Ten Pou Bubble Tea

I've had Taiwanese food before at Facing East in Bellevue, which is incredible. Unusual dishes, great presentation, absolutely delicious. Always a wait for East is East, too. 

So when I read that Ten Pou Bubble Tea was Taiwanese-owned, and right on Aurora -- albeit tucked inside an Oak Tree plaza grocery store -- I thought it might be similar. 

So the decor leaves something to be desired, sure. Cafeteria-style seating, a small TV blaring a Michael Jackson special, and not too many customers at noon on a weekday. 

After ordering at the counter, you take a seat and food is brought to the table. We sat in a room that also held various, random ... things. Stacked tables, mismatched chairs, office chairs, coats, silk flowers in vases, ready-to-recycle folded cardboard,  a teapot that kept boiling and bubbling in the corner, and a sign that said "Visibly Fresh."

Perhaps someone's doing KonMari method or they're preparing for a interior makeover. This is a charitable explanation, as it looks more like clutter. But it's clean clutter. You know what I mean? 

The Chinese broccoli was my favorite dish. Very crunchy and flavorful.

I also liked the duck part of the above noodle-soup equation. Ducks are my favorite bird to eat. However, the meat was still very much attached to the bones. A friend once told me that in their home cuisine, the poultry is cut "with no respect to the original anatomy of the animal." Which can be either messy as hell to eat or a choking hazard. One or the other.

So I ate the duck with my hands, which may or may not have grossed out my dining companion. I come from a people who eat a lot of things with their hands. Even if there is soup all over those things. Better than gravy, I guess. 

These were steamed buns. They were filled with meat. I forgot to notice what kind of meat. They were OK. 

I'm glad I didn't notice these fellows until after lunch. The doleful, accusatory eye would've made me think twice about my order. 

I don't know if I'd go back to Ten Pou. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't amazing either. Or maybe I ordered the wrong things, or my expectations were too high for a place located inside a grocery store. Mostly, I want to return to Facing East, even if it means a drive across a toll bridge.  

Ten Pou Bubble Tea
Address: 10008 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133
Phone:(206) 234-6408
Hours: Monday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
            Tuesday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
            Wednesday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
            Thursday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
            Friday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
            Saturday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
            Sunday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store

Plenty of cool costumes and retro clothes. I found a vintage 1970s Gunne Sax dress here for around $8 for my daughter. Tere was this... Neon Fairy? Cinderella Stripper? Outfit, above. 

The lamp selection was minimal, but included the blue gingham lamp I owned as a kid. Weird. I didn’t buy the lamp, but I remembered that if I held my hand up to the wicker-like base, it made my hand glow as if it were lit from within.

And some big-ass TVs. Who needs a big-ass TV? No one, now. 

Also this fun lamp. This store is a party from your childhood. 

This mug. I bought it. You know I did. Because the only thing worse than being 40 is being pregnant, amiright. 

The books at the St. Vincent de Paul are my favorites. There’s a section of very, very old books, including some Dickens from the oughts. Nineteen-oughts.

I found some cookbooks that were frankly … terrifying.

And an interior decorating book from the late 1960s or so with interesting gendered decor suggestions. Boys get TVs and gym equipment and girls get weird hanging dolls. Because of course they do. Click the images to read the antiquated advice. 

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store

Web: http://svdpseattle.org/

Address: 13555 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133 
Phone: (206) 364-8495 
Hours: Monday 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM 
            Tuesday 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM 
            Wednesday 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM 
            Thursday 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM 
            Friday 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM 
            Saturday 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM 
            Sunday 11:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Indocafe

I'm taking a blogging shortcut today, because I've visited Indocafe before. It's one of my favorite restaurants in all of Seattle.

Indocafe serves Indonesian food (surprise). Indonesian sauces are spicy-sweet -- for example, the soy sauce is thicker and sweeter than soy sauce found in many other restaurants. There's also an emphasis on peanuts, chili sauce and tempeh. Tempeh is fermented tofu, and one of those items you should never, ever eat in a hippie's house or in a raw-foods restaurant, even if they swear it's "delicious." Because it will not be. Here, it is.

The restaurant is in a double-tier nondescript strip mall, tucked just off Highway 99. If there's anything to complain about, it's that the parking lot is a nightmare in miniature. Don't even try finding a spot after 5 p.m. (parking is usually available on side-streets).

Inside, it's all dark tables and bamboo. The waiters and waitresses are unfailingly nice. Diners range from groups of college guys to families to couples on dates.

Coffee is served in a traditional single-serve French Press, with sweetened milk already added to the bottom of the cup. Behind the cup in the photo above, you'll see Indocafe's corn fritters. I took this photo immediately because in about two minutes, they would've been in my stomach. Another great appetizer? The deep-fried tempeh (Tempeh Mendoan). Does not taste like bad vegan food, I promise.

Midday is a great time to go due to the lunch specials and parking lot spaces. For lunch the other day, I had this Gado-Gado, a salad of spinach, bean sprouts and tofu topped with sweet-spicy peanut sauce. With a side of white rice, a corn fritter and a spicy egg coated in chili sauce. I love these spicy eggs but they're too hot for most little kids, should you find yourself dining with one.

OK, this doesn't look so very appetizing but it is, I promise. Bakmi Goreng Jawa -- Javanese-style sweet panfried egg noodles with tofu and carrot and other vegetables. This is at a level 2 from 1-5, and it was a bit hot, but not eye-wateringly so. 

With this meal, I ordered mostly tofu, but meat here is great as well -- particularly anything involving pork.

Indocafe
Address: 13754 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133
Phone: (206) 361-0699
Web: http://www.myindocafe.com/

Hours: Monday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
            Tuesday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
            Wednesday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
            Thursday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
            Friday 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
            Saturday 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
            Sunday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm

Jazzercise!

When you think of Jazzercise, you probably think of this: 

And who could blame you for wanting to think about it? Those ladies are hot stuff. Do you think they were on cocaine? It was 1984 or so. The women were probably 99% cocaine. 

If you're not familiar with Jazzercise? It was your mom's or grandma's equivalent of Zumba. 

Unfortunately, when you go to Jazzercise on Aurora, you will see zero ladies in leotards and tights and absolutely no cocaine in the bathroom. I looked. There is, however, childcare, if you need it.

The fellow exercisers were mostly over-50-year olds who might've been Jazzercising since the golden days of drug-fueled workout mania. People trickled in, but there were at least 25 people in the class. Shortly, I would find out why it was so popular. 

Everyone came because our class was led by a very, very high-energy woman named Jennifer who looked just like Kristen Wiig. Or Kristen Wiig playing an aerobics instructor. OK, I was in the very back of the room and my eye-prescription might need to be updated, but really, she looked and sounded like her. I wish I could've taken a photo for you.

Jennifer acted the part of a DJ who introduced her over-50-year old audience to new tunes -- "This is Bieber, guys." "This is Christina Aguilera, everyone." She would recite lyrics while doing coordinated arm and leg movements. None were dirty, but I would almost pay to hear her use Minaj's "Anaconda" in Jazzercise because she would kill it. 

After the first 15 minutes of patter, she really stepped up the pace, and at that point, I aimed for an approximation of the arm and leg movements. I still don't know what "chauncey" means, or what my feet were supposed to do in coordination with that word. The choreography wasn't very difficult, but people nearby started giving me lots of room, not because they were nice, but afraid of getting hurt. 

Jennifer was also equal parts sarcasm-fueled entertainer. At one point halfway through the class, a woman handed her a paper towel. "Am I grossing you out with all my sweat?" Jennifer asked, taking the towel and wiping down her face. "Am I spraying you with my sweat? You guys decide where to stand and you don't have to stand in the front. Stand in the front, you might get a little extra shower." 

At this point, I wanted to stand right in front of Jennifer. Because she's sort of awesome. I might bring a towel though.

Two nice older Jazzercisers introduced themselves to me and asked if it was my first time. One wore a headband, which only seemed like a bad idea from the 1980s until sweat started running into my eyes.

I had wanted to be snarky about it all, because perhaps I'm a terrible person. I actually had a lot of fun. Yet Jazzercise still seems like something I'd be afraid to mention in casual conversation; something akin to revealing a secretive secret.  "I'm a day drinker, run guns from my suburban basement AND I JAZZERCISE ON AURORA." 

Two days later, I'm in a lot of pain, particularly buttpain. Why? I don't remember anything happening to my butt. That's just what happens when you Jazzercise on Aurora, I guess. 

Some of those 60-year-old ladies were far fitter than I am. So while you might make fun of Jazzercise, you might then try it, or at least the one on Aurora on weekday mornings when Jennifer is teaching. 


Jazzercise Seattle Studio
Address: 10303 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133
Phone: (206) 298-5377
Web: http://jcls.jazzercise.com/facility/jazzercise-seattle-fitness-center
Cost: $15/class

Hudson

Hashbrowns with a side of horror? I was a little concerned when I pulled up to Hudson, a restaurant on Hwy 99 in South Seattle. 

Hudson's interior is warm and dark, yet filled with windows. You can almost not hear the giant trucks rumbling by on Highway 99 (now called Marginal). But really you can hear those trucks, every one. I suggest dining with a boisterous friend, or perhaps being loud yourself. 

I also liked the horseshoe-shaped bar with swiveling leather barstools. Pretty sweet seats. 

The building's creepy backstory -- it was once part of a haunted morgue -- is keeping the neighboring KUBE Georgetown Morgue in business.

"Is it all true?" I asked the waitress. She rolled her eyes and said no. This UW article "The Georgetown Morgue: Gruesome true story or fabrication?" was the most thorough I could find. Alas, she's right -- no haunting nor bizarre murder scene, but only some great marketing. 

At Hudson, a variety of visitors warmed the barstools and booths -- working guys in Carhartts on break, business suits in casual meetings and old friends catching up. 

It's easy to see why; the menu is full of Southern hits with a Seattle twist. Like chicken-fried steak with an optional veggie cutlet or grits topped with egg and bacon, served with a homemade biscuit. 

My friend's omelet was also excellent, served with perfectly crispy hashbrowns. This breakfast would feed a small family, but children aren't allowed inside -- 21 and over only. 

While my breakfast at Beth's was fine, breakfast at Hudson was something I've daydreamed about since my visit. 


Hudson
Address: 5000 E Marginal Way S, Seattle, WA 98134
Phone:(206) 767-4777
Web: http://www.hudsonseattle.com/

Hours:
Monday 7:00 am – 11:00 pm
Tuesday 7:00 am – 11:00 pm
Wednesday 7:00 am – 11:00 pm
Thursday7:00 am – 11:00 pm
Friday 7:00 am – 11:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sunday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

Underpass to Nowhere

Recently, I noticed this strange structure at the corner of 79th and Aurora. Years ago, did an exotic underground metro whisk North Seattle residents to downtown Seattle or uptown Edmonds? 

Sure, it looked like a place to toss your used coffee cups and Snickers wrappers and God knows what else. But perhaps it was actually a portal to another dimension?

I asked Seattle Department of Transportation about this structure and received a timely response:

There was an underpass that allowed pedestrians to get from one side of Aurora to the other. The old Chubby and Tubby* store was a popular destination and sat on the east side of the street at this location. After the store closed, the underpass was rarely used and safety became an issue. The community requested that the City close the tunnel. 

Thanks, SDOT! But do you think the SDOT would tell me even if it was a space-and-time shortcut? If you see me on Mars in the next few weeks, you'll know what's up.


*Wait, what's Chubby and Tubby? Chubby and Tubby was a Seattle-grown variety store. Read more about Chubby and Tubby in this 2002 article from The Seattle Times. Now, the Dollar Tree is in the C&T space. Bah.

North Seattle Vehicle Emissions Testing

It was time to emissions-test my car.

Missing this sign will require you to "take the block" = a tour through North Seattle cul-de-sacs. 

The Washington State Vehicle Emissions website suggested testing on an afternoon or midmorning on a Monday or the middle two weeks of the month. So I went to the Aurora station on a recent weekday afternoon and found the place almost totally empty.

OK, not almost, but totally empty.

I pulled up and pushed the button. That "Danger" sign is not relevant, but meant for people who are servicing the thing. A snake will not come out and electrocute anyone. 

Then I drove forward into an open bay where a technician took my $15 payment and found the car's VIN number. He hooked up my car to his magical emissions-testing machine.

I was asked to vacate the front seat while the emissions testing went on. It was so fast I'm not sure my family noticed I was gone. 

This seat was for awaiting emission verdicts. It did not recline nor give massages.
But no problem. I passed.


Washington Vehicle Emissions Check. North Seattle, Station 4
12040 Aurora Ave N Seattle, WA 98133 
 206-362-5173 
Website: http://www.emissiontestwa.com/e/northseattle.aspx

Beth's Cafe

"Damn junkies, taking all our spoons," the waitress said, upon reaching in to grab spoons from a container to set tables, and finding too many gone. 

"One place I worked, we put holes in all the spoons to keep them from stealing the spoons," the cook said. As the only cook, he seemed to have eight arms, simultaneously flipping pancakes, cracking eggs, buttering toast. 

"Yeah," she said, then laughed. "Seems like that'd defeat the purpose of a spoon, though."

***

Beth's Cafe seems like a great place to eavesdrop on everyday life over a good breakfast, 24 hours a day. 

By 8 a.m. on a recent Saturday, nearly every booth was filled with families, hungover punks, working girls and groups of 30-somethings.  

Menu also warns:  Eating raw or undercooked meats and eggs,
or running with scissors may increase your risk of not feeling very good.

The waitress answered the phone, and I overheard her half of the conversation:

Waitress: Well, if you came right now and your entire party was with you, we could seat you. That's all I can tell you.
Waitress: I don't know about, if you came in a half-hour. 
Waitress: Sorry. My crystal ball's in the shop.


I loved this waitress. 

Crayon illustrations covered every wall at Beth's and offered entertainment. Subjects included Pokemon, Minions, and insights into local and pop culture.

Drawing in front of pinball machine room at Beth's Cafe

"When you run out of baked potatoes you get Angry ART."

Probably doesn't reference NYC's North of Houston neighborhood. 

After my kids and I put in an order, we asked for crayons and paper. No one was able to trump my favorite pic of a certain political candidate: 

Portion sizes were enormous, even in the "Mini Breakfasts" section of the menu, which works as either kids' meals or normal-sized breakfasts. Beth's is primarily famous for their 6- or 12-egg omelet, which seems OK if you're sharing. That's a lot of food though.

The service was great and our grub was solid. Standard cafe-diner eggs, hash browns, pancakes and bacon -- dished up just right -- is sometimes all a person wants.

The overall atmosphere wasn't bright 'n' shiny New-Seattle, but what's a greasy spoon without the grease? Well, or the spoons. Junkies, quit stealing Beth's spoons!

***

A man in a half-shirt and ultra-tight pants reached out for his to-go order from the waitress.  "You take care of yourself, hon," she said, and she sounded like a mom talking to a son.

I got the feeling he might take care of himself a little better today, just because she said that. 





Beth's Cafe
Address: 7311 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103 
Phone: (206) 782-5588 
Hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
Menu: http://www.bethscafe.com/

Pop Pop Thai Street Food

Tucked away inside a strip mall, a tiny Thai restaurant is dishing up great meals.  

 At first, I thought the name sounded sort of like Pok Pok, the famous Portland Thai food restaurant which I know for blazing-hot street food and drinking vinegar. Pok Pok's food is delicious but makes me cry every time. But the food at Pop Pop is a bit more approachable, at least giving diners a choice between hot or not. 

The menu isn't the Tolstoy-like book found at many Thai restaurants. Instead, under 30 or so items available. Pick from papaya salads (original, fresh prawn or salted crab), curries, basil-flecked green beans and noodle dishes. Most selections give you a choice of chicken, pork, prawns, tofu, and sometimes beef. Daily specials are written out on a blackboard above the cash register. 

The interior is dark, with wood-plank walls and wooden tables and seating. A large fish tank at the far end of the restaurant contains unusual looking fish, including a bizarre, hinged-jaw ribbonlike relation to the arapaima, which I've seen in aquariums. They can grow as large as the fish tank. Maybe bigger. I'd like to state for the record that I really hope this happens. Because. 

Cool Thai postcards also decorate bulletin-board areas. 

My children love Pad Thai. Pop Pop's Pad Thai is flavored with tamarind, giving it a sweet tang. 

"Red pork" is all over the menu, which our waiter explained meant barbecue pork. The anise-flavored Roasted Red Pork dish was served in a gingered gravy. Gravy is such an unpleasant word for a delicious sort of thing. The little dipping bowl of "chili sauce" was sweet-tangy-spicy and contained jalapenos. It wasn't hot but was flavorful. 

My favorite dish was the Thai Style Omelet, which was reclining on a bed of perfectly-cooked rice, topped with cilantro. If visiting Pop Pop on Aurora with a toddler or younger kid, this would be the *perfect* item to order. My only complaint was that while the texture was great, it could've used a bit more flavor or kick. So I dipped the omelet pieces in the mystery sauce. 

When we came in, at around five, about half of the dozen or so tables were filled. By the time we left, every seat was taken and a line was forming to pick up to-go food. We didn't order dessert, even though durian ice cream is on the menu and I was tempted to offer it to my kids who'd never tried durian before. Because I'm a nice mom like that. 

We brought home leftovers. I ate my omelet with sweet chili sauce for breakfast. It was perfect, and Pop Pop is now on our short list of favorite Hwy 99 restaurants. 

Pop Pop Thai Street Food
13242 Aurora Ave N #104, Seattle, WA 98133
Phone:(206) 695-2858

Pop Pop Hours:

Monday	11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday	11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday	11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday	11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday	11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday	12:00 – 9:00 pm
Sunday	12:00 – 8:00 pm