One thing to consider when choosing a special meal is that unless you get upgraded 24-48 hours prior, you won't get an upgraded special meal. Most of the time the F/A's will let you take the First Class meal if you'd like. But sometimes if they're short of meals, you have to take your economy special meal. Anytime that's happened, they've always made a valiant effort to put the little veggie burrito on a nice doily though. You get whatever setting and condiments (ie salad etc.) the basic meal gets.