If you currently live in San Mateo County, California, and receive CalFresh benefits we have great news! 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 in San Mateo County and how you can qualify to use your EBT at these restaurants. In addition, we will provide you a complete list of food places and restaurants that Accept EBT in San Mateo County, California.
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 Accept EBT in San Mateo County, broken down by city for easy search.
You will see the names of participating restaurants with their addresses and phone numbers.
The list includes restaurants in the following San Mateo County cities:
- Daly City
- San Mateo
- Redwood City
- South San Francisco
- San Bruno
- Pacifica
- Menlo Park
- Foster City
- San Carlos
- East Palo Alto
- Belmont
All you need to do is scroll down and find the city where you live or a nearby city and you will see the list of restaurants that accept EBT there.
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 39 counties:
-
- Alameda
- Butte
- Contra Costa
- Fresno
- Glenn
- Imperial
- Kern
- Kings
- Los Angeles
- Madera
- Marin
- Mariposa
- Merced
- Nevada
- Orange
- Placer
- Riverside
- Sacramento
- San Benito
- San Bernardino
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Joaquin
- San Luis Obispo
- San Mateo
- Santa Barbara
- Santa Clara
- Santa Cruz
- Shasta
- Siskiyou
- Solano
- Sonoma
- Stanislaus
- Sutter
- Tehama
- Tulare
- Ventura
- Yolo
- Yuba
California Restaurant Meals Program Requirements
To use your CalFresh Golden State Advantage EBT Card at restaurants and fast-food chains in San Mateo County, you must first meet certain requirements.
To be eligible for the Restaurant Meals Program, you must:
- Currently, be 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 in San Mateo County
Using your EBT Card to purchase hot meals at restaurants and fast food locations is easy.
Here’s what you do:
- Find a participating restaurant or fast-food chain near you. Eligible locations will display the Restaurant Meals sign (pictured below).
- Purchase hot meals – breakfast, lunch, or dinner at the restaurant by using your California EBT Card at checkout.
- Follow the instructions and enter your 4-digit EBT Card PIN to complete your purchase.
- Get your receipt to see the remaining balance on your EBT Card CalFresh benefits account.
List of Restaurants that Accept EBT in San Mateo County
San Mateo County has not yet released the list of restaurants in the county that participate in the Restaurant Meals Program.
However, according to a new law in California that went into effect in 2021, you can now use your EBT Card at any restaurant in the state that participates in the Restaurant meals program, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements.
Therefore, even if you live in San Mateo county and are approved for the restaurant meals program, you can use your CalFresh EBT card at participating RMP restaurants across the state, including neighboring counties like Santa Clara, Alameda, and San Francisco.
We have therefore provided below a list of restaurants in neighboring counties that participate in the Restaurant meals program.
Alameda County
The following restaurants accept EBT Cards in Alameda County, California
Carl’s Jr.
871 Marina Village Pkwy.
Alameda, CA 94501
Jamba Juice
3962 Mowry Ave.
Fremont CA 94538
Carl’s Jr.
3770 Telegraph Ave.
Oakland, CA 94690
El Torero Taqueria
5801 International Blvd.
Oakland CA 94621
Pizza Hut
2617 Decoto Rd.
Union City, CA 94587
Santa Clara County
the following restaurants accept EBT Cards in Santa Clara County, California
Jack In The Box
Jack In The Box
1841 Story Rd.
San Jose CA 95122
Jack In The Box
1632 Tully Rd.
San Jose CA 95122
Jack In The Box
425 Blossom Hill Rd.
San Jose CA 95123
Jack In The Box
15 S. Capitol Ave.
San Jose CA 95127
Jack In The Box
15771 Los Gatos Blvd.
Los Gatos CA 95032
Jack In The Box
200 W. El Camino Real
Mt. View CA 94040
Jack In The Box
7895 Monterey Rd.
Gilroy CA 95020
Jack In The Box
17015 Condit Rd.
Morgan Hill CA 95037
Jack In The Box
6239 Santa Teresa Blvd.
San Jose CA 95119
Jack In The Box
5900 Travel Park Circle
Gilroy CA 95020
Jack In The Box
15855 Monterey Rd.
Morgan Hill CA 95037
Jack In The Box
7110 Camino Arroyo
Gilroy CA 95020
Jack In The Box
911 El Camino Real
Santa Clara CA 95050
Jack In The Box
2280 El Camino Real
Palo Alto CA 94306
Jack In The Box
1740 S. Main St.
Milpitas CA 95035
Jack In The Box
697 CurtnerAve.
San Jose CA 95125
Jack In The Box
1490 Monterey Rd.
San Jose CA 95110
Jack In The Box
1075 Willow St.
San Jose CA 95125
Jack In The Box
1737 S. Bascom Ave.
Campbell CA 95008
Jack In The Box
1450 W. Campbell Ave.
Campbell CA 95008
Jack In The Box
510 W. Hamilton Ave.
Campbell CA 95008
Burger King
Burger King
635 E. Capitol Expwy.
San Jose CA 95111
Burger King
4040 Monterey Rd.
San Jose CA 95111
Burger King
1305 N. Bascom Ave.
San Jose CA 95128
Burger King
2390 Almaden Rd. #10
San Jose CA 95125
Burger King
329 N. Capitol Ave.
San Jose CA 95127
Burger King
1181 Old Oakland Rd.
San Jose CA 95112
Burger King
1030 McLaughlin Ave.
San Jose CA 95122
Burger King
2170 Monterey Rd.
San Jose CA 95112
Burger King
3098 Story Rd.
San Jose CA 95127
Burger King
450 LeavesleyRd.
Gilroy CA 95020
Burger King
175 W. Calaveras Blvd.
Milpitas CA 95035
Burger King
49 W. Hamilton Ave.
Campbell CA 95008
Burger King
385 S. Kiely Blvd.
San Jose CA 95129
Burger King
1475 Dempsey Rd.
Milpitas CA 95035
Burger King
936 Blossom Hill Rd.
San Jose CA 95123
Burger King
830 E. Dunne Ave.
Morgan Hill CA 95037
Burger King
773 N. Mathilda Ave.
Sunnyvale CA 94085
Burger King
2532 Channing Ave.
San Jose CA 95131
Burger King
1925 El Camino Real
Santa Clara CA 95051
Burger King
3750 El Camino Real
Santa Clara CA 95051
Subway
Subway
421 California Ave.
Palo Alto CA 94305
Subway
2386 SenterRd.
San Jose CA 95112
Subway
3481 S. Bascom Ave.
Campbell CA 95008
Subway
2006 Winchester Blvd. #B
Campbell CA 95008
Subway
43 S. First St.
San Jose CA 95113
Subway
1701 Story Rd. #2
San Jose CA 95122
Subway
115 N.MilpitasBlvd.
Milpitas CA 95035
El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco
996 W. El Camino Real
Sunnyvale CA 94087
El Pollo Loco
6986 Chestnut St.
Gilroy CA 95021
El Pollo Loco
665 Coleman Ave.
San Jose CA 95110
El Pollo Loco
2131 Monterey Hwy. #30
San Jose CA 95125
El Pollo Loco
1701 Story Rd. #30
San Jose CA 95116
Carl’s Jr.
Carl’s Jr.
1689 Capitol Ave. San
Jose CA 95132
Carl’s Jr.
1095 Old Oakland Rd.
San Jose CA 95112
Wingstop
Wingstop
2719 McKee Rd.
San Jose CA 95127
Wingstop
503 Coleman Ave. Ste. 40
San Jose CA 95110
Wingstop
1661 Hollenbeck Ave.
Sunnyvale CA 94087
Wingstop
121 CurtnerAve. #30
San Jose CA 95125
Other Restaurants
EARL OF SANDWICH
1 S. Market St. #20
San Jose CA 95113
STRAW HAT PIZZA
1510 Monterey Rd. Ste. 20
San Jose CA 95110
WM CAFE
3000 Mission College Blvd.
Santa Clara CA 95054
14000 Fruitvale Ave.
Saratoga CA 95070
SIZZLER
2910 Aborn Square
San Jose CA 92121
GABBY’S TAQUERIA
1510 Monterey Rd. Ste. 20
San Jose CA 95110
San Francisco County
The following restaurants accept EBT Cards in San Francisco County, California
Local Restaurants
Himalayan Pizza + Momo
288 Golden Gate Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Z Soul Café
295 Eddy St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Milan Pizza
606 Geary St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Emo’s Café
201A Turk St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Chico’s Pizza
468 Ellis St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
NY Pizza Kitchen
127 Eddy St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Chico’s Pizza
131 6th St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
Supremo Pizza
87 6th St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
Falafelland
133 6th St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
A2 Café
1111 8th St.
San Francisco, CA 94107
Irving Pizza
928 Geary St.
San Francisco, CA 94109
Los Hermanos
868A Geary St.
San Francisco, CA 94109
Luna’s Coffee House
1101 Potrero Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94110
Sweet Chinito
3100 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
Chico’s Grill
3771 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
King Lee’s Chinese
1426 Fillmore St.
San Francisco, CA 94115
Golden City Inn
5131 3rd St.
San Francisco, CA 94124
Subway
Subway
147 Mason St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Subway
77 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Subway
376 Larkin St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Subway
187 6th St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
Subway
2001 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94109
Subway
5 Embarcadero Ctr.
San Francisco, CA 94111
Subway
2375 Market St.
San Francisco, CA 94114
Subway
1500 Fillmore St.
San Francisco, CA 94115
Subway
5650 Geary Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94121
Subway
1501 Sloat Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94132
Subway
500 Parnassus Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94143
Subway
550B Gene Friend Way
San Francisco, CA 94158
Domino’s Pizza
Domino’s Pizza
876 Geary Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94109
Domino’s Pizza
320 Bayshore Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94124
Carl’s Jr.
Carl’s Jr.
1 Hallidie Plaza
San Francisco, CA 94102
Burger King
Burger King
1690 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
Burger King
3900 Geary Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94118
Pollo Campero
Pollo Campero
2740 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
KFC/Taco Bell
KFC/Taco Bell
200 Duboce Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94103
KFC/Taco Bell
691 Eddy St.
San Francisco, CA 94109
KFC/Taco Bell
4285 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94112
KFC/Taco Bell
1150 Taraval St.
San Francisco, CA 94116
KFC/Taco Bell
4150 Geary Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94118
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut
728 Geary St.
San Francisco, CA 94109
Pizza Hut
3349 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
CalFresh FAQs
Here are some of the top questions we get about CalFresh.
Can you buy energy drinks with CalFresh?
Energy drinks that have a nutrition label are eligible foods you can buy with your CalFresh benefits.
However, energy drinks that have a supplement facts label are classified by the FDA as supplements and are therefore not eligible under food stamps rules.
Can you buy Pet Food with CalFresh EBT?
No, you cannot use your CalFresh EBT benefits to buy pet food.
This is directly from the USDA Website.
If you attempt to use your CalFresh card to buy pet or dog food, you will be violating the law – which could land you in jail.
If I get CalFresh am I taking benefits away from other people?
No. CalFresh is an entitlement program.
Therefore, everyone who qualifies for CalFresh will get benefits.
In the state of California, there are about 4 million people who are eligible but not receiving CalFresh.
For every $5 of CalFresh spent in a community, another $9 of local economic activity is generated.
Therefore, CalFresh dollars help support jobs and businesses in your community.
How Long Can I Receive CalFresh Benefits?
There is no time limit for how long eligible individuals and families can receive CalFresh.
However, in order to maintain benefits, CalFresh recipients are required to fill out semi-annual reports and annual recertifications.
Where are my CalFresh Food Stamps?
CalFresh benefits are electronically issued to your personal Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card – also called the Golden State Advantage Card.
Benefits are available to you during the first ten days of the month, as long as you have turned in your paperwork on time.
See the California Food Stamps Benefit Deposit Schedule.
Restaurants that Accept EBT in San Mateo County Summary
Here’s the bottom line:
The San Mateo County 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 San Mateo County.
Questions?
We hope this post on restaurants that accept EBT in San Mateo County was helpful.
If you have further questions about CalFresh or California EBT Card, please let us know in the comments section below.
Also, be sure to check out our other articles about California SNAP and EBT, including: