Can anybody tell me the facination with Tim Hortons. There are always queues at the drive through and it's nigh on impossible to find a table! There are I think 4 in Red Deer and the line ups are all the same. I have only been twice and not been impressed - you can't even get a proper jam doughnut and the coffee is not as good as some of the other coffee shops - Am I missing something?

Might be something to do with the price?..Probably get 2 cups for same price as a skinny, extra wet, double shot , no cream vanilla latte at Starbucks.

But you can also go to the petrol station and get a coffee and put vanilla creamers in it - bingo almost a vanilla bean latte for $1.59

Other than lame-ass coffee and simple, insulin-raising carbs, trans fatty acids disguised as food? No. And you can still behold the splendor of the Tim Horton's franchise architecture from across the street, so in my view there's no reason to actually enter one.

... and we all now know that the bolding thing doesn't work in thread titles!

Only 4 in Red Deer!!! :scared: No wonder there are long line ups.

Timmy's is a national institution.

Have you never had the chilli lunch, complete with coffe/tea and maple topped doughnut.

You havn't lived

There are too many expats out there who won't let go of the english mentality (ie the only doughnut is a soggy jam one).

You won't be a propper cannuck if you don't like Timmy's

Pennyhp

Don't knock Timmy's 'cos I love it (especially their BLT's) I wish we had Tim Horton's over here. I miss the BLT's, cakes and chilli lunches ...... sigh

I believe Tim Horton was a well respected hockey player in the 70's. unfortunately, he was on painkillers / driving fast and died in a car accident. the coffee shops were named after him and i think this is the facination aswell as the great deals they do.

Died in a car crash! it makes my favorite snack there, 'Tims bits' seem that little bit stranger.
Stu
p.s they couldn't understand the Scottish accent in Alberta Drive-throughs so we had some strange drink combinations as well.

Looks like I wont be a proper cannuck then!!!

Ahhhhhhhh, Tim's. At last count we've got 6 within a 15 minute walk of our house, heaven...
Will be going to one this morning to get sandwiches for our lunch on the train today - going to Montreal - only takes 20 hours on the train from here (Halifax)!

You are soooooo lucky!!! I was very disappointed moving to Red Lake when I found that the nearest Timmy's is in Dryden, 2 1/2 hours drive south. Boohoo!!! One of the things I was looking forward to in Canada was Bpston Cream doughnuts! Yum!
As so many people mouth off on this site, EMBRACE THE CANADIAN
LIFESTYLE FULLY!!!!! GO TO TIM HORTONS!!!!!!!

I dont think his hockey heritage has much to do with it, but TH was an immense hockey player, One of the last maple leafs to lift the Stanley cup? I think the stores appeal is that its just cheap ubiquitous and quick, and kind of a classless in a everyonegoesthere kind of way. Its not great, but its consistent and reasonable value.

Maybe its popular as it highlites the "canadian" difference, its home grown (if not literally), unpretencious, and maybe "we canadians" like to think that perhaps we dont need to select from 16 different blends of coffee and overpriced fancy pastries when a regular cup of Jo and a sticky bun for a good price will do the job. Remember, Krispy Cream crashed and burned when they tried to expand into Canada.

In recent years though the doughnuts have shrunk alarmingly, so Im not convinced its as good value as it used to be. If you dont like donuts, it seems odd to criticise them for selling them, its what they do. I like the soup in a Bread bowl now and then too. If you dont like it, dont go there (but dont let CIC find out )


FWIW Tim Hortons was in business before TH died, but it only really took off after his death with Ron Joyce driving it along. THs widow was bought out for $1M and the Horton family never really got much out of it while Joyce went on to become one of the wealthiest canadians when they merged with Wendys a few years ago. I think he made some sort of charity payout to the horton widow after that to stop her making too much noise. Its said that Tim Hortons only real involvement with the business was to choose the roast of the coffee.

Apparently there are three in the UK! Anyone know where?

Extra wet? Does that mean weak?

Our local petrol station here in Rochester, Kent has a Somerfield convenience store with a Tim Hortons doughnut counter. it opened last August and I nearly crashed the car when I saw the Tim Hortons sign outside. Dashed in to see it with my own eyes and was most disappointed to see that they don't even do coffee, just doughnuts and tim-bits. You see, I'm also a fan of the chili bowl! It's not really taking off, it just doesn't work as a doughnut-only stand.

Chilli bowl rocks...as does the 'everything bagle' toasted on light cheese
Have become adicted to the French Vanilla coffee....but too much of the pastries (quaint expression I know) is just a little too sugary and sweet for me...

Citizenship test should be a breeze....