So Did Hot Bites Officially Bite The Dust?or is the Report of Their Demise Premature?
Jan 1, 2019, 1:07 pm
#47
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,195
I do to the extent that I believe one or two people have provided feedback about too much food or that they like/don’t like this or that. United management, like politicians or a five-year-old kid, is hearing the feedback they want to hear and ignoring the rest.
Jan 1, 2019, 2:15 pm
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,930
Jan 1, 2019, 7:04 pm
#49
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: UA/CO GS, PP, MM
Posts: 360
Is part of the issue the terminology “hot bites”? Are people asking literally for hot bites? I’ve been flying Polaris regularly since its roll out and have never associated that term with the Polaris experience. I always thought they were all “mid-flight snacks,” some of which are warm.
Then again, I’m not studying the menu regularly and have substantially lowered my expectations for snacks based on the decline in service.
Then again, I’m not studying the menu regularly and have substantially lowered my expectations for snacks based on the decline in service.
Jan 1, 2019, 7:20 pm
#50
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,885
My menu says “Anytime ala carte menu. Indulge in our midnight snacks anytime after dinner service. Ask a flight attendant”. (not exact, typing in the dark here)
I don’t remember ever reading the words “hot bites”
I don’t remember ever reading the words “hot bites”
Jan 1, 2019, 7:55 pm
#51
Join Date: May 1999
Location: JFK, LGA, EWR
Programs: AA Platinum (Lifetime), United GS, HHonors Diamond, Shangri-la Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 549
i see a couple of recent reports above of "shepherd's pie."
were you served shepherd's pie or cottage pie? (shepherd's pie has lamb in it; cottage pie is made with beef.)
these two dishes are often confused. not asking to pick nits, but because i rather like cottage pie, but i don't eat lamb at all.
were you served shepherd's pie or cottage pie? (shepherd's pie has lamb in it; cottage pie is made with beef.)
these two dishes are often confused. not asking to pick nits, but because i rather like cottage pie, but i don't eat lamb at all.
Jan 1, 2019, 7:58 pm
#52
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 5,001
I think you've hit on a source of confusion both here and with the FA's in terms of the terminology "hot bites". I knew immediately what that is, although I doubt a FA would. I usually go for a hot bite mid-flight on a TPAC. I know the FA don't always know they are available or what they are based on their reaction. They have never been on the menu or otherwise announced. They are just available on request. Oftentimes the FA have to do some searching to see if they any. The grilled cheese and tomato soup has been the regular. There have been some others that I'm struggling to recall, I think a noodle soup, and a beef dish?
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...ss/dining.aspx
Under Mid-flight snacks, they use the exact term, "hot bites", and show the picture of the grilled cheese and tomato soup.
Jan 1, 2019, 8:46 pm
#53
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,977
The hot bites that I have had were chicken on rice (like kung pao), beef on rice and the cottage pie. There were others too, which I can't recall at the moment.
Many FAs don't know about them.
Many FAs don't know about them.
Jan 1, 2019, 11:48 pm
#55
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,220
i see a couple of recent reports above of "shepherd's pie."
were you served shepherd's pie or cottage pie? (shepherd's pie has lamb in it; cottage pie is made with beef.)
these two dishes are often confused. not asking to pick nits, but because i rather like cottage pie, but i don't eat lamb at all.
were you served shepherd's pie or cottage pie? (shepherd's pie has lamb in it; cottage pie is made with beef.)
these two dishes are often confused. not asking to pick nits, but because i rather like cottage pie, but i don't eat lamb at all.
Jan 2, 2019, 1:21 am
#56
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: San Francisco
Programs: 1K 2.2MM
Posts: 2,352
On SFO-SYD yestrday, I grabbed one of those half hummus sandwiches mid flight. When my partner woke up, he wanted one but they were gone, so we asked the FA if there were more. She said no, but she could see about getting us a crew sandwich if we wanted. But that there was also grilled cheese and tomato soup, or lobster mac and cheese, but we'd have to wait 20 minutes while she heated it up. He took the grilled cheese and soup and it was tasty....
Jan 2, 2019, 8:33 am
#57
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Programs: UA 1K, AA Lifetime Platinum, DL Platinum, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 7,970
It uses "hot bites" in a sentence, not "Hot Bites" or anything else to indicate that it's a thing. At least based on the text quoted above, I wouldn't expect a FA or anyone else to know what I'm talking about by mentioning just two words out of context taken from a larger sentence on the website.
Jan 2, 2019, 11:54 am
#58
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,362
It uses "hot bites" in a sentence, not "Hot Bites" or anything else to indicate that it's a thing. At least based on the text quoted above, I wouldn't expect a FA or anyone else to know what I'm talking about by mentioning just two words out of context taken from a larger sentence on the website.
Especially as those two words are in a sentence mentioning "...snacks and a variety of hot bites."
What exactly is this variety then?
The picture UA uses that shows the cheese sandwich and the soup is entitled "United-dining_soup_619x400.jpg", not "United-dining_hot-bites_619x400.jpg".
I think it might be prudent to ask specifically: "Could I please have a cheese sandwich and tomato soup, if you get a chance." as opposed to: "Do you offer hot bites on this flight?"
Jan 2, 2019, 12:28 pm
#60
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: UA/CO GS, PP, MM
Posts: 360
See here:
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...ss/dining.aspx
Under Mid-flight snacks, they use the exact term, "hot bites", and show the picture of the grilled cheese and tomato soup.
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...ss/dining.aspx
Under Mid-flight snacks, they use the exact term, "hot bites", and show the picture of the grilled cheese and tomato soup.
Interesting. Had never seen official mention of their existence before. That is the traditional grilled cheese and tomato soup, although I've tended to get the soup in a cup not a bowl more recently.