Dining Car Menu Question

[MJ Auch]

My husband and I will be traveling on the Lakeshore Limited and the Texas Eagle next week, which means we should be eating two breakfasts, one lunch and one dinner in the dining cars. Since giving up eating wheat eighteen months ago, we both get sick if we eat anything with wheat or white flour in it, which is often hidden in seasonings and sauces. Even eggs can be made from a processed mix containing wheat. Many restaurants have allergy menus to check which foods are safe to eat. Does Amtrak have anything like this, or someplace I could call to get this information? We've enjoyed many long distance train trips in the past, but this is the first one since going wheat-free. Thanks in advance for any advice.

MJ Auch

 

[MiRider]

Others on the forum that eat wheat-free will be able to give you info on how they manage on the train.
I just thought I'd give you Amtrak's official word on wheat-free and other special diets:


Low Fat, Low Cholesterol, Low Sodium, Gluten Free, Wheat Free, Peanut Free Meals
Amtrak does not offer meals specifically designated as low fat, low cholesterol, low sodium, gluten free, wheat free or peanut free. Most dinner entrees are not prepared on the dining car. The fat, cholesterol, sodium, gluten, wheat and peanut content may vary, and cannot be controlled or modified by the chef.
Certain menu items are inherently low in fat, cholesterol and/or sodium and may be ordered from the regular menu. The dining car waiter or lead service attendant can provide guidance.

More info on special dietary requirements on Amtrak's site can be found here: Special Menus & Special Dietary Requirements

 

[the_traveler]

You can request special meals, but they have to be reserved in advance (I think 24-48 hours) by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL. They have more info about meals on their website.

 

[Eric308]

I went from CBS-PDX on the EB last summer and was unable to have a "gluten free friend" accompany me. I was quoted the above guidelines when I requested a possible special meal option.

 

[pennyk]

I am allergic to garlic and eating dinner in the dining car has been a challenge at times. Since the meals are prepared elsewhere, there are no "special orders." Some of the meals have the ingredients listed in a book that the LSA (lead service attendant) has in his/her possession. Some LSA's have looked through the book for me and others have allowed me to look through the book (before the dining car is open for dinner). However some LSA's do not want to be bothered, or do not have the time to look things up, and pretty much have told me not to eat any of the entrees. The last few times I have traveled on the Silvers, all of the entrees contained garlic and I just ate vegetables. I always bring snacks with me just in case. My philosophy is "when in doubt" do not eat it.

Before my first cross country trip, I wrote a letter, well in advance of my trip, requesting ingredients of all the entrees of the trains on which I would be traveling. I received a nice response that stated that they were unable to provide me with that information.

My guess is that more menu items contain wheat than contain garlic, so you might have a larger challenge than I do. I do not have any issues with breakfast.

 

[fairviewroad]

My guess is that more menu items contain wheat than contain garlic, so you might have a larger challenge than I do. I do not have any issues with breakfast.

Just stay clear of the garlic french toast! :wacko:

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Considering that Amtrak makes zero effort to stock anything that's gluten free, even if requested far in advance of your trip, I think the advice to bring your own food and only eat what you bring is probably your best bet.

 

[haolerider]

Considering that Amtrak makes zero effort to stock anything that's gluten free, even if requested far in advance of your trip, I think the advice to bring your own food and only eat what you bring is probably your best bet.

Quite honestly, unless you have seen the limited amount of space for storage, you can't understand how impossible it would be to stock food for all the various food allergies that are out there these days. Gluten free, peanut free, vegan diets, garlic free, Kosher, low fat, etc. I think Amtrak does a pretty good,job of trying to provide a menu that appeals to a high percentage of passengers. The suggestion to bring the food you can eat is a good one, which can then be supplemented by edible items from the menu.....or from the lounge car. As I have mentioned previously, Amtrak has conducted surveys of passengers regarding what they would like to see on the menu and unfortunately, when some of these suggestions have been implemented, those menu items were not ordered and had to be condemned at the end of the run. Everyone says they want to eat healthy, but steak, cheeseburgers and other "unhealthy" items are still high on the list of consumed items.

 

[the_traveler]

I fully agree. While many say they want to eat healthy, if Amtrak just stocked those items in the Dining Car I'm almost certain here on AU (and elsewhere) you'd be hearing comments like "Why can't Amtrak have any good food?" :wacko:

And also to verify this statement, just thing about when you drive around town. Which of the following do you see more of:

1. McDonald's
2. Burger King
3. Taco Bell
4. Pizza Hut
5. KFC
6. health food stores/restaurants

Or at the very least, which have more cars in the parking lot?

Where I used to live, there was a health food store downtown with like a 75 foot store front. A couple of miles away, there was

1. McD's
2. Burger King
3. Taco Bell
4. KFC
5. Pizza Hut
6. Panera Bread
7. Dunkin Donuts
8. Etc, etc...

all within a 1/2 mile of each other! And this was in a small(ish) town under 10,000 people! :blink:

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Quite honestly, unless you have seen the limited amount of space for storage, you can't understand how impossible it would be to stock food for all the various food allergies that are out there these days.

Having a few more options for some of the more common allergies available for people who request them months in advance is impossible?

Everyone says they want to eat healthy, but steak, cheeseburgers and other "unhealthy" items are still high on the list of consumed items.

A frozen veggie patty isn't that much more appealing than a frozen precooked burger. A salad made of iceberg lettuce and not much else isn't that healthy and isn't really going to fill you up. Amtrak has an unfortunate history of letting one or two missteps dictate their long term strategies, but that doesn't mean everyone is lying to Amtrak or that this is an impossible equation to figure out.

I fully agree. While many say they want to eat healthy, if Amtrak just stocked those items in the Dining Car I'm almost certain here on AU (and elsewhere) you'd be hearing comments like "Why can't Amtrak have any good food?"

Nobody has suggested that Amtrak replace all of their frozen junk food with healthier items. It has merely been suggested that Amtrak provide a way for people with specific needs to request their meals months in advance of their trip. You have nothing to fear from my suggestion. Amtrak's already does a great job of catering their options to future diabetics and I'm sure they will continue to do so for as long as they serve food.

 

[NW cannonball]

Guaranteeing custom meals months in advance would be a big money-loser -- consider Amtrak's generous cancellation policies, and the potential liability for failing to meet the very ill-defined specifications most passengers would be able to give if there should be a digestive upset or medical crisis aboard. Don't know any big restaurant chain that would commit to such customization.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Guaranteeing custom meals months in advance would be a big money-loser -- consider Amtrak's generous cancellation policies, and the potential liability for failing to meet the very ill-defined specifications most passengers would be able to give if there should be a digestive upset or medical crisis aboard. Don't know any big restaurant chain that would commit to such customization.

If losing money is the primary criteria then presumably the whole dining operation would be shuttered. The previously generous cancellation policies no longer apply to sleeper tickets. If Amtrak limited special meal pre-selection to sleeper passengers or charged a special meal fee it might not cause too much of a headache for them. I cannot claim to have all the answers. I can only claim that doing absolutely nothing isn't much of a solution.

 

[haolerider]

Guaranteeing custom meals months in advance would be a big money-loser -- consider Amtrak's generous cancellation policies, and the potential liability for failing to meet the very ill-defined specifications most passengers would be able to give if there should be a digestive upset or medical crisis aboard. Don't know any big restaurant chain that would commit to such customization.

If losing money is the primary criteria then presumably the whole dining operation would be shuttered. The previously generous cancellation policies no longer apply to sleeper tickets. If Amtrak limited special meal pre-selection to sleeper passengers or charged a special meal fee it might not cause too much of a headache for them. I cannot claim to have all the answers. I can only claim that doing absolutely nothing isn't much of a solution.

I honestly don't know how many chain restaurants provide gluten free, peanut free or kosher meals on their menus, but I am sure it is very limited number of establishments. Amtrak is much more limited in their ability to provide these kinds of meals and that is a fact. Your suggestion that because they cannot provide these meals with months of notice is cause to shut down the entire dining operation is not only short sighted but slightly laughable. Because they cannot cater to 1-2% of the passengers they should deny the remaining 98% their ability to eat on the train??? Get real!

 

[daveyb99]

My guess is that more menu items contain wheat than contain garlic, so you might have a larger challenge than I do. I do not have any issues with breakfast.

Just stay clear of the garlic french toast! :wacko:

or Garlic Vanilla Ice Cream ....

 

[zepherdude]

This is not connected to the subject at all, but davy mentioned garlic ice cream. There is an Italian Restaurant (not on an Amtrak route), they would serve garlic bread soaked! and crispy! To die for! As an bonus, they would throw whole roasted garlic cloves in with the bread! Sorry pennyk, not trying to be insulting, I just thought of this menu item! No one kissed or slept next to anyone after a meal at Little Italy in Corpus Christi.

 

[zephyr17]

If memory serves, I think the Stinking Rose in San Francisco actually has garlic ice cream.

 

[Andy]

Considering that Amtrak makes zero effort to stock anything that's gluten free, even if requested far in advance of your trip, I think the advice to bring your own food and only eat what you bring is probably your best bet.

On a long distance trip how does one bring food if it cannot be stored or refrigerated? My girlfriend, who has a gluten allergy, will be travelling with me in a sleeper for three nights. I'm not sure what gluten free food we could bring that doesn't require refrigeration. And, would they heat something up in a microwave if we requested it?

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Guaranteeing custom meals months in advance would be a big money-loser -- consider Amtrak's generous cancellation policies, and the potential liability for failing to meet the very ill-defined specifications most passengers would be able to give if there should be a digestive upset or medical crisis aboard. Don't know any big restaurant chain that would commit to such customization.

If losing money is the primary criteria then presumably the whole dining operation would be shuttered. The previously generous cancellation policies no longer apply to sleeper tickets. If Amtrak limited special meal pre-selection to sleeper passengers or charged a special meal fee it might not cause too much of a headache for them. I cannot claim to have all the answers. I can only claim that doing absolutely nothing isn't much of a solution.

I honestly don't know how many chain restaurants provide gluten free, peanut free or kosher meals on their menus, but I am sure it is very limited number of establishments. Amtrak is much more limited in their ability to provide these kinds of meals and that is a fact. Your suggestion that because they cannot provide these meals with months of notice is cause to shut down the entire dining operation is not only short sighted but slightly laughable. Because they cannot cater to 1-2% of the passengers they should deny the remaining 98% their ability to eat on the train??? Get real!

You're either not reading what I'm writing or you're simply intent on overreacting. I never called for removing the frozen junk food bonanza or retiring the diners. I simply pointed out that Amtrak already loses money while catering exclusively to future diabetics. It would seem like this could be an opportunity for Amtrak to turn a negative into a positive and use it to win over more converts from the airlines and bus lines. Perhaps they could even charge more for it than they currently charge for the generic frozen food menu. Something to think about anyway.

Considering that Amtrak makes zero effort to stock anything that's gluten free, even if requested far in advance of your trip, I think the advice to bring your own food and only eat what you bring is probably your best bet.

On a long distance trip how does one bring food if it cannot be stored or refrigerated? My girlfriend, who has a gluten allergy, will be travelling with me in a sleeper for three nights. I'm not sure what gluten free food we could bring that doesn't require refrigeration. And, would they heat something up in a microwave if we requested it?

You'd have to bring an ice chest and request more ice as it melts (or purchase it if you were in coach). Amtrak does not provide any method for heating food brought with you so you'll have to stick to items you can eat without cooking.

 

[user 1215]

Guaranteeing custom meals months in advance would be a big money-loser -- consider Amtrak's generous cancellation policies, and the potential liability for failing to meet the very ill-defined specifications most passengers would be able to give if there should be a digestive upset or medical crisis aboard. Don't know any big restaurant chain that would commit to such customization.

If losing money is the primary criteria then presumably the whole dining operation would be shuttered. The previously generous cancellation policies no longer apply to sleeper tickets. If Amtrak limited special meal pre-selection to sleeper passengers or charged a special meal fee it might not cause too much of a headache for them. I cannot claim to have all the answers. I can only claim that doing absolutely nothing isn't much of a solution.

I honestly don't know how many chain restaurants provide gluten free, peanut free or kosher meals on their menus, but I am sure it is very limited number of establishments. Amtrak is much more limited in their ability to provide these kinds of meals and that is a fact. Your suggestion that because they cannot provide these meals with months of notice is cause to shut down the entire dining operation is not only short sighted but slightly laughable. Because they cannot cater to 1-2% of the passengers they should deny the remaining 98% their ability to eat on the train??? Get real!

You're either not reading what I'm writing or you're simply intent on overreacting. I never called for removing the frozen junk food bonanza or retiring the diners. I simply pointed out that Amtrak already loses money while catering exclusively to future diabetics. It would seem like this could be an opportunity for Amtrak to turn a negative into a positive and use it to win over more converts from the airlines and bus lines. Perhaps they could even charge more for it than they currently charge for the generic frozen food menu. Something to think about anyway.

How does providing a better dining experience that regularly charges high prices, generally sells out of food, generally unable to cater to all who wish to dine bring converts from airlines and buses that offer no dining at all?

 

[Devil's Advocate]

How does providing a better dining experience that regularly charges high prices, generally sells out of food, generally unable to cater to all who wish to dine bring converts from airlines and buses that offer no dining at all?

Same way Amtrak wins smokers over from airlines that don't allow smoking?

If Amtrak was serious about making money from the diner they'd need to make more than a couple menu changes.

The diner runs out of supplies because nothing is ever restocked en route.

The dining process is slow and half of the available seats aren't even in use on half of my trips.

There's also a bottleneck to free up space because the LSA is the only person who can touch money.

These are not insurmountable problems but they would require a nimble company that is willing to try new solutions without letting inertia dictate their progress.

 

[D.P. Roberts]

How does providing a better dining experience that regularly charges high prices, generally sells out of food, generally unable to cater to all who wish to dine bring converts from airlines and buses that offer no dining at all?

I would guess that it probably isn't. I would guess that Amtrak's priorities are to keep existing services running, maintain extraordinarily old equipment, squeeze as much operating efficiency as possible out of the budget they have, and hopefully wrangling some new equipment. Winning customers over with the dining probably isn't part of the equation. I doubt anybody rides Amtrak for the food. They're probably just trying to find stuff that's as palatable as possible to the largest amount of people, under the restrictions that they have.

 

[Guest]

Since I started this thread, I'm coming back in to clarify what I was asking. I'm not looking for a special gluten free or wheat free meal. All I want is to find out if the eggs are a mix with wheat, if the hamburger is mixed with bread crumbs, and if the steak is marinated in something with wheat like soy sauce. If we can safely eat these three things, we're all set for all three meals. Almost all chain restaurants willingly give customers this kind of information. All I can get out of Amtrak is their pat statement that they don't have a gluten free menu. Thousands of people are giving up wheat because they can't digest the new wheat that has been altered by hybridizing until it's causing all sorts of ailments. Amtrak will eventually have to respond to this. For now, if they could just let people know if wheat is in everything they serve.

 

[pennyk]

Since I started this thread, I'm coming back in to clarify what I was asking. I'm not looking for a special gluten free or wheat free meal. All I want is to find out if the eggs are a mix with wheat, if the hamburger is mixed with bread crumbs, and if the steak is marinated in something with wheat like soy sauce. If we can safely eat these three things, we're all set for all three meals. Almost all chain restaurants willingly give customers this kind of information. All I can get out of Amtrak is their pat statement that they don't have a gluten free menu. Thousands of people are giving up wheat because they can't digest the new wheat that has been altered by hybridizing until it's causing all sorts of ailments. Amtrak will eventually have to respond to this. For now, if they could just let people know if wheat is in everything they serve.

you might have to wait until you are on the train and ask the LSA if they have the ingredients. That has been my experience in the past.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Unfortunately it's too late to file a FOIA request and too early to ask the crew. Might as well bring some food.

 

[Alice]

Since I started this thread, I'm coming back in to clarify what I was asking. I'm not looking for a special gluten free or wheat free meal. All I want is to find out if the eggs are a mix with wheat, if the hamburger is mixed with bread crumbs, and if the steak is marinated in something with wheat like soy sauce. If we can safely eat these three things, we're all set for all three meals. Almost all chain restaurants willingly give customers this kind of information. All I can get out of Amtrak is their pat statement that they don't have a gluten free menu. Thousands of people are giving up wheat because they can't digest the new wheat that has been altered by hybridizing until it's causing all sorts of ailments. Amtrak will eventually have to respond to this. For now, if they could just let people know if wheat is in everything they serve.

A lot of food doesn't really need refrigeration despite the label, or only needs refrigeration after it is opened. For example, you could have great sandwiches of a nice cheese and sliced almonds or apples on rice cakes. Peanut butter, avocado, salsa or dried berries would fit in there, too. I believe Trader Joe's jerky is gluten free, worth checking. You could make up baggies of your own trail mix. For breakfast, pack some instant cereal (such as cream of rice) and get hot water. Dress it up with mandarin orange slices or dried berries. So there are lots of choices of tasty things you can pack without refrigeration or cooking needed. (Pack a small cutting board and a good knife, perhaps a couple of mugs and spoons if you are going to make your own cereal.)

Don't know about Amtrak eggs, but the continental breakfast includes grapefruit and yogurt (I think Yoplait), and has oatmeal as a choice. Although technically oatmeal is gluten free, it can be contaminated with other gluten grains so whether you'd want to eat it depends on how sensitive you are. I'm sure Amtrak doesn't pay extra for certified gluten-free oatmeal.

Salad dressings are served on the side, you might want to take your own bottle just to be sure. Perhaps someone will post the brand and you can take an "acceptable" list.

Also don't know about the hamburgers and steak, the steak definitely has something added to it. You might do better with chicken or salmon, especially the meat often available to be added to a salad. As others have said, ask on board. A baked potato is also often an option and you can get it plain then add your own choice of toppings. Potato chips are served at lunch but have the same issues as oatmeal, at least you can take a list of acceptable brands and compare it to the packages on board, same with ice cream.

Are you in sleeper or coach? I ask because your meals are included in the sleeper price, so wasting much of any meal might not be so painful, and that is probably what you'll be doing every meal. The dining car doesn't have a la carte service, and the cafe has a lot fewer choices.

Have a good trip!