Analyzing what meals we will need to have during the 8-day MTRF period aside from what we get aboard Amtrak trains. Breakfast usually is included at respective hotels, so I will only cover lunch & dinner.
Saturday, 7/15: Lunch on our own in Chicago, perhaps sub-groups getting together depending on arrivals in town from other trains.
Sunday, 7/16: Lunch in Kansas City. I have been told there are a lot of opportunities in the River Market area, located at the opposite end of the RideKC Streetcar from Union Station. Or alternately there is the Crown Center, located diagonally across Main Street from Union Station, which has a large shopping mall/food court within.
Monday, 7/17: Lunch and dinner in St. Louis. Several ideas here. Lunch would more than likely be someplace in our Metrolink travels. Right now my itinerary arbitrarily has Union Station. However that location has declined over the years so there may not be ample choices for everyone. Alternatives include the St. Louis Galleria (large mall about 10 minutes walk each way to/from Richmond Heights station on Metrolink Blue Line), or an area in Belleview, IL at the College Station on the Red Line called Green Mount Commons, which contains most popular national fast food brands (Jimmy John's, Hardee's, Red Burrito, Chick-Fil-A, Burger King, & Wendy's) and a Chinese buffet restaurant in its outparcels, and a Subway within a Walmart.
Tuesday, 7/18: Lunch and dinner in Dallas. Last time in Dallas we found quite a few ample places to eat in the West End Historic District complex. We can look around at other places in the city. West Village is another complex located near CityPlace Station DART light rail and also closer served by the M-Line Streetcar.
Wednesday, 7/19: Lunch and dinner in Dallas. Same thing as 7/18. Opportunities for lunch may exist at Las Colinas, and maybe elsewhere along the DART Green Line for dinner.
Thursday, 7/20: Lunch in Dallas. Bishop Arts District, which we are travelling to & from on the modern Dallas Streetcar, has a diverse choice of places to eat.
Friday, 7/21: Dinner in Chicago. Possibilities endless, including eating at chosen hotels.
Saturday 7/22: Lunch in Chicago, last meal together after Metra round trip. Food court at Ogilvie Transportation Center could suffice since we should arrive back in there 12:35 PM.