Our most recent Amtrak excursion was from San Antonio, Texas to Maricopa (near Phoenix), Arizona and back in November 2025.
Amtrak’s “Traditional Dining” service is offered on the Auto Train, California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, Floridian, Silver Meteor, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle (between San Antonio and Los Angeles).
Cafe service is also available to all customers along these routes, offering a variety of meals, snacks and beverages for sale.
Amtrak’s Traditional Dining Experience
They offer chef-prepared meals for breakfast, lunch and a three-course dinner with table service in the Dining Car.
ā¢ This includes selections for children.
ā¢ If you booked a roomette or bedroom, the first alcoholic drink at dinner is on them.
ā¢ White-tablecloth service in the Dining Car.
- Complimentary room service.
Photos
To receive free email notification, when we post new articles like this, sign up below. Clever Journeys does & will not sell or share your information with anyone.
IN GOD WE TRUST
Thanks for supporting independent true journalism with a small tip. Dodie & Jack
CLICK HERE for GREEN PASTURE BENEFITS
Use Code CLEVER10 for a 10% discount on Green Pasture products today!
āāāāā
ASEA Wellness
Fueled on Human Potential
Immune Support: Supports cellular health and normal immune function.
Heart Health: Helps maintain healthy circulation and vascular function.
Brain Function: Supports mental clarity and helps reduce oxidative stress.
Digestive Support: Supports digestive enzyme activity and nutrient uptake.
Hormone & Mood Balance: Helps maintain healthy energy and mood signaling.
For more information on ASEA products click here or contact Elizabeth Hajek at 210-779-0994.
Books
āāāāā
Clever Journeys 
One observation and one question: First, the observation – these prices are nearer to Whataburger prices than Saltgrass Steakhouse prices.
Next, the question – Did you look into what is covered by the “comfort kit” listed under “Souvenirs?”
LikeLiked by 3 people
The Cafe is totally separate from the Dining Room. Cafe provides prepackaged breakfast & lunch items at fast food prices. Not too bad, by the way.
However, one needs to make reservations for lunch/dinner in the Dining Room. That way the Chef knows how much of each item to prepare. Lunch was $25/person & dinner $40 each. You could order alcoholic drinks for an additional charge, of course. I (Dodie) had a glass of nice Malbec wine with my salmon which made the entire dinner one of the best I’d had in a very long time! š¤¤
We didn’t find out about the Comfort Kits until our return trip from Arizona. The kits included a full-sized blanket, inflatable neck pillow, ear plugs (worthlessš) & a black eye mask for sleeping. Fit nicely in a zippered bag, with the Amtrak logo and colors (of course), all for $20. Trouble was the kits were so popular they had sold out on the trains and at all the Train Stations. Took me visiting 3 Stations to finally secure one, but it was well worth the effort. As we plan on making many more trips by train, my little Travel Comfort Kit will be the first item I pack! šÆššš§”
LikeLiked by 2 people
I just love trains! They aren’t as good as they used to be at least not along the coast, but we once took the kids to Disneyland and did some fun family trips. Good memories. š
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love trains too, and hope they get to be more and better on the East Coast. That looks like pretty good eating! Love watching train and ship travel videos. But being there is better, and so nice not to have to drive, right?
LikeLiked by 2 people
We so much enjoyed ourselves and plan to do more. I can write on a train too.
LikeLiked by 2 people