I flew US7 PHL-SFO last night and had a terrible special meal in F. The Asian Veg meal, which previously had been ok-- curry, a stir-fry or something, was terrible last night -- undercooked wild rice and totally overcooked boiled vegetables, totally inedible.

The FA apologized and told me that they'd just switched caterers to Dobbs in Philly and meal quality on the specials was suffering...

Another oddity -- all the sugar packets they were given had "United" on them.

[This message has been edited by kv99 (edited 09-09-2002).]

I'm sure UA would love to know just who's plane their logo is flying on! I did, however, get a few "foreign" pieces of silverware on PIT-DEN last month...

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">The Asian Veg meal</font>What exactly does an Aisian Vegetarian taste like? And how do they feel about it?

I am Asian and I feel quite good about it on say, United Airlines, where it usually consists of rice or naan and an Indian curry, or a noodle dish (Chinese-style) or a tofu dish of some sort, usually with some sort of Asian salad and one of those dairy-free lemon or coconut cookies (quite good) and fruit. In business or first, you're usually able to get the regular dessert as well.

On European and Asian carriers, it can be the best meal option out there sometimes.

On USAirways, it downright sucks (and is generally the same as all the other veg. meals)

Well, it could have been worse...you could have been flying in to Philly. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

If you want a good meal I suggest you go to a fine restaurant. Any time you get a great meal on a domestic flight consider it a bonus.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by LikeItUpFront:
If you want a good meal I suggest you go to a fine restaurant. Any time you get a great meal on a domestic flight consider it a bonus.</font>

Thanks for the advice http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

I'm not expecting gourmet food in the air, but it should be edible and can sometimes be actually decent. I recently flew PHL-SFO-NRT-BKK, BKK-NRT-ORD-PHL on United and ordered the Asian Veg meal on every leg and without exception, the food was quite good. This meal was NOT.

Anyway, an update -- I mentioned this to the Chairman's Desk and within hours, got a call from the manager of dining and cabin for the Northeast, asking me for suggestions that he can give to catering in an upcoming meeting... to my mind, that's very impressive, and reflects the attitude of the USAirways we know and love.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kv99:
I mentioned this to the Chairman's Desk and within hours, got a call from the manager of dining and cabin for the Northeast, asking me for suggestions that he can give to catering in an upcoming meeting... to my mind, that's very impressive, and reflects the attitude of the USAirways we know and love.

</font>
Yeah, but didn't you try that many moons ago where they sounded all nice and accomodating, but after a month or so it was back gruel? My wife has the most godawful time with the vegetarian requests.

Actually I did about two years ago have a conversation with a catering manager, and the meals did improve quite a bit -- I found some of my suggestions appear on flights soon afterwards and this lasted for about 1 year. Then they disappeared again, back to the rice and boiled vegetables... USAirways is definitely the worst with the veg. meals.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kv99:
Actually I did about two years ago have a conversation with a catering manager, and the meals did improve quite a bit -- I found some of my suggestions appear on flights soon afterwards and this lasted for about 1 year. Then they disappeared again, back to the rice and boiled vegetables... USAirways is definitely the worst with the veg. meals.</font>

I have the name and e-mail adress for the Senior Buyer, Dining and Cabin purchasing at U--send me a PM if you want the info.


[This message has been edited by foodguy (edited 09-10-2002).]

I'm flying first US #7 740p-1047P PHL - SFO
and will be requesting veg. meal also - we'll see how it is!

Had veg meal 09/13/02 US 7 PHL - SFO and not too bad - EXCEPT for 'something' they had with a cracker. They brought it out when they brought out the salad. I tried a few bites and couldn't take it.

Main course was very good though.

Ended up on A319 instead of A321 so we had 12 first class seats. 9 were taken. Coach was ?? 30%?? full - pretty amazing. Nephew and I had a good flight with Bernadette (sp?) being an excellent flight attendent!

I fly SFO-PIT-IND 09/16/02 1030p my nephew flies SFO-PHL 09/16/02 930p so we'll see how those flights are!

All I know is this: I did not claw my way to the top of the food chain to eat vegetables!
I am a life long P.E.T.A Member. ( People Eating Tasty Animals)