Biblio Taco Opens in Cumberland (home of the mountain biker)

Ask a mountain biker if they have been to Cumberland, BC and you will probably see their eyes light up, ears go back like a dogs do and then a knowing smile with an emphatic oh yeah! It’s a big deal for this small town because Cumberland has become somewhat of a Mecca for mountain biking on Vancouver Island. Looking at the designated parking lot full of vehicles sporting empty bike racks on any given day of the week is a pretty good indicator of this. Riders come here because the trails are extensive, super sweet and well maintained. This is in part largely due to The United Riders of Cumberland (UROC) a registered non profit society that promotes and supports the local mountain bike community in the Comox Valley. Many a small town have been built on this industry, take Fruita, Colorado or Oakridge, Oregon as just two shining examples of success stories.

Of course mountain biking usually involves the much anticipated after ride food and beverage ritual. It‘s really only a matter of time until the breweries start appearing once the mountain bikers show up. The Cumberland Brewing Company is still relatively new to the community and have been pouring pints and filling growlers since December 2014. They have such a unique patio that is so inviting you could lounge all afternoon under the canvas panels entwined with hop vines for décor. All their beers are brewed on site and they offer a small food menu that changes seasonally.

Greg MacDonald and Emilie Thy have opened their partnership restaurant Biblio Taco and are now the newest addition for another dine and drink option in town. Greg has been a chef his whole life and hence has a great relationship with local food suppliers to source what they need for their on point menu. Emilie is a mean paper pusher and with so much support from the community they were able to overcome the many small hurdles to open for business on May 8th of this year, just short of their target date for Cinco de Mayo.

The restaurant space is warm, welcoming and casual with a subtle hint of Mexican flare. You can either post up at the bar, take to one of the beautiful custom made tables (gifted to them by their supportive friends on Quadra Island at Study Build), or sit seasonally outdoors front and back of house.

All the menu items are prepared on site from scratch except the tortillas, which come from Abuelo’s in Comox. They tried to make their own tortillas in the first weeks of operation, but apparently pressing 200 of them daily was a little bit overwhelming to keep up with. The braised meats are local for their menu of tacos and burritos (chicken and chorizo, beef and pork). The wild tuna and salmon are local from the West Coast and the staples of salsa and guacamole are made fresh everyday. Greg has concocted three kinds of sauces to drizzle ranging from a sweet or mild jalapeno to a hot, hot, hot! pineapple habenaro. They stock a selection of Mexican beers and I can vouch that their house made margaritas are exceptional. The plan is to expand the menu and build on it as time ticks by and season’s change. This fall they will be adding halibut ceviche, tortilla soup and a pozole (Mexican stew) with some brunch options as well.

Opening a restaurant is always a bit of a gamble. But with the reception received so far, I will predict that tacos and beer in a rising star of a biking destination is probably a safe bet for these two.

Cumberland Brewing Co – 2732 Dunsmuir Ave

Biblio Taco – 2724 Dunsmuir Ave

United Riders of Cumberland

• BY SHERRI MARTIN