Have you ever heard of the Restaurant Meals Program?
Of course, you definitely have, but if you haven't, then just pinpoint this—it is a program that allows eligible SNAP clients to get the hot and prepared meal they can't easily get for themselves.
Many of us typically know and assume food stamps, now distributed through Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards, can only be used at grocery stores. That's right—it is the EBT's primary focus.
But the truth is, there are a growing number of restaurants participating in the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), allowing you to use your EBT card to purchase hot, prepared meals!
Even better, many food delivery services now accept EBT—meaning, you can order food online and have it delivered right to your door and pay for the delivery with your EBT card.
In this guide, I'll show you a list of restaurants that accept EBT near you and how you can easily locate any EBT-supported restaurant nearby.
Which SNAP Clients Qualify for EBT Meals at Restaurants?
Usually, eligibility for SNAP meals varies by state.
Eligibility for the RMP requires two things: first, your state must have an RMP in place, and second, all members of your household must meet the SNAP eligibility requirements below:
- Elderly (60 years of age or older);
- Disabled (receives disability or blindness payments or receives disability retirement benefits from a governmental agency because of a disability considered permanent);
- Homeless; or
- A spouse of a SNAP client who is eligible for the RMP.
Which US State Support EBT Payments?
As you might probably know, not all US states support the RMP, which already narrows down the number of states you should expect to use your EBT card for payments.
And as of this writing, only nine (9) US states allow restaurants to accept EBT, which include the following:
- Arizona
- California
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New York
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
What Restaurants Accept EBT Cards Near You?
Probably, pinching out all the restaurants that accept EBT isn't an easy task since more restaurants are quickly adopting the technology required to accept EBT cards.
However, to narrow down the search, I've provided a list of restaurants that accept EBT based on the states mentioned above.
1. Arizona
Arizona is one of the US states with the most restaurants that accept EBT.
Here's a list of some restaurants accepting EBT in the state of Arizona.
| City | Restaurant |
|---|---|
| Chandler | Burger King, El Pollo Loco, Firehouse Subs, Jack in the Box, Jimmy & Joe's, Pizzeria Serious, Slices, McDonald's, Subway, and more |
| Flagstaff | Burger King, Butler Subway Cafe, Chix N Mex, Subway, and more |
| Mesa | Burger King, Carl's Jr, El Pollo Loco, Jack in the Box, Subway, and more |
| Phoenix | Burger King, Carl's Jr, Dairy Queen, El Pollo Loco, Jack n' the Box, McDonald's, Subway, and more |
| Tucson | Burger King, Carl's Jr, Chickenuevo, Church's Texas Chicken, Dairy Queen, Denny's, Del Taco, McDonald's, Papa John's Pizza, Subway, Wendy's, and more |
If you need to know more or inquire about the RMP in this state, you can always check this full PDF list or contact your local RMP through their email or phone number below.
- Family Assistance Administration (FAA) Systems
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 602-774-9284
2. California
California is also a state holding a good number of restaurants in the RMP, including in cities like:
| City | Restaurant |
|---|---|
| San Francisco | Carl's Jr, Chico's Pizza, UCSF Subway Parnassus, UCSF Subway, Mission Bay, and more |
| Los Angeles | Subway, Jack in the Box, Louisiana Famous Fried Chicken and Fish Market, Domino's Pizza, Denny's Restaurant, Wok on the Wild Side, Wendy's, El Pollo Loco, Del Taco, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, and more |
| Riverside | McDonald's, Subway, Yoshinoya Beef Bowl #2152, Del Taco, Denny's #7156, and more |
| San Diego | Pizza Hut, Burger King, Denny's, Jack in the Box, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Wendy's, and more |
If you reside in California, you can always inquire about restaurants in the RMP in your local area through the contact details below.
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 916-651-8047
3. Illinois
The state of Illinois also has some restaurants participating in the RMP, including:
| City | Restaurant |
|---|---|
| Chicago | BJ's Market & Bakery, Caribbean Jerk's Palace III, Doughboy's Chicago, Firehouse Bakery & Grill, JJ Fish and Chicken, Ocean Wave Soul & Seafood, S2 Express Grill, and more |
| Franklin County | Bonnie's Care, Joe's Pizza |
| Riverside | McDonald's, Subway, Yoshinoya Beef Bowl #2152, Del Taco, Denny's #7156, and more |
| San Diego | Pizza Hut, Burger King, Denny's, Jack in the Box, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Wendy's, and more |
You can always inquire more about restaurants accepting EBT card payments in the State of Illinois by contacting your local service in charge of the RMP through the contact details below.
- Cook and Franklin Counties Only
- Josiah Kyser
- Restaurant Meals Program Manager
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 217-558-7757
4. Maryland
Maryland is also a state that participates in the RMP through restaurants in a few counties, such as:
- Anne Arundel County: KFC
- Baltimore: Burger King
- Calvert County: 2 Soul Sisters Restaurant, KFC
- Carroll County: Burger King
- Charles County: KFC
- Frederick County: KFC
- Hartford County: CR Wings
- Montgomery County: Burger King
- Prince George's County: KFC
You can inquire to know more about restaurants in the RMP by reaching out to your local contract coordinator through the details below.
- Shanise Smith
- Contract Coordinator
- Office of Benefits Access
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 410-767-9880
5. Massachusetts
Massachusetts also participates in the RMP and has a number of restaurants in the program, including:
| City | Restaurant |
|---|---|
| Boston | Fresh Food Generation, Merengue Express, Vejigantes Restaurant, Stokes BBQ, La Parada Dominican Kitchen, Merengue Restaurant |
| Worcester | New Wine Pizza, Sabrosa Venezuela |
You can learn more about restaurants participating in the program by checking this official list or reaching out to the service in charge of it in your area through the contact details below.
- Lorraine Ward
- Email: [email protected]
6. Michigan
The state of Michigan also has a considerable number of restaurants in the program, including in cities like.
| City | Restaurant |
|---|---|
| Detroit | A Eagles Coney Island, Embassy Coney Island, ERR'Thang Smoked, Heavenly Chicken and Waffles, Market Fresh Deli, Sheeba Express, Subway, The Congregation Detroit, YumVillage |
| Dearborn | Toarmina's Pizza, Bionde's Subs, Westpoint Bar-B-Que, Del Taco |
| Grand Rapids | Burton Village BBQ Company, Popeye's, Wing Heaven Moo Gobble Burger |
| Lansing | Crack Chicken, Eastside Fish Fry, Just Munchies, Siraj Cuisine |
You can always find out more about Michigan restaurants in the program by checking this list.
7. New York
New York is arguably the state with the most restaurants in the RMP that allow you to use your EBT cards at a good number of restaurant locations in 29 counties, as of this writing.
| County | Restaurant |
|---|---|
| Albany | Kentucky Fried Chicken |
| Broome | 8 Bit Bites |
| Bronx | Leche Y Miel Restaurant, Pa' Comer, Lins Home Chinese, Kaieteur Restaurant, Burger King, Popeyes, Rocbody Fitness Café, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and more |
| Brooklyn | Jam It Bistro, Brain Food Deli & Smart Kitchen, Roseli Chinese Restaurant, Memphis Seoul, IHOP, Ocean Eats, Lady Chow Kitchen, Burger King, iRestaurant, Just Salad, Tonel To Go, and more |
| Manhattan | Justino's Pizzeria, Ray's Pizza, BarIL, SoleSapoara Restaurant, The Chubby Crab |
| Queens | Blaze 718 |
| Rochester | Lakeside Haven Family Restaurant, Pomodoro Pizza, Wings & Pasta, Gregorio's Pizza, Nin's Restaurant |
I've mentioned just 7 of the 29 counties with restaurants accepting EBT in the state of New York, and if you need to know all these states, you can always check this complete official list.
8. Rhode Island
Rhode Island has the fewest number of restaurant locations that accept EBT, and only Subway restaurants participate in the program as of this writing.
9. Virginia
Virginia, being the last state on this list, also has a few restaurants accepting EBT, including:
- Ararat: Red Rooster Cafe
- Newport News, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth: Subway restaurants
- Lynchburg: Asian Fusion, Bistro Bros Q Deli
- Richmond: Kokonut Grill
- Statewide: KFC, Taco Bell (participating locations)
Which Fast Food Restaurants Accept EBT?
If you have an EBT card and want to get some food on the go, you can always visit any of the fast food places below that accept EBT.
- Burger King
- Jack in the Box
- KFC
- McDonald's
- Popeyes
- Subway
- Taco Bell
- Wendy's
How to Use Your EBT Card at a Restaurant
It is very easy to use your EBT card at a restaurant as long as the restaurant supports it.
In fact, according to the USDA, any restaurant with a point-of-sale (POS) device programmed to accept EBT cards should easily take your card, just as it does to accept credit or debit cards.
So to use your EBT card for a payment at a restaurant, just hand over your EBT card to the waiter, and they'll process the EBT payment for you through their POS device. Once the payment has been made, they'll return your card, and you should be free to go.
Can You Buy Hot Food With EBT?
SNAP benefits aren't meant to be used for hot meal purchases. However, you can buy hot food at a participating restaurant if you're located in one of the 9 states supporting the program.
Not all restaurants will let you purchase hot food with your EBT card, even if you reside in an eligible state, and some will require an approved waiver attesting that you don't have the ability to cook food at home.
Can You Use EBT on DoorDash?
Yes, DoorDash is one of the delivery services lets you use your SNAP benefits to purchase groceries with your EBT card and get them delivered at your door step. The delivery service makes it even easier to get your groceries without having to leave the conform of your home.
Final Thoughts
EBT payments are becoming increasingly popular—not only at grocery stores, but at restaurants that participate in the RMP. If you reside in any of the 9 eligible states and are fortunate to reside beside a location that accepts EBT, you should be able to use your EBT card to pay for your meal.
This guide compiles restaurants accepting EBT based on the eligible states to help you easily narrow down your search and get your meal.