Amtrak traditional dining is back and we were able to experience it recently on the Southwest Chief. Here is a breakdown of everything on the menu. Amtrak traditional dining applies to breakfast, lunch, and dinner with dinner having white tablecloth service. We really enjoyed the Amtrak food on our trips.
Amtrak traditional dining is available on the following routes:
- Auto Train
- California Zephyr
- Coast Starlight
- Empire Builder
- Southwest Chief
- Sunset Limited
- Texas Eagle (West of San Antonio)
There is no charge for Amtrak Traditional Dining for sleeper car passengers as it is included with the price of the room. Coach passengers are not allowed to purchase traditional dining and must either eat in the cafe or bring their own food on board. You may be seated with others not in your party while eating in the dining room. Sleeper car passengers can opt to have their meals delivered to their room.
There is no need to make a dining reservation before boarding the train. Breakfast is a first come first served basis, so you’ll be seated whatever time you show up. Lunch and dinner do require reservations, which can be made with your room attendant or dining car attendant after you board the train.
Contents
Amtrak Traditional Dining Breakfast
There are four main choices for breakfast and 3 side choices as well.
Breakfast Main Choices
- Continental Breakfast
- Amtrak Signature Railroad French Toast
- Three Egg Omelet
- Scrambled Eggs
Breakfast Side Choices
- Hardwood Smoked Bacon
- Breakfast Pork Sausage Links
- Chicken Sausage Links
Breakfast was a lot of food, too much to eat right after waking up. We started going later in the breakfast time slot so we could be a little bit hungrier when we showed up to breakfast!
Amtrak Traditional Dining Lunch
There are four choices available for lunch with Amtrak traditional dining.
- Caesar Salad
- Artisan Grilled Cheese
- Natural Angus Burger
- Savory Chili
The chili can be served in a potato or a bowl. We choose to have it in a potato with some toppings. The burger is really good, not even a comparison to the burgers served in the cafe.
Amtrak Traditional Dining Dinner
For dinner, passengers can choose from three appetizers and four entrees.
Dinner Appetizers
- Lobster Crab Cake
- Green Chile Cheese Tamale
- Mixed Green Salad with Baby Brie
Dinner Entrees
- Amtrak’s Signature Flat Iron Steak
- Pan-Roasted Chicken Breast
- Grilled Atlantic Salmon
- Tortellini With Pesto Cream
Dinner Desserts
- Flourless Chocolate Torte
- Philadelphia Cheesecake
- Carrot Cake
We loved the salmon and flat iron steak options. The steak is cooked to order and was quite tender. Options from the lunch menu are also available at dinner time if none of the dinner selections are what you want.
Kids Menu
- Classic Grilled Cheese
- Roasted Chicken Breast
- Homestyle White Cheddar Mac & Cheese
- Hebrew National All-Beef Hot Dog
Amtrak Gluten Free Options
- Three Egg Omelet
- Scrambled Eggs
- Savory Chili
- Roasted Chicken Breast
- Green Chili Cheese Tamale
- Pan-Roasted Chicken Breast
- Grilled Atlantic Salmon
- Flourless Chocolate Torte
Amtrak Vegetarian Options
- Continental Breakfast
- Amtrak Signature Railroad French Toast
- Three Egg Omelet
- Scrambled Eggs
- Savory Chili
- Classic Grilled Cheese
- Homestyle White Cheddar Mac & Cheese
- Green Chili Cheese Tamale
- Mixed Green Salad with Baby Brie
- Tortellini with Pesto Cream
- Flourless Chocolate Torte
- Philadelphia Cheesecake
- Carrot Cake
Amtrak Traditional Dining Menu
