Special meals will still net you a bistro bag... whether or not you find that a better option depends on what you like to eat.

Last week ORD-LAX, the regular bistro bag was one of those turkey-on-a-roll sandwiches, Ruffles chips, and some kind of dessert. My "low-fat" bistro bag contained a chicken breast, tomatoes, and lettuce stuffed in a wheat pita half, an apple, and a package of Snackwells sandwich cookies.

I will tell you that dealing with special meals can be a pain-in-the-arse. You need to make sure you catch the flight you are actually scheduled for AND remind the FAs that you have a special meal.

Case in point:

On the ORD-LAX segment, I double-checked with the gate agent before boarding that my meal had been noted and he commented "yes, they have it loaded".

The FAs came through prior to departure and never called my name or came to my seat with the special bag so I finally asked the purser (who was working the divide between F and Y) and she sneered "they probably forgot and you'll survive - its just a bistro bag - you can eat in LA". That is NOT what I want to hear when I haven't had breakfast or lunch due to being busy all day long.

When she proceeded to not check on it and sit down, I asked as we were pushing back. She ignored me, got on the phone with the front FAs to tell them it was okay to close the doors, and then looked at me and said "oops, too late now... the doors are closed".

I finally flagged down another FA who said she would check on it. After take off (when the beverage service started), I asked both the purser and the other FA again (the purser again ignored me and the other FA originally told me she didn't have a special meal for me and then finally brought me my special bag).

So... the hassle factor often makes it not worth my time to order the special meal... but the food is better IMHO.