Telluride

People I know from Canada tell me it's better than Krispy Kreme...but that isn't saying much because I don't really care for Krispy Kreme.

Do they have any Tim Hortons in America?

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MexicanOnABike

what do you want to know? donuts or coffee or service? they're almost all 24/hr places so it's good for service. with drive through. they don't acccept debit card. the donuts used to be baked fresh but now it's baked from frozen so the taste isn't as good. I found hair in a few of em. I never drank their coffee.

The lunch menu is kinda small but i liked the sandwiches i had there. overall, it's a chill place to be at 3am right after a movie or a party, or something like that.

But i wouldn't recommend it for quality coffee. My parents wont touch the stuff but most people love it. In my town, i think theres over 20 places.

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elaphe

I enjoy Tim's coffee. There is something about it that just isn't offensive to the masses. There;s a Tim's pretty much in every corner of Canada. It's nice to drive across Canada and stop and get a Tim's coffee when I need that jolt of caffeine to be able to drive that extra few kilometers.

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Baraka_Guru

I think they tried a Tim Hortons in New York State. I heard it didn't work out, but I'm not sure.

Personally, I look at Tim Hortons as a last resort, which is perfect since they really are all over the place. They certainly don't have the best coffee, but they just might have the cheapest. Plus you can get donuts, which aren't bad. I got the feeling recently, however, that they are overglazing them to compete with Krispy Kreme, which is a mistake. I could be wrong, since I don't go to Timmy's often.

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Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
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skier

While I enjoyed the donuts when they were fresh made much more, I like some of their newer experiments like the fruit muffins etc.

And i've had better coffee but it is really quite decent for a good price (compared to starbucks and such. Good enough to drink black.)

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Charlatan

I don't know how accurate that is. I heard that the Krispy Kreme outlets have been closing. Only the one is Mississauga is still open.

Tim's is reliable road food. That's about it for me.
..

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ratbastid

Is Tim Horton the frozen north's echo of the south's Waffle House?

Telluride

I'm more interested in quality of food than service, since the latter can vary from location to location. The few people I know who have been there said it's good, so I was wondering if this was the unanimous verdict.

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Charlatan

Not even close... Tim's is way better.

It's a doughnut shop that grew to also serve soups and sandwiches.

Doughnuts are a bit of an obsession in Canada and the ubiquitous Tim Horton's is the reigning king the doughnut shops. When the conglomerate that owns Wendy's bought the chain, the consistency of the product increased but the general quality suffered.

Many are addicted to Tim's coffee and can't start their day without it.

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Sticky

Actually, I think that the coffee is pretty standard from location to location.
They have special machines that ensure that the same amount of cream, milk, or sugar is used each time (based on what was asked for). They have even figured out the ratios so that the coffe (with sugar and cream) tastes the same from one cup size to another.

You can go into a Tim Hortons in Vancouver or in P.E.I. and order a Double Double and it should taset the same.
The only real differences are the water and the atmoshphere (humidity,temperature, air pressure - becuase of the differences across Canada).

That being said, sometimes I have run into poorer quality coffe at some locations, maybe they leave it on the burner too long in those locations.
They have a standard for that as well.

There are Tim Hortons in the U.S.
I saw one in Detroit (not close to the border).

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fresnelly

That's the key. Tim's is dependable. You know that no matter where you are, you'll get decent quality food and good value.

I don't drink coffee so I can't judge. Coffee afinianados seem to hate it, but less discriminating folks enjoy it. At the very least it will be fresh. They dump their pots every twenty minutes. Also, their bagels, treats, biscuits, soups and chili are all pretty good, and a respite from burgers and other fast food when you need it.

Tim's was able to fight off Krispy Kreme because they have a diverse menu and a loyal lunch clientele. KK is more akin to an ice cream shop. KK also made some lousy business decisions and undermined their brand by selling donuts at gas stations and the like.

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Leto

there's even one in Afghanistan (Khandahar) although I hear it is set up intermittently.

I find that the quatlity of food has been standardized with the Wendy's-ization of the company, but things have suffered. For example, the apple fritters have shrunk to almost half their original size. I don't even see the bowties or eclairs anymore.

But then again, the monthly experiments are interesting. And they have kept some on such as the blueberry fritter and the chocolate caramel doughnut.

I'm a fan of strong tasting coffee so do not really like the flavour of Tim's drink but don't dislike it either. I drink it about 3- 5 times per week.

I have heard that a reasonable option is Coffee Time. Apparently it is wholey Canadian owned (Beaverton based) and has the same quality standards and prices.

Sticky

Here are some Tim Hortons in the U.S.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...31641&z=5&om=1

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m0rpheus

Tim Hortons Pros
- Coffee isn't bad
- Open 24/7
- Quality is fairly consistent

Tim Hortons Cons
- Coffee really isnt that good either.
- Frozen donuts aren't nearly as good as the old fresh ones

Basically it may just be okay, but it's always just okay. Which isn't really a bad thing.
Personally I work shifts and most of the time I go to a little cafe to get my morning coffee. When I work the morning shift I have to drive to work before the cafe opens so Timmy's is my morning coffee.

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actinic

Tim's coffee is alright. I'm on the road alot so between catching my breath and cursing at the A-hat drivers...there isn't really room to enjoy a morning coffee...LOL!

Elaphe...you know what I'm talking about .

highthief

Tim Horton's = Heroin

It's good.

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james t kirk

Exactly.

It used to be that each Tims used to prepare and bake their own doughnuts.

Now, if I am not mistaken, there is some factory in Brantford that processes the doughnuts and the local outlets merely heat them up.

You used to know which Tim's had the best apple fritters, then they went factory and the variation was eliminated, but that was a a bad move. At first, the fritters looked like Dutchies, but tasted like fritters. Now they look a little more like fritters, but still dutchies.

Anyway, I don't like.

Nothing used to make me happy like working really late, like till 5 am and then stopping in at tim's on my way home and they were just loading up the racks with fresh doughnuts that were still warm.

days of ole.....

percy

I don't drink coffee so I can't comment on that,..but I prefer Krispy Kreme donuts to Tim's in the rare instances that I may eat donuts.

I find Krispy Kreme donuts are light and tasty while Tim's are heavy, doughy and taste like they are half cooked and tend to sit in your tummy like a rock. Blah.

Not my thing

Charlatan

I find Krispy Kreme way too sweet.

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amonkie

we have more Tim Horton's than Starbucks in Rochester. I drink my coffee black, and a stop at Tim's is a nice break about once a week from the office coffee.

My only complaint is the coffee is always piping hot - good, but their cups are supposed to be "double insulated" and they do not offer the cardboard slip on protectors. I'm often initially holding my coffee by the lip/lid, and one of these days its going to come off at an untimely point.

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highthief

Ask for it to be double-cupped. Standard practice north of the border, at least for those of us who don't take milk or cream.

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pornclerk

It is really just another mediocre coffee/donut place. The quality of the baked goods has declined in the last few years (in my opinion). If you like going to donut shops then I suppose you may like Tim Horton's, but I wouldn't go out of my way just to see what it's about!

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tenchi069

I start the day by going thru the Tim's drive thru. Continuing to work I start my coffee and finish it before the store opens. Usually someone does a Tims run during the day and I have another one and finally I usually go out for coffee and guess where? Yep. = )

Tims= good stuff for the price. If I want specialty coffees or really bold rich blends ill go to a coffee house and spend 7 bucks on a great mochachino or a latte, but for everyday, you can find me at Tim Hortons.

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Baraka_Guru

Or one could spend $14 or so per pound and make the coffee at work like I do. That much coffee gives three of us about two cups of coffee per day as a one week+ supply. Trust me, it is much tastier than Tim's and we vary the beans' region and roast week to week for a lovely variety.

Yeah, that's about $0.50 per cup.


Yeah....

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Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

Leto

Ya, my sis-in-law works at Honeywell up on Gordon Baker and their support group has pitched in to purchase an espresso/cappuchino machine so that they can make their own. But then again, there's no real coffee shop nearby for them.

My workplace, on the other hand, is situated across the street from the Tim's at Vic Pk near the 401. We have actually installed self brewing coffee machines all through the building (A.L. van Houtte brand) which are free just to stop the exodus to Tim by employees!

Nnoodles

Tim's is overrated imho. Everyone seems to love the place still though. When the company was first on the rise i liked the place too. Donuts were fresh, the caps were a treat and the 24 hr service was awsome. Now though, the donuts arent baked fresh, the coffee isnt anything special and the line ups are ludicrous.

Tim Hortons is seriously overrated these days.

Baraka_Guru

QFT.

You can't even use a debit card there. Um...hello? Who uses cash anymore?

...and their coffee tastes like ash. If you don't believe me, hold on the double double next time.

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

Nnoodles

Not sure when the last time you tried going to a Tim's or where abouts you were at, but every Hortons ive seen or been at has a debit machine.

Im not a fan of the place, but i dont despise them... over rated..

Nnoodles

-double post -

Sticky

I think it is the cocaine that they put in the coffee that keeps people coming back.

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Baraka_Guru

I don't go often. But I've been to more than one location that didn't have a machine. One location even had a sign that read: "To give you the fastest service possible, we do not take debit transactions."

I don't know, maybe they gave up on that.

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

Leto

I hate debit cards. Only use them at No Frills. why? the 50 cent charge with every use after 12 transactions. That's why. Unless I pony up more $$$ for a ridiculous banking package... forget it. I usemy credit card (free tx) or cash.

Baraka_Guru

This is the stuff for another thread, so I'll be brief: I'm not much of a shopper. Going to a coffee shop is an indulgence for me, not a habit. I use a debit card because I can't carry cash on me due to the $20 at a time withdrawal from ATMs. I'd rather spend less than that and leave the remainder in the bank. I don't use credit cards because I'm already carrying a balance month to month.

This policy is a bit lame, but I do understand that companies pay a certain charge for each transaction they do. But if McDonald's does it, why can't these Timmys do it? I dunno. Maybe they changed.

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

RenaissanceII

One of the reasons I go back to Saginaw Is for Timmys....

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I Wish You Well.

Sticky

They will be taking credit credit cards. Well Mastercard anyway.
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/a.../17/c6915.html

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RenaissanceII

They have been accepting the plastic here in the states for a bit....And I have the reciepts to prove IT :LOL:

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SexyCat

I like their doughnuts and blueberry muffins. I don't drink coffee so I am out of the loop on that one.

RenaissanceII

The morre for me :greedy:

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I Wish You Well.

Leto

I have just returned from a road trip to Nova Scotia, and Tim Horton's contributed quite heavily to my driving pleasure. I found that the soup/sandwich combo was a welcome relief to the restaurant food that we ate in hotels etc. It seemed to be consistant and was comfort food. The same quality was to be found in Oromocto NB and Bridgewater Nova Scotia. Heck, we even had the same meal in St. Stephen NB and Bangor Maine.

Yes! I discovered (all on my own) a Timmie's in Bangor. The uniforms and branding are somewhat different, but the food is consistant. And imagine my delight to find another Tim Horton's in Skowhegan, Maine. Just in time for a pit stop.

By the way, I paid using my MasterCard at the St Stephen Timmies. I think that you can at all of them now.