I miss the Amtrak Steaks. I've also seen a group of ladies in their 70s complain about how there's nothing on the menu they can eat on ever single CZ trip I've ever been on. (Even the COVID trip where my SCA was AWOL and I was just served breakfast in the Dining Car)
There's always anecdotes that disprove the general rule. The general rule, if you look at trends in dining, is away from IHOP/Dennys and towards things like Chipotle, Applebees, etc.
I really don't think what you're saying is very true, though it probably depends on what part of the country you are in.
First of all, many people in the 20-40 age range would absolutely want real food cooked on a real grill/stove. I don't think a quality steak will ever go out of style.
I think the only generational trend that is actually noticeable is a move away from unhealthy, unsustainable food, towards healthy, whole food items. The suggestion that Applebees is in some way fulfilling that is silly at best (Chipotle maybe). I've always viewed Applebees as an antiquated, unhealthy, and endangered restaurant chain.
Also, your groupings of IHOP/Denny's and Chipotle/Applebees don't make a lot of sense since Applebees is now owned by IHOP.
I think a good bottom line is if Amtrak served fresh, sustainable, and healthy food, it would appeal widely across generational boundaries.
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