A North Seattle couple known for making an old Dutch favorite is taking up shop on Seaview Avenue in Ballard.

Miri’s Snack Shack, located in the once ice cream RV-shack neighboring Un Bien and Surf Ballard at 6300 Seaview Ave. N.W., is holding their opening over the weekend and will be showing patrons their take on sweets, coffee and poffertjes? Yes, poffertjes.

Miri Plowman and Gabe Skoda started Miri’s Poffertjes last year, and since then they have been offering sumptuous sweet and savory topped Dutch pancakes to folks at Capital Hill Farmers Market and after this week Magnolia Farmers Market. They plan to offer the same sweet pancake at Mira’s Snack Shack.

Plowman has over ten years in the restaurant and catering industry, including working as a server at Bastille and Doe Bay Cafe. She also headed the menu for bed and breakfast on Orcas Island and started her own BBQ vending company.

Skoda has been working in kitchens in the area for the last ten years and worked at local spots such as Local 360 and Salish Lodge. He currently works with Foraged and Found Edibles, a wild edibles foraging company based in North Seattle.

“This is kind of a segue to what we are doing at the markets. We will be doing poffertjes here but mostly snacks and coffee -- refreshing things in the summer time,” said Skoda.

The two plan to offer poffertjes with seasonal fruit toppings, acai bowls (Brazilian super fruit), ice cream and iced coffee and espresso.

Poffertjes are traditional Dutch batter pancakes that are smaller, lighter and spongier compared to traditional American pancakes. The secret is in the batter, which is made with yeast and traditionally buckwheat flour; however, Miri’s cakes are made with a blended batter containing both white flour and buckwheat. Poffertjes are typically served with powdered sugar and butter and/or syrups, but Miri’s poffertjes are served with seasonal ingredients, offering both sweet and savory toppings.

Miri's poffertjes. MTMPhotography.net

“It has a little more depth and flavor than your classic pancake. … I’d almost say they have a custard texture. And they’re neutral in flavor, so it really matters what you put on them,” said Plowman.

Miri’s Poffertjes had its start after Miri traveled through Holland to visit her sisters. She encountered the poffertjes there and was inspired to make the cakes with a touch of the Pacific Northwest ingredients.

“It’s a traditional street food in Holland, but we use it as a vehicle to offer the Northwest seasonal ingredients, so people will be able to stop by and see something new through out the summer season,” said Skoda.

The two said they are pleased to share the space with Surf Ballard and Un Bien. Skoda said that their refreshing treats will compliment the savory offerings from Un Bien as well as the the surfers laid back fun.

“We’re not competing with them (Un Bien) per se. They are offering savory sandwiches and that kind of gig, and we are on the other side of that with refreshing beverages like ices coffee and ice cream and of course, poffertjes with sweet toppings.”

However, sweet doesn’t have to mean sugar. Miri’s Acai Bowls, though sweet, contains very little sugar, or at least the amount in fruits. Acai is a Brazilian fruit that is traditionally puréed with sugar served and like a sorbet, however Miri has a different spin to the sweet treat.

“I found I like unsweetened acai, so I’m turning it with just banana as a sweetener.”

Plowman said the acai is traditionally topped with bee pollen, coconut and/or granola, but she will also offer the fresh fruit of the season. The preparation satisfies a variety of diets including Paleo, low-glycemic and vegan.

“We are just tending to the people who can’t eat a lot of sugar. Myself being one of them.”

But for those who want the sugar, Miri’s Snack Shack will be serving Blue Bird Ice Cream and one flavor a week from Sweet Bumpa’s Ice cream

Patrons looking for a faster fix can enjoy Lighthouse Roasters cold brew and espresso.

Photos courtesy of MTMPhotography.net 

“We really are following the same vibes as this parking lot, which is just plain fun and not so serious. It’s the most chill and SoCal that Seattle gets with the surfers and Cuban sandwiches.”

Miri’s Snack Shack will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and open at 9 a.m. on weekends.

For more information visit or https://www.facebook.com/MirisSeattle/