All aboard the gravy train!
On Wednesday, a group of enthusiastic New Yorkers turned a Brooklyn‑bound L train into a Thanksgiving feast, inviting strangers to dig in and enjoy a quintessentially New York tradition.
The crew of volunteers set up a “Friendsgiving”‑style buffet, complete with festive décor, and stayed on board all afternoon to welcome riders hopping on and off the cars.
“Happy Thanksgiving, ladies and gentlemen!” a conductor cheered to a packed car as music blasted in the background.
Spreads of traditional holiday fare—multiple juicy turkeys, side dishes, and plenty of desserts—were spread across two cloth‑lined tables in the middle of the subway cars. Strangers crowded in, plating the bounty onto paper plates provided by the organizers.
Railings and handrails were wrapped in faux foliage and golden tassels to set the mood. Some passengers even danced along to their favorite songs, swirling out of the car at their stop to say goodbye to new friends.
Although the subway has a reputation for germs, the volunteers took hygiene seriously, carefully handling food and cutlery. “Why would you put your spoon in there? Don’t ever do that,” one volunteer warned a double‑dipper.
When the train jolted to a halt, everyone braced themselves and clutched the foldable tables to keep the platters upright.
“We’re all here to eat together and make this possible—shoutouts to everybody who helped!” a rider exclaimed.
Organizers were generous with leftovers, offering plastic bags for passengers to take home.
The quirky, heart‑warming celebration has become something of a New York tradition. In 2022, an L train stalled at Bedford Station, and the riders discovered another car lined up for a Thanksgiving feast.
“I was in a different car and when I stepped onto the platform, there were all these happy, laughing people scarfing down mac and cheese!” a Washington Post reporter praised the scene. That year’s spread was curated by Chef Bea Kitchen, a New York catering service.
In 2019, stand‑up comedian Jodell “Joe Show” Lewis spent months planning a day‑long dinner, choosing the L train specifically because he found his usual commute dull. “My actions also show people from out of town that there is flavor here in the city and New York has a heart,” he told the Post.
The identity of this year’s organizers remains unclear, but at least one of them referred to their group as content creators.
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