Le Shack à Joe, Shippagan, NB

I love when the heart of a community beats within an unexpected place such as a little canteen. This is the case with Le Shack à Joe in Shippagan, NB. But a relationship like this doesn’t happen overnight; it’s cultivated over many years and this little canteen has been a local favourite for more than 50 years. Opened in 1963 by Joseph Duguay, aka “Joe Patate,” it was originally known as Ready Chef, the local burger joint, which was famous for breaded, deep fried potato wedges. In 2016 Ready Chef was purchased by a young entrepreneur named René Guy, who changed the name to honour the man who had built the business. The property was given a makeover reflective of the fun spirit of its new owner and the menu was revamped to include some healthy options such as amazingly fresh salads. They’ve even put a traditional donair on the menu. Their Shack à Joe burger has become legendary and the canteen’s soft serve earns raves as well, but the cornerstone of the menu, the wedges, have stayed as popular as ever. As a result of a well-done makeover, the heartbeat of Shippagan goes on. Visit Le shack à Joe at 184 Rue 1, Shippagan.