Atlantic Coast Line

Atlantic Coast Line, 1928

This Christmas dinner menu for the Atlantic Coast Line railroad in 1928 lists a very simple set menu. The railroad's dining car service superintendent writes, "You will notice we are not going into anything very elaborate this year in the food line, but listing a plain substantial meal." That meal included Florida lobster Newburg, baked sugar ham, roast southern capon, sweet potatoes and apples, silver onions au gratin, and for dessert, rice pudding with sultanas and vanilla ice cream with Nabiscos.

President Coolidge and his wife also were dining on board an Atlantic Coast Line train that Christmas but their meal was quite different:

"Instead of their customary Christmas dinner at the White House a sumptuous meal was prepared for Mr. and Mrs. Coolidge on the train. Under the personal direction of George V. Hicken [...] a specially choice of filet mignon or roasted Vermont Turkey with dressing and cranberry sauce, which honeyed sweet potatoes, creamed caulifower, and a variety of desserts, ranging from hot mince pie to strawberry short cake, completed the list." (from The Lewiston Daily Sun (Lewiston, Me.), Dec. 26, 1928)

From the Culinary Institute of America Menu Collection, Chapman S. Root Menu Collection, menu 7-4348.