Amtrak dining and cafe service

[pennyk]

Was the choice brownie or butter cake for lunch like with flexible dining?

I believe so, but as soon as the SCA said "brownie," I jumped on it. I really like the brownies, even though I normally do not like prepackaged desserts.

 

[user 14106]

I believe so, but as soon as the SCA said "brownie," I jumped on it. I really like the brownies, even though I normally do not like prepackaged desserts.

I saw a trip report where they actually had unpackaged and plated the butter cake and applied garnishes and whipped cream like they do with the dinner desserts. Nice touch.

 

[Allypet]

I believe so, but as soon as the SCA said "brownie," I jumped on it. I really like the brownies, even though I normally do not like prepackaged desserts.

I was just on the Meteor two days ago. I had a choice between the brownie and butter cake. For lunch I ordered the brownie but for dinner I ordered the butter cake to try that. Both times I got brownies. I will try again on my return trip tomorrow.

 

[pennyk]

I was just on the Meteor two days ago. I had a choice between the brownie and butter cake. For lunch I ordered the brownie but for dinner I ordered the butter cake to try that. Both times I got brownies. I will try again on my return trip tomorrow.

I tried the butter cake a few months ago and did not care for it, although many people really like it. The brownie wins for me.

 

[jis]

I tried the butter cake a few months ago and did not care for it, although many people really like it. The brownie wins for me.

I like the Butter Cake. But I like the traditional dining White Chocolate Cobbler Cake even more

 

[nti1094]

@Acela150

Look at the jobs listings on Amtrak’s website, there are positions available in Miami and New York for “chef!” Looks like they are finally making moves to get dining back on the eastern viewliners. If I had to guess, hiring, training, and qualifying enough of those has to be a process that will take at least 6 months, so my guess is before the end of the year, but don’t get your hopes up for this summer. I could be wrong, but that’s seems reasonable.

 

[user 31494]

At the top of the picture showing the menu it said
"Served with a complimentary alcoholic beverage and dinner salad and rolls"

Does that mean for each dinner meal one is served?

 

[trimetbusfan]

I was served a brownie for dessert with my traditional dining lunch on Silver Star 92 last week; but brownies were not available for dessert with my traditional dining dinner on Silver Star 91 last week.

FYI, I have noticed on several occasions via Facebook posts (and now first hand) that sometimes even on Western traditional dining routes they are doing this. (Flex deserts for lunch desert).

I just had lunch as a coach passenger on train 11(2) (the Coast Starlight) and we were given the choice of brownie or buttercake for desert. I will attach a photo.

My friend, who was on 11(1) had lunch on that train and had the lemon cake, so I’m not sure if this is a supply issue or what.

I also noticed the menu now says something along the lines of ‘ask your server for the desert selection for lunch’ instead of explicitly saying it was the same desert menu from the dinner desert.

 

[UhClem]

I'm sorry, but the butter cake is to die for. Google the name on the wrapper. You can buy them delivered by the case.

 

[allanorn]

I'm sorry, but the butter cake is to die for. Google the name on the wrapper. You can buy them delivered by the case.

You're not helping my diet, or anyone else's for that matter.

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

FYI, I have noticed on several occasions via Facebook posts (and now first hand) that sometimes even on Western traditional dining routes they are doing this. (Flex deserts for lunch desert).

I just had lunch as a coach passenger on train 11(2) (the Coast Starlight) and we were given the choice of brownie or buttercake for desert. I will attach a photo.

My friend, who was on 11(1) had lunch on that train and had the lemon cake, so I’m not sure if this is a supply issue or what.

I also noticed the menu now says something along the lines of ‘ask your server for the desert selection for lunch’ instead of explicitly saying it was the same desert menu from the dinner desert.
View attachment 31901

If that 4 14 23 in the picture is an expiration date, that would explain it. They’ve probably got more butter cakes and brownies left than they planned on and need to get rid of them soon before the expiration date.

 

[stevie]

Yes, I would hope coach pax can also eat in the full service dining cars as in the past. There are long day trip segments on the LD trains that don't require sleeping accommodations but do require meals. Fully bring back the dining cars, please!

I've always enjoyed meals in the dining cars rather than in my compartment even when I've had sleeping accommodations. It's a big part of the experience and a pleasant one, imo.

I agree. I usually travel solo in a Roomette or Bedroom, and while I very much like my private space and alone time, I love the experience of communal dining. You meet the most interesting people from all over the world.

 

[UhClem]

You're not helping my diet, or anyone else's for that matter.

Well, while I considered it, I did not do it. I have been doing Keto dieting recently, these were worth falling off that, even if just momentarily.

 

[NYP2NFL01]

I can imagine 3 possibilities:

1. They're using up the existing inventory.
2. They're using them as a backup when they run out of "traditional" desserts.
3. They're using them at lunch and saving the "traditional" desserts for dinner.

Interesting hypothesis! I can live with the brownie for lunch dessert!

 

[railiner]

IIRC, at one time Amtrak diner’s offered such deserts as Apple Pie ala mode, or a chocolate sundae…miss those choices…

Or entree’s like New York Sirloin Strip with mushroom caps, and a baked potato, or an Iowa pork chop.
Anyone getting hungary?

 

[AmtrakBlue]

I'm sorry, but the butter cake is to die for. Google the name on the wrapper. You can buy them delivered by the case.

Or you could pay me to deliver them. Delivery cost would be equal to a round trip roomette.

 

[Allypet]

At the top of the picture showing the menu it said
"Served with a complimentary alcoholic beverage and dinner salad and rolls"

Does that mean for each dinner meal one is served?

You can take it for lunch instead, but it’s one per day.

 

[pennyk]

You can take it for lunch instead, but it’s one per day.

On the Silver Star, I was not permitted to take my alcoholic beverage at lunch (even though I had missed dinner the night before due to the train being late).

 

[Allypet]

On the Silver Star, I was not permitted to take my alcoholic beverage at lunch (even though I had missed dinner the night before due to the train being late).

That interesting. My SCA on the Meteor a few days ago who took my order gave me the option at lunch and then asked me later at dinner if I had my drink at lunch. I guess it depends on the crew.

 

[Md400s]

My picture sums up my dining experience (and overall experience really) on my overnight RGH-DLD (Raleigh-Deland) 9110 just a few days ago.

On this trip, the attendant passed out slips of paper dictating the time I would eat breakfast, 8:30 am. "Due to COVID", he said. The paper said that I would be called when my table was ready. The next morning, I realized I had not heard any announcements of any type and that the 8:30 slot was precariously close to my 9:10 arrival, so I brought my concerns to the attendant. He said, "You have not gone already? You can go now". Hmmm, so off I go, seated at 8:17 am. At 8:20 am I am 'forced' to sit with 2 strangers so that we can "make friends", despite only 2 other people in the entire car (at their own tables). Order taken 8:25. Food received 8:44. French toast on regular white bread. Nothing special about it.

I did chat a bit with the couple I was seated with, because the quiet was very awkward. They travel by train frequently and say they are typically asked when they would like to eat breakfast. That this train was "weird" overall. (I'll leave those details for other posts).

For my return trip, 9211, I opted to eat in my room and called the attendant when I was ready to order. French toast again, came quick but the food was room temperature.

 

[pennyk]

That interesting. My SCA on the Meteor a few days ago who took my order gave me the option at lunch and then asked me later at dinner if I had my drink at lunch. I guess it depends on the crew.

I think the difference is flex dining vs traditional dining. I was told that the beverage is with dinner on traditional dining.

 

[UserNameRequired]

Or you could pay me to deliver them. Delivery cost would be equal to a round trip roomette.

When we went to Ocean City in January, we found the bakery in Rehoboth Beach was closed for a month or two for the holidays. I was planning on bringing a case home with us, but couldn't

 

[zephyr17]

I guess it depends on the crew.

Like everything onboard.

 

[Sidney]

I think the difference is flex dining vs traditional dining. I was told that the beverage is with dinner on traditional dining.

Also Flex.

 

[Sidney]

My picture sums up my dining experience (and overall experience really) on my overnight RGH-DLD (Raleigh-Deland) 9110 just a few days ago.

On this trip, the attendant passed out slips of paper dictating the time I would eat breakfast, 8:30 am. "Due to COVID", he said. The paper said that I would be called when my table was ready. The next morning, I realized I had not heard any announcements of any type and that the 8:30 slot was precariously close to my 9:10 arrival, so I brought my concerns to the attendant. He said, "You have not gone already? You can go now". Hmmm, so off I go, seated at 8:17 am. At 8:20 am I am 'forced' to sit with 2 strangers so that we can "make friends", despite only 2 other people in the entire car (at their own tables). Order taken 8:25. Food received 8:44. French toast on regular white bread. Nothing special about it.

I did chat a bit with the couple I was seated with, because the quiet was very awkward. They travel by train frequently and say they are typically asked when they would like to eat breakfast. That this train was "weird" overall. (I'll leave those details for other posts).

For my return trip, 9211, I opted to eat in my room and called the attendant when I was ready to order. French toast again, came quick but the food was room temperature.
View attachment 31905

I don’t mind sitting with other people while dining on Amtrak. I don’t like sitting side by side with a stranger. If the diner isn’t busy there is no reason to crowd four strangers to a table.