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What Restaurants Accept EBT in California?

Here is a list of restaurants near me that accept EBT food stamps: Hunger and food insecurity are the tragic implications of rising poverty in the United States. As a result, federal initiatives such as CalFresh are critical to preventing and relieving hunger. Yet, these food benefits only provide minimal support to vulnerable populations who can not securely cook or store their food.

This was the impetus for the California government to introduce the Restaurant Meal Program (RMP) in the state. The RMP is another federal initiative that enables the most disadvantaged, destitute individuals to buy hot and prepared meals at a qualifying restaurant.

Further in this post, you will learn more about the Restaurant Meals Program in detail, followed by a complete list of EBT restaurants in California participating in the RMP.

CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program – Places that take EBT

Restaurant Meals Program with CalFresh

The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) is an initiative that aims to assist people who may be at high risk of chronic hunger. It enables them to use their CalFresh EBT cards to purchase hot and prepared meals from authorized Restaurants that accept EBT. This program supports individuals and families who find it hard to prepare meals for themselves or do not have a place to cook or store food.

In 1978, the RMP program was initially introduced to aid the elderly and people with disabilities who qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits with the option to buy prepared meals from participating restaurant vendors. The scope of the program was revised in 1996 to include SNAP recipients who are homeless.

In California, the RMP started as a pilot program in San Francisco County in the early 2000s and has grown substantially since then. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) adopted the RMP as a statewide program on October 12, 2019. For this reason, federally authorized restaurant vendors can participate in the RMP in all 58 counties in California. As of September 1, 2021, the RMP is now a statewide initiative.

Eligibility for The CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program

CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program Eligibility

You must first fulfill a few requirements in order to use your CalFresh Food benefits to purchase prepared meals from restaurants and fast food outlets.

All CalFresh recipients with a valid EBT card are eligible for the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program if they fall under one of the following categories:

  • a 60-year-old adult or older,
  • a person with a disability,
  • the spouse of someone in one of the above categories, or a homeless person.

In case of any further questions about your RMP eligibility, you can call the CalFresh Information Line at 1-877 847 3663 (FOOD) or visit your local county office in person.

Read More : Can You Buy Pre-Workout with EBT?

How To Use Your CalFresh EBT Card in Restaurants?

All CalFresh recipients eligible for RMP can use their EBT cards to buy hot and ready-to-eat meals from a participating restaurant or food outlet.
To do so, follow these five simple steps:

  1. Visit the restaurant from where you want to buy your meal. All participating restaurants will have an RMP sign on their doors or windows. You can enter your zip code to find a participating restaurant near you here.
  2. Place your order for your preferred meal– breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
  3. Your EBT card works just like any other ATM card. Give your card to the cashier or swipe it at the POS to pay for your order.
    To complete your purchase, enter your 4-digit EBT card PIN.
  4. Get a receipt for every meal you buy that includes the cost of the meal and the remaining balance on your EBT CalFresh benefits account.

Which Restaurants Accept EBT in California?

In California, which restaurants accept EBT

CalFresh recipients who meet the RMP eligibility requirements may redeem their CalFresh Food benefits at any participating restaurant in the state, even if it is not in their home county. The following list contains the restaurants participating in the RMP per county. Note that it only applies to counties with restaurant vendors that have received federal authorization.

Best Restaurants that accept EBT in Alameda County

listing here from pdfs – https://www.cdss.ca.gov/rmp

Carl’s

Jr 871 Marina Village Pkwy Alameda 94501 ALAMEDA

Burger King 2495

2200 Otis Drive Alameda 94501 ALAMEDA

Urbann Turbann

1870 Euclid Ave. Berkeley 94709 ALAMEDA

Burger King 8387

6921 Regional St Dublin 94568 ALAMEDA

Pizza Hut 011691

22859 Mission Blvd. Hayward 94541 Alameda

Jack in the Box

1075 W. Tennyson Rd. Hayward 94544 ALAMEDA

NEW YORK PIZZA

665 W TENNYSON RD HAYWARD 94544 ALAMEDA

Burger King 7426

26251 Hesperian Blvd Hayward 94545 ALAMEDA

Le Paradis Bakery and Café

22809 Mission Boulevard Hayward 94541 ALAMEDA

Taqueria El Torero

5801 International Blvd Oakland 94621 ALAMEDA

Carl’s Jr

3770 Telegraph Ave Oakland 94609 ALAMEDA

Burger King 4760

7200 Bancroft Ave Oakland 94605 ALAMEDA

Burger King 8326

580 Hegenberger Rd Oakland 94621 ALAMEDA

Nikko’s Family Restaurant

340 23rd Avenue Oakland 94606 ALAMEDA

Burger King 2795

5315 Hopyard Rd. Pleasanton 94588 ALAMEDA

Jack in the Box

780 Marina Blvd. San Leandro 94577 ALAMEDA

Burger King 3034

1801 De Coto Road Union City 94587 ALAMEDA

Burger King 13768

31361 Alvarado Niles Rd Union City 94587 ALAMEDA

Best Restaurants that accept EBT in Kern County

NYC Deli & Grill, Inc.

785 TUCKER RD Suite C Tehachapi 93561 Kern

Primo Burgers #14

8525 California City Blvd. Unit E California City 93505 Kern

Best Restaurants that accept EBT in Los Angeles

Domino’s Pizza #008153

433 N. Glenoaks Blvd. Burbank 91502 Los Angeles

El Pollo Loco #5922

521 N First St Burbank 91502 Los Angeles

El Pollo Loco #5835

1150 W Alameda Burbank 91506 Los Angeles

VALLARTA SUPERMARKET #17

10950 SHERMAN WAY SUITE 110 BURBANK 91505 Los Angeles

Pollo Campero R115

10960 Sherman Way Burbank 91505 Los Angeles

Fatburger/Buffalo’s Express

10970 Sherman Way Burbank 91505 Los Angeles

Subway #028526

10970 Sherman Way #101 Burbank 91505 Los Angeles

Pizza Hut #26210

1212-A N San Fernando Rd Burbank 91504 Los Angeles

Yoshinoya #1190

1215 N San Fernando Blvd Burbank 91504 LOS ANGELES

Ameci Pizza Kitchen

Burbank 240 N Glenoaks Blvd Burbank 91502 Los Angeles

Wendy’s Restaurant #423

1575 N Victory Blvd Burbank 91502 Los Angeles

Domino’s Pizza #007825

1600 W. Olive Ave. Burbank 91506 Los Angeles

Domino’s Pizza #008176

2015 N. Hollywood Way Burbank 91505 Los Angeles

JACK IN THE BOX 305

2511 NORTH SAN FERNANDO BLVD BURBANK 91504 Los Angeles

Pizza Hut #26192

3311 W Magnolia Burbank 91505 Los Angeles

Jack in the Box #3191

26510 W Agoura Rd Calabasas 91302 Los Angeles

Jack in the Box #3308

6800 De Soto Ave Canoga Park 91303 Los Angeles

El Pollo Loco #5500

7211 Winnetka Ave Canoga Park 91306 Los Angeles

Jack in the Box #348

7264 Topanga Canyon Blvd Canoga Park 91303 Los Angeles

EBT Restaurants in Madera County

Candys Grill

301 N. Gateway Dr. Madera 93637 MADERA

ABC Pho”Dera

200 W. Olive Ave Ste D Madera 93637 MADERA

Taco Express Inc.

530W. Olive Ave #100 Madera 93637 MADERA

Sabores De Mi Tierra

719 N D Street. Suite B Madera 93638 MADERA

Jack in the Box #0524

950 N. Gateway Madera 93637 MADERA

Jack in the Box #4372

40070 Highway 49 Madera 93644 MADERA

Jack in the Box #5436

1545 E. Yosemite Ave Madera 93637 MADERA

Jack in the Box #5441

1800 Howard Road Madera 93637 MADERA

Vallarta Supermarket #52

1467 Country Club Dr. Madera 93638 Madera

Deli Delicious

40208 Hwy. 41#A Oakhurst 93644 MADERA

EBT Restaurants in Riverside

La Villa Burgers

374 E Ramsey St Banning 92220 RIVERSIDE

Del Taco #39

1964 W Ramsey St Banning 92220 RIVERSIDE

KFC – E791033

1930 W RAMSEY ST Banning 92220 RIVERSIDE

MCDONALDS 32223

1492 SECOND STREET BEAUMONT 92223 RIVERSIDE

El Pollo Loco #6041

1496 E 2nd St Marketplace Beaumont 92223 RIVERSIDE

RSB Fresh LLC dba

Subway #3423 E 6th St Beaumont 92223 RIVERSIDE

RSB Fresh LLC dba

Subway #39461 1420 Beaumont Ave C-2 Beaumont 92223 RIVERSIDE

RSB Fresh LLC dba Subway #60624

890 Oak Valley Parkway Suite G Beaumont 92223 RIVERSIDE

Fontana Fresh dbaSubway #38185

1540 E 2nd Street Beaumont 92223 RIVERSIDE

Fontana Fresh dba

Subway #59344 77 Beaumont Ave Beaumont 92223 RIVERSIDE

Del Taco #611

33940 County Line Rd Calimesa 92320 RIVERSIDE

McDonalds 27834

67555 East Palm Canyon Dr Cathedral City 92234 RIVERSIDE

McDonalds 12307

Date Palm Dr Cathedral City 92234 RIVERSIDE

El Pollo Loco #6008

Highway 111 Cathedral City 92234 RIVERSIDE

El Pollo Loco #6009

32089 Date Palm Dr Cathedral City 92234 RIVERSIDE

Southern Belle Cafe

Date Palm Dr Cathedral City 92234 RIVERSIDE

KFC K312045

32120 Date Palm Drive Cathedral City 92234 RIVERSIDE

McDonalds 31948

83131 Avenue 48 Coachella 92236 RIVERSIDE

McDonalds 50090

Harrison St Coachella 92236 RIVERSIDE

S&T Investments dba Subway #51463

83097 Avenue 48 D1-A Coachella 92236 RIVERSIDE

KFC – E791024

49950 HARRISON ST COACHELLA 92236 RIVERSIDE

PJ Central dba Papa John’s Pizza #2837

2310 California Ave #101 Corona 92881 RIVERSIDE

Del Taco

1219 E Ontario Ave Corona 92881 RIVERSIDE

EBT Restaurants in San Diego

Pizza Hut – Alpine #029361

2710 Alpine Blvd Alpine 91901 SAN DIEGO

CRIC PRO CORPORATION KFC

5005 WILLOWS ROAD #E-113 ALPINE 91901 SAN DIEGO

Carl’s Jr. # 629

1263 Tavern Rd Alpine 91901 SAN DIEGO

McDonalds

2959 Alpine Blvd Alpine 91901 SAN DIEGO

KFC #C191015

5080 Bonita Rd. Bonita 91902 SAN DIEGO

JACK IN BOX 68

4011 BONITA RD BONITA 91902 SAN DIEGO

Jack in The Box #3009

5256 Mission Road Bonsall 92003 SAN DIEGO

McDonalds 27840

5565 Mision Rd Bonsall 92028 SAN DIEGO

JACK IN THE BOX INC #42

1967 SAN ELIJO AVENUE CARDIFF BY THE SEA 92007 SAN DIEGO

Carl’s Jr./Green Burrito #117

950 Carlsbad Village Dr Carlsbad 92009 SAN DIEGO

Carl’s Jr. #252

2608 El Camino Real Carlsbad 92008 SAN DIEGO

Subway #52578

880 Carlsbad Village Dr Ste #104 Carlsbad 92008 SAN DIEGO

Jack in the Box 86

5 N Fourth St Chula Vista 91910 SAN DIEGO

Pizza Hut #027215

251 Palomar St Ste B Chula Vista 91911 SAN DIEGO

Pizza Hut #027216

East H St Chula Vista 91910 SAN DIEGO

Rallys Hamburgers 4009

1004 Third Ave Chula Vista 91911 SAN DIEGO

Wingstop #452

1550 E. H St., Ste E Chula Vista 91913 SAN DIEGO

KFC #C191012

1361 Medical Center Dr. Chula Vista 91911 SAN DIEGO

KFC #C191023

461 3rd Avenue Chula Vista 91910 SAN DIEGO

KFC #C191030

1327 Broadway Chula Vista 91911 SAN DIEGO

Yoshinoya Beef Bowl #1179

1299 Broadway Chula Vista 91911 SAN DIEGO

Jack in The Box #3070

947 Otay Lakes Rd Chula Vista 91913 SAN DIEGO

Jack in The Box #3072

925 East Lake Parkway Chula Vista 91914 SAN DIEGO

Carl’s Jr. # 281

2097 Olympic Pkwy Chula Vista 91915 SAN DIEGO

Carl’s Jr. # 546

1100 Broadway Chula Vista 91911 SAN DIEGO

Carl’s Jr. # 575

1487 East H St Chula Vista 91910 SAN DIEGO

Carls Jr 409

695 H St Chula Vista 91910 SAN DIEGO

Carls Jr 83

996 3rd Ave Chula Vista 91911 SAN DIEGO

Dennys 8885

2110 Birch Rd Ste 102 Chula Vista 91915 SAN DIEGO

Best Restaurants that accept EBT in San Francisco

SUBWAY #4066

5650 GEARY BLVD San Francisco 94121 SAN FRANCISCO

Milan Pizza

606 Geary St San Francisco 94102 SAN FRANCISCO

Subway #7307

2375 Market St San Francisco 94114 SAN FRANCISCO

Subway #3066

1500 Fillmore St San Francisco 94164 SAN FRANCISCO

Subway # 41308

376 Larkin St San Francisco 94102 SAN FRANCISCO

Kentucky Fried Chicken/ Taco Bell

4285 Mission St San Francisco 94112 SAN FRANCISCO

Kentucky Fried Chicken/ Taco Bell

200 Duboce Ave San Francisco 94103 SAN FRANCISCO

Kentucky Fried Chicken/ Taco Bell

1150 Taraval St San Francisco 94116 SAN FRANCISCO

Kentucky Fried Chicken/ Taco Bell

691 Eddy St San Francisco 94109 SAN FRANCISCO

Kentucky Fried Chicken/ Taco Bell

4150 Geary Blvd San Francisco 94118 SAN FRANCISCO

Golden City Inn

5131 3rd St San Francisco 94124 SAN FRANCISCO

Burger King # 9365

3900 Geary Blvd San Francisco 94118 SAN FRANCISCO

Subway # 50281

147 Mason St San Francisco 94102 SAN FRANCISCO

Burger King # 3684

819 Van Ness Ave San Francisco 94109 SAN FRANCISCO

Subway # 41309

187 6th St # 189 San Francisco 94103 SAN FRANCISCO

Pizza Hut

728 Geary St San Francisco 94109 SAN FRANCISCO

Pizza Hut

3349 Mission St San Francisco 94110 SAN FRANCISCO

Subway Sandwiches # 43011

77 Van Ness # 100 San Francisco 94102 SAN FRANCISCO

Let’s Eat BBQ And More

5130 3rd St San Francisco 94124 SAN FRANCISCO

Chico’s Pizza

468 Ellis St San Francisco 94102 SAN FRANCISCO

The Supremo Pizza

87 6th Street San Francisco 94103 SAN FRANCISCO

Los Hermanos

868 Geary St San Francisco 94109 SAN FRANCISCO

Emos Cafe and Deli

Turk St San Francisco 94102 SAN FRANCISCO

Burger King 4668

1690 Valencia St San Francisco 94110 SAN FRANCISCO

Burger King 6414

4780 Mission St San Francisco 94112 SAN FRANCISCO

Burger King 4525

1701 Filmore St San Francisco 94115 SAN FRANCISCO

Sweet Chinito

3100 Mission St San Francisco 94110 SAN FRANCISCO

Chicos Grill

3771 Mission St San Francisco 94110 SAN FRANCISCO

SFSU Subway 33355

750 Font Blvd San Francisco 94132 SAN FRANCISCO

Lunas Coffee House

1101 Potreto Ave San Francisco 94110 SAN FRANCISCO

Before visiting a restaurant on the above list, it is recommended that you call ahead to confirm whether they accept EBT payments.
For more information, contact your local social services county office.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Restaurant Meals Program

How do I apply for the Restaurant Meals Program?

You do not need to apply for the Restaurant Meals Program separately.

If your county participates in the RMP, your eligibility will be determined automatically. When you apply for your CalFresh benefits and meet one of the eligibility requirements for the RMP (as mentioned above), the eligibility worker in your local county will directly enroll you into the program. With each CalFresh recertification, your RMP eligibility will be reevaluated.

Not all counties are adept at informing CalFresh recipients who are RMP-eligible that they can use their EBT cards to purchase cooked meals at a restaurant. If you meet the requirements for the RMP but do not receive its benefits, you should call or visit your local county office.

Will I get extra benefits under the Restaurant Meals Program?

No, the Restaurant Meal Program does not affect the amount of CalFresh benefits you receive. It only allows eligible recipients to utilize their CalFresh benefits to purchase hot and prepared meals at participating restaurants.

How can I find out if a restaurant participates in the RMP?

All restaurants participating in the RMP will display its sign on their door or window.
You can also use the methods listed below:

  1. Use the EBT Map Finder to find a restaurant that accepts EBT near you.
  2. Refer to the above list of participating eateries in your county that accept EBT.
  3. Contact your local county office and request a list of restaurants participating in the RMP.

If I buy a meal, will I have to pay tax on it?

No, the participating restaurants are exempt from charging sales tax, meal tax, tip, or other extra charges on prepared meals purchased with an EBT card under the Restaurant Meals Program.

Can I use EBT cash to cover the difference if my EBT CalFresh benefit balance is insufficient to purchase a meal?

Absolutely, you can make a combined payment with your CalFresh Food benefits and EBT cash to buy a meal. Since not all locations accept EBT cash, you must inform the cashier before ordering that you intend to make a hybrid payment.

To avoid such situations, you must always check your EBT card balance before making a payment. You can check your EBT balance online or call Customer Service at the toll-free number 1-877 328 9677.

What should I do if my CalFresh EBT card gets declined?

In case your EBT card is denied during payment, you should call the EBT Customer Service at 1-877 328 9677 or the TTY at 1-800 735 2929.

In Essence

CalFresh recipients can use their EBT cards to purchase any nutritional food item except heated meals. However, this limitation does not apply to any CalFresh recipients who qualify for the Restaurant Meals Program.

The CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program applies to the elderly, people with disabilities, their spouses, or the homeless. If you belong to one of these groups and have a valid EBT card, you can utilize your CalFresh benefits to buy hot and ready-to-eat meals from authorized food locations.

Currently, the program is active in 16 out of 58 counties in California. The state government strives to expand the RMP to every county in the coming years.

Jason Hewett

Jason Hewett

Jason Hewett is a government grant expert who has helped people get the funding they need to survive with low income. He is the author of The Grantseeking Handbook: A Step-By-Step Guide to Finding and Securing Federal, State, and Local Government Grants, and he has been quoted in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other major publications.

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