Amtrak dining and cafe service

[Cal]

Some of the Marie Callender's meals aren't that bad actually. For a late arrival at a hotel with a microwave and the only thing open nearby is a convenience store, they're a decent option. Sometimes the hotels even have them in their little "tuck shop". The problem is if Amtrak actually identified as using them people would know they were getting a $3-4 frozen meal and feel even more ripped off.

I think people would rather have decent frozen than garbage frozen.

 

[Dakota 400]

Some of the Marie Callender's meals aren't that bad actually.

Swanson's Hungry Man dinners are also good, at least the ones that I buy from time to time.

 

[tim49424]

Some of the Marie Callender's meals aren't that bad actually.

I agree. I enjoy the scalloped potatoes and ham and also Salisbury steak. They are far, far better than the flex meals, however, still not the fare that should be served on the train at those prices.

 

[Railspike]

Is there anything in the $1.5B Stimulus bill that directs Amtrak to reinstate traditional dining along with daily service? Or is that left up to Amtrak's discretion? Just wondering.

 

[TrackWalker]

HR 1319 SEC. 7005. Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation

 

[Ferroequinologist]

Is there anything in the $1.5B Stimulus bill that directs Amtrak to reinstate traditional dining along with daily service? Or is that left up to Amtrak's discretion? Just wondering.

How can they restore traditional dining and socially distance?

 

[Cal]

How can they restore traditional dining and socially distance?

They can restore the food, and serve it the same way as the Auto Train

 

[crescent-zephyr]

How can they restore traditional dining and socially distance?

It doesnt appear to me that the flex dining meals are served any differently than the traditional dining meals are served “to go.” So the service would remain the same with no parties seated together and more passengers being served in their room.

 

[Ferroequinologist]

It doesnt appear to me that the flex dining meals are served any differently than the traditional dining meals are served “to go.” So the service would remain the same with no parties seated together and more passengers being served in their room.

By a return to traditional dining you mean a return to meals cooked on board with a limited number of people allowed to sit, distanced, in the dining car but most people served in their rooms? To observe the rules, there would have to be six feet between tables and no strangers seated together. I should think that would mean that every other table would have to remain empty.

 

[jiml]

By the time full dining is restored social distancing will be enforced on a state-by-state basis.

"Sorry, two of you are going to have to take your dessert back to your room. We're leaving Texas."

 

[Cal]

By a return to traditional dining you mean a return to meals cooked on board with a limited number of people allowed to sit, distanced, in the dining car but most people served in their rooms? To observe the rules, there would have to be six feet between tables and no strangers seated together. I should think that would mean that every other table would have to remain empty.

Currently, they use tables even if they are next to each other. So...

I think they should just have it like it's being served on the Auto Train right now

 

[Exvalley]

It looks like they are now offering a breakfast omelet.

The western U.S. menus have replaced the Creole shrimp meal with garlic & herb cod.

EDIT: Clarification that it is the Creole shrimp meal that has been replaced on west coast menus - not the shrimp with lobster sauce.

 

[Cal]

It looks like they are now offering a breakfast omelet.

The western U.S. menus have replaced the shrimp meal with garlic & herb cod.

The shrimp with lobster sauce? Isn't that the best flex meal

 

[Exvalley]

The shrimp with lobster sauce? Isn't that the best flex meal

No, they replaced the Creole shrimp on the west coast trains. Sorry, I should have been more specific.

 

[Cal]

No, they replaced the Creole shrimp on the west coast trains. Sorry, I should have been more specific.

Got it

 

[Sidney]

The shrimp in lobster sauce is one of the "better" flex meals. Last time I had it the shrimp were rubbery and unedible.

 

[Ferroequinologist]

Currently, they use tables even if they are next to each other. So...

I think they should just have it like it's being served on the Auto Train right now

Then they aren't even complying with what most cities and states are mandating.

 

[Ferroequinologist]

Currently, they use tables even if they are next to each other. So...

I think they should just have it like it's being served on the Auto Train right now

What does AutoTrain do?

 

[Cal]

What does AutoTrain do?

Same food as pre-covid, they just have it delivered to your room. They have all the food in boxes/wrapped (main course is on plate). It's all delivered in a big white paper bag

 

[crescent-zephyr]

By a return to traditional dining you mean a return to meals cooked on board with a limited number of people allowed to sit, distanced, in the dining car but most people served in their rooms? To observe the rules, there would have to be six feet between tables and no strangers seated together. I should think that would mean that every other table would have to remain empty.

Well traditional dining had both room service and table service, both can be offered now just like before, just skip seats as needed. I’m guessing the majority of passengers wish to eat in their rooms now because of safety, so there shouldn’t be a big capacity issue.

 

[Cal]

Well traditional dining had both room service and table service, both can be offered now just like before, just skip seats as needed. I’m guessing the majority of passengers wish to eat in their rooms now because of safety, so there shouldn’t be a big capacity issue.

Mhm, and they still use the diner for flex dining, just no communal seating. Just continue that, simple

 

[user 14106]

The shrimp with lobster sauce is ok - but only if it’s heated properly. Like many of the flex dining meals I think the microwave preparation is actually one of the biggest problems - if they were hearing in a convection oven these probably would come out at least somewhat better.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

The shrimp with lobster sauce is ok - but only if it’s heated properly. Like many of the flex dining meals I think the microwave preparation is actually one of the biggest problems - if they were hearing in a convection oven these probably would come out at least somewhat better.

I thought they were using a convection oven?

 

[user 14106]

I thought they were using a convection oven?

I don't know for sure, but the last time I had a flex meal it seemed microwaved.

 

[Exvalley]

It was definitely a convection oven on the Lake Shore Limited.