Steaks on a Train? Amtrak Ups Its Culinary Game

Amtrak’s Culinary Advisory Team meets in Wilmington, DE, each spring to devise new menu offerings for its passengers. The team includes James Beard Award winners and the chefs behind some of the finest restaurants in New York City and Washington, DC.

The Washington Post recently profiled the program, stating that improved food offerings are an attempt by the rail company to become more sustaining and to cater to the demand of customers who "live, breathe and drink in a culture that has turned everyone into a connoisseur."

The upgraded food offerings are included in the fare for first-class passengers, but Bethesda resident Dave Harvey told The Post that he isn’t sold on spending the extra cash to get the gourmet grub.

Another passenger who sampled Amtrak’s wheat berry salad and herb chicken was quoted using words like "moist" and "flavorful," telling The Post that [it] was all good."

The culinary creations may be winning over passengers, but Congressional Republicans reportedly are talking about privatizing the railway’s food operations and have criticized the pricing.

Read more on The Washington Post's website.

Have you sampled any of Amtrak’s gourmet food offerings? Tell us in the comments.