It’s edible. I’ve said this before but there isn’t any huge groundbreaking difference between flex meals and Acela first class dining. They’re both airline style meals. One (Acela obviously) is presented better but having had both back to back in a short period of time there’s not a heck of a lot of difference quality wise - in fact the portion size is probably better in flexible. Having said that - I’m all for restoring traditional dining system wide.
I hadn't rhought of using Venmo for Amtrak tips. How did you do it? Did you ask the server if they use Venmo, and what method were they comfortable with (username, their Venmo QR code, their email or phone number)?
I can't speak for Acela, but Domestic First offers much better food than Amtrak Flex in my opinion.
Yes, I explained I didn't have cash and would like to do a tip, and straight-up asked if they used Venmo. I let them guide how it went (username, QR code, etc.) and it was really smooth. The dining car server was relatively younger enough to default the scan, which is definitely the easiest and doesn't involved having to go through the username thing, and I also tipped my SCA with Venmo. She wasn't as familiar so I mentioned the QR code option and we did that.
Yeah, flex meals are edible…
I will take the canned Amtrak emergency beef stew, served over rice, please.
One data point does not speak for all.
Personally, I'll take the box of Kentucky Fried Chicken and can of Coke I once got on the Southwest Chief in Flagstaff, AZ.
I don't love 'em and prefer traditional dining by far. However the entire concept is far better now than it was when first rolled out. That was simply awful. Still, here's hoping the full dining experience is rolled out to more routes in the coming year, I am not optimistic it will ever happen on the Capitol Limited.One data point does not speak for all.
As I recall, all the flex meals I’ve had were fine.
The decline in service levels has been rather shocking. The arrival of Covid provided an excuse for the decline in service for a while but that excuse is now wearing thin and is no longer credible.
I sure hope so too! I share your thoughts on traditional and flex, now that I've had both. I rode the Cap for the first time last December and the flex meals were honestly fine. However, is there a particular reason you (and many others) think that the Cap is one of the least likely to ever get traditional dining?
Pasta is meant to be kept dry until just before eating, so no wonder the flex meals get mushy.
I don't like flex dining because I don't understand the point of it. You have to wait an hour or more for your order, and you're then buried in almost as much annoying plastic packaging as food. And there was nothing on the Flex menu that I liked. I'm just not sure I understand the point of it, even the supposed labor saving aspect.
It is still credible if they have not been able to hire enough diner staff and retain them.
Mainly a gut feeling. The Capitol is one of Amtrak's lowest ridership overnight trains. Some here seem to enjoy the race to the bottom, but I believe this train is lower on the priority list than the Texas Eagle.
If for no other reason than the Texas Eagle is a much longer trip, and connects to the Sunset which is already Traditional Dining
Normally, you would be able to have dinner in the dining car. If you are traveling in a room, your Attendant will have made a reservation for you. If you are traveling coach, dinner is space-available for $45 per person. There may be restrictions on dining car availability on this final leg of the Starlight's journey from Seattle.
Just heard from a service attendant on the empire builder that there is a menu refresh in the works ‘in about a month’.
