A Taste of The Townships

Poutine. Ice Cream. Maple Syrup.

Need I say more?

The Eastern Townships of Quebec is my second home. I have spent every summer there since I was a baby, and will continue that trend until the day I die. I love retreating from the GTA, and into the townships quiet mountains, endless farm fields, and clear (but freezing) waters. While I am relaxing at our family cottage, there are a few staple food items that I need to get. In my mind, if I don’t get these things, it’s basically not a complete summer… they really are a MUST!

So, this is A Taste of The Townships- some of our favourite food and drink items that you need to try while in the Eastern Townships of Quebec.

Warning: you might be hungry after reading this!

La Pinte Dairy, Ayer’s Cliff

This place is so cool, we highly recommend popping by!

La Pinte offers various high quality, locally produced milk products including chocolate milk, organic milk, cream, ice cream sauces, butter, and more!

The building itself is in an old bowling alley, and the finishings are made with recycled parts of it! The counter is made of the old bowling alley floors- so cool! Recycling and reducing waste is a key focus of this company. You are encouraged to bring back your empty milk bottles, which can be washed and reused multiple times. Once the bottles are no longer usable, they’re turned into drinking cups. I personally love using one of the bottles as a flower vase.

Be sure to stop by La Pinte in Ayer’s Cliff during your time in the Townships, and discover if milk really does taste better from the bottle. (Disclaimer, yes. yes it does).

La Station Cheese, Compton

A world champion in cheese! (seriously!). If you’re a cheese lover, this is the place for you!

Their cheeses are available in many local grocery stores, however we highly recommend you spend some time at their production facility and farm in Compton. What an experience! During our visit to their gorgeous storefront , we enjoyed a complementary cheese tasting and had the best grilled cheese EVER! (Aged cheddar with pear- yum!). There is even a little patio space available for you to enjoy some of their other gourmet cheese snacks.

If you’re able to stop by La Station, your taste buds will thank you.

Bulls Head Ginger Ale, Sherbrooke

Ben and I always stock up on a couple bottles of this delicious ginger ale! It is available at most grocery stores in the area surrounding Sherbrooke.

We love the classic, however they now offer different flavours in their glass bottle line (root beer, tonic, cola, ginger beer and more!). A couple times, we have carried bottles up the Pinnacle (the mountain on our like), and had a toast at the top for special occasions. Cheers!

Maple Syrup, everywhere

Did you know that 71% of the world's maple syrup production comes from the province of Quebec?!

While in the Townships, you need to stock up on some of the good stuff. Once you taste the real thing, you will never go back to the grocery store variety.

Ben & I always buy at least 6 cans, which usually holds us over until the next summer when we can buy more. We always get our Syrup from the Fotoux farm, which was originally owned by my great-grandparents, and was where my Nanny (grandma) was born back in 1934. The maple grove was planted by my great-great grandfather and great-grandfather, and this family connection makes the syrup even sweeter!

Fun fact: we actually gave this syrup as ‘Thank You’ gifts at our wedding. Also, the pancake warmer pictured belonged to my great-grandmother.

Wood’s Snack Bar & Restaurant, Ayer’s Cliff

Back in the day, a CBC radio Montreal program asked listeners to call in saying where they got their favourite Quebec cuisine. My sister, Emily, was only 6 or 7 at the time, called in and raved about Wood’s. To quote, “their buns are perfectly toasted”, and she was right! They make the BEST toasted hot dogs ever! Our go-to order is:

Toasted hot dog (I like mine with ketchup, however so many people prefer it ‘all dressed’)
Poutine (made with squeaky cheese curds and delicious gravy- YUM!)
Chocolate- Strawberry Milkshake

*ugh, I am drooling just thinking about the poutine. So good!

Coaticook Dairy

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

Coaticook ice cream is everywhere in Quebec, and with good reason; it is delicious! So many flavours available, and a HUGE storefront for you to visit. My go to: mint chocolate chip. Always.