- I recently spent 57 hours on Amtrak trains from Whitefish, Montana, to New York City.
- As a vegetarian, I was worried I wouldn't find enough to eat while on the train. I was proven wrong.
I'm not a particularly picky eater, but as a vegetarian who travels regularly, I've found myself on many long-haul flights, poking at a pile of mushy, unappetizing airplane food, wishing I'd packed more snacks.
So as I prepared for a cross-country train trip earlier this year, with only bad airplane meals to compare it to, I steeled myself for the worst-case scenario.
I imagined sitting in my little room, snacking on a bag of Doritos, my tummy aching and a single tear running down my cheek. But because I had booked a roomette on Amtrak's sleeper car, I got access to the train's dining car, and when I sat down for my first meal, I was shocked to find a robust menu offering pastas, sandwiches, salads, and even burgers — vegan and otherwise.
And after several meals on the road, I came away singing the highest praise I can give to train food: It was not bad. In fact, in some cases, it was actually quite good, and in every case, better than airplane food.
Amtrak's menu had a shocking number of vegetarian-friendly options
As I took my seat in the dining car on my first day, I was surprised to find that vegan and vegetarian options actually outnumbered meat-based selections. Meat-eaters could choose from a grilled cheese with ham and turkey or an angus burger, while the rest were vegan- or vegetarian-friendly.
On flights, where I've always sat in economy, I've found that the vegetarian meals are often lackluster: typically a small portion of an unappetizing entree, and maybe a small roll or a side of fruit.
On the Amtrak train, however, there was a bevy of veggie options. For lunch, there was a salad, a bowl of chili, and a loaded baked potato topped with the aforementioned chili. Hungry for something more than a salad, I opted for the potato — and was pleasantly surprised.
Now, I am not a fan of faux meats. I'm a vegetarian for the sole reason that I don't like the texture of meat, so anything pretending to be meat defeats the purpose. But there's no better time to try new things than when you're stuck on a train in the middle of nowhere, so I gave it a shot.
Fortune favors the bold: the vegan chili potato was not bad. It was a strong first foray into train food, outstripped only by the dessert that followed: a tart, layered lemon cake that I had no business eating at noon on a Wednesday.
Each meal came with dessert and the portions were huge
Speaking of cake: Both lunch and dinner had the option of a dessert afterward, and the selection was leagues above any dessert I've had on a flight.
I've found that on airplanes, post-meal sweet treats are minimal, with maybe a packaged brownie or cookie coming out with dinner. On my Amtrak trip, though, I was blown away by the options. Over the course of three days, I tried every item on the menu, indulging in the lemon cake, chocolate toffee mousse, and blueberry cheesecake slices.
Aside from sweets, the meals themselves were remarkably large and filling. Throughout my trip, I tried vegetarian baked potatoes, vegan rigatoni, and even a classic grilled cheese sandwich with a side of chips.
Whereas on planes I often find myself reaching for pre-packed snacks, I didn't get hungry after any of my Amtrak meals.
The dining car was a blast to eat my meals in
It should be mentioned that the size of plane meals correlates with the size of the trays they're served on. Airplanes — especially if you're traveling in economy, like me — are cramped and don't lend themselves well to eating a three-course meal.
But on a train, passengers can spread out at a full-sized table, making it easier and more comfortable to consume large meals. I ate each of my meals at my own booth, meaning I could enjoy my food without clashing elbows with people next to me.
Aside from all the space that Amtrak's dining cars offer, the experience is just plain cool. Walking into the dining room feels like taking a step into a different era.
I lingered in the dining car long after each of my meals, savoring the food and the experience alike.