 |
| "Slick Watts" music director Jordan Nicholson, MC Geo, DJ Sabzi and Me |
As University of Washington students, and as musicians, they've learned how to stretch the dollar and find what Sabzi calls a sweet spot. That same spot I keep searching for: where the food tastes great but you never feel like you've spent too much money.
Here are three more sweet spots from Blue Scholars
1. Inays in Beacon Hill
2503 Beacon Ave S Seattle, WA
98144
Phone number (206) 325-5692
"Well it IS still technically morning right now, " says MC Geo. " and what we Filipinos love to do is basically have all day dishes --dinner dishes, lunch dishes--throw an egg on top of it and call it breakfast."
For $7.75 you can have either tapsilog. That's beef. Longsilog ( sausage) or Tosilog ( with pork).
"So that's the "Silog" part of it." says Geo. "Filipino for egg."
Uncle Ernie has been serving up down home Filipino cooking for more than ten years. And his meals hit the spot.
"It's a high protein breakfast." says Sabzi." Give me that energy for the day."
On Friday nights things can get a little more saucy here.
"Friday nights, word is they have a crazy drag show." says Sabzi "We haven't had a chance to see it ourselves yet but some of our friends have recommended it to us."
Seven blocks down Beacon Avenue we visit another Blue Scholars sweet spot
2. El Quetzal
3209 Beacon Ave S
Seattle, WA 98144
Phone number (206) 329-2970
They've been serving Mexican City cuisine since 2004.
"All the sauces they make here are fresh", says Geo. " Best one in Seattle. Got a kick to it. They're not afraid of putting some spices up in their stuff."
While Sabzi orders the skirt steak huarache, a $9 pre Columbian traditional dish, Geo orders another $9 meal : torta gignates--a sausage and egg sandwich. The dude must like eggs.
"Never had it before." says Geo."This is my first time having it and I'm gonna get this the next time and probably the time after that too."
I got the fish tacos. Tiny apple slices add a zing.
3. Pho Bac , the little red boat in the International District, is our final stop.
1314 S Jackson St (between S 12th Ave & S 14th Ave)
Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 323-4387
"Established in 1982: The first pho in Seattle" says Sabzi who has become a pho expert over the years.
Sabzi takes a moment to teach me a few lessons:
"What makes pho is the broth which takes about a day to make at least so there's a giant vat of broth in the back and then whatever you order they take the raw ingredients throw it in the bowl bring it right to you. its very fast very cheap."
A small bowl costs $6.50 and it's not that small.
"I'm actually suddenly really hungry for this." announces Geo.
"Yeah me too." says Sabzi.
Sabzi has a few more lessons to share:
"If you're gonna get pho, the word 'pho' better be in the name of the restaurant and you want to get it at a place where it's the only thing on the menu. Also, keep your broth and contents at an even level cuz drinking the broth is just as important."
This is great pho, but after three meals for lunch I have to quit. Geo finishes the whole bowl.
"It's just that good." he says.
So there you have it: a study in Cheap Eats from our very well versed, and very full experts.
"They don't call us scholars for nothing."
