain't SO?!?-Pah! SAY IT AIN'T SO! It's been since May that I've come in for my regular bowl of Pho (w/brisket...if you may ask)..at least here. I used to love the place...clean broth, great vietnamese sandwiches...and the dreaded calorie overload...yes i'll say it...TARO Bubble Tea! And for no more than $10) Maybe I'm not missing out on much these days. Hhhhmm...oh well..there's only 3 pho places in every 2 mile radius in Seattle...too bad only a good third aren't questionable in regards to sanitation.
Twice this place brought out my pho lukewarm. If you know your pho, then you should know it should be super hot so your meat will cook, otherwise it is still pink and chewy! It happened to my mom before too and she swears she will never go back again. She asked for hot broth to add to her bowl and they tried to charge her an extra $1 when it was their mistake. Like I want to BUY more broth for my pho. Anyhoo.... other than that everything else here is really good. I never had the cold soup problem at the one on Broadway.
This place is usually packed on week days and although the decor makes you think of some kindergarten class run amuck, it's a pretty good bowl of pho.
Personally, I love the stuff and can eat it all the time. It's especially good during the winter and this place serves some monster bowls. I'm not sure whether I like their spicey red juice or plain old rooster better. I'm partial to the old rooster version that had the seeds in it! It ain't good unless your nose starts running!
Since the pho is so tasty, I just close my eyes and make loud slurping sounds to distract myself.
No vegan Pho = me eating stir fried tofu
Fried anything = me forgetting to be whiny about no vegan Pho
There are places that offer beef-based Pho as well as veggie-broth-based Pho. Pho Cyclo is not one of those places. There were maybe 5 tofu entree options tho, which was totally fine by me. I got some stir fried tofu that I ate like I was in a speed-eating contest ie it was more about winning and less about the quality of the food. (The food was fine. Not the best vietnamese ever, not the worst. I'd go back) I didn't actually "win" anything for inhaling my food in under 5 minutes but at least everyone I was eating with was too busy with their Pho to notice that I what I lack in manners I make up with in speed.
Do not go! I got so sick, I barely made it home!
Traditional pho is prepared with thinly sliced meat. Here, the meat was thick and unappetizingly big. You leaving smelling like pho.
I tried to order sandwich and dessert to go...3 out of 4 items was not available.
Go a few blocks down to Pho 900- service isn't that great, but pho is edible. Their special fried rice is pretty good.
What the Pho!?!?
I thought I had good Pho(Read: The Brothers Than) until I got a taste of what I feel is the real deal with Pho Cyclo! Even better is that I just found out that there are 2 more locations to boot! Bonus!
This discovery, thanks again to my lovely wife who worked across the street at the sbux corporate offices, was a God send in the Pho sense. I say this because the Pho that I was experiencing from the Brother's Than did actually taste good going in but on occasion not so good on it's way out. I'm a glutton for punishment I suppose because I went back often hoping the next batch wouldn't "get me" only to (sorry for the graphic detail) find myself pissing out of my ass whipping up my own Pho.
But I digress.
The great thing with any Pho eateries is that no matter how busy a place is the turnover is fast typically. And with Pho Cyclo it is always busy when you want to get your Pho on which is typically during lunch on those cold rainy days but it such a big place that tables are clearing all the time. So, I have no complaints with the short wait times as you'll be slurping up that delicious broth in no time. Parking I guess could be an issue to some who want to park directly in front of the cafe which I would too on those rainy days to stay as dry as possible. But damn folks look across the street! See that big ass parking lot? Yes, the signs say for retail shopping only but come on... a little walk won't kill you will it? Ok maybe the wait at the cross walk will as it takes forever to change.
The place is pretty clean which is nice as I've been to other Pho places and they were a little grimy with sticky floors and such or the containers holding the sauces on the tables were a little sketchy looking like they haven't been cleaned in a while. Can't say that for Pho Cyclo at the SODO location. We were there a couple of weeks back towards closing and there were some employees going around with knives tediously scraping off, I assume, the caramelized broth that patrons left behind which I kind of wished I didn't see them doing, but hey, they probably wanted to get home sooner rather than later. The service is fast and the staff are nice which is all one could ask being that technically they are a fast food joint.
When it comes to Pho I am an all meat guy. I get the Pho Tai Nam Gau: Noodle soup with sliced steak, flank and fatty flank... then I pay the extra $.90 for extra meatballs. The herbs are fresh and I love me some cilantro so I ask for an extra side dish of it. Squeeze the lime, drop some basil and bean sprouts and your off... almost. I like mine with a kick so I add a little Chili sauce and a squeeze of Hoisin to balance the heat with some sweet.
I've only heard that their Banh Mi is really good and I plan to go that route one of these days but I am really there for the Pho as their name says but I can only assume that the rest of the menu is good as well. Their spring roll and egg roll appetizers are really tasty and only get you excited for the large bowl of soupy goodness that is about to arrive.
Pho Cyclo has definitely raised the bar in Pho-ness. Try it... don't be scared... and Pho Cyclo will not disappoint.
My only gripe is that the staff do not come around fast enough to re-fill your water. I do notice that the pitcher of water sits at the counter... does that mean it's a "get up and pour it yourself" because-we-are-too-busy-to-come-back-and-see-how-y ou're-doing-type-of-thing?
Bon appetit!!
Seattle, WA
Category: Vietnamese
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
Category: Vietnamese
Neighborhood: Georgetown
Category: Restaurants
Neighborhood: Pioneer Square
Category: Vietnamese
Neighborhood: International District
Category: Vietnamese
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