Yesterday on my way home from the station I stopped at 7-Eleven and ordered two Big Bites to see if I was missing out on anything.
I went in with low expectations, and I came out with even lower.
As a gal who is known to spring for First Class on long haul flights and rail journeys of reasonable length, I will tell you right now that if I was served any of electricron's suggestions (including the BBQ, but mainly because I'd worry about stains on my blouse), I'd. Lose. My. S****. That would be my last trip in that carrier's first class accommodations.
In addition, as has been pointed out in the thread already, the First Class car in Acela has an airline style galley. I've attached photos of what JAL was able to do with an airline galley on my last trip a couple months ago. The legroom is also FAR better than what I get in AcelaFirst.
I should also note that these photos were taken on JAL5, so the catering was performed in NYC and thus Amtrak could easily contract with whomever JAL uses.
Could Amtrak stand to improve their Acela catering? Absolutely. Am I expecting fine-dining on board? No, but I do at least expect a couple of fresh, healthy options in business class and something at least equivalent to transpacific first class in AcelaFirst.
PS I can also assure you as a NYC local that none of us eat street hot dogs unless we're starving and pressed for time. Those are for tourists. The other street food options that were mentioned above are mostly popular after having a few drinks.
PPS I also don't for a moment expect the government to subsidize my bougie dietary needs. I'm happy to pay its actual cost. I'm sure the other regular travelers of these services wouldn't mind as well.
I went in with low expectations, and I came out with even lower.
As a gal who is known to spring for First Class on long haul flights and rail journeys of reasonable length, I will tell you right now that if I was served any of electricron's suggestions (including the BBQ, but mainly because I'd worry about stains on my blouse), I'd. Lose. My. S****. That would be my last trip in that carrier's first class accommodations.
In addition, as has been pointed out in the thread already, the First Class car in Acela has an airline style galley. I've attached photos of what JAL was able to do with an airline galley on my last trip a couple months ago. The legroom is also FAR better than what I get in AcelaFirst.
I should also note that these photos were taken on JAL5, so the catering was performed in NYC and thus Amtrak could easily contract with whomever JAL uses.
Could Amtrak stand to improve their Acela catering? Absolutely. Am I expecting fine-dining on board? No, but I do at least expect a couple of fresh, healthy options in business class and something at least equivalent to transpacific first class in AcelaFirst.
PS I can also assure you as a NYC local that none of us eat street hot dogs unless we're starving and pressed for time. Those are for tourists. The other street food options that were mentioned above are mostly popular after having a few drinks.
PPS I also don't for a moment expect the government to subsidize my bougie dietary needs. I'm happy to pay its actual cost. I'm sure the other regular travelers of these services wouldn't mind as well.