They're not really banning eating such meals - they simply don't want to cover their costs. I don't really see the issue personally. There are many things companies don't want to cover which they get to decide on.
The arguments I've heard usually talk about how companies often don't pay for alcohol (which I think is also ridiculous, if I'm travelling for work I will be stressed and could use a nice drink to relax after the day). The flaw is firstly that food is required to live, and also just because some company doesn't have to provide for $ITEM doesn't mean it's not a nice thing to do for your employees.
And, for those who don't see a problem with this, do you see a problem if some other company specifically won't reimburse for Mexican restaurants?
What I'm trying to say is that many would agree We Work are trying to do something good for the planet here. Another group of people don't see it that way.
Me personally - I would say in this instance the company should have liberty to exercise their own preference (incl Mexican restaurants). If it is ridiculous to their employees, they will quit. I believe in this case they have a substantial number of employees who don't mind or understand their reasoning.
Either way, I don't find it a human rights violation or anything.
Try and flip your example around - say you were vegan and had to travel for work to a small town without any vegan options. Would you expect that your company would ship you food to fill the gap or would you just buy some groceries yourself and figure it out?
That doesn't mean it is a nice thing to do to your employees. "You won't starve" isn't an excuse for the company's bad behavior.
But I disagree that the opposite of not doing 'nice things' for your employees is 'bad behavior'. There's a middle ground where the company is neither bad nor good just average.
Not paying for my alcohol isn't "ridiculous". Everyone unwinds in different ways - I wouldn't expect bike rentals, a massage, or a ticket to the movies to be part of my reimbursement.
I'm glad you have high standards for how your employers treat you - I think everyone should. I just think we take for granted how fortunate most of us are with regards to our jobs and careers compared to most workers and it puts us in a bit of a bubble.