The HH asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year and I told him I wanted to go to Québec City and stay in a fancy hotel and do nothing for a few days.
Nothing but eat good food, walk around and just relax. And well you know the HH, he’s been making my dreams come true since 1992, so why would he stop now. 😉
So yesterday we took off for Québec City. The whole town is decorated for Christmas and it’s like something you’d see in the movies. We only just got here and we’re already having so much fun.
Yesterday on the drive here I noticed on the navigation that we were close to a Costco and so we stopped in to see if they had anything different.
Costco shopping in Canada… how different could it possibly be, right?
Well….
Well for starters, the gas prices. $1.47 a liter. That’s about $5.56 USD a gallon. Here in Maine gas is about $2.99 a gallon right now. Yikes!!!
And they sell Cadbury chocolate bars!!! I LOVE Cadbury chocolate. It’s so creamy. Luckily though we didn’t walk into the store with a cart.
We decided that if there was anything worth getting we would stop by and load up on our way out of town. In hindsight, what we really should have done was bring along a cooler.
Because seriously, BISCOFF CAKE!
Almond filled croissants. Talk about hitting the jackpot. The baked goods in the Canadian Costco were so much better than the ones in the US.
5.5 pounds of apples for $2.36 CAD a pound. That works out to be about $1.66 a pound USD. I think that’s a good price for honeycrisp apples, don’t you think?
Honeycrisp and Fuji apples are the best snacking apples in my opinion. They both have a nice, sweet crunch to them.
Onions were $0.69 CAD a pound / $0.48 a pound USD.
I thought the fact that they sold shallots in bulk was interesting.
I thought it was amusing that the Canadian Costco was selling tomatoes from Mexico. It seems like here in Maine, all the greenhouse grown tomatoes are from Canada!
Lettuce was cheap. About $2.82 USD for an 11 ounce tub {and it was grown in the USA}.
A pound of spinach was the same price. I think it costs about a buck more than that here in the US.
Rotisserie chickens were $7.99 CAD or about $5.65 USD. So a little bit more than in the US.
The prepared food aisles were really interesting too. There were a lot of the same products, but a lot of different ones too.
I’ve never seen veal cannelloni in the states before.
Or four aisles of CHEESE either. Four aisles of dumb granola bars possibly, but FOUR aisles of cheese? WOWZA! Now we’re talking.
The HH noticed that half an aisle was dedicated to just brie cheese. How wild is that?
I told the HH that I didn’t know what half the stuff was, but all I know is that we’re loading up on the way back, that’s for sure.
Oh la la … We need this!!!
Seriously, if you are a fan of pickety bits, this is the place.
I totally forgot to take pictures of the salami and other meats as well, but there were so many different types to choose from, it was kind of overwhelming.
Cheese curds are a big deal here.
Even the fancy crackers were better than the ones they sell in the US.
Who could resist a jar of peanut butter with a cute little bear on it?
The milk is sold in bags!
You can only buy eggs in 18 or 30 count cartons. Here in the USA you can buy cartons of 5 dozen eggs.
And buying butter in “bulk” means buying ONE POUND. I thought that was so interesting!!!
Also, chocolate chips are called “chipits”. How fun is that!?
Pickled eggs anyone?
How about pickled pork tongues? Mmm Mmm that’s some good eatin’ right there.
They even had Blackstone Griddles. I told the HH there wasn’t going to be any room in the car for that. Oh my word, how many times did he use his last one? Four times? Ummm no. We don’t need another one of those.
Costco shopping in Canada. It’s a lot like the US, but with better food products if you ask me.
Oh, and the hot dog and a soda deal – they have it. For the crazy low price of $1.50 CAD {$1.06 USD}. But we didn’t get one.
We decided to try poutine instead. Fries + cheese curds + gravy. It seemed like a really odd combination, but it was actually really good. I wouldn’t want to eat it everyday or anything, but still, we both thought the poutine was tasty.
Have you been to Québec City before? Is there something we absolutely have to see while we’re here? We’d love a few suggestions.
Have a great day everyone,
~Mavis
Julie Holleran says
Oh this was such an interesting and fun posting!! I love seeing the differences between Canadian foodstuffs and USA ones!! Thanks for sharing hugs, Julierose
Nancy Settel says
Oh our most favorite vacation ever I think was when we stayed in Old City Quebec several years ago in the hotel Frantanac. An amazing place. We rented a car (it was Christmas and none of our 4 children could be home that year) but never used it we walked to every where. It was like stepping back in time in a walled in city. I think you would love it.
MEM says
I’m in the Greater Boston area and our Costco has the same almond pastry. I want to say they are larger though, but truly excellent!
I have not been to Quebec City yet – will have to fly as I don’t drive and DH is nearly 78.
Lisa says
We were in Quebec March of this year and had a fantastic time (though now I feel I may have missed out on the grand finale — cheese shopping at Costco)! If you have time, check out Erico Chocolaterie on Rue Saint-Jean; sweet little chocolate shop that even has a tiny window where you can watch them making the chocolate. And they have an attached chocolate museum — Musee Du Chocolat! It is small, but worth a stop if you have the chance. Happy travels!
Jennifer says
That’s awesome! Thank you for sharing.
Does anyone know why they use a comma instead of a period for prices?
TLS says
That’s the European convention.
Janelle says
Quebec is a French speaking province and I believe in French the commas and periods are reversed for numbers.
Kari says
Poutine is my favorite!!!
I hope you have so much fun. We used to live near the Canadian border, and I loved hopping across for a weekend and checking stuff out. I don’t know why I never thought of hitting a Costco.
Holley says
Poutine and almond croissants in Costco! I’m moving!
Have a wonderful trip!
Patti Vanderbloemen says
Sounds like you are having a blast!
Do you have to declare food items at the border? Are there Customs fees to be paid? Just curious if that would be an issue
Enjoy!
Karen says
I don’t think you can bring meat across and also fruits and vegetables. Not sure how closely they check. Err on the side of ignorance and beg forgiveness afterwards.
ParisEclair says
You must take a tour of the Chateau Frontenac! Guides in period costumes will take u through the Chateau. It’s great. Then have a drink or tea in the bar. It’s quite nice. Simon’s is a Canadian department store ( clothes and house linens mostly) that started in QC City and the original store is still there. Take the funicular to the old part of town and just wander around the art galleries and small artisanal shops.
Lana says
Oh how I agree on the Blackstone! Complete waste of money! I kind of keep hoping it will just disappear. I’ve even tried to give it to the kids. No takers.
ParisEclair says
Visit Le Croquembouche patisserie shop. ! It’s very lovely. Let me know what type of restaurants you would like to go to and I will give some recommendations. I am in Montreal but visit QC often!
Cat says
Hahaha every Costco is different apparently, we’re in the prairies of Canada and we definitely do not have four aisles of cheese. I wish! Make sure you try the poutine outside of costco too, since Quebec takes it the most seriously.
Jackie says
I live in Manitoba (right in the middle of Canada, NW of Minneapolis). There are some differences both ways. Our butter is always sold by the pound (I wish it was in sticks, some places have them but the price is outrageous). In Manitoba we can get eggs in the 5 dozen. Every place is different of course, here is more focused on prairie living (the basics) whereas in Quebec City, it ‘s more European based for food. For the veggies etc, we probably make more by exporting ours & importing from elsewhere. I wish we had more greenhouses for industrial growing (we finally have one that is just getting going). I wish we had more organic food (when in Hawaii, there is a ton of it for example). It’s getting better but I wish we could get more.
Taryn Dillon says
We live close enough to the border to just run up to Canada whenever we want, which is a lot of fun! I love going to Costco, the Real Canadian superstore, and Walmart. It’s such an adventure to check out the different products and stock up on yummy things. The border guards always act surprised though when we say we are just crossing to go shopping.
I also love business Costco!
Teri says
Food, glorious food! How fun to see the different foods! Thanks for the post. Have a wonderful time!
Cindy Brick says
You didn’t mention the cookies!! I am a huge fan of the maple leaf ones (Dare brand?) — they taste like real maple syrup, instead of the ‘kinda’ stuff. Also, look for the chocolate-covered ‘biscuits’ (that’s ‘cookies’ for them) that have soldiers, I think, on top. Yes, you can get these in the US, but they don’t taste as good, and cost a lot more. I LOVE Canadian cookies.
The tea comes in interesting canisters, too, and is generally less expensive. Look for the Red Rocket brand.
(Onions, incidentally, are running $1.10 a pound here in Colorado. On sale.)
Lynda Rees Kling says
Do you know you can use your CostCo card in England as well?
My son and dil always go there to stock up after they land!
sandy says
Awe! This brought tears-my family is in Quebec City -walking distance to The Old City. My nephew works at the parliament -it is worth a tour. Beautiful. My niece is a teacher.
Ice skating at the huge park, a fun museum, there is a food hall that you really need to visit-right outside of the Old City wall. I hope that you are staying at the Chateau Frontenac -what a treat. The rooftop restaurant is good, the bars, the coffee. Oh, I miss it. The crepe restaurant in Old Towne is good and some of the best pizzas on earth. Montreal bagels-do not miss them. Poutine is good everywhere. Ilse D’ Orleans is worth the 20-30 minute drive over the bridge, you will pass a beautiful waterfall. It is a world of its own. Stop at the maple syrup farms. Such a wonderful place-how lucky you are to be so close. If you see a cute redhead-it is my niece Cammy and her sons Adam and Charles. Bon Appetit!
sandy says
PS: Costco is wonderful there! We bring as much will fit in our suitcases. The French salts, chocolate, cheese curds…yep, they are all back to California with us.
Pat Marino says
I chuckled at the peanut butter pic. We live near Buffalo, NY, near Niagara Falls, On. and shop for that exact peanut butter when we go across. It’s super creamy and our favorite! Have a great time in Quebec.
Joyce Dvorak says
Wow! We’re in Downeast Maine. I hadn’t thought about checking out the superstores across the border, but you’re on to something there!
It used to be that you couldn’t bring fresh fruit or veg into the US, though. Has that changed?
Sue S. says
Beautiful city. We visited a number of years ago. Be sure to visit Vieu Quebec and take the funicular. It’s a spectacular view of everything
Love the labels en francais on everything. Thanks for sharing et Joyeaux Noelle.
Mary says
As suggested,you might want to check the border regulations for bringing food into the states. Some things will not be allowed, and you must declare it all. And chocolate chips are called chocolate chips- the Chip-its is Hersey’s brand name.
Jules says
This is now on my bucket list. Four aisles of cheese!?! yes, please
Stacey says
Wait, what – the milk is sold in bags?
JulieP says
This is what drew my eye too. So just a bag or plastic bottle underneath? So curious, wish they would do this in uk shops I hate plastic bottles but for fresh milk there’s no other choice. Oh and Costco Canada looks awesome! But the milk is super interesting.
Erin says
We spent Christmas in Québec City last year & had so much fun. The Costco had literal entire legs of lamb. Like 3 ft long on the bone! Our favorite restaurant of the entire trip was Bistro Hortus in the fancy old part of the city. The food was to die for! And the decor was perfect. They make their own marshmallows for hot chocolate, too, which was delicious! We cannot wait to go back just to eat there, hopefully next year. Ha! I wish I could remember the name of the bakery that is close to Bistro Hortus. There’s always a very long line there but it moves really quickly & hubby said it was amazing (I’m allergic to wheat so couldn’t try it – but it looked like the real deal French bakery!).
Ashley Bananas says
I love it. I’m a huge Costco fan, I too worked there part time seasonally on and off. There is a book that came out in the last year called, The Joy of Costco, by David N. Schwartz. I looked through it and it seemed like a fun read.
Peggy says
We lived in Montreal years ago and we too were surprised to find milk sold in bags. But the Canadian butter is soooo good, don’t ask me why but every year we go to Canada for a ski trip and come home with lots of Canadian butter.
Cecile says
It’s cute to see how surprised people from the US are that we sell milk in bags! You put them in a milk jug, snip the corner off and when you’re done you rinse the bag and use it for your kids sandwiches in their school lunch. In Quebec you should look up a sugar shack that offers tours but it has to be a traditional sugar shack with a lunch provided. So much fun! I’m French Canadian but live in Ontario and our 7 & 8 grade children most often get an over night trip to Quebec City. I was lucky enough to go with both my children and had the best time ever! My Dad is from the Eastern Townships and we went there often as young children. Enjoy your trip and if you do go to old Quebec City (lower area) take the funicular (outside excalator) up the cliff by Chateau Frontenac after you’ve had the most amazing poutine in the little shop calld Chic Shack I think!