Del Taco accepts Apple Pay at most locations, but payment methods vary by restaurant

Del Taco takes Apple Pay at the majority of its company-owned restaurants in the United States. However, not every location accepts it — some franchises operate their own payment systems, and a small number of older registers have not been updated to support contactless payments. The fastest way to know whether your nearest Del Taco takes Apple Pay is to call ahead or check the restaurant's individual listing on Google Maps, where payment methods are often listed.

If your local Del Taco does not take Apple Pay, you have other options. Most locations accept other digital wallets like Google Pay and Samsung Pay, as well as traditional credit and debit cards. Some Del Taco restaurants also have their own mobile app with built-in payment features, though this is less common than at larger chains.

Key Takeaways

  • Most Del Taco locations take Apple Pay, but franchise-owned restaurants may use different payment systems.
  • Google Pay and Samsung Pay work at most Del Taco restaurants that accept Apple Pay.
  • Calling your specific Del Taco location or checking Google Maps is the most reliable way to confirm payment methods before you visit.
  • If contactless payment is not available, Del Taco accepts standard credit and debit cards at all locations.

How to pay with Apple Pay at Del Taco

When you reach the register or drive-through speaker, tell the cashier you want to pay with Apple Pay. Hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the contactless payment reader — it looks like a small square symbol on or near the register. You may need to unlock your phone with Face ID or Touch ID, or enter your PIN. The payment usually goes through in one or two seconds.

At the drive-through, the payment reader is typically mounted on a stand that the cashier will hold up to your window, or it may be built into the speaker box. Ask the cashier where to hold your phone if you are not sure. Some older drive-throughs do not have contactless readers, in which case you will need to use a card or another payment method.

Which Del Taco locations accept contactless payments

Del Taco's corporate restaurants — those owned and operated by the company itself — almost all have contactless payment readers. Franchises, which make up a portion of Del Taco locations, may or may not have updated their systems. The company does not publish a list of which specific locations accept Apple Pay, so you cannot check online in advance without contacting the restaurant directly.

Newer Del Taco locations built in the last five years are more likely to have contactless readers than older ones. If you frequent a particular Del Taco, you can ask the staff whether they have Apple Pay capability, and they will know immediately.

Other digital wallets that work at Del Taco

Google Pay and Samsung Pay work at Del Taco locations that have contactless payment readers, just like Apple Pay. The payment process is identical — hold your phone or watch near the reader and authenticate if prompted. If you use an Android phone, Google Pay is usually the easiest option because it is built into most Android devices.

Some Del Taco locations have their own branded mobile app, but this is not standard across the chain. If your local Del Taco has an app, you can usually load payment methods into it and pay through the app at the register, though this is less common than using a digital wallet like Apple Pay.

What to do if your Del Taco does not take Apple Pay

If you arrive at a Del Taco and the contactless reader is not working or not available, you can pay with a physical credit or debit card, which all locations accept. You can also ask the cashier whether they expect the contactless reader to be fixed soon — sometimes equipment is temporarily down for maintenance.

If you prefer not to carry a physical card, you can use your phone's digital wallet to store a card image and tap it at a traditional card reader, though this is slower than Apple Pay. Alternatively, you can contact Del Taco's customer service to report that your local restaurant does not have contactless payment and ask whether they plan to add it.

Contactless payment safety at fast-casual restaurants

Paying with Apple Pay at Del Taco is as secure as using it anywhere else. Your actual card number is never shared with the restaurant — instead, Apple Pay generates a one-time code for each transaction. This code cannot be reused or traced back to your card, so even if someone intercepts the payment, they cannot use it to make another purchase.

The main security advantage of contactless payment over a physical card is that you never hand over your card to a cashier, so there is no opportunity for someone to copy your card number or take a photo of it. You remain in control of your phone the entire time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Apple Pay at the Del Taco drive-through?

Yes, most Del Taco drive-throughs accept Apple Pay. The cashier will hold up a payment reader to your window, or it may be built into the speaker box. Hold your phone near it and authenticate if prompted. Some older drive-throughs may not have contactless readers, so ask the cashier if you are unsure.

What if I have an older iPhone that does not support Apple Pay?

iPhones from iPhone 6 and newer support Apple Pay. If you have an older model, you will need to use a physical credit or debit card at Del Taco. You can also use Google Pay or Samsung Pay if you have an Android phone.

Does Del Taco take Apple Pay for online or delivery orders?

Del Taco's website and app may accept Apple Pay as a payment method during checkout, but this depends on how the restaurant's online ordering system is set up. Check the payment options when you place your order to see if Apple Pay is listed.

Is there a minimum purchase amount to use Apple Pay at Del Taco?

No. Del Taco does not have a minimum purchase requirement for Apple Pay or any other payment method. You can use Apple Pay for any amount, including small purchases.