The Fred Harvey Restaurant

We stayed at the Railways Hotel next door. We had a package deal, so had vouchers for two dinners and two breakfast meals. The breakfast and dinner were totally difference experiences so my rating is the average of the two.

Dinner, evening #1 was ok. We arrived prior to the train of guest arriving so it wasn’t overly busy yet. A chef did come out and walked me thru the items on the bar. There are veggies, mashed potatoes and some beef that were gf, not a lot of variety though. I had a salad, and on far end, was a pasta bar, and they did have gluten-free pasta that was separate from other pasta (tasted like Barrila penne pasta). You pick the sauce and toppings (meat and veggies), and then they are cooked in individual pans. The pan appeared to be clean and not used prior. It was good and had no issues. I give the whole experience for first evening meal: 3 stars. Food wasn’t bad, but nothing special.

Breakfast was great! There was some selection of fruit, yogurt, and an omelette bar with multiple choices for toppings, bacon and sausage options (I had bacon only). The buffet had a variety of meat items, scrambled eggs, along with gluten French toasts and pancakes on the bar, with real maple syrup. The first experience I had the omelette and bacon. The second day I asked if GF pancake were available, and they made me some and brought to my table. Both breakfast days get 5 stars. Service was better at breakfast than dinner.

Our last evening meal was not great. We were on the train that day, so waited a bit after we got back from Grand Canyon, but an hour later it was still crowded, we didn’t get any service, and sat there for 10-15 minutes waiting for someone to take drink order and ask about gf options on buffet… and finally just went to buffet. When we got back to table the server came and took drink orders (Diet Coke), but they didn’t arrive until after our meal was complete. Options were not a lot different from the previous night, and server were overwhelmed. I give that evening 1 star.

I had no issues after eating there, but I was cautious and a little stressed with our last meal there.

My tip: go early if you can to avoid their busier times.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

I’m doing two reviews (please read the ENTIRE POST) because we had two VERY different experiences.

Dinner buffet was fantastic. Nathan, the kitchen manager, came and walked the line with us and explained what was safe and what wasn’t. Our waitress was super attentive and pretty informed about what was going on. She checked and double checked and even found my celiac daughter gf dessert. It was an amazing experience right before Polar Express.

Breakfast buffet was the exact opposite. We didn’t see our waitress for 30min after sitting, the kitchen manager did come out but didn’t walk the line, just said “eggs, meat, and hashbrowns are safe” and while he was nice, we didn’t realize how many options there were and how many chances of cross contamination. He did bring her GF pancakes which were a nice treat. But our server ruined the experience and I have little faith in the safety of breakfast.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

There was only 1 thing on the buffet marked gluten free. I am also soy intolerant and nothing was soy free. Luckily my friend had read a review about the custom GF pasta. It was ok and the pasta guy was so accommodating. Much more than the “chef”. If you are staying here and doing the experience pack snacks!

Breakfast buffet: chef walked me thru to show me GF options (alot!), and could make GF toast or pancakes safely for us as well! Even had GF certified oats for oatmeal and granola to top yogurt. Both my celiac kids had more options than they could possibly want!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

It is a buffet, so your mileage may vary, but my experience was great. I checked with the hostess and after confirming with the kitchen she gave me a tour of the buffet and pointed out safe options. I made safe choices at the salad bar, then the chef at the pasta bar explained his precautions for the gluten free pasta and sauces. It was delicious and no problems. (I'm celiac). There were other gluten free options in the buffet that looked good too. There were even a couple desert options!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free space in the kitchen
• Other dedicated kitchen equipment (oven, toaster, pots, pans, utensils, etc.)
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• Good for kids

Went for breakfast. Only GF options were sub par eggs, hash browns and tater tots.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Not at all

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much/None

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Poor

Went here for dinner. It’s a buffet and it’s $20 per person. The only options for dinner that were GF were mashed potatoes, veggies, wild rice and beef tenderloin. Due to covid, they serve what you want instead of you helping yourself. Food was average. Very expensive for just a few options.

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Average

Rims to the Rail trip with AAA covered meals here. It is a buffet BUT the chefs met with us and were Celiac knowledge. Mentioned cross contamination before we did. Chefs told us we could eat safely eat at the omelet bar, pasta bar with dedicated pasta cooked in own water and kept in separate fridge area. Kitchen wiped down area and cooked us fresh food! Amazing veggies, fresh turkey, pork, tri-tip, salad, dressing, fruit bowls, bacon, sausage, eggs, hashbrowns and gf cookies for dessert. We did not like the pancakes. Very different flavor. Too much food! All served at our table from the kitchen. We ate like royalty. Made 1st vacation post diagnosis wonderful experience. Thank you, Fred Harvey!!!

Celiac friendly?

Yes