As one of the biggest fast food companies in the country, Tim Hortons has made a lot of changes to its menu over the years, but not all of them have been hits. Some of the coffee chain’s fan favourites quietly disappeared, while others were replaced with new creations that just didn’t measure up. For plenty of people, the cravings for those long-lost treats never really went away.
With that in mind, we recently asked MTL Blog readers which discontinued Tim Hortons menu items they still miss the most, and the comment section quickly turned into a nostalgia trip. From donuts that were gone too soon to savoury dishes that deserve a second chance, here are some of the top picks locals say they’d love to see return to the menu.
Bread bowls
Yes, these were real. Tim Hortons advertised edible bread bowls for soup back in the day. There’s even a 2000s TV spot with the line “And I ate the bowl!”.
The idea was simple: soup (or chilli) plus an edible dish equals less cleanup and more carbs. It disappeared quietly, but not from people’s memories.
Chocolate danish
Chocolate and blueberry danishes were among the many items Tim Hortons scrapped during a 2014 menu cleanup, but some customers still long for them.
Walnut Crunch donut
Another dearly departed menu staple that said goodbye a little over a decade ago was the Walnut Crunch donut. However, it was briefly brought back in 2024 by popular demand.
Pretzel bagel
Tim Hortons launched a Pretzel Bagel around early 2014, promoted with a mustard butter spread. The brand’s own Facebook post from that period teases “the pretzel you know and love, with a delicious twist.”
Sadly, it was short-lived.
Chocolate éclair
The classic chocolate éclair, filled with custard and topped with chocolate icing, was part of Tim Hortons’ bakery case for years. It even returned during the brand’s “Bring It Back” campaign about a decade ago, proving there’s still an appetite for it.
Grilled cheese
While they certainly have the ingredients on hand, many people claim that it is not possible to order a grilled cheese sandwich at every Tim Hortons location. It might still be worth asking for if you’re feeling lucky, though.
Potato wedge poutine
When Tim Hortons added poutine in 2018, it surprised customers by using seasoned potato wedges instead of fries. The result was rich, filling, but not permanent.
Extreme Italian sandwich
Ask longtime Tim Hortons regulars what they’d grab for lunch if they could turn back the clock, and this hearty Italian option often tops the list. Built on a parmesan- and herb-crusted bun, it was stacked with ham, capicola, genoa salami, pepperoni, mozzarella, and a tangy sundried tomato spread.
It wasn’t just a fan favourite, though. The chain once called it one of its top-selling sandwiches, which only makes its disappearance from the menu that much more puzzling.
Cake
While most folks won’t remember, Timmie’s was briefly in the cake business. Their offerings included a variety of flavours, including black forest.
Dutchie
One of the original two donuts sold when Tim Hortons opened in 1964, the Dutchie was a square, glazed doughnut studded with raisins. It was quietly phased out in the 2010s but returned briefly for special promotions, reminding everyone why it was a classic.
Cherry Timbits
One of the more unique flavours found in a variety box, there seems to be a good portion of folks who want cherry Timbits to make a comeback.
Canadian ownership
Not a menu item, but plenty of readers said what they miss most is Tim Hortons being fully Canadian-owned.
The chain, founded in Hamilton in the 60s, famously merged with Burger King in 2014 under Restaurant Brands International. The deal was backed by 3G Capital, a Brazilian-American investment firm, which took a 51% majority stake, according to BBC News.
