York. Food quality

There's a Burger King 3 minutes from the fairgrounds.  Or bring a cooler and purchase a cold sandwich off-site. Either works.

-Greg

Problem is I come on the Bus from LI.   Eat breakfast  at Round the clock diner and  Dinner at Old Country Diner. But thanks for the info.

"Perhaps because I am from NY  and demand better food than what is offered"

Huh?

I've been to New York some and I've been to York (and am from nowhere near either of them, or even the Northeast) and can testify that good and bad food exists in both places. Indeed, everywhere.

I like New York City, I really do - but it's still just a place. 

personally the food at the orange hall it pretty good except its extremely expensive and as Greg said there is a burger king close by. as far as McDonalds is I would not eat there if it were FREE!

bring your own sandwiches and just buy a drink !  

It's a fairground, what do you expect? I've always brought my own lunch to eat. What else can we complain about? We haven't complained about tipping the restroom attendants in a while........

everyone has their hand out, york is no execption 

CJ Meyers posted:

We haven't complained about tipping the restroom attendants in a while........

OK, let's get that going as well.

Driving out Pa Rt 30, I always stop at the WAWA just past Dutch Wonderland and pick up a great hoagie, yogurt ,  beverage & a pretzel or two for lunch and the ride home.  Concession food just does not do it for me.

Food from the outdoor venders seems better than in Orange. However a good breakfast and an afternoon snack or ice cream always gets me through to after show supper.

Perhaps the food vendors set their prices and quality in line with many of the train vendors?

The dining hall used to have very good food. No more. It has never been the same since they changed vendors a couple of years ago. Both the quality of the food and the size of the portions went way downhill.

irish rifle posted:

The dining hall used to have very good food. No more. It has never been the same since they changed vendors a couple of years ago. Both the quality of the food and the size of the portions went way downhill.

I agree 100%. 

I agree with the good breakfast, at several places, and the ice cream getting me through the day. Then there are all kinds of Amish and other restaurants  over in Lancaster for breakfast or evening, but you need wheels.

Jim 1939 posted:

Food from the outdoor venders seems better than in Orange.

Agreed. My usual used to be an Italian sausage and lemonade from one of the outside stands. Pretty tasty.

I get so stuffed at the Round the clock diner, I can’t wait to get to the fairgrounds and walk it off.....my wife loves the Amish tourist traps, so we have to venture there too....I don’t think I even eat at the fairgrounds....maybe a pretzel and a drink......Pat

The crab cakes are great! and Sheetz is right up the street. Of course there are many fine restaurants in the area but they  take more time to get served and eat. 

As far as tipping in the restroom is concerned PA is the only state i've seen doing this (I know NY fairs and Edison NJ and Springfield Mass. shows don't require tipping.) I swear these guys make more money than I do on Social Security.lol

I have certainly seen restrooms in large cities here, and in Europe charge, including that St. Andrews golf course. Driving around Europe, one "takes to the trees", not practical on the fairgrounds.

"Pardon me, do you have any Grey Poupon?" 

More seriously, I'll second Dave's endorsement of the crab cakes. 

They are normally pretty good (IMO).  My only complaint is the hours they sometimes run.  I seem to recall them not setting up until after the meet starts on Thursday, even though there have been people there all morning setting up their tables/booths(presumably getting hungry/thirsty while doing so?).   I wandered over there in hopes of snagging one after setting up my table one meet - denied!  We all know about the Saturday situation, including the food vendors .    Well maybe I'd slightly complain that the price goes up a buck every few years(think it was last $8 for the crab cake and if you wanted the large Iced Tea or Lemonade, add $5). 

But it's still better than eating a regular slice of pizza or a hot dog in my book.  And I don't eat those crab cakes for lunch every day, just a few days twice a year at York.

-Dave

A hot dog is a hot dog.  Grab two in the Orange Hall, slather them with dark mustard, get yourself a big fountain drink, sit down with a friend, be glad you're off your feet, and blab about trains.  Food-wise, you'll be no better or worse off from getting the same thing from any street side vendor in NYC or from a roving vendor at Yankee Stadium.  I lived in Manhattan for many years, so I speak from first-hand experience.

And, yes, I am a foodie in general.  If you know of them, I have eaten at Lutece, and Daniel, and, back in the day at the Quilted Giraffe … all places in Manhattan that, for dinner for 2, would set you back a half-month's mortgage or rent payment.  My wife and I used to do that twice a year...on her birthday and for our anniversary.

Kontext is King, my friend.

Enjoy it all, including the dogs.

Steven J. Serenska

Crab cakes are good but we have a lot better down in DC and the south jersey shore( Wildwood NJ) everything else is fair. Wawa is good.

The crab Cakes would be great if they just put some crab meat in them. . The food overall is usually fair but hey it is a fair in the middle of nowhere. 

I bring a Sandwhich and normally buy sodas there. 

As far as tipping the bathroom attendants, look your spending hundreds if not thousands on trains so open your wallet and make a silent donation every time you have to go. Don't be cheap.

Please take a bath, everyday, use deodorant, comb your hair if you have it, wear clean cloths each day your there and brush your teeth if you have them, if not use mouth wash.

Dave

Although expensive, I've found the barbecue place in front of blue/silver to have decent food.  The food at the other vendors doesn't look particularly appetizing.

The price reflects the fact that people are somewhat of a captive audience.  And given the choice between getting in the car, going off-site, then finding a new parking spot vs. spending a few extra bucks, I'll spend a few bucks.

My usual plan is to stop at Sheetz on the way and grab a pre-made sandwich and some fruit. 

And although I've never seen tipping in a restroom anywhere else, those folks work hard doing a crappy job (pun intended) - imagine what the place would look and smell like without them.  I'm fortunate to have money to spend on expensive toys - I don't mind spreading a little bit of it around.

John Pignatelli JR. posted:

Crab cakes are good but we have a lot better down in DC and the south jersey shore( Wildwood NJ) everything else is fair. Wawa is good.

Well, I don't suspect any of us were suggesting that they are the best crab cakes for 50 miles or anything like that, just that they are a decent bet whilst confined to York Fairgrounds property if one doesn't bring a car with them. (which was what started the whole thread - what/where to eat on the grounds, or why one doesn't like what's available on the grounds)

I had some sort of pulled pork over near Red/White, possibly the time I couldn't get a crab cake.  That was OK, but it's more of a mess than I normally care to deal with for lunch at the meet.

-Dave

I heard the restaurant on the fair grounds is under new management. The food is supposed to be better. I sure hope so!

It would HAVE to be better. It could not be any worse. 

I hope that "new management" took over since the spring York Meet, otherwise I'm not impressed.

As CJ Meyers pointed out, "It's a fairground, what do you expect ?".   The food at fairgrounds and sports stadiums, throughout the country should be condemned.  Not so much for it's lack of quality, but for it cost !   

They know they have a captive audience and they take enormous advantage of tat fact.  Of course, the stadium and fairground owners are not blameless either.  The food vendors are probably getting raked over the coals paying rent.

Let me add that a few years ago I attended a Greenberg meet in Wilmington, Delaware.  I was pleasantly surprised at the somewhat reasonable cost of the food as well as the slightly better quality.  

Local 19 Tinknockers hall where the Atlantic division of the TCA has their meets, also has decent food but it ain't cheap.   

I first came to York in 2011 and was appalled at the food quality at the fair grounds and York in general, I ate at the Round the Clock Diner and choked on the food. Thank god our hotel Marriott had breakfast to survive on.Now I eat at The waterfront in Baltimore when we land on Tuesday.

Mikey

I've been to and thru York on motorcycle (BMW) trips and not found the food unusually poor. Of course I did not try the scraple...

After my first York food "culinary" experience back in 2010, I decided to bring my own food.  I pack some healthy snacks, bottled water, etc and keep it all in a cooler in the trunk of my car.  Going to the car to grab some eats is also a way to get myself outdoors for fresh air  ( not that I don't love being in the halls with all those trains ) 

I usually stop at a Starbucks for some good coffee ( at least IMHO ) before going to the fair grounds.  I order their largest coffee, drink some as I drive to the fairgrounds and leave what I don't drink in the  cup and sit it  on my dashboard ... the sun keeps it warm enough.  If I need a hit of caffeine later I just come to the car and get what I need.  No need for me to patronize poor food establishments at York.  LOL!! 

As for the bathroom attendants ... I'm OK with it.  

heaven help us!

And, let me add, the buildings are too far apart.

I eat a decent breakfast at the hotel, but once I get to the meet the last thing I am thinking about is food. As for bringing a cooler, every cubic inch of space is valuable in the SUV.  I usually get hungry after the meet closes and then I will try someplace new. I have had very good luck but I usually rely on the locals for inside tips. To me York is not about the food, it's about trains and friends.  If I need a good meal, there are plenty of good restaurants waiting for me back in St.Louis.  As for tipping the restroom attendants, these people work hard for those tips and if I can't afford that one dollar bill than I don't belong at York. By the way, sometimes I hand them a 10 spot just to see them smile and it always comes right back when I make the next big score.

I guess I'm easy to please. Last month I went to my first regional train meet in 15+ years or so. They had on site concessions. A little hot dog on a bun for 2 bucks plus a small a bag of chips and a Diet Coke. They had the condiments alongside and I had me a surprisingly tasty hot dog with sweet relish, mustard, ketchup and chopped white onions.

It would be a hard pill to swallow seeing some of the prices mentioned up above. I would be tempted to bring a good sized bottle of water and have a couple of my favorite protein bars in my shirt pocket and make do until after the show.

Andre

Anything else folks would like to complain about? We sure don't want to overlook anything when it comes to knocking York, do we? Little wonder things are changing. Geez!

Allan Miller posted:

Anything else folks would like to complain about? We sure don't want to overlook anything when it comes to knocking York, do we? Little wonder things are changing. Geez!

Allan I'm with you.  The food is fine.  After all it's a fairgrounds not polo grounds.  Tipping the attendants is fine.  Guys will spend $1000 on a locomotive can barely lift a dollar for the attendants.  If York is such a terrible experience maybe it's not for you.  Maybe while you are at it you could complain the parking lot has too much grass on it.

A bad York (if there is such a thing) is 1000 times better than a good day at work.

MartyE posted:

Allan Miller posted:

Anything else folks would like to complain about? We sure don't want to overlook anything when it comes to knocking York, do we? Little wonder things are changing. Geez!

Allan I'm with you.  The food is fine.  After all it's a fairgrounds not polo grounds.  Tipping the attendants is fine.  Guys will spend $1000 on a locomotive can barely lift a dollar for the attendants.  If York is such a terrible experience maybe it's not for you.  Maybe while you are at it you could complain the parking lot has too much grass on it.

A bad York (if there is such a thing) is 1000 times better than a good day at work.

That always cracks me up - there were always some in our group that refused to spend $10-$15 on a decent lunch or breakfast or whatever but within 10 minutes of the doors opening in the morning, spent well over a $1,000 on a steam locomotive in the Orange Hall!

FWIW, I always found the Crab Cakes to be great. Been having those every York for years and I'm still alive. We also don't eat at the local Olive Garden or related chain restaurant. 

Any fairground or event will have food good and bad. I go to york with a buddy and for years we have packed coolers. Fortunately I have a pick up truck and space is not a problem. We have a routine where the menu is sandwiches, beverage, pepperoni, cheese, crackers, pretzels, shrimp with hot sauce, and either cannolis or lately those snow cones which are cannoli cheese packed in a delicious cone. First stop is Dunkin’ Donuts before getting to the grounds. Arriving early gives time for coffee and muffins. I pack two folding chairs and use the tailgate as a table. Park  so all halls are within fair distance. When we hit the halls we then can stop in-between to snack and discuss what items are of interest. Been working great for years, and yes we tip the restroom attendants.

Anyone who buys a crab cake outside of Maryland is a idiot. My wife makes great ones, but she is a native of the Baltimore area.

Speaking of wives...I pity the ones married to some of you "dining elites". York food...waaaaaaaa!

CJ Meyers posted:

We haven't complained about tipping the restroom attendants in a while........

Anyone able to spend $$$$$$ on "toys" should not begrudge a person keeping a restroom clean a dollar. 

Stupid thread. I have been going to York for 42 years and have never been sick from food at the fairgrounds.

FWIW Folks - Go out the Market Street gate, take a right and about half a mile down the road on the right is a little place called LaTucca's.  They have pizza, calzone & stromboli (all pretty good) and reasonably priced too.  As for the restroom saga - these folks are volunteers and they clean up after you.  If a dollar is too much for you to part with, then maybe you should take a long walk and find a friendly tree.  

Hmm, if you don't like the food, eat elsewhere. I do know that last October I had food from one of the outside vendors, believe it was roast beef. That was dynamite. I have eaten in the dining hall and I had no problem with what I chose to eat. Bottom line really is if your nose isn't telling you what to eat and what not to eat, you had better hope your eyes are.

Stick to what you trust if that helps. If you have to bring something to tide you over from breakfast to late afternoon, so be it. Best thing to do is keep your hunger at Bay. And, as said by some others, no thanks to McDonald's and Burger King. The closest I get to fast food would be Wendy's if I'm desperate. Besides, there are far worse things to eat if you really think about it.

Joe Hohmann posted:

Anyone who buys a crab cake outside of Maryland is a idiot.

Well, I guess that would be me, because I occasionally eat one.  Guess I'll have to make a pointy hat out of construction paper and wear it. 

Baltimore is 1,630 miles from where I live.  We Amarillo idiots can't drop in for dinner often.

I always believed that the best food at York was found in the dining hall where you can sit down as ladies and gentlemen to dine.  The food handlers in the many food trucks on the grounds that work all day long, do not have facilities for the cooks to wash their hands and I've never seen them wearing gloves. That's really Filthy!!!

1st of all it is a Fairgrounds with "Fairgrounds" food.

It is passable. I have never gone hungry. I do keep a cooler in the car with yogurts, water, etc...

To be honest, I don't go there for the cuisine......I go there for the people and the trains.

Peter

Allan Miller posted:

Anything else folks would like to complain about? We sure don't want to overlook anything when it comes to knocking York, do we? Little wonder things are changing. Geez!

I have been at every York since 1984 and complaining is a way of life since then. And while I am at it how about the people in scooters be more courteous when in the halls. How about the idiots taking pictures at the mfgs booths move the he$$ out of the way. Also the people who tell thier life story's to guys and gals at the mfgs booths. Ever try to get a word in to Mike Wolf or the others? You could wait for ever. ASK A QUESTION AND GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!

Ok I'm done for now,

Dave

DougB posted:

This coming york(Fall 2019) will be my 4th year at York. The problem is the food offered for sale at the vendors. The food is of such poor quality and overpriced that i bring my own lunch and only purchase coffee . What can be done?   Perhaps because I am from NY  and demand better food than what is offered I do not understand  York food. Even the food at Yankee  in the Bronx is better, what York needs is a Mcdonalds or Berger King.

If someone thinks Mickie D's or BK is "quality food", they probably have more issues than can be solved on this Forum.

You know it's York season when the complaining starts! 

As to the cuisine, when I've had time to eat during my work in the Orange hall I don't mind the food.  I don't have any real expectations though.  As others have mentioned it's a fairground.  Then again, I have no problem with eating at roadside taco stand in rural Mexico where I'm the only English speaker.  Personally I find "native" food to be part of the adventure for travel. 

However, I often have stayed in downtown York and there are excellent restaurants in town to be found if you are willing to look around along with a pretty active local craft beer scene.  

This is a free country so people are free to complain.  They are also free to solve the problem.  Supposedly money is made by meeting an unmet need.  So who among the complainers is willing to become a fairgrounds food vendor to provide the quality of food at a reasonable price that is presently lacking? 

When I bought food at the fairgrounds I didn't care for, I didn't go back and buy it again.  But my observation is that the food vendors are not suffering from lack of patronage.  If enough people didn't buy, maybe that would send a message but I don't expect that to happen.  The vendors know their market well enough with regard to both quality and pricing to stay in business and, let's face it, they have to consider all their customers at many venues, not just the EDTCA York meet. They can't cater just to the exquisitely refined taste buds of train collectors (although it might be interesting to see somebody try - then there would probably be complaints about elitism and snobbishness).

As others have said, I don't go to the fairgrounds for the food.  I am happy to have a cup of coffee with friends at the fairgrounds and that service is fine by me.  But the overall meet experience is wonderful and there are plenty of food service options within a short distance of the fairgrounds. 

Dear Abby:

I normally don’t respond to these kinds of letters, but a train buddy of mine from New York is complaining about the food quality at the annual York train meet.

The problem is, he is suggesting McDonalds and Burger King as the standard for which the fairgrounds should be measured against. As I said, he is from New York, so he must know what good food tastes like… I think, maybe he doesn’t.

What should I tell him, if McDonalds and Burger King are your standards for good food then you just insulted all of your fellow New Yorkers? 

Or, don’t say anything as all the other people on this thread already figured this guy out?

Thank you Abby.

Sincerely:

Charlie in Chicago

Putnam Division posted:

1st of all it is a Fairgrounds with "Fairgrounds" food.

It is passable. I have never gone hungry. I do keep a cooler in the car with yogurts, water, etc...

To be honest, I don't go there for the cuisine......I go there for the people and the trains.

Peter

Well said Peter. My coworker Ray and I talk about what we have come to call crazy things. It seems that people in general find anything and everything to complain about. We recently got shirts from the company which one of our fellow employees sort of shamed the boss into looking into getting shirts(which the boss did but didn't have to do). Well, when the shirts were handed out, the one who brought it up in the first place complained because there was no pockets in the FREE shirts the company bought at no cost to said employee.

I enjoy everything that there is about York, heck, maybe there's something wrong with me called having too much fun, IDK. The one thing I do know is that I will enjoy seeing everyone I've chatted with before and hopefully some new ones. Oh, and get some great food wherever it is hiding. I hope they are still serving soft pretzels as it wouldn't be a good thing for me to miss out on having at least one of those.

Dear Charlie:

Thank you for your letter.

Obviously, your friend is confused about his culinary standards but, being from New York, it is understandable. After all, have you ever tried a Coney Island hot dog ?

However, discretion being the better part of valor, I would not suggest that you call him out on it, but simply ignore his complaints and perhaps politely suggest that he try a Cracker Barrel.

Very truly yours,

Abby

Joe Hohmann posted:

Anyone who buys a crab cake outside of Maryland is a idiot.

I live in Maryland but had a classy crab cake dinner in downtown Washington last night. Guess I'm an idiot as well! 

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black...….

Tom Tee posted:

Driving out Pa Rt 30, I always stop at the WAWA just past Dutch Wonderland and pick up a great hoagie, yogurt ,  beverage & a pretzel or two for lunch and the ride home.  Concession food just does not do it for me.

You just can't beat an Italian cold cut sub from WAWA.

I agree with Alan, all I can say is everyone makes York what they put into it.  If you don’t like the food go out and eat or pack lunch. There’s breakfast put on by this forum and dinner spot. All you have to do is come up with your own lunch hahah geezzz is right

No complaints about the public so far?

Two points. I also eat crab cakes outside of Maryland so I must admit that I am an idiot. Plus I always bring my own lunch most of the time a hoagie from Wegmans  they are very good 

My girlfriend, even though she chooses to spend the day in the motel, likes to come to York FOR the food....the various Amish buffet breakfasts and dinners, and assorted pig-outs in the Lancaster area, the Pa. ice cream trail, and for historical and scenic stuff we track down when there is nothing new in the Orange Hall, as lately.  (Hope Third Rail is still doing steam, or, at least, some more passenger cars)

I have no complaints about the public, the reason is they help keep YORK alive, most of the time they buy what I am not interested in anyway.   You can  tell who is the public is and who is the train people are.  I ride the bus from LI, it  costs 100.00 so you know the riders are real train people. Perhaps the public  will become  interested in trains and come to York to think about building a layout ,something they might have wanted to since being a young man.   I welcome the public. As far as TCA goes I support the policy of membership vs visitor. however lets not  charge too much for being a visitor less we drive those having a marginal interest away from being a return purchaser.

Wow Bob!

I eat crab cakes in East TN. Certainly a lot of idiots on here lately.   lol\

Larry

Uh, do all Marylanders have crabs?

Wow, must say I'm sort of surprised at the negative tone and complaining that this thread has devolved to. Perhaps I shouldn't have been, though.

I want to go on the record that my comment about my hot dog at a train meet was intended to be a POSITIVE comment. At that meet I attended, I had fun, enjoyed the hot dog, and in general had a great day. However, I LOOK  and EXPECT to have a great day everyday. I made a conscious choice to look for the good in life a long time ago. With very few exceptions, such a life choice has served me well.

I've never been to York, but if I did go, I would go with the mindset that I will enjoy it to the utmost, and extract all the good from the experience and choose to remember the good and pull the plug on any less than good experiences.

Heard something years ago that stuck with me about a bird that lives in a desert habitat. Yup, the desert: Barren, dry, cacti, snakes, scorpions, etc, are in the desert. However, this bird looks for flowers on cacti and such, and extracts nectar from the flowers for its sustenance. There is also another bird that lives in the same harsh desert habitat. This one looks for the dead carcasses of beasts that didn't survive the desert. It feeds on that carrion for its sustenance. Thus, you have two birds, one looks for the sweet among the harshness, the other looks for the dead and rotting. Two birds, same desert. Both find what they're looking for.

Life CAN be about what you make it to be.

Your choice.

Andre

The bus from LI is  open every hour from 10:00am on to drop off packages.  I have found that vendors if you purchase something of good value they will hold all your purchases for you until you can make it to the buss. After going to york you get to know the vendors and they know you, it works both ways. I love the bus, I sleep there and back, no tolls no gas no wear on your vehicle. and Don fisher of the Riverhead train club as did the prior bus directors look after you  very well.  As Grayhound says: leave the driving to us. The Driver of the bus gets to sleep in a motel from 0900   to 5:00PM so he is ready to drive the 5 hours home, can you say the same for you?

The Crab Cake Sandwiches and homemade pudding from the outside vendors were excellent. I don't know if they still come to the show.

The food always tastes fine to me.  Drinking beer all day long may have something to do with that.  Like I have soda in that coke cup. 

-Greg

Why worry about the food at the fairgrounds. My wife and I enjoy many places to eat at York. One place has free beer and wine out on market street which we go to at least once. Real food is in my opinion what you raise or produce you're self. Being a farmer all my life we produced most of what we ate. When I was a kid in the 50s mom wood bake one of the hams my dad had killed for Christmas day.. She had potatoes we grew that were in cold storage that was just a barrel in a old closet and green beans that were canned the summer before. For what us kids really liked was blackberries that we pi led the summer before and my mom canned in quart jars. That was real food with no preservatives.   I think about these things every time I eat out now with my wife and family. 

Hmmmm, after reading this thread, now I'm in the mood for a York Fairgrounds hot dog and some Brickers fries!

I have eaten at the Orange Hall and the crab cakes from the Orange truck. I very much liked what I had. My only negative experience was many years ago one time I ate breakfast at the dining Hall and it was terrible. I vote No for McDonalds or BK. I am too old to eat that stuff anymore. It just tares me up. In my opinion the food at the York Meet is much better than other train events I have been to. I don't know if the food in the dining hall has improved since I have been there but I think it was last year I walked through there to use the bathroom. It looked better but again I don't know. Sometimes I pack a lunch like others do. If you have a lot of time then going off the fairgrounds for food is a good idea but I never have that much time. 

As for the guys tending the bathroom I always tip them. It's the same thing at Chryslers at Carlisle. I feel bad for these guys so a dollar or two per York isn't going to kill my train budget. 

Traindiesel posted:

Hmmmm, after reading this thread, now I'm in the mood for a York Fairgrounds hot dog and some Brickers fries!

I seem to remember that you were also a big fan of funnel cake.  I haven't heard it mentioned for a few years.

For dinner one night, swing over to Hanover and checkout Warehouse Gourmet Bistro & Brewpub. We go every year since it opened. You’ll forget all about the fair food you had for lunch. 

GG1 4877 posted:

You know it's York season when the complaining starts! 

 

A-men, Jonathan.  And it continues for several weeks after York.

Hey, nobody is complaining, what is going on? Let's see if I can come up with something.

Never mind, I already complained enough. 

Dave

Any one ever eat at Barracuda's Seafood Pub on east side of York near memory lane?

Number 90 posted:

GG1 4877 posted:

You know it's York season when the complaining starts! 

 

A-men, Jonathan.  And it continues for several weeks after York.

I love it and look forward to it twice a year.  I'm a little disappointed that no one has commented  on my favorite breakfast.

wild mary posted:

Traindiesel posted:

Hmmmm, after reading this thread, now I'm in the mood for a York Fairgrounds hot dog and some Brickers fries!

I seem to remember that you were also a big fan of funnel cake.  I haven't heard it mentioned for a few years.

Nick, you’re right, I do love funnel cake!  But I haven’t had one at York in a while. That’s because the last time I did I made the mistake of eating against the wind. Ended up with powdered sugar all over me. 

What I miss is the truck that use to be outside the Orange Hall selling the fruit streusel !!

Traindiesel posted:

Hmmmm, after reading this thread, now I'm in the mood for a York Fairgrounds hot dog and some Brickers fries!

...followed by a big tip for the restroom attendant

Mallard4468 posted:

Traindiesel posted:

Hmmmm, after reading this thread, now I'm in the mood for a York Fairgrounds hot dog and some Brickers fries!

...followed by a big tip for the restroom attendant

Isn’t that where we all end up eventually anyway?!  

I’m confused. Isn’t York a train show? 

Anyway, I think this cat is pulling our legs. Anyone who complains about food quality and then demands a McDonalds or Burger King can’t be serious!

This past April was m first York.  Had a funnel cake from one of the outside vendors for a mid-day snack.  Not difficult to make, but hot with lots of powdered sugar, it really hit the spot!

Jim

bigtruckpete posted:

I’m confused. Isn’t York a train show?

Nope!  Much more.  If you condense all the posts you will see it is much more than a just train show; it's travel, fellowship, fun, eating, purchasing, checking up with the vendors and basic bodily functions.   Your mileage may vary.

Tom Tee posted:

bigtruckpete posted:

I’m confused. Isn’t York a train show?

Nope!  Much more.  If you condense all the posts you will see it is much more than a just train show; it's travel, fellowship, fun, eating, purchasing, checking up with the vendors and basic bodily functions.   Your mileage may vary.

Correct. There are train shows, and then there is York. I think it may have been last October a few of us were talking about that very distinction after dinner at Quaker Steak & Lube. How York, Allentown, and some others(can't recall, must have been the Guinness or the dessert) are not considered train shows. It is fairly easy to tell the difference as train shows are usually advertised as such, "come down and see at the Great Train Show...."

After all, my first time there sitting in the dining hall, I was talking to a guy who would frequent the Amherst show in Massachusetts (I think that's right). He said that both York and Amherst really aren't "train shows" because of what is going on. I found that to be interesting.

Are not really train shows, please explain!

DougB posted:

Are not really train shows, please explain!

As stated above(not my post) so much more than just trains. There is more interaction between people which is more comparable to making or seeing new and old friends. Train shows you may only interact with a few people if you always buy from them or know them. This could be your LTS staff or such.

To me the environment is far different. Train shows is more of an in and get out in most cases. You're not going to go to a train show and talk just to anyone you meet most like. Granted though you may talk to someone who is looking at the same thing or something close to what you are looking at, but it is just that moment.

A few people I have met at shows I do talk to if I see them again. At York it becomes more engaging to me at least. I will spend as little as a half hour some times talking about almost anything with whomever I'm standing next to(or the booth/vendor). I think my first October I talked to Ryan about 45 minutes(sort of on and off) and Dave for at least 20. Dave had to get up and go so that's why it was short. He won't be there this October which is a shame for all. I like talking to Dave and missed that last year.

Of course I am also looking forward to food. Being someone that enjoys eating, it would be a downer not to have some good food(just need to follow your nose).

Does that sound right DougB?

I agree, however understand that the vendors are there to sell and may not have much time to talk too much when they have a line in front of their booth. Many vendors will hold your purchasers from them and others. Many are friendly , many will follow you around hoping you will purchase from them. Most will offer to hold for you to view their wares, I make it a  policy not to touch any train until I ask them to do so or ask them to move it for me to view the object,  If allowed to handle the item I make sure I hold with both hands and am carefull on how to hold goods.  Some can sense if you are a serious train person and are only eager to speak to you, esp if they see you have many prior purchases with you weather or not you purchased from them.    Breakfast at Round the clock is where the bus persons like me get to talk to the others  in the bus or not.

Yeah, that is true too. I'll still talk both serious train stuff and shoot the breeze when it is acceptable. I say it like that because like you said, sometimes it is busy for them. If I don't see anything I'm looking for, I'll ask. Rudest thing to do is hover without saying anything at all even when they see you're there searching for something and the response you give is "no".