My husband and I recently took the Cardinal from Charlottesville, VA, to Chicago and back. We've taken this trip several times over the past two years, but this was our first time since the Cardinal lost the dining car. The so-called "tray meals" were very, very poor substitutions for dining car food. Dinner was something I can describe as tv dinners provided by the lowest bidder. Breakfast was soggy, nasty-tasting quiche or a strange version of "French toast" that had clearly served time in the freezer. Lunch was a choice of a ham and cheese sandwich encased in plastic (snack bar food) with potato chips and a soft drink or an even more disgusting microwaved cheeseburger with potato chips and a soft drink. The person who served lunch yelled at us for showing up without a reservation at 12:15. He said he had come around and knocked on our door, but we didn't hear him. I'm not sure why we needed reservations for pre-made sandwiches, and chips, and the car was not crowded. On the trip out of Chicago dinner was not even offered, but we were given "wine and cheese trays." So don't take a sleeper on the Cardinal for the food.
Other than the food, the trip was just fine both ways. The train was acceptably clean, and the equipment worked OK. We were on time and everyone was polite and efficient.
One more thing--the Cardinal uses Viewliner equipment so there is no family bedroom.