Being on a train in India and Train journey food options is an experience. In the past, hungry passengers have relied on the food served out of the pantry cars to fill them up on long trips. But as the preferences and technology of most travellers have changed with time, now many prefer online food order in train as opposed to standard train pantry food.
In this blog, we will undertake this train pantry food vs food deliver debate and give you 5 convincing reasons to choose food delivery on trains. In this post we will also discuss the growing popularity of e-catering in Indian Railways, and how even needs like Jain food in train are just a few taps away.
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Wider Variety of Cuisine
Limited menu is one of the major limitations of pantry car food. Pantry cars offer basic thali meals, snacks, and tea most of which. The food is mass-cooked and is not varied. That’s fine for short trips, but when you’re going on a long journey, it becomes monotonous to eat the same kind of food over and over again.
eCatering has massively expanded the options for train journey food. Now, you can order your favourite dishes from reputed restaurants enroute, as per North Indian, South Indian, Chinese, Continental or even desserts.
To iron out this problem, there’s online food order in train services wherein you can order restaurant-style meals being delivered to your seat in selected stations.
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Better Hygiene and Quality
Many passengers have been raising a major concern over the years about the quality and hygiene of train pantry food. Often the passengers are sceptical of consuming pantry meals because of inconsistent preparation, lack of cleanliness in the cooking area and unhygienic packaging.
Food delivery on train ensures you have control over what you are eating. The meals are prepared in certified kitchens, are packed hygienically and delivered fresh. As the leading e-catering in Indian Railways platforms partner, we only partner with FSSAI-licensed food vendors to maintain quality never compromised.
That said, pantry car food doesn’t offer the same ability to view restaurant ratings and customer reviews before you place an order, which is something you can do with restaurant food.
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Customised and Special Diet Options
The other benefit of food delivery services is that there are customised food options (religious or dietary preference). For example, people once had to make a lot of effort to find Jain food in train. Now, e-catering platforms have certain menus for Jain passengers with no onion, garlic and other root vegetables.
If you are searching for low-spice food for children, diabetic-friendly meals or pure veg thalis, food delivery on trains is available for your specific requirements. Pantry car food alternatives are rarely as customisable as this.
No more will you have to find a solution for your grandparents or someone with certain food restrictions when you’re travelling with them.
Also Read: How to Add Food to Train Ticket?
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Scheduled Deliveries at Your Convenience
The irregular food timing in trains is one of the common complaints of passengers. Pantry meals sometimes come too soon or too late to mess up your eating schedule. Food delivery services come in handy when you can select the time and place of delivery of your food.
In the case of most of the e-catering in Indian Railways, you can place your order hours before your train reaches the chosen station. Once it arrives, it’s hot and on time at your preferred station.
With day travel or night travel, you can enjoy a fresh meal at your convenience. No more spending hours waiting for pantry meals, or missing food because of an inconvenient timing.
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Digital Convenience and Easy Payments
Passengers who used to have to rely on cash transactions or wait for the pantry guy to come around are gone. All is digital with ordering food at railway station. Menu browsing, filtering, selecting restaurants, and paying in one place – all from your mobile.
UPI, net banking, debit/credit card or cash on delivery are all options for you to make payments. Also, most of the apps provide live tracking which means that you are aware of how soon your food will be delivered.
The ease of having food delivered on trains matters a great deal for travellers who prefer a stress-free journey. No need to leave your seat or torah with pantry staff: turn your browser and your meal is on the way.
Pantry Car Food Alternatives: A Closer Look
Let’s compare some pantry car food alternatives offered by food delivery platforms during train journeys:
- The differences between pantry car food and modern food delivery services on trains are quite significant when comparing the two. The traditional pantry food has more or less thalis of basic veg or non veg with no variety and no emphasize on hygiene. On the contrary, food delivery platform offers variety in options such as deluxe veg and non veg thalis, regional dishes, South Indian dishes like dosa and idli, and Continental options such as sandwiches and pasta.
- Perhaps the biggest plus is that specially prepared meals like Jain food are often difficult to find in pantry cars. Moreover, e-catering services offer dietary customisation as per health or religious needs, which is not possible with pantry kitchens.
- Another major point of difference is hygiene standards. Pantry meals, on the other hand, are made in bulk with very little quality control, whereas the food delivery partners are usually FSSAI-approved and follow strict cleanliness protocols.
- Pantry food usually lacks digital options in the payment area as it requires cash transactions, whereas online food ordering accepts UPI, credit, debit card, net banking etc. Secondly, you are able to have scheduled food deliveries at your leisure, unlike the fixed and often inconvenient meal timings in pantry cars.
- Put simply, e-catering provides better alternatives than their own, and they change the whole experience of food on your train journey.
- Payment Options Cash only Digital & Cash
- Timing Fixed Scheduled as per your need
- The train journey food options have vastly improved with food delivery. It’s not just about convenience but also about enjoying your train ride without compromising on food quality or choice.
Also Read: How to Order the Perfect Breakfast for Your Train Ride
Order Food Online on Trains
Ordering food via an online food order on train is quite simple.
- You can visit an IRCTC e-catering partner website or Traveler Food website.
- Enter the PNR number or Train details.
- Look at restaurants that will be available at upcoming stations.
- Choose the dishes, place an order and make payment.
- Relax, your food will arrive at your seat!
Final Thoughts
When it comes to the train pantry food vs food delivery debate, there is no question. The food delivery on trains is more diverse, hygienic and customisable. If you do not want to have the traditional rice and dal then you can also enjoy restaurant-style food even on a moving train.
In Indian Railways, e-catering is revolutionising how to eat while travelling from Jain food in train to gourmet meals. When it comes to long journeys, ditch the pantry car and try something safer, tastier and smarter.
To have such meals, you can contact Traveler Food and call us on 7835992200 or 7827998877 to have your favourite meals. We will be blessed to serve you authentic food at your seat.