Magpie Café
The Magpie Café is a seafood restaurant in Whitby, North Yorkshire, England. It was established in 1937,[1] but its building dates back to the 18th century, when it was a merchant's house.[2][3]
The Magpie Café | |
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Restaurant information | |
Established | 1937 |
Food type | Seafood (fish and chips) |
Street address | 14 Pier Road |
City | Whitby |
County | North Yorkshire |
Postcode | YO21 3PU |
Country | England |
Coordinates | 54.489199°N 0.614917°W |
Website | http://www.magpiecafe.co.uk |
History
The restaurant is known for its fish and chips[4] and as a "bloody good fish and chip shop".[5] The restaurant won a Coast Award for being best fish and chip shop of 2007.[1] The restaurant has faced complaints from local businesses for its long queues.[4][6] It sources its fish from the local Fishery Lockers Fish.[7]
Ian Robson, the current owner, began working there as a fish fryer in 1979.[8]
In 2023, the Magpie was rated 10/10 by British YouTuber Danny Malin host of Rate My Takeaway.
Fires
Two fires in the space of 24 hours caused the Magpie Café to close for repairs in May 2017,[9] reopening in December 2017.[10] The first fire started at 10 pm on 30 April 2017, seven fire engines attended. It was likely caused by a grease build up in an electrical extraction flue in the roof, it damaged the top floor customer toilets. The second fire started at 2:30 pm, this time completely gutted the restaurant roof and lower floors except the kitchen and take away shop.[11] The cause was likely pointed to burning embers not extinguished the day before. In July 2017, a major repair began to rebuild the restaurant before it reopened in December that same year.[12]
References
- Jeeves, Paul (18 February 2008). "Whitby's Magpie fish and chips voted UK's best". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
- Hirst, Christopher (6 September 1997). "Northern stars". The Independent. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
- Robson, Dave (2 July 2017). "Whitby's Magpie Cafe takeaway reopens two months after fire". gazettelive. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
- Herbert, Ian (17 October 2005). "Queues for the 'world's best' fish suppers leave traders with a chip on their shoulders". The Independent. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
- MacLeod, Tracey (14 November 1998). "The secret of my success: Rick Stein". The Independent. Retrieved 17 July 2009.
- "Fish shop success upsets traders". BBC News Online. 17 October 2005. Retrieved 17 July 2009.
- Robson, Ian. "Sea to Plate" (PDF). Magpie Cafe. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
- "Phenomenon of the Whitby Magpie queue". Whitby Gazette. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
- "Second blaze at fish and chip restaurant". BBC News. 1 May 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
- "Magpie fire 'was like bereavement, but we're elated to be back' - says Co-owner". 13 December 2017. Archived from the original on 13 December 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
- "Celebrating with Magpie Cafe! - Good Day Sacramento". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- "Fire service delayed by software in Whitby Magpie Cafe blaze". BBC News. 12 March 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2023.