Jeremy you are absolutely awesome down to earth and travel like the normal person would and should. Not like some travelers on you tube that are all about them and all flashy. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK AND CONTENT.✌️🤘👍
Re tipping, my wife and I tip the sleeping car attendant when we first board. Unless the service is lousy, we would tip anyway. For a long trip, like CHI to Portland OR, I tip $20. That registers a positive note for them and we get a bit of extra attention.
I do exactly the same at the very beginning of the journey and also tip a 20 note when alighting. But I also confirm that the room porter is scheduled to be there through the entire journey. I've always gotten excellent service.
@@denizalgazi It does pay to tip well,i think most tip 5 bucks,so you got better service..I'm a X army veteran,I always buy a coach seat,bring a pillow and a blanket,and some snacks,no bags...lol A "roomette" is 4 or 5 X's the coach seat..i wander around alot,and sleep at the drop of a hat so that works for me with kids,familes,maybe not so much..still,the best way to travel in my books people are more laid back,not in a rush
Tried traditional dining (breakfast) on Capitol Limited back in 2015. Very amazing experience. What's more interesting was a blind person on my cross-table spot enjoying the meal too. It makes sense they're replacing traditional dining with the "flexible" one, perhaps for reducing the cost, but I'm very sad to see it's totally unavailable for coach seat customers, even if they have the potential to pay for it
I concur! I have been doing my research! My young son and I will be taking our first Amtrak trip across most of country. We have done it by Greyhound four times and plane once..it does not make sense that coach travellers cannot access that dining option!
And don't forget those Iron Pan Steaks. We traveled on the California Zephyr and I ordered one and it took up half the plate. It rivaled any good steak I ever had in a good steak house.
@@Ram44 Well, it depends on the dining staff. Some cook it however they want and just do the basics, and some perfect it. But some of them were real good.
My wife and I have watched several of your videos. We had hoped to enjoy the Auto Train this past April, however, our cruise was cancelled due to Covid. Your videos are inspiring us to begin planning a long Amtrak trip, maybe coast to coast. Thank you for your work.
My pleasure! You would have been on Auto Train at the same time I would have been on Sunset Ltd (also canceled). I hope we both get to ride soon, or eventually. Thanks for watching!
I miss traveling and dining by rail (when I moved back to Missouri to take care of my parents all rail service had been discontinued except for select cities). One of my favourite cookbooks is titled "Dining By Rail," it is a wonderful reflection about how rail travel used to be and the recipes are really great, I recommend it to everyone. I remember the steward coming down the isle of the train with his chime calling either 1st, 2nd or 3rd seating for dinner 😊
@@T1DWanderer Dining by Rail is an amazing walk through the fallen flags dining on the rails. Written by James D Porterfield. My wife and I heard that he was going to be a guest speaker at the Age of Steam Roundhouse several years ago and made arrangements to go. Despite one of Ohio's snowbelt surprises we ventured out. Mr Porterfield had a great presentation - wish we had the opportunity to experience a small percentage of the golden, and even silver years of dining on the rails. Several more inches of snow had accumulated during the presentation leaving my wife and i wishing that we were travelling home by rail-- We enjoy your videos. Blessings.
As in American, my father and I are in a pub in Cardiff, in which, I walked up to the bar to place a food and drink order. Afterward, I pass a £1 coin to the bartender, in which, looks at me with bewildered look of “why and okay” I guess. My conclusion tipping isn’t big thing in the UK. Cheers!
Tipping isn’t required in Australia either. When we went to the US, we found it really confronting to have to tip. Once we find out the hourly rate of pay for a server, we quickly got on board with tipping.
@@Cal90208 the other thing that drives me nuts is tax. In Australia the GST (good and services tax) is added into the price. You can have exact change ready to go to the register. In the US I never really knew how much I needed to pay, the coins were all unknown thus I just used notes all the time. I ended up with quite a collection of coins at the end of my trip.
I have never had a bad meal in the dining cars. I have done the Silver Star, Crescent, and Empire Builder. No Michelin Star, but good food, and they seat you with strangers, which is great. Go for the steak.
I agree with everything you said. One piece of advice I would add for travelers is to cut down the size of meals and snacks. You burn far fewer calories on a train. I was too full for dinner on the first day of the Empire Builder. Glad I didn’t miss it the second night. Dining with strangers was a unique and enjoyable experience.
Right. As a T1Diabetic, I'm sensitive to lots of food and no exercise. And there isn't much exercise on the train! Even walking up and down the cars is very mild. No snacking between those Amtrak meals is probably a good idea.
@@T1DWanderer I am a t2 diabetic. Q: Do they have salads? I was planning a trip to the US, but due to COVID I can forget about travelling from Holland to your country right now!
monizdm unfortunately it looks like the steak and decent meals have stopped due to Covid. Frozen pasta meals with hard rolls have been the frequent fare that I have seen posted. I am waiting to travel until real dining, even in my room, is reinstated.
Went from NY to Florida in 1995 with my 6 and 2 year old. When seated they brought out a huge adult size pork chop and baked potato for my kids, I told them no way were they going to eat all of that! Her reply, "well, you paid for it"! I ate a lot more of their meals than I should have, I just hated to to see it go to waste...
TAKE FOOD,And Lysol FILTHY Bathrooms urine soaked toilet seat,We had a toilet in our roomette but Wife was asleep,I didn't use pub b room DISGUSTING!, Supposed to get dine car we paid extra,HELLISH TRIP,The view liner full of foreign people and the. BODY ODOR😡
Excellent update thanks. Thanks for the new food service clarifications!! I last took Amtrak on a RT on the Southwest Chief from LA to Chicago in '16. Other than one bad experience with 3 obnoxious people in the dining car who wanted to whine about politics, it was a great trip! Politics should be off limits conversation in the dining car. :)
I've travelling on Amtrak train even before Amtrak merged private Railroad Company for over 53 years. I hopped once or twice a year acrossing in any part of USA as I love it and no matter if the train is delays or on time because trains travel is a blast with a wonderful socially different people from all over the places and a beauty by looking views passing different areas too. And I'm using mostly sleeper car is the best! I used take Southern Pacific (SP) Peninsula Commuter trains for years. SP ran between San Francisco and San Jose and now it's called Caltrain extended to Gilroy (south of San Jose). For now covid and I will resume traveling again. For you guys taking a short trip on Amtrak to see if like the trains before taking long trip. Enjoy!
I've rode the Southwest Chief and the California Zephyr several times across the country. The dining car is one of the most memorable highlights of the trip. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 these routes have been cut to only 3 times a week and the dining cars have been turned into nothing but glorified concession stands. I've heard they're now serving frozen dinners that they've nuked in the microwave. I hope restore service and the dining cars after Covid.
Just a heads up, traditional dining is currently suspended until August 31 and temporarily replaced with flexible dining with the exception of the Auto Train due to the pandemic.
Thanks for the info. Yeah, I keep seeing "Amtrak" in headlines these days and I always get nervous. Reduced schedules, different dining... I hope it all returns to normal soon. I miss Amtrak :/
I took the California Zephyr from Emeryville to Chicago in summer of 2016. Since I had a roomette, all my meals were free. The food was mostly okay, but the salmon at dinner was really good.
"You won't go hungry." I beg to differ. I took the Capitol Ltd from Pittsburgh to Washington, and the limited food and beverage service was laughable. Everything available on that trip was the same food you would get from a vending machine at a highway rest stop. The coffee was excellent, but the pre-packaged bagel was microwaved mush. I was told when I purchased my ticket that, yes, I could go to the dining car. On the train I was told I could not because I did not purchase a sleeping compartment.
Max we had a roomette they lied to us I started looking for d car not even on that train,We got that SOY burger COLD,chips coke 11.25!, Saw attendant ck ticket and Soyburger,About STARVED Stinking LIARS&I want everyone to know!.
We were supposed to take the Coast Starlight up to Seattle for a conference this July 4th weekend! First we got a call that they had cancelled business class, which was our seats! Then a second call that traditional dining was suspended. Then our conference was moved to next year! We cancelled our tickets and will try this trip again next year. Amtrak is currently having a sale, buy a sleeper room now and a companion can ride free. Travel must happen by Sept 30. I'm tempted but all my conferences have been cancelled. Train travel is fun, but not exactly cheap.
Great video! The son and I rode the Texas Eagle from San Antonio to Dallas and back. Breakfast and lunch on the way up, lunch and dinner on the way back. The food was great. The $25 steak 🥩 was on point. One of the best I’ve ever had. I don’t care for being seated with random passengers but we made the best of it.
My only suggestion, is to being your water, energy drink and snacks with you; because if your travelling on budget it, or with children, adds up quick. Amtrak café will nickel and dime you. Also, I seen family being small to medium cooler on the train too. I believe Amtrak have a problem with giving ice away either but double-check.
Just rode the Downeaster. The foodservice does an excellent job. Wait staff takes your order at seat. Simple menu burger ($6), hot dog ($3), chips, Whoopie pie - also beer and wine. Cafe is closed to passengers.
@@T1DWanderer Maybe for a train trip of a few hours, not for a train trip that lasts a week... I am NOT eating microwaved hamburgers and hot dogs on a train for a week on a trip that costs me over $1000 for the fare. I expect at least a freshly cooked flat iron steak. No steak, you don't get my business!
Thanks for the information. I have heard about the dining changes, glad I rode CZ last year with friends and had the traditional diner and took a couple of trips with local railfan group where we rode trains with diners too. Have rode City of New Orleans but traditional diner was not the same when I rode in 2016, still good food but not the same as traditional. Grew up riding trains as my Dad was RR worker and my parents and me traveled all over for free. It was always fun to eat while train was moving and talking to others we met in diner. I have taken some LD trains by myself and glad to ride with others, never had a bad experience. I will not be riding this year with the virus but look forward to trying the flexible meals on my next trip to New Orleans, hopefully next year.
Good comments, Mary. I hope you get to ride again soon. I had to cancel my plans for Amtrak this year too, which would have included City of New Orleans and some others. Thanks for watching!
Will you be updating this video? As of fall 2021, the traditional dining menu is back and completely overhauled, there's no communal seating on most routes, sleeper accommodations only (plus business for a fee on the CS), and TX Eagle retains flex dining. These are only a few of the changes.
Back in 2018, I took my first Amtrak trip from Spokane to Omaha via the Empire Builder, Coast Starlight, and CA Zephyr. The dining car was always my favorite experience. I loved the chance to meet new people at every meal. And I thought the food was always very good. Never had a bad meal, though all those routes did use the same menu so it could get a bit repetitive. On the Spokane-Portland leg, because the dining car was on the other half of the EB that went to Seattle, we just got a boxed breakfast (and actually a boxed dinner on the CS because we had to bus 3 hours around a UP tunnel closed for maintenance). Those boxed meals were rather disappointing. I hope Amtrak wises up and doesn't do away with the traditional dining. And like you, I was a T1D wanderer on that trip!
My brother is a Sr. conductor on Amtrak in SLC. He also says the food is good, although he always brings his own. Sometimes he gets a food-ticket free from a co-worker.
@@fargokid71 Ridership is down!?? Wanna know why?, We had a roomette,supposed to be on a dine car,NO FOOD EXCEPT,Soyburger,coke ,chips 11.25!,I had to pay for that $hit!, viewliner FULL of foreigners who forgot to bathe.Pub b room a URINE FACTORY!. Amtrak liars!, btw got awoke@ 3 am Wife and I scared,train going about 110 MPH,"ridership down" I wonder why😡
Excellent. The Rail Passengers Association/Washington DC has been successful at bringing back the dining car to at least one route (NOLA?). There’s a small annual fee to join but has discounts, etc. Sounds like OUR OWN LOBBY! On the Lake Shore Ltd I had the most pathetic meal 12/19 and on 12/18 Chicken Fricassee like my Mom’s. The new CEO hopefully cleans up what CEO Anderson did wrong. The chair of Amtrak is of course the VPOTUS Pence.
I just joined the Rail Passsengers Association - as low as $5/$6 monthly. RPA is recovering from C19 wave - good time to join. Includes lots of talks in DC. Any RPA members ???
Great info! Took the Zephyr CHI - SAC in Jan 20 dining/mingling was decent to great( inc'l w/ roommette). I doubt if I would ride 2 days without decent meal options. The big breakfast last a long time.
All this cut in dining service on Amtrak trains started long before COVID and right after the new president took over. He's a former president of Delta Air Lines and was well known in the airline industry for making cuts in air schedules, routes and service. He has said he wants Amtrak to concentrate on it's regional service such as the NEC, midwest service out of Chicago and the west coast regional lines but anticipates the elimination of the long distance trains in the future with the exception of the Auto Train.
It is terrible in my opinion. Losing long distance would be a big blow to many small communities and historical sites, in addition to losing a great (even though not amazing) American treasure! .
Empire service in New York state does not have any cafe or food service on trains between Penn and albany. Cafe service is only available on empire service trains that continue to Niagara Falls.
is this before Amtrak just made that decision to get rid of food on most of these trains? remember last Amtrak trip I took out of Chicago to Lincoln Nebraska I called Papa John's what a pulled into Galesburg it had a 12-minute window and there they were with a pizza for me
I took the Texas Eagle from Ft Worth to El Paso and back this week. According to the web site, Traditional Dining is available on The Texas Eagle but that is only partially true. The Ft Worth (and supposedly Chicago) to San Antonio portion of the trip only offers the much inferior Flexible Dining options. From San Antonio to El Paso (and supposedly Los Angeles) one gets the mich nicer Traditional Dining options. I was really disappointed with the Flexible Dining options and quality. I think that the microwave pizza and microwave burgers from the Cafe Car are a step up from the Flexible menu. And I'm not a picky eater. I thought the food in my college cafeteria was pretty good! It would have been nice if Amtrak would point this out on their web pages instead of making it look like the Traditional menu is available along the entire route.
I suspect this needs to be updated due to changes made to deal with the COVID outbreak. To my knowledge, dining car service is no longer offered. Sleeping car passengers are now served in their rooms and the menus are different.
That is what I understand as well. "Traditional" dining has been replaced, where it existed, with "flexible" dining. At least until it's deemed safe to re-open the dining cars as before.
I’m a millennial, But I prefer the traditional dining car experience way better. Flexible dining is just a cut, they should offer the experience as a option.
Could you tell me what is customary as to tipping on an overnight & long distance train. Is it better to tip directly or in a sealed envelope. How many people will I need to tip usually. (Porters, wait staff, chef, etc...) Thanks. I'm really enjoying your videos.
I believe all I've personally done is tip some cash on the table for the server. I'm sure some people leave some, maybe in an envelope, in their private room? Or give it to the car attendant? As car as customary, I'm not sure but the wait staff at least. Any others would of course be appreciated! Thanks for watching!
In my experiences we tip after every meal directly. We tip our server, and our porter/steward/attendant. We tip the attendant at the end of the journey.
Spot on! Appears I will NEVER ride Amtrak again... If I can't eat a freshly cooked steak on a sleeper train that cost me nearly $1000 for the fare, Amtrak can go to hell...
@@ronclark9724 You will be able to enjoy a fresh steak again. In June 23rd, Amtrak’s dining car is coming back to the western routes with fresh meals and tablecloth service. It is also rumored that traditional dining may come back to eastern trains.
Looks like it caters to vegans or vegetarians & standard American diet …….but not Keto or carnivore diets…..unless it’s fresh steak & eggs/bacon/sausage …..no pre-packaged for me……I’ll be checking back…….
Hartford Line, Hiawatha, Keystone, & Valley Flyer should have a café car & Palmetto should be considered long-distance & have a dining car along with café
Unfortunately, there is no dining car on any Amtrak train at this time. Every single one that used to still have that (west of Mississippi River) are now carrying "flexible dining" options, I heard that's like TV dinners microwaved. Will find out what that exactly is like in 2 weeks.
I hear they suspended service in the dining cars altogether. Heard it’s “carry out only,” but nobody has mentioned if it’s the same meals as traditional dining, flex dining or cafe menu food that you can carry out or have delivered. These tickets are expensive, so really need to know from someone who has risen recently what the food services like now.
Unfortunately I haven't ridden Amtrak recently (had to cancel my plans this year) but as I understand it, the take-out meals are the same as flex dining. I think that's from other commenters here. I could be misremembering but I think that's what people are saying. And I think the cafe is *also* open on most routes...?
I've taken Amtrak recently, the Coast Starlight and Empire Builder. Both were serving flexible dining. And you don't sit with anybody else. Very annoying.
Yeah the sitting together aspect makes some nervous, but that's part of the deal. Overall I'd say it's a good thing. Most people, when they first sit down, are a little closed off and there isn't too much talking, but you naturally open up a bit as you discuss your trips or whatever. Then the meal is over and you say your goodbyes. It's actually nice.
I've eaten a few Amtrak steaks and french toast. Always very tasty and I'm hoping that post-COVID they don't completely discontinue fresh-cooked meals!
SOY BURGER ONLY 5.75 Want a coke?...chips?We spent over 11.00 for chips,coke and that soy burger,COLD breakfast!, Nearly frozen blueberry muffin,They turn coffee TOTALLY OFF About 6 PM!, We saw ONE employee they hid WELL!, Our trip was hellish NEVER AGAIN!, About 1000.00 going from Chicago to Tampa,We got roomette and NO Food except early morn&1 time evening,NO SNACKS of ANY KIND,We're diabetic!, Couldn't get ANY FOOD after 6 pm,We paid to get dinner car It didn't have Amtrak thieves😡&LIARS!
I'd say about the same quality, really depends on what airline you are talking about. However in the cafe car you have the option for sodas, chips, and candy that are just the same as if you bought it at a stater bros so.
The last time I rode Amtrak nearly two decades ago I had prime rib for dinner with a baked potato and a tossed salad. Which was very delicious. This crap they are serving today on Amtrak my dog would not eat...
Yes it has. Traditional dining (i.e., fresh meals in the dining car) have been suspended in favor of "flexible dining" (microwaved meals). Hopefully it will be back to normal... eventually.
I rode both the "Crescent, Sunset Limited and the Silver Meteor" BEFORE Anderson became Amtrak President and curtailed Traditional Dining Car Services and instituted what passes for food today. In comparison to traditional dining "flexible dining" is a joke consisting of preheated slop served on plastic. One would be better off bringing their own food and drinks aboard and bypassing the entire affair.
Have you seen those bathrooms?,We had roomette w toilet Thank God pub b room FILTHY!. Supposed to got free dine car,wasn't on the train we got Amtrak LIARS!, Food SLOP!.
You could, if your route has it. The Covid-19 situation has disrupted eating on Amtrak these days so you'd need to check with them for the latest on your route.
Anyone can eat in the cafe car. In the dining car, anyone with a private compartment ticket gets meals as part of their ticket. If you're in a seat you can eat there but you have to pay for the meal when you eat.
I hear you Paul and Rob, flexible dining is garbage. Especially when you're paying premium prices for the sleepers. I used to be a semi-regular Amtrak rider, not any more. I'll be back when they bring real food back.
Just took Empire Builder Chicago to Portland last week. Took the same trip 12 years ago and had a wonderful experience. Today this trip is a shell of its former existence. The food is absolute microwaved crap. Instead of French toast and bacon or steak and baked potatoes, one gets instant oatmeal in a plastic cup or overdone meatballs with the Saran wrap cover still partially attached. It's just a mode of transportation now - no narration, no wine and cheese reception for the sleeper car passengers, no magazine in the rooms. Don't waste your time or money on this waste.
I agree with the food. However I will still take the train for the sightseeing and vibe of taking the train itself! Of course I'm biased, as someone with a passion for trains.
All long-distance routes have flexible dining. Traditional dining is said to return once the pandemic is over/coming to an end. However I wouldn't put it past Amtrak to use it as a way to permanently abandon traditional dining.
I used to ride Amtrak 6 or 7 times a year. I will not eat heated up food. I always chose the steak dinner, if Amtrak doesn't radically lower the ticket price, make the steak dinners available, I won't ride Amtrak again
This was 6 months ago? Before COVID-19. The food has changed to flexible dining, really bad food! No more pancakes for breakfast, chicken pot pie for lunch, and steak for dinner! Breakfast is now a Jimmy Dean’s sausage sandwich that you can buy at your local grocery store for $1.00! Dinner’s are also from the freezer of your local grocery store.
Delicious is a crazy over statement. Amtrak food has gone seriously down hill. You can no longer get things like crabcakes on Amtrak. I should know because I used to use Amtrak several times a year to get home from college and had the crabcakes every single time that disappeared. In other words I have not seen that since about 2013
@@T1DWanderer I recall the days when the Empire Builder had the Idaho Star and Rainbow trout... Something good worth the large investment for your train fare. Today Amtrak serves 7-11 microwave crap... Even McDonalds serves fresh beef in their cheeseburgers today that weren't nuked in a microwave...
Yeah, the former and full traditional dining was reduced years ago. Then it became just the lesser-quality steaks and plastic plates, and now flexible dining.
Just took LakeShoreLimited. Food was all microwaved. Very disappointed. Only good thing was the 2 free beers I got. I'll take it again, but it really needs serious upgrades.
Where are you getting "ATTENDANTS"?, Try and find one We're diabetic had I not bought a candy bar,I would probably DIED,Those attendants are like food NON EXISTANT!.
My opinions: Traditional dining: Better than any plane! Not as good as restaurants, but DEFINITELY not bad. I always enjoy my meals. Flexible: It's edible. Cafe: I don't mind the pizza, and you can't go wrong with snacks.
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*Thanks for dining on Amtrak with me!*
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Jeremy you are absolutely awesome down to earth and travel like the normal person would and should.
Not like some travelers on you tube that are all about them and all flashy.
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK AND CONTENT.✌️🤘👍
Re tipping, my wife and I tip the sleeping car attendant when we first board. Unless the service is lousy, we would tip anyway. For a long trip, like CHI to Portland OR, I tip $20. That registers a positive note for them and we get a bit of extra attention.
Makes the trip much nicer doesn't it? ;)
I do exactly the same at the very beginning of the journey and also tip a 20 note when alighting. But I also confirm that the room porter is scheduled to be there through the entire journey. I've always gotten excellent service.
I think most people tip 5 bucks a day,so i bet your got better service
@@denizalgazi It does pay to tip well,i think most tip 5 bucks,so you got better service..I'm a X army veteran,I always buy a coach seat,bring a pillow and a blanket,and some snacks,no bags...lol A "roomette" is 4 or 5 X's the coach seat..i wander around alot,and sleep at the drop of a hat so that works for me with kids,familes,maybe not so much..still,the best way to travel in my books people are more laid back,not in a rush
Do not tip anything. It's expensive enough. Good service should be a basic standard, not dependent on tips.
This is really great information to all who travel by Amtrak!!!! Thanks so much for sharing :)
Thanks for watching, Charlene!
Tried traditional dining (breakfast) on Capitol Limited back in 2015. Very amazing experience. What's more interesting was a blind person on my cross-table spot enjoying the meal too.
It makes sense they're replacing traditional dining with the "flexible" one, perhaps for reducing the cost, but I'm very sad to see it's totally unavailable for coach seat customers, even if they have the potential to pay for it
I concur! I have been doing my research! My young son and I will be taking our first Amtrak trip across most of country. We have done it by Greyhound four times and plane once..it does not make sense that coach travellers cannot access that dining option!
@@crystamadeiras5337 Take food or you will STARVE!. SO CALLED FOOD IS SLOP!
You answered ALL my questions. Thank you! Great information. 😊
Great to hear! Thanks for watching :)
You know what they say? Nothing could be finer than to have dinner in the diner. LOL. Have a great day everyone.
Man I miss the train. Those burgers are so 🔥 and the pancakes and railroad French toast. Just bomb
They were* Traditional dining isn't being offered at the moment.
And don't forget those Iron Pan Steaks. We traveled on the California Zephyr and I ordered one and it took up half the plate. It rivaled any good steak I ever had in a good steak house.
A train burger is fire? Seriously?
@@Ram44 it really was. Promise. I order it every time!
@@Ram44 Well, it depends on the dining staff. Some cook it however they want and just do the basics, and some perfect it. But some of them were real good.
My wife and I have watched several of your videos. We had hoped to enjoy the Auto Train this past April, however, our cruise was cancelled due to Covid. Your videos are inspiring us to begin planning a long Amtrak trip, maybe coast to coast. Thank you for your work.
My pleasure! You would have been on Auto Train at the same time I would have been on Sunset Ltd (also canceled). I hope we both get to ride soon, or eventually. Thanks for watching!
I feel like this video should be on the Amtrak website, extremely informative and explains things very clearly.
I miss traveling and dining by rail (when I moved back to Missouri to take care of my parents all rail service had been discontinued except for select cities).
One of my favourite cookbooks is titled "Dining By Rail," it is a wonderful reflection about how rail travel used to be and the recipes are really great, I recommend it to everyone.
I remember the steward coming down the isle of the train with his chime calling either 1st, 2nd or 3rd seating for dinner 😊
Great idea for a book! Thanks for watching
@@T1DWanderer
Dining by Rail is an amazing walk through the fallen flags dining on the rails. Written by James D Porterfield.
My wife and I heard that he was going to be a guest speaker at the Age of Steam Roundhouse several years ago and made arrangements to go.
Despite one of Ohio's snowbelt surprises we ventured out. Mr Porterfield had a great presentation - wish we had the opportunity to experience a small percentage of the golden, and even silver years of dining on the rails.
Several more inches of snow had accumulated during the presentation leaving my wife and i wishing that we were travelling home by rail--
We enjoy your videos.
Blessings.
Really miss riding Amtrak with my daughter. We really loved the food and of course, being together and enjoying the scenery ❤🇺🇸 Safe Travels 🙂
The food and the scenery, two of Amtrak's greatest features!
I'm glad you mentioned tipping, it's something that we very rarely do in the UK, a useful reminder.
As in American, my father and I are in a pub in Cardiff, in which, I walked up to the bar to place a food and drink order. Afterward, I pass a £1 coin to the bartender, in which, looks at me with bewildered look of “why and okay” I guess. My conclusion tipping isn’t big thing in the UK.
Cheers!
Tipping isn’t required in Australia either. When we went to the US, we found it really confronting to have to tip. Once we find out the hourly rate of pay for a server, we quickly got on board with tipping.
@@vanessacarter6342 Yeah, tipping is the norm here.
@@Cal90208 the other thing that drives me nuts is tax. In Australia the GST (good and services tax) is added into the price. You can have exact change ready to go to the register. In the US I never really knew how much I needed to pay, the coins were all unknown thus I just used notes all the time. I ended up with quite a collection of coins at the end of my trip.
@@vanessacarter6342 that would be helpful
I really enjoy your Amtrak videos so much,lots of great info THANKS !!!
Very good video and information. Thank you.
Great Video, this is the best review of Amtrak dinning options that I have ever seen. Truly helpful, informative and entertaining.
Excellent coverage of all the wonderful food options on all trains
Thanks! Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching :)
I have never had a bad meal in the dining cars. I have done the Silver Star, Crescent, and Empire Builder. No Michelin Star, but good food, and they seat you with strangers, which is great. Go for the steak.
I agree with everything you said. One piece of advice I would add for travelers is to cut down the size of meals and snacks. You burn far fewer calories on a train. I was too full for dinner on the first day of the Empire Builder. Glad I didn’t miss it the second night. Dining with strangers was a unique and enjoyable experience.
Right. As a T1Diabetic, I'm sensitive to lots of food and no exercise. And there isn't much exercise on the train! Even walking up and down the cars is very mild. No snacking between those Amtrak meals is probably a good idea.
@@T1DWanderer I am a t2 diabetic. Q: Do they have salads? I was planning a trip to the US, but due to COVID I can forget about travelling from Holland to your country right now!
monizdm unfortunately it looks like the steak and decent meals have stopped due to Covid. Frozen pasta meals with hard rolls have been the frequent fare that I have seen posted. I am waiting to travel until real dining, even in my room, is reinstated.
Went from NY to Florida in 1995 with my 6 and 2 year old. When seated they brought out a huge adult size pork chop and baked potato for my kids, I told them no way were they going to eat all of that! Her reply, "well, you paid for it"! I ate a lot more of their meals than I should have, I just hated to to see it go to waste...
You're making me hungry for Amtrak meals again......
There are children's. Menus/ portions smaller.
A very clear ,thorough video !! 👍👍🚉🚈🚄💜🥁🎵🐉🎤🎶💞
Thanks so much! I was hoping vegan options were available.
TAKE FOOD,And Lysol FILTHY Bathrooms urine soaked toilet seat,We had a toilet in our roomette but Wife was asleep,I didn't use pub b room DISGUSTING!, Supposed to get dine car we paid extra,HELLISH TRIP,The view liner full of foreign people and the. BODY ODOR😡
They had soyburger,Called it beef..over11.00 burg,coke chips, We were starving when we got off HORRIBLE!.
I remember the wonderful food on dining car last year from los Angeles to Seattle people don't go starving lol
You're making me hungry just talking about it ;)
Thanks for watching.
Excellent update thanks. Thanks for the new food service clarifications!! I last took Amtrak on a RT on the Southwest Chief from LA to Chicago in '16. Other than one bad experience with 3 obnoxious people in the dining car who wanted to whine about politics, it was a great trip! Politics should be off limits conversation in the dining car. :)
Heh, a new Amtrak rule. Sounds good!
I think any controversial topics should be off-limits! Race, religion, politics, all of it!
I've travelling on Amtrak train even before Amtrak merged private Railroad Company for over 53 years. I hopped once or twice a year acrossing in any part of USA as I love it and no matter if the train is delays or on time because trains travel is a blast with a wonderful socially different people from all over the places and a beauty by looking views passing different areas too. And I'm using mostly sleeper car is the best!
I used take Southern Pacific (SP) Peninsula Commuter trains for years. SP ran between San Francisco and San Jose and now it's called Caltrain extended to Gilroy (south of San Jose).
For now covid and I will resume traveling again. For you guys taking a short trip on Amtrak to see if like the trains before taking long trip. Enjoy!
Exactly, Kenneth! That's the attitude to have on Amtrak. Enjoy the land and the people and the pace!
Awesome breakdown of everything.
I've rode the Southwest Chief and the California Zephyr several times across the country. The dining car is one of the most memorable highlights of the trip. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 these routes have been cut to only 3 times a week and the dining cars have been turned into nothing but glorified concession stands. I've heard they're now serving frozen dinners that they've nuked in the microwave. I hope restore service and the dining cars after Covid.
I would not put it past Amtrak's management to use COVID as an excuse to abandon traditional dining. I'm hopeful though..
Traditional dining is back just for those who have roomettes or bedrooms. Those in coach are not allowed in the dining car.
Glad I had the experience of tradional dining on the Cardinal circa early 90s. Had a former rail roader at my table teach me about track gauge.
You meet some really cool people on Amtrak :)
Just a heads up, traditional dining is currently suspended until August 31 and temporarily replaced with flexible dining with the exception of the Auto Train due to the pandemic.
Thanks for the info. Yeah, I keep seeing "Amtrak" in headlines these days and I always get nervous. Reduced schedules, different dining... I hope it all returns to normal soon. I miss Amtrak :/
Where did you get this info?
Thanks for the update. Would be nice to hear from someone who has taken a long-haul train recently to review what the food service is like now.
@@VidMoose1963 TAKE FOOD OR STARVE!. We rode chicago/tampa HORRIBLE!, paid for dinner car got. SLOP!
I took the California Zephyr from Emeryville to Chicago in summer of 2016. Since I had a roomette, all my meals were free. The food was mostly okay, but the salmon at dinner was really good.
Agreed. The salmon dinner is really good!
"You won't go hungry." I beg to differ. I took the Capitol Ltd from Pittsburgh to Washington, and the limited food and beverage service was laughable. Everything available on that trip was the same food you would get from a vending machine at a highway rest stop. The coffee was excellent, but the pre-packaged bagel was microwaved mush. I was told when I purchased my ticket that, yes, I could go to the dining car. On the train I was told I could not because I did not purchase a sleeping compartment.
Weird. Sounds like you went a little hungry. Sorry it wasn't very good on that train.
@@T1DWanderer Unfortunately it isn't just that train anymore. All of the long distance sleeper trains serve microwave crap today... All of them...
Max we had a roomette they lied to us I started looking for d car not even on that train,We got that SOY burger COLD,chips coke 11.25!, Saw attendant ck ticket and Soyburger,About STARVED Stinking LIARS&I want everyone to know!.
We were supposed to take the Coast Starlight up to Seattle for a conference this July 4th weekend! First we got a call that they had cancelled business class, which was our seats! Then a second call that traditional dining was suspended. Then our conference was moved to next year! We cancelled our tickets and will try this trip again next year.
Amtrak is currently having a sale, buy a sleeper room now and a companion can ride free. Travel must happen by Sept 30. I'm tempted but all my conferences have been cancelled. Train travel is fun, but not exactly cheap.
Yikes. Yeah this was not a good year for train travel. I had to cancel a few too. Better luck next year!
Thanks, John Mica!
Most helpful video on this topic
Thanks, glad it helped
Great video!
The son and I rode the Texas Eagle from San Antonio to Dallas and back. Breakfast and lunch on the way up, lunch and dinner on the way back. The food was great. The $25 steak 🥩 was on point. One of the best I’ve ever had.
I don’t care for being seated with random passengers but we made the best of it.
That sounds great. I'm glad you loved the food! Hope I can ride Amtrak in Texas soon. Was going to this spring but COVID canceled it.
My only suggestion, is to being your water, energy drink and snacks with you; because if your travelling on budget it, or with children, adds up quick. Amtrak café will nickel and dime you.
Also, I seen family being small to medium cooler on the train too. I believe Amtrak have a problem with giving ice away either but double-check.
@Poetry N'motion NO IT ISN'T!, We rode chicago tampa slop was big$$
Just rode the Downeaster. The foodservice does an excellent job. Wait staff takes your order at seat. Simple menu burger ($6), hot dog ($3), chips, Whoopie pie - also beer and wine. Cafe is closed to passengers.
People are complaining about COVID-era Amtrak food, but hey, a hot dog and chips on a train... sounds good to me.
@@T1DWanderer Maybe for a train trip of a few hours, not for a train trip that lasts a week... I am NOT eating microwaved hamburgers and hot dogs on a train for a week on a trip that costs me over $1000 for the fare. I expect at least a freshly cooked flat iron steak. No steak, you don't get my business!
Thanks for the information. I have heard about the dining changes, glad I rode CZ last year with friends and had the traditional diner and took a couple of trips with local railfan group where we rode trains with diners too. Have rode City of New Orleans but traditional diner was not the same when I rode in 2016, still good food but not the same as traditional. Grew up riding trains as my Dad was RR worker and my parents and me traveled all over for free. It was always fun to eat while train was moving and talking to others we met in diner. I have taken some LD trains by myself and glad to ride with others, never had a bad experience. I will not be riding this year with the virus but look forward to trying the flexible meals on my next trip to New Orleans, hopefully next year.
Good comments, Mary. I hope you get to ride again soon. I had to cancel my plans for Amtrak this year too, which would have included City of New Orleans and some others. Thanks for watching!
Will you be updating this video? As of fall 2021, the traditional dining menu is back and completely overhauled, there's no communal seating on most routes, sleeper accommodations only (plus business for a fee on the CS), and TX Eagle retains flex dining. These are only a few of the changes.
I would like to update the video; it's all still in flux now
Outstanding video, very good!
Back in 2018, I took my first Amtrak trip from Spokane to Omaha via the Empire Builder, Coast Starlight, and CA Zephyr. The dining car was always my favorite experience. I loved the chance to meet new people at every meal. And I thought the food was always very good. Never had a bad meal, though all those routes did use the same menu so it could get a bit repetitive. On the Spokane-Portland leg, because the dining car was on the other half of the EB that went to Seattle, we just got a boxed breakfast (and actually a boxed dinner on the CS because we had to bus 3 hours around a UP tunnel closed for maintenance). Those boxed meals were rather disappointing. I hope Amtrak wises up and doesn't do away with the traditional dining. And like you, I was a T1D wanderer on that trip!
Nothing like T1D wandering on an Amtrak train lol! I hope that enough people love the dining experience that they maintain it.
My brother is a Sr. conductor on Amtrak in SLC. He also says the food is good, although he always brings his own. Sometimes he gets a food-ticket free from a co-worker.
Interesting! I bet that's a cool job.
@@T1DWanderer He absolutely loves his job. But it may be short lived. Amtrak is in discussion to only run 3 days a week. The ridership is so far down.
Yikes.
@@fargokid71 Ridership is down!?? Wanna know why?, We had a roomette,supposed to be on a dine car,NO FOOD EXCEPT,Soyburger,coke
,chips 11.25!,I had to pay for that $hit!, viewliner FULL of foreigners who forgot to bathe.Pub b room a URINE FACTORY!. Amtrak liars!, btw got awoke@ 3 am Wife and I scared,train going about 110 MPH,"ridership down" I wonder why😡
Wonderful video!
Excellent video! Thank you so very much for this detailed and helpful information.
Thanks for watching!
Finally a video about amtrak where there isn't a fight in the comments.
Heh, a first for TH-cam!
Great insight.. thx 👍
Excellent. The Rail Passengers Association/Washington DC has been successful at bringing back the dining car to at least one route (NOLA?). There’s a small annual fee to join but has discounts, etc. Sounds like OUR OWN LOBBY! On the Lake Shore Ltd I had the most pathetic meal 12/19 and on 12/18 Chicken Fricassee like my Mom’s.
The new CEO hopefully cleans up what CEO Anderson did wrong. The chair of Amtrak is of course the VPOTUS Pence.
I just joined the Rail Passsengers Association - as low as $5/$6 monthly. RPA is recovering from C19 wave - good time to join. Includes lots of talks in DC. Any RPA members ???
Great info! Took the Zephyr CHI - SAC in Jan 20 dining/mingling was decent to great( inc'l w/ roommette). I doubt if I would ride 2 days without decent meal options. The big breakfast last a long time.
Yeah, at least once every long-ride passenger should eat in the dining car! I'd certainly pick breakfast.
@@T1DWanderer Nah, if we're talking traditional dining go for dinner!
How do I reserve a table in the dining car? From emeryville to Chicago and flexible dining from Chicago to New York
The dining attendant will come to the room for the first route,and they will come to the room for ordering delivery in the next route
All this cut in dining service on Amtrak trains started long before COVID and right after the new president took over. He's a former president of Delta Air Lines and was well known in the airline industry for making cuts in air schedules, routes and service. He has said he wants Amtrak to concentrate on it's regional service such as the NEC, midwest service out of Chicago and the west coast regional lines but anticipates the elimination of the long distance trains in the future with the exception of the Auto Train.
It is terrible in my opinion. Losing long distance would be a big blow to many small communities and historical sites, in addition to losing a great (even though not amazing) American treasure! .
Someone will eventually start a boutique train line if those long distance trains stop running. It would likely be better than ever before.
@@Ram44 I'm not too sure about it. maybe though.
Empire service in New York state does not have any cafe or food service on trains between Penn and albany. Cafe service is only available on empire service trains that continue to Niagara Falls.
I see. Thanks for the info.
If you are in the dining rooms,. Please,. Tip your wait staff,. Approx $2-3 per person/meal.
is this before Amtrak just made that decision to get rid of food on most of these trains?
remember last Amtrak trip I took out of Chicago to Lincoln Nebraska I called Papa John's what a pulled into Galesburg it had a 12-minute window and there they were with a pizza for me
That seems like living life right...!
Been a while..need to go again!!
Me too! Hope you can soon.
GOOD INFORMATION
I am very disappointed that I am getting "flexible dininng" on the Crescent.
Valuable info. Do you have access to ice if you bring your own beverages?
Yes I believe the sleeper trains have ice in them, and probably the others in the cafes. Not 100% sure though.
@@T1DWanderer thank you
@@jjfaris Ice is available in most/all cafes.
@@Cal90208 thank you
I took the Texas Eagle from Ft Worth to El Paso and back this week. According to the web site, Traditional Dining is available on The Texas Eagle but that is only partially true. The Ft Worth (and supposedly Chicago) to San Antonio portion of the trip only offers the much inferior Flexible Dining options. From San Antonio to El Paso (and supposedly Los Angeles) one gets the mich nicer Traditional Dining options. I was really disappointed with the Flexible Dining options and quality. I think that the microwave pizza and microwave burgers from the Cafe Car are a step up from the Flexible menu. And I'm not a picky eater. I thought the food in my college cafeteria was pretty good! It would have been nice if Amtrak would point this out on their web pages instead of making it look like the Traditional menu is available along the entire route.
It is marked with an Astric next to Texas Eagle.
I suspect this needs to be updated due to changes made to deal with the COVID outbreak. To my knowledge, dining car service is no longer offered. Sleeping car passengers are now served in their rooms and the menus are different.
That is what I understand as well. "Traditional" dining has been replaced, where it existed, with "flexible" dining. At least until it's deemed safe to re-open the dining cars as before.
@@T1DWanderer You know what else has changed? No more Amtrak steaks! Now, I HAVE to postpone travel!
I’m a millennial, But I prefer the traditional dining car experience way better. Flexible dining is just a cut, they should offer the experience as a option.
Yeah traditional dining is excellent!
Could you tell me what is customary as to tipping on an overnight & long distance train. Is it better to tip directly or in a sealed envelope. How many people will I need to tip usually. (Porters, wait staff, chef, etc...) Thanks. I'm really enjoying your videos.
I believe all I've personally done is tip some cash on the table for the server. I'm sure some people leave some, maybe in an envelope, in their private room? Or give it to the car attendant? As car as customary, I'm not sure but the wait staff at least. Any others would of course be appreciated!
Thanks for watching!
In my experiences we tip after every meal directly. We tip our server, and our porter/steward/attendant. We tip the attendant at the end of the journey.
Silver Star no longer has a dining car as of about 4 years ago
Dining car was reintroduced to the Star earlier this year.
@@nightflyer3242 i'd like to know when,i was on about 6 months ago and was no dining car
@@scottsheehan1596 Same here bro
I think I'd Soviet it and bring shelf-stable foods ... ethnic strong flavors in 3... 2... 1...
Pate' and brown bread. Sour pickles!! Hard boiled eggs and salt.
Stoli Vodka!!
I will not be riding Amtrak until full-service dining cars a restored. Flexible dining is a joke for first-class rates in a sleeper.
Spot on! Appears I will NEVER ride Amtrak again... If I can't eat a freshly cooked steak on a sleeper train that cost me nearly $1000 for the fare, Amtrak can go to hell...
Glad I live in Chicago and take the long routes! Flexible dining sounds like a joke.
Agreed
@@ronclark9724 You will be able to enjoy a fresh steak again. In June 23rd, Amtrak’s dining car is coming back to the western routes with fresh meals and tablecloth service. It is also rumored that traditional dining may come back to eastern trains.
Looks like it caters to vegans or vegetarians & standard American diet …….but not Keto or carnivore diets…..unless it’s fresh steak & eggs/bacon/sausage …..no pre-packaged for me……I’ll be checking back…….
Hartford Line, Hiawatha, Keystone, & Valley Flyer should have a café car & Palmetto should be considered long-distance & have a dining car along with café
You mean that until this fandango is over, it'll be beans, hardtack and molasses?
lol, you say that like it's a bad thing ;)
Don't knock it.....
Unfortunately, there is no dining car on any Amtrak train at this time. Every single one that used to still have that (west of Mississippi River) are now carrying "flexible dining" options, I heard that's like TV dinners microwaved. Will find out what that exactly is like in 2 weeks.
You mean they suspended traditional dining because of the coronavirus?
no short sighted stupidity, some idiot wants to turn it into an airplane on wheels@@T1DWanderer
@@T1DWanderer that's right, it is to provide better social distancing. or at least that is the official story
the official Amtrak site says it is a temporary measure and they hope to resume diner car operations by june 30th
I hope so
Headphones. The cafe needs to sell headphones. They would sell so quickly!
Well, I just decided a loaf of bread, a jar of peanut butter and jelly will suffice. Plus a pint of southern comfort.
And that PBJ is 10 times better if you drink the Southern Comfort first!
✌🏻🙂✌🏻
so if I pay for a room, any room. do i get breakfast, lunch and dinner for free?
Yes you do.
Yep, any room accommodation includes all meals from the diner. Not cafe.
Eddie Amtrak lies about food,its gas station food,and BIG$$$$, Roomette was dirty!.
I hear they suspended service in the dining cars altogether. Heard it’s “carry out only,” but nobody has mentioned if it’s the same meals as traditional dining, flex dining or cafe menu food that you can carry out or have delivered. These tickets are expensive, so really need to know from someone who has risen recently what the food services like now.
Unfortunately I haven't ridden Amtrak recently (had to cancel my plans this year) but as I understand it, the take-out meals are the same as flex dining. I think that's from other commenters here. I could be misremembering but I think that's what people are saying. And I think the cafe is *also* open on most routes...?
I've taken Amtrak recently, the Coast Starlight and Empire Builder. Both were serving flexible dining. And you don't sit with anybody else. Very annoying.
If I had to pay that much Id want to eat alone.
Yeah the sitting together aspect makes some nervous, but that's part of the deal. Overall I'd say it's a good thing. Most people, when they first sit down, are a little closed off and there isn't too much talking, but you naturally open up a bit as you discuss your trips or whatever. Then the meal is over and you say your goodbyes. It's actually nice.
Thank You. I’m glad I’m not the only one who finds that very off putting. I’m never looking for new friends when I travel. I like being alone.
That’s all I really eat the burgers and the hotdogs
Can you get alcohol on AM rides?
Anyone can buy it in the cafe, and a drink comes free with dinner if you have a sleeper with dinner service
*Have you ever had Amtrak food? Did you like it?*
I miss the lounge car food that was the best
I've eaten a few Amtrak steaks and french toast. Always very tasty and I'm hoping that post-COVID they don't completely discontinue fresh-cooked meals!
I love the Amtrak steak.
Yes, it was fucking disgusting, my meat was basically rubber, bland, and way to salty, i would rather have United Airline food
SOY BURGER ONLY 5.75 Want a coke?...chips?We spent over 11.00 for chips,coke and that soy burger,COLD breakfast!, Nearly frozen blueberry muffin,They turn coffee TOTALLY OFF About 6 PM!, We saw ONE employee they hid WELL!, Our trip was hellish NEVER AGAIN!, About 1000.00 going from Chicago to Tampa,We got roomette and NO Food except early morn&1 time evening,NO SNACKS of ANY KIND,We're diabetic!, Couldn't get ANY FOOD after 6 pm,We paid to get dinner car It didn't have Amtrak thieves😡&LIARS!
If you have the time, a train ride is so much better than a plane ride. Flying sucks ass.
Is Amtrak café car better than airplane food in economy class?
I would personally say yes, definitely.
I would say yes, but that is just my opinion. Just because I like the food doesn't mean you will.
I'd say about the same quality, really depends on what airline you are talking about. However in the cafe car you have the option for sodas, chips, and candy that are just the same as if you bought it at a stater bros so.
The last time I rode Amtrak nearly two decades ago I had prime rib for dinner with a baked potato and a tossed salad. Which was very delicious. This crap they are serving today on Amtrak my dog would not eat...
Has dining changed due to covid?
Yes it has. Traditional dining (i.e., fresh meals in the dining car) have been suspended in favor of "flexible dining" (microwaved meals). Hopefully it will be back to normal... eventually.
Incorrect sir "flexiable dining" is not a change of meal type it is a replacement of a meal with microwave trash.
It's not ideal is it :/
Model train collectors call them "Amtrash."
It's garbage
"Prices are not too bad." Right after showing a menu with $9 refrigerated sandwiches and a $5 hotdog.
Could be worse
@@T1DWanderer Could be worse doesn't make it "not to bad." though.
I rode both the "Crescent, Sunset Limited and the Silver Meteor" BEFORE Anderson became Amtrak President and curtailed Traditional Dining Car Services and instituted what passes for food today. In comparison to traditional dining "flexible dining" is a joke consisting of preheated slop served on plastic. One would be better off bringing their own food and drinks aboard and bypassing the entire affair.
Have you seen those bathrooms?,We had
roomette w toilet Thank God pub b room FILTHY!.
Supposed to got free dine car,wasn't on the train we got Amtrak LIARS!, Food SLOP!.
So if I wanted to eat off the cafe menu for dinner , I could?
You could, if your route has it. The Covid-19 situation has disrupted eating on Amtrak these days so you'd need to check with them for the latest on your route.
T1D Wanderer so if I went on the crescent(which does have a cafe car), they would let me eat their for dinner?
Anyone can eat in the cafe car. In the dining car, anyone with a private compartment ticket gets meals as part of their ticket. If you're in a seat you can eat there but you have to pay for the meal when you eat.
I hear you Paul and Rob, flexible dining is garbage. Especially when you're paying premium prices for the sleepers. I used to be a semi-regular Amtrak rider, not any more. I'll be back when they bring real food back.
They have real food on routes west of Chicago and west of San Antonio plus the Auto train and a Limted traditional menu on the Silver Star now.
Just took Empire Builder Chicago to Portland last week. Took the same trip 12 years ago and had a wonderful experience. Today this trip is a shell of its former existence. The food is absolute microwaved crap. Instead of French toast and bacon or steak and baked potatoes, one gets instant oatmeal in a plastic cup or overdone meatballs with the Saran wrap cover still partially attached. It's just a mode of transportation now - no narration, no wine and cheese reception for the sleeper car passengers, no magazine in the rooms. Don't waste your time or money on this waste.
I think it's still fun (it is a train, after all) but not like it has been in the past is it?
I agree with the food. However I will still take the train for the sightseeing and vibe of taking the train itself!
Of course I'm biased, as someone with a passion for trains.
Has COVID19 affected any of this?
Yes, they moved to boxed meals but (I think) are starting to go back to regular dining where possible.
All long-distance routes have flexible dining. Traditional dining is said to return once the pandemic is over/coming to an end. However I wouldn't put it past Amtrak to use it as a way to permanently abandon traditional dining.
I used to ride Amtrak 6 or 7 times a year. I will not eat heated up food. I always chose the steak dinner, if Amtrak doesn't radically lower the ticket price, make the steak dinners available, I won't ride Amtrak again
Full Dining is back,the food is fantastic [june 2021]
Don't pass on the Blonde Brownie
This was 6 months ago? Before COVID-19. The food has changed to flexible dining, really bad food! No more pancakes for breakfast, chicken pot pie for lunch, and steak for dinner! Breakfast is now a Jimmy Dean’s sausage sandwich that you can buy at your local grocery store for $1.00! Dinner’s are also from the freezer of your local grocery store.
Yeah this was from before COVID. I hear things are quite different now...
We rode Chicago/Tampa near 25.00 2 lousy soy burgers,2 cokes,2 chips,Great breakfast NEAR FROZEN BL BERRY MUFFIN&COFFEE,= Breakfast😡
Meals are coming back on alot of routes,. &. Are very delicious!!!
The flexible menu sucks. I will no longer be riding those routes. They should have just raised the price but still offer the traditional menu.
so basically, good luck trying to figure this out...
Great report, your voice problems are hard to listen too.
But thanks for the information.
You're welcome. What are my voice problems?
@@T1DWanderer There are no voice problems. I'm not sure what he's even talking about 🤷♀️
@@MC-342 Thanks Michele! Glad to hear that :)
@@T1DWanderer Your voice is fine, I have no problems with it
Delicious is a crazy over statement. Amtrak food has gone seriously down hill. You can no longer get things like crabcakes on Amtrak. I should know because I used to use Amtrak several times a year to get home from college and had the crabcakes every single time that disappeared. In other words I have not seen that since about 2013
Too bad about the crabcakes. I still say that I found Amtrak food delicious though!
@@T1DWanderer I recall the days when the Empire Builder had the Idaho Star and Rainbow trout... Something good worth the large investment for your train fare. Today Amtrak serves 7-11 microwave crap... Even McDonalds serves fresh beef in their cheeseburgers today that weren't nuked in a microwave...
@@ronclark9724 That's due to COVID.
Yeah, the former and full traditional dining was reduced years ago. Then it became just the lesser-quality steaks and plastic plates, and now flexible dining.
Just took LakeShoreLimited. Food was all microwaved. Very disappointed. Only good thing was the 2 free beers I got. I'll take it again, but it really needs serious upgrades.
Sorry to hear that. I hope they get their act together ;)
That's flexible dining, as said in this video..
@@Cal90208 Hopefully Lake Shore will run normally again someday
I was wondering if there is an ice machine available to sleeper passengers.
I believe there is usually an ice machine in the sleeper cars.
You can ask for ice at the cafe or dining car attendants.
Where are you getting "ATTENDANTS"?, Try and find one We're diabetic had I not bought a candy bar,I would probably DIED,Those attendants are like food NON EXISTANT!.
The Flex dining is horrible and the food is worse
My wife takes insulin that needs to be refrigerated. Can or will Amtrak accommodate our needs?
No you can't use Amtrak's refrigerator. According to official policy, anyway. I'd get a Frio bag or something like that for insulin.
Bring frozen packs with u
All long-distance should have both flexible & traditional
AmtraK Can;t or can store your food in refridgerator for you?
Can not
Not allowed
My review on Amtrak dining
Great service. Bad food.
My opinions:
Traditional dining: Better than any plane! Not as good as restaurants, but DEFINITELY not bad. I always enjoy my meals.
Flexible: It's edible.
Cafe: I don't mind the pizza, and you can't go wrong with snacks.
@@Cal90208 I always order steak for dinner!
@@denizalgazi Yes!
you will go hungry if you don't have more money than your fare.