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Why is the dining car full service meal so disgusting. Took the Cali zephyr a few weeks ago and was worse than TV dinners.
Dining car meal
- Thread starter norcalemt02
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boxcarsyix
Service Attendant
It's not fine resturant food but I wouldn't call it disgusting. My meals have been a par with many of the resturant chains (ie Applebys). Certianly better than Dennys.
No complaints from me!
Care to elaborate on how it was disgusting?
:giggle:
zepherdude
OBS Chief
I have never had a poor or disgusting meal in the dining car on any Amtrak Train. I think the steak is the best in the west. Veggies are frozen and baked potatoes are hot. This is not 4 star meals, never meant to be. Its a meal on wheels. I get what I pay for. So, wheres the beef?
Ryan
Court Jester
Amtrak actually monitors this board, complain about the food here enough and they start bringing you the special "not disgusting" meals.*
*I just made that up completely. They don't do this.**
** Probably not.
I think the meals are generally pretty good. Steaks have been consistently tender and tasty. Pasta dishes are good as well.
Me thinks the OP has awoken on the wrong side of his sleeper bunk
.
Me thinks the OP has awoken on the wrong side of his sleeper bunk
.montana mike
Conductor
I agree that the meals are generally quite good. Yes, I have had a few meals that did indeed miss the mark, but for the most part I agree that the food is well prepared and tasty. It would help if some specifics were provided......
benjibear
Conductor
- Joined
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- 1,078
To each their own. Some people find McDonald's and fast food disgusting. Others find the best restaurants in the world disgusting. My in-laws find pizza and Chinese food disgusting. You have to take it for what it is. I would say it is on par with the average diner/family restaurant.
trainaddict
Train Attendant
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2013
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- 27
Please note this blog is NOT run by the Amtrak Full Meal Service. You must contact them directly to get your answer. Another thing I would recommend is to contact the FDA (food and drug association):
http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/Inspections/IOM/default.htm
Their blog has in-depth rules, regulations, and procedures, and you can also contact your Senator, Congressman/woman, Mayor, Judge, or other local representative, or President.
Was it food poisoning? If they poisoned you then you should ask for a voucher. And if it caused death, you can sue.
In order to improve amtrak we must work together. Your voice deserves to be herd.
greatcats
Engineer
In my recent letter to Mr. Boardman I made some comments about the food. There are varying opinions, but in my view some if the food is pretty good, such as the steak and some if the breakfast items, plus I thought the Angus burger at lunch was tasty. But the salad and vegetables need help - my term is cuisine out of an elementary school cafeteria.
montana mike
Conductor
I would agree they could work harder on the veggies, I don't think the "mix" has changed much in quite a while. My latest breakfast experiences have been mixed. The omelets are usually good, but the last couple morning "specials" (spinach frittata as one example) were not good-a fact noted by the servers as well. One would think the Amtrak chefs would test these out better before releasing them to the trains? I too like the Angus burger and especially the Bratwurst on the pretzel roll when they have it--I wish this was an option on all of my rides!!!
OlympianHiawatha
Engineer
I always dump a little Salad Dressing on the Mix and that kicks a good deal of life into it. although I have never found it to be really bad from the get-go. I cannot recall having anything so bad on the train I actually left it on the plate.I would agree they could work harder on the veggies, I don't think the "mix" has changed much in quite a while.
XHRTSP
Lead Service Attendant
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2014
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- 327
So in an attempt to give this thread some purpose, I have a question maybe some of you can answer:
How is Amtrak food in relation to Via Rail's? If you feel there is a large difference in food quality from one to the other, why do you think it's the case and could the gap reasonably be closed?
How is Amtrak food in relation to Via Rail's? If you feel there is a large difference in food quality from one to the other, why do you think it's the case and could the gap reasonably be closed?
D.P. Roberts
Conductor
9) TV dinners
8) Worst fast food (McDonald's)
7) Worst chains (Denny's)
6) Average fast food (Wendy's, Taco Bell, etc.)
5) Worst Amtrak meals (veggies, "leftovers", etc.)
4) Average chain restaurants (Applebees, TGI Fridays, etc.)
3) Best Amtrak meals (steak, chef-inspired dishes)
2) Best chain restaurants (Outback, Chipotle, Five Guys, etc.)
1) Best independent restaurants (insert your favorites here)
8) Worst fast food (McDonald's)
7) Worst chains (Denny's)
6) Average fast food (Wendy's, Taco Bell, etc.)
5) Worst Amtrak meals (veggies, "leftovers", etc.)
4) Average chain restaurants (Applebees, TGI Fridays, etc.)
3) Best Amtrak meals (steak, chef-inspired dishes)
2) Best chain restaurants (Outback, Chipotle, Five Guys, etc.)
1) Best independent restaurants (insert your favorites here)
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greatcats
Engineer
The Canadian has far superior food, although that us an expensive train to ride. On the subject if chain restaurants, if Amtrak's menu resembled Cracker Barrel I would not be the least but offended.
- Joined
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Could you tell us what you ordered?
Did you have seatmates and what did they order?
What didn't you like about the meal?
Did your seatmates dislike their meal?
Anyone else complain about the same meal you had?
H
Henry Kisor
Guest
Why bother to answer the OP? He or she is hiding behind a pseudonym. Has the courage of anonymity.
The OP said nothing even remotely close to anything warranting any of that. Holy hyperbole, Batman. You don't contact your senators and the FDA over limp pasta.
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Certain Congressmen would cheerfully hold full-blown hearings...
Ummmm, if indeed food poisoning from AmChow was fatal to the OP, wouldn't it be a bit tough for them to sue??????
h34r: :help: :wacko: :blink: :giggle:I personally don't find the food on Amtrak to be that bad. Granted I'm not a particulary hard-to-please diner; I don't frequent high-end restaurants. I'm a Denny's/Applebee's type of person. There has been a couple of times when I've found an AmMeal to be particularly dreadful. My response was, instead of instigating a Congressional investigation, was simply not to order that particular meal for the remainder of the trip.
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