"Nothing Could be Finer Than Dinner in the Diner" Thread
#46
Join Date: Aug 2009
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You are correct, a select few LD Trains do use china-ware for some of the meals they serve, notably the EB, but not always for all meals.....
I guess I continue this rant across several foums, because I know first hand how really EZ this would be.
And, I'd guess a high number of posters have never experienced what "really, really, top-notch service" can be/was had on Amtrak years ago, with the same, or worse, equipment that is in service today.
That, and I think a lot of frequent riders are just "happy to have LD Trains to even ride, and would 'settle' for being served almost anything in a dining car."
Can you say, "Modified Meal Service"? Oh the horror........ Of course this staggered seating plan they now use SUX too, but with the limited staffing, it's a neccessity
I guess I continue this rant across several foums, because I know first hand how really EZ this would be.
And, I'd guess a high number of posters have never experienced what "really, really, top-notch service" can be/was had on Amtrak years ago, with the same, or worse, equipment that is in service today.
That, and I think a lot of frequent riders are just "happy to have LD Trains to even ride, and would 'settle' for being served almost anything in a dining car."
Can you say, "Modified Meal Service"? Oh the horror........ Of course this staggered seating plan they now use SUX too, but with the limited staffing, it's a neccessity
#47
In Memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New York, NY, USA
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Normally one table just sat down, one is on salads, one is on the main meal, one is on desert, etc. But with the filler up method, you've instantly got 5 or 6 tables, all wanting things at exactly the same time. I find that generally, yes there are crews that are hopeless, with staggered seating that I'm not waiting for things as long as I used to wait for things.
So while I lament the loss of revenue for Amtrak because of the staggered seating system, I like it from the customer side of things.
I do agree about the plastic/glass thing, and as I pointed out many years ago in a post on Amtrak Unlimited, all Amtrak did was rearrange the deck chairs; the ship is still sinking. Congress wanted food service costs cut. Amtrak pulled that off by cutting staff and charging other departments for costs that didn't use to existing; namely trash hauling. But that's not part of the food service budget. So they met the Congressional mandate.
Stupid, but then so was the Congressional meddling that led to the plan.
#49
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I wish you got real glassware if you purchased alcohol. There's something about a drink in a plastic cup that's so uncivilized. It's bad enough in my room drinking the scotch I brought in the same cups they put near the no-name juice but in the diner where I'm paying $7 for a beer? Come on!
#50
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Bollington, Cheshire, UK
Programs: BA, Best Western, Miles & More
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My rant on the catering side is regarding the lack of choice on the trains.
When we rode the CS train in early may we were at the end of their 4 trip cycle which meant that by lunch on day 2 there was a very limited selection and an even more limited selection for dinner and they only just about managed to feed the sleeper pax with the food they had on board.
The supplies were also limited on the SWC and the Cardinal later on that week.
I can understand Amtrak running low on some fresh food items but to struggle like they did on these trips is a new one on me.
Is this getting to be the norm' rather than the exception to the rule?
When we rode the CS train in early may we were at the end of their 4 trip cycle which meant that by lunch on day 2 there was a very limited selection and an even more limited selection for dinner and they only just about managed to feed the sleeper pax with the food they had on board.
The supplies were also limited on the SWC and the Cardinal later on that week.
I can understand Amtrak running low on some fresh food items but to struggle like they did on these trips is a new one on me.
Is this getting to be the norm' rather than the exception to the rule?
#51
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New York, NY, USA
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When we rode the CS train in early may we were at the end of their 4 trip cycle which meant that by lunch on day 2 there was a very limited selection and an even more limited selection for dinner and they only just about managed to feed the sleeper pax with the food they had on board.
The CS is restocked both in LA & Seattle. Unless it is badly delayed, it never goes more than 2 days without being restocked.
#52
Join Date: May 2012
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It has a mid-route re-stock in Oakland as well. Not an extensive full-restock but items suchs as beverages, rolls, and BBQ sauce.
#53
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And, I'd guess a high number of posters have never experienced what "really, really, top-notch service" can be/was had on Amtrak years ago, with the same, or worse, equipment that is in service today.
That, and I think a lot of frequent riders are just "happy to have LD Trains to even ride, and would 'settle' for being served almost anything in a dining car."
That, and I think a lot of frequent riders are just "happy to have LD Trains to even ride, and would 'settle' for being served almost anything in a dining car."
#55
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Sherman Oaks, CA
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Posts: 843
May I revive this thread with some actual content?
Lake Shore Limited (Train 49)
Dinner, October 6, 2013
Chile-braised beef short rib.
Cheesecake with blueberry topping.
Lake Shore Limited (Train 49)
Dinner, October 6, 2013
Chile-braised beef short rib.
Cheesecake with blueberry topping.
#56
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Sherman Oaks, CA
Programs: Ozark Go-Getters Gold, Statler Star Silver, others from a variety of alternate timelines
Posts: 843
Southwest Chief (Train 3)
Dinner, October 7, 2013
Mahi-mahi with poblano verde salsa.
Triple chocolate mousse parfait.
Breakfast, October 8, 2013
French toast with a side of bacon.
Lunch, October 8, 2013
Bratwurst on a pretzel roll with lettuce-tomato slaw topping (forgot to take a photo until after I'd put mustard on it and taken a bite).
Dinner, October 7, 2013
Mahi-mahi with poblano verde salsa.
Triple chocolate mousse parfait.
Breakfast, October 8, 2013
French toast with a side of bacon.
Lunch, October 8, 2013
Bratwurst on a pretzel roll with lettuce-tomato slaw topping (forgot to take a photo until after I'd put mustard on it and taken a bite).
#57
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Sherman Oaks, CA
Programs: Ozark Go-Getters Gold, Statler Star Silver, others from a variety of alternate timelines
Posts: 843
Southwest Chief (Train 3)
Dinner, October 8, 2013
Amtrak Signature Steak.
Cheesecake with raspberry topping.
I also had two scrambled-egg breakfasts on the trip, both of which I neglected to take photos of (too early in the morning).
All of the entrees were very good, at all meals -- probably the biggest "surprise" was the bratwurst, which made me wish I was getting more than just that one lunch on this trip. I wasn't a fan of the corn-intensive "vegetable medley" on the Southwest Chief, but only because I'm not a fan of corn served in that manner.
Desserts were nothing special -- I definitely preferred the Lake Shore Limited crew taking the cheesecake out of its container first.
Rolls and salads were, um, rolls and salads. That Newman's Own parmesan-and-garlic dressing is excellent, though.
Dinner, October 8, 2013
Amtrak Signature Steak.
Cheesecake with raspberry topping.
I also had two scrambled-egg breakfasts on the trip, both of which I neglected to take photos of (too early in the morning).
All of the entrees were very good, at all meals -- probably the biggest "surprise" was the bratwurst, which made me wish I was getting more than just that one lunch on this trip. I wasn't a fan of the corn-intensive "vegetable medley" on the Southwest Chief, but only because I'm not a fan of corn served in that manner.
Desserts were nothing special -- I definitely preferred the Lake Shore Limited crew taking the cheesecake out of its container first.
Rolls and salads were, um, rolls and salads. That Newman's Own parmesan-and-garlic dressing is excellent, though.
#58
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: California
Posts: 68
Southwest Chief (Train 3)
Dinner, October 8, 2013
Amtrak Signature Steak.
Cheesecake with raspberry topping.
I also had two scrambled-egg breakfasts on the trip, both of which I neglected to take photos of (too early in the morning).
All of the entrees were very good, at all meals -- probably the biggest "surprise" was the bratwurst, which made me wish I was getting more than just that one lunch on this trip. I wasn't a fan of the corn-intensive "vegetable medley" on the Southwest Chief, but only because I'm not a fan of corn served in that manner.
Desserts were nothing special -- I definitely preferred the Lake Shore Limited crew taking the cheesecake out of its container first.
Rolls and salads were, um, rolls and salads. That Newman's Own parmesan-and-garlic dressing is excellent, though.
Dinner, October 8, 2013
Amtrak Signature Steak.
Cheesecake with raspberry topping.
I also had two scrambled-egg breakfasts on the trip, both of which I neglected to take photos of (too early in the morning).
All of the entrees were very good, at all meals -- probably the biggest "surprise" was the bratwurst, which made me wish I was getting more than just that one lunch on this trip. I wasn't a fan of the corn-intensive "vegetable medley" on the Southwest Chief, but only because I'm not a fan of corn served in that manner.
Desserts were nothing special -- I definitely preferred the Lake Shore Limited crew taking the cheesecake out of its container first.
Rolls and salads were, um, rolls and salads. That Newman's Own parmesan-and-garlic dressing is excellent, though.
#59
Original Poster
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#60
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Train: 59 (City of New Orleans)
Class: Sleeper
Where: Dining Car
When: December 17, Breakfast
Same menu and meals as I'd had on the California Zephyr back in June, except then they brought the burrito with sides. This time all I got was the burrito. I did get some potatoes when I asked but bad service overall.
I will note, however, that despite this train being an 8:05 PM departure from Chicago they do serve dinner at 8:30 which I was very surprised by. Unfortunately, I'd eaten downtown and had to pass.
Class: Sleeper
Where: Dining Car
When: December 17, Breakfast
Same menu and meals as I'd had on the California Zephyr back in June, except then they brought the burrito with sides. This time all I got was the burrito. I did get some potatoes when I asked but bad service overall.
I will note, however, that despite this train being an 8:05 PM departure from Chicago they do serve dinner at 8:30 which I was very surprised by. Unfortunately, I'd eaten downtown and had to pass.