Amtrak dining and cafe service

[20th Century Rider]

Hmmm... when comparing Hampton Inn breakfast [pre covid] with Amtrak Flex [Eastern routes pre covid], this is what you get...

 

[joelkfla]

Hmmm... when comparing Hampton Inn breakfast [pre covid] with Amtrak Flex [Eastern routes pre covid], this is what you get...

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I haven't stayed at a Hampton in a while. Do they have those do-it-yourself waffle irons? That would go a long way towards improving Amtrak breakfasts.

 

[Railspike]

Great that you took the time to commend an employee for outstanding service...most only do that to complain.
As for her bringing her own ingredients...not sure if management would frown upon that practice, as it may be against Company regulation's, due to FDA or other consideration's that could open liability issues....not sure....

I considered that and did not include that in my email to Amtrak.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

Great that you took the time to commend an employee for outstanding service...most only do that to complain.
As for her bringing her own ingredients...not sure if management would frown upon that practice, as it may be against Company regulation's, due to FDA or other consideration's that could open liability issues....not sure....

I’ve had so many SCA’s bring their own snacks, bring their own coffee, etc. that it doesn’t appear any employees are particularly worried about it.

 

[20th Century Rider]

I haven't stayed at a Hampton in a while. Do they have those do-it-yourself waffle irons? That would go a long way towards improving Amtrak breakfasts.

All this was of course pre covid. Hampton serves bagged meals that are pretty substantial and include protein. And they are wrapped with a cheery smile... but meh... covid steals the show everywhere!

 

[Railspike]

I rarely make a trip without emailing Amtrak about my experience - whether good or bad. As someone who has a business, I want to hear from my customers. IMO, Amtrak employees who offer good service should be rewarded by letting management know. Just as much as those who do a lousy job or are rude. I know comments get attention as my wife and I had a terrible experience on a trip in 2017 and reported it in detail. Within a few days, I received a personal call from the Onboard Sevice Manager of that particular train wanting more details. He thanked me profusely for alerting him about the issue.

Take the time to let them know about your experience. You can do it online. Not that your communication will result in any improvements, but it sure won't improve if you don't let them know what's happening on the trains.

 

[20th Century Rider]

I rarely make a trip without emailing Amtrak about my experience - whether good or bad. As someone who has a business, I want to hear from my customers. IMO, Amtrak employees who offer good service should be rewarded by letting management know. Just as much as those who do a lousy job or are rude. I know comments get attention as my wife and I had a terrible experience on a trip in 2017 and reported it in detail. Within a few days, I received a personal call from the Onboard Sevice Manager of that particular train wanting more details. He thanked me profusely for alerting him about the issue.

Take the time to let them know about your experience. You can do it online. Not that your communication will result in any improvements, but it sure won't improve if you don't let them know what's happening on the trains.

Nice reminder of something we all should be doing... it is Amtrak's responsibility to listen to passengers so that they can provide a service that is acceptable to the traveling public.

And it is the responsibility of Amtrak management to listen and react accordingly...

 

[railiner]

I’ve had so many SCA’s bring their own snacks, bring their own coffee, etc. that it doesn’t appear any employees are particularly worried about it.

Bringing their own items for personal consumption is one thing...bringing it to serve passengers is an entirely different matter.
Not sure what you meant.
I have read that when they discontinued placing mints on the pillows, some enterprising attendants bought their own, even the same ones, but were reprimanded for doing so.

 

[Dakota 400]

All this was of course pre covid. Hampton serves bagged meals that are pretty substantial and include protein. And they are wrapped with a cheery smile... but meh... covid steals the show everywhere!

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Ever since hotels stopped offering their hot breakfast service due to Covid, I have wondered what their "breakfast bags" contain. Is anyone able to offer specifics for wherever you stayed?

 

[crescent-zephyr]

Bringing their own items for personal consumption is one thing...bringing it to serve passengers is an entirely different matter.
Not sure what you meant.
I have read that when they discontinued placing mints on the pillows, some enterprising attendants bought their own, even the same ones, but were reprimanded for doing so.

I meant serving passengers. I’ve had sca’s brag that they weren’t serving Amtrak coffee for example.

I’ve gotten mints, candy, cookies, all sorts of snacks from SCA’s.

 

[me_little_me]

Great that you took the time to commend an employee for outstanding service...most only do that to complain.
As for her bringing her own ingredients...not sure if management would frown upon that practice, as it may be against Company regulation's, due to FDA or other consideration's that could open liability issues....not sure....

No good deed goes unpunished!

 

[IndyLions]

Hmmm... when comparing Hampton Inn breakfast [pre covid] with Amtrak Flex [Eastern routes pre covid], this is what you get...

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Sorry guys, There’s nothing attractive about this. I’ve stayed at hundreds of Hampton Inns, and ate plenty of these breakfasts. I’ve also had several of the Flex meal breakfasts. There’s no substantive difference between the two.

A bunch of cereal boxes, yogurt pack, sugar packets, some preheated frozen French toast sticks, maybe if you’re lucky some instant eggs.

As a matter of fact, that picture on the lower right could very well have been taken from an Amtrak Viewliner II Diner.

After all the (legitimate) complaining about the Flex food, I can’t believe I see a bunch of people raving about Hampton Inn breakfasts.

 

[IndyLions]

Ever since hotels stopped offering their hot breakfast service due to Covid, I have wondered what their "breakfast bags" contain. Is anyone able to offer specifics for wherever you stayed?

Usually a cheap McIntosh apple, about as tasteless as you can possibly find. Evokes a chalky sensation in your mouth - making you never want to eat an apple again. Also includes some sort of breakfast bar (I.e. , Nutri-Grain), a sugary, low quality packaged muffin, and a bottle of water. Basically, the exact same to-go bag they were serving before the pandemic, except now it is the only option.

So you are looking at an Amtrak Flex meal breakfast in a bag. Sorry, that’s not being fair to the Flex meal breakfast. The breakfast sandwich on Amtrak is better than anything you’ll get it at a Hampton - before or after the pandemic. And that’s not saying much.

 

[Sidney]

I'll take the cheese ommlette and Scrambled eggs Hampton serves over that Jimmy Dean sandwich they serve om Amtrak.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

Sorry guys, There’s nothing attractive about this. I’ve stayed at hundreds of Hampton Inns, and ate plenty of these breakfasts. I’ve also had several of the Flex meal breakfasts. There’s no substantive difference between the two.

I agree Hampton Inn is nothing to write home about but there are at least multiple hot items and hard boiled eggs.

 

[Dakota 400]

I agree Hampton Inn is nothing to write home about but there are at least multiple hot items and hard boiled eggs.

Interesting comments about the "pre-covid" offerings for breakfast at Hampton Inns. It has been a long time since I have patronized a Hampton Inn. I favor Marriott related properties. Fairfield Inns usually have a nice selection of cold and hot items including make it yourself waffles and 2-3 types of fresh fruit. Not gourmet fare, to be sure, but, I have generally been quite pleased with what is available.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Interesting comments about the "pre-covid" offerings for breakfast at Hampton Inns. It has been a long time since I have patronized a Hampton Inn. I favor Marriott related properties. Fairfield Inns usually have a nice selection of cold and hot items including make it yourself waffles and 2-3 types of fresh fruit. Not gourmet fare, to be sure, but, I have generally been quite pleased with what is available.

I thought all Buffets and " Self Service " food was banned in most Ststes/Cities in favor of Boxed/Sacked to go Food??? I

 

[Dakota 400]

I thought all Buffets and " Self Service " food was banned in most Ststes/Cities in favor of Boxed/Sacked to go Food??? I

My post was referring to my pre-Covid experiences at Fairfield Inns. As far as I know--haven't traveled since January 31st--all hotels are using the breakfast bags to go.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

Interesting comments about the "pre-covid" offerings for breakfast at Hampton Inns. It has been a long time since I have patronized a Hampton Inn. I favor Marriott related properties. Fairfield Inns usually have a nice selection of cold and hot items including make it yourself waffles and 2-3 types of fresh fruit. Not gourmet fare, to be sure, but, I have generally been quite pleased with what is available.

Hampton’s and Fairfield’s are pretty much the same as far breakfast. While individual properties will vary, the average is pretty much the same offering.

 

[NS VIA Fan]

I thought all Buffets and " Self Service " food was banned in most Ststes/Cities in favor of Boxed/Sacked to go Food??? I

I was at a Holiday Inn Express last summer and the buffet was still there. The difference now.....they asked what you would like and they prepared your tray. Even waffles!.....and when they were ready they took them to you at your table.

 

[Sidney]

Hampton Inn has been serving their regular breakfast through the pedemic. Only difference is they serve it to you. It beats Amtrak's flex breakfast hands down.

 

[IndyLions]

When Flex Dining rolled out with exactly one hot offering, the battle cry on this forum was “All we need is more hot food choices for dinner!”

When there was nothing hot but oatmeal for breakfast - it was “For the love of Pete - can someone give me a breakfast sandwich!”

Now it’s - “What I really meant was - powdered or hard boiled eggs just like I can get at Fairfield Inn! Now that would be the bomb!”

I'm no food snob - but can we set the bar just a little bit higher?

 

[crescent-zephyr]

I'm no food snob - but can we set the bar just a little bit higher?

I don’t think that’s what anyone is saying.

Ideally we should have exactly what he had. Breakfasts cooked on board the dining car.

(Eggs, omelettes, pancakes and oatmeal were all cooked on board from scratch. Other items were pre-cooked but heated in the diner restaurant style, not microwaved to order cafe car style.)

But it would be nice if the current offerings were at least up to Hampton inn standards.

 

[jiml]

I was at a Holiday Inn Express last summer and the buffet was still there. The difference now.....they asked what you would like and they prepared your tray. Even waffles!.....and when they were ready they took them to you at your table.

Things must be a lot better down your way. I recently booked a Marriott property near a hospital where a relative was having surgery. (No one is allowed to wait at hospital due to Covid.) I was counting on getting the included breakfast after dropping them at the hospital first thing in the morning and the 4 pm checkout that is part of my status, allowing me to wait nearby. "No breakfast - Covid; no late check-out - Covid." I cancelled and tried the Holiday Inn Express next door - "No breakfast - Covid". Bottom line - no competition - Covid.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

Things must be a lot better down your way. I recently booked a Marriott property near a hospital where a relative was having surgery. (No one is allowed to wait at hospital due to Covid.) I was counting on getting the included breakfast after dropping them at the hospital first thing in the morning and the 4 pm checkout that is part of my status, allowing me to wait nearby. "No breakfast - Covid; no late check-out - Covid." I cancelled and tried the Holiday Inn Express next door - "No breakfast - Covid". Bottom line - no competition - Covid.

The Marriott and Holiday Inn were probably owned by the same company if they were right next door. I’m not traveling right now but on flyertalk there’s quite a bit of complaining how hotel company’s are letting franshises get away with cutting anything they want in the name of covid.