Nine US states run the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), which lets approved EBT cardholders buy hot meals at participating restaurants: Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island and Virginia. You qualify only if every member of your SNAP household is elderly (60+), disabled, homeless or a spouse of someone who is. Below is the state-by-state list and the rules for using your card.
EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) is the card the federal government uses to pay SNAP food benefits. SNAP normally bans hot or prepared food. The Restaurant Meals Program is the only legal exception. Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
Who qualifies for the Restaurant Meals Program?
You can use EBT at a restaurant only if your state runs RMP and every member of your SNAP household fits one of these categories:
- Elderly — age 60 or older.
- Disabled — recognised as disabled by a federal or state agency (SSI, SSDI, VA disability, etc.).
- Homeless — no fixed nighttime residence, or staying in a shelter or another person’s home for under 90 days.
- Spouse of a household member who fits one of the above.
A working-age, non-disabled, housed SNAP recipient cannot use the RMP. The state SNAP office flags eligible cards in its system before any restaurant transaction goes through.
States with the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program
Click your state to see participating restaurants and the official state list.
Arizona (statewide)
- Phoenix: Burger King, Carl’s Jr, Dairy Queen, El Pollo Loco, Jack in the Box, McDonald’s, Subway, and more.
- Tucson: Burger King, Carl’s Jr, Church’s Chicken, Dairy Queen, Denny’s, Del Taco, McDonald’s, Papa John’s, Subway, Wendy’s.
- Mesa, Chandler, Flagstaff: Burger King, El Pollo Loco, Jack in the Box, McDonald’s, Subway and local restaurants.
California (county-by-county)
- Los Angeles: Subway, Jack in the Box, Domino’s, Denny’s, Wendy’s, El Pollo Loco, Del Taco, KFC, Pizza Hut, Louisiana Famous Fried Chicken, and more.
- San Francisco: Carl’s Jr, Chico’s Pizza, UCSF Subway Parnassus, UCSF Subway Mission Bay.
- San Diego: Pizza Hut, Burger King, Denny’s, Jack in the Box, KFC, Wendy’s.
- Riverside: McDonald’s, Subway, Yoshinoya, Del Taco, Denny’s.
Illinois (Cook and Franklin counties only)
- Chicago (Cook): BJ’s Market & Bakery, Caribbean Jerk’s Palace III, Doughboy’s, Firehouse Bakery & Grill, JJ Fish and Chicken, Ocean Wave Soul & Seafood, S2 Express Grill.
- Franklin County: Bonnie’s Cafe, Joe’s Pizza.
Maryland (statewide)
- Baltimore: Burger King (multiple locations).
- Calvert County: 2 Soul Sisters Restaurant.
- Carroll, Montgomery counties: Burger King.
- Harford County: CR Wings.
Massachusetts (statewide)
- Boston: Fresh Food Generation, Merengue Express, Vejigantes Restaurant.
- Roxbury: La Parada Dominican Kitchen, Merengue Restaurant.
- Worcester: New Wine Pizza, Sabrosa Venezuela.
- Dorchester: Stokes BBQ.
Michigan (selected cities)
- Detroit: Embassy Coney Island, ERR’Thang Smoked, Heavenly Chicken and Waffles, Sheeba Express, Subway, The Congregation, YumVillage.
- Lansing: Crack Chicken, Eastside Fish Fry, Just Munchies, Siraj Cuisine.
- Grand Rapids: Burton Village BBQ, Popeye’s, Wing Heaven Moo Gobble Burger.
- Dearborn: Toarmina’s Pizza, Bionde’s Subs, Westpoint Bar-B-Que, Del Taco.
New York (selected counties)
- Brooklyn: Jam It Bistro, Brain Food Deli, Roseli Chinese Restaurant, Memphis Seoul, IHOP, Ocean Eats, Lady Chow Kitchen.
- Bronx: Leche y Miel, Pa’ Comer, Lin’s Home Chinese, Kaieteur Restaurant.
- Manhattan: Justino’s Pizzeria, Ray’s Pizza, BarIL, SoleSapoara, The Chubby Crab.
- Rochester: Lakeside Haven Family Restaurant, Pomodoro Pizza, Wings & Pasta, Gregorio’s Pizza, Nin’s Restaurant.
- Queens: Blaze 718.
Rhode Island (statewide)
- Subway locations in Cranston, Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket and Westerly.
Virginia (statewide)
- Newport News, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth: Subway locations.
- Ararat: Red Rooster Cafe.
- Richmond: Kokonut Grill.
- Lynchburg: Asian Fusion, Bistro Bros Q Deli.
If your state is not on this list, your EBT card will not work at any restaurant. The other 41 states do not run RMP.
How to spot a restaurant that takes EBT
Look for a window or door sticker that says “Participating Restaurant: SNAP Restaurant Meals Program”, often paired with a fork-and-knife logo. Some chains use plain wording like “We Welcome EBT”.
You can also call ahead. Ask: “Are you on the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program?” The cashier should know.
How to pay with your EBT card at a restaurant
- Order at the counter or table.
- Tell the cashier you are paying with EBT before they ring up the order.
- Swipe or insert your EBT card at the point-of-sale terminal.
- Enter your 4-digit PIN.
- Keep the receipt — it shows your remaining SNAP balance.
The transaction draws from your monthly SNAP food benefits, not cash benefits, unless your state allows both. Tax is not charged on RMP purchases in most states.
National chains that do not accept EBT
These chains are sometimes assumed to take EBT but generally do not, even in RMP states, because they have not signed up:
- A&W Restaurants
- Arby’s
- Chick-fil-A
- Chipotle
- Cinnabon
- Dunkin’
- Five Guys
- Hardee’s
- In-N-Out Burger
- Krispy Kreme
- Long John Silver’s
- Panda Express
- Panera Bread
- Qdoba Mexican Grill
- Shake Shack
- Starbucks
- TCBY
- Tim Hortons
- Whataburger
- Wingstop
- Zaxby’s
A few of these chains take EBT at a small number of franchised locations. The rule of thumb: assume no, then ask.
What you can buy with EBT outside restaurants
Most SNAP spending happens at grocery stores, where you can buy:
- Bread, cereal, rice, pasta
- Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, canned)
- Meat, poultry, fish
- Dairy products
- Seeds and plants that produce food for the household
You cannot buy:
- Hot or prepared food (except at RMP restaurants)
- Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or any tobacco
- Pet food, soap, paper products, household supplies
- Vitamins, supplements, medicines
Common questions
Which states accept EBT at restaurants?
Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island and Virginia.
Can any SNAP recipient use EBT at a restaurant?
No. Only elderly, disabled or homeless SNAP recipients (and their spouses) qualify, and only in RMP states.
Does McDonald’s take EBT?
Yes, in most Arizona and California locations. Other states vary by franchise. Look for the SNAP RMP sticker.
Does Subway take EBT?
Yes, at thousands of locations across all nine RMP states. Subway is the largest national chain in the program.
Can I use EBT cash benefits at a restaurant?
Yes. EBT cash (TANF or state cash assistance) can be used like a debit card at any merchant that accepts it, including restaurants — separate from the RMP rules.
Does Amazon accept EBT?
Yes, in every US state except Alaska, but only for SNAP-eligible groceries — not for prepared meals.
Can I withdraw cash from my EBT card?
Only if your card carries cash benefits (TANF). SNAP food benefits cannot be withdrawn as cash.
Related
- SNAP benefits eligibility and how to apply
- Food stamps application guide
- Cheapest grocery stores in the US