Get into it 2011

"The important work of moving the world forward does not wait to be done by perfect men." ~ Mary Anne Evans (George Eliot)

Has the new year got you thinking that maybe you want to give a little more time, energy, or resources (moolah) to some of the great vegan and animal advocacy organizations out there? Been contemplating where and how you might volunteer with other rad Seattlites who refuse to be indifferent, who embrace compassion?

Let me make one suggestion: do it locally.

Instead of giving your money to one of the large national or international groups, consider giving locally where your dollar will go much farther. And even better yet, give to group where you can actually, personally get involved with either volunteering or outreach. It is amazing what can happen when good people get together.

In between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins - not through strength but by perseverance." ~ H. Jackson

At a minimum, you should "like" these groups on Facebook, subscribe to their newsletters, or follow them on Twitter so you can see all the good work that they do to provide information and fight against injustice. I for one am impressed, thankful, and in awe of people who give up their personal time and money to be a voice for the voiceless.

“The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them; that's the essence of inhumanity” ~ George Bernard Shaw

Seattle Animal Defense League (ADL): This is a brand new grassroots, all-volunteer group with a singular focus in mind; the abolition of all animal oppression, exploitation and abuse and the industries that profit from it. They work to educate youth on the fur industry and vivisection and protest corporations and institutions that knowingly and purposely abuse animals. Because this group is new, their first meetings are going to happen in January 2011. Email them to get in on the ground floor.
[web site] [Facebook] [email to get involved]

"In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Northwest Animal Rights Network (NARN): This all-volunteer group has been active in the Seattle area for decades and works constantly on outreach to inform folks about the benefits of veganism and the horrors of the meat, dairy, animal testing, fur, leather, and fishing industries. They have information tables at many of Seattle's events, but they also provide valuable information via VegSeattle.com, the Seattle Vegan Restaurant Guide, Events Calendar, and the Vegan Mentor Program while running campaigns such as Friends of Woodland Park Zoo Elephants and organize protests against the UW's primate testing facilities. This is the group that I first volunteered with doing tabling outreach and really discovered how hungry people are for real information about veganism.
[web site] [Facebook] [Twitter] [donate via PayPal] [become a member]

""In a time of universal deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act" ~ George Orwell

Earth Residents United (ERU): also a newer animal advocacy organization that recognizes the interrelation of the earth and all of its inhabitants. They bring people together to work toward a better future by means of creative and professional strategies including events like Free Vegan Sausage outreach via Zombies at ZombieCon, respectful protests against Japan's dolphin slaughter, Seattle Vegan Drinks, and they are always open to more volunteers.
[Facebook]

"Well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool By making his world a little colder ~ McCartney, Lennon

Action for Animals: this group is based out of Seattle, but they also do national outreach at large festivals like the Warped Tour. They promote a vegan lifestyle and strive to end animal exploitation through educational outreach, demonstrations, and media involvement. They make it VERY easy to get involved.
[web site] [Facebook] [Twitter] [donate]

"Words and thoughts concerning compassionate action that are not put into practice are like beautiful flowers that are colorful but have no fragrance." ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Green Vegans: launched just this year, this group is unique in that they are interested in the interconnectedness of environment and animal suffering. They focus on: ecosystems, individuals of other species (wild and domestic), human population limits, social and economic justice, decreasing consumption for some people and increasing it for others, changes in consumer awareness, and a greener, organic, vegan human ecology.
[web site] [Facebook] [become a member]

"Revolution is not something fixed in ideology, nor is it something fashioned to a particular decade. It is a perpetual process embedded in the human spirit. ~ Abbie Hoffman

Animal Rights Education Alliance (AREA): this is for your more advanced animal advocates needing support and discussions of the legal, ethical, and environmental issues surrounding the usage of non-human animals. They endeavor to bring activist together to talk about topics like "Direct Action and Public Perception" and bring in guest speakers like Josh Harper and Sarahjane Blum. They also produce the podcast "Vegan Threat: Threatening to Make the World a Nicer Place" that goes into much deeper discussions of taking the personal activism of veganism to the public sphere.
[web site] [Facebook]

"I’ve always had the impression that real militants are like cleaning women, doing a thankless, daily but necessary job." ~ Francois Truffaut

Read this list and still not into it? You say volunteering and activism isn't your thing? I get it. We all have our different ways of making change in this world. I hope to be helpful with this little blog, Vegan of the Week, Lion's Share Industries. Maybe your heart is set on other goals related to compassion: homeless advocacy, child advocacy, poverty reduction, access to education, food and water justice issues, youth violence, environmental education, AIDS prevention, global womens' rights - what ever it is, I hope 2011 is the year that inspires you.

The world needs people with strong voices to fight against big power, to open peoples minds, to change the status quo, and to counter misinformation, so I hope you find your way of speaking up. If so, tell me about it. If you aren't sure where to start, ask me! Let's do something together.

"If not you, then who? If not now, then when?" ~ Hillel the Elder

Vegan Lunch Love and Cupcake Contender

Remember this date: January 2011. It is the date that your friends over at the all-vegan joint, Sage Cafe, brought two much needed wonders to Capitol Hill:

1. Contenders for best cupcake in the city.

Sage will here forth be known as Sage Organic Bakery and Cafe and will be offering truly gourmet cupcakes to those of you who have craved Trophy or Royale, but wanted to avoid the cruelty of dairy. Seattle, not only do you not have to choose between your heart and your taste buds, but the Sage cupcakes are the best in town, vegan or not. You won't find a better cake or creamier frosting. And if you think I am crazy, just go try one! Really, you'll never doubt me again.

Vanilla pumpkin pie; Chocolate cream cheese espresso; Chocolate chai
Photos (c) Rebecca Bolte www.rebeccabolte.com

The day that I tasted them they offered: Double Chocolate Orange; Vanilla Pumpkin Pie; Vanilla Custard Butter Cream; Chocolate Cream Cheese Espresso; Chocolate Vanilla Bean; and Chocolate Chai (a little birdie told me that the tea comes from our friends over at Remedy Teas). KC, Rex, Rebecca, and I had some of every flavor and were in complete heaven. My favorite was the Double Chocolate Orange, but the Chai came in a close second.

And not only are these cupcakes available now for the buying and eating, but soon you'll be able to get other amazing baked goods, including fresh bread (which they have always baked for their famous Hillside Quickies sandwich line). I am ready for an all vegan bakery with breads, pies, cheeze cakes, cookies, and other oven-fresh goodness. They'll even still carry Mighty-O donuts if that is what you crave.

Photo (c) Rebecca Bolte www.rebeccabolte.com

2. Affordable, edible, vegan lunch grub.

Sage will be adding many new options to their lunch menu, items that you can't get anywhere in the city. They are making the portions smaller for lunch, and more affordable, so folks can grab and go without having to plan for a sit down meal. They'll even have simple (favorites) like vegan grilled cheeze sandwiches and mini tacos. I can't wait to see what they come up with - I feel like 2011 is bringing a whole new restaurant!

The good news: if you have a favorite item (mac and yease anyone?), don't worry, they aren't removing anything from the menu. They are only adding to it so we will have more price and size options suited for lunch time. They'll have great and quick service -- kind of grown-up street food. Who knows, if my wishes come true, maybe they'll start a mobile truck service. A gal can dream, can't she?

Not familiar with Sage Cafe? It is one of four family-owned Hillside Quickie locations in the greater Seattle area and changed it's name last year.

• U-District: Hillside Quickie's Vegan Sandwich Shop: open for lunch and dinner, specializing in Sandwiches, 11 am - 9 pm Mon-Fri; 12 pm-9 pm Sat; closed Sun.
• Capitol Hill: Sage Organic Bakery & Cafe: open for early lunch and early dinner, specializing in lunch, fresh baked goods, and catering, 10 am - 7 pm Mon-Friday, 12 am - 7 pm Sat; 12 pm - 4 pm Sun.
• Tacoma: Quickie Too: open for lunch and dinner, specializing in southern fare and catering, 11 am-8 pm Mon, Wed, Fri; 11 am - 5 pm Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun.
• Capitol Hill: Plum Bistro: open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch on the weekends, specializing in fresh gourmet Latin-fusion cuisine (including many gluten-free items), 9 am-10:30pm Mon-Fri; 10am-10:30pm Sat-Sun.
  

Chocolate vanilla bean; Vanilla custard butter cream; Double chocolate orange
Photos (c) Rebecca Bolte www.rebeccabolte.com

Makini and Afi Howell, and their parents (an all-vegan family), run these restaurants, make the sandwiches, and design the menus. Afi will be the primary baker at Sage Organic Bakery & Cafe. So go forth, eat delectable treats, and support your local bakery.

Sage Organic Bakery & Cafe
324 15th Ave E,
Seattle, WA 98112
(206) 325-6429

Morning Redwood!

Sup readers! It's your pal the Southside Vegan with a new score from the north. (Anika drags me out of dredges of Des Moines for foodie adventures and photoshoots). And thank gawd for that, because the b-fast at Redwood is worth the trip!


Redwood, Capitol Hillsters' trusty old dive bar, is repping the vegan flare for breakfast. They've got a biscuits and gravy that could get into the ring with any all-vegan favs from around the city. It's a nice chunky style mushroom gravy over crumbly biscuits. The potatoes are perfection, small cut homefry style with loads of garlic! yum. yum. It'd be a fab hangover dish if I ever fall off the wagon again.

Anika had the fresh raspberry fluffy pancakes - and they were just that fluffy, perfectly cooked (nothing runny in the middle) and super flavorful from all the berries. In addition to these two dishes, they also offer vegan sausage, a vegan tofu scramble, and a vegan waffle!


If you haven't been to The Redwood, then we should warn you that there is some good and some bad. The bad: a dead moose head on the wall. The good: vegan friendly, fun video games, great bar, cozy cabin atmosphere, and especially rad bartenders and servers.

Get your booty over to Redwood for Sunday brunch. They don't open until 11 and aren't open on Saturday mornings, so plan ahead! Until next time, this is the Southside Vegan reminding you that being vegan is easy when you know where to score!

The Redwood
514 E Howell St
Seattle, WA 98102
(206) 329-1952

El Chupacabra Loves Vegans

Those of you who call Phinney Ridge, Ballard, Greenwood, or Fremont home are likely quite aware of the eclectic and hoppin' El Chupacabra Mexican restaurant and bar, but for the rest of Seattle this little joint could be a well-kept secret.

If you haven't been there, picture a tiny house filled with La Calavera Catrina tchotchkes, a cozy fire, a bustling bar, twinkling x-mas lights, and an amazing jukebox selection. That this restaurant has served house-made veggie chorizo since it opened, is quite unique - but the news that they now offer Daiya vegan cheese and two types of vegan "meat" for their dishes is just out of this effing world!

El Chupacabra already has a strong reputation for good food, creative house-made hot sauces, and killer margaritas - add these new mega vegan friendly options and there is no Mexican place that compares for about 800 miles!

I ordered the vegan "steak" quesadilla - I've never had that before in my life! It was as glutinous as it sounds, (next time I'll order salad too), but was DELICIOUS. I added lots of the tomatillo medium salsa. KC had the taco salad made vegan with the "steak" and it was enormous! He used almost the whole bottle of their much hotter sauce (our friend BP recently commented that KC has no taste buds left).

quesadilla and taco salad

Next time I am going to get a a vegan chick'un burrito - I haven't had something like that since 1992! Their meats are Gardein brand, so you can be sure that not only are they vegan, but they have a wide variety of protein sources as well (usually some combo of soy protein, vital wheat gluten, quinoa, amaranth, millet and kamut, and/or pea protein).

One warning: this place is a really popular neighborhood haunt. Even on a Tuesday you could wait 45 minutes for a table. I recommending going for lunch, or happy hour, or after 9pm. And bring your friends, because the atmosphere is like a party.

El Chupacabra
6711 Greenwood Ave N
Seattle, WA, USA
(206) 706-4889

Vegan Book Author in Our Town: Let's Read

Are you a brilliant, likable, and wondrous gal who recently decided to get into the whole compassionate living thing? Been at it a while and looking for fresh information on vegan fashion, cooking, and crafts? Well, if so, then this news is going to make your year:

The smart, sweet, and prolific blogger, Melisser Elliott has just published her first book, "The Vegan Girls' Guide to Life" and she is coming to Seattle on a book tour!

Melisser is the author behind blogs The Urban Housewife and Cruelty Free Face, as well as the founder of Sugar Beat Sweets bakery in San Francisco. You can meet her (she is lovely), chat about the book, get it signed, and hang out with a bunch of other fun people who are also nice at CakeSpy shop on January 8, from 2-4pm.

"The Vegan Girls' Guide to Life" includes insights, ideas, and contributions from super rad vegan women all over - including one of my favorites, Melanie P. of The Streets I Know, vegan fashion blog out of Toronto.

I guess it is interview week over here at Vegan Score, because Melisser was kind enough to let me ask her a few questions so you folks could get into her heart and mind.

VS: What is different about your book that isn't out there already?
ME: The book has something for everyone, it's not just a standard "Go Vegan!" book, although it does contain that information. It's a handbook of sorts with everything from vegan clothing and makeup lines to what to feed non-vegans, and it also includes crafts, interviews with vegan women from around the world, plus recipes to get you in the kitchen.

VS: Will vegan gentlemen get anything from your book?
ME: Yes, they will! It's written from a female's perspective, but most of the content applies to anyone with an interest in veganism.

VS: What stores in Seattle will carry your book?
It's carried at stores like Barnes and Noble and Borders, but I really hope it will be available at the many excellent small book stores in Seattle. In fact, I recommend everyone ask their local book shop to stock it!

VS: What do you love most about being vegan and traveling around the world?
ME: It's hard to choose between the people and the food! It's certainly fun to try everything from vegan Reubens to ice cream sundaes around the world, but in the end, I have to go with all the people I meet. It is awesome to get to know vegans from all corners of the world.

Left photo (c) jesse.anne.o at NY signing | Right photo (c) Paris Insights at Paris signing

VS: Who are your vegan role models and inspirations?
ME: Oh man, where do I start? I have been lucky enough to make friends with many of my vegan culinary heroes who are showing people how easy and delicious vegan food is. I'm very appreciative of all activists from the leafletters and protesters to the people doing direct action. Anyone who is working to spread veganism in a positive way inspires me!

VS: Why is community important and how can vegan folks support each other and non-vegans in living in a less harmful way?
ME: It is never fun to feel isolated in your beliefs and spending time with like-minded people not only is ideal, but it's also a great opportunity to work together to make change happen. Veganism is becoming more approachable everyday and I think it's crucial we remind ourselves that we WANT that, we want people to go vegan, eat meatless meals, fight for the rights of animals, we don't want to stay a part of fringe culture. Animals benefit when we set a positive example for vegan living, but also work to shed light on the cruelty they endure and how we do not need to use animals to live healthy lives.

____

OK folks. So come hang out with me and Melisser and pick up a copy for yourself, your girlfriend(s), your girly guy friend(s), and anyone else who would like it. Put this on your calendar:

Date: January 8, 2011
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Where: CakeSpy
Addy: 415 E. Pine St. Seattle WA USA
RSVP and other details on this Facebook even page.

See ya!

Kick Start My Jazz Heart: Jason Parker

Artist Profile #3: Jason Parker.

Oh what, you didn't know that we have our very own working musician (look ma, no day job!), in our vegan community? It's true. Jason Parker gets paid to play his trumpet and writes a blog about it. And he likes Nick Drake, so triple bonus. I had an opportunity to ask Jason, of the Jason Parker Quartet, a few questions about his music, his upcoming album, and even a little about being vegan. And since I make plugs for most things vegan, let me highly suggest that if you like jazz and/or Nick Drake, you should skip on over to Kickstarter and chip in some dough to support the recording and get a copy of the CD (deadline, Thurs Dec 23, 2010)!

Photos by Darrah Parker

VS: You've been making a living in music for 20 years. What are some of the ways you've found to get paid?
JP: I've been fortunate enough to make my living through music in some fashion for most of my adult life. First in radio as a DJ and program director, and for the last nine years as a working musician. I've had a few day jobs off and on but the last 6 years or so I've avoided it. The bulk of my income is from playing weddings and private events with my band, The Jason Parker Quartet. That money gives me the freedom to play club gigs that don't pay as well but allow us to play our own music. It's a pretty good balance.

VS: You play the trumpet mainly. How did this become your instrument of choice? Do you play others?
JP: I play a little bit of every instrument I can get my hands on. I took 8 years of piano lessons as a kid, hating every minute of it. But I'm glad I did! I also play a little guitar, bass, and I'm teaching myself the drums (slowly).

The story of how I came to the trumpet is a good one. When I was in 2nd grade everyone in my school had to pick an instrument. I really wanted to play the cello (still do!) But about two weeks before we had to make a decision they called us all into the multi-purpose room for a concert. I sat right at the feet of a man playing the trumpet. He seemed a hundred feet tall, was wearing a dashiki, playing the trumpet, and leading the band like I had never seen or heard before. That day I went home and asked my parents to buy me a trumpet. The man: Dizzy Gillespie!

VS: What have been your greatest musical achievements?
JP: I can honestly say that the band I have now is the best musical experience I've ever had. We've been together for 3 1/2 years now, which is rare for a jazz band. They are some of my closest friends and biggest inspirations and influences musically. It's a joy every time we play together. The record we are making now, "Five Leaves Left: A Jazz Tribute to Nick Drake," is a dream come true for me. I've been planning this CD for going on 3 years and can't wait to hit the studio this month to record our arrangements of Drake's tunes.

VS: You are just days away from your Kickstarter funding for this Nick Drake tribute album. The first time I heard a Nick Drake song (Fly), I was never the same. How did he inspire you?
JP: I don't remember exactly when I first heard Drake's music, but I do know it was the song "Time Has Told Me," the first tune from Five Leaves Left. I was hooked right away and ran out to buy all three of his albums. The songs really spoke to me. I love that he is often dealing with the darker side of life, but always in a hopeful way. You can tell he was a troubled soul, but he always wanted to connect to people on a deeper level (don't we all?).

I got the idea to do this album after doing an arrangement of the tune "Three Hours" for our last album, "No More, No Less." We had such a great time playing that song, and it suited the band so well, that I started working on other songs from the CD. One thing led to another and I had done all 10 tunes!

VS: You have a blog that focuses on being an actual working musician. It's a unique and generous idea. What gives?
JP: I started it mainly because I was getting so many questions from other musicians about how I was able to make a living and avoid a day job. I had done some innovative things with grant-writing, micro-patronage and such, and people were curious about these types of things. Since starting the blog a little over a year ago I have found that it is a great outlet for me and has connected me to SO many wonderful people around the world. Between the blog, One Working Musician, and Twitter I have met awesome folks (you included!) and have gotten opportunities that never would've come about without them. I booked my whole tour using Twitter!

VS: Are you vegan for your health, the environment, compassion for animals? Other? What sparked this?
JP: When I became vegetarian it was because of animal rights. I majored in philosophy in college and wrote my thesis on animal rights. Once I started looking into it there was no way I could support the terrible treatment of animals. Peter Singer's book "Animal Liberation" was what finally did it for me.

Over the years, while my support of animal rights hasn't wavered, my attention to the health benefits has increased and now I'd say that the health factor is a huge reason to stay away from animal products. (I'm typing this sitting beside my dad in a hospital bed, 6 days after a triple bypass...that gives me some perspective and motivation!)

VS: Peter Singer is one of my heroes. Do you have any vegan role models? Or have you met people that you were surprised to find out were vegan?
JP: My brother is my biggest vegan role model (among other things). He's been vegan for 21 years and is a big reason I even considered it.

Photos by Darrah Parker

VS: What do you think of veganism being in the mainstream lately? So many actors, musicians, and other celebrity types lean in that direction.
JP: I hope it's a sign that people are becoming more conscious in all their choices. As a species we need to be more aware of how our choices affect not only ourselves but the entire world and everything in it. Until we truly realize how connected we are to each other and the world we're going to continue to see massive problems. I'd like to think that slowly but surely we are changing this for the better. It certainly doesn't hurt to have high-profile people and celebrities out there to be visible role models.

VS: One message for the Seattle vegan community?
JP: I'm available Mon-Sun, breakfast, lunch & dinner! :) Actually, I love to see the community supporting its members. Vegans are everywhere, in all walks of life. We should all support each other, eating at the restaurants, shopping at the shops, buying the music (hint, hint). Anything we can do to help each other is huge.
_________

The Jason Parker Quartet will be playing some Nick Drake tunes, Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at Lucid, the live Jazz club conveniently located right next to Wayward and across the street from Pizza Pi and Sidecar. I take that as a good omen so I'll be heading up there for sure. See you there and don't forget to help make this album by kicking in a couple pennies. If you know someone who really loves Jazz - aim for the $250 package and get a home cooked meal by Jason himself!

Vegan Phở Tour of Seattle

Based on zero scientific evidence - just my own estimation - I think that the Seattle area has the second largest density Vietnamese restaurants in the U.S., (700+ in the Puget Sound?). Based on this entirely unsubstantiated fact, I am happy to provide you with an incomplete* list of places to get phở made with vegan broth. Let's go for a tour! Don't you always visit restaurants in alphabetical order? Heh.

Pearl Bistro. Photo courtesy of Southside Vegan Score Contributor Rebecca Bolte

Minor note: I couldn't go to all of these places personally, so some were suggested by other nice folks. I tried to provide a quote from Yelp or Twitter on their veggie broth or vegan goodness, but this doesn't mean that the restaurant is actually good. You'll have to check out the Yelp reviews or try 'em to know for sure.

Major note: none of these places are 100% vegan, so always ask about the broth before you order - things change fast, ya know.

*Oh wait, one more thing! This list is incomplete. Please comment with any other places that you know of that offer vegan phở in and around Seattle and I'll add it to the list. Thanks friends!

Ballet Restaurant
914 E Pike St
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 328-7983
"I ordered veggie phở with tofu. Than Brothers, look out! My $5.95 bowl came with broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, bean sprouts, lots of tofu strips, tons of rice noodles, and a great broth."

Broadway Cafe
1519 Broadway
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 323-8116
"Some of the best Asian food in town! The food (plenty of veggie and vegan choices) is great, inexpensive, and made with love the woman who owns the cafe (with her husband)."

Cafe Phở
823 3rd Ave, Ste 201
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 447-7100
www.cafepho.com
"The vegan phở is also a godsend in the downtown area where I can only generally find fish gut soup."

Pho Khang

Julie's Garden
81 Yesler Way
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 223-3690
www.julies-garden.com
"They have a choice between beef or veggie broth...some hoisin, sriracha, basil and lime I left satisfied...for $6.50, I'll be back."

Long Provincial
1901 2nd Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 443-6266
www.longprovincial.com
"This place is amazing...they fixed my wife (Vegan) and I (gluten-free) up perfectly, that's not an easy task."

Lucky's Phở
3414 Fremont Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 547-5125
"Maybe the best veggie pho in town."
Bonus: heard they don't use MSG

Loving Hut
1228 S Jackson St
Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 726-8669
lovinghut.us/seattle
"Yay, I love that this is the best phở I've had in the city, faux-phở or otherwise."
Bonus: heard that the phở doesn't have MSG.

Moonlight Cafe
1919 S Jackson St
Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 322-337
"The veggie phở here is amazing. I order it without the fake meat, just the fried tofu. It comes with fried tofu skin."

Papaya Vietnamese Cuisine (thanks Urban Critter)
15600 NE 8th St, Bellevue, WA 98008
(425) 643-8999
"Best [phở ] I've had is Papaya in Bellevue."

Pearl Bistro
5020 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 588-3562
"Vegan phở too. That's wonderful. Not many phở joints I've been to actually offer vegan options. Sure, they might try the Veggie route, but to go full on Vegan? Amazing."

Phở Cyclo Cafe
406 Broadway E.
Seattle, WA 98102
(206) 329-9256
www.phocyclocafe.com
"I judge phở places based on their veggie pho... Phở Cyclo's is very good - plenty of veggies and tofu and tasty broth.

Phở Khang (go here Khamis - they never use MSG!)
1400 S Jackson St, Ste #5
Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 328-731
"The vegan phở had an onion-y broth with the good crispy fried onions on top. Good noodles too. And very handy spoon." (see photo above)

Pho Khang and Than Brothers

Phở Tran (Thanks Phil!)
21919 66th Ave W
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
(425) 774-4556
"Phở Tran's bun chay is excellent!"

Tamarind Tree
1036 S Jackson St, Ste A
Seattle, WA 98127
(206) 860-1404
www.tamarindtreerestaurant.com
"I liked that they had so many options for vegetarians so I was able to find a lot to eat."

Thanh Vi (Thanks Jason!)
4224 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 633-7867
www.thanhvi.net
"Absolutely fave is Thanh Vi on the Ave. Great veggie broth, fresh veggies galore and super friendly staff!"

Than Brothers (this is my favorite, also loved by Molly!)
-Greenlake: 7714 Aurora Ave N.
-Capitol Hill: 516 Broadway E.
-West Seattle: 4822 California Ave SW.
-U-District: 4207 University Way N.E.
-Ballard: 2021 NW Market Street
-Redmond: 7844 Leary Way NE
They also have locations in Everett, Edmonds, and Tacoma!
www.thanbrothers.com
"I just went to the Lower Queen Anne location. Big bowl of Phở with tons of veggies. Yum."
Note: heard they use tons of MSG. (Hope that's not why I like it).

What The Phở!
10680 NE 8th St
Bellevue, WA 98004
(425) 462-5600
www.whatthepho.net
"The one thing What the Phở does that is nice is they have a veggie option that is absolutely filled with vegetables."

OK. Your turn! I'd love to know what you think about any of these places. Which are the best? Are Molly and I the only ones who love Than Brothers?