Amtrak Metropolitan Lounges
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danasgoodstuff
OBS Chief
Looks good to me.
It looks like I won't need to go anywhere else for lunch during my connection from the Northeast Regional to the Lakeshore Limited. (Though the idea of going out for a slice at Pizza Suprema is tempting...)
That observation about the nose is correct of course. But the attendant might be from a service company, and not Amtrak, although Amtrak has to take ownership of contractor performance regardless.
How about putting some of those eggs in the diners.
Did the stall door attack you feet when you exited it? They need to raise it a bit more or have it slide on the floor. (Yes, I got attacked by the door - twice
)Maybe you just need to work on your door-defense tactics!Did the stall door attack you feet when you exited it? They need to raise it a bit more or have it slide on the floor. (Yes, I got attacked by the door - twice
crescent-zephyr
Engineer
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And the salads! A prepackaged Cobb salad would be a luxury compared to the TV dinners
Mailliw
OBS Chief
I'm on the LSL to Chicago next month; my first sleeper trip. Hopefully they'll just let me stock up on food.
Routine amounts, no. I asked for a one of their good salads to take on the Lake Shore so I could avoid the sad little "flex dining" salad. I said "I'd like a salad to take with me on the Lake Shore." so the attendant clearly understood my intent. They had absolutely no problem with that. Also had two of their Santa Fe Chicken half sandwiches for lunch while I was in there, which the attendant heated up for me. They were very good, and I recommend them.
Moynihan's Lounge exists in an entirely different universe from the rest of the Metropolitan Lounges. At the rest, no one who works there cares if you take all the Cheezits, although your fellow passengers might. They won't be restocking them until they damn well feel like it in any case.
PS, they no longer have the wonderful, big chocolate chip cookies in the LA Metropolitan Lounge that they used to have.
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I hope so. Chicago lounge's selection was underwhelming when we were there in September last year.
When I was there last, I asked for a salad and chips to take on the train with me and it was cheerfully provided. Although there is no charge for the food, there is a tip jar. I cheerfully tipped the attendant.
Something to consider- the lounge in NY serves Acela first and sleeper passengers (+ some tier members) Chicago admits BC passengers, and the level of food service in NY would not be viable in a room that had large numbers of passengers paying a BC fare, and getting on/off trains where they pay for food.
I've connected in Chicago many times, and upgraded offerings would be great. I travel LD in a sleeper and would appreciate that. But when you allow entry into the room to BC passengers, unless you had some way to keep them away from the more costly amenities, it isn't practical.
The food offered and served by personnel at the Moynihan Metropolitan Lounge (no longer the Acela Lounge) is all under contract and outsourced. This is the model going in at Philly, Boston, Washington DC, and Chicago. The pandemic kinda threw things in a bit of tail spin at some of the other station lounges. For example, food is outsourced at Chicago (what little variety, food, and drink is offered). When the Lounge FIRST opened, it had better food options and a person assigned to serving and watching the whole ordeal. As the pandemic went through various stages in its progression, the food options changed (downgraded, not as much) and the person operating the desk or doing the cleaning kinda "helped" to ensure the food at the Chicago Metropolitan Lounge was stocked. Moynihan opened in the middle of the pandemic and its operation remained largely untouched with good food offering AND outsourced personnel. Again, it is supposed to be a model for the other Metropolitan Lounges. The employees may have Amtrak uniforms at Moynihan behind these food service counters, but they are contractors.
It's amazing that the food in the Moynihan Lounge is MUCH better than the flex dining offered on the "Eastern Long Distance Trains" and even in the cafes. That doesn't sit well with me. I have to wonder how Amtrak's accounting is working the "cost" of these Metropolitan Lounges. There's no way that people are eating all that is being stocked and offered at the Moynihan Metropolitan Lounge. It's actually amazing how Amtrak can come up with this good service for the Metro Lounge, but not on the train.
On the same token if the Moynihan Metropolitan Lounge was transported and operated in Chicago like it is in NYC, it certainly would be a big expense since there's such a lack of food service where the Metro Lounge is in Chicago. There used to be a restaurant across from the Metro Lounge in Chicago (the space across from where the Lounge now exists), but it closed. If it were open - even in the past two years - it would have done a remarkable amount of business. Most people are not willing to walk to the food court from the Chicago Metro Lounge. But if something was right across from it - it would do a good deal of business in my opinion because the Chicago Metro Lounge is just putting minimal amount of snacks and beverages out. You are not getting lunch or dinner at the Chicago Metro Lounge, like you could make out at the Moynihan Metropolitan Lounge. There used to be a beverage cart service (alcoholic drinks sold) INSIDE the Chicago Metro Lounge, but that was dropped during COVID. I am sure there was a charge for the alcoholic drinks, but any food and non-alcoholic drinks put out at the Chicago Metro Lounge - all free. And it was contracted out.
It's amazing that the food in the Moynihan Lounge is MUCH better than the flex dining offered on the "Eastern Long Distance Trains" and even in the cafes. That doesn't sit well with me. I have to wonder how Amtrak's accounting is working the "cost" of these Metropolitan Lounges. There's no way that people are eating all that is being stocked and offered at the Moynihan Metropolitan Lounge. It's actually amazing how Amtrak can come up with this good service for the Metro Lounge, but not on the train.
On the same token if the Moynihan Metropolitan Lounge was transported and operated in Chicago like it is in NYC, it certainly would be a big expense since there's such a lack of food service where the Metro Lounge is in Chicago. There used to be a restaurant across from the Metro Lounge in Chicago (the space across from where the Lounge now exists), but it closed. If it were open - even in the past two years - it would have done a remarkable amount of business. Most people are not willing to walk to the food court from the Chicago Metro Lounge. But if something was right across from it - it would do a good deal of business in my opinion because the Chicago Metro Lounge is just putting minimal amount of snacks and beverages out. You are not getting lunch or dinner at the Chicago Metro Lounge, like you could make out at the Moynihan Metropolitan Lounge. There used to be a beverage cart service (alcoholic drinks sold) INSIDE the Chicago Metro Lounge, but that was dropped during COVID. I am sure there was a charge for the alcoholic drinks, but any food and non-alcoholic drinks put out at the Chicago Metro Lounge - all free. And it was contracted out.
When I was the Chicago Metropolitan Lounge in November (twice, eastbound and westbound layovers), the drink cart was there and staffed.
The food selection sucked, though.
The food selection sucked, though.
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We went through the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago twice last November and indeed the "food" offerings were meager in the extreme, but there was a little bar where you could buy a beverage that might help you forget your hunger.
The Moynihan lounge is the best as far as selection of food and drink. As mentioned far better than the flex offerings. Of course ANYTHING is better than flex.
I guess in keeping with Amtrak's focus on the NE corridor the Moynihan has the best food. Chicago has the most people being it is the major hub for Amtrak. I've always been dissapointed in the food and drink offerings. I suppose there are no plans to upgrade and have more than chips and breakfast pastries.
Glad there is a food court at Union Station. It's an escalator ride and a quick walk from the lounge. Jersey Mike's is a very welcome addition. if you are riding on the Texas Eagle,City of New Orleans,Cardinal,Lake Shore or Capitol Limited,that's the best food you will have your entire trip
I guess in keeping with Amtrak's focus on the NE corridor the Moynihan has the best food. Chicago has the most people being it is the major hub for Amtrak. I've always been dissapointed in the food and drink offerings. I suppose there are no plans to upgrade and have more than chips and breakfast pastries.
Glad there is a food court at Union Station. It's an escalator ride and a quick walk from the lounge. Jersey Mike's is a very welcome addition. if you are riding on the Texas Eagle,City of New Orleans,Cardinal,Lake Shore or Capitol Limited,that's the best food you will have your entire trip
When I did my CZ trip in 2019, the CHI lounge had a fresh veggie bar. Sliced carrots, broccoli, cucumber, etc. with ranch dip. I enjoyed it.
