Eating habits at train stations

[ThomasS]

Hello,

We are a team of students in Avans Hogeschool in the Netherlands, currently performing a research about the eating habits in train stations.
To be more precise we are interested in these moments, between the meals, when you do not want to eat too much but still crave for something to quench your hunger or your thirst.

Now, imagine yourself at a train station, you are thirsty or hungry or both. What are you going to do? Just let it pass you by, hunger is but an illusion? Search for some food? If so, what kind of food? Or are you going to do something completely different?
What would you do in a train station you are familiar with? And in one you have never been before?

There is only one limitation, you cannot leave the train station or at least not go very far from it.

We are hoping for answers as accurate and diverse as possible.

Thank you.

 

[Dai.]

Usually I just go to a cafe on the platform,

If we're talking rural lines I'd wait for the train to come - Hoping theres a catering trolley there.

But I'd usually just wait if I can't have either of the above.

 

[gordonthemoron]

I tend to buy a soft drink before boarding the train, usually fanta or failing that hohes-C.

If I want something to eat, I'll either buy on the train or when I reach my destination.

 

[GB]

For me it depends on how long Ive been travelling and how far I have left to go.

If Im travelling pass up to a job, Ill usually get something like a sandwich or sausage roll from places like Upper Crust and eat it after Ive done the job. If its at the end of the day/shift Ill usually wait untill I get home. Vending machines can come in handy for those very early starts too.

 

[Ivo]

I have a soft spot for sausage rolls so I will tend to search for something like Delice de France or The Pasty Shop (etc) and purchase a couple. If it is early morning I will also look to buy some hash browns. I will usually only buy tea on-train now. It is rare for me to wait though.

 

[142094]

In the UK most big stations have exactly the same outlets (and all run by the same company), so whether it be Newcastle, Edinburgh or London Kings Cross you will be able to buy the same sandwich and same drink. If I don't have time to make something at home or go to town, I usually buy a sandwich and a coffee at the station. Sometimes if I know my journey is short, I'll just wait til I get there (especially when going home as the food is free and good!)

However in some cases I will go out of my way to buy something, but only when it is an independent business such as at Stalybridge or Huddersfield.

 

[snowhill]

Hi Guys,

Just hope you've all got, and use, a Bite Card for on station purchases

Dave

 

[142094]

I do when I can use it. Silly me tried to use it at Costa once, should have been paying more attention to what shop I walked into instead of the departures board.

 

[Greenback]

It all depends on the circumstances. For instance, late on Sunday afternoon we were returning from Portsmouth to South Wales. We would be arriving home late so bought food to take on the train from the Pumpkin at the Harbour station.

Other times we have had a hot meal in a nearby pub, gone to a supermarket or bought a sandwich on the train, if there was a buffet.

 

[323235]

I tend to as avoid buying food and drink on stations unless it's something like a tesco.
I usually take food/drinks with me most of the time.

 

[ailsa]

I tend to buy food at stations, something that will keep me going like a pasty or a bacon and cheese toastie.

Our stations seem to be overrun with chain stores though, I'd prefer somewhere selling traditional fast food like bacon butties, burgers, salad rolls etc. It doesn't need to be posh!

 

[Philip]

I don't bother with Pumpkin and Lemon Tree/Upper Crust - expensive and very average, most likely worse than what you've got at home.

Chester and Warrington both have a new place that is 'a cut above' your average place. The food is better but inexcusably expensive. The old place at Chester where the supervisor's office is now was still better. Llandudno Junction has a nice station cafe.

 

[sheff1]

In the UK most big stations have exactly the same outlets (and all run by the same company)

... usually with poor quality overpriced fare. For this reason I usually limit myself to a coffee, which at least dulls the hunger pangs for a while.

However in some cases I will go out of my way to buy something, but only when it is an independent business such as at Stalybridge or Huddersfield.

I will do the same at these (substituting a beer for a coffee ) and other stations which have independent businesses.


Now, in the Netherlands, things are different ... although again catering outlets are often run by the same company at different stations the quality of both the coffee and food is higher and prices more reasonable. Sitting down to a freshly cooked uitsmijter or, with less time, eating a sausage roll which contains a good amount of actual meat is very enjoyable.

 

[asylumxl]

When I travel long distance (3 hours or more e.g. Devon/Cornwall) from Paddington, I usually go into Sainsbury's or M&S and buy a sandwich or cold pasta. That's usually accompanied by crisps, something sweet and a drink. I try not to buy fizzy drinks due to their affects when shaken in the stomach .

 

[91101]

I tend to search for the nearest Starbucks/Costa have a large coffee to settle any hunger, with a nice bottle of water to accompany it. I would always go for a known high street brand such as Starbucks or Costa when in a station over the SSP Brands such as Upper Crust/Pumpkin/Cafe Ritazza etc.

Generally I would make my purchase and if I had more than 40+ minutes I would usually drink in, if I had around or less than 40 minutes, then I would usually take out and go to the platform and train/people watch whilst waiting.

 

[generalvegitable]

It depends on the time of day for me, most of the time I tend to pop into whatever shop is there that sells food/drink, if possible I would find one which takes bite cards, or I would just buy something from M&S beforehand. if it is a mealtime though I would find the nearest fast food outlet or a chippy and get something substantial from there (Burger king super size FTW). if I'm not feeling very hungry or I'm just a bit thirsty I'll just head for a vending machine

 

[chris89]

I Tend to only buy a hot drink whilst waiting at Wolvo station but maybe sometimes snacky stuff from the W H Smiths, but only if i didn't get stuff from my local shop before hand.

The other station i go to, i rarely buy food from it (Being Edinburgh Wavely) if i do from the Bugerking. But then could argue their the Mall thats built on could be classifield within the station.

 

[37401]

Ok errm there is a cafe, ive forgotten the name but itll come to me in a tickle. they sell massive cheese burgers for aboot £3 or so I eat them every now and then, if im at new street ill go upstairs to Tesco and see whats reduced (40odd cocktail sausaged for 80p)

 

[rick9525]

If at Manchester Picadilly I either use Greggs or the dodgy looking but very cheap greesy spoon cafe next door. Both of these are just outside the main entrance.
I very rarely if every buy food inside any station unless it a Boots meal deal and even then if I have no other option.

I very rearly buy food on trains but sometimes buy a drink from the trolly.

 

[142094]

or the dodgy looking but very cheap greesy spoon cafe next door.

I know what you mean about this place, although the guy is friendly and he gave me some free toast, and the price was very reasonable.

 

[Lampshade]

When I'm at Manchester Piccadilly/London Euston/London Waterloo I tend to pop to Starbucks, KFC or Bagel Factory. I sometimes go to the station just for a bagel hock:

Also, the Ham and Cheese paninis from Delice de France are fantastic

 

[Daniel]

My local station has an independent mobile-cafe-truck thing permanently parked up on the platform ramp, by the ticket office. If im hungry in the morning and have enough time, I'll generally get a bacon roll or something from there.

In Network Control, whenever I have my break the canteen isn't normally service the hot food - so I normally jump on a train one stop to Victoria and get something there.

If I'm on dead lates, (getting last train / late train home), when I'm at liverpool street I'll maybe get something like a ham & cheese pannini just to keep warm!