Vietnamese-Cajun Broil at Pho Bac Sup Shop Promises to Be a Rager

This is a dream weekend for food lovers in Seattle, and those who generally want to have a good time before the summer doldrums hit. Not only is the Capitol Hill Block Party in full swing, but there’s more than 40 festivals happening in and around the area from Friday through Sunday. Let’s sort through the highlights.

Ragin’ Viet-Cajun

The organization Friends of Little Saigon is hosting a broil with Cajun and Vietnamese flavors in collaboration with Pho Bac Sup Shop (one of the city’s best Vietnamese spots) on the restaurant’s property this Saturday. Food will include cajun pho with crawfish tailmeat, a viet-Cajun spice broil with blue crab, and fries with nuoc mam tamarind mayo. There will also be karaoke, a beer garden, and local DJs, and those curious about what’s up with the iconic Pho Bac Boat (which has been under construction for awhile) can get a close look. Proceeds will go toward Little Saigon’s community and arts space that promotes Vietnamese culture and programs.

Where: Pho Bac Sup Shop and Boat; 1240 S Jackson St
When: Saturday, from 12 p.m.-midnight
Cost: Admission is free, but food costs $10 per token (or $25 for a set of three)

Bite of Seattle

One of the biggest food events of the year is ramping up again at the Seattle Center, starting Friday. For those not familiar, this weekend-long festival has been going on since 1982 and features samplings from restaurants, along with cooking demonstrations, beer tastings, live entertainment, and more. This year, some of the vendors to look out for include Pecos Pit BBQ (on Seattle Eater’s list of top barbecue spots in the city), Asian Tex-Mex specialists Phorale, and Sazon Tacos, which recently spun off its roving operation into a breakfast and brunch spot in Ballard. Meanwhile, there will be plenty of action in the Alley, with Din Tai Fung serving up chicken wontons and Art of the Table slinging tuna tartare.

Where: Seattle Center; 305 Harrison St
When: Friday and Saturday, from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Cost: Admission is free; food prices vary by vendor

Vashon Island Strawberry Festival

Those looking for a day trip may want to check out Vashon Island this weekend for this 110-year old annual community event. Besides, you know, lots of freshly-picked strawberries, there will be a car show, live music, a carnival, a beer garden, pancake breakfasts, and other entertainment such as street dancing. While there, meat nerds may want to head over to butchery, restaurant, and cocktail bar The Ruby Brink to sample more local produce.

Where: Vashon Island, along Vashon Island Highway and Bank Road
When: Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m.-midnight; Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Admission is free; prices for food and drinks vary by vendor

Cornbread Ball

It doesn’t exactly have the hype of Capitol Hill Block Party, but this 10-year-old country western and punk rock/hellbilly event at Georgetown dive Slim’s Last Chance Chili Shack is plenty of fun, nevertheless. Besides the expected cornbread and chili bowls, there’s a menu of kobe beef chili dogs, crawfish po’ boys, and spicy wings. Live performances this year include Tom Howard, Joe Buck Yourself, Wildcat Rose, Ohio Valley Boys, and others.

All presale tickets get one free Slim’s cornbread with honey butter. This event is a benefit for the Valhalla Dog Rescue.

Where: Slim’s Last Chance Chili Shack and Watering Hole; 5606 1st Ave S
When: Saturday, from 2 p.m.-1 a.m.
Cost: Tickets are $20 (access to the concert and one cornbread)

Tacoma Food Truck Fest

This is the sixth annual food truck festival at Wright Park in Tacoma, and it promises to be as popular as ever. Besides classic burgers and barbeque, attendees can expect to find poke, falafel, gyros, and banh mi sandwiches. For those looking for something a little sweeter, Jazzy’s Cookie Company and Bliss Small Batch Creamery will be on hand as well.

Where: Wright Park
When: Sunday, from 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: Admission is free; food prices vary by vendor