Let me first state that Deborah (2171) is a doll. Absolutely wonderful. That needs to get out of the way first.

Now on to the food review and to answer the question is Acela FC kosher for passover: yes and no.

I asked for the food to be opened after Philadelphia. Around Newark, Deborah came around and asked if I would like to open the food or let her do it. Apparently, it's required that the food be handled individually and under care. I let her do it. There are two trays. I, having ordered the brisket, saw a tray about the size of a normal serving tray, and thought "this is HUGE!" There were about 8 or nine good-sized slices of brisket. The food was quite good (I'm a brisket snob, coming from Jewish grandparents). and the sides were glazed carrots and potato pancakes (three about the size of large tater tots). Also on the tray were two of Amtrak's sides, the lentils (with feta) and the creme dessert. She said that the gentleman who normally orders the Kosher meal asks for them too (I'm not sure about the feta/lentils, but I can imagine that he can wait 40 minutes or so then eat the dessert, as I'm doing).

As I was eating, I was brought a roll. I declined the roll, saying that I can't eat it during passover. Deborah said that the other gentleman preferred Amtrak's rolls. I then went to look at the rest of the giant box of food. I was surprised that included were two builke (mini challa rolls). I can only assume that the meat is (I hope) cooked the day of, or a day before, while the rest of the food is prepared well in advance (bread can stay around for a while, after all). There were two desserts in the box. One was applesauce (and apple juice), and the other was a cake. I'm not sure if it was Kosher for Passover, but I would assume not, seeing as how the rolls were in there. Everything else in the box was pareve.

So, all in all, I'd give Amtrak a B for the food. The hot food-- the important stuff-- was Kosher (no pun intended), but the box most certainly was not.

Vicki, if you're reading this, I would like to publicly commend Deborah for doing a great job in assisting me. She was a wonderful help. Sweet and kind. I hope that sometime in the near future, Amtrak distribute a quick sheet reminding (informing) attendants what to do for passengers traveling while Jewish. I don't think that many people understand what being kosher is about.