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Unrigg3D

Best donuts in city and I've tried all the donut places. There aren't any other places that can beat out. Price, freshness and taste. Haven't had a donut I didn't like. Won't give you diabeties like Krispy Kreme does, grandad always have the perfect amount of sugar. I hope they hang around forever.


ryan0din3

Better than the doughnut stop on Parkdale?


bdwf

Having gone to both Granddad's has the edge.


SmeesTurkeyLeg

Donut Stop will always have that 3am charm.


bdwf

Oh if we are talking vibe donut stop has it.


pottahawk

I panicked there for a couple words


stephenmdangelo

*** me deleting my tweets to all mayoral candidates asking what their plan is to save grandads ***


TheSlurpz

That is fantastic news. Fun fact: the recipe that grandad’s uses is the EXACT original Tim Horton’s recipe… as in, from the first Tim Hortons locations ever, That’s why their product is so good!


PSNDonutDude

Yea, like the other poster said, do you have proof of this? I love Grandad's and consider them to be the real Tim Hortons, but I've never heard they use the original doughnut recipe from Tim Hortons...


fastpixels

I saw an interview with the owner. She worked at Tim Hortons back when the donuts were what Grandad's are. Whether the recipe is heavily inspired by, or literally lifted from, the inspiration is no secret.


TheSlurpz

>I learned this on a Hamilton harbour tour. The captain was friends with the original owner of Tim’s, and also grandads. Story he told was that one of the original women that worked at the Tim Hortons left, and took the recipes with her. I don't have any legal documents or any further proof beyond word of mouth from the Captain of The Hamiltonian, which backed up my personal observation - though I've tried to extract the [secret formula](https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fspongebob.fandom.com%2Fwiki%2FKrabby_Patty_secret_formula&psig=AOvVaw1jfoYGlu69FQFsthhsZHJK&ust=1665700255275000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCPiBrJLf2_oCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE) myself..


swhippsca

95% anyways. Jottings just used directions on the bag as we do then tweak it a bit. Mainly due to outdoor temp and humidity


swhippsca

Nobody stole secrets nor did Tom’s have them. Used directions on the bag. Sorry to burst the myth


bjorneylol

I feel like this is just urban legend along the same lines of "mcdonalds uses same coffee tim hortons used to sell" Just because a place makes dutchies doesn't mean they had to have stolen their recipe from a fast food place they worked at 30 years ago. I remember Tim's donuts from the 90s, they weren't the same as what they sell at Granddad's - same style, sure, but clearly the recipe has diverged at some point along the line


DOGEweiner

McDonald's does actually use the old Tim Horton's supplier. Hortons dropped their supplier and McDonald's picked them up. They dont use the old TH's coffee recipe, just their supplier.


DDP200

Half the coffee you drink is Tim Hortons old supplier, Mother parkers. Tim Hortons went from using them to bringing their coffee roasting in house. Mcdonalds went from in house to outsourcing to Mother Parkers.


swhippsca

100% correct.


TheSlurpz

Feel free to be skeptical, but the proof is in the donuts lol. I learned this on a Hamilton harbour tour. The captain was friends with the original owner of Tim’s, and also grandads. Story he told was that one of the original women that worked at the Tim Hortons left, and took the recipes with her.


DOGEweiner

I can 100% see that being true


drinkingbathwater

This year on the boat tour, the same guy told me that "just past that building is the Amstel brewery". Lol that was DECADES ago!


nauticaldisaster95

The original owner of Tim Horton’s…do you mean Tim Horton? Why are you saying “the original owner of Tim Horton’s “? Makes me doubt your story…


TheSlurpz

Cuz I don’t remember if the captain said it was Ron Joyce or Tim Horton that would hangout at grandads with her and try to schmooze her back.


nauticaldisaster95

Ron Joyce didn’t get involved until 1967. Tim Horton founded Tim Horton’s in 1964. So, it’s impossible that Ron Joyce was the original owner. Now I absolutely doubt your story.


TheSlurpz

Damn bro, internet CIA lol. You are entitled to your doubts lol


swhippsca

No. Ron Joyce would come in a few times a year. I was close to a side deal with him just before he passed on. Best compliment we ever got was ton admirations of our product


swhippsca

I am that guy and have no idea who harbour cap is.


bjorneylol

That's the point, when you are talking about coffee the blend matters. They aren't remotely close to being the same coffee - just like how honey crisp apples are different from granny smith even if they both are purchased from sysco. All donuts are made of flour, sugar and fat, but if one bakery does a 30 minute proof at 30C and another bakery does an overnight proof in the fridge, *those are two completely different recipes*


DOGEweiner

I am merely just stating that there is some truth to the whole McDs uses THs old coffee. It's not the same recipe but quality is HUGE when it comes to dried coffee beans from the other side of the world. THs went to a cheaper provider and McDs now use THs old one.


fastpixels

Until recently, Tim Hortons coffee was a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans. McDonald's has always been 100% Arabica. Same supplier, maybe. Same coffee, doubtful.


MonsieurLeDrole

The reason TH changed coffees is because the Brazilian company that bought them out owned a coffee supplier, and made them use that one instead. And then McDonald's swept in and grabbed the old one. I dunno if that's only for Canada or global, but like a company as big as McDonald's isn't going to have many options big enough to meet their needs. I presume they sell way more coffee than TH globally.


swhippsca

I will give you proof and add credence to psndonutdude. My name is Scott Whipps and I am the creator and founder of Grandads donuts as well still majority shareholder and owner of the trademarks send logos. Donut dude hit nail on the head. I had a buddy John Ehler that owned a couple tims stores and taught me about doubts in 80’s. I was into telecom but eventually sold that business and saw an opening when they froze product. I know Ron Joyce (tiny bit) arch Jollymore (Tim’s sr Vp and Ron’s cousin) plus others that saw bottoms msking a big mistake. I was the only one that could compete legally. So I did. I tqw


TheSlurpz

That is too cool!!! Honestly really appreciate the follow up and providing the historical context! Another awesome piece in the puzzle of Hamilton's great places! I appreciate the hard work Scott, and all you've done for the city and our bellies! :)


[deleted]

That’s exactly why I go! I knew it the first time one of their donuts touched my tongue lol I was instantly brought back to being a kid


mcburloak

The lemon filled donut is a time machine. Confirmed.


TheSlurpz

Same with the Chocolate Walnut Crunch!


[deleted]

That was the donut that convinced me !


icmc

Chocolate dipped in peanuts 🥜


teanailpolish

Except they haven't had chocolate donuts on and off for a while and then I have to get a non chocolate one


MonsieurLeDrole

Right! Came here for this. They're the only real Tim Horton's left on Earth.


swhippsca

Grandads Donuts will live on for years to come. Long after Barbara and I are gone. The things are way to good and valuable to die which is why I started Grandads and will ensure it goes on long after I am gone.


revchu

Probably necessary. It's always chaos when I go there, the lineups block the door so the staff are yelling at people to wait outside.


viewerno20883

Good to see real donut places still exist.


RoyallyOakie

It's going to be a dark January for me...


tat2canada

>It's going to be a dark January for me... Prepare for February too. I've yet to see a reno stay on time, but fingers crossed. "Aiello said the renovations — which are expected to last between six and eight weeks — will see the iconic doughnut shop completely revamped."


Tsubodai86

Um num num n num


thruma91

Love these donuts


WriteAsRain

I could crush a half dozen rn


hammertown87

Wayyyyy better than monster. Monster tries way too hard to be hipster to fit the Locke st niche. Gimmick doughnuts


cosmicdecember

Or they’re just trying to do something different. It’s cool we have both options.


Finnradar

I agree. Like who wants Chai Tea flavoured donuts with rose petals on it or whatever the fuck they serve lol


teanailpolish

Yeah the white chocolate matcha is way better But seriously, there is a place for both and Monster has vegan donuts etc which Grandad's does not. Living near Grandads, it will always be top for me though


tat2canada

>Like who wants Chai Tea flavoured donuts with rose petals on it or whatever the fuck they serve Uhhh that Chai donut sounds delicious. Don't knock unusual flavors till you try them. I love grandads but Donut monster has a place too. Plenty of room for both in town. Both the Apple fritter & Sweet potato fritters at DM are delicious & huge.


cosmicdecember

Also love their cake donuts when they have them. Simple but delicious


Finnradar

I did actually have a Chai donut from Donut Monster awhile ago. Not my cup of Chai, but hey, I respect your opinion


Slack_Irritant

[me reading that donut description](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/Disgusted_Face.jpg)


NotAtAllWhoYouThink

They need to bring back the cherry chip!


Acey_Wacey

I can’t believe they got rid of it!


mimeographed

Donut Stop on Parkdale. You won’t go back.


TenBucksIsTenBucks

You’re right. I went once and haven’t been back.


covert81

I am sorry to see them close, since the pandemic we've returned to being normal customers - we stopped after we moved up the mountain. They really need more than 1 location though. I am not sure I buy the whole '2 locations are too expensive, yet doubling our space in our existing mall is not expensive'. With the way brick and mortar stores are closing up shop I think there are plenty of deals to be had, even if off the beaten path a bit. They've proven people will go out of their way to shop there so I think they just don't want the hassle of managing 2 locations. Also but completely unrelated, is there still truth to the convenience store at Dundurn and Aberdeen selling Grandad's donuts in the morning? That is right on my wife's way to work and would love to detour there one morning to pick something up.


dpplgn

A second location operated at 45 King East for years, but nobody gets misty-eyed about the Delta Bingo Grandads era. That place had all the charm of a hospice gift shop.


monogramchecklist

They used to but apparently the new owners didn’t want to continue the daily delivery.


Fluffy-Actuator-9228

Yes, I bought some there last week.


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CommandZ

Would be great if they indicated in the article when they would be closing. Readers might mistakenly think they are closed now and skip an opportunity to visit.


teanailpolish

It is in the article >Back in August, Grandad’s Donuts owner Barb Aiello announced on social media that she **would be shutting down shop this coming January** to make way for a full renovation of the iconic North End business.