New menus - nothing vegetarian on the Cardinal?

[Johanna]

Thanks, AmtrakLKL, that's good information. I'm saddened by the dining cars' continuing downward spiral, but at least it looks like I'll have something to eat.

Closer to my trip date, I'll try calling to see what I need to do to make this "special request." I have a feeling it might take a couple of weeks before I have a good chance of getting someone on the phone who knows what's going on.

 

[StriderGDM]

I was teaching at a weeklong event (where during the day we burned a lot of activities out in the field training, so eating 2500-3000 calories often is the bare minimum). One evening, I sat next to one of the students who looked pretty dejected. She was vegetarian and the caterers had been doing a horrible job accommodating them. The low point was the night before when the line pointed the vegetarians to the CHICKEN dish. Yes, apparently in Indiana, chicken is not meat.

The upside was, the organizer of the event was sitting with us, heard what happened, fired one caterer and made it VERY clear to the other what was expected. It worked. The next night they had the MOST delicious vegetarian lasagna. So good they had to put a sign on it telling the meat-eaters they could NOT eat it.

So yes, raising the issue can make a difference.

 

[seat38a]

Not addressing this need discriminates against those who want or those who have to be vegetarian.

Discriminates against? How about "fails to accommodate"?

THANK YOU!!! I rolled my eyes when I read Lonestar648's response.

 

[afigg]

It appears that the lasagna could have been a vegetarian choice, until they poured meet sauce over it.

Oh, so close.

That is what is strange about the new Cardinal menu. Checking other menus, the AutoTrain has Baked 6 Cheese Lasagna as the vegetarian entree. If they are going to offer Lasagna, that is the obvious entree to provide for vegetarians without any meat. Since most lasagnas in the grocery stores and probably at many restaurants really have mystery meat in them anyway - because how can you tell in a lasagna? - even as someone who is not a vegetarian, I'll take the vegetable only lasagna in many situations over the "meat" lasagna.

Did someone in the caterer or menu selection department make a mistake and overlook the requirement to have a vegetarian option on the menu?

 

[me_little_me]

It appears that the lasagna could have been a vegetarian choice, until they poured meet sauce over it.

Oh, so close.

Is that when they have a "meel" or only when AUers "meat" together?

Yes, apparently in Indiana, chicken is not meat.

Actually, one often hears the term "meat and poultry" although anyone who thinks that means that chicken is suitable for vegetarians must be from Jupiter. (Mars and Venus are already reserved for men and women respectively). :giggle:

 

[PVD]

If we try real hard, we can extend this another page by delving into the vegetarian vs vegan dilemna. I go to breakfast every Sunday at a vegetarian coffe shop, They have food with eggs,cheese, and butter Many good salads and vegetable plates. . They also have vegan selections which have no animal products at all, you could spackle a wall with artificial cheese lasagna.

 

[pennyk]

I am on the Silver Meteor right now and they have started using the new menus. New pasta dish, different lunch salad, same seafood , french toast, different desserts (including scoop ice cream instead of in cup and greek yogurt cheesecake). My biggest disappointment was that the lunch special is no longer grilled cheese.

The dinner specials have the same (I think) vegetarian/vegan options.

 

[andersone]

I don't have the heart to tell my pet fish Eric he is not meat

 

[AmtrakBlue]

I suspect many people think fish is not meat because Catholics can eat it on Fridays when they're not supposed to eat meat (now only during Lent).

 

[seat38a]

I am on the Silver Meteor right now and they have started using the new menus. New pasta dish, different lunch salad, same seafood , french toast, different desserts (including scoop ice cream instead of in cup and greek yogurt cheesecake). My biggest disappointment was that the lunch special is no longer grilled cheese.

The dinner specials have the same (I think) vegetarian/vegan options.

Grilled cheese should always be on the menu in my opinion and not just on the kids menu. Not sure why, but it tastes the best on the train. Especially on the last day after you've had everything else on the menu already for the past 2 days.

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

I am on the Silver Meteor right now and they have started using the new menus. New pasta dish, different lunch salad, same seafood , french toast, different desserts (including scoop ice cream instead of in cup and greek yogurt cheesecake). My biggest disappointment was that the lunch special is no longer grilled cheese.

The dinner specials have the same (I think) vegetarian/vegan options.

Grilled cheese should always be on the menu in my opinion and not just on the kids menu. Not sure why, but it tastes the best on the train. Especially on the last day after you've had everything else on the menu already for the past 2 days.

Throw a big slice on onion on that bad boy and give it a side of tomato soup and you have a PERFECT Lunch. The soup is likely not going to show up on Amtrak but I have gotten the Chef/Cook to put onion on them before (possibly scavenged from remaining salads?).

 

[Cho Cho Charlie]

Can one order just the sides?

I see black beans, spanish rice, vegetable medley, creamy macaroni & cheese, and savory whole grain pilaf.

I have a friend who is a vegan, and just to not make a big deal, will simply order just the friend fries (just about every restaurant has such) if there is nothing expressly vegan on their menu.

 

[neroden]

Most adults need a diet.

Amtrak has solved two problem with one stone.

Traveling in July, already told my two special people to pack heavy. Gluten, milk products, nuts + tree nuts, and host of other minor foods.

NARP boss has food issues, himself. So Amtrak will be hearing from him. The level of "we don't care" is quite unbelievable.

I spoke to Jim Matthews about this at the ESPA meeting, and he confirmed that he also had a bunch of food allergies. I have food allergies and as such will have to *pack almost all of my own food for a transcontinental trip* (Syracuse NY to San Francisco) next month.

The level of "we don't care" from Amtrak on this is truly beyond unbelievable. If Boardman were actually running Amtrak he would be doing something about this, but clearly he's already mentally retired. The food service on Amtrak will continue to bleed more and more money every month until they can (a) tell the passengers what's in the food and (b) provide enough options that everyone is capable of finding something reasonable to eat. This doesn't seem like a high standard to me, but Amtrak is not currently meeting it.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

I am on the Silver Meteor right now and they have started using the new menus. New pasta dish, different lunch salad, same seafood , french toast, different desserts (including scoop ice cream instead of in cup and greek yogurt cheesecake). My biggest disappointment was that the lunch special is no longer grilled cheese.

The dinner specials have the same (I think) vegetarian/vegan options.

Grilled cheese should always be on the menu in my opinion and not just on the kids menu. Not sure why, but it tastes the best on the train. Especially on the last day after you've had everything else on the menu already for the past 2 days.

Throw a big slice on onion on that bad boy and give it a side of tomato soup and you have a PERFECT Lunch. The soup is likely not going to show up on Amtrak but I have gotten the Chef/Cook to put onion on them before (possibly scavenged from remaining salads?).

I've had soup on other trains so I'm not sure why it's never offered on Amtrak. Maybe Aramark's commercial soups are considered too expensive or having to heat/serve soup breaks some obscure union rule, or maybe they're worried hot soup would melt the cheap plastic dishes they use. I like the idea of adding more to a sandwich than just cheese and bread. Cheese and bread is the definition of the generic kids version, which I honestly loved as a child, but as an adult a bland and dry kid's sandwich leaves a lot to be desired. I think Amtrak could do a lot to improve the experience by offering their grilled cheese with a slice of onion and/or tomato and/or ham/turkey just as a matter of preference without having to beg/plead/finagle it by special request. I guess it's easier to just remove it rather than improve it.

 

[Cho Cho Charlie]

Did someone in the caterer or menu selection department make a mistake and overlook the requirement to have a vegetarian option on the menu?

Seems so.

Here is a copy of Amtrak's official policy on this:

Vegetarian meals contain no meat, but normally do contain dairy or egg products. There is always one meat-free item on every menu and passengers who want vegetarian (meat-free) items may select that; no special vegetarian meal request is required (or possible).

 

[seat38a]

Most adults need a diet.

Amtrak has solved two problem with one stone.

Traveling in July, already told my two special people to pack heavy. Gluten, milk products, nuts + tree nuts, and host of other minor foods.

NARP boss has food issues, himself. So Amtrak will be hearing from him. The level of "we don't care" is quite unbelievable.

I spoke to Jim Matthews about this at the ESPA meeting, and he confirmed that he also had a bunch of food allergies. I have food allergies and as such will have to *pack almost all of my own food for a transcontinental trip* (Syracuse NY to San Francisco) next month.

The level of "we don't care" from Amtrak on this is truly beyond unbelievable. If Boardman were actually running Amtrak he would be doing something about this, but clearly he's already mentally retired. The food service on Amtrak will continue to bleed more and more money every month until they can (a) tell the passengers what's in the food and (b) provide enough options that everyone is capable of finding something reasonable to eat. This doesn't seem like a high standard to me, but Amtrak is not currently meeting it.

Its really no different than the airlines. Other than on special routes, no special meals are available including for medical reasons, even in the premium cabins. I have 8 segments on United coming up and all of them show "No Special Meals." The solution that most companies seem to be taking when they have to start accomodating all kinds of needs is to simply get rid of it. Problem solved.

Amtrak gives a pretty good explanation on whats available and why they can't do certain things here: https://www.amtrak.com/special-menus-special-dietary-requirements

I've noticed lately people crying(in general not you) about how its discrimination, unfair, etc. etc. because Amtrak blah blah blah my needs. Remember, NOTHING for everyone is considered fair and non discriminating.

 

[neroden]

It means Amtrak has to waive the restriction on carry-on baggage count. (So do the airlines.) Because charging extra to someone who is medically required to carry extra stuff *is* discrimination...

 

[PVD]

Not all discrimation is illegal, and there are medical requirements that do not have to be accommodated. Air carrier access law and the part of the ADA that covers Amtrak are somewhat different. But if something can be accommodated without creating bigger problems it would be wrong not to do it.

 

[tp49]

It means Amtrak has to waive the restriction on carry-on baggage count. (So do the airlines.) Because charging extra to someone who is medically required to carry extra stuff *is* discrimination...

In my most recent domestic flight experience (last night) I brought a shopping bag that put me over the carry on limit. However, as the contents of the bag was food to be consumed on the flight the airline did not count it against my carry on allotment.

 

[Palmetto]

I suspect many people think fish is not meat because Catholics can eat it on Fridays when they're not supposed to eat meat (now only during Lent).

This calls for a synod of bishops in Rome.

 

[keelhauled]

For the curious, the new Cardinal menu is now up on the food facts site; it is the same as the CONO except with more lunch options. There is also a new Acela first class menu.

The Cardinal lunch menu appears to offer the same vacuum packed pasta/sausage dish the Star now carries. Which begs the question of why they have two different lasagnas and also why the vegetarian one is not available on the Cardinal.

Edit: there is a "vegan pad thai" listed as a special meal.

 

[Manny T]

Yes the curious would do well to study the food facts of the Cardinal menu. Order correctly and one day's meals can easily net you 7,460 mgs of sodium (recommended daily allowance is 2,300 mgs) and 125 grams of fat (rda is 70). All it takes is an omelet for breakfast (1,140 mg sodium, 54 grams fat), an Italian hero for lunch (2,630 mg sodium, 44 grams fat) and that lasagne for dinner (1,690 mg sodium, 27 grams fat).

And I suggest a brownie for dessert (170 mg sodium, 23 grams fat).

Actually, there is a healthful option for dinner. The tilapia is rated as 4 grams of fat, and 110 mg of sodium--but you can always add more!

 

[Triley]

Just to put this topic fully to rest, I managed to track down an electronic copy of the food guide for the OBS staff for the Cardinal.

I will paraphrase it, but it mentions the kids meal happens to be vegetarian macaroni and cheese. Then it also mentions the Pad Thai with Rice Noodles will be available upon request, and says that it may be a popular option for vegetarians (think they mean vegans) as there is no vegetarian entree served for dinner.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Just to put this topic fully to rest, I managed to track down an electronic copy of the food guide for the OBS staff for the Cardinal. I will paraphrase it, but it mentions the kids meal happens to be vegetarian macaroni and cheese. Then it also mentions the Pad Thai with Rice Noodles will be available upon request, and says that it may be a popular option for vegetarians (think they mean vegans) as there is no vegetarian entree served for dinner.

Pad Thai would not normally qualify as vegan or vegetarian due to the inclusion of eggs, shrimp, and fish sauce as typical ingredients. Then again I can only imagine what sort of meal Amtrak's food service would attempt to call "Pad Thai" with a straight face.

 

[NorthShore]

I suspect many people think fish is not meat because Catholics can eat it on Fridays when they're not supposed to eat meat (now only during Lent).

This calls for a synod of bishops in Rome.

Perhaps the cardinals created the Cardinal's menu.