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As it turns out, it's a Canadian classic



For years I had resisted a visit to Tim Hortons in Canada.  I guess for the same reason I resist Denny’s.  To me, visiting cafés is about searching for ambiance, character, something delicious, or simply a cozy place to sit, read, and watch interesting people go by.  When in Vancouver, I want to visit Caffé Artigiano for its awesome lattes and baked goods, Café Calabria, an old fashioned Italian coffee shop on Commercial Drive, or one of the hundreds of boutique style coffee houses and bakeries spread along Greater Vancouver.  So, the need to enter a Tim Hortons – an otherwise bland donut shop, had never, ever, crossed my mind. 

For years my dad has been on a campaign to convert Mr. Urban and me, to no avail.  Each time we planned to meet for coffee or lunch he would suggest meeting at Tim Hortons, trying to sell us on their delicious Apple Fritters or “Fresh Whole Wheat” sandwiches and soups.  Of course, I would always talk him out of it, citing how little time we have in Vancouver to enjoy the “better” coffee shops. 

Finally, when we spent last summer in Vancouver, he found the opportunity he was looking for to really work on us.  Most mornings he would brew us a nice pot of coffee, which we would oohingly and aahingly enjoy.  And the next time that we wanted to meet him for coffee he suggested “Since you love my Tim Hortons’ coffee at home so much, let’s just meet there….”   Trapped, we had to oblige. 

Tim Hortons, as I came to find out, is a matter of fact, in your face, coffee and donut shop.  There is zero romance involved here.  The stores look very much like a chain hamburger store, with tables and chairs bolted down into the floor.  I can never use the word café or coffee shop in good conscience in referring to Tim Hortons.  A Tim Hortons experience always reminds me of Seinfeld’s Soup Nazi episode.  There is always a long line, which moves swiftly and with precise efficiency.  When you get to the front of the line, there is no dilly dallying in placing your order, you must place your order quickly and in the least number of words.  If you are ordering tea or coffee, you must mention how many sugars or creams you like in it.  Their lids are circa 1980.  Their Café Mocha is coffee mixed with hot chocolate.  Their medium coffee is the size of a nouveau “short”.  In summary, I thought of Tim Hortons as a huge coffee vending machine! 



…until I made my way through that fat line, and ordered my first medium coffee with one cream, two Splendas and a side of Old Fashioned Glazed…     

I have no idea why, but it’s GOOD!  And each time, Mr. Urban, Baby and I make our way down to our departure gate at YVR, my heart beats a little faster to see Timmy's red lights for our final Canadian pit stop.
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