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.