A mix of neighborhood runs, one-day burrito collaborations, and Filipino-inspired cold brews highlight this new series of San Francisco-focused morning events.
A fun fact: In some other, more civilized nations like New Zealand and Bangladesh, if a legislative stalemate gets to the point of government shutdown, the people are entitled to fire all of the legislators and start over. Just a thought.
As things currently stand, there is no further funding for SNAP in this country because that requires congressional authorization. There is, essentially, no Congress right now, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture has now confirmed that 42 million low- and no-income Americans will not receive their November allotment of government food aid if the shutdown continues. Of that number, 5.3 million live here in California. The USDA has also declined to apply $5 billion in contingency funds to close the funding gap. Food banks and other community service providers like East Oakland Collective have already been struggling to meet people’s needs in the wake of recent benefit cuts. So what’s a person to do?
Leaders in the Bay Area food scene have already begun to answer the call. So until SNAP is funded, here’s an ongoing list of restaurants where SNAP recipients can receive free food in November. Just bring your EBT card! If you hear about more restaurants joining in, reach out to us and we’ll add them to the list.
Last updated: November 7, 2025
East Bay
Bageltopia 1401 University Ave., Berkeley 7:30am–2pm Tuesday through Sunday Free bagel sandwiches (scrambled egg and cheese or cream cheese with veggies) for SNAP recipients; limit 3 per family.
Canyons Barbeque 3341 Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley 7am–9pm daily Offering free meals for children of families impacted by the shutdown. "No questions asked, no strings attached."
Cheeseboard Collective & Pizzeria 1504 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley 1512 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley See site for hours SNAP recipients can get a baguette or scone at the bakery or slices of pizza at the pizzeria. Anyone coming through should queue in line as usual. They also say: "We’re also doing a food drive where people can bring shelf-stable food to donate, and we’ll distribute it to food justice organizations. There’s a big blue bin outside the shop where people can leave food."
HP Taco Truck Check Instagram for dates and locations Present your EBT card at the truck to receive a free meal.
Humbowl 2975 College Ave., Berkeley Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily Children (12 years or younger) of SNAP recipients can receive a free Kids Bowl for dine-in or takeout. All other folks with a valid SNAP card will receive 25% off their order.
Lulu 1106 Solano Ave, Albany Brunch and dinner Thursday through Saturday; brunch on Sunday Children (13 years or younger) of SNAP recipients can receive free meals for dine-in or takeout. Parents receive 15% off their checks.
Malibu's Burgers 326 23rd St., Oakland Lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday Free vegan meals for anyone who asks.
Monster Pho 360 40th St., Oakland Lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday Children (12 years or younger) of SNAP recipients receive free phở for dine-in or takeout. Parents can receive 25% off their own meals. Children will also be signed up for a Dec. 20 toy drive in Oakland Chinatown.
OG Tacos Check Instagramfor locations and times SNAP recipients can receive free tacos dorados filled with birria, with up to 3 orders per family. (Identification also required.)
Pho 5-10 3295 Castro Valley Blvd., Ste. 204, Castro Valley 11am–9pm daily For dine-in only: Kids 12 and under and seniors 65 and over can receive a free small bowl of phở. Federal workers also receive 15% off of their checks.
Puerto Rican Street Cuisine 1430 23rd Ave., Oakland Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Friday and Sunday Free kids meals for children of SNAP recipients: a mini empanada, a side dish, maduros, water, and a toy.
Tacos El Patrón 2290 Monument Blvd., Pleasant Hill 10am–10pm daily Children of SNAP recipients can receive a free kids' meal. (Identification required.)
Timeless Coffee & Bakery 1700 Webster St., Oakland, CA 4252 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, CA Open daily Free drinks for SNAP recipients and their children. (Identification required.)
Understory 3340 International Blvd., Oakland Breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Sunday; plus dinner Wednesday through Friday The worker-owned restaurant’s seasonal community offering (now, a summery corn soup with leafy greens and mushrooms) is always served on a “pay-what-you-can” basis to anyone who asks.
Wahpepah's Kitchen 3301 E 12th St., Suite 133, Oakland 11am–2pm Wednesday through Sunday Seniors and children who normally receive SNAP benefits can receive free bison tacos. (Identification required.)
Humbowl 1016 Court St., San Rafael Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily Children (12 years or younger) of SNAP recipients can receive a free Kids Bowl for dine-in or takeout. All other folks with a valid SNAP card will receive 25% off their order.
Mill Valley Pasta Co. 29 Miller Ave., Mill Valley 555 Francisco Blvd. East, Suite #24, San Rafael 10am–6pm Tuesdays through Saturdays; 10am–4pm Sundays (in Mill Valley) Tell them you're "picking up an order for Uncle Tony" to receive a free meal. (You can do this at their farmer's market appearances, too.)
Peninsula
Acapulco Kitchen At Winters Tavern (1522 Francisco Blvd, Pacifica) 6pm–11pm Mondays A hundred cheeseburgers (plus bottled water) will be available specifically for SNAP recipients (one per person). Identification required.
Gigi's Cafe 111 Anza Blvd., Burlingame Breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday Free sack lunches for those in need, no questions asked.
San Francisco
Al Pastor Papi 232 O’Farrell St., San Francisco 11am–8pm Tuesday through Saturday Children (17 or younger) of SNAP recipients can receive two free tacos on Saturdays. Adults can get 50% everything else. (Identification also required.)
Devil's Teeth Baking Co. 3619 Balboa St., San Francisco 3876 Noriega St., San Francisco 1 Embarcadero, San Francisco Breakfast and lunch daily Every week, SNAP recipients may receive up to four breakfast sandwiches.
Oren's Hummus 71 3rd St., San Francisco Lunch and dinner daily Families with a valid CA ID and SNAP card can pick up a free kid’s meal for children 14 and under. Choose from a chicken skewer with rice or fries, a kid’s falafel pita meal, or a kid’s chicken pita meal, all served with apple juice. Takeout only, no purchase required.
Reem's California 2901 Mission St., San Francisco Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday Reem’s will offer a free meal (za’atar or cheese man’oushe with veggies) for kids and 25% discount for family members for SNAP beneficiaries who come into Reem’s Mission. No ID required or questions asked.
Rusty Ladle 3645 Lawton St., San Francisco Noon–8pm Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday; Noon–9pm Friday and Saturday Once a week, children of SNAP recipients can get a free tomato or chicken soup or hot dog. Parents can receive a 25% discount on a soup, sandwich, hot dog, or soft drink. (Identification required.)
Tacos El Patrón 1500 S. Van Ness Ave., San Francisco 10am–10pm daily Children of SNAP recipients can receive a free kids' meal. (Identification required.)
Whack Donuts 4 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco 9am–2pm Tuesday through Saturday In November, six families will receive a free Peach Cobbler — one per family. They’ll also have Donut 3-Packs on the last three Fridays of the month — Nov 14, 21, and 28. On Saturday mornings (10:30–12:30), kids can also enjoy a Buy One, Get One Free deal. (Identification required.)
South Bay
Cochi's Kitchen 435 Vineyard Blvd, Morgan Hill 8am–2pm Wednesday through Monday Children of SNAP recipients eat free. (Identification required.)
Gamers Heaven 1171 Homestead Road, #190, Santa Clara 12pm–10pm Tuesday through Sunday Children (12 years or younger) of SNAP recipients receive a free kids' meal (dino nuggets and tots). Parents will also get 25% off of any food and drink orders.
Oren's Hummus 19419 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino 1 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, CA 126 Castro St., Mountain View, CA 261 University Ave., Palo Alto Lunch and dinner daily Families with a valid CA ID and SNAP card can pick up a free kid’s meal for children 14 and under. Choose from a chicken skewer with rice or fries, a kid’s falafel pita meal, or a kid’s chicken pita meal, all served with apple juice. Takeout only, no purchase required.
Shrimpin' Ain't Easy Check Instagram for locations and times Children of SNAP recipients receive a free chicken and garlic rice burrito and drink. Parents will also receive a discount on their own meals. Limit of 5 burritos per family per week.
Tony & Alba’s Pizza and Pasta 3137 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday Children of SNAP recipients eat for free for dine-in or takeout. Parents can receive discounted meals as well.
Soleil Ho is a cultural critic, cookbook writer, and food journalist who has a nasty habit of founding media projects instead of going to therapy: from the feminist literary magazine Quaint to food podcast Racist Sandwich to our dear COYOTE.
