Amtrak dining and cafe service

[pennyk]

Nor have I felt any bias. If there is any "bias", it is in the prices that solos usually have to pay when booking a cruise. But, such a situation also exists when a solo books a sleeping car accommodation. As a solo traveler, one either learns to "deal with it" or not travel.

If a LSA in a dining car restricts solos to dining in their accommodation and not in the dining car because they are a solo passenger, that is, as I said in another post, blatant discrimination.

I have not felt any bias either so far. However, if I am relegated to eating in my room on future trips, I will not be happy at all.

 

[user 14106]

I highly doubt this is a policy - this was probably how one LSA on one train possibly chose how to deal with a shortage of reservation times. I can understand if everyone on board wants to eat in the diner - with no communal dining you may not be able to accommodate everyone and may have to do first come first serve for table seating - and then the LSA should rotate which car and which end of the car where they start taking reservations from. On the Auto Train right now its a bit tricky to get a table reservation for example. Whoever encountered that experience should report it to customer relations.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Nor have I felt any bias. If there is any "bias", it is in the prices that solos usually have to pay when booking a cruise. But, such a situation also exists when a solo books a sleeping car accommodation. As a solo traveler, one either learns to "deal with it" or not travel.

There are logistical issues any solo traveler deals with like paying more per person for taxis and accommodations or having to drag your clean luggage into a disgusting bathroom stall that are simply part of traveling alone in America. Then there are issues that seem to be unique to solo travel on Amtrak such as being told to move to another seat or table to make room for some phantom group that never appears. I've been asked to change seats on aircraft but if I held my ground I kept my seat, whereas declining orders to move on Amtrak earns single travelers a one way trip off the train at the next crossing (according to Amstaff).

 

[zephyr17]

The main form of "bias" I encounter on Amtrak as a single traveler is being forced to pay for two meals as part of the sleeper accommodation charge.

When meals first became "complimentary" in the 1980s, the accommodation charges increased by pretty much the cost of two meals per meal period for the duration of the trip. I doubt that has changed.

 

[bratkinson]

I ride the lake shore limited from Springfield to Chicago on Sunday - I have a roomette. I’ll keep you posted on dining.

If you haven't had contemporary dining yet, harking back to a TV commercial 30 years ago: "Try it! You'll like it!" I did, once.

As a resident in suburban Springfield, if the Lakeshore is in my plans, I buy both dinner and breakfast at the Subway in the refurb'ed Springfield station. I buy all meals beforehand on eastern LD trains.

 

[jis]

No Contemporary Dining anymore. That was the last generation of innovation. The current generation is Flex Dining

 

[PNW Pax]

I just completed a journey on the Coast Starlight from Seattle to San Francisco this morning. I was pleased with my dining experiences. Singles and deuces were seated in one half the diner, one party per table; and larger parties were seated in the other half of the diner. Service was prompt and staff were cheerful at all meals.

The food was mostly pretty good. The artisan grilled cheese sandwich at lunch was well prepared. The flank steak dinner was pretty good although a little more rare than I like. I was rushed for breakfast as our stop was coming up, so I wolfed my scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, and croissant. The cheese cake and carrot cake were very good.

Cloth napkins and table coverings and metal cutlery were only in place for dinner. Plastic plates and bowls, of course.

 

[user 14106]

If you haven't had contemporary dining yet, harking back to a TV commercial 30 years ago: "Try it! You'll like it!" I did, once.

As a resident in suburban Springfield, if the Lakeshore is in my plans, I buy both dinner and breakfast at the Subway in the refurb'ed Springfield station. I buy all meals beforehand on eastern LD trains.

I got a sandwich there recently.

 

[Dakota 400]

I've been asked to change seats on aircraft but if I held my ground I kept my seat,

I have never experienced such a situation. If a booked an aisle seat--as I usually do--I would not willingly surrender that space.

 

[PVD]

The number of tables is less of a problem than lack of staff. If passengers eat in their rooms the meals are delivered by the SCA. Revisit in a few months when staffing is restored as new crew are hired and trained.

 

[Winecliff Station]

The number of tables is less of a problem than lack of staff. If passengers eat in their rooms the meals are delivered by the SCA. Revisit in a few months when staffing is restored as new crew are hired and trained.

Unfortunately you run a risk when you choose to eat in your room of either getting the wrong meal or being forgotten altogether. Such was my experience this past holiday weekend on the LSL...westbound never got the dinner I ordered through the SCA at all, so when returning eastbound I went to the dining car to place my own order. I brought it to my room and realized after eating my salad and roll that I had the wrong entree. By the time I went back to the dining car they were out of the shrimp. Partially my own fault, I should have checked when the LSA handed me the bag but this mistake had never been made before.

Rumor was about a month ago among dining staff that traditional dining was supposed to return to the LSL in the fall....I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[20th Century Rider]

Unfortunately you run a risk when you choose to eat in your room of either getting the wrong meal or being forgotten altogether. Such was my experience this past holiday weekend on the LSL...westbound never got the dinner I ordered through the SCA at all, so when returning eastbound I went to the dining car to place my own order. I brought it to my room and realized after eating my salad and roll that I had the wrong entree. By the time I went back to the dining car they were out of the shrimp. Partially my own fault, I should have checked when the LSA handed me the bag but this mistake had never been made before.

Rumor was about a month ago among dining staff that traditional dining was supposed to return to the LSL in the fall....I'll believe it when I see it.

It's all about the staff, and staffing. If you get an attendant that enjoys the job and pleasing customers that makes all the difference... especially when they don't have much to work with -- i.e. flex menu.

 

[Winecliff Station]

It's all about the staff, and staffing. If you get an attendant that enjoys the job and pleasing customers that makes all the difference... especially when they don't have much to work with -- i.e. flex menu.

I got the feeling it was less about lack of effort or job enjoyment and more about inexperience, which is why I didn't give them a hard time about it. It was also a shortened trip because the train started in Albany rather than NYP due to Ida, plus the westbound left Albany an hour late.

 

[20th Century Rider]

I got the feeling it was less about lack of effort or job enjoyment and more about inexperience, which is why I didn't give them a hard time about it. It was also a shortened trip because the train started in Albany rather than NYP due to Ida, plus the westbound left Albany an hour late.

When stuff like that happens to me on a train voyage, I just cling to the window and look out... because that's the best part of the trip. As for welded rails, oh how I miss the clickty clack of the old fashioned track!

 

[desertflyer]

We just got back from a trip on the Coast Starlight OKJ - LAX round trip. Crews seemed happy to have the diner back. I took pictures of the food for all you fellow nerds. I'm hope this is the right thread to post this in, and sorry for splitting it up but there is a 10 image limit per post.

Breakfast 9/7/21 train 11
Here is the menu front and back.

We both had scrambled eggs with cheese and a side of chicken sausage. Served on a white placemat with all plasticware. Pretty decent, I'd probably get it without cheese in the future.

Lunch 9/7/21 train 11

The Artisan Grilled Cheese. Comes with Terra chips and slaw. The slaw was sweet, how I like it. The sandwich was a little burned in one spot and kind of greasy, it was also really cold in one spot. I think that's because of the way it's reheated. Overall, fine.

The Cesar Salad. Dressing is already mixed in. You can add chicken as an option, my partner didn't. Also notice the new flavored seltzer water option, which she liked.

No tablecloth for lunch, just white tablemats and all plasticware like breakfast.

We got cheesecake to go and they asked if we'd like it with optional strawberry drizzle, fresh strawberries, and whip cream. It's was enjoyable, actually the strawberries were our favorite part. Took a bite before we could grab a picture lol.

 

[desertflyer]

Dinner 9/7/21 train 11
This was the first time I've had the new "three course dinner." There were finally tablecloths and actual silverware, but plates were still plastic. Complimentary drinks were a nice touch. Wine was served in an actual glass, while beer was still served in plastic.

They had real flowers on the table for all meals, but I didn't get a picture until dinner.

We both go the lobster crab cake to start, it was really tasty and not dry at all. Sauce was very slightly spicy. This ended up being one of my favorite dishes.

My partner got the salmon. The fish itself was a bit dry, but the flavors were good, especially the sauce it's served with so she was happy enough with it. Not pictured - she got the Rose for her drink and was surprised that it was decent, she's got a good wine palate, so that was good to hear.

The Pesto Tortellini. I got it without chicken. I was really happy. I don't think the parmesan cheese was fresh grated as it had very little flavor, but overall satisfying. I'd get it again.

Carrot Cake was really good, in my opinion. The caramel drizzle was slightly salty which I liked. Whatever they're doing for their whip cream is really good, it's not too cold and seems like they make it on the train (not sure that they do).

Flourless Chocolate Torte. Really dense, great flavor. We agreed that this one is probably best to get if we're sharing since it's enough for two. I liked it, not sure I'd always be in the mood for it.

 

[desertflyer]

Lunch 9/10/21 train 14
No tablecloths again for lunch, but the placemats were branded and we had actual silverware and cloth napkins

Savory Vegan Chili. We both got this and opted for it to be served in a baked potato. You have the option of scallions, cheddar cheese, bacon, and sour cream comes in a squeeze packed on the side. The chili was good, maybe a bit bland. It would have been easier to eat on a plate than in a bowl. Overall I'd get it again.

We paid extra for wine with lunch and I was surprised that the cab sav was better than I thought it'd be. Good job on the wine selection, Amtrak!

Dinner 9/10/21 train 14
Table cloth, actual silverware, cloth napkins but plastic plates. They still used placemats over the tablecloth, which I understand but don't prefer.

We both got the mixed greens salad to start. No choice of dressing, just Newman's Own vinaigrette. I really liked the mild brie cheese that came on it. Probably too many tomatoes and carrots, but it was still a nice starter. This time the first course came with a warm roll, which we didn't get on the southbound trip.

Pan Roasted Chicken. She said it was satisfying. Still a little dry probably because of reheating, but the sauce was nice.

The steak. I got it cooked medium well. Although I don't eat red meat much anymore, it was a satisfying meal although I might have liked mashed potatoes or rice as a side option since I had a potato at lunch. The little carrots were tasty, but way too many green beans. They had A1 sauces for those who like it.

We both decided to get cheesecake. There wasn't the option of fresh fruit like southbound and the presentation was different. We enjoyed it.

Hope you all found this interesting.

 

[OBS]

Great reporting and pictures! Thanks for posting!

 

[crescent-zephyr]

Thanks so much! This is the most comprehensive report on the new menu items that I have seen. Looks like we are back to a decent standard of dining car service and the desserts haven’t looked that good in several years!

 

[20th Century Rider]

Lunch 9/10/21 train 14
No tablecloths again for lunch, but the placemats were branded and we had actual silverware and cloth napkins

Savory Vegan Chili. We both got this and opted for it to be served in a baked potato. You have the option of scallions, cheddar cheese, bacon, and sour cream comes in a squeeze packed on the side. The chili was good, maybe a bit bland. It would have been easier to eat on a plate than in a bowl. Overall I'd get it again.

We paid extra for wine with lunch and I was surprised that the cab sav was better than I thought it'd be. Good job on the wine selection, Amtrak!

Dinner 9/10/21 train 14
Table cloth, actual silverware, cloth napkins but plastic plates. They still used placemats over the tablecloth, which I understand but don't prefer.

We both got the mixed greens salad to start. No choice of dressing, just Newman's Own vinaigrette. I really liked the mild brie cheese that came on it. Probably too many tomatoes and carrots, but it was still a nice starter. This time the first course came with a warm roll, which we didn't get on the southbound trip.

Pan Roasted Chicken. She said it was satisfying. Still a little dry probably because of reheating, but the sauce was nice.

The steak. I got it cooked medium well. Although I don't eat red meat much anymore, it was a satisfying meal although I might have liked mashed potatoes or rice as a side option since I had a potato at lunch. The little carrots were tasty, but way too many green beans. They had A1 sauces for those who like it.

We both decided to cheesecake. There wasn't the option of fresh fruit like southbound and the presentation was different. We enjoyed it.

Hope you all found this interesting.

Thank you for an excellent post. Looking forward to my trip in October and mouth is watering!

What I can't understand is the brutal contrast between these delightful meals and the awful flex stuff still being dished out. My route will take me EUG to LAX and then to Springfield IL on the TE... the 2nd day meals go from really nice to :-( ///

 

[Sidney]

Thank you for an excellent post. Looking forward to my trip in October and mouth is watering!

What I can't understand is the brutal contrast between these delightful meals and the awful flex stuff still being dished out. My route will take me EUG to LAX and then to Springfield IL on the TE... the 2nd day meals go from really nice to :-( ///

The new traditional dining and flex dining are about as opposite as you can get. I just got off the Empire Builder in Seattle and enjoyed the food. I will be on the CONO and Crescent in November. Sadly,flex dining will still be in effect.

 

[Winecliff Station]

The new traditional dining and flex dining are about as opposite as you can get. I just got off the Empire Builder in Seattle and enjoyed the food. I will be on the CONO and Crescent in November. Sadly,flex dining will still be in effect.

For those of us living in the northeast, we have to go across the entire country to experience traditional dining. I had the good fortune in September 2019 to enjoy the last traditional dinner on the Silver Meteor. Two weeks later on the return trip it was flex dining, and the passengers who weren’t aware of the change had a nasty surprise. One passenger was a pharmacist, and she somehow was able to look at the nutrition information. Apparently the sodium content is off the charts….and if you’re a vegetarian like me, you have to eat the same meal twice or cheat by getting shrimp, though when I tried that they screwed up my meal and gave me chicken which I won’t eat. Why they won’t give you a voucher for the cafe car as an option is beyond me.

 

[Rasputin]

Why they won’t give you a voucher for the cafe car as an option is beyond me.

Any reasonable company which has priorities of good customer service and success would be able to resolve this issue in a prompt and satisfactory manner.

Of course I understand from some friends that it does get resolved on some trains and that as sleeping car passengers they have been allowed to order from the cafe menu. As usual on Amtrak you just have to have the good luck of having the right combination of employees on board who are willing to solve the customer's request.

 

[Winecliff Station]

Any reasonable company which has priorities of good customer service and success would be able to resolve this issue in a prompt and satisfactory manner.

Of course I understand from some friends that it does get resolved on some trains and that as sleeping car passengers they have been allowed to order from the cafe menu. As usual on Amtrak you just have to have the good luck of having the right combination of employees on board who are willing to solve the customer's request.

Good to know… I’ve only asked once and it was preCovid so it never crossed my mind to ask again lol.

 

[cassie225]

On my trip to Atlanta going on the Crescent the cafe car person was very nice said I could get what I wanted and it was included in my sleeper price, coming back that attendant said nope!!! So it must depend on who is behind the counter