mlortz-voyageurs-fritter

Everyone Loves the Voyageur

Famous Fritters on the Lake Superior Shore

Updated: By Sandra Trainor

Big, beautiful Lake Superior is the backdrop for many residents and businesses of Algoma. So many have grown up around it, and played in and on it for generations. Two of those people are Frank and Gail O’Connor. Frank grew up in the hamlet of Gros Cap, just west of Sault Ste. Marie on the shores of Superior. Gail grew up on Batchawana Bay, just north of Sault Ste. Marie, also on the shores of Superior.

Together, in 2003, they opened The Voyageurs’ Lodge and Cookhouse. Located on Hwy 17 North and across from the beach at Batchawana Bay on Lake Superior. I had the opportunity to sit down with Gail who gave me a short history of how they came to own the business, and have expanded it, along with their future plans.

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Photo credit: The Voyageurs Lodge

“My family moved to the Batchawana Bay area when I was eight years old. When I was thirteen, I started working at Bluewater Motel and Restaurant, now known as The Voyageurs’ Lodge and Cookhouse,” said Gail. When Gail and Frank moved to the Batchawana area together and later took over the Bluewater Motel and Restaurant, Frank started reading books by Peter C. Newman, that chronicled the history of the Hudson’s Bay Company and the Northwest Company. Batchawana Bay was a frequent rest stop for the voyageurs who paddled along the mighty Lake Superior. Frank commends the author for “inspiring their business theme, décor and has allowed him to tell stories about Canada while looking after the needs of travellers.”

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Photo credit: The Voyageurs Lodge

The O’Connors have been successfully meeting those needs for over 16 years now. The Voyageurs’ Lodge comprises a General Store & LCBO agency, gas pumps, housekeeping suites/motel and a cookhouse. The cookhouse is now a grab-and-go deli and bakeshop, no longer a sit-down restaurant. They host concerts and events, as well as rendezvous paddles with their big voyageur-sized canoe. There is always something happening at the Voyageur!

Since this is a food blog, I was most interested in the grab-and-go menu and bakeshop, here is the menu: www.voyageurslodge.com/the-menu

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Photo credit: Martin Lortz

Gail told me they love to incorporate local food on their menu like fish from Agawa Fishery, Algoma Highlands Wild Blueberry Farm & Winery blueberry horseradish with their bacon-wrapped whitefish. Their maple syrup is sourced from Fiddlehead Farms in Goulais River with vegetables in season from Mennonite farms in Desbarats and meat products from RJ’s Market in Sault Ste. Marie.

There are vegetarian and vegan options and they do follow many food trends. Many suggestions have come from her staff, who have asked for vegetarian dishes. Gail says, “We will make a conscious decision to keep customers happy and offer healthy choices.”

The bakehouse is famous for its homemade desserts, like apple fritters, and apple and blueberry crisp that utilize Algoma Highlands’ blueberries and Ontario apples. Customers will come from all around for those tasty delectables. “Thousands and thousands have been sold,” said Gail. New this year is a dessert which was actually thought of before the lodge opened. “Moose Antlers”. It’s 2 deep fried pastries in the shape of antlers with a sugary coating, with a head of a moose between – which is ice cream, drizzled in caramel sauce. They have come up with 3-4 types of this yummy treat and have been a BIG hit with customers.

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Photo credit: Martin Lortz

Only 45 minutes north of Sault Ste. Marie, The Voyageurs Lodge is a must-stop on the Trans Canada Highway 17, whether you’re travelling north or south. Customers stop in while travelling across Canada and the U.S. or from town for the evening, or from local cottagers and beachgoers.  Gail says that “many stop in who are taking their kids from Toronto to Thunder Bay or vice versa, often dropping their kids off to Lakehead University.”

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Photo credit: Martin Lortz

Now in their 20+ season, the O’Connors are planning for their future retirement. They’ve decided to list their business for sale. In the meantime, there are no signs of slowing down. One thing is for sure, Lake Superior won’t be far from their view.

The Voyageurs’ Lodge

11054 Hwy 17 North, Batchawana ON
Facebook: www.facebook.com/VoyageursLodge
Instagram: www.instagram.com/voyageurslodge
Web: www.voyageurslodge.com

About Sandra Trainor

Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Sandra is a Freelance Marketing Consultant. Sandra recently returned to her hometown and believes that food brings people together, no matter what their background and that food grown and produced close to us should be not only supported, but celebrated.

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