Does Waba Grill Take EBT Card, SNAP or Food Stamps – When it comes to choosing delicious and healthy fast-casual dining options one name that truly stands out from other chains is Waba Grill. With an emphasis on delivering flavorful and nutritious foods Waba Grill today has become a go-to choice for a lot of health-conscious people. Waba Grill lovers who are also enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are curious to know whether this restaurant chain accepts EBT cards or food stamp benefits.
In this guide, we will help you delve deep into the world of Waba Grill and its policies on SNAP. From fresh vegetables and protein-packed grilled chicken to mouth-watering spices this restaurant chain provides extensive menu options to cater to everyone’s preferences and dietary needs. Let’s dive in and explore the nutritional benefits and EBT policies that await you at Waba Grill.
Highlights of this Post
Key Takeaways
- Waba Grill accepts EBT in select California locations only.
- Participation relies on the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program (RMP).
- Elderly, disabled, and homeless beneficiaries on SNAP qualify for RMP.
- Check if your local Waba Grill accepts EBT before you visit.
What Is The Restaurant Meals Program?
The restriction of the SNAP benefits for the purchase of hot prepared food from restaurants or fast food chains poses a hindrance for elderly, disabled and homeless individuals who are unable to prepare food themselves due to their condition.
This is the reason why the USDA has expanded SNAP EBT benefits in the form of an initiative known as the Restaurant Meals Program that allows eligible customers to enjoy hot restaurant meals at authorized restaurants and accept food stamps as a method of payment.
The primary objective of this initiative is to enable beneficiaries to purchase hot prepared food at participating restaurants if they are unable to shop for groceries at the market. Till now only six states have been enrolled in this program such as Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan and Rhode Island.
SNAP recipients also wonder: Does Wawa Accept SNAP, EBT, or Food Stamps?
What Is Waba Grill?
Waba Grill is a famous American fast casual restaurant chain that serves healthy foods. Founded in 2006 and raised in the Southwestern United States, Waba Grill is also known as a leading healthy rice bowl chain in America. As of 2023, there are 115 Waba Grill locations throughout the country. The restaurant chain is serving Arizona and California and is also expanding its branch into Nevada with a proposed 8 stores to open in Clark County by 2027.
There are two Waba Grill restaurants in the Avondale and Tempe regions of Arizona while California has the maximum number of restaurants with 113 stores running in the southern part of the state. The other expansion projects include a 13-unit deal in central California, a 10-unit deal in Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex and a 10-unit deal in Maricopa County Arizona.
Waba Grill menu items include rice bowls with toppings like plant-based steak, chicken, salmon, rib eye steak, salads, tofu, shrimp, and tacos covered with Mayonnaise Boom Boom sauce, green onions and sesame dressing. They also serve sides like wontons, dumplings, sliced avocados, and jalapenos mixed with carrots, to name a few.
Read also: What can you Shop Online With EBT?
Does Waba Grill Accept Food Stamps or EBT Cards?
Known for its flavourful and healthy menu Waba Grill focuses on providing nutritious and balanced food to all its customers. Fortunately, Waba Grill accepts EBT as a method of payment in select California counties.
There are nearly 15 Waba Grill restaurants in Orange County California that are enrolled in the CalFresh Restaurant Meals program. CalFresh RMP participants who are looking for a health-conscious and delicious dining experience can enjoy meals here with their food stamp benefits.
- There are 313 RMP enrolled restaurants in Orange County that are accepting EBT payments among which Waba Grill has 12 restaurant locations that are found in Anaheim (3), Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Orange, Santa Ana (3), Stanton and Tustin.
- One participating Waba Grill location is situated in Moreno Valley Riverside County.
- There are two Waba Grill participating locations situated in Southgate and Pomona in Los Angeles County.
Recommended: Does Murphy USA Take EBT?
Who Is Eligible To Purchase Food With EBT Benefits At Waba Grill?
Waba Grill does not accept EBT payments in every state throughout the country. Only select locations in California accept food stamp benefits by enrolling in the CalFresh Restaurant Meals program. To use your food stamp at Waba Grill restaurants you need to meet the following criteria:
- Must be an elderly (at least sixty years or above in age)
- Must be disabled or receiving disability compensation benefits
- Must be a homeless individual with no permanent nighttime address
- Must be residing in a state that is enrolled in the Restaurant Meals Program most commonly in California that accepts EBT payments.
SNAP recipients also look for: Does Winn Dixie Accept Food Stamps or EBT
What Can You Purchase With Your EBT Card At Waba Grill?
The goal of Waba Grill restaurant is to serve highly delicious and best possible grilled menu items to all its customers by using quality ingredients and delicious flavors.
All the protein food items are charbroiled with care by the restaurant to perfection to support a healthy lifestyle. If you’re using your EBT card at any select RMP-approved location then take a look at the following menu items that you can enjoy at Waba Grill with SNAP benefits.
- Natural grilled chicken
- Rib eye steak
- Sweet and spicy chicken
- Combination of all-natural grilled chicken and marinated rib eye steak hand-basted
- Plant-based steak
- Grilled wild-caught salmon
- Grilled savory shrimp
- Grilled organic tofu
- Boom boom tacos topped with flavourful slow dressed in sesame dressing, creamy spicy boom boom sauce and green onions
- Salads
- Dumplings
- Sides including wontons, half ocado, edamame kimchi, jalapeno carrots
- Sauces
- Family meals
- Healthy value meals
What Can You Purchase With Your EBT Card?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has strict guidelines and rules about the type of food that you can buy with your Electronic Benefits Transfer card from participating food chains, stores or restaurants. The following is a list of acceptable items that you can eat anywhere throughout the country.
- Milk and Dairy Products: This includes all types of milk, yogurt, cheese and butter
- Fruits and vegetables: All types of fresh, canned or frozen fruits and vegetables are allowed for EBT purchase.
- Bread and cereals: This includes all types of bread, crackers, cereals, pasta, oatmeal and rice.
- Meat, poultry and fish: This comprises all forms of meat such as pork, beef, turkey, chicken, fish and lamb
- Beverages: While, you cannot purchase hot coffee, teas or lettuce using your SNAP benefits card. You can purchase brew-it-yourself tea and coffee using SNAP Benefits including cold beverages like cold drinks, fountain drinks, smoothies, and iced coffees that are intended for human consumption.
- Protein powders, shakes and bars: You can purchase meal replacement shakes, protein powders, bars or any other shakes that come with a Nutrition Facts label instead of a Supplements Facts label
- Plant, seeds and seedlings: You can use your food stamp benefits to pick up plants, seeds or seedlings that can help you produce fruits, vegetables or herbs at your home.
- Baby Formula: You can use SNAP benefits to purchase infant formula including cereals, baby food and juices to feed your baby.
- Live Lobsters and Seafood: You can use your SNAP benefits to purchase live seafood such as lobsters, clams, and shrimp including live fish removed from the water.
- Snack items: This includes bakery cakes, chips, cheese, crackers, and gift baskets comprising eligible food items.
- Food Online: Beneficiaries can use their EBT card to purchase eligible items from approved retailers in their state. This applies to the state that participates in the Online Purchasing Pilot Program however you cannot use the benefits to pay for fees for shipping or delivery costs
SNAP recipients also look for: Which Restaurants Accept EBT In Kentucky?
What Can’t You Purchase With Your EBT Card?
Following is the list of the best and most eligible items that you cannot purchase with your food stamp benefits.
- Medicine, Vitamins and Supplements: Any item that comprises the Supplement Facts Label is a supplement and cannot be purchased with EBT or SNAP benefits. You cannot buy vitamins, medicines and supplements with your EBT card.
- Hot Prepared Food. This includes hot cocoa, chili stew, prepared meats or any restaurant meals.
- Live Animals. You cannot purchase live animals using your EBT card however there are exceptions such as live shellfish, live fish removed from water, animals slaughtered before pickup from the store etc.
- Alcohol And Tobacco Products: This includes beer, wine, tobacco, cigarettes, liquor, low-alcohol beers labeled as liquor-filled chocolates, non-alcoholic, alcoholic wine, e-liquid for electronic cigarettes etc. However, you can use the EBT card to purchase wine vinegar, wine, and vanilla extract as they can be used for cooking ingredients.
- Non-Food Items: This includes cleaning supplies, pet food, cosmetics, hygiene items, cooking utensils etc.
How To Use Your EBT Card At Waba Grill Restaurants?
If you are at a Waba Grill participating location in California that accepts EBT payments then you can follow the below-mentioned steps to cover the cost of your food using food stamps.
- Simply swipe your EBT card to the point of sale terminal or hand your EBT card to the cashier.
- Enter the four-digit PIN on the keypad and press ‘Enter’
- The cashier of the restaurant will enter the purchase amount and you have to press the ‘OK’ or ‘Yes’ button after confirming the correct amount.
Do not forget to get a copy of the printed receipt that will indicate the store name, address and the total amount that you have paid along with the remaining EBT benefits in your account.
Interested in knowing: Does H Mart Accept Food Stamp or EBT? Find the answer in our next guide.
Can I Use My Food Stamps or EBT Card For Online Delivery At Waba Grill?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to use your food stamps or EBT card for online delivery at Waba Grill or any other RMP-enrolled restaurant. Waba Grill accepts EBT payments from SNAP RMP beneficiaries in select locations in California for only in-store purchases and not for making online orders.
In other words, you cannot order your chicken, salad, rice bowls or any other items online or through the company’s website using your EBT card. For making an in-store purchase using your EBT card at RMP participating Waba Grill locations you can make a purchase just like you’re using your debit or credit card.
If you want to enjoy Waba Grill food at the comfort of your home then you can order online through third-party delivery services like UberEats, PostMates, Grubhub and DoorDash. California’s Waba Grill has also updated its Waba Rewards app to improve the customer experience. The company has collaborated with top third-party companies so that people can access food by placing orders online. In such cases, you have to use an alternate source of payment instead of EBT like a debit card, credit card or cash.
Recommended: Does Buc-ee’s Accept SNAP, EBT, or Food Stamps?
What Are The Other Payment Options Available At Waba Grill?
If you do not have a participating Waba Grill location near you where you can use your EBT benefits then you can cover most of your food using various alternate methods. For instance, the restaurant has store gift cards that you can buy as a gift and they can be redeemed just like any other gift card using the payment terminal at the restaurant.
A few other payment options that are available at Waba Grill are as follows:
- Major credit cards
- Debit cards
- Gift card
- Cash
- E-Wallets like Apple Pay.
People also look for: Does the Amish Market Take SNAP, EBT, or Food Stamps?
How Can I Check My EBT Card Balance At Waba Grill?
EBT recipients who are enrolled in the Restaurant Meals Program in California can check their last printed receipt to note the remaining SNAP benefits balance. The new balance will be printed on the previous ticket that you received at Waba Grill. If the receipt is missing, you can get help from the cashier and ask him or her to check the balance at the company’s POS machine.
You can contact the number written on the back of your card or visit the official California Cardholder Portal website to check the EBT card balance. If you have lost your card or if it gets stolen then you can contact customer service at Waba Grill by dialing the toll-free number 1-877-328-9677.
Alternate Fast Food Restaurants That Accept EBT or Food Stamp
Burger King
The second largest hamburger chain Burger King offers flame-grilled burgers with a variety of menu options such as sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, salads, delectable onion rings, crispy fries etc. Burger enthusiasts can enjoy tasty treats at this restaurant using their EBT benefits. Burger King has 110 store locations across Arizona, California and Maryland that welcome EBT cardholders.
Carl’s Jr.
Carl’s Jr. has been serving customers since 1941 and has a presence in the United States and other parts of the world. Their menu comes with iconic options like western bacon cheeseburgers along with chicken sandwiches for breakfast choices, hand-breaded chicken tenders etc. Nearly 208 Carl’s Jr fast food locations are accepting EBT payments in Arizona and California.
Del Taco
Del Taco is a Mexican-inspired restaurant that serves tacos, burritos and an extensive range of burgers, tacos and fries. The restaurant has gained popularity for its delicious blend of American and Mexican fast food choices. Around 141 Del Taco fast food places in California accept EBT as a method of payment.
Denny’s
One of the most popular breakfast chains in America with 1500 + locations in 49 states is Denny’s. A few Denny’s locations in California are accepting EBT benefits from SNAP beneficiaries. You can enjoy breakfast items, scrambled eggs, sandwiches and many other items from this restaurant.
Domino’s Pizza
Domino’s is a popular American pizza chain that is popular for serving pizza menus for instance traditional cheese and pepperoni and other specialty options is Domino’s Pizza. It also offers sides like pasta, chicken wings, sandwiches, tempting desserts etc. Approximately 62 Domino’s locations in California accept EBT payments.
EL Pollo Loco
Another Mexican-inspired restaurant that is popular for serving chicken-centric dishes, tacos, generously sized family meals, and burritos is El Pollo Loco. The restaurant offers a wide array of Mexican sizes like rice, guacamole, beans etc. Nearly 249 fast-food restaurants in Arizona and California accept EBT payments from SNAP beneficiaries. EBT recipients can enjoy flame-grilled chicken at select El Pollo Loco stores.
Jack-In-The-Box
Jack-in-the-box is a fast food restaurant that comes with an extensive menu comprising tacos, chicken sandwiches, burgers and so on. This fast-food restaurant accepts EBT cards or food stamps through the Restaurant Meals Program and this includes Arizona and California. Nearly 588 Jack-In-The-Box store locations in Arizona and California accept EBT as a method of payment.
KFC
A renowned fast food chain that has a global presence and is known for delicious fried chicken offerings is KFC. Their menu comprises mashed potatoes, biscuits, cold slow, mouth-watering chicken dishes etc. Nearly 140 KFC store locations in Arizona and California accept EBT payments.
Little Caesars
Known for serving hot and ready pizza offerings Little Caesars has gained widespread popularity in America for providing affordable and convenient pizza menus. Their menu comprises a variety of pizza options including classics like cheese and pepperoni. Little Caesars is committed in terms of affordability and speech to cater to all pizza lovers. However, only a handful of Caesars located in San Diego CA accept EBT as a method of payment.
Papa John’s
SNAP recipients can enjoy pizza, chicken wings and many more fast food options from Papa John’s with the help of their EBT card at RMP participating locations. They offer a variety of classic pizzas like pepperoni, specialty pizza etc. Only selective locations in Arizona and California accept EBT from SNAP beneficiaries.
Papa Murphy’s
One of the most popular pizza chains for its take-and-bake style pizza with 100 plus locations in 37 states is Papa Murphy’s. They accept EBT SNAP benefits for taking pizzas only for in-store or pick-up orders and not for delivery. Papa Murphy accepts EBT from customers at all locations throughout the country.
Pizza Hut
A well-favored pizza chain known as Pizza Hut offers an expansive selection of pizza choices for customers such as hand-tossed varieties, pan pizza, stuffed crust etc. It also offers sites like chicken wings, breadsticks, cheesy garlic knots etc. Nearly 227 Pizza Hut locations accept EBT in Arizona and California.
Rally’s Hamburger
Rally’s is a fast food chain in America that specializes in serving fries, burgers and milkshakes. Around 300 locations throughout the country accept EBT payments in select locations situated in Arizona and California.
Subway
Subway is one of the best U.S sandwich chains with 21,000 store locations and you can get customizable sandwiches, flavorful wraps and fresh salads. Customers at Subway can choose their perfect meal by selecting from a wide array of ingredients like crisp vegetables, a variety of bread options, condiments, savory meats etc. Select subway locations in Arizona, California and Rhode Island are accepting EBT benefits.
Taco Bell
Known for serving Mexican-inspired dishes Taco Bell boasts a wide array of dishes and their offerings include classic burritos and tacos including mouthwatering nachos and quesadillas. The store has gained a reputation for offering budget-friendly menu items. 25 Taco Bell locations accept EBT in select locations in America.
Wendy’s
Another large fast food chain in America famous for its frosty burgers is Wendy’s. Their menu option features chicken sandwiches, burgers, wholesome salads, oven-baked potatoes, sides such as natural cut fries etc. A total of 86 Wendy’s store locations accept EBT in California. The largest burger in Wendy’s is baconator.
To know more about restaurants like Waba Grill that accepts EBT payments in California check our guide here.
Read also: Does Piggly Wiggly Accept Food Stamps, SNAP, or EBT?
Conclusion
The Waba Grill provides a selection of delicious and nutritious food options for all its customers. With an emphasis on fresh vegetables, grilled proteins and flavorful sauces the restaurant chain offers a healthy alternative for those who are looking to enjoy a satisfying and quick meal. From steak bowls and chicken to wraps and salads there are plenty of options for customers to suit based on their dietary preference. Fortunately, this restaurant is accepting EBT or food stamp benefits at select California locations. This enables CalFresh RMP recipients to enjoy a balanced and wholesome meal here without worrying about the financial aspect.
We hope this article has been informative enough to give you all the details you need regarding Waba Grill’s policy on EBT. You can learn more about the government grants and financial assistance program at the Get Government Grants’ blog section today.