Tim Hortons Adds Lasagna To Its Menu; HuffPosters Put It To The Test

Tim Hortons Pasta

The Huffington Post Canada   First Posted: 10/17/11 06:14 PM ET Updated: 12/17/11 05:12 AM ET

Would you like some lasagna with your coffee?

On Monday, coffee giant Tim Hortons launched a new pasta-to-go menu option to hopefully win over the lunchtime crowd, the Toronto Star reported.

Tim Hortons' new Beef Lasagna Casserole will fill bowls alongside existing items such as chili and soups. Last year, the chain sold 63 million bowls of soup according to Donna Finelli, Tim Hortons’ director of brand marketing.

"As the hot bowl leader, our guests told us that pasta was a natural extension for us," Finelli said in press release.

Tim's has made a few changes to its menu this year. In August, it introduced a Double Double ice cream flavour for the summertime crowd. That same month, the company also announced that two Canadian cities were getting rid of the 'small' coffee size, in chains in Kingston and Sudbury Ont.

POLL: What Do You Think?
Check out our HuffPost reviews of Tim Hortons' new lasagna below

Quick Poll

Should Tim Hortons stick to coffee and doughnuts, or do you like the way it has expanded its menu?

Stick with tradition: I don't need to mix pasta with my coffee.

Expand away: I like to have options.

I don't know, I never eat there.

In a stroke of luck, The Huffington Post Canada offices are conveniently located near a Tim's, so two intrepid staffers put the lasagna to the test for lunch. The verdict?

"This is definitely a casserole-type pasta, not your traditional layered lasagna. The spiral noodles are mixed in with a thick tomato sauce, cheese and ground beef. Anyone who's had the Tim's chili before might be unsurprised to learn the lasagna casserole tastes pretty similar, just minus the beans and with a hint of oregano. I opted for the extra cheese version, which costs a little more but the Tim's cashier thought it was 'a good idea.' Would I eat it again? I ate a lot of Chef Boyardee in my youth, so odds are good."

Lisa's rating: 2.5/5

"Well, the best thing I can say about this dish is that it's hot, which will be a great boon in winter, if not for warming your belly, at least keeping your hands warm. The next best thing I can say about it is that it's hearty. There's a lot of beef in here. On the downside, the meat isn't much of a highlight here, as there's nary a hint of spice. It comes off as a fairly bland affair, the only point of interest being the sweaty face you're left with at the end. The noodles don't prop up this dish either, being terribly flabby - probably a by-product of having to sit around in an overheated sauna all day. My advice to Tim's? Dare to offend. Throw a little spice in this stew. Carve out a taste for yourself. Give it a spicy signature - and while you're at it, give those noodles a work out. Most adults are perfectly all right with having to chew their food a bit."

Christian's rating: 1.5/5

What do you think? Will you try the new menu Timmie's lasagna, or give it a pass? Share your comments below.

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Would you like some lasagna with your coffee? On Monday, coffee giant Tim Hortons launched a new pasta-to-go menu option to hopefully win over the lunchtime crowd, the Toronto Star reported. Tim...
Would you like some lasagna with your coffee? On Monday, coffee giant Tim Hortons launched a new pasta-to-go menu option to hopefully win over the lunchtime crowd, the Toronto Star reported. Tim...
 
 
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Brian Gorrell
Is this the 1950's or what?
09:47 AM on 10/19/2011
The river water some people will drink...
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09:26 AM on 10/19/2011
Timmy's... the brew for people who don't like coffee.
09:16 AM on 10/19/2011
Menu gets too big, food costs go up.
Next thing you know, you'll be paying starbucks prices on your coffee to make up for the rise in food cost.

"Lets all go to Tims to eat Lasagna!"

Just doesn't sound right.
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butchcliff
The future is unwritten
07:47 AM on 10/19/2011
Does Hortons have anything on their food menu that isn't high in fat or calories? Don't go there often but do like some of the soups every now and then.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Sean Connolly
07:45 PM on 10/18/2011
do they have poutine? because, if not. this is stupid. you need pooutine b4 u have lasagna
05:56 PM on 10/18/2011
They should stick to donuts and coffee. It's what they do best
05:38 PM on 10/18/2011
IMO McDonalds is the world's leader in fast food restaurant­s because of the variety of its menu -- it should be able to satisfy anyone's taste.

Thus, Tim Horton's is going in the correct direction ... IMO.

No one is insisting that you eat the lasagna, just as no one insists that you eat McDonalds muffins.
10:05 AM on 10/19/2011
Variety? What does McDonalds make that other burger joints don't?
-Burger
-Fries
-Soft drink
-Salad (for the 2% of clients)
-Chicken sandwiches
05:27 PM on 10/18/2011
Tim Horton's - "factory food' taken to new heights yet again!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
stanschurman
09:34 AM on 10/18/2011
I could never understand the appeal of Tim Horton's except there are a lot of them. Their food is mediocre at best. You order a toasted bagel and you get something semi-warm. They are to toasting as walking to your mailbox and back on a sunny day is to sunburn. And, yes, I drop into Tim's for a double-double because, as I said, there are a lot of them.
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HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Arti Patel
11:28 PM on 10/17/2011
They need more vegetarian options
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Brian Gorrell
Is this the 1950's or what?
09:48 AM on 10/19/2011
They have to charge a lot less for veggie items.
They don't like that.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Russg
10:08 PM on 10/17/2011
I've never been especially impressed with their sandwiches, and I don't want to eat their chili every time I go there. I'm also not a huge fan of soup. I will certainly try this at least once to see what it's all about. I don't expect much, however...
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08:32 PM on 10/17/2011
I LOL'd at "In a stroke of luck, The Huffington Post Canada offices are conveniently located near a Tim's, so two intrepid staffers put the lasagna to the test for lunch."

stroke of luck? You can't walk 2km in any direction in Canada without running into a Timmy;s.
08:09 PM on 10/17/2011
I love Tim's chili - when I want something hot and hearty in the winter, they have me already with their chili. There is even a Tim's near my work that serves it as early as 7am - perfect for those snowy mornings and keeps me full until 2pm! The lasagne though does not seem to be a great idea for a cup so I will pass.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Steve Lives
The Venus Project ... look it up
09:27 PM on 10/17/2011
I don't think its in a cup silly :) That is just a gotcha image. It most likely comes in a bowl like your chili. Though don't quote me on that, as I haven't tried it yet either.
10:05 PM on 10/17/2011
oops sorry - I meant bowl! Yeah my chili is in a bowl or cup but I guess that is how I always have chili (ooh but a bread bowl would be better!). I guess I prefer lasagne with some form...I do not know but it does not look appetizing. Though I do want some chili now!
07:52 PM on 10/17/2011
i'll try it ..how much is it going for ?
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08:31 PM on 10/17/2011
pocket change, like most things at timmy's
Christian Cotroneo
Editor, Huffington Post Canada
09:12 PM on 10/17/2011
And it comes with a side of tasty garlic bread. I mean, really tasty.
07:41 PM on 10/17/2011
I like lasagna but, this will definitely be a big "no-no" for Tim Hortons.
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08:31 PM on 10/17/2011
you'd be surprised. they do their research well, and if they are going ahead with this, it is because it got a positive response from consumers.