Deutsche Bahn removes fries from long-distance trains as onboard freezers are phased out
Deutsche Bahn removes fries from its long-distance train menus as onboard deep-freeze equipment is phased out under EU F-gas rules; potato wedges replace fries as menus adjust.
Fries removed from currywurst options
Deutsche Bahn removes fries from its long-distance train menus, replacing the traditional side with potato wedges as part of a wider change to onboard refrigeration. The currywurst — a staple that the rail operator sells roughly 600,000 times a year — will continue to be available, but no longer with the classic fries option. The switch took effect in June 2026 and is already visible across Bordbistros on Intercity and ICE services.
The menu change is not limited to a single item; it reflects a deliberate narrowing of offerings in the bistro to simplify operations and reduce reliance on frozen storage. Passengers who previously ordered currywurst with fries are now offered a roll, wedges, or the currywurst alone.
EU refrigerant rules prompt equipment overhaul
Deutsche Bahn says the decision stems from limits imposed by the EU F-gases regulation, which tightens which refrigerants can be used and reduces the viability of many existing shipboard freezing systems. Company spokespeople told reporters that retrofitting trains with compliant deep-freeze technology would be technically complex, time-consuming and costly. Instead, the operator reviewed alternatives and opted to phase out deep-freeze units and replace them with conventional cooling systems.
The timetable Deutsche Bahn has published foresees large-scale replacement of deep-freeze units with normalkühlung, or standard refrigeration, by the end of 2026. That approach is intended to maintain chilled storage for popular drinks and ready-to-serve items while avoiding the regulatory and maintenance burden of frozen cabinets.
Menu adjustments and product rollouts
On the new menu, potato wedges appear as the standard hot side for the currywurst and can be ordered separately for €5.90 with ketchup, mayonnaise or garlic sauce. Deutsche Bahn has said wedges can be held in standard refrigeration, removing the need for a freezer and allowing the item to be offered consistently across services. Other items that depend on deep-freeze storage are being evaluated and, in some cases, removed.
The company also announced that ice cream will be taken off the permanent menu after the 2026 summer season and that ice cubes used for drinks may be affected later as freezer capacity is retired. At the same time, several bakery items and pastries that do not require freezing, including cinnamon rolls, will remain available as before.
Operational logic and management stance
The rail operator frames the move as a simplification of onboard catering to improve reliability and availability for passengers. Deutsche Bahn’s leadership, including CEO Evelyn Palla, has previously emphasized logistics optimization as a route to better service, and the current changes are presented as consistent with that goal. By removing equipment prone to breakdown and reducing variability tied to frozen storage, the company expects fewer service disruptions and a more predictable range of products.
Officials acknowledged the trade-off between choice and reliability, saying the menu will be narrower but that customers will see steadier availability of the most demanded items and drinks. The switch to conventional refrigeration is also expected to free capacity for chilled beverages, a category with consistently high demand.
Passenger reaction and sales data
Online reaction has been mixed, with some travellers expressing nostalgia for fries and others welcoming the faster service and steadier availability. Deutsche Bahn reports that the new potato wedges have sold strongly since their introduction, at times nearly doubling the sales pace of the fries they replaced. That uptake has been used by the operator to justify the change and as an indicator that the menu adjustment matches customer tastes in practice.
At the same time, certain niche items have been cut for reasons of declining demand. The vegan currywurst, for example, was removed from the program after sales fell, according to a company spokesperson. These removals underscore that the bistro refresh targets both regulatory drivers and commercial performance.
Transition timeline and what travellers should expect
The phased removal of deep-freeze devices will continue through 2026, with most replacements completed by year-end 2026 and further adjustments following as needed. Passengers can expect to see more items reconfigured for standard refrigeration and a clearer, shorter menu in Bordbistros across long-distance services. Drinks and chilled ready-to-eat items are slated to remain widely available as refrigeration capacity is reallocated.
Deutsche Bahn says it will monitor sales and customer feedback and may introduce alternative products that meet the constraints of the new equipment. For now, travellers who prefer fries will need to adapt to potato wedges or bring their own food, while the operator focuses on reducing complexity and complying with EU environmental and safety rules.
The change underscores a broader tension for transport catering between regulatory compliance, operational reliability and passenger expectation, and it leaves open the possibility of further menu evolution as refrigeration hardware is replaced and demand patterns become clearer.
