Support NeoGAF

[Sir_Crocodile]

Do they do food or are they just another coffee/sandwich place with a doughnut gimmick?

 

[Reckheim]

it's pretty good brewed coffee on the go

i can't complain.

Every time I had it recently(past few years) it has been burned. I much prefer McDonalds coffee.

 

[DopeyFish]

Do they do food or are they just another coffee/sandwich place with a doughnut gimmick?

think of it like breakfast/lunch fast food

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

think of it like breakfast/lunch fast food

Found their website, their breakfasts look mcdonalds tier.

guess I'll give them a miss

 

[teruterubozu]

Do they do food or are they just another coffee/sandwich place with a doughnut gimmick?

Some places in the US had the Tim Hortons-Coldstone Creamery combo stores. I wonder if they'll try that in the UK. Although the coffee+ice cream idea kind of failed here.

 

[Jezbollah]

Their coffee is McDonald's tier, so you'll never have the trendy coffee people migrating to Tims.

Greggs I can see as more of a competitor though. But I can see a place for both. Tims doesn't do savoury baked goods like Greggs, and Greggs don't match their selections of doughnuts, cookies, muffins and Danishes.

Oh, and iced caps are way better than frappacinos

I actually almost mentioned McDonalds in that list as well (given the breakfast menu. Sausage & Egg McMuffins for the win).

Don't underestimate the power of Greggs bread pudding. Holy shitballs.

 

[Nevasleep]

Are they going drive-through or town centres?

Personally I tend to spend more in drive-through and services Starbucks....if that's who they are aiming to compete with.

 

[Darkangel]

I hate how a fast food corporation has somehow weaseled its way into the "Canadian Identity."

 

[RageWaffles]

This won't last long. A few years back they tried to expand into Massachusetts until everyone here realized it was shit coffee and ran them out of town. There were like 5 Tim Hortons within a 25 mile radius that shut down within a year. I don't see how Canada loves this coffee so much.

That's only because Dunkin Donuts is so well-established there.

Tim Hortons are eevvvverywhere in the Buffalo area now. Near me, there's a Tim Hortons, then two buildings down the street there's another one, and then at the next intersection there's another. :| I'm no fan of Dunkin, but their coffee is amazing compared to Tim Hortons.

 

[BigJonsson]

I like the frozen lemonade

 

[teruterubozu]

I hate how a fast food corporation has somehow weaseled its way into the "Canadian Identity."

Actually Tim Horton's doesn't really play up its Canadian identity. It's the Canadians who rave about it.

 

[DopeyFish]

That's only because Dunkin Donuts is so well-established there.

Tim Hortons are eevvvverywhere in the Buffalo area now. Near me, there's a Tim Hortons, then two buildings down the street there's another one, and then at the next intersection there's another. :| I'm no fan of Dunkin, but their coffee is amazing compared to Tim Hortons.

Tim's had a huge advantage in Buffalo, though.

since Tim Horton died as a Sabre (plus Buffalo gets a lot of cross border peeps)

 

[TheRealTalker]

Without blind patriotism fueling sales, what's left? Terrible coffee and mediocre, but varied, baked goods.

timbits?

Spoiler

not even the good ones though, RIP cherry

 

[Noirulus]

Enjoy, brits. You won't be able to go to work without a morning Timmys coffee now.

For those saying Starbucks is better, yeah it is. But Starbucks is too much a kick for me sometimes so I prefer Tims because it's a little less caffeinated. Also, Tims pairs with breakfast food wayyy better.

 

[LabouredSubterfuge]

Bring me your Iced Capps.

 

[Dandy Lyin]

As a Canadian, I was basically raised to like Tim Horton's but I don't. I drank their coffee when I was in high school, but I don't enjoy it now. It's got a distinctive taste, and I just find it gross. If I'm going for cheap, I get McDonald's coffee.

I do like their breakfast sandwiches(on a biscuit!) and hashbrowns. I used to like their soups and sandwiches too, though I haven't had one in a few years. Ice Capps once in a while are great as well.

 

[Kieli]

As someone who doesn't really get artisanal/hand-crafted coffee, Timmer's classic double-double tastes alright (and it's cheap).

 

[Apocryphon]

As a Brit living in Alberta... Tim Horton's is ass. It's cheap for a reason.

I did see a Costa here last week though so I guess they've got to check the markwt out. Menu might be different too?

The breakfast sandwiches are nice enough, but I'd much rather have a real sausage and egg muffin.

 

[RageWaffles]

Tim's had a huge advantage in Buffalo, though.

since Tim Horton died as a Sabre

Good point. Now someone should

Spoiler

not

start a fast food place with Ralph Wilson's name on it.

Actually Tim Horton's doesn't really play up its Canadian identity. It's the Canadians who rave about it.

(I drive by a billboard a lot that's basically like the above, and I cringe a bit every time.)

 

[TemplaerDude]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that Tim's is really good if you're feeling constipated.

 

[KorrZ]

As a Canadian I can easily say that Tim Hortons is painfully average coffee. It's not terrible but it's not going to win any awards. To be honest, I much prefer McDonalds coffee for my cheap morning fix.

So in short the UK isn't really gaining anything here.

 

[TimeEffect]

I dont even care, Ill always accept a Tim Hortons coffee/ice cap and donuts. Dont have time for this "sugar water" coffee war nonsense

 

[Noirulus]

Good point. Now someone should

Spoiler

not

start a fast food place with Ralph Wilson's name on it.

That's after the stereotype of Canadians unable to live without Tims stereotype became ubiquitous, though.

 

[Seik]

Tim Horton's coffee is on point, hopefully it'll stay that way in the UK as well.

From a regular coffee drinker from Quebec.

 

[krae_man]

How many Bagels does the UK eat?

Because Tim Hortons is a bagel store more then a coffee shop now.

 

[Walpurgis]

I love Tim Hortons. I don't usually drink their coffee but their French Vanillas are cheap and tasty. I think Tims are so popular in Canada because they don't charge an arm and a leg like Starbucks and they have locations everywhere unlike Dunkin Donuts and McDonald's.

Good point. Now someone should

Spoiler

not

start a fast food place with Ralph Wilson's name on it.



(I drive by a billboard a lot that's basically like the above, and I cringe a bit every time.)

Oh god, I think I'm going to puke.

 

[Kieli]

Enjoy, brits. You won't be able to go to work without a morning Timmys coffee now.

For those saying Starbucks is better, yeah it is. But Starbucks is too much a kick for me sometimes so I prefer Tims because it's a little less caffeinated. Also, Tims pairs with breakfast food wayyy better.

Starbucks tastes kind of burnt to me. And it's like almost 2.5x more expensive for a similarly sized coffee.

 

[jstripes]

I've got no complaints about Tim Hortons coffee. I prefer it over McDonalds.

Their breakfast sandwich is godlike.

Their donuts aren't what they used to be, though. Haven't for 20 years.

 

[Michael F. Assbender]

Fuck coffee, their honey-dipped crullers are god tier. I don't eat sweets anymore but when I did, I'd've sold a kidney for one.

 

[Mr. F]

I apologize in advance. Enjoy the characteristic in-store funk of burnt coffee and mop water

Typical but true gripe - it's gotten worse over the years. Their dark roast should be their default because everything else tastes like watery garbage.

 

[Vibranium]

Tim's need to focus more on regular sandwiches again and expand their cookie selection. Those filled cookies were awful. Also bring back the Walnut Crunch while they're at it (I miss it so much). Really, the doughnut section needs a big overhaul.

 

[the1npc]

This won't last long. A few years back they tried to expand into Massachusetts until everyone here realized it was shit coffee and ran them out of town. There were like 5 Tim Hortons within a 25 mile radius that shut down within a year. I don't see how Canada loves this coffee so much.

All there is in alot of towns. We dont have all the crazy fast food america does.

Tims was good when thry baked the food fresh...

 

[danthefan]

I'm fairly sure Tim Horton's have been in Dublin for years and years.

 

[daviyoung]

aww hell yeah about time

there just aren't enough shitty chain coffee shops in the UK!

 

[Mupod]

I won't turn my nose up at timbits. Bagel belt or breakfast sandwich has saved me from a few dire situations. It's familiar and good for the price. Although I guess this IS neogaf where if people take a bite of anything that isn't top class it results in uncontrollable explosive diarrhea.

How many Bagels does the UK eat?

Because Tim Hortons is a bagel store more then a coffee shop now.

everything bagel with herb and garlic yiss

the one I used to go to would put an unbelievable amount of cream cheese on that thing. The ones around here are stingy though.

 

[mrklaw]

I want Mr Donut to come to the UK. Their donuts are so good, especially the old fashioned. Hate overly sweet Krispy Kreme style donuts.

 

[Kieli]

Part of the reason why Tim Hortons is so successful is because there simply isn't a lot of other options.
Americans are blessed with a bevy of gloriously fine culinary options such as Five Guys, In 'n Out, Shitpotle, Popeyes, Sonic, etc...

 

[Pestilence11]

the quality of coffee at Tim Horton's is highly variable. I never know exactly what I'll get when I go in.

This is true and annoying. Also 25% of the time I end up with cream instead of milk.

 

[jstripes]

Part of the reason why Tim Hortons is so successful is because there simply isn't a lot of other options.
Americans are blessed with a bevy of gloriously fine culinary options such as Five Guys, In 'n Out, Shitpotle, Popeyes, Sonic, etc...

What the fuck are you talking about?

I've got a Five Guys, Chipotle, and Popeyes within 10 minutes of my house. Not to mention Harvey's, A&W, Wendy's, Burger King, McDonalds, Taco Bell, KFC, Subway, Mr Sub...

If you're talking about small town, rural Canada, then maybe yes. But small town, rural America often only has one or two options too.

 

[Archer]

Tim Horton's sucks. Avoid it like the plague, Britain.

 

[PROh1bited]

The most overrated thing in Canada.

Tim Hortons is trash tier.

 

[DpadD]

I sometimes wonder if I'm living in an alternate universe than GAF.

Their coffee is great and the Iced Cap is the greatest iced beverage of all time.

And it's not pretentiously expensive like Starbucks

 

[Spaghetti]

Didn't they have a stab at this before? I remember a Tim Hortons being in Birmingham almost a decade ago.

 

[[KoRp]Jazzman]

I have always disliked their coffee, but the Steeped Tea is always consistently awesome at least and they brew it pretty much constantly so its fresh.

Breakfast food is good and reasonably priced, but the lunch items and baked goods aren't amazing anymore.

 

[SeriuzBiznus]

The coffee is average at best, but I'm pretty hyped for a regular dose of those maple dip doughnuts.

 

[SirMossyBloke]

Well it's better than Starbucks, but that's not saying much. Their breakfast sandwiches are disgusting, especially their "egg". Steeped tea is amazing though.

 

[Cindres]

At first I was excited when American fast foods started to come over here. But Krispy Kreme wore off, I hear the GTaco Bell isn't great and Five Guys is particularly underwhelming. Not really keen anymore...

 

[jstripes]

Didn't they have a stab at this before? I remember a Tim Hortons being in Birmingham almost a decade ago.

They had some self-serve coffee and baked goods counters in some stores in England, but the actual restaurants are going there now.

 

[SirMossyBloke]

At first I was excited when American fast foods started to come over here. But Krispy Kreme wore off, I hear the GTaco Bell isn't great and Five Guys is particularly underwhelming. Not really keen anymore...

Yeah Krispy Kreme is bad. That came to Canada too and I think within a year or two most locations closed down.

 

[HyperCroutons]

Tim Horton's has taken over Western NY, some aren't even 2 blocks away from each other around here. Welcome to the club UK!