Maryland Department of Human ServicesDepartment of Human Services

Restaurants and Stores That Accept EBT in Maryland

Short answer: No restaurants in Maryland accept EBT for hot meals. Maryland does not participate in the federal Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), which is the only way fast-food and sit-down restaurants can take SNAP benefits.

Why Maryland Restaurants Don't Take EBT

Federal SNAP rules ban hot prepared food purchases everywhere by default. Only states that opt into the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) can let elderly, disabled, or homeless recipients buy hot meals at participating restaurants. Maryland has not joined RMP, so chains like Subway, McDonald's, Popeyes, KFC, Burger King, Taco Bell, and Chipotle do not accept EBT here.

Common Questions

  • Subway? No.
  • McDonald's? No.
  • Popeyes? No.
  • KFC? No.
  • Pizza delivery? No (with one exception — see online section).
  • H Mart? Yes, for groceries; no hot food.

Grocery Stores That Accept EBT in Maryland

Almost every major grocery chain takes EBT for eligible food items:

  • Walmart, Target, Costco, Sam's Club
  • Giant, Safeway, Harris Teeter, Wegmans, Whole Foods
  • ALDI, Lidl, Trader Joe's
  • Food Lion, Shoppers, Weis Markets
  • H Mart, Lotte Plaza, and most ethnic markets
  • Convenience stores authorized as SNAP retailers (look for the SNAP sign)

What You CAN Buy with EBT in Maryland

  • All groceries: bread, dairy, meat, produce, frozen foods
  • Cold prepared foods: sandwiches, sushi, salads at the deli counter
  • Snacks, candy, soda (yes, these are SNAP-eligible)
  • Seeds and plants that grow food
  • Bakery items (cold)

What You CANNOT Buy

  • Hot food of any kind (rotisserie chicken at the deli, pizza slices, hot soup)
  • Alcohol or tobacco
  • Vitamins, supplements, medicine
  • Pet food, toiletries, paper products
  • Restaurant meals (with the RMP exceptions in other states)

Online EBT in Maryland

Even though restaurants don't take EBT, you can shop online for groceries with your card at:

  • Amazon — Fresh and Whole Foods delivery
  • Walmart — pickup and delivery
  • Target — pickup at most stores
  • ALDI — via Instacart
  • Sam's Club, Food Lion, Hungry Harvest

Note: EBT covers the food cost, not delivery fees, tips, or service charges — those need a separate payment method.

If You Need Hot Meals

For hot meals, look at:

  • Maryland food banks — Maryland Food Bank, Capital Area Food Bank
  • Community soup kitchens (211md.org has a directory)
  • Senior meal programs — Meals on Wheels Maryland
  • School meal programs for kids