Did you know that eligible California EBT Cardholders can use their benefits at restaurant and fast food locations to purchase hot meals? In fact, California is one of the few states that participates in the Restaurant Meals Program.
In this article, we will cover:
- What is the Restaurant Meals Program?
- Restaurant Meals Program Requirements
- How to use your EBT Card at Restaurants
- Restaurants that accept EBT in Los Angeles, CA [List]
To find out where you can use your EBT CalFresh benefits at restaurants in Los Angeles, continue reading below.
California Restaurant Meals Program
The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) allows homeless, elderly, or disabled EBT cardholders receiving CalFresh benefits to purchase hot, prepared food items. California EBT can be used at select restaurants and fast food chains throughout the state.
Currently, there are 1,203 restaurants that accept EBT Cards in Los Angeles, California.
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:
- 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 restaurant and fast food chains.
What happens if I am not eligible for RMP and try to use my EBT Card at a restaurant?
Your Golden State Advantage EBT Card is automatically verified through the point-of-sale machine at checkout. If you are not eligible for RMP and try to use your EBT Card at a restaurant or fast food chain, your EBT Card will be declined.
An error message will appear on the machine and the transaction will not be approved. Therefore, it is important that you do not try to use your EBT card at a restaurant if you are not eligible.
Apply for CalFresh Benefits
If you are not currently enrolled and receiving CalFresh benefits in Los Angeles, you can apply to receive benefits online at the Your Benefits Now website.
Click here to apply for CalFresh EBT benefits online.
You can also apply by phone or in-person. To apply by phone, call the CalFresh Customer Service phone number at (866) 613-3777.
To apply for CalFresh EBT benefits in-person, visit your local Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) Office.
Click here to find the DPSS office near you.
For more help applying for CalFresh benefits, check our article on how to apply for California food stamps. We provide you with a step-by-step guide that will help you successfully apply for SNAP benefits.
How to use Calfresh EBT at Restaurants
Using your Calfresh 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.
Restaurants that accept EBT in Los Angeles, CA
Here is a list of the top 50 restaurants and fast food chains that accept EBT Cards in Los Angeles, California.
- Jack in the Box
- Carl’s Jr.
- Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)
- Louisiana Fried Chicken
- Burger King
- McDonald’s
- Wendy’s
- Subway
- Pizza Hut
- Domino’s Pizza
- El Pollo Loco
- Pollo Campero
- Del Taco
- La Taquiza
- El Salsabor
- Yoshinoya Beef Bowl
- Dino’s Burgers
- Master Burger
- A&T Burgers
- Wing Stop
- Denny’s
- Art’s Famous Chili Dog
- Cheng Ming
- La Pizza Loca
- Sam’s Tacos
- Tam’s Burger
- Bob’s Hamburgers
- Fatburger
- Tom’s Jr.
- Food for Life
- Green Apple Grill
- Smokin’ Telle’s BBQ & Grill
- Randolph’ Smokehouse
- Margarita’s Place
- Carnitas Michoacan
- Catch 21
- El Huero
- Mama’s International Tamales
- Maples Restaurant
- Corner Kafe
- Lucy’s Bakery
- California Steak and Fries
- Pacific Restaurant
- Granny’s Kitchen
- D’s Original Takeout Grill
- Golden Seafood Express & Hamburger
- Soul Food Kitchen
- Popeye’s Chicken
- R&J’s Southern Home Cook
- Rally’s Hamburger
Restaurants that accept EBT in Los Angeles Near Me
For a complete list of every 1,200+ restaurants and fast food chains that accept EBT in Los Angeles, click the link listed below.
Click here: Restaurants that Accept EBT in Los Angeles Near Me
This list sorted by zip code and includes the restaurant name, address, and phone number.
Related Article: Fast Food Restaurants that Accept EBT
To find out where else you can use your California EBT card at including online, continue reading below.
Use your CA EBT Card Online
Did you know California EBT Card recipients can now use their benefits to shop online at Amazon and Walmart? It’s true! The USDA recently passed the Online Purchasing Pilot for California EBT Cardholders. Get fresh food and groceries delivered directly to your door by shopping online with your SNAP EBT benefits!
To learn more and find out how to use your California EBT Card to shop online, check out our article here.
Related Article: Grocery Stores that Accept EBT Online for Delivery
Discounted Amazon Prime for EBT Cardholders
Plus, EBT Cardholders can get an Amazon Prime membership for over 50% OFF – just $5.99 per month!
Get all the same great benefits of Amazon Prime for half the price! To learn more and sign up to save with your EBT Card, click here.
An Amazon Prime membership also gives you access to free Amazon Pantry and Amazon Fresh food items. This is a great option when using your EBT card benefits to shop for groceries online.
California EBT Discounts
Interested in finding out what other discounts your Calfresh EBT Card qualifies you for? Check out our complete list of California EBT discounts. You can save on your phone bill, internet service, cable and utility bills, and even get free admission to the zoo and museum!
To learn more, check it out here.
Before you shop with EBT
Remember, before you shop with your EBT Card at the store or online, it is important to know your current benefits balance. You want to avoid any uncomfortable situations fumbling and looking for money to pay the remaining balance because you didn’t have the balance you thought you did.
To avoid this, we ALWAYS suggest that you check your EBT Card balance before you shop. You can check your California EBT Card balance by phone, online or on your last purchase receipt. For information on how to check your California EBT Card balance online and by phone including customer service phone number, click here.
California EBT Card
We hope this post on the restaurants that accept EBT in Los Angeles, California was helpful to you! If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to share it with others.
If you have questions or would like us to put out more content like this, please let us know in the comments section below. Your feedback is very important to us!
In the meantime, be sure to check out our other articles on the California EBT Card including:
- How to buy Groceries Online with California EBT
- Income Limit for California Food Stamps
- California EBT Card Balance
- California EBT Discounts & Perks
- Does Costco take EBT in California?
- Does Aldi take EBT in California?
