Boucherie Chez Jo

In Charlevoix, there is no compromising on meat. And in La Malbaie, the address that earns unanimous approval is Boucherie Chez Jo.

A selection that speaks to cooks

A fine selection of meats — beef, pork, lamb, poultry — and some seafood. What sets Chez Jo apart is the quality of the cut and the butcher's availability: don't hesitate to ask for a custom cut, a specific piece, or cooking advice. This is the kind of shop where the service matches the product.

Access is via boulevard de Comporté in La Malbaie.

Meat: where the region shines

Meat is arguably where Charlevoix shines brightest, thanks to a handful of exceptional producers. For duck and foie gras, La Ferme Basque de Charlevoix, in Saint-Urbain, raises its ducks the traditional southwestern-French way. For lamb, Le Véritable agneau, in Saint-Hilarion, is the last processor certified Agneau de Charlevoix IGP — over fifty cuts and 100% lamb sausages. For veal, Ferme Jean-Robert Audet, in La Malbaie, is run by the "father of Charlevoix Veal" and sells its aged meats at the farm shop.

And for game, a five-minute detour before Baie-Saint-Paul leads to Les Volières de Baie-Saint-Paul: pheasant, guinea fowl, quail and, now, wild boar, with house charcuterie and over a thousand birds to watch in the outdoor aviaries. Back in town, Boucherie Chez Jo remains the convenient stop to round out the basket, with its fine selection of meats and some frozen seafood.

Fish and seafood

Let's be honest: the shallow bay of La Malbaie never gave rise to a major fishing industry — the best fisheries are found across on the north shore of the St. Lawrence. Our favourite address, about two hours' drive north, beyond the Saguenay: Poissonnerie Les Escoumins, which draws on the local fleet (and packaging by Pêcherie Manicouagan) for snow crab, halibut, whelks and other treasures of the gulf.

The convenient part is that they deliver to La Malbaie: order 24 to 48 hours ahead, they ship at midday in cool boxes via Expedibus, and you pick up your order around 5 p.m. at the La Malbaie terminal (at the Familiprix), paying the shipping cost — about $15 to $20 per box — on pickup. A seafood feast without leaving Charlevoix.

Sous-vide at the chalet

Here is a local tip that changes everything: ask Boucherie Chez Jo to vacuum-pack your order. Why? Because a well-equipped chalet in Cap-à-l'Aigle comes with an immersion circulator. Cook your cut sous-vide at the perfect temperature for hours, then sear it on the BBQ terrace for a caramelized crust. The result rivals a starred restaurant — except you are in pyjamas, overlooking the mountains.

It is one of those details that transform a Charlevoix stay into a gastronomic experience. Combine with bread from Boulangerie de Comporté, wine from the SAQ, and fresh vegetables from the Route des Saveurs — and you have a supper your guests won't forget.

This is exactly the kind of home cooking that the Chalet Le Littoral, fully equipped for cooking in Cap-à-l'Aigle makes possible: sous-vide circulator, full BBQ and a terrace facing the river to turn a cut from Chez Jo into a feast.