I rode the Link 1 Line down to Federal Way the other day. That’s what you do when new stations open, right? You check them out. You see what’s around them. You figure out if they’re actually useful. Or you determine if they are just in the middle of nowhere. Maybe they are in the middle of ticky tacky boring and uninspired suburban roads and sprawl. But at least you’ll know then to avoid any trips to those places! 🤣
Turns out, there’s actually something worth stopping for near the Federal Way Downtown station. It’s Crazy Pho Cajun. This place does exactly what the name suggests—mixes Vietnamese pho with Cajun food. It’s a weird combination, but sometimes weird combinations work.
The restaurant is right near the new light rail stop. This location makes it convenient if you’re coming from Seattle or anywhere else on the Link line. Let’s be honest. That’s part of the point of building transit. It gives people access to places they wouldn’t normally visit. This includes restaurants that blend two cuisines that don’t normally go together.
The Menu: Vietnamese Meets Louisiana
The menu is exactly what you’d expect from a place called Crazy Pho Cajun. You’ve got your traditional pho options. Then you’ve also got Cajun dishes like gumbo, red beans and rice, and etouffee. Then there’s the fusion stuff. One example is Cajun Crawfish Pho, which combines pho with crawfish tail meat. It also includes shrimp and andouille sausage. You can pick your spice level, which is nice if you’re not trying to burn your face off.
But here’s what I went for: the smothered catfish.
The Smothered Catfish
The smothered catfish is Cajun-battered fried catfish covered in a rich cream of etouffee, served over rice. It’s $11.95, which is reasonable for what you get. The catfish is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside—exactly how fried catfish should be. The etouffee sauce is creamy and flavorful, and it works with the fish in a way that makes sense.
Is it authentic Cajun? Probably not entirely. Is it authentic Vietnamese? Definitely not. But it’s good, and in the end that’s what matters. The fusion works because both cuisines have bold flavors, and they complement each other instead of fighting.
Why This Matters
Here’s the thing: Crazy Pho Cajun is exactly the kind of place that benefits from having a light rail station nearby. It’s a local restaurant that’s now accessible to people from all over the region. You can ride the train down from Seattle, grab lunch, and ride back. Transit-oriented development aims to connect people to places. It is not just about moving them from point A to point B.
The restaurant is casual, the staff is friendly, and the food is solid. It’s not fine dining, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a good meal near a transit stop, and that’s valuable.
If you’re riding the Link 1 Line down to Federal Way, Crazy Pho Cajun is worth a stop. If you’re already in Federal Way and want to try something different, it’s a great choice. The smothered catfish is good, the fusion concept works, and it’s right there by the station. Sometimes the best discoveries are the ones you make because transit made them accessible.
For more details on their menu and offerings, check out their menu online.
I reached Mountlake Terrace yesterday. It was after a short ride down the Interuban Trail from Lynnwood Transit Center. Upon arriving, and more on the route in a moment cuz it’s worth its own write up, I made a right turn away from the Link station. My intent to roll downhill to the Zeeks Pizza and grab dinner.
As I rolled downhill the utter chaos of dystopian incompetence in parking was on full display. Full suburban entitlement was evident. Car after car, among the majority parked correctly, was pulled into the PBL (Protected Bike Lane). Some were parked halfway in the road, blocking the road and bike lane, all while beside an actual parking spot. A New Yorker would be enraged at the absurdity of parking beside a empty spot filled by a ghost, maybe?! But all that nonsensical disrespectful motorist shit aside, it was a quick roll down from the station and up on to the sidewalk to park.
There was a solid staple rack right out front of the Zeeks, so I saddled right up to that. I then perused the other establishments on the street here. There’s a coffee shop that looks like it’d be legit, but closes at 3:00pm and it’s 5:30 now. There is also a beer brew joint of some sort. All of it looked like legit quality joints! Not entirely what I’d expect this far out into the suburbs, but after the ride (again more on that in a moment), this Mountlake area is one of the more quality areas in the overall metro area! It’s really nice out here!
Anyway, I strolled my happy ass into the pizza joint. One of the staff (or proprietor, I don’t know) she offered I sit anywhere. I went ahead and took a seat on a two top. She came over, and provided menus and offered some beer options upon my curiosity. We discussed beer for a minute, Pfriem specifically because holy hell are they amazing, and then delved into our children and their recent chaos! No idea how we got there but it was a great multi-minute conversation. As the waitress came up and popped around the corner, the trio of us relayed by beer option and then the waitress and I discussed the varietal of pizza options I had before me.
Zeeks
I will admit, she struck me a bit off kilter because she had enthralling dermal facial and septum piercings of a uniqueness – a very artistic uniqueness – I’d not seen. With necklace, jewelry, and other accoutrement, she had an air about her that was very bespoke. Humans in Seattle are not cookie-cutter. Standing out as unique is rare and a significant compliment for me to ponder, let alone verbally offer someone.
I ordered my pizza and chatted with the team there a bit more. I had a pilsner – ok two because the Italian Pilsner was tops. Then I wrapped up. When I paid, I verbally complimented the waitress on her artisanal bespoke style. She genuinely appreciated my word soup compliment. We discussed the idea of one’s self being presented as a human art. In all seriousness, it’s a topic unto itself, but for those that know y’all know. Hat tipped to you all!
I then left. I had a good phone chat with my kiddo. After that, I mounted my steed to claim and uphill to the Mountlake Terrace Link Station. However I did deviate again and cut right. With a slight bit more hill climb, I rolled past. I gave a good look to the claimed “center” of Mountlake Terrace. I also eyed Hemlock State Brewing. Another trip will include that brewery!
With that I made a u-turn mid-suburb and got another hill drop down to the station. Rode the elevator up and the next Link rolled in within minutes. Boarded, and off I went wrapping up this very blog entry. Until next time, enjoy your transit trips, bike rides, and adventures! Slava Ukraini, may fascism fall on its face, and may your quality of life improve endlessly!
First a bit about double tall busses. Then a bit about my trip out to Lynnwood to finally, after years of wanting to ride a double tall, doing so!
Double tall buses, also known as double-decker buses, have become an iconic part of Seattle’s public transportation landscape. These impressive vehicles offer increased passenger capacity while maintaining a smaller footprint on the road, making them an efficient solution for high-capacity routes.
The Alexander Dennis Connection
The majority of double-decker buses in the Seattle area are manufactured by Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL), a British bus manufacturer with a strong presence in North America. The company’s Enviro500 model has become the standard for double-decker operations in the region.
Sound Transit’s Fleet
Sound Transit operates a fleet of Alexander Dennis Enviro500 buses, specifically the MMC (Multi-Modal Coach) variant. These buses feature:
Length: 45 feet
Height: 14 feet
Capacity: 81 passengers (57 seated, 24 standing)
Engine: Cummins ISL9
Transmission: Allison B500R
Air conditioning and heating systems
Low-floor design for improved accessibility
USB charging ports and WiFi
The Enviro500 MMC is known for its modern design, fuel efficiency, and passenger comfort. Sound Transit primarily uses these buses on their ST Express routes, particularly on high-demand corridors like the 510/511/512 routes between Seattle and Everett.
Other Operators
While Sound Transit is the primary operator of double-decker buses in the region, other transit agencies have also incorporated them into their fleets:
Community Transit: Operates Enviro500 buses on their Swift Bus Rapid Transit lines
King County Metro: Has tested double-decker buses on certain routes
Technical Specifications
The Alexander Dennis Enviro500 MMC features several advanced technologies:
LED lighting throughout
Electronic destination signs
GPS tracking and real-time passenger information
Advanced driver assistance systems
Euro 6 compliant engines
Composite body construction for reduced weight
Impact on Seattle Transit
The introduction of double-decker buses has significantly improved capacity on key routes, particularly during peak hours. Their ability to carry more passengers while taking up the same road space as a standard bus has made them an efficient solution for Seattle’s growing transit needs.
Taking a Ride to Lynnwood
Today I took a ride, for the very first time, on one of Sound Transit’s double decker buses. I opted, since it would include some light rail usage, to take the 515 Express from downtown Seattle to Lynnwood. This is the story, of all the things I noticed along the way.
I believe it was the 4:15pm bus that I boarded between King Street Station and Union Station. I’d racked my bike, then stepped onto the bus, swiped my Orca card, took a video (see below) and climbed the steps upstairs.
The bus then carefully, and very smoothly, traveled forth through the streets of Seattle. Slowly coming to and striking branches of trees because of the height. We stopped at about a dozen stops, from the originating stop I boarded at through to the egress point from downtown. When we left, we did it in relative style because we exited via the express lanes.
To note – when I showed the “empty” bus just after the first stop downtown, it was almost entirely full by the time we left downtown. Don’t get in your head that this is an empty route, it’s a very well used rush hour service. A kind of extra interlined service, in addition to the light rail and other Sound Transit Express lines that go out this way.
However, if you watch the video all the way through, you’ll notice the enjoyment of zooming along in the express lanes comes to an end before we even got past the Greenlake and Ravenna areas! Motorized “road” transportation without right of way is, and always will be a joke when it comes to speed and throughput.
But, that didn’t really matter much because being on a double decker, in a cool air conditioned environment with big ole’ windows to see as far as thee eye could see was a joy! We carried on, as you do, at a reasonable 20-35mph. The traffic slugged into a accodian like zig zag of slow drivers stuck behind entire cavalcades of other slow drivers under the guise of the inefficiencies and stupidities of mass transportation movement via single occupancy vehicles.
In other words, we were limited by the stupidity of cars as primary modal option at rush hour.
But it was entertaining and pleasant. I wrote up this blog entry and got some work done as I explored this new transportation choice for traveling north to Lynnwood.
At this point I also had zero idea what I would do once I got to Lynnwood, but I didn’t really care, I’d likely the board the Link Light Rail line back south and then take the 542 at University District back home.
The Bus Itself
The bus itself, being a double decker, is very smooth similar to one of those intercity buses. The air conditioner worked great, so it was a cool ride in spite of it being a bit warm outside.
Additional Observations
As we rolled forward and stopped, then moved forward again, and stopped, and then lurched and stopped, we made our way ever so slowly to Lynnwood. I couldn’t help but wonder, was this even faster than light rail with all this traffic? I had no idea, as I’d never even looked at the schedule vs. what time this was taking now.
At one point we just stopped for a solid 20+ seconds and sat. Traffic unmoving and a light rail train zipped by beside us, one going north full of people and one going south with a dramatically smaller number of people.
It really did seem like the light rail would have been the faster choice at this point. However this is likely the smoother option, considering how the double deckers ride! They really are not like other buses.
Drama!
In normal society fashion, at some point some guy got a phone call and began talking loudly – very “American” of him – about a financial situation that a child or someone in family was having difficulty with. He wanted to see funds and bank accounts and started “telling them” a number of things.
Why are people like this, what is the deal with the lack of situational awareness? So many parents bring up kids to become these adults that just utterly drives me nuts as a parent. I’ll take rowdy kids any day over an oblivious adult yapping drama out of the pie hole openly and loudly!
But even with that slight little interruption along the route, the ride was great. One more great way to commute in the Seattle area, so great I’d even put this up close right after “Ferries”, “Commuter Trains”, competitive with “Light Rail”, but definitely better than intercity buses!
I wrote about some pedantic details in the last post here. Check that for some nuggets and the current situation logistically. But read on for some observations from opening day!
I wrote a thread on Mastadon, Threads, and Blue Sky too. Click through to check em’ out.
Thread Summary – Redmond light rail opening today: Celebrating the debut of service to Redmond Technology Station. – First southbound ride: The fresh thrill of speeding out of Bellevue, over I-405 and sprawling lots, into Redmond. – Elevated magic: The segment between Wilburton and Bellevue stations, soaring above streets in a blink—reducing a 5-10-minute slog to 45 seconds of pure “whee.” – Empty parking lots everywhere: Wild expanses of asphalt ripe for redevelopment—if the economy holds up. – Broken elevator / IYKYK: Only one failing escalator on the 2 Line over at Wilburton. That’s a seemingly good ratio for Sound Transit and escalators. – Bike corral buzz: Cascadia Bikes’ racks overflowing—major props to everyone who pedaled in.
Rolling into Redmond Technology Station for the First Time There’s nothing quite like that first southbound trip into Redmond Technology Station. After waiting months for what I personally will now find the most useful segment of light rail in the area. It seems the wait has taken eons.
The Elevated Spectacle Peek out the window as you depart Bellevue Station: a dizzying montage of concrete and greenery. The rail track climbs, slicing through the skyline with surgical precision. Down below, cars inch along, helplessly stuck in gridlock. Up here, you’re at street level with the brids—or at least with the tops of pine trees. It’s the kind of view that makes you feel like the future might arrive in the USA yet, albeit one powered by a modest electric motor humming serenely beneath the floor.
Asphalt Oceans & Urban Dreams West of the station lies an ocean of empty parking lots—so vast you’d think Microsoft itself had spawned them all. It’s eerie, almost dystopian… until you remember the upside: raw redevelopment potential. Imagine mixed-use towers, live/work lofts, parks, eateries—an entire urban neighborhood rising from the asphalt. That is, assuming our economy doesn’t implode in the next couple of years, as that might lead to it not happening for decades upon decades. Fingers crossed, America, fingers crossed.
Two Wheels, One Corral Shout-out to Cascadia Bikes for setting up a deluxe bike corral—overflowing with riders who made the wise call to pedal in. Seriously, if you rolled up on two wheels, you’re a genius. Fresh air commute, zero parking worries, and you still get to high-five your fellow cyclists. Hats off—or helmets on—to you.
Mode-Shaming: Because Someone Has To
Biked: You’re smart.
Walked/Bus’d: Good call.
Drove: You’re a jack-ass clogging up the pedestrian friendly area of town. Why even? Don’t do that shit.
Next time, ditch the car and catch the train. Your neighbors (and everyone’s blood pressure) will thank you.
More Technical Details
The new bike routes to the stations are spectacular, check out more about them here.
I boarded the bus earlier today, a 221 heading into central Redmond and onward to points south. Midway down the road one of the passengers noticed a wallet on the floor of the bus. He picked it up, asked around who’s it was, and then mentioned it to the driver and handed it over to him.
He eventually got off the bus just about two or three stops later. Upon pulling away at the very next stop, the owner of the wallet euphorically saw it on the dash and was reunited with here wallet.
That probability, that luck, is wonderful to see and impossible to expect! Great to see someone’s day not ruined.
To note, for those that don’t know, this isn’t all that uncommon in the pacific northwest of the USA. I’ve lost mine and had it returned, I’ve dropped my phone on the bus and had it returned. It’s amazing what a generally good natured and trusting people tend to enable. A lot fewer ruined days in these parts of the USA than the lands I grew up in, that’s for sure!
Transit Sleuth 