For the last 8yrs, Pho Bac @ 1314 S Jackson St in Seattle was the place for Pho for me and my family untill yesterday 11/12/2011. I was eating my Pho when I realized a COCKROACH in my Pho. I told the lady about it, she just took my plate and went inside the kitchen. I paid in full our orders and nothing back was offered to me, no discount. A lot of my friends told me that I should had not paid, but I felt I have been coming here for so long, I do not see the purpose of not paying, all I know is that I will never come back. I just wanted to post this so others will know before eating in this place. Please repost to let others know.

This will always be THE original Seattle Phở joint.

In the old days (mid-'80s), it was known only by the big sign above it proclaiming "Cat's Submarine".

Inside, beneath the old defunct sub sandwich menu (no of which were apparently available for order), were friendly but busy employees dishing up the only available menu item -- described on a scrap of cardboard taped to the wall as "Beef Noodle Bowl $2.25".

None of us gringos knew that we were in for. The soup (we didn't even know it was called "phở" back then) was heavenly, and we improvised with the accompanying basil, mint, lime, sprouts and chilies, following the lead of the Vietnamese customers.

We were also happily rewarded by following their lead and ordering the amazing iced coffee. This last was even more of a procedural education: wait forever (no peeking!) for coffee to drip into glass, stir slowly to mix with the portion of condensed milk, pour magic potion into awaiting glass of ice.

Back then, the "point" of this triangular-shaped restaurant was outdoors and only a thin garden screen sheltered customers from the passing traffic on Boren and Jackson streets. They also played fantastic music back then: a moody collection of psychadelic viet high-reverb freak-outs including Vietnamese versions from The Doors' songbook. Very 'Apocalypse Now' to our ears, and spooky enough to keep us feeling like outsiders.

We didn't know the place by it's alternate name, "Phở Bac" until several years later when a new sign was erected.

My first, my last, my everything.