First Look: First SA Tim Hortons retailer affords pleasant service and good roast however little room to work

Tim Hortons’ espresso lives up the hype, and the pastries and donuts appear able to please. Credit score: Katherine Stinson

Main meals chains increasing into San Antonio have a tendency to attract a crowd, however Canadian establishment Tim Hortons managed to open its first location right here with out a lot fuss.

Virtually synonymous with our neighbor to the North, Tim Hortons is a well-known espresso and breakfast chain based within the Nineteen Sixties by hockey participant Tim Horton. Combining Canada’s love for hockey and its famously well mannered nature, Tim Hortons even received the popular culture therapy within the 2010s when proud American Barney Stinson repeatedly roasted the chain on How I Met Your Mom — earlier than promptly noting the espresso was truly good.

So does the espresso at Tim Hortons reside as much as the pop-culture preview?

San Antonio’s first Tim Hortons, at the moment in its soft-opening section, is tucked away in Redland Plaza at 2919 N. Loop 1604 East. Positioned on to the proper of Encore Bar and Grill, the shop is in the identical strip mall as a Gong Cha, a Cheba Hut Subs and shuttered brunch spot Mimosa Gossip.

I have a tendency to guage a espresso chain by the standard of its home roast — and Tim Hortons serves up a superior black espresso compared to its main competitor, Starbucks. The maple leaf on the espresso cup lid was a pleasant contact.

The area itself is reasonably small. The order counter is to the left with three or 4 tables organized to the proper. For those who’re on the lookout for a work-from-home area, this in all probability isn’t the spot.

The staff had been hospitable, reminding me of reductions to reap the benefits of upon my return go to and letting me know concerning the chain’s reward program.

The espresso menu was fairly commonplace for a sequence, although: flavored lattes, teas, matcha, iced cappuccinos and the like. Tim Hortons even has its personal line of power drinks, aptly dubbed “Tims Increase,” and its personal tackle refreshers. The frozen lemonade additionally seemed interesting as a candy antidote to scorching San Antonio temperatures.

There’s not quite a lot of room for distant work inside SA’s first Tim Hortons. Credit score: Katherine Stinson

Tim Hortons’ signature candy treats had been out there at a small pastry counter. Along with an array of donuts, muffins and bagels, the shop additionally affords savory breakfast choices, like English muffins, sausage biscuit sandwiches and even avocado toast.

Naturally, the placement had Timbits, the chain’s well-liked spin on mini-donut holes with powdered sugar. I wasn’t capable of strive any meals resulting from my allergic reactions, however I seen a number of keen prospects selecting up packing containers they ordered forward of time.

An extended line rapidly crammed the area shortly after I arrived. Whereas I might return for the chain’s clean signature black roast, I’m curious to see if the 2 extra Tim Hortons areas deliberate for San Antonio can have extra space for the town’s ever-growing remote-work crowd.

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