by STrRedWolf
photobug56 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 26, 2022 3:00 am Because the Cafe car food is so much worse!*taps earlier post sign*
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photobug56 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 26, 2022 3:00 am Because the Cafe car food is so much worse!*taps earlier post sign*
andrewjw wrote: ↑Sat Nov 26, 2022 1:29 am Yeah, hard to understand why anyone would upgrade to first on Acela on their own dime.It was $50 more between NYP and BOS when I did it. A single seat (no neighbor), free drinks and lunch. Why anyone would NOT do that is beyond me.
STrRedWolf wrote: ↑Sat Oct 15, 2022 2:44 pm Dec 2022 issue of Trains came in email recently, and it has an article on Amtrak's issues and how they're trying to fix them. On the section of food (the article quotes current Amtrak President Roger Harris):That is great news they are going to split the Silver Service trains again, hopefully via the FEC.
That is great news they are going to split the Silver Service trains again, hopefully via the FEC.I'm pretty sure this was in reference to the fact that the Silver Meteor and Silver Star were combined for most of last year and that they're now split back into their normal routes.
Amtrak coach passengers now can buy meals on western ‘traditional dining’ trains
WASHINGTON — Amtrak has begun offering coach passengers on the Empire Builder, California Zephyr, Southwest Chief, Coast Starlight, and Sunset Limited the opportunity to buy meals in those trains’ dining cars, a practice that began March 1.
Since mid-2021, these are the only long-distance trains offering breakfasts, lunches, and dinners prepared to order for sleeping-car passengers; the cost of food and one alcoholic and all non-alcoholic beverages are included in the price of each ticket.
Now, a “limited number of seatings” for breakfast, lunch and dinner are being offered to coach travelers on those trains at a fixed price: $20 for breakfast, $25 for lunch, $45 for dinner, and $20 for all kids’ meals. Amtrak spokeswoman Kimberly Woods tells Trains News Wire, “The onboard purchase comes with the full traditional dining experience —including a complimentary alcoholic drink, complimentary non-alcoholic beverages as well as the bar selection.”
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STrRedWolf wrote: ↑Tue Jul 04, 2023 6:59 am Coffee: Starbucks brewed in a BUNN coffee maker. It’s not burnt… and somehow isn’t prototypical Starbucks darker roast.....Food: Apparently no longer Aramark! Food is marked as “fresh creative cuisine” (yes, it’s capitalized that way) and is out of Halethorpe, MD.Mr. Wolf, you have become "the Pete Wells (Times' restaurant critic) of Amtrak cuisine" .
Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Tue Jul 04, 2023 7:36 am Mr. Wolf, you have become "the Pete Wells (Times' restaurant critic) of Amtrak cuisine" .There's coffee, and then there's stuff that lands me back in bed (Dunkin' Donuts). On the flip side, there's good coffee blends. Starbucks... well, I don't go to Starbucks for just coffee -- I will order a peppermint mocha that is made so that your face is punched in the face with a truckload of mint. Most places will have good coffee. Wawa has serviceable coffee (stuff that you can say "This will do"). But I've had off-the shelf coffee that landed in my trash can, including a military themed coffee that rightfully earned dishonorable discharge papers.
For me, however, "Coffee is Coffee". The only time I've been in a Starbucks is overseas in Salzburg where €9 beats €30 for Breakfast in the hotel at which I stay - and the 1.6 klick hoofing to it and return beats a six floor ride in a Schindler for keeping the kilos off of me.
But then, if you resided out here, sounds like you'd be like several of my neighbors, who said that, when the Starbucks here in town closed up (they didn't have a drive-up was the reason I've learned), they have had "withdrawal symptoms".
Finally, and back on the rails, it will be interesting to learn to what extent this apparent change Amtrak has made with a caterer in the Northeast will extend to elsewhere on the System.