Donut Battles

The pace of Stetsasonic resets has slackened since the early days of the Cod, but now Dasmoo takes the Pepsi challenge and chooses Dr. Brown's, declaring Stateside newcomer Tim Horton's the winner of the Dunkin' Donuts/Krispy Kreme showdown. Fesser and cinetrix share a soft spot for Tim's as part of a general Canadaphilia. When trips between Chicago and Boston were a fact of life several times a year, opting for the northern route took Cleveland right out of the equation, and allowed you to enjoy slightly exotic pitstops at the Tims that stud the 401, featuring a stimulating blend of donuts, crack-like coffee confections for the cinetrix, Loonie-driven pinball for the Fesser, and lurid English-style tabloids for one and all. Compared to the rest of southern Ontario, very stimulating. And now Tim's is creeping into New England, but I fear a Krispy Kreme style vault of the hammerhead.* As a general rule, chains that have a cult following tend to be disappointing once they become available as part of everyday life. When Krispy Kremes had to be smuggled from the Charlotte airport, Yankees would ooh and ahh; now most sane folks have returned to the more substantial pleasures of the Dunkin'. Quiznos: much anticipated--now reviled. If there were a Rubio's next to my house, thousands of miles from SoCal, would I go more than once? Is it just dumb to talk about a chain restaurant losing its magic, or have those of you in Codland tasted of the same disppointment?
*Fun fact: dreams can come true. Wayne and Garth's hangout  Stan Mikita Donuts was Mike Myers' fantasy of a world where the United States, like Canada, had donut shops named after hockey stars. And now that dream is a reality, at least for New Englanders. Can Tia be far behind?

Comments

[JL]

I've never bothered with Krispy Kreme - that ain't no donut. If I want to indulge, it's going to be Allie's.

Since I don't indulge often, and don't drink coffee, I haven't been to one of the Tim Horton's that now may be found across Rhode Island. My chief regret is that they've arrived by buying out the bankrupt local Bess Eaton chain. Not because it was good - it was awful - but it always amused due to the Christian verses printed on the sides of the cups. The owner had them placed there a number of years ago to thank god for saving him from the demon rum. But god didn't work out the other kinks, unfortunately.

My sense is that Dunkin' Donuts remains safe in its home region.

[Rose's Lime]

Was this post in any way inspired by Mr. Brachen's
Crullite Lament?

[Fesser]

That sucks about the cruller. I'm a fan of the plain cruller, which always seemed to have a bit more snap than the plain or Dunkin donut. Elsewhere, Bostonist refers to Duncan Donuts, which will be my alias the next time I go undercover as an eccentric Scottish laird:
http://www.bostonist.com/archives/2005/08/24/stomper_arrested.php

[JL]

I'm a fan of the plain cruller, which always seemed to have a bit more snap than the plain or Dunkin donut.

They did, and it's been my experience that crullers elsewhere do as well. A mystery. For donuts in general, plain is best. Powdered is fine as well, but not that gooey glazed stuff.