Can I use my CalFresh EBT at Del Taco in Barrio Logan? Need quick answers!
Hey everyone, I'm trying to figure out if the Del Taco on Main Street in Barrio Logan accepts EBT/CalFresh. I ran out of food at home and only have my EBT card with me right now. I don't have any minutes left on my phone to call them directly and check. Anyone know for sure if they take EBT? I know most fast food places don't, but I heard some Del Tacos are part of the Restaurant Meals Program for CalFresh. Don't want to walk all the way there just to be embarrassed when they say no. Thanks in advance!
17 comments
Join the conversation
Pedro Sawyer
No Del taco doesnt take EBT anywhere unless ur in the special RMP program for elderly, disabled or homeless. Even then only certain counties have that program and only specific restaurants signed up for it. Regular calfresh cant buy hot prepared foods anywhere
0 coins
Gemma Andrews
•Thanks for replying. Do you know if San Diego County has that RMP program? I'm not in any special category though, just regular CalFresh, so sounds like I'm out of luck anyway :
0 coins
Mae Bennett
Hi there, I can provide some clarification about the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) and CalFresh. Only certain people qualify for RMP - specifically those who are homeless, elderly (60+), or disabled CalFresh recipients. The RMP program does exist in San Diego County, but not all restaurants participate. To directly answer your question - that specific Del Taco location in Barrio Logan is NOT on the approved RMP list for San Diego County. I checked the latest list of approved restaurants. Even if it was on the list, you would need to be specifically enrolled in the RMP program within your CalFresh benefits. Regular CalFresh benefits can only be used to purchase unprepared foods (groceries) that you cook at home. You can't use regular CalFresh EBT for any restaurant or fast food purchases. Hope this helps clarify things!
0 coins
Gemma Andrews
•Thank you so much for the detailed info! Really appreciate you checking the list for that specific location. Guess I'll have to head to the grocery store instead.
0 coins
Beatrice Marshall
my sister tried to use ebt at del taco last year and they said no, but then i heard some locations started accepting it in 2025 with the expanded rmp thing. idk about that specific one tho
0 coins
Mae Bennett
•You're right that there was an RMP expansion in early 2025, but it only added about 15 new restaurant chains to the program statewide. Del Taco is participating, but only at select locations, and the Barrio Logan one isn't currently on the list. Also important to note that the expansion didn't change the eligibility requirements - it's still only for homeless, elderly, or disabled CalFresh recipients.
0 coins
Melina Haruko
This whole EBT restaurant thing is SO CONFUSING!!! When I first got CalFresh my worker told me I could use it at "participating restaurants" but then never explained what that meant. I tried using it at Jack in the Box and the cashier looked at me like I was trying to commit fraud or something. SO EMBARRASSING! 😡 Why don't they make this clearer on the CalFresh website??? And why can homeless people use it at restaurants but not regular families? Sometimes I don't have time to cook after working all day!
0 coins
Dallas Villalobos
•i feel u!! tried to use mine at popeyes last month cuz i was sure i heard they took it. cashier was mad rude about it too
0 coins
Mae Bennett
•You raise a good point about how confusing the Restaurant Meals Program can be. The original intent behind limiting it to elderly, disabled, and homeless individuals was that these groups might have difficulty preparing meals at home. The program was designed as an accommodation rather than a convenience option. I agree that the county could do a much better job explaining these distinctions when people enroll. They should provide a clear list of what your specific benefits can be used for rather than vague mentions of "participating restaurants" that don't apply to everyone.
0 coins
Reina Salazar
If you need to reach your county CalFresh worker to ask about restaurant meal program eligibility, try using Claimyr. I was stuck in the same situation trying to figure out which restaurants take EBT in my area and couldn't get through on the county phone lines. Claimyr got me connected to a real person at the CalFresh office in about 10 minutes instead of waiting for hours. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 or check claimyr.com. The worker was able to tell me exactly which restaurants near me accepted EBT and what the requirements were.
0 coins
Gemma Andrews
•Thanks for the tip! I've been trying to reach someone at the county for weeks about some other questions I have. Will definitely look into this.
0 coins
Saanvi Krishnaswami
Here's an updated list of ALL San Diego County restaurants that accept EBT through the Restaurant Meals Program as of March 2025. Remember, you must be homeless, elderly (60+), or disabled AND enrolled in the RMP portion of CalFresh to use your benefits at these locations: - Burger King (select locations) - Del Taco (ONLY Mission Valley, Chula Vista, and Oceanside locations) - Denny's (all San Diego County locations) - El Pollo Loco (select locations) - Jack in the Box (select locations) - McDonald's (select locations) - Pizza Hut (ONLY Mira Mesa and National City locations) - Subway (select locations) - Wendy's (ONLY Clairemont and El Cajon locations) Unfortunately, the Barrio Logan Del Taco is NOT on this list. Your best bet is to use your EBT at a grocery store that sells ready-to-eat cold items like sandwiches or salads. 7-Eleven also accepts EBT for qualifying food items.
0 coins
Pedro Sawyer
•Wow thats actually way more places than I thought!! Didnt know Wendys was on there now
0 coins
Melina Haruko
•THANK YOU for posting the actual list!! Why doesn't the county just text this to everyone on CalFresh?? Would save so much confusion!
0 coins
Gemma Andrews
Update: I ended up going to the 7-Eleven instead and got a sandwich and some fruit with my EBT. Thanks everyone for your help and for the restaurant list! I'm going to save that for future reference even though I don't qualify for the restaurant program. Maybe someday they'll expand it to all CalFresh recipients.
0 coins
Dallas Villalobos
•glad u found something! 7-11 sandwiches actually not bad in a pinch
0 coins
Abigail Spencer
Just wanted to add that some grocery stores like Vons and Ralphs have pretty good deli sections where you can get cold prepared foods with EBT - sandwiches, salads, sushi, etc. It's not hot food but it's ready to eat and sometimes cheaper than convenience stores. The one on University Ave has a decent selection if you're still in that area. Also FYI - farmer's markets often take EBT too and some have prepared foods that qualify!
0 coins