Customer standards are the only thing that help keep some minuscule shred of quality left at US airlines these days. With an attitude of "good enough" we'll quickly end up with 189 seat 738s pitched at 28" paying the same prices as we do today.

If DL truly wanted to "try at all" they would look to their CC partner's Centurion lounges to see what an acceptable food offering would entail. Otherwise, throwing out a tray of sandwiches comparable to what is offered in elementary school cafeterias is just embarrassing. As for the beverages, yes, some people do enjoy being offered a decent complimentary beverage or two. I don't understand the irrational taboo of alcohol in the United States. Having a few drinks with a meal or at the end of the day is actually a very acceptable norm.

Finally, I absolutely despise the word "free." Absolutely nothing offered in the SkyClub or anywhere else throughout any airline fits the definition of free. Perhaps complimentary, but make no mistake about it, you pay for everything one way or another.