Dining in steerage class on the great transatlantic ocean liners

[MARC Rider]

Everybody talks about the delicious gourmet food that the first class passengers ate on the liners during the Golden Age. Well, what about the steerage passengers?

I found this on the web:



Now how does this compare to flex dining? And also, note that they apparently had Pursers and stewards even for the steerage passengers.

 

[tgstubbs1]

Do Cabin Biscuits, cheese and gruel compare with Amstew?

 

[caravanman]

Well, steerage passengers on Amtrak (in coach) don't get food options like Smoked Herrings, Ham and Eggs, or Roast Beef!

 

[AmtrakMaineiac]

If I ate a breakfast like that I wouldn't need to eat the rest of the day!

 

[railiner]

In the ocean liner era, even those in 'steerage class' did not go hungry. While the quality of the ingredients and the level of service was well below the higher classes dining experience, there was no limit on quantity, and there was always a tasty choice offered....

 

[Bob Dylan]

Everybody talks about the delicious gourmet food that the first class passengers ate on the liners during the Golden Age. Well, what about the steerage passengers?

I found this on the web:

View attachment 33409

Now how does this compare to flex dining? And also, note that they apparently had Pursers and stewards even for the steerage passengers.

What caught my eye is the Supper Menu which has " Gruel" listed.

That was the peasants "go to" meal where some of my ancestors came from!

 

[jiml]

What caught my eye is the Supper Menu which has " Gruel" listed.

That was the peasants "go to" meal where some of my ancestors came from!

Currently served by several major airlines.

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

Did they trawl behind for the herring? I suspect that was a cheap fish then.

 

[cirdan]

Did they trawl behind for the herring? I suspect that was a cheap fish then.

Being smoked it was easier to conserve and store.
IMHO it's also most delicious that way.

My grandparents regularly had kippers for breakfast. I think its only a relatively recent thing that tastes have changed.

 

[Asher]

Well, steerage passengers on Amtrak (in coach) don't get food options like Smoked Herrings, Ham and Eggs, or Roast Beef!

This is often lacking on Amtrak also.” Want of attention or incivility, should be at once reported to the Purser or Chief Stewart”.

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

Being smoked it was easier to conserve and store.
IMHO it's also most delicious that way.

My grandparents regularly had kippers for breakfast. I think its only a relatively recent thing that tastes have changed.

Do your grandparents hail from Torquay? Heh heh...

I'll share a slightly off topic story: in the 19th Century in Western Norway, servants (household/domestic/farm labor) would have in their contracts to not be served salmon more than three times a week. Because it was the cheapest fish of the time.

 

[MARC Rider]

Do your grandparents hail from Torquay? Heh heh...

I'll share a slightly off topic story: in the 19th Century in Western Norway, servants (household/domestic/farm labor) would have in their contracts to not be served salmon more than three times a week. Because it was the cheapest fish of the time.

The same story is found in New England, except the the cheap trash fish involved was lobster.

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

The same story is found in New England, except the the cheap trash fish involved was lobster.

Shocking, positively shocking!