Food varies based upon the type of institution or facility. The federal prisons have the best food on the national menu - the menu is the same everywhere. The food is similar to what you might find in a high school cafeteria. There are special meals for dietary and religious reasons. State prisons are similar to federal but less variety and taste. The county jails would be ranked at the lower end of the "tasty inmate food" chain as their budgets and facilities are of differing standards nationwide.