Tim Hortons' Timbits Are Here

The Big Apple arrival of Canadian fast food chain Tim Hortons was heralded in by free coffee and a people dressed in giant-sized Tim Hortons cup costumes. One reader recounted the scene at 7th Avenue and 50th Street, "Dunkin has hired people to stand outside the store and hand out $1 coupons in retaliation. The donut wars are on, baby! Inside, the store exceeded my expectations from rule-bending shady-operator Riese. Excellent buildout, flatscreen TVs, as good as anything in Gravenhurst or Cobourg or London. Mob scene was very polite (half the customers were Canadian, after all) and there were 20+ staff trying to handle the rush, including a crew of Tim Hortons training managers brought down from Canada." [Speaking of the donut war, check out the Today Show segment about Tim Hortons in NYC after the jump.]

Another reader chimed in, "There were longish lines this morning at the UES location. The coffee was as good as ever but they didn't have maple donuts!" It's also unclear whether some products are being offered (such as the Dutchie) or if they were just sold out.

We visited the Penn Station concourse location and purchased a box of Timbits, TH's donut hole option. We did our homework over the weekend and had some Dunkin Donuts' Munchkins, and, in this extremely unscientific comparison, we say the Timbits are much better: They seemed fresher (very possibly because the store opened with a big fuss this morning) and have a lighter, less dense texture; they also seemed a bit larger than the standard Munchkin. And, unfortunately, they are addictive, probably because sugar is the devil.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in Food on July 13, 2009 1:06 PM

Comments [rss]

jesseps

i'm from montreal and i can't stand tim hortons, their donuts make me sick :/

its nice to know tim hortons is now back in Canadian hands :)

GREGORYABUTLER

I got yer Timbits RIGHT HERE, jerky!

Canadian Tourism

Tim Hortons' Timbits are a Canadian fave, and Beavertails are a scrumptious specialty in Ottawa, where the restaurant scene has been sizzling.

pontiac

It looks like they've actually changed the menu from the Canadian one. Last time I checked, Tim's in Canada didn't carry the Sausage and Biscuit or the Breakfast Sandwich like this. In Canada, they have delicious Chicken Salad and fresh Ham and Swiss Sandwiches on little rolls. I'm actually in Canada right now and it's definitely a different menu.

rosweed

I stopped at the 50th and 7th Ave. Timmies. Stood in line as an annoying Canadian stockbroker waxed rhapsodic about how the stock is a buy. I finally got my large Tim's coffee with double milk and a turkey bacon sandwich for about 6 bucks and change. I'm in heaven!

Snoopy

If you people really want great coffee combined with a deli experience let WaWa's move into the city.

One stop shopping.

dajamg

I LOVE WaWa. It's one of the things I most look forward to when I go to the Poconos. Their sandwiches are amazing.

NannyState

But then I'd have no excuse to drive down Rt. 9 in Delaware.

Steven

Duh. Obviously the place will be busy and it should be for the first few weeks because people want to know what the fuss is all about. Give it a few months after the hype as died down before comparing this place to Dunkin Donuts.

aspiringrapper

From your lips to God's ears, negtive. Although, I'd settle for a Tops.

negtive

Being a Buffalo transplant, I'm happy to see Tim Horton's down here. Now if Wegmans moved in, I'd be all set. :)

NannyState

What, no Tops or Wilson Farms? Snob.

Kevin Walsh

All this fuss with the donuts and coffee. If I want an ice tea I go to whatever is closest.

www.forgotten-ny.com

hotstepper

tim hortons has got some serious PR people. when else has the opening of yet another freakin' chain in the city produced this kind of publicity?

longacre

The first Manhattan 7/11 was pretty close to this, though it was before the age of Twitter and blogs like this one were far from "mainstream."

maevemealone

This is the kind of research I appreciate! Seriously, I do! I almost never eat donuts and the last few times I've succumbed to DD, they have been crap and ruined the joy of having a donut treat. Next time I cave to a sickly sugar craving, I'll give Tim Hortons the once over.

McFister

This is almost as tedious as the Chrissie Brodigan story.

longacre

No Jews, pugs nor frantic women were harmed in the making of these donuts.

TrippinJoJo

yay another place for NYers to get even FATTER!

ugh. gluttonous

seven

I mean, ok, so this is news on some level, but seriously, gothamist, I hope you're at least raking in some add revenue from Tim Hortons' given all the attention you're giving this opening.