Restaurants That Accept EBT In 2026

Are you one of the millions of Americans who rely on the EBT program for daily meals? Are you looking for restaurants that accept it?

Most restaurants can’t accept SNAP. The main exception is the Restaurant Meals Program, which only some states run and only some SNAP recipients can use.

It can be confusing to know which restaurants accept EBT. Restaurants generally take SNAP through a special program called the Restaurant Meals Program.

This program is a part of the federal food stamps law and lets certain eligible individuals use their food stamp benefits to buy meals at specific restaurants.

What is The Restaurant Meals Program?

The Restaurant Meals Program is a government program that allows eligible participants to purchase meals from participating restaurants using EBT benefits.

It is designed for SNAP recipients who may not be able to cook for themselves or don’t have a place to cook.

People who are eligible generally use their regular EBT card at participating restaurants. In several states, the card is enabled automatically. Ask your SNAP office if you aren’t sure.

Who can use SNAP Benefits at Restaurants?

To qualify for the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), you must receive SNAP in a participating state and generally meet at least one of the following criteria. State rules vary, and some states require everyone in the household to qualify:

• Be elderly, aged 60 years or over.
• Be experiencing homelessness.
• Be disabled, receiving disability or blindness payments, or receiving permanent disability retirement benefits from a governmental agency.
• Be the spouse of a SNAP beneficiary who is eligible for the RMP.

Restaurants that take EBT

Getting access to the Restaurant Meals Program is harder than you might think. The federal government gives each state the power to decide whether or not to participate in the program.

Most states don’t take part. These are the states on USDA’s Restaurant Meals Program page. Check with your state, because programs can be limited to certain areas or restaurants.

• Arizona
• California
• Illinois
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• New York
• Rhode Island
• Virginia

Some participating restaurants are small, family-owned businesses or food trucks. Others are locations of well-known chains. Participation is by location and state, so the chains below won’t accept EBT everywhere. Confirm with the restaurant before you order.

• Arby's
• Applebee's
• Baja Fresh
• Burger King
• Carl’s Jr.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill
• Del Taco
• Denny's
• Dickey’s BBQ Pit
• Domino's Pizza
• Dunkin' Donuts
• El Pollo Loco
• Firehouse Subs
• Hardee's
• Jack in the Box
• KFC
• Little Caesars Pizza
• McDonald's
• Olive Garden
• Panera Bread
• Panda Express
• Pizza Hut
• Popeye’s
• Sonic Drive-In
• Subway
• Taco Bell
• Wendy's
• Wingstop

Restaurants That Accept EBT by State

Here is what we’ve compiled for each state. This list isn’t complete and can go out of date, so use your state’s current list when one is linked.

Also, Each state can set their own requirements for choosing how many and which restaurants they want to allow to participate in their state's RMP.

Arizona(650+ restaurants)

In September 2007, Arizona introduced the Restaurant Meals Program as part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The Arizona Restaurant Meals Program was created to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy healthy and balanced meals, even if they don't have the means or resources to cook at home.

Arizona DES says not all locations of a chain participate, so look for the EBT sign or ask a manager. Participating restaurants and fast food places have included:

• Blimpie
• Blue Seas Express Restaurant
• Burger King
• Burger Shoppe
• Captain Tony’s Pizza
• Carl’s Jr
• Chix N Mex
• Classic Cooking Academy
• Dairy Queen
• Diamond Creek Restaurant
• Domino’s Pizza
• Dorsey B’s Fish and Fixins
• Eat Fresh Mexican Food
• El Pollo Loco
• Fat Sub
• Figami Asian Fresh
• Firehouse Subs
• Harris and Smith Coffee Co
• Helpings Cafe and Market
• Hungry Howies
• Jack in the Box
• Jimmy and Joes Pizzeria
• Krispy Krunchy Chicken
• KFC Taco Bell
• La Perla Sports Cantina
• Latino Restaurant 2
• Lennys Burger
• Love Hawaiian BBQ
• Maskadores Taco Shop
• McDonald’s
• Nk Gyros
• Paradise Mexican Food
• Perfectto
• Rags Real Chicken and Waffles
• Rally’s Hamburgers
• Senor Sushi
• Smoke Dem Bone Barb BQ
• Speedy Street Taco
• Subway
• Taco Bell
• Tasty Box
• Un Mujer
• Uncle Sams
• Yum Pizza

California(200+ restaurants)

The California Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) has been a statewide program since September 1, 2021, following a law that took effect in October 2019.

This means that eligible CalFresh recipients can buy prepared meals at any participating restaurant in the state, even outside their home county. Everyone in the household must meet the program’s criteria.

• A&T Burgers
• Alma’s Cookies & Company Restaurant
• Ameci Pizza Kitchen
• Angelo’s Burger
• Arby’s
• Arnold’s Burgers
• Art’s Famous Chili Dog
• B&R’s Old Fashion Burger
• Baby Brother Pizza
• Banh Mi Che Cali
• Bayou Grille
• BBQ Express
• BBQ King
• Big Al’s Pizza
• Bobo’s Hamburger
• Bonnie B’s Smokin BBQ
• Boy’s Hamburgers
• Bravo Burger
• Broadway Food Corner
• Brother’s BBQ
• Burger King
• Cafe Creole
• California Cheeseburgers
• California Steak & Fries
• Campus Ktichen
• Captain Tony’s Pizza and Pasta
• Carl’s Jr
• Carnitas Michoacán
• Casa Sanchez
• Ceiba Restaurant
• Chabelita’s Restaurant
• Chavez Polo & Burger
• China Beauty Food Express
• Chinatown Express
• Chinese Express
• Church’s Chicken
• City Hall Market Restaurant
• Classic Burger
• Cliff’s Texas Style Burritos
• Corner Kafe
• Covina Burgers
• Crazy Falafel
• Curry Time
• Cypress Best Burgers
• D’s Original Take Out Grill
• Daily Donuts House
• Del Taco
• Deli Robert’s Pizza
• Denny’s
• Dinna’s Mexican Food Restaurant
• Dickey’s BBQ Pit
• Dino’s Burgers
• Dominguez Pizza
• Domino’s Pizza
• Dono’s Fish & Chicken
• Doublz
• Downtown Catch 21
• Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen
• El Arka Bakery & Restaurant
• El Huero
• El Merendero
• El Pollo Loco
• Jack in the Box
• Le Pardis Bakery and Cafe
• New York Pizza
• NYC Deli & Grill
• Nikko’s Family Restaurant
• Primo Burgers
• Taqueria El Torero
• and more!

To access a comprehensive list of restaurants in California that accept EBT, you can refer to this restaurant locator tool.

Illinois

The Illinois Department of Human Services keeps a list of restaurants that participate in the RMP, and says the list changes over time. Restaurants on the list include:

• Fruitful Delight
• Head West Sub Stop
• JJ Fish and Chicken
• Pizza Hut
• S2 Express Grill
• Sonic Drive-In

Maryland

The Maryland Restaurant Meal Program is a special program that helps people get healthy meals when they need them.

Maryland DHS is piloting the program and lists restaurants in Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Montgomery, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s, and Washington. See its page for current restaurants, which have included:

• Burger King
• Checkers
• KFC
• Wendy’s

Massachusetts

Massachusetts runs a SNAP Restaurant Meals Program that lets approved restaurants and food trucks accept SNAP from eligible clients. It’s for older adults (60+), people with a disability, and individuals or families experiencing homelessness.

The Massachusetts Restaurant Meal Program started as a pilot at selected locally owned restaurants and food trucks, so it isn’t available everywhere in the state.

To find participating restaurants, see the Department of Transitional Assistance list or call the DTA Assistance Line at 1-877-382-2363.

Michigan(20 restaurants)

The Michigan Restaurant Meal Program provides certain individuals who receive food assistance program benefits (FAP) with the ability to use their Michigan Bridge card to purchase prepared food from participating restaurants.

Food Assistance Program (FAP) recipients may use their benefits to purchase prepared food in certain authorized restaurants

• Foundry Bakehouse and Deli
• Emma's Coffee House
• Sparty's Kabob Restaurant
• Just Munchies
• Siraj Cuisine
• Wing Heaven Sports Haven
• McDonald's
• Burton Village BBQ Company
• Wing Heaven Moo Gobble Burger
• Sally's Whatta Pizza
• Dee's Pizza Pad
• Constantine's Harvey House
• Toarmina's Pizza Dearborn
• Breadless
• ERR'Thang Smoked
• Market Fresh Deli
• Ray's Pizza and Chicken
• Sheeba Express
• The Congregation Detroit
• Holy Cow! Creamery

New York

USDA lists New York as a Restaurant Meals Program state. See the New York Restaurant Meals Program page, or ask your local department of social services whether your case is eligible.

Rhode Island(2 restaurants)

Through the Rhode Island Restaurant Meal Program, eligible SNAP recipients can use their SNAP benefits to buy prepared meals from participating restaurants.

• Federal Hill Pizza Restaurant in Providence
• Subway

Virginia

The Virginia Restaurant Meals Program lets SNAP recipients who are elderly, living with a disability, or without housing, and their spouses, buy hot, prepared meals at participating restaurants.

Look for the Virginia Restaurant Meals Program logo when dining out.

Other States

States can join or change their programs, so check USDA’s Restaurant Meals Program page or ask your state SNAP agency.

Types of restaurants that accept EBT

Restaurant types vary by state. Only restaurants approved for the program in your state can accept SNAP.

Here are the types of restaurants that may accept EBT from eligible recipients.

Fast food restaurants

Fast food restaurants are famous for their speedy service and budget-friendly meals.

Some fast food chain locations take part in the program. Not all locations do, even in participating states.

Here are a few fast food chains with locations that may accept Food Stamp in participating states:

• Subway
• Papa Murphy's (participating locations)
• Dominos (participating locations)
• Carl's Jr.
• Church's Chicken
• Sonic Drive-In
• Taco Bell
• El Pollo Loco
• Golden Corral
• Pizza Hut
• Jack in the Box
• KFC
• McDonald's
• Burger King

Sit-down restaurants

Sit-down restaurants provide a dining experience where you can enjoy table service and a diverse selection of dishes. Most don’t accept EBT, but some may in participating states.

Here are a few restaurants with locations that may accept Food Stamp in participating states:

• Denny's
• IHOP (International House of Pancakes)
• Carl's Jr.
• El Pollo Loco
• Subway
• Church's Chicken
• Domino's Pizza
• Jack in the Box

Convenience stores

The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) is generally for restaurants, not convenience stores.

The RMP is a state-run program, and it is only available at certain restaurants that meet certain requirements.

However, SNAP-authorized convenience stores may sell cold prepared foods that can be purchased with an EBT card. Foods that are hot at the point of sale aren’t eligible. Some examples of cold foods that may qualify include:

• Cold sandwiches
• Salads

FAQ

1. How do I know if a restaurant accepts EBT?

Many participating restaurants post a sign. You can also check your state list or ask the restaurant directly.

2. What can I buy with EBT at a restaurant?

If you qualify for the program, you can use EBT to purchase prepared meals at participating restaurants. You cannot use it for alcohol or items that are not food.

3. How much can I spend on EBT at a restaurant?

The amount of money you can spend on EBT at a restaurant is limited by your SNAP benefits. You can use your EBT card to purchase up to the amount of money you have on your card.

4. What if I don't have enough money on my EBT card to cover the cost of my meal?

If you don't have enough money on your EBT card to cover the cost of your meal, you can pay the difference with cash or another form of payment.

5. Do I need to show my ID to use EBT at a restaurant?

It depends on the state. You use your EBT card and PIN, and a restaurant may ask you to show that you are eligible for the program. Ask your state SNAP agency what to bring.

6. What if I am denied service at a restaurant because I am using EBT?

If you are denied service at a restaurant because you are using EBT, you should contact your state's SNAP agency. They may be able to help you resolve the issue.

7. Can EBT be used for delivery or takeout orders?

It depends on your state and the restaurant, so check with the restaurant before you order. EBT can’t pay for tips or delivery fees.

8. Can I use EBT to pay for alcoholic beverages at restaurants?

No, EBT benefits cannot be used to purchase alcoholic beverages at restaurants or any other location. SNAP rules prohibit using these benefits for alcohol, tobacco, or any non-food items.

9. Can EBT benefits be used for restaurant gift cards?

No, EBT benefits cannot be used to purchase restaurant gift cards. The purpose of EBT benefits is to help individuals and families access nutritious food for their household.

10. Can EBT benefits be used for meals served at homeless shelters or soup kitchens?

People experiencing homelessness may be able to use SNAP at authorized shelters and soup kitchens. Ask the meal provider or your state SNAP agency.