I don't remember the food necessarily being much better back then, but the service level was much better. The agents that worked there were generally very senior and usually only worked the RCC. They got to know the frequent customers and provided a higher level of customer service. For example, in the mid '90's (UA's good 'ole days) I was late getting to the airport for a flight from SAN. From the parking lot, I called one of the agents that knew me. Betty (who had been with UA for 35 years at that point) checked me in, secured my upgrade, printed the BP, left the club and met me at the gate, enabling me to make the flight.

Today, most of the agents are friendly enough, (some are dragons, as we already know) but they seem to simply rotate through the various airport positions. At LAX, I've rarely seen anyone even staffing the service desk behind the check in counter! So, you have to ask them to help you while they check in incoming customers.