Tim Hortons is to Canada as Dunkin' Donuts and Krispy Kreme are to America
Written: Dec 12 '03 (Updated Dec 12 '03)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Good service, excellent food, real utensils!!!
Cons: Nothing I can think of.
The Bottom Line: You can't miss Tim Hortons. They're all over Canada.
|
|
|
| Dionne25's Full Review: Tim Hortons |
I was doing a little investigating on the Epinions site earlier this week and just as a joke, I typed in Tim Hortons to see if it would come up. Low and behold, not only was there a section to write a review about this restaurant, but there have been quite a few who have spoken about this restaurant. To be honest, I was a little shocked because I wasn’t sure if there would be information on a Canadian chain restaurant on this site. However, I did notice that it said this was a restaurant based out of California. Everyone I’ve spoken with and even their website states that Tim Hortons is based out of Canada. So, that’s just a bit of info for everyone. OK, enough of my rambling and now about Tim Hortons.
When I first got to PEI (and I’m still working on my review if you can believe it), all I would see on any trips to town were these places that had Tim Hortons written all over them. Finally, my curiosity got the best of me and I asked, “Who or what is Tim Hortons?” Chris and Jean then told me it’s one of Canada’s famous donut restaurants that are located all over the provinces. I asked if it was similar to Dunkin’ Donuts or Krispy Kreme and they said it was. So I became intrigued as well as hungry and made a promise to visit one of the Tim’s (this is the nickname). Besides, I had a case of donut withdrawal since there wasn’t a Dunkin’ Donuts or Krispy Kreme anywhere in Alaska.
What I’ve noticed is that most of the Tim Hortons, at least the ones on PEI, are shared with Wendy’s or are right next door to each other, so you pretty much get two restaurants in one. Tim’s almost has the same set-up as a Dunkin’Donuts in that you have a variety of donuts, donut holes, fritters, bagels and muffins to choose from. They also offer desserts, juices, soups and of course hot chocolate and a variety of coffees. You can also order combo platters for breakfast and/or lunch and they usually come with a choice of donut. They also offer donuts by the dozen or half-dozen for you to take to work or share at home with your family. In addition to all of these choices, you can even order sandwiches from Tim’s as well. You get a convenience store all in one.
I was impressed with the service I received from the staff from the word, “go”. They’re courteous, friendly and always offer a smile. On one of my trips into town, I was craving something sweet, so I stopped into Tim’s and ordered a medium hot chocolate, a bagel and a honey glazed donut. The cashier asked if this order was to go or was I staying in. When I told her it was to stay, she asked if I would like my hot chocolate in a mug. I had to do a double take and asked her to repeat that. Did she actually offer a real ceramic mug to put my beverage in? No paper cup to worry about? I said, “Yes, please.” My total came up to about $2.25 and my order was ready within seconds of receiving my change.
I sat at one of the booths and took in the day, enjoying my hot chocolate (in a mug) and the rest of my breakfast. I actually felt like I was sitting in my living room in my robe and slippers. I felt comfortable and didn’t feel that I had to hurry up and finish my meal. And that’s one of the things I’ve come to appreciate about Tim Hortons. They make the customers feel at home and offer all the comforts of home in their restaurant. If you order your meal for inside, you get real utensils. You get a mug for your coffee, plates for your bagels or other entrée, soup bowls for your soups and real silverware for your meals. It’s also very clean. Very rarely have I found a booth or table that was dirty.
Recently, Jean and I went into town to do some Christmas shopping and we were starving, so I suggested Tim’s. We both ordered their soup combo because it was cold that morning and we needed something to warm us up. I ordered the Chicken Noodle and Jean ordered the Turkey with Wild Rice. Along with the soup, you get a beverage and a choice of donut for $3.50. Jean had coffee, I had hot chocolate and we both had an apple fritter. Oh yes, I was even more amazed in the fact that there wasn’t a “Soup of the Day”, but all the choices of soups were available (and there were 5 choices to choose from). The cashier gave our beverages and donuts to us and another attendant had our soups ready for us. I was simply amazed at the quality of service we received. Jean and I sat at a booth, had a lovely chat and took in the ambience around us. There was a couple with a young baby in a carriage behind us that was so adorable and they spoke with us briefly.
Their slogan is “Always Fresh” and they are correct. Each time I’ve been there, my order tastes as if it’s just come out of the oven or off the stove. I have yet to taste anything that was stale or out for days at a time. The donuts or fritters are always soft and yummy and they just melt in your mouth. The bagels are never hard or something you’d use for a hockey puck. There’s always a place in my heart for New York bagels, and the bagels at Tim’s are a pleasant substitute.
So, what else can I say about Tim Hortons? I’m not sure what else there is to say, except that no matter where you are in Canada, you are sure to find a Tim Hortons right around the corner and receive what I feel is good quality service that makes you feel at home.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
Dionne25
|
 - Top 1000 |
|
Location: PEI, Canada
Reviews written: 333
Trusted by: 71 members
About Me:
I'm a proud mamma of 2 boys!!!
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.