Phở Tic-Tac - Shoreline / Seattle

I was lazy and didn’t feel like cooking. I’m probably not the only one, and maybe that’s the reason there are so many casual dining spots in Seattle. I wanted something quick, but I also wanted to sit down. Dear Ben and I started driving on Aurora from Green Lake, and somehow we ended up in Shoreline at Phở Tic-Tac Vietnamese Restaurant. I think we picked it more out of necessity than anything else because at that point I was starving and perhaps a bit irritable, but it ended up being a pretty good choice.

I am not expert when it comes to Vietnamese food, you might remember from an earlier post, but I know about spring rolls. This appetizer comes with two long rolls full of lettuce, bean sprouts, and rice vermicelli noodles wrapped in rice paper, and each spring roll had two shrimp tucked inside. The serving also comes with two dipping bowls of peanut sauce. It’s a good thing we had both bowls because both bowls were empty in the end. We loved the fresh quality of this cool appetizer. We’re off to a great start!

Spring Roll Appetizer

We ordered three entrees. I’m pretty good at ordering more than I can eat, but I felt compelled to try a meal from each section on the menu. The prices were extremely reasonable, so why not?

I started with the Phở Noodle Soup Bowl with Brisket (the #16). I ordered the small, and you can see it was plenty. It’s served with another plate of bean sprouts, basil leaves still on the stalk, jalapeño slices, and a lime. I put in all of the jalapeños, but I just couldn’t fit in all of the bean sprouts. I also spooned in a bit of Hoisin sauce for some kick. It was a great flavor, and I have to say that I was a bit better with my chopsticks and spoon this time around. This dish was our favorite of the evening.

#16 - Phở wtih Brisket

Dear Ben ordered the bun – rice vermicelli bowl with Lemongrass Beef Sate (the #60). The bowl had rice vermicelli noodles, bean sprouts, cucumber, and crispy iceberg lettuce. It’s topped with pickled carrots, crushed peanuts, and basil with a Sweet & Sour sauce on the side. His beef was skewered on lemongrass stalks, and the meat tasted similar to a meatball. Dear Ben ate up the beef, but we both would have liked more flavor in the dish. Thank goodness for that Sweet & Sour sauce and the other condiments on the table.

#60 - Lemongrass Beef Sate Bun

Our third dish was the Chicken Teriyaki (the #36). It was tender, savory chicken cut into slices. There was a heap of white rice served alongside, and I found myself pouring the Hoisin sauce all over it and eating more of that than I should have. I guess at this point, I probably shouldn’t be thinking about carbs anyway. Dear Ben had plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day.

#36 - Chicken Teriyaki

Will we be back? I don’t know. There are so many other Vietnamese restaurants that look similar. I’m going to have to check out at least another place to decide. We liked the food, the service aimed to please, and the prices were definitely right. If nothing else, it’s a good take out spot.

What do you think is the best Vietnamese spot in the Seattle area?


…and those are my Notes from the Napkin!


Phở Tic-Tac
14515 Aurora Ave N
Shoreline, WA 98133-6524
206-365-5066