Sounds like the OP works for a Texan company at the end of a Dallas tollway Just recently left that company myself.. but here's some background on many of the silly rules..

Lunch is not a tax deductable expense, therefore employers are happy to give you a $50 deductable dinner but will refuse the $10 non-deductable lunch.. do the sendsible thing and roll them together like the rest of the world does to please the IRS

Basically if its not deductable a company will go to great lengths to avoid paying for it.. Entertainment expenses are another one that can be a little sticky.. only 50% are deductable..

Blame the government.. A flat tax would of course eliminate the whole issue.