There's talk that maybe sneaking in your own alcohol is something where Amtrak looks the other way ask long as you behave. I haven't tried it out though. But if you want to drink your own alcohol, that's usually allowed on Caltrain and Golden Gate Ferry. The drinking culture on Caltrain is epic, although they don't allow it at certain times on game days (Giants or Sharks). The Golden Gate Ferry special rides to Giants games don't allow any alcohol - they basically have all the rules that the stadium would have.
But yeah they have a real kitchen on Amtrak trains. There's also some criticism because it loses money that is likely made up with federal and state subsidies. Of course Amtrak survives on government subsidies. The food on Amtrak is never going to be a profit center. It's really meant to make riding long distances more tolerable.
Where did it cost that much for lunch? All I could find was this 2017 menu, but it's nowhere near $25 for lunch. I remember spending about $10 a few years earlier. Also - breakfast is different. A few years earlier beverages were included with all breakfast entrees. That included coffee, tea, milk, and juice. Even for the kids' menu. It was a while ago but I had their breakfast special (I think crab cakes) for about $9.50 and tax with potatoes and toast. But the key to the value was that I had coffee and juice that alone would have set me back about $6 at Denny's. And my kid got milk and juice for $3.50. But absolutely I could see why they discontinued having beverages included.
What were they serving it on? I remember a bunch of different dining ware. They had Amtrak pattern Corelle at one time. But later on they had something that looked similar but was disposable plastic. I believe it was justified as reducing the need to wash dishes, although I remember a stoneware mug for my coffee. And they also gave me a disposable cup of coffee to go.
