280+ Restaurants that Take EBT in California (2021)

CalFresh EBT Card, California EBT Card

If you currently live in the state of California and receive CalFresh benefits, we have great news! There are restaurants that take EBT in California. Your CalFresh EBT Card or Golden State Advantage card can be used at select restaurants and fast food places if you meet the eligibility criteria. In this post, we will explain in detail how the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) works and how you can qualify to use your EBT at these restaurants.

In addition, we will provide you a complete list of fast food places and restaurants that accept CalFresh EBT for 2021.

However, first, we are going to explain what the California Restaurant Meals program is about and which counties are participating.

Second, we will explain the requirements for the RMP and how you can use your CalFresh EBT at these restaurants.

Finally, we will provide you a complete list of restaurants that take EBT in California, broken down by county.

All you need to do is scroll down and find the county where you live or a nearby county that has the meals program.

"Fast food places that take EBT in California"

This post will cover:

  • What is CalFresh?
  • California Restaurant Meals Program
  • How to use your EBT Card at Restaurants
  • Restaurants that Take EBT in California by County

What is CalFresh?

CalFresh is the name for the California Food Stamps program. It is also known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).

The SNAP program is a federal nutrition program that helps people with low income buy healthy food.

SNAP benefits can be used to purchase food at grocery stores, convenience stores, and some farmers’ markets and co-op food programs.

The CalFresh program is a nutrition program. It is not a welfare cash assistance program (which is called TANF).

Also, you do not have to be receiving TANF to get CalFresh.

Furthermore, CalFresh is a federal entitlement program. This means anyone who is eligible will receive benefits. You will not be taking away benefits from someone else if you apply.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees SNAP at the federal level.

In California, the program is managed by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS).

If approved for CalFresh, you can get up to $204 a month per household member on an EBT card.

To apply for CalFresh, see our post on How to Apply for California SNAP Benefits.

California Restaurant Meals Program

The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) allows CalFresh recipients who are 60 years of age or older, disabled, or homeless to use their CalFresh benefits to purchase lower-cost prepared meals at approved participating restaurants in certain counties.

If you fit one of the groups described above, you can use your CalFresh California EBT card at select restaurants and fast-food chains throughout the state.

Currently, the restaurant meals program is active in the following counties:

  • Alameda
  • Fresno
  • Los Angeles
  • Mariposa
  • Monterey
  • Orange
  • Riverside
  • San Diego
  • San Francisco
  • Sacramento
  • San Luis Obispo
  • Santa Clara
  • Santa Cruz
  • Siskiyou
  • Tehama

Restaurant Meals Program Requirements

To use your Golden State Advantage EBT Card at restaurants and fast-food chains in Los Angeles, you must first meet certain requirements.

To be eligible for the Restaurant Meals Program, you must:

  • Be currently enrolled and receiving CalFresh benefits
  • Have an active California EBT Card
  • Be homeless, elderly (age 60 or older), or disabled

If you do not meet the requirements listed above, you are not eligible to use your California EBT Card at restaurants and fast-food chains.

How to use your EBT Card at Restaurants

Using your EBT Card to purchase hot meals at restaurants and fast food locations is easy.

Here’s what you do:

  1. Find a participating restaurant or fast-food chain near you. Eligible locations will display the Restaurant Meals sign (pictured below).
  2. Purchase hot meals – breakfast, lunch, or dinner at the restaurant by using your California EBT Card at checkout.
  3. Follow the instructions and enter your 4-digit EBT Card PIN to complete your purchase.
  4. Get your receipt to see the remaining balance on your EBT Card CalFresh benefits account.

Restaurants that Take EBT in California by County

We have listed below the restaurants that take EBT in California by County.

Scroll down to find your county or a nearby county and see the restaurants in that county that accept EBT.

Alameda County Restaurant Meals Program

Here are the restaurants that accept CalFresh EBT in Alameda County:

Carl’s Jr.
871 Marina Village Pkwy. Alameda, CA 94501

Carl’s Jr.
3770 Telegraph Ave. Oakland, CA 94690

Pizza Hut
2617 Decoto Rd. Union City, CA 94587

El Torero Taqueria
5801 International Blvd. Oakland CA 94621

Jamba Juice
3962 Mowry Ave. Fremont CA 94538

Los Angeles County Restaurant Meals Program

"Calfresh Restaurant Meals Program Los Angeles"

Here are the restaurants that accept CalFresh EBT in the county of Los Angeles.

For a more detailed list, including addresses and phone numbers, see our post on Restaurants that accept CalFresh in LA County.

Note: Before you visit a particular restaurant below, call that location to make sure they participate in the Restaurant Meals Progam (RMP).

That is because not all locations of a particular chain of restaurants may be participating in the RMP.

  • A & T Burgers
  • Ameci Pizza and Pasta
  • Angelo’s Burger
  • Arby’s
  • Art’s Famous Chili Dog
  • B & R’s Old Fashion Burger
  • Baby Brother Pizza
  • Banh Mi Che Cali
  • Bayou Grille
  • BBQ King
  • Big Al’s Pizza
  • Bobo’s Hamburger
  • Bonnie Smoking BBQ
  • Bravo’s Burger
  • Broadway Food Corner
  • Brother’s BBQ
  • Burger King
  • Burger Zone
  • Café Creole
  • California Cheeseburgers
  • California Steak & Fries
  • Campus Kitchen
  • Captain Tony’s Pizza & Pasta
  • Carl’s Jr
  • Carnitas Michoacán
  • Ceiba Restaurant
  • China Beauty Food Express
  • Chinatown Express
  • Cliff’s Texas Style Burritos
  • Corner Kafe
  • Covina Burgers
  • Cypress Best Burgers
  • D’s Original Take Out Grill
  • Daily Donuts House
  • Del Taco
  • Deli Robert’s Pizza
  • Denny’s
  • Diana’s Mexican Food Restaurant
  • Dino’s Burgers
  • Dino’s Charbroiled Burgers
  • Dominguez Pizza
  • Dominos Pizza
  • Downtown Catch 21
  • El Huero
  • El Merendero
  • El Merendero Bakery
  • El Merendero Restaurant
  • El Pollo Loco
  • El Salsabor
  • Every Table
  • Express Burger
  • Fabulous Grill
  • Fair Oaks Burger
  • Fantasy Burgers
  • Fatburger
  • Fatburger & Buffalo’s Express
  • Food for Life
  • Flames X-Press Charbroiled Burgers
  • Flip It Café
  • Fred Down Home Burger
  • Fresh and Meaty Burgers
  • Freudian Sips
  • Frosty King Burgers and Shakes
  • Garduno’s
  • Geronimo’s and Bamboo Terrace
  • Golden Bird Chicken
  • Golden Seafood Express & Hamburger
  • Good Day Donuts & Mini Mart
  • Goody’s Pizza
  • Granny’s Kitchen
  • Green Apple Grill
  • Guido’s Pizza and Pasta
  • Hawkins House of Burgers
  • Hola Polla
  • Hamburger Dan’s
  • Honey’s Kettle Fried Chicken
  • Hong Kong Express
  • Hot Cazuelas
  • Hungry Boy Burgers
  • J & J BBQ Fish
  • Jack in the Box
  • JN’s Original BBQ Pit House
  • John’s Burgers
  • John’s Drive-in Hamburger
  • Jordan’s Hot Dogs
  • Kentucky Fried Chicken
  • Kimbob & Ketta’s Louisiana Snoballs
  • La Pizza Loca
  • La Taquiza
  • LA Harbor College Campus Cafeteria
  • LA Mission College
  • LA Trade Technical College Campus Cafeteria
  • LOCOL
  • Louis Burgers
  • Louis Place Burgers
  • Louisiana Famous Fried Chicken
  • Louisiana Fried Chicken & Chinese Food
  • Louisiana Fried Chicken & Fish Market
  • Louisiana Hometown Seafood Fish and Taco
  • Lucy’s Bakery
  • Mama’s Chicken
  • Mama’s International Tamales
  • Maples Restaurant
  • Margarita’s Place
  • Marjoe’s Soul Food and Grill
  • McDonald’s
  • Master Burger
  • Melo Burgers
  • Michael’s Super Burgers
  • Monster Burger
  • New Hong Kong Chinese Express
  • Original Louis Burgers
  • Pacific Dining East LA College
  • Pacific Dining LA Pierce College
  • Pacific Dining LA Valley College
  • Pacific Dining Los Angeles City College
  • Pacific-Dining West Los Angeles College
  • Pacific Restaurant
  • Papa John’s
  • Paradise Pastry & Café
  • Perry Burger
  • Pizza Hut
  • Pollo Campero
  • Popeye’s Chicken
  • Primo Burgers
  • R & J Southern Home Cook
  • Rally’s Hamburger
  • Randolph’s Smoke House
  • RC Burgers
  • Rio Meat Market & Restaurant
  • Roman’s Pizza
  • Rosita’s Panaderia and Restaurant
  • Sam’s Burgers & Fast Food
  • Sam’s Tacos
  • Sana Food
  • Smokin Telle’s BBQ & Grill
  • Soul Food Kitchen
  • Subrositas Pupusas
  • Subway
  • Taco Pete
  • Tai Pan Chinese Fast Food
  • Tam’s Burgers
  • Ted’s Place
  • The Arbor Grill
  • The Best Burger
  • The Marketplace
  • The Pub Sports Grill
  • The White House
  • Tom’s Jr
  • Tottino’s Pizza & Louisiana Fried Chicken
  • Troy’s Burger
  • Twins Smokehouse BBQ
  • Valentino’s Pizza
  • Vallarta Supermarkets
  • Watt’s Burgers
  • Wendy’s
  • Wienerschnitzel
  • Wing N Stuff
  • Wing Stop
  • Wok on the Wild Side
  • Yoshinoya Beef Bowl

Orange County Restaurant Meals Program

"Fast food restaurants that take CalFresh EBT in Orange County"

Here are the restaurants that accept CalFresh EBT in Orange County.

For a more detailed list, including addresses and phone numbers, see our post on Restaurants that accept CalFresh in Orange County.

Note: Before you visit a particular restaurant below, call that location to make sure they participate in the Restaurant Meals Progam (RMP).

That is because not all locations of a particular chain of restaurants may be participating in the RMP.

  • Café Cultura
  • Cali Veggie Restaurant
  • Del Taco
  • Domino’s
  • El Pollo Loco
  • Guadalajara Meat Market
  • Jack In The Box
  • Jack in the Box
  • Kentucky Fried Chicken
  • Kerostena Mediteranian Grill
  • Lee’s Sandwiches
  • Long Hai Restaurant
  • McDonald’s
  • Olligo Grill
  • Pizza Hut
  • Rose’s Sugar Shack
  • Round Table Pizza
  • Subway
  • Teddy’s Café (Teriyaki, Burger & Sushi)
  • Waba Grill
  • Wendy’s
  • Yoshinoya

Riverside County Restaurant Meals Program

"Fast food restaurants that take CalFresh EBT in Riverside County"

Here are the restaurants that accept CalFresh EBT in Orange County.

For a more detailed list, including addresses and phone numbers, see our post on Restaurants that accept CalFresh in Riverside County.

Note: Before you visit a particular restaurant below, call that location to make sure they participate in the Restaurant Meals Progam (RMP).

That is because not all locations of a particular chain of restaurants may be participating in the RMP.

  • Del Taco
  • Denny’s
  • El Pollo Loco
  • Fuego 360
  • Jack In The Box
  • La Villa Burgers
  • McDonald’s
  • Papa John’s Pizza
  • Pizza Hut
  • Pizza Rev
  • Popeye’s
  • Red Maple Pizza
  • Sombrero Mexican Food
  • Southern Belle Café
  • Yoshinoya Beef Bowl

Restaurants that Take EBT in California Summary

Here’s the bottom line:

The California Restaurant Meals program applies to those who are homeless, elderly (age 60 or older), or disabled.

If you are one of the groups above and have an active California EBT Card, you can use your CalFresh benefits to buy food at select restaurants.

This includes hot food that can be eaten at the premises.

Currently, 15 counties in California participate in the program, including Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Riverside county.

Questions?

We hope this post on restaurants that take EBT in California was helpful.

If you have further questions about CalFresh or California EBT Card, please let us know in the comments section below.

Be sure to check out our other articles about CalFresh and CalFresh EBT, including:
How to Apply for California P-EBT
California P-EBT Extension for 2020/2021
CalFresh Account Login Help
CalFresh Income Limits for 2021