Hot food with EBT in Victorville and Hesperia - restaurants beyond the fish market?

The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) is pretty limited in San Bernardino County. Besides the fish market, I know there are some Subway locations that participate in the RMP. Also check some of the Denny's restaurants - not all participate, but a few do. You can get an updated list of RMP vendors from your county office or on the CalFresh RMP website: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/restaurant-meals. The list changes periodically as restaurants join or leave the program.

i use mine at the dominos on 7th street they take ebt for hot food. also theres a chinese place by the mall that takes it but i forgot the name

I work at the Department of Social Services and can confirm the Restaurant Meals Program is quite limited in the High Desert area. Besides the fish market you mentioned, there are approximately 7-8 participating locations in Victorville/Hesperia as of early 2025. The official list should be available through your eligibility worker. Make sure both you and your mother have your EBT cards coded for RMP access - this happens automatically when you qualify, but sometimes there are system errors that need correction.

The county office NEVER answers their phones!!! I've been trying for THREE WEEKS to talk to someone about my recertification and all I get is that stupid recording saying they're experiencing high call volume. Then it hangs up on me!!! How are disabled people supposed to even use these services when you can't reach anyone?!?!

i thought all mcdonalds take ebt now? I swear I used mine at the one on bear valley rd last month

My sister lives in Victorville and she said that Jack in the Box on 7th Street takes EBT for hot food but only if ur card has RMP on it. Also Papa Johns I think

To summarize the current Restaurant Meals Program vendors in the Victorville/Hesperia area as of 2025: 1. The fish market you mentioned 2. Select Subway locations (not all) 3. Some Denny's restaurants (call ahead to verify) 4. Potentially Jack in the Box on 7th Street (as mentioned by another commenter) 5. Domino's on 7th Street (according to another commenter) 6. A Chinese restaurant near the mall (unconfirmed name) 7. Potentially Papa John's (unconfirmed) Remember that the Restaurant Meals Program is specifically for households with elderly (60+), disabled members, or homeless individuals. Your EBT card must be coded for RMP access, which it sounds like it is since you've already used it at the fish market. The most accurate and up-to-date list would be available through your county office or the CalFresh website.

btw dont forget u can also use ebt for groceries at walmart and food 4 less if ur ok with cooking

Just wanted to add that I've seen some confusion in the comments about which places actually accept EBT for hot food through RMP vs regular EBT for cold items. A good way to verify before you go is to call the restaurant and specifically ask "Do you participate in the California Restaurant Meals Program for EBT?" rather than just "Do you take EBT?" because many places take EBT but only for cold/packaged items. Also, if you're having trouble reaching the county office by phone, you might try going to the San Bernardino County website and looking for their online services portal - sometimes they have downloadable PDFs of current RMP vendor lists. Hope this helps you and your mom find some good dining options!

I actually called around to a few places last week when I was helping my neighbor with this same question. From what I found out, the Jack in the Box on 7th Street does participate in RMP - they were very clear about it when I asked specifically about the Restaurant Meals Program. The Subway on Bear Valley Road (near the DMV) also confirmed they take RMP. However, I struck out at several other places I called including most of the other fast food chains. One tip that worked for me was calling during slower hours (like mid-afternoon) when the managers had more time to check their systems and give accurate info. The staff during busy times sometimes weren't sure about RMP vs regular EBT policies.

I actually work part-time at one of the restaurants in Hesperia and can share some insider info! The Del Taco on Main Street participates in RMP - we get quite a few customers who use it there. Also, I know for sure that the Carl's Jr. on Bear Valley Road accepts RMP because my coworker's mom uses her EBT there regularly. One thing to keep in mind is that some places have specific hours when they can process RMP transactions (usually when a manager is present), so it might be worth asking about that when you call. Also, I've noticed that newer employees sometimes aren't familiar with RMP, so if someone says no, it might be worth asking to speak with a manager or calling back another time. Hope this helps you and your mom find some good options!

Just wanted to share that I recently discovered the Panda Express on Bear Valley Road also accepts EBT through the Restaurant Meals Program! I was skeptical at first since it's a chain, but I called and spoke with their manager who confirmed they participate in RMP. They were really knowledgeable about it too - said they've been part of the program for about 6 months now. This gives you and your mom another option for when you want something different from the usual fast food. I'd still recommend calling ahead just to double-check since policies can change, but it's been working consistently for me over the past few weeks. The staff there seems well-trained on the RMP process too, so you shouldn't run into any confusion at the register.

I just wanted to add that I've had success using my EBT card at the El Pollo Loco on Palmdale Road in Hesperia! I discovered it by accident when I was there with my elderly father (he's 67 and qualifies for RMP). The cashier mentioned they participate in the Restaurant Meals Program when she saw me hesitating about how to pay. The food is really good there too - healthier option than some of the other fast food places mentioned. They have grilled chicken and fresh sides that my dad really enjoys. I'd recommend calling ahead to confirm since I know some locations within the same chain don't always participate, but the Hesperia location definitely does. Also, just a heads up - they seem to be busiest during lunch hours, so if you want to avoid crowds and get better service, try going a bit earlier or later. Hope this gives you and your mom another great option to try!

Wow, this thread has been so informative! I just moved to the area last month and had no idea there were this many RMP options around here. I'm 63 and recently qualified for the Restaurant Meals Program after my doctor certified my disability. I've been living off of cold sandwiches and microwave meals because I thought my only option was that one fish market everyone talks about. Reading through all these comments, it sounds like there are actually quite a few places to choose from - Jack in the Box, Del Taco, Carl's Jr, Panda Express, El Pollo Loco, and several others. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and doing the legwork to call these places! It's so helpful to know which staff members are knowledgeable about RMP vs regular EBT. I'm definitely going to start calling during off-peak hours like someone suggested. This community is amazing - you've all just made my life so much easier!

This thread has been such a goldmine of information! As someone who works with seniors and disabled individuals in the High Desert area, I'm constantly getting asked about RMP options, and honestly I didn't realize there were this many participating locations. I'm definitely going to save this thread and share it with my clients. A few additional tips based on what I've seen work well for people: 1) Keep a small notepad with the confirmed RMP locations and their phone numbers - it saves time and prevents confusion, 2) If you're going with someone who has mobility issues, call ahead to ask about accessibility features like parking and seating, and 3) Some locations are better about training their staff on RMP than others, so don't get discouraged if you run into someone who doesn't know about the program - just ask for a manager. Thank you to everyone who took the time to call around and confirm these places. This kind of community support makes such a huge difference for people who are already dealing with health challenges and limited mobility!

As someone who recently moved to the area and is new to using the Restaurant Meals Program, I just want to say how incredible this thread has been! I had no idea there were this many options available in Victorville and Hesperia. I've been struggling to find places that accept EBT for hot food since I became eligible for RMP after my disability determination. Reading through everyone's experiences and seeing how people took the time to actually call these restaurants to confirm their participation is so helpful. I'm definitely going to start with some of the places that have been double-confirmed like Jack in the Box and Panda Express. The tip about calling during slower hours to speak with knowledgeable staff is gold! It's amazing how this community comes together to share resources and make life easier for those of us who really need these services. Thank you to everyone who contributed - you've all made such a difference!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm absolutely amazed by how helpful and thorough everyone has been in this thread! I just qualified for the Restaurant Meals Program last week after my disability determination came through, and I was feeling pretty overwhelmed trying to figure out where I could actually use my EBT for hot meals. Reading through all these confirmed locations and practical tips has been incredibly valuable. I especially appreciate those of you who took the time to actually call these restaurants and confirm their RMP participation - that kind of community effort is just wonderful. I'm planning to start with Panda Express and Jack in the Box since multiple people have verified those work well. The advice about calling during slower hours and asking specifically about the "Restaurant Meals Program" rather than just "EBT acceptance" is so smart. Thank you all for making this transition so much easier for those of us who really depend on these services!

As someone who's new to both this community and the Restaurant Meals Program, I'm blown away by how comprehensive and helpful this discussion has become! I just moved to Victorville a few weeks ago and qualified for RMP through my elderly status (I'm 68). I was honestly feeling pretty lost about where I could use my EBT for hot meals beyond basic groceries. Reading through all these confirmed locations and seeing how people actually called to verify participation has been incredibly reassuring. It's clear this community really looks out for each other! I'm definitely going to try Panda Express and El Pollo Loco first since multiple people have had good experiences there, and I love that El Pollo Loco has healthier options. The tip about calling during off-peak hours is brilliant - I'll make sure to do that before heading out. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences. This thread is going to make such a difference for so many people who rely on these services!

As a newcomer to this community and someone who just started using the Restaurant Meals Program, I'm incredibly grateful for all the detailed information everyone has shared here! I recently moved to the Hesperia area and had no idea there were so many RMP participating locations beyond that one fish market everyone mentions. Reading through all these confirmed restaurants - Jack in the Box, Panda Express, El Pollo Loco, Del Taco, Carl's Jr, and others - has given me hope that I'll actually have some variety in my meal options. I especially appreciate those of you who took the time to call these places directly to verify their participation. The practical tips about calling during slower hours and asking specifically about the "Restaurant Meals Program" rather than just "EBT" are so valuable. As someone who's still learning to navigate this system, it's reassuring to know that if staff aren't familiar with RMP, I can ask to speak with a manager. This thread has become such a wonderful resource for our community - thank you all for your generosity in sharing your experiences and knowledge!

As someone who's brand new to this community and just got approved for the Restaurant Meals Program, I can't express how helpful this entire thread has been! I moved to Victorville last month and honestly felt pretty discouraged thinking I'd only have that one fish market as an option. Seeing everyone come together to share actual verified locations - with people taking the time to call and confirm RMP participation - is just incredible. I'm planning to create a little reference list from all the confirmed spots mentioned: Jack in the Box on 7th Street, Panda Express on Bear Valley, El Pollo Loco in Hesperia, Del Taco on Main Street, Carl's Jr on Bear Valley, and the Subway near the DMV. The advice about calling during slower hours and asking specifically about "Restaurant Meals Program" participation is so practical and will definitely save me from any awkward situations at the register. Thank you to everyone who contributed their experiences - this community support means everything to those of us navigating this program for the first time!