
We have been given a sneak peek inside the new Tim Hortons fast food restaurant and drive-thru in Penrith.
Iconic Canadian restaurant brand Tim Hortons is set to open its doors to the public for the first time in Cumbria at 7am on Thursday when the first fan in both the drive-thru and restaurant queue will be awarded free drinks for a whole year – worth a staggering £3,100.
“It might be because of the sub zero temperature outside or the low winter sun coming through the frosty trees, but I do feel like I’m in Canada,” said Penrith resident Tash Binder who was among the guests enjoying a pre-opening first experience of the Bridge Lane restaurant, near Kemplay Bank roundabout, which has filled the gap left by the departure of KFC.
Impressed by the minimalist Nordic design inside and the comfiness of the seats, Tash had a crispy chicken sandwich meal, topped with hash brown and cheese, with lattice fries.
She said: “The chicken was tender and the lettuce crunchy. The bun was soft and none of those horrible sesame seeds. The lattice fries were not numerous, but they were enough next to the burger/sandwich.
“For pudding I picked one of the 17 varieties of donut whose themes change with the season apparently. A Christmas tree shape with candy ‘tinsel’ and a surprising chocolate centre. An excellent end to a quickly served but not-fast-food feeling meal.”
Her favourite hot drink was said to be French vanilla latte, while her favourite sauce was chipotle mayo.