With crisp mountain air, countless cute shops and the sun high in the sky, a great day in Banff is tough to beat — but the best way to top any great day is with tacos.
Tourists and locals alike have come to Magpie & Stump for over 36 years to get “a little piece of Mexico in the mountains,” and every piece is authentic.
We check inside to see all the cool, cozy and colourful decor, and consider going upstairs to El Patio. But the street-level seating is mostly empty save for one table with a cute dog hiding under its shade next to a half-empty bowl of water. The possibility of post-dinner pets tilts our decision.
We decide to start with Chips and Salsa, a Strawberry Margarita that goes down like a daiquiri, and an unapologetically salty Caesar (not a complaint). We’re very much in a taco mood, but looking at the rest of the menu shows there’s no wrong choice of mains at Magpie & Stump.
Bison is big on seemingly every menu in Banff, so we order one of those, along with a Carnitas Pork and a couple a of Suadero Beef tacos. The Tinga Chicken taco is good, though surprisingly mild. But the sautéed Baja Shrimp tacos, with cabbage, cilantro crema, pickled onions and radish take the top spot. They have the best mix of texture and flavour, though the others aren’t far behind.
We mean to at least check out the upstairs patio for a rooftop pic, but the neighbouring dog leaves at the same time, so we give him behind-the-ear scritches while ensuring he knows he’s a very good boy (we acknowledge his owners, as well), and make our way along Caribou Street with rich and salty flavours lingering on our tastebuds.
Magpie & Stump
203 Caribou Street, Banff | 403-762-4067 | magpieandstump.ca
