Train Food.

[monkey]

...lets face it train food on the whole is poo. especially for the rip off price you often pay. be nice if someone like heston blumenthal could take on a train companies food services, and do a makeover or something. anyway *discuss*...

 

[Daniel]

Well, being rather topical:

http://thomas-cairns.co.uk/

This person is currently 'blogging' a review of on-train UK food whilst on an FC ALR.

 

[monkey]

^^oh wow that looks rather interesting...

 

[me123]

The prices are often high, but some things aren't too bad. When you look at tea and coffee, for example, it can be the same price (or indeed cheaper) that you'd pay in Starbucks and Costa and other similar establishments that are actually popular. And, in comparison to the stuff you get at the station, it again is often reasonable to buy on board.

I generally don't have a problem with food on the train; although I will often bring some of my own stuff for a longer journey, I'll happily go for tea and coffee on board and perhaps a sandwich if it's available.

The big thing I find is that the selection varies between TOCs. First Scotrail and Transpennine Express, for example, both have simply a limited trolley service which doesn't really excite me. On the other hand, Virgin's shop has a wide selection and NXEC's buffet has a decent offering as well. I'm more likely to buy snacks and sandwiches from the latter two.

When it comes to FC, I don't use FC, but that's a whole different offering that, again, varies in quality, selection, and what's free and what's not.

 

[monkey]

The prices are often high, but some things aren't too bad. When you look at tea and coffee, for example, it can be the same price (or indeed cheaper) that you'd pay in Starbucks and Costa and other similar establishments that are actually popular. And, in comparison to the stuff you get at the station, it again is often reasonable to buy on board.

...while I'd struggle to call anything sbux and costa sell "coffee", the stuff the sell on board trains is basically instant coffee - that's ok, there are some good instant coffee available today, but they amount they charge for it is too high. although I am rather stoked I get pg tips on board nxec now (I'm massive pg tips fan, its my lifelline lol)

I generally don't have a problem with food on the train; although I will often bring some of my own stuff for a longer journey, I'll happily go for tea and coffee on board and perhaps a sandwich if it's available.

..the sandwiches are the cheapest blandest uninpiring selection they have available, whilst probs using the cheapest ingredients poss - while charging imo an extortionate price. I don't mind paying extra, bearing in mind the logistics of it all does put up the price, if it was quality product...

The big thing I find is that the selection varies between TOCs. First Scotrail and Transpennine Express, for example, both have simply a limited trolley service which doesn't really excite me. On the other hand, Virgin's shop has a wide selection...

...true that, the Virgin shop is pretty decent compared to other TOC's, although I believe it could better still. Tpx is just pointless, I think tpx should have proper long distance dmu's with a shop like xc used to have.

and NXEC's buffet has a decent offering as well. I'm more likely to buy snacks and sandwiches from the latter two.

...nxec is crap, worse than gner. and I'm a person actually doesn't mind nxec unlike most people lol! they rarely have real selection of sandwiches or hot rolls or whatever...its just dismal. although I have never tried their dinner services, as I'm never on long enough to make it worthwhile - plus its v. expensive. I was gonna breakfast a go once, before they started to curtail the dinner car service, but every item I chose, they didn't have this or that meanign they couldn't serve it (wasn't even busy empty dinner car) so I just screwed and went back to my seat...

 

[yorksrob]

I generally find the choice of beer available on trains dissappointing. Usually a lager, Guinness, cider and some generic beer with a widget. The only good ones which spring to mind are East Anglia - who do Adnams, and First Great Western, who do a good local beer (although I can't remember the brewery). Best of all though are South Eastern who sell bottles of Shepherd Neame from their trolleys (they lost their buffet cars in 1983). Is it too much to ask for all companies to stock just one decent local beer ?

Pumpkin get on my nerves for the same reason.

 

[Lampshade]

The hot snacks from the Virgin shop, although expensive, are very nice. TPE on the other hand does seem to have a small selection for the journey times, not actually tried anything yet though.

 

[monkey]

I generally find the choice of beer available on trains dissappointing. Usually a lager, Guinness, cider and some generic beer with a widget. The only good ones which spring to mind are East Anglia - who do Adnams, and First Great Western, who do a good local beer (although I can't remember the brewery). Best of all though are South Eastern who sell bottles of Shepherd Neame from their trolleys (they lost their buffet cars in 1983). Is it too much to ask for all companies to stock just one decent local beer ?

Pumpkin get on my nerves for the same reason.

^^this. although I only really drink wheat beers such as hoegaarden, erdinger or paulaner (which you ain't got a hope in hell chance of them stocking on train lol) - but I'd maybe give a local one a try - I give guest beer a try at the pub if I'm feeling adventurous anyway...

 

[yorksrob]

^^this. although I only really drink wheat beers such as hoegaarden, erdinger or paulaner (which you ain't got a hope in hell chance of them stocking on train lol) - but I'd maybe give a local one a try - I give guest beer a try at the pub if I'm feeling adventurous anyway...

Leeds brewery best's a good one to try if you see it

 

[Snapper]

The food hasn't been as bad as some may make out. Here's few recent offerings:

http://paulbigland.fotopic.net/p35104863.html

http://paulbigland.fotopic.net/p35104866.html

http://paulbigland.fotopic.net/p7755184.html

http://paulbigland.fotopic.net/p20174265.html

http://paulbigland.fotopic.net/p35216448.html

http://paulbigland.fotopic.net/p42539819.html

Due to the recession there have been cutbacks, but there's still something great about having breakfast on a train. The biggest casualty has been NXEA where the food was excellent. But WSMR is pretty good...

 

[monkey]

...hull trains only serve cold food now though right? yours is from 2006 when they had the 222's and doubt you'd get brekkie really on trains on nxec, as they only seem to have retained dinner services. the scotrail fair looks familiar, but I'm annoyed I didn't get my hot breakfast (even if it is just microwaved roll) when I used it, still grr...

 

[MCR247]

NXEC do breakfast actually

 

[Pumbaa]

Hull Trains want to return to the full FC offereing once all their 180s are refurbed, which may take a while.

 

[monkey]

NXEC do breakfast actually

^^are you sure? still? (bearing in mind the cutbacks) its not very well advertised, whenever I've travelled early morning recently assumed there was no buffet/dinner car in use... I might ask next time...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Leeds brewery best's a good one to try if you see it

...I'll give it a go if I see it!

 

[MCR247]

Yes I'm sure, although it cost £13 on at seat dining & £17 at the restaurant, there is a Great British breakfast. http://www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com/On-Board-Our-Trains/Food1/Restaurant/

 

[philjo]

I think the NXEC breakfast service is now only available for at seat service to 1st class passengers on northbound services - the full restaurant only does breakfast for a few southbound services.
You used to be able to use the restaurant for breakfast with standard class tickets on northbound morning services, but this is no longer available.