I was wondering how much to expect to spend to dine in the diner on the SW Cheif and Coas Starlight for Breakfast Lunch and Dinner? The last time I went in 2006 it was roughly $5-9 for Breakfast $5-10 for lunch and $10-20 for dinner do these prices hold true. I saw the online menu and it looks totally different for the prices. Please keep in mind I am a single traveler in coach and I was figuring out the prices for a sleeper would be way more than the prices I would pay for meals. Considering I would have 3 lunches 3 dinners and 2 Breakfast onboard. I might consider going to the lounge car for lunch to save some money and then have Breakfast and dinner in the diner. I know I have to factor in the tips too.
I know on the San Joaqin train it roughly runs between $4-8 for breakfast/lunch. Thanks
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
It would appear, Mr. Travelplus, that this linked page has everything you need to know:
If this was the page you visited, then what more need be said?
Tips should be 15-20% of the check.
Therefore, if you choose to go "whole hog' for Dinner, figure:
Steak $22.50 "Half" of wine $13.00 Dessert $5.00 Tip $ 8.00
(applicable taxes are included in Amtrak menu prices)
TOTAL $48.50
BTW, a 'glass" is $5; so it appears that Amtrak is becoming as greedy as are its 'stationary' colleagues who seem to think the right price for a 'glass' (175ml or so it's supposed to be) is the retail price of the "bottle" (750ml). If a half of a "good' yet ordinary wine Amtrak offers is any more than $5 at Binny's, I'd be amazed.
Of course, wonder why the Journal's wine critics suggest avoiding "the glass' at a restaurant. However, if you are on your own or with someone who does not drink wine, what are you to do?
1. Skip wine by the glass. Restaurateurs like to make enough on a single glass to pay for a whole bottle, which is great for them but not so great for you. And it wouldn't be so bad except that so many wines by the glass are poured from bottles that have been open for too long and mistreated after opening. At a trendy Asian restaurant in Manhattan, we recently ordered a New Zealand Pinot Noir by the glass for $12 that was served so warm it could have been our after-dinner tea. Instead of wine by the glass, think about having a half bottle. Also consider that most states now have "wine doggie bag" laws that allow you to take home unfinished bottles. (Obviously, wine bars that specialize in wines by the glass, and keep them well, are a major exception.) Posted by Vicki (Member # 3410) on :
We're planning on a trip to CA with our granddaughter next summer. We'll be travelling in a sleeper with a child under 12. Will she have to order from the childrens's menu?
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
That's a good question, since I've never traveled with a child on Amtrak. This is just a guess, but I'm betting that you can order off any menu you'd like to. I've seen adults order off the kids menu because the only thing to their liking is the mac 'n cheese. But like all things Amtrak, I'm sure this varies by crew and their mood-o-meter that day.
Posted by PullmanCo (Member # 1138) on :
Since the dining car crew is fully salaried, I leave a "pro forma" tip, not the full tip I'd leave at a restaurant.
Posted by ehbowen (Member # 4317) on :
Vicki—Children who are ticketed in sleeping accommodations may order off either the children's or the adult's menu, as they prefer. Their choice. Just be sure that you remember your car number (four digits; first two are your train number) and your room number (or letter); you will have to write them on your dinner check and sign it.
Re PullmanCo's observation: Yes, the dining car crew is well paid—very well paid, by restaurant standards. However, the IRS still expects that they will be tipped and makes them pay taxes on tips whether they get a tip or not. So I recommend that sleeping car passengers leave a cash tip of 10-15% of the "menu price". The same goes for the sleeping car attendants; I recommend a minimum of $5 per room per night and more if you ask and receive special services.
Posted by Geoff M (Member # 153) on :
quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: Tips should be 15-20% of the check.
No. Tips are relative to service. If a waiter/watress dumps food on your table with barely an acknowledgement of your existance then they deserve the 0% tip that I give them. The sooner waiting staff (and others) realise that tips are not mandatory, the better. I do the best I can with my job and I don't get tips so why should they get tips for lousy service? Taxes are irrelevant; if you get irked about that then write [TO] the appropriate authorities.
quote:Originally posted by ehbowen:The same goes for the sleeping car attendants; I recommend a minimum of $5 per room per night and more if you ask and receive special services.
[My emphasis] Far more sensible.
Geoff M.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Mr. Mayo, let the record show that, even considering my guidelines noted above and at previous topics, I have still been called "cheap" in this life - mostly within my own family.
My other guidelines:
Restaurant 15-20% of check including taxes (hardly as severe over here as is Mr. Mayo's VAT)
Auto Parking Valet: $5 ($3 if in addition to a set fee)
Hotel housekeeper: $5 per day
Red/Sky Caps "can't help you there" (if you can't carry it, don't bring it')
Auto wash rack: $4
Coat check: $2
Letter Carrier: Gift Certificate $25 (allowable under Federal law; cash is not) at Xmas
Waste hauler; $20 at Xmas
Weddings, Bar/t Mitzvah, etc: 200% of anticipated "per head" host's cost. (I have been to weddings, say, at a VFW post and "modified" that guideline to the "upside").
I think I am in line, even if my Sister does not.
Posted by zephyr (Member # 1651) on :
What's with all this tipping talk? I tip all public sector employees I'm fortunate enough to deal with. Doesn't everyone?
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
You'd tip a cop? Mr. Zephyr.
BTW on the Florida trip (Auto Train trip report to follow), I'll admit I got 'nailed" in Maitland FL for "Improper Left Turn' (I didn't know how to do so otherwise) out of the Marriott Courtyard at which I was staying (maybe Mr. Kimmel knows how to make the turn without getting nailed). I got "lectured", but otherwise let off. I guess my tip was a "thank you, Officer Ford".
Posted by zephyr (Member # 1651) on :
Well, maybe not a cop. On the numerous times I've tried, they always seem to confuse my generous and heartfelt tip with another type of exchange of funds. Why can't all cops realize a tip is just a humble way of saying "thanks for being there?"
Come to think of it, I've had the same problem with IRS auditors, OSHA inspectors, and Probation Officers. Jeez--like, I'm just trying to generously thank them for the wonderful service they provide me.
Who in their right mind would have a problem with tipping a "civil servant" who brings joy and sunshine into your life?
It's about time the rest of the country catches up with Illinois.
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
GBN -- you got nailed by one of Maitland's best, eh? Sorry to hear that -- I can't help you with that, I'm afraid! My strategy is just knowing where they tend to "hang out" and being cautious in those areas (like the cop who used to be on the Maitland Blvd overpass (over the RR tracks) just about every day at lunch time). Maitland does seem to have more cops hanging around more places on the highways than any other town around here.....
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
After the encounter, when I got to a Starbucks (254 N Orlando; Maitland) somewhat S of 414 on E side of Orlando to get my New York Times (be assured not to drink their bilgewater), I was standing in line with a Real Estate broker; she told me "that is one of their favorite spots" (Keller & Pembroke was the crime scene). However, she also noted they are not so benvolent to the Locals.
Posted by TBlack (Member # 181) on :
GBN, I read that first line of your response above and thought, "Wow! GBN in a Starbucks. What IS this world coming to!?" Good thing you clarified your patronage..there is a God in Heaven and all is right with the world!
Also, your sister has a strange idea of cheap. But the tip guideline for the mailman caught my eye. We've been giving ours a check @ Xmas for years. He's been cashing it happily. Are we all going to jail?
Posted by Henry Kisor (Member # 4776) on :
God's in his heaven and all's right with the world if GBN takes a dim view of Starbucks' crankcase oil. I have never understood why people go there. Dunkin' Donuts and even McDonald's have much better coffee, though the ambience is declasse.
Posted by gibg (Member # 2565) on :
We found a Peet's in the Ferry Building in San Francisco recently. It's everything Starbucks isn't. Better coffee, better pastries, better ambiance -- plus that wonderful view of THE Bay.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
Starbucks is for people who like hanging out on their couch, wearing what I call "Starbuck's glasses" (if you go to a Starbucks, you'll see what I mean), talking about whirrled peas, um, I mean world peace, and trashing America. On top of it all, their coffee is terrible. It smells burnt and it tastes burnt. I don't understand the big whoopie-do over Starbucks.
On the other hand, I agree with gibg about Peet's. I don't know how Starbucks stays in business.
Thankfully, Amtrak did not jump on the Starbucks bandwagon and begin offering that stuff (like United Airlines and several others have). Amtrak uses Green Mountain Coffee (Nantucket Blend), which is what I have every morning at home. If you want to see an ultra-cool and ultra-easy coffee maker, check this out:
I buy my K-Cup refills at Bed Bath and Beyond for $7.99 for 18 cups. Good stuff.
Posted by gibg (Member # 2565) on :
Smitty: I'm with you on this one. I have had Keurig coffeemakers in several hotels and even though my coffee-brewing sensibilities can't quite accept this process, the coffee is excellent! Having been a Cuisinart-er for a long time, I may just switch over. We now also have Dunkin' Donuts retail here in Colorado -- also very good. Starbucks here sells for $11 which is ridiculous.
Could this get any more off-topic?
Posted by Vicki (Member # 3410) on :
quote:Originally posted by gibg:
Could this get any more off-topic?
Yes, and it probably will.
I am happy to know that I am not the only one who thinks Starbuck's tastes like roofing tar mixed with burnt rubber. I work with people who drink it all day long, which may account for their surly attitudes.
Posted by PullmanCo (Member # 1138) on :
Fortnum and Mason's Royal Blend Tea for me.
I have tipped Porters as low as $0.01 (he was ROTTEN), and as high as $40.
Dining car waiters? Sorry, Eric. $1 for most meals, if the service is exceptional, the last meal gets more.
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
"Dining car waiters $1.00?" If they remember you, the plate may be on top of the food next time. I leave more than that at Denny's.
Posted by PullmanCo (Member # 1138) on :
Those waiters operate under a Labor Agreement; they're well compensated. PERIOD.
It's not like a longstanding waiter at the Golden Ox who relies on tips to be his wage.
Of course, since Amtrak dropped the AmBus KC-Ommeeehaw, I have less reason to take it.
Now, if I'm riding coach vice sleeper, where my meals are part of the fare, that's another story.
Posted by amtrak92 (Member # 14343) on :
I think the tip needs to be based on service. If you want a printout of the lounge and dinning car items, order a copy of the empire builder magazine off Amtrak's website.
Posted by Vicki (Member # 3410) on :
I hate the whole tipping process in restaurants. I would much prefer that they raise the prices of the food, raise their pay rates accordingly, and eliminate tipping altogether.
If I order a tuna sandwich and chips for $5.99 and tip 20% my server receives $1.20. If I order filet and a salad for $26.99 my server receives $5.40. The second server didn't do any more work or perform any better for the additional $4.20. To base the tip on the cost of the meal makes no sense to me.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
I totally agree Vicki, but the likelihood of any change in the existing system of primarily direct customer remuneration of a restaurant's service staff is quite remote. There are too many parties, be assured the IRS and their agents (CPA's and many other "taxmen' are agents of the IRS) are not among such, that are quite happy to have it unchanged.