Menu on the SWC

[MrFSS]

Here is what the menu looked like from our SWC trip (trip report follows soon) if anyone is interested.

Tom

 

[the_traveler]

I know sleeper meals include dessert, but do they also include appetizers? Or are they extra?

 

[gswager]

I know sleeper meals include dessert, but do they also include appetizers? Or are they extra?

Appetizers and an ice cream for a la mode are extra.

 

[MrFSS]

I know sleeper meals include dessert, but do they also include appetizers? Or are they extra?

Appetizers and an ice cream for a la mode are extra.

We had a really great dining car lead attendant. She would sometimes let you have the ice cream for free with the cake! But, the cake was really dry, especially on the third day!

 

[WhoozOn1st]

No eggs over easy!? I'm cancelling my trip! :lol:

 

[had8ley]

No eggs over easy!? I'm cancelling my trip! :lol:

Hey; we can get you a Bob Evans scramble. I'm sure there's a few left over from the old menu.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

I'm increasingly looking forward to the food when I take my trip in a couple of weeks. When was the last time someone said, "I'm flying out soon, and boy am I looking forward to the food they serve on Delta!"

 

[The Metropolitan]

I'm increasingly looking forward to the food when I take my trip in a couple of weeks. When was the last time someone said, "I'm flying out soon, and boy am I looking forward to the food they serve on Delta!"

Yup. The new menu does have me intrigued to catch an LD train very soon, but my most imminent LD reservation is late April! I may have to figure a way to work a trip to PGH on the Capitol in, to get a taste of the new dinner and breakfast options.

One thing from the old menu I'll probably miss though is the Lamb Shanks. I doubt it will show up as the Chef's Special, as the $15 pricetag is about 4 bucks less than I remember the entree costing.

 

[Chris J.]

I'm increasingly looking forward to the food when I take my trip in a couple of weeks. When was the last time someone said, "I'm flying out soon, and boy am I looking forward to the food they serve on Delta!"

Yup. The new menu does have me intrigued to catch an LD train very soon, but my most imminent LD reservation is late April! I may have to figure a way to work a trip to PGH on the Capitol in, to get a taste of the new dinner and breakfast options.

One thing from the old menu I'll probably miss though is the Lamb Shanks. I doubt it will show up as the Chef's Special, as the $15 pricetag is about 4 bucks less than I remember the entree costing.

Is this the same menu as used on the Capitol then? I look forward to it if it is!

 

[The Metropolitan]

I'm increasingly looking forward to the food when I take my trip in a couple of weeks. When was the last time someone said, "I'm flying out soon, and boy am I looking forward to the food they serve on Delta!"

Yup. The new menu does have me intrigued to catch an LD train very soon, but my most imminent LD reservation is late April! I may have to figure a way to work a trip to PGH on the Capitol in, to get a taste of the new dinner and breakfast options.

One thing from the old menu I'll probably miss though is the Lamb Shanks. I doubt it will show up as the Chef's Special, as the $15 pricetag is about 4 bucks less than I remember the entree costing.

Is this the same menu as used on the Capitol then? I look forward to it if it is!

Should be nearly identical, and probably totally identical.

Bon Apetit!

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

I just made a run FTW-CHI on the Texas Eagle and this is the exact same menu. We had the new CCC, but only the diner half was being used. When I boarded at FTW, the southbound Eagle pulled in next to us and it had the traditional "straight" Diner. Having eaten 3 meals in the CCC, I'm not yet sure if I like it as well as the traditional Diner.

 

[sechs]

Appetizers and an ice cream for a la mode are extra.

Actually, you can't get anything "a la mode," as the ice cream now comes in little cups, like in the lounge.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

I thought that was only on the Lake Shore Limited.

 

[MrFSS]

Appetizers and an ice cream for a la mode are extra.

Actually, you can't get anything "a la mode," as the ice cream now comes in little cups, like in the lounge.

Ice cream comes like this.

Nothing says you can't buy one and spoon it out on what other dessert you get as included with your meal. And, as I said above, one night they gave us a free one with our cake.

 

[wayman]

I thought that was only on the Lake Shore Limited.

Two-oz Haagan Dazs vanilla and chocolate ice creams are available on the single-level diner-lites (Cardinal & Lake Shore) as of their introduction this fall, full diners (Heritage and Superliner) as of their December menu change, and (I assume) the Cross Country Cafes (City and soon Texas Eagle) as of their introduction. So, basically every Amtrak food service car that's a step up from "cafe" has ice cream now, I think. (Well, perhaps excepting First-Class Acela, about which I have no idea.)

 

[trainfan]

Is this food cooked onboard or just heated up?

Trainfan

 

[AlanB]

Is this food cooked onboard or just heated up?
Trainfan

If you are referring to the SW Chief menu posted above, then a bit of both. Some is cooked, some reheated.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

What about the french toast?

 

[mercedeslove]

I can't wait for my trip on the SCW. I am so hooking myself up with some of that French Toast.

 

[dan72]

Thanks for the menu preview. Two weeks from Tuesday, I'm heading out on the Chief myself. Can't wait!

 

[TVRM610]

What about the french toast?

I don't know the answer, but I have had the french toast pre-SDS, during SDS, and now with this new SDS menu and I have never been able to tell the difference. Its good old amtrak french toast.

Now with that said, the omelet is obviously cooked to order and looks amazing (my seat mate made me very jealous by ordering this!) much better than the SDS menu.

Not sure what to call the new menu, Revised SDS? When I think SDS, I don't think steak, so I don't like using that term, but I know that it's still SDS, just a revised and greatly improved form.

 

[AlanB]

What about the french toast?

I don't know the answer, but I have had the french toast pre-SDS, during SDS, and now with this new SDS menu and I have never been able to tell the difference. Its good old amtrak french toast.

Now with that said, the omelet is obviously cooked to order and looks amazing (my seat mate made me very jealous by ordering this!) much better than the SDS menu.

Not sure what to call the new menu, Revised SDS? When I think SDS, I don't think steak, so I don't like using that term, but I know that it's still SDS, just a revised and greatly improved form.

Well SDS is more than just a menu, in fact the "menu" grew out of the requirements imposed by SDS. When Amtrak cut the crew sizes in the dining cars, they had no choice but to come up with that first menu.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

So what allows the improved menu?

 

[mrbudman24]

I can't wait for my trip on the SCW. I am so hooking myself up with some of that French Toast.

My wife and I just got off the Silver Meteor from PHL to WPB today. While other things on our train caused us to complain to Amtrak upon arrival, the dining room food/service was a very, very welcome dining experience. 1-We had the flat iron steak, baked potatoe and fresh string beans for dinner last night......in a word..........OUTSTANDING... 2-French toast with sausage patties for breakfast, again..........OUTSTANDING..........3-Cheddar cheese burgers with bacon for lunch today............OUTSTANDING..........

The service was outstanding and the wait staff was beyond friendly, compared to the horrendous attitudes of the rest of the crew.

 

[PRR 60]

So what allows the improved menu?

A couple of things. First, the Amtrak determined that some degree of on board preparation was possible within the staffing limitations of SDS. Thus the return of the cooked to order steaks and omelets. Second, Amtrak worked with Gate Gourmet to develop some more interesting entre offerings, and also added the appitizers that require very little preparation (and generate revenue even from Sleeper passengers). It was basically a tweaking to try and see if they could make things a bit more interesting.
Based on my sampling on the Zephyr last month, I cannot say that I was overwhelmed with the changes. The things I had were OK. Maybe the best was the simple tuna sandwich I had at lunch which was fresh and tasty. I had the game hen at dinner and it was fine but not memorable: kind of Applebees quality. My wife was not even as impressed as I was and did not care for the food except for the Angus burger at lunch. However, we both liked the raspberry cheesecake.