Tina M.
Yelp
Disclaimer: I'm Canadian. I grew up on Timmies. My blood is probably at least 10% maple syrup - that's probably how I've been able to escape diabetes for so long! So when I'm reviewing Tim Hortons USA, I cannot help but compare it to the original Tim Hortons I grew up with.
Katy's Tim Houston uh sorry I mean Tim HORTONS* is an attempt at importing the renowned Canadian brand to the American south. The attempt is semi-successful.
On one hand you've got the donuts and coffee drinks which are similar to what we have in Canada, with a more limited menu. The baked goods are not bad but they're not as fresh as what I've come to expect from the original Timmies. Perhaps it could just be a matter of demand - why bake donuts more than once a day if fewer people walk in to buy them? Makes sense, I guess. The iced cap I ordered tasted somewhat like the original, but there is a little something that's different. I suppose working with different ingredients must change the taste a bit...
Looking at the right side of the LED screens however I was surprised to find the characteristic soups, sandwiches and bagels missing. Sure, Katy's Tim Hortons has some savory pastries, breakfast muffins and even a... Biscuit... weird. Okay southerners, I get it, but that's totally by you, for you! They even have Starbucks copycat omelette bites (weeeeird). So they're not completely devoid of options. But without the bagels and soups, IMHO, it's not a real Tim Hortons. It's a revenant of a beloved casual and comforting fast food chain.
I'll give it three stars because it tries. But I'm not sure if Tim Hortons will make it in the US long term. The donuts are better than the average American donut, but it's not saying much. Most American donuts are barely edible and dripping with artery-clogging grease (yeah sorry not sorry, someone has to say it). The Canadian counterpart tastes different.
I don't know that I'd make another detour to stop here... I might just wait until I'm back home visiting family again to indulge in the real deal. For everyone else, well, here's second hand Tim Hortons, I guess!