Skip to content

A New Ballard Vegan Joint Pays Tribute to the Potato

A temple to the humble spud takes root in Ballard

By Chelsea Lin February 19, 2019

Cropped1

This article originally appeared in the March 2019 issue of Seattle magazine.

This article appears in print in the March 2019 issue. Click here to subscribe.

Editor’s note: This establishment closed on May 31, 2019.

Among the bars and tattoo shops of the strip of NW 65th Street (between Third Avenue NW and Eighth Avenue NW) affectionately referred to as Stumbletown sits Papas Hot Potatoes, a quirky all-day spot that opened last October. Essentially, it’s a baked-potato place in the vein of popular fast-casual restaurants, where you can customize your order or choose from a small menu of signature combos.

Instead of the usual tater accoutrements (like sour cream and crumbled bacon), you’ll find only plant-based toppings, such as cashew cream and smoky, salty-sweet coconut chips. My favorite is the spicy, deceptively filling signature spud The Mona ($9): a large russet topped with New Mexico green chili, green salsa, pickled jalapeños and vegan aioli. After years of being relegated to a steak house side dish, it’s about time the humble baked potato got its moment in the spotlight—without the meat. Ballard, 500 NW 65th St.; 206.487.3321

Follow Us

Restaurant Roundup: “Pho-potle” and Yemeni Cuisine

Restaurant Roundup: “Pho-potle” and Yemeni Cuisine

Here’s what was served up recently in the Emerald City.

This is it. The week (or two) that you, as a food and drink aficionado, wait for every year. A double whammy of epic portions. Seattle Cocktail Week (April 19-26) and Seattle Restaurant Week (April 19-May 2) are finally here. Let’s start with a beverage Seattle Cocktail Week is your chance to get out and…

Seattle Restaurant Week Is Back

Seattle Restaurant Week Is Back

Go out with friends and support local restaurants while you’re at it.

The name still undersells it a little. It lasts two weeks, not one, but it’s a pretty great opportunity to try somewhere new or go back to an old favorite. This spring’s run, April 19-May 2, brings curated menus priced at $20, $35, $50, and $65 to restaurants, bars, cafes, food trucks, and pop-ups across…

Magical Mollusks

Magical Mollusks

Oysters are one the Northwest’s favorite harvests. The hardworking farmers behind this bounty share a deep appreciation for its source and a personal connection to the processes that yield our food.

It’s hard to describe people who are undeniably connected to the land—often, it’s about a feeling they transmit. Grounded, knowledgeable about their work, and passionate in their care for nature’s resources. Oyster farmers along Hood Canal, like Matthew Macias, give off a certain vibe, as though they have some secret to life that I don’t…

Restaurant Roundup: National Attention and a Sweet Detour

Restaurant Roundup: National Attention and a Sweet Detour

Here’s what was served up recently in the Emerald City.

Just south of Bellingham, the northbound lanes of I-5 have been closed for weeks following a massive landslide, pushing travelers onto Chuckanut Drive (SR 11). If you’ve got the time, we’re here to encourage you to embrace the detour and take the sugary scenic route, so to speak. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of…