personal "food" items in dining car...

[HARHBG]

Newbie to this forum. What a great site!

Question: I see there are many Amtrak people who post here. ....................

Will I get any "static", "grief" from the dining car servers if I bring my own condiments to the dining car? Small things like salt substitutes, (Mrs. Dash)....my own real maple syrup for the breakfast French Toast (very small bottles, same size as the liquor bottles from Cafe) .... I will NOT eat that high fructose "Table Syrup" glop, HA!.....no salt/sugar ketchup, simple, small items like that....

I read the "Official Amtrak" rules and regs, restrictions about personal food items but don't know if any Amtrak Dining Car Attendants would object to or ban such personal condiment items.

Also, can anyone tell me about the special order Kosher meals available?

Who could I write to/contact at Amtrak Corporate office to get an official ruling on my condiment question?

My best to all and THANKS!! for any replies/info and advice.

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

Along this line I have been tempted to bring my own favourite Hot Sauce (Trinidad Scorpion) to put some legs under otherwise "flat" food.

 

[Bob Dylan]

I've seen lots of people that bring their own seasonings and condiments etc. to the dinning car.

Shouldn't be any problem. Just remember you will be sharing a table with three others in the Diner and there's not alot of room on the tables.

You also have the option of having your SCA serve your meals on your room where you can pretty much use the kind of stuff you mention, including your own Alcohol, in privacy.

To inquire about Kosher or Vegetarian meals you can call Amtrak Customer Relations ( 1-800-USA RAIL,),when "Julie" answers ask for Agent for Information and to Order. You must place your order 72 Hours in Advance They are usually very friendly and helpful, but don't have much info about ingredients etc.!

 

[Shanghai]

I know a person who brings her own salad dressing and has never had a problem.

Of course, the dressing does not contain any garlic!!

 

[Ryan]

I wouldn't expect a problem in the dining car.

I also wouldn't expect anyone on the phone to provide useful information that anyone on the train will care about (i.e. in the unlikely event some in the dining car does have an issue, they're going to be completely unconvinced that some CSR on the phone told you it would be OK).

 

[HenryK]

Just be unobtrusive. Bring your condiments in little plastic packets like ketchup packets, or tiny plastic bottles, and nobody will say a thing. If someone does, just nod sadly, tap your heart, and say "Doctor's orders."

 

[pennyk]

I have never ordered a Kosher meal, but I have sat at a table with a mother and son who had ordered one (who I do not think were really kosher). I also sat across the aisle from a couple who ordered a kosher meal, who apparently were very kosher.

To receive a Kosher meal, one must order 72 hours in advance.

Availability and NoticeSpecial menu selections, including kosher and vegan are available on most trains with 72-hour advanced notice. 24-hour advanced notice is required for Acela Express First Class service. Vegetarian meals do not require advance notice.

To reserve your meal, call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245). TTY service is available at 1-800-523-6590.

Kosher MealsKosher meals are prepared and wrapped under rabbinical supervision and sealed until delivered to the passenger. Passover kosher meals will be served in lieu of regular kosher meals throughout the Passover period. Customers must call in advance to reserve.

I do bring my own salad dressing due to a garlic allergy.

 

[hessjm]

I picked up a case of single serve blue cheese dressing packets for the 2 Joe's Gastronomic Adventures since Amtrak discontinued it. The only problem we ran into was having to pack extras for the crew. I even had one server grab mine from the table when I wasn't paying attention!

 

[PRR 60]

I picked up a case of single serve blue cheese dressing packets for the 2 Joe's Gastronomic Adventures since Amtrak discontinued it. The only problem we ran into was having to pack extras for the crew. I even had one server grab mine from the table when I wasn't paying attention!

Maybe you could leave packets of blue cheese dressing instead of a tip?

 

[Anderson]

I picked up a case of single serve blue cheese dressing packets for the 2 Joe's Gastronomic Adventures since Amtrak discontinued it. The only problem we ran into was having to pack extras for the crew. I even had one server grab mine from the table when I wasn't paying attention!

Maybe you could leave packets of blue cheese dressing instead of a tip?

I've been tempted to covertly "stock" the diners on the Meteor with either Thousand Island or Honey Mustard dressing (I still remember when you had about 6-7 dressing choices...sigh...).

 

[oregon pioneer]

do bring my own salad dressing due to a garlic allergy.

Penny, do you have any problem sitting at the table with someone who is using the garlic/Parmesan dressing? I know people that are so allergic their face stings, or they have trouble breathing, in the presence of the allergen.

After reading all the ingredient lists, I decided that one was my favorite (even Newman's uses several ingredients I don't care for, I guess it's just a condition for putting the stuff in shelf-stable packaging). At home, I make my own honey-mustard dressing, which does not have garlic or onions.

 

[willem]

I also wouldn't expect anyone on the phone to provide useful information that anyone on the train will care about (i.e. in the unlikely event some in the dining car does have an issue, they're going to be completely unconvinced that some CSR on the phone told you it would be OK).

Just my opinion, but I would extend that thought to a response on letterhead stationery not swaying the on-board staff.

 

[Chey]

I always bring my own packets of sugar-free dressing and my own splenda (half portions). I've never had a problem.

 

[Hal]

I have never ordered a Kosher meal, but I have sat at a table with a mother and son who had ordered one (who I do not think were really kosher). I also sat across the aisle from a couple who ordered a kosher meal, who apparently were very kosher.

To receive a Kosher meal, one must order 72 hours in advance.

Availability and NoticeSpecial menu selections, including kosher and vegan are available on most trains with 72-hour advanced notice. 24-hour advanced notice is required for Acela Express First Class service. Vegetarian meals do not require advance notice.

To reserve your meal, call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245). TTY service is available at 1-800-523-6590.

Kosher MealsKosher meals are prepared and wrapped under rabbinical supervision and sealed until delivered to the passenger. Passover kosher meals will be served in lieu of regular kosher meals throughout the Passover period. Customers must call in advance to reserve.

I do bring my own salad dressing due to a garlic allergy.

The kosher meals are frozen meals delivered to the train since they have to be prepared in a kosher kitchen. Not something I think anyone would want to order unless they keep kosher. Nothing wrong with them but they are not cooked fresh. I only mention that because airline passengers have been or were known to order kosher meals because they were supposed to be better than regular airline food even if they did not keep kosher.

As far as condiments or salad dressing none is going to object to those.

 

[George K]

The kosher meals are frozen meals delivered to the train since they have to be prepared in a kosher kitchen. Not something I think anyone would want to order unless they keep kosher. Nothing wrong with them but they are not cooked fresh. I only mention that because airline passengers have been or were known to order kosher meals because they were supposed to be better than regular airline food even if they did not keep kosher.

As far as condiments or salad dressing none is going to object to those.

To be strictly "kosher", meat and dairy products have to be, not only prepared, but served separately. Two sets of cookware, dishes, etc. If someone requests a kosher meal, and is seated with someone who does not observe the practice, would the presence of milk, coffee creamer, various salad dressings, etc be a violation of the practice? How does Amtrak provide for that?

 

[BCL]

The only law or regulation that's applicable is that they can't heat or store outside food. That they don't allow outside food to be consumed inside a dining or cafe car is purely Amtrak's own policy.

 

[Hal]

The only law or regulation that's applicable is that they can't heat or store outside food. That they don't allow outside food to be consumed inside a dining or cafe car is purely Amtrak's own policy.

Right. If you are taking space in the dining car you have to order food off the menu. You can't take up the space and bring outside food. I think that would be the policy at almost any restaurant. There are exceptions to outside food in the Cafe. It is allowed on NEC Regional and Acela.

 

[Hal]

The kosher meals are frozen meals delivered to the train since they have to be prepared in a kosher kitchen. Not something I think anyone would want to order unless they keep kosher. Nothing wrong with them but they are not cooked fresh. I only mention that because airline passengers have been or were known to order kosher meals because they were supposed to be better than regular airline food even if they did not keep kosher.

As far as condiments or salad dressing none is going to object to those.

To be strictly "kosher", meat and dairy products have to be, not only prepared, but served separately. Two sets of cookware, dishes, etc. If someone requests a kosher meal, and is seated with someone who does not observe the practice, would the presence of milk, coffee creamer, various salad dressings, etc be a violation of the practice? How does Amtrak provide for that?

Disposable dishes and utensils come with the meal. They are in the meal package.

 

[pennyk]

do bring my own salad dressing due to a garlic allergy.

Penny, do you have any problem sitting at the table with someone who is using the garlic/Parmesan dressing? I know people that are so allergic their face stings, or they have trouble breathing, in the presence of the allergen.

After reading all the ingredient lists, I decided that one was my favorite (even Newman's uses several ingredients I don't care for, I guess it's just a condition for putting the stuff in shelf-stable packaging). At home, I make my own honey-mustard dressing, which does not have garlic or onions.

I am ok breathing garlic, just not eating it.

 

[pennyk]

The kosher meals are frozen meals delivered to the train since they have to be prepared in a kosher kitchen. Not something I think anyone would want to order unless they keep kosher. Nothing wrong with them but they are not cooked fresh. I only mention that because airline passengers have been or were known to order kosher meals because they were supposed to be better than regular airline food even if they did not keep kosher.

As far as condiments or salad dressing none is going to object to those.

To be strictly "kosher", meat and dairy products have to be, not only prepared, but served separately. Two sets of cookware, dishes, etc. If someone requests a kosher meal, and is seated with someone who does not observe the practice, would the presence of milk, coffee creamer, various salad dressings, etc be a violation of the practice? How does Amtrak provide for that?

I witnessed a couple who informed the server that they could not share a table with others who were not eating a kosher meal. They were accommodated and they did not have table mates.

I sat at a table with 2 people who I think ordered the kosher meal because they thought it would be better. They were disappointed and they were unpleasant to the server. They did not like the dessert, so they requested the non-kosher dessert. They did not like the second dessert, so they requested yet another dessert. This was a while ago, so I do not remember if they even tipped the server who bent over backwards to please these people (who could not be pleased).

 

[Cho Cho Charlie]

....my own real maple syrup for the breakfast French Toast (very small bottles, same size as the liquor bottles from Cafe) .... I will NOT eat that high fructose "Table Syrup" glop, HA!.....

Just remember you will be sharing a table with three others in the Diner and there's not alot of room on the tables.

Good point. Just remember to bring enough to share with everyone at your table (didn't your grade school teacher ever tell you that?). I mean, you aren't going to pour that real maple syrup, while everyone else at your table has to use high fructose glop? that would be mean. :angry:

PS: I have to wonder what the Vermonter serves?

 

[Bob Dylan]

I've never eaten in the Diner with folks that had ordered kosher meals, but once on the Texas Eagle I sat with a Muslim Couple that were going to order the ribs till the server told them that they were pork!

I miss the Bar-Q and the East Texas Ribs ( along with all the other Regional Specials) that used to be served on the Eagle!

Too bad we returned to the bland, same ole same ole National Menus. Ugh!

Back to the 90s amd the wonderful Simplified Dining System!

 

[AmtrakLKL]

I've been tempted to covertly "stock" the diners on the Meteor with either Thousand Island or Honey Mustard dressing (I still remember when you had about 6-7 dressing choices...sigh...).

Oh, I miss the One TWO Thousand Island dressing. It went well with the salad, potato chips or to occasionally perk up my Publix sub. 'Twas a very sad day indeed when I saw it was dropped in the name of efficiency and "more ranch buying power". Of course, it doesn't really matter as my train has no salad dressing at all now days...

 

[me_little_me]

I always bring my own maple syrup. If I run out, I order the omelet. If they didn't let me have the syrup, I'd fire the OBS then and there. Since I can't terminate them, I'd have to fire them in the engine's firebox.

No firebox? What kind of stupid train are we on? One of thom smelly diesels or an electric-cution one?

Back to Nelly pulling the carriage!

C'mon Nelly! Gotta get back to the room so we can get to the grandkid's house.

 

[Sauve850]

I also miss the Thousand Island Dressing. Also hate how the LD trains run out of everything so fast. This summer on the CZ eastbound I loved the Tiramisu. All gone after the first nights meal.