Amtrak dining and cafe service

[crescent-zephyr]

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

The meals appear and taste like microwave meals (imho) but I believe they are cooked in a convection oven.

 

[jiml]

The meals appear and taste like microwave meals (imho) but I believe they are cooked in a convection oven.

I remember this being discussed before without a definitive answer. There were some that thought the convection ovens had been removed from the Viewliner diners. It's worth noting that these same meals are also served on trains that don't have (and have never had) convection ovens - e.g. Cardinal and 448/9.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

I remember this being discussed before without a definitive answer. There were some that thought the convection ovens had been removed from the Viewliner diners. It's worth noting that these same meals are also served on trains that don't have (and have never had) convection ovens - e.g. Cardinal and 448/9.

I thought the Amfleet II Cafes had convection ovens? They used to serve a modified “traditional” dining car menu on the Lake Shore. It was the grilled items like steaks that weren’t on the menu.

 

[jiml]

I thought the Amfleet II Cafes had convection ovens? They used to serve a modified “traditional” dining car menu on the Lake Shore. It was the grilled items like steaks that weren’t on the menu.

You could be right. I know the Cardinal far better than that section of the LSL, but what I've had sure tasted microwaved. The only time the Cardinal had better than a microwave was in the brief Superliner interludes - also the only time the cheeseburger wasn't the best thing on its menu.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

You could be right. I know the Cardinal far better than that section of the LSL, but what I've had sure tasted microwaved. The only time the Cardinal had better than a microwave was in the brief Superliner interludes - also the only time the cheeseburger wasn't the best thing on its menu.

The only breakfast I had on the Cardinal tasted better than microwaved. It was a French toast made with French bread. This was many years ago though so maybe they downgraded the menu before the flex.

 

[tim49424]

The only breakfast I had on the Cardinal tasted better than microwaved. It was a French toast made with French bread. This was many years ago though so maybe they downgraded the menu before the flex.

The French toast I had on the Cardinal when I rode a couple of years before the flex was not on French bread. It was, however, the best thing on the menu. I had the scrambled eggs as well on that trip thinking that they couldn’t go wrong with eggs. I won’t make that mistake again!

 

[20th Century Rider]

Convection or microwave or whatever... what matters is the quality of the food and what it's served on. When the low grade plastic they're using for those disc plates melts it becomes a carcinogenic threat. And the congealed food propped up by extender and flavor enhancer chemicals, sodium and fat, you have a lethal mix.

Those psychological feelings of disgust when you see this food and smell it... is your body instinctively telling you not ingest.

Because it is harmful.

 

[me_little_me]

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

When you can't tell whether the food was cooked in a convection oven or a microwave, you know it is BAD food.

But then, when you see the list of ingredients, you know whether it is food or ingredients.

 

[Cal]

When you can't tell whether the food was cooked in a convection oven or a microwave, you know it is BAD food.

But then, when you see the list of ingredients, you know whether it is food or ingredients.

It's pitiful that we even have to say this..

 

[20th Century Rider]

When you can't tell whether the food was cooked in a convection oven or a microwave, you know it is BAD food.

But then, when you see the list of ingredients, you know whether it is food or ingredients.

Or mosty chemicals.

 

[user 14106]

All the flex meals I have ever had have been in a VL2 diner (on the silver service) so whatever they have on that car.

 

[user 14106]

Convection or microwave or whatever... what matters is the quality of the food and what it's served on. When the low grade plastic they're using for those disc plates melts it becomes a carcinogenic threat. And the congealed food propped up by extender and flavor enhancer chemicals, sodium and fat, you have a lethal mix.

Those psychological feelings of disgust when you see this food and smell it... is your body instinctively telling you not ingest.

Because it is harmful.

The last one I had was ok (at least for me) but I hear you. But I do think the microwave thing can make a difference. I’ve found with leftovers there can be a huge difference between microwave and oven heated leftovers. Not saying the food quality is good but simply that - microwaving probably doesn’t help.

 

[OBS]

You could be right. I know the Cardinal far better than that section of the LSL, but what I've had sure tasted microwaved. The only time the Cardinal had better than a microwave was in the brief Superliner interludes - also the only time the cheeseburger wasn't the best thing on its menu.

All Amfleet 1 and 2 cafe cars have convection ovens, including those used on the Cardinal. In regards to flex meals from the Diners, these are microwaved as the containers they are served in would melt in convection oven

 

[jiml]

All Amfleet 1 and 2 cafe cars have convection ovens, including those used on the Cardinal. In regards to flex meals from the Diners, these are microwaved as the containers they are served in would melt in convection oven

My mistake I guess, although based on a conversation with our (excellent) lounge attendant on a Summer 2017 trip from Chicago to Virginia. He said they used a microwave because the containers would melt - and that was before current dining. Entrees were all casserole-type meals, including mac and cheese and pulled pork with rice - not dissimilar to today's offerings.

I just watched a review of the Cardinal from last October from Simply Railway and he was served the current flex meals, so presumably they're using a microwave now?

 

[20th Century Rider]

My mistake I guess, although based on a conversation with our (excellent) lounge attendant on a Summer 2017 trip from Chicago to Virginia. He said they used a microwave because the containers would melt - and that was before current dining. Entrees were all casserole-type meals, including mac and cheese and pulled pork with rice - not dissimilar to today's offerings.

I just watched a review of the Cardinal from last October from Simply Railway and he was served the current flex meals, so presumably they're using a microwave now?

Microwaved plastics become dangerously carcinogenic... especially the low grade plastic discs holding the flex meals. That combined with the chemically processed food contained makes for a deadly concoction for human consumption.

https://www.quora.com/Can-plastic-be-harmful-if-it’s-melted-onto-food

 

[RovinMoses]

We're headed PDX >SEA, then Roomette to CHI on EB in two weeks. Any dining recommendations?

 

[Sidney]

You will still be stuck with the flexible menu.

 

[RovinMoses]

You will still be stuck with the flexible menu.

Yes, but is there anything in particular on that menu that you like? Any item to avoid?

 

[Bob Dylan]

Yes, but is there anything in particular on that menu that you like? Any item to avoid?

Avoid them all, they're basically heart attacks on a plastic plate!

 

[20th Century Rider]

We're headed PDX >SEA, then Roomette to CHI on EB in two weeks. Any dining recommendations?

You can order the Kosher meals if you want... they are noted as bland... but have much more flavor and texture than the flex meals... which are noted by many as being unsatisfying; little taste, and high in sodium and fat. There is no extra charge. They are interchangeable so you can supposedly have the salmon meal for breakfast.

Check out the kosher options below... but note that those other items from the traditional menu are not available at this time.

http://amtrakfoodfacts.com/menu-items-sdg-020620/

 

[Asher]

We're headed PDX >SEA, then Roomette to CHI on EB in two weeks. Any dining recommendations?

Bring snacks.

 

[Cal]

I just watched a review of the Cardinal from last October from Simply Railway and he was served the current flex meals, so presumably they're using a microwave now?

Just gonna leap off topic here for a quick minute...

Love Simply Railway, he's a great guy and produces great content. Can't wait for his review of the Silver Meteor with a Viewliner II!

 

[jiml]

Just gonna leap off topic here for a quick minute...

Love Simply Railway, he's a great guy and produces great content. Can't wait for his review of the Silver Meteor with a Viewliner II!

Mr. Thibault is best known for his European reviews and he works for Alstom - currently assigned to their Missouri plant I believe he said in one of his Q&A sessions.

 

[Cal]

Mr. Thibault is best known for his European reviews and he works for Alstom - currently assigned to their Missouri plant I believe he said in one of his Q&A sessions.

Yes, I saw that in a trip report of his, I believe on the Missouri River Runner...

 

[TrackWalker]

Bring snacks.

I typically carry beef jerky and hardtack.