Amtrak Dining and Cafe Service discussion 2024 H2

[drdumont]

On the other hand, I find most of the other flex entrees to be far superior to the omelet. I guess there's no accounting for individual taste.

I confess to somewhat picky tastes, I am a meat bread and taters kind of guy. Broccoli, strong green vegetables, smelly cheese, Brussels Sprouts and the like are a no go for me. And PLEASE, don't leave cucumbers on the greens. then wrap them up to perfuse the good stuff with that horrid stench. But I digress.

My primary beef (!) with this slop is that it is just that - frozen, all slopped together in one unappetizing mess when nuked. Even when slow heated as some enterprising FSAs attempt.
It is hard to screw up the omelette and potatoes.

My secondary beef is that we pay First Class fares, and expect dining with SOME amount of dignity, presentation and service. Imagine going in to Ruth's, Sparks, Delmonico's, or even a good Diner, ordering, and then be served in a metal takeout pan with plastic utensils and drinking vessels.

True, we will never again see the Fine Dining and service we got in the 70s and before, but before this FLEX abomination was sprung on us, including the horrid frozen dinner I got on the Cardinal before FLEX, service (Wait in your room until called, then sit down to the single table (reserved) in the Cafe car to a nuked bowl of glop, and OBTW please slurp it up and get out... I got up, bought a couple of hot dogs and chips, then sat down and ate them in place, resulting in the Conductor being called and a mini incident), food and the meal experience was pretty darn good. Even when I commuted weekly on The Eagle from FTW to AUS, I looked forward to Dinner and Breakfast. Sigh. I miss joking with "Chef DuJour", who would sometimes take his break at my table.
Our trip this weekend, I might try the chicken but I will have my SPAM singles and trimmings at the ready.

 

[Eternityroad]

I think the gods that oversee this site did not look at the context of your c-word. In fact i will wager no one of the overseers read it all. There is just a pre-fab list of "words" set to be censored whenever they come up, no matter the context. Facebook does this as well. Saves money on having live readers read every single post.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Before the COVID Pandemic and the " New and Improved" Menus served up by the Airline Suits, the Texas Eagle had several Excellent Diner Crews ( and other OBS and T&E Staff) including the Chefs.

I would book an affordable Roomette( as Low as $40!!!) for trips between Austin and Ft. Worth going North on 22,which included Breakfast and Lunch ,and 21 going South, which featured Lunch and an early Dinner .

I no longer ride the Eaglete due to the Short 4 Car Consists( No Sightseer Lounge, 1 Sleeper) and the Flex Menus served @ Unaffordable, Mostly High Bucket Fares.

 

[Northwestern]

I think they should replace the traditional urns in the sleepers with modern Keurig type pre-measured pod machines. They offer a fairly good and consistent fresh brew for each cup, and are easy to maintain. No more old, burnt coffee, sitting too long, or improperly measured.

I completely agree. Pod coffee makers would be a great replacement for the percolators between the sleepers. I think, however, if you have a little bin of coffee pods, the pods would be completely pilfered by the end of the day. Possibly you could have a coffee pod dispenser, accessed by a credit card, next to the pod machine. My favorite coffee pods are Peet's and Green Mountain. I bought some Crockett coffee pods but I haven't tried them, as yet.

 

[BoulderCO]

My favorite coffee pods are Peet's and Green Mountain. I bought some Crockett coffee pods but I haven't tried them, as yet.

Peet's Rules. I use it in bulk ground packages for drip machine rather than pods, but two strong cups have been the highlight of my mornings for the past 15 years.