ex-Sh*ttle planes pop up at any time, esp on flights to/from DEN (although I've also had 'em LAX-SEA and SFO-SEA). Their galleys limit food service tremendously. So the meal in question may be more of a function of the plane than the cuts. Not a good outcome, but not new (the case since the demise of Sh*ttle).
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More Room Throughout Coach: the Website of Free Miles and Free Markets