The Double Double, a national canuck treasure rejected?
I heard something of interest this morning on a popular Canadian radio show (CBC's "Q", hosted by Jian Ghomeshi) that one of our country's institutions, Tim Hortons, has not been able to (ahem) take off eh, with our good American neighbours*
Tim Hortons is a coffee and policehangout-imeandonut chain that basically infests our highways, biways and strip malls with a population that is beyond double of McDonald's (McD's: 1400 outlets, Timmy's: 3000 outlets), to give an indication of its ridiculous popularity.
Speaking of double, Starbucks can have its Venti's and Grand-ay's, Tim Horton's has the "double double", which means a coffee with 2 creams, 2 sugars - they mix your coffee for you... and is part of why I dislike this place, second only to the fact that the coffee is a weak slurry of failure (the Timbits are great, though!).
But I am sort of alone with my assessment of the coffee, since my fellow countryfolk have elevated its national popularity right up there with poutine and hockey. Oh Canada.
So the comment made by Jian today, was along the lines of: "based on a recent report, the Tim Horton's targeted U.S. infiltration is falling flat... is this an example of simply one of those Canadian-only treasures, like the Tragically Hip, or The Game of Hockey, that only we Canucks 'get'?"
And I thought that was an interesting and patriotic-themed musing for you fellow-SE'ers out there: What regional chain (or food!) do you have in your area that, try as it might, simply can't be "understood" outside of your town, region, or country?
*by the way, happy July 4th! We have a birthday too on July 1st, named Canada D'eh :)
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23 Comments:
@conky - Happy Canada d'eh! (You celebrating with Bubbles?)
If it means anything; I like the fact that Timmy-Ho's is exclusive to our Nation! Kind-of like CBC itself; a source of National pride.
Though I love that we're involved and associated with Western influences it's kind-of what makes our Nation seperate from our Almighty Neighbour! Who knows: if we begin to share our favourite blend of joe with the US it might be stolen! LOL
PS. Jian Ghomeshi fan here!
hungrychristel at 12:44PM on 06/30/09
btw - just kidding about the stealing things. i wasnt implying that they're thieves...thought I'd say that :) happy july 4th y'all!
hungrychristel at 1:04PM on 06/30/09
Happy Canada Day to those of you in the Great White North!
Here in the Syracuse area, Tim Hortons seems to be catching on. There are 7 locations in Syracuse. About 10-12 years ago, the girls I worked with used to go to a Tim Hortons all the time in Massena, NY--right across the St. Lawrence from Cornwall.
And speaking of Cornwall, we always used to go there for good Chinese food.
Once again, Happy Canada Day!
dhorst at 1:26PM on 06/30/09
What @hungrychristel says. I don't know why Tim Horton's didn't catch on in the states, because Lord knows, they can use a little help in the coffee department!
Over the years, I have travelled extensively in all areas of our neighbours to the South and I have to say, a lot of the coffee served in restaurants and fast food places is swill. The first place we head when we get back over the border is Tim Horton's for a decent cup of coffee at a decent price. We have tried a couple of Tim Horton's in Michigan/Ohio, but it definitely is not the same coffee.
I hope my American friends are not offended, there is so much that you do so well and we love to visit your beautiful country, but we have learned to bring our own coffee beans and grinder when we visit.
Happy July 4th to you all! We will be spending it in Asheville, N.C., on our way to Charleston, S.C. Any "good eats" in the Fletcher, N.C. area?
bareneed at 1:37PM on 06/30/09
Last time I went up to new england it seemed Tim Hortons were every 100 yards. I tried one and the coffee was abismal!!! I didnt try their donuts. but one sip of coffee was enough
huneybumper at 2:38PM on 06/30/09
Watching my Mom's reaction to Timmies after living abroad for over 10 years and coming back to taste a coffee and donut for nostalgia if nothing else left her so sadly disappointed. I think like with all things, time and profit have gotten the better of the company. It was in the beginning, probably a great place to get a coffee and donut on the run, but quality has likely declined with its relentless expansion and focus on profits. Because of its name (and the fact that it is on EVERY corner), I think TH is just a national default more than preference. Most Canadian's grew up on timbits, so its just routine and habit to keep going back through the years. Its more tradition than taste. Taking away that taste, TH is nothing special, so I can see how it may not be making it in new markets, where its likely competing with existing "traditions" (ie dunkin donuts and krispy kreme).
thinkingincrayons at 2:56PM on 06/30/09
@hungrycristel: oh fersure and Ricky says "worst case Ontario", we have rye and Coke for Jules ;). Also, nice blog! (put some photos up of those creations pleaseandthankyouverymuch :)
@dhorst: Cornwall! The VIA Rail stops there on my way back home to Montreal (which is my only experience there). And yes, I think part of the t.h. strategy was to populate their franchise along the Canada/US border (at first mwua ha ha).
@honeybumper: WORD. I've no idea how the coffee has become so popular. I think Dunkin Donuts was the US's answer to Tim Horton's.. they are similar in quality, atmosphere, etc.
@thinkingcrayons: I really agree. In Kandahar, Afghanistan, the Canadian troops had their own Tim Horton's trailer. And much loved it was, especially for the kindly ladies pouring coffee and selling doughnuts. I believe the nostalgia factor plays a huge role in its popularity. Certainly, the quality is worthy of my slant eye (my step father told me they use plaster of paris as an ingredient in the donuts to keep them uniform, and as a preservative !!!)
conky at 6:20PM on 06/30/09
joyyy at 6:31PM on 06/30/09
Happy Canada D'ey by the way.... First off I live in Seattle where Starbucks was born, so everytime I turn around there is a Starbucks and I like there Chai tea (I don't drink coffee anymore). Second there is this place since 1954 called Dick's Drive Inn and that is the first burger I ever tried and no one can come close to their taste weather you like it or not. I LOVE THEM.
pjracz10 at 6:38PM on 06/30/09
Here in Maine we have Tim Horton's. I have been a couple of times. It was not horrible. I have bought the coffee beans for my mother. The people were nice. I had their hot chocolate and it was machine/mix stuff. Nothing amazing, but acceptable. I haven't eaten anything there yet - not sure what to get.
blizcheetah at 12:07AM on 07/01/09
God Bless Tim Horton's! I love it! I don't require coffee beans that were pulled from a pile of civet excrement to satisfy my palate. I DO require Caffeine. Starbucks, IMHO... is MERDE! I am fine with DD or Tim Horton's (although Tim Horton's does have better mugs!). That being said, I also love hockey (GO HABS!). I should probably preclude myself from further discussion however, as I am of Canadien descent.
Pavlov at 6:37AM on 07/01/09
@ Pavlov I dont require cat poop coffee either and I really dont like Star***ks but the coffee I triedat the TH in Warwick RI was awful, it tasted burned and stale, when I asked if they could brew a fresh pot they informed me that was a fresh pot. Now I grant you it could well have been the location, we all know all coffee shops, even chains, are not equal. On the other hand I have bough DD coffee and I have no problem with it at all. and in lean times I even buy Mrs Olsens stuff, so I dont think I'm being a coffee snob when I say TH, at least the location I was at, really needs help.
huneybumper at 8:09AM on 07/01/09
I think that where hockey fanaticism goes, so goes Tim Hortons--places up north, even in the U.S. that love their hockey also love TH, when Timmy's is available. Here, in the Midatlantic states, where even when the local hockey teams were doing well, the sports pages were talking about what the new Yankee stadium would look like, not so much...
I have been to Canada on several occasions--but funnily enough, never had TH--my friend at the time worked for The Second Cup, the rival Canadian chain, so it would have been heresy of me to switch.
I might try the TH they sell at Wegman's in cans and brew it myself, although I wonder--is part of the gimmick that it comes presugared and creamed, like DD (I believe). I am a black coffee and Splenda girl myself.
HeartofGlass at 8:41AM on 07/01/09
Well, here's one American who doubts there is better music than that made by the Hip...But I can largely do without the Tim Horton's--I find the coffee okay only; probably worse for the fact that the aroma promises flavour that the tasting just doesn't deliver. Like others who've replied here, I cannot abide the Starbucks' take on coffee--find it completely disgusting. DD's is our choice, and I even brew it at home every morning. The good news for me is that I no longer have to pick up quantities of the beans when we're on the road--DD added our town in its expansion a year ago, so now I have fresh beans whenever I need 'em. Yippee! Oh, and a DD jelly-filled donut has it all over any kind TH makes...
BobbieAnne at 10:28AM on 07/01/09
I agree with @Pavlov - TH is a no nonsense, tasty, straight up cup of coffee that is of moderate cost. It is made fresh every 20 minutes and older coffee is discarded. I am not too surprised @Huneybumper's response to her taste of TH in New England. The coffee I have tried from American outlets does not taste the same as in Canada. The donuts are irrelevant to me - I am sure one can buy the same quality at various outlets just about anywhere.
bareneed at 10:40AM on 07/01/09
... (ahem) take off eh...
It's a beauty way to go! I love me some Geddy Lee, even if he's on a joke song.
I saw a piece on Sunday Morning about Tim Horton's. I think they just picked a bad time to try infiltrating the US. a) People have less liquid income to spend; b) Dunkin', Sbux, they have the AM coffee/sweet racket pretty sewn up, and; c) Krispy Kreme even had to back off because of the God awful amount of sugar and fat in doughnuts.
Who knows? As the economy springs back, maybe there will be room for yet another source of greasy sugary fare.
therealchiffonade at 2:53PM on 07/01/09
I'm just across the border near Buffalo...and not only do we love TH in the Tim Hortons sense...but we also love TH in the Tragically Hip sense! I think because of our close proximity, we were indocrinated very quickly..there are Timmy Ho's every mile or so down here, and in the morning the lines are out the driveway. I used to love my iced 'crackaccino', as my sister & I call the ice cappucino...but I have to watch my sugar, so it's out of my diet for now. I do think beyond the northeren border though, all things Canadian get lost...the Hip isn't that big beyond this area either....which is fine w/me...makes it easier to get tickets for shows in other cities!
mepolo at 6:53PM on 07/01/09
such delicious butter tarts...
cybercita at 8:08PM on 07/01/09
@Huneybumper.... RI is only technically New England, it's more a boston suburb. Being in New England as we speak, I only wish TH's were every hundred yards. I know of a couple in CT. and a few in Maine, haven't seen any in NH, MA or VT although I suppose there may be a couple in the Burlington VT area.
Pavlov at 9:09AM on 07/02/09
I'm from Minnesota but I get the chance to visit Toronto a couple times a year. I really like Tim Horton's and wish there were some in my area.
I get so bummed at the Toronto ariport when I'm waiting for my flight and they put me on the American side of the terminal, where the food sucks and they won't let me go to TH on the other side! I can see it but I can't go!!
jillybean081 at 1:46AM on 07/04/09
I'm one of those people who doesn't particularly like Timmies coffee, it's too weak for my taste--but it's so ubiquitous that I end up defaulting to it constantly. In terms of cheap non-gourmet 'it'll do in a pinch' coffee, I almost prefer McDonald's new blend, although they need to work on standardising their 'fixings'.
At Timmie's a 'double double' is the same colour and flavour regardless of whether you order a small or an extra large, because their sugar and cream portions are scaled as well. McDs doesn't do that, so a 'double double' large is actually quite dark and not terribly sweet and a small is quite teh opposite. It's one of those rare instances where Mcds is less 'automatic' than other places.
BananaMonkey at 7:25AM on 07/04/09
Americans don't like the Hip???
I don't looooooove Timmie's, but I prefer it to Starbucks - and you can't beat the price. Plus, if I'm buying quick, cheap coffee, I'd rather buy Canadian.
On a side note, has anyone noticed that their sugar-bomb iced capps taste like melted coffee ice cream? My bf drinks them all summer, and I don't understand how anyone can have that with breakfast.
piccola at 10:03PM on 07/05/09
@piccola...I don't think Americans don't like the Hip....most just don't know about them...sad...I know....
mepolo at 7:35PM on 07/07/09