I enjoy dinner the most on the train, I just feel it's a good way to end your day. It gives you something to look forward to and it takes a little more time with getting a salad and roll. I always find the people you share a table with at dinner are more interesting than lunch. I think the chicken is a good option. If I splurge or have a sleeper, the steak is the way to go.
Lunch is good also, the angus burger is really good.
In Albuequerque they do have the food counter in the station. I decided on my last trip to get lunch in the station.
I just made sure I was one of the first ones out of the train(we arrived late) and walked really fast to the food counter. It is a service stop, I think we were given 20 minutes. I ordered a burger, which came with french fries and a drink, I believe the price was 6.99, not sure though but less than the train. The burger was edible, but really wasn't very good. They have a variety of foods in there.
On one of my trips a couple got on in ABQ and later they pulled out burritos, those sure looked good. I'm funny about food spoiling, I don't want to get sick before a vacation
I think everything in the lounge car is over priced and if you buy more than one thing, you might as well go eat in the dining car.
Have a great trip! Watch out for the no cell phone attendant, she means it!