Food and Alcohol on the Train

Several people have asked me what I think about the food on the train. Although most trains—if not all—have a lounge or snack bar, not all trains provide a full dining service. Therefore, I will rate the food and prices according to the venue through which they are served.

The trains with the dining cars provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner. One has to make reservations for lunch and dinner, though one attendant assured me that one never makes reservations for lunch. Dining dynamics, therefore, vary depending on the train. The dining car features community sitting, meaning the attendants will group strangers at the same table. And while most passengers welcome the excitement of meeting new people, a few others repudiate it by bringing a book to read, carrying an I-pad to send e-mails, or simply remaining quiet during the entire meal.

Breakfast and lunch are rationally priced, with meals costing between $7 and $12. For the price, the food is actually really good, though some passengers have commented that the quality of food vacillates with the party that is in office—“if Republicans are in the White House,” one passenger joked, “we get microwave food. With the Democrats, we get more gourmet.” Dinner seems to me a bit overpriced, with meals costing between fourteen and twenty-two dollars. I do not suggest the steak, which happens to be the most highly priced.

The food in the lounge car is definitely overpriced. A Snickers bar costs two dollars, and a personal microwaved pizza $5.50! If the ride is long, I suggest bringing your own food in a cooler. Amtrak allows the consumption of alcoholic beverages, but you must buy the drinks from the lounge, which can become rather costly. Although it is illegal to bring your own alcohol, many passengers do it anyway. What happens if you get caught? It depends on the conductor—some may throw you out, but most will just take it up. I have come across some passengers who have devised a clever way not to get caught. One gal had bought mini orange juice bottles, and mixed the juice with Vodka. Another guy simply replaced Vodka for water, and drank it straight.

Bottom line: food, for the most part, is overpriced. However, you pay for the experience of dining with others on the train.