UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

[X]  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009

OR

[ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                   to                  

Commission file no. 0-16191

DEL TACO RESTAURANT PROPERTIES I

(A California limited partnership)

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

California (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	95-3852699 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
25521 Commercentre Drive Lake Forest, California (Address of principal executive offices)	92630 (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (949) 462-9300

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes        No  X 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.  Yes        No  X 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  X   No    

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes      No    

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s Form S-11 Registration Statement filed December 17, 1982 are incorporated by reference into Part IV of this report.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer þ Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes        No  X 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I
	Item 1. Business
	Item 1A. Risk Factors
	Item 2. Properties
	Item 3. Legal Proceedings
	Item 4. [Reserved]
PART II
	Item 5. Market for the Partnership’s Common Equity, Related Security Holder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
	Item 6. Selected Financial Data
	Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
	Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
	Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
	Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures
	Item 9A(T). Controls and Procedures
	Item 9B. Other Information
PART III
	Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance
	Item 11. Executive Compensation
	Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
	Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
	Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
PART IV
	Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-31.1
EX-31.2
EX-32.1

PART I

Item 1. Business

Del Taco Restaurant Properties I (the Partnership, us, we or our) is a publicly-held limited partnership organized under the California Uniform Limited Partnership Act. The Partnership’s General Partner is Del Taco LLC, a California limited liability company (Del Taco or the General Partner). The Partnership sold 8,751 units totaling $4.375 million through an offering of limited partnership units from March 1983 through March 1984. The term of the partnership agreement is until April 30, 2022, unless terminated earlier by means provided in the partnership agreement.

The business of the Partnership is ownership and leasing of restaurants in California to Del Taco. The Partnership acquired land and constructed six Mexican-American restaurants for long-term lease to Del Taco. Each property is leased for 35 years on a triple net basis. Rent is equal to twelve percent of gross sales of the restaurants. As of December 31, 2009, the Partnership had a total of six properties leased to Del Taco (Del Taco, in turn, has subleased one of the restaurants).

The Partnership has no full time employees. The Partnership agreement assigns full authority for general management and supervision of the business affairs of the Partnership to the General Partner. The General Partner has a one percent interest in the profits or losses and distributions of the Partnership. Limited partners have no right to participate in the day to day management or conduct of the Partnership’s business affairs.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

None.

2

Item 2. Properties

The Partnership acquired six properties with proceeds obtained from the sale of partnership units:

				Date of
		Date of	Restaurant	Commencement
Address	City, State	Acquisition	Constructed	of Operation (1)
Riverside Avenue	Rialto, CA	September 28, 1984	60 seat with drive through service window	February 12, 1985
Elden Avenue	Moreno Valley, CA	March 8, 1985	60 seat with drive through service window	June 30, 1985
Foothill Boulevard	La Verne, CA	April 16, 1985	60 seat with drive through service window	November 6, 1985
Baseline & Archibald	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	July 10, 1985	60 seat with drive through service window	November 26, 1985
Elkhorn Boulevard	Sacramento, CA	August 22, 1985	60 seat with drive through service window	January 15, 1986
Haven Avenue	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	September 20, 1985	60 seat with drive through service window	February 14, 1986

See also Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation included in Item 8.
(1)	Commencement of operation is the first date Del Taco, as lessee, operated the facility on the site as a Del Taco restaurant.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

The Partnership is not a party to any material pending legal proceedings.

Item 4. [Reserved]

3

PART II

Item 5. Market for the Partnership’s Common Equity, Related Security Holder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Partnership sold 8,751 ($4,375,500) limited partnership units during the public offering period ended March 20, 1984 and currently has 674 limited partners of record. There is no public market for the trading of the units. Distributions made by the Partnership to the limited partners during the past three fiscal years are described in Note 6 to the Notes to the Financial Statements contained under Item 8.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The selected financial data presented as of and for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005, has been derived from the audited financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes and Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

	Years Ended December 31,
	2009		2008		2007		2006		2005
Rental revenues	$	740,556	$	746,097	$	730,322	$	722,953	$	780,229
General and administrative expense		73,711		71,643		73,984		71,436		68,833
Depreciation expense		28,948		28,948		28,948		28,948		40,420
Interest and other income		1,849		4,576		6,100		5,443		4,627
Net income		639,746		650,082		633,490		628,012		675,603
Net income per limited partnership unit		72.37		73.54		71.67		71.05		76.43
Cash distributions per limited partnership unit		75.40		68.35		74.47		76.21		80.45
Total assets		2,227,303		2,243,902		2,205,826		2,275,794		2,316,566
Long-term obligations		—		—		—		—		—

4

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources, and off balance sheet arrangements and contractual obligations contained within this report on Form 10-K is more clearly understood when read in conjunction with the notes to the financial statements. The notes to the financial statements elaborate on certain terms that are used throughout this discussion and provide information about the Partnership and the basis of presentation used in this report on Form 10-K.

The six restaurants leased to Del Taco make up all of the income producing assets of the Partnership. Therefore, the business of the Partnership is entirely dependent on the success of Del Taco as the operator of restaurants located at our properties. The success of the restaurants is dependent on a large variety of factors, including, but not limited to, consumer demand and preference for fast food, in general, and for Mexican-American food in particular.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Partnership offered limited partnership units for sale between March 1983 and March 1984. $4.375 million was raised through the sale of limited partnership units and used to acquire sites and build six restaurants and also to pay commissions to brokers and to reimburse the General Partner for offering costs incurred.

The Partnership’s only source of cash flow is rental income from the properties from the triple net leases. Such operating income has historically been and is expected to continue to be sufficient to fund the Partnership’s operating expenses. Net cash provided by operating activities in excess of the Partnership’s ongoing needs is distributed to the partners.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

None.

Results of Operations

The Partnership owns six properties that are under long-term lease to Del Taco for restaurant operations. Del Taco, in turn, has subleased one of the restaurants to a Del Taco franchisee.

5

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — (Continued)

Results of Operations – (Continued)

The following table sets forth rental revenues earned by restaurant by year:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2009		2008		2007
Riverside Avenue, Rialto, CA	$	113,245	$	114,099	$	113,841
Elden Avenue, Moreno Valley, CA		99,709		102,202		103,720
Foothill Boulevard, La Verne, CA		172,009		175,614		175,299
Baseline & Archibald, Rancho Cucamonga, CA		118,127		119,344		121,287
Elkhorn Boulevard, Sacramento, CA		101,142		90,482		81,243
Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA		136,324		144,356		134,932
Total	$	740,556	$	746,097	$	730,322

The Partnership earns rental revenues equal to 12 percent of gross sales from the restaurants. The Partnership earned rental revenues of $740,556 during the year ended December 31, 2009, which represents a decrease of $5,541 from 2008. The changes in rental revenues between 2008 and 2009 are directly attributable to decreases in sales levels at the restaurants under lease due to local competitive and industry factors.

The Partnership earned rental revenues of $746,097 during the year ended December 31, 2008, which represents an increase of $15,775 from 2007. The changes in rental revenues between 2007 and 2008 are directly attributable to increases in sales levels at the restaurants under lease.

The following table breaks down general and administrative expenses by type of expense:

Percentage of Total General and Administrative Expense

	Years Ended December 31,
	2009			2008			2007
Accounting fees		58.89	%		66.09	%		62.92	%
Distribution of information to limited partners		36.09			32.77			35.64
Other		5.02			1.14			1.44
		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%

General and administrative costs increased by $2,068 from 2008 to 2009. The increase was primarily due to an increase in costs for printing and bank charges, partially offset by decreased accounting and tax preparation costs.

General and administrative costs decreased by $2,341 from 2007 to 2008. The decrease was caused primarily by a decrease in costs for printing and distribution of information to partners.

6

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — (Continued)

Results of Operations – (continued)

Net income decreased by $10,336 from 2008 to 2009 due to the decrease in revenues of $5,541, the decrease in other income of $2,727 and the $2,068 increase in general and administrative expenses.

Net income increased by $16,592 from 2007 to 2008 due to the increase in revenues of $15,775 and the $2,341 decrease in general and administrative expenses, offset by the decrease in other income of $1,524.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

None that applies to the Partnership.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, as well as disclosures included elsewhere in this report on Form 10-K are based upon the Partnership’s financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. The Partnership believes the critical accounting policies that most impact the financial statements are described below. A summary of the significant accounting policies of the Partnership can be found in Note 1 to the Financial Statements which is included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

Revenue Recognition: Rental revenue is recognized based on 12 percent of gross sales of the restaurants for the corresponding period, and is earned at the point of sale.

7

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — (Continued)

Property and Equipment: Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives which are 20 years for land improvements, 35 years for buildings and improvements, and 10 years for machinery and equipment.

The Partnership accounts for property and equipment in accordance with authoritative guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board that requires long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. In evaluating long-lived assets held for use, an impairment loss is recognized if the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying value of the asset. Once a determination has been made that an impairment loss should be recognized for long-lived assets, various assumptions and estimates are used to determine fair value including, among others, recent sales of comparable properties and the opinions of fair value prepared by independent real estate appraisers. Long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

None.

8

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

PART I. INFORMATION

INDEX	PAGE NUMBER
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – Squar, Milner, Peterson, Miranda & Williamson, LLP		10
Balance Sheets at December 31, 2009 and 2008		11
Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007		12
Statements of Partners’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007		13
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007		14
Notes to Financial Statements		15-20
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation		27

9

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Partners
Del Taco Restaurant Properties I:

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Del Taco Restaurant Properties I (a California Limited Partnership) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the related statements of income, partners’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule of the Partnership listed in Item 15. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Del Taco Restaurant Properties I as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We were not engaged to examine management’s assessment of the effectiveness of Del Taco Restaurant Properties I’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 included in the accompanying Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting under Item 9A(T) and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion thereon.

/s/ Squar, Milner, Peterson, Miranda & Williamson, LLP

Newport Beach, California

March 10, 2010

10

DEL TACO RESTAURANT PROPERTIES I

BALANCE SHEETS

	December 31,
	2009		2008
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash	$	218,535	$	207,772
Receivable from Del Taco LLC		63,552		62,158
Deposits		1,302		1,110
Total current assets		283,389		271,040
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
Land and improvements		1,929,685		1,929,685
Buildings and improvements		1,013,134		1,013,134
Machinery and equipment		1,136,026		1,136,026
		4,078,845		4,078,845
Less—accumulated depreciation		2,134,931		2,105,983
		1,943,914		1,972,862
	$	2,227,303	$	2,243,902
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Payable to limited partners	$	39,926	$	31,289
Accounts payable		8,463		6,967
Total current liabilities		48,389		38,256
PARTNERS’ EQUITY:
Limited partners; 8,751 units outstanding at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008		1,917,028		1,943,492
General partner-Del Taco LLC		261,886		262,154
		2,178,914		2,205,646
	$	2,227,303	$	2,243,902

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

11

DEL TACO RESTAURANT PROPERTIES I

STATEMENTS OF INCOME

	Years Ended December 31,
	2009		2008		2007
RENTAL REVENUES	$	740,556	$	746,097	$	730,322
EXPENSES:
General and administrative		73,711		71,643		73,984
Depreciation		28,948		28,948		28,948
		102,659		100,591		102,932
Operating income		637,897		645,506		627,390
OTHER INCOME:
Interest		274		1,551		4,375
Other		1,575		3,025		1,725
Net income	$	639,746	$	650,082	$	633,490
Net income per limited partnership unit (note 2)	$	72.37	$	73.54	$	71.67
Number of limited partnership units used in computing per unit amounts		8,751		8,751		8,751

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

12

DEL TACO RESTAURANT PROPERTIES I

STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ EQUITY

Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007

	Limited Partners					General
	Units		Amount			Partner			Total
Balance, December 31, 2006		8,751	$	1,922,554		$	261,942		$	2,184,496
Net Income		—		627,155			6,335			633,490
Cash Distributions		—		(651,594	)		(6,582	)		(658,176	)
Balance, December 31, 2007		8,751		1,898,115			261,695			2,159,810
Net Income		—		643,581			6,501			650,082
Cash Distributions		—		(598,204	)		(6,042	)		(604,246	)
Balance, December 31, 2008		8,751		1,943,492			262,154			2,205,646
Net Income		—		633,349			6,397			639,746
Cash Distributions		—		(659,813	)		(6,665	)		(666,478	)
Balance, December 31, 2009		8,751	$	1,917,028		$	261,886		$	2,178,914

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

13

DEL TACO RESTAURANT PROPERTIES I

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	Years Ended December 31,
	2009			2008			2007
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	639,746		$	650,082		$	633,490
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation		28,948			28,948			28,948
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivable from Del Taco LLC		(1,394	)		(65	)		(452	)
Deposits		(192	)		(124	)		144
Payable to limited partners		8,637			(7,868	)		(42,720	)
Accounts payable		1,496			108			(2,562	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		677,241			671,081			616,848
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of land and improvements		—			(77,203	)		—
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Cash distributions to partners		(666,478	)		(604,246	)		(658,176	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash		10,763			(10,368	)		(41,328	)
Beginning cash balance		207,772			218,140			259,468
Ending cash balance	$	218,535		$	207,772		$	218,140

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

14

DEL TACO RESTAURANT PROPERTIES I

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 — ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Partnership: Del Taco Restaurant Properties I, a California limited partnership (the Partnership), was formed on November 30, 1982, for the purpose of acquiring real property in California for construction of six Mexican-American restaurants to be leased under long-term agreements to Del Taco LLC (General Partner or Del Taco), for operation under the Del Taco trade name. The term of the partnership agreement is until April 30, 2022 unless terminated earlier by means provided in the partnership agreement.

The Partnership has no full time employees (see Note 4). The Partnership agreement assigns full authority for general management and supervision of the business affairs of the Partnership to the General Partner. The General Partner has a one percent interest in the profits or losses and distributions of the Partnership. Limited partners have no right to participate in the day to day management or conduct of the Partnership’s business affairs.

Distributions are made to the general and limited partners in accordance with the provisions of the Partnership agreement (see Note 2).

Basis of Accounting: The Partnership utilizes the accrual method of accounting for transactions relating to the business of the Partnership. The summary of significant accounting policies presented below is designed to assist in understanding the Partnership’s financial statements. Such financial statements and accompanying notes are the representations of the Partnership’s management, who is responsible for their integrity and objectivity. These accounting policies conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) in all material respects, and have been consistently applied in preparing the accompanying financial statements.

Property and Equipment: Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives which are 20 years for land improvements, 35 years for buildings and improvements, and 10 years for machinery and equipment.

The Partnership accounts for property and equipment in accordance with authoritative guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board that requires long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. In evaluating long-lived assets held for use, an impairment loss is recognized if the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying value of the asset. Once a determination has been made that an impairment loss should be recognized for long-lived assets, various assumptions and estimates are used to determine fair value including, among others, recent sales of comparable properties and the opinions of fair value prepared by independent real estate appraisers. Long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell.

15

DEL TACO RESTAURANT PROPERTIES I
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED

NOTE 1 — ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES — (Continued)

Income Taxes: No provision has been made for federal or state income taxes on partnership net income, since the Partnership is not subject to income tax. Partnership income is includable in the taxable income of the individual partners as required under applicable income tax laws. Certain items, primarily related to depreciation methods, are accounted for differently for income tax reporting purposes (see Note 5).

Net Income Per Limited Partnership Unit: Net income per limited partnership unit is based on net income attributable to the limited partners (after 1% allocation to the general partner) using the weighted average number of units outstanding during the periods presented, which amounted to 8,751 units for all years presented.

Use of Estimates: The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition: Rental revenue is recognized based on 12 percent of gross sales of the restaurants for the corresponding period, and is earned at the point of sale.

Concentration of Risk: The six restaurants leased to Del Taco make up all of the income producing assets of the Partnership and contributed all of the Partnership’s rental revenues for the three years ended December 31, 2009. Therefore, the business of the Partnership is entirely dependent on the success of the Del Taco trade name restaurants that lease the properties.

The Partnership maintains substantially all of its cash and cash equivalents at one major commercial bank. The Federal Depository Insurance Commission’s limits were $250,000 at December 31, 2009 and 2008. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Partnership had approximately $229,000 and $220,000, respectively, on deposit at one financial institution.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments: The fair values of cash, accounts receivables, deposits, accounts payable and payables to limited partners approximate the carrying amounts due to their short maturities.

NOTE 2 — PARTNERS’ EQUITY

Pursuant to the partnership agreement, annual partnership net income is allocated one percent to Del Taco and 99 percent to the limited partners. A partnership net loss in any year will be allocated 24 percent to the General Partner and 76 percent to the limited partners until the losses so allocated equal income previously allocated. Any additional losses will be allocated one percent to the General Partner and 99 percent to the limited partners. Partnership gains from any sale or refinancing will be allocated one percent to the General Partner and 99 percent to the limited partners until allocated gains and profits equal losses. Additional gains will be allocated 24 percent to the General Partner and 76 percent to the limited partners.

In 1986, the General Partner contributed additional capital of $280,000 to the Partnership in order to provide funds necessary to complete the sixth and final restaurant.

16

DEL TACO RESTAURANT PROPERTIES I
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED

NOTE 3 — LEASING ACTIVITIES

The Partnership leases certain properties for operation of restaurants to Del Taco on a triple net basis. The leases are for terms of 35 years commencing with the completion of the restaurant facility located on each property and require monthly rentals equal to 12 percent of the gross sales of the restaurants. The leases expire in the years 2019 to 2020. There is no minimum rental under any of the leases. The Partnership had a total of six properties leased as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, one of which has been subleased to a Del Taco franchisee for each of the three years ended December 31, 2009.

The five restaurants operated by Del Taco, for which the Partnership is the lessor, had combined, unaudited sales of $5,186,912, $5,222,941 and $5,075,290 and an unaudited net losses of $159,088 and $151,729 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and unaudited net income of $2,944 for the year ended December 31, 2007. Del Taco net income by restaurant includes charges for general and administrative expenses incurred in connection with supervision of restaurant operations and interest expense and the decrease in net income from the corresponding period of the prior years primarily relates to additional interest expense as well as a reduction in restaurant revenues. The one restaurant operated by a Del Taco franchisee, for which the Partnership is the lessor, had unaudited sales of $984,391, $994,537 and $1,010,728 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

NOTE 4 — RELATED PARTIES

The receivable from Del Taco consists of rent accrued for the months of December 2009 and 2008. The rent receivable was collected in January 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The General Partner received $6,665, $6,042 and $6,582 in distributions relating to its one percent interest in the Partnership for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Del Taco serves in the capacity of General Partner in other partnerships which are engaged in the business of operating restaurants, and three other partnerships which were formed for the purpose of acquiring real property in California for construction of Mexican-American restaurants for lease under long-term agreements to Del Taco.

The General Partner provides certain minimal managerial and accounting services to the Partnership at no cost.

17

DEL TACO RESTAURANT PROPERTIES I
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED

NOTE 5 — INCOME TAXES (UNAUDITED)

The Partnership is not subject to income taxes because its income is taxed directly to the General Partner and limited partners. The reconciling items presented in the table below are the only items that create a difference between the tax basis and reported amounts of the Partnership’s assets and liabilities.

A reconciliation of financial statement net income to taxable income for each of the periods is as follows:

	2009		2008		2007
Net income per financial statements	$	639,746	$	650,082	$	633,490
Excess book depreciation		17,328		17,328		17,328
Taxable income	$	657,074	$	667,410	$	650,818

A reconciliation of partnership equity per the financial statements to partners’ equity for tax purposes as of December 31, 2009, is as follows (unaudited):

Partners’ equity per financial statements	$	2,178,914
Issue costs of limited partnership units capitalized for tax purposes		637,325
Difference in book vs. tax depreciation		145,547
Other		235
Partners’ equity for tax purposes	$	2,962,021

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DEL TACO RESTAURANT PROPERTIES I
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED

NOTE 6 — CASH DISTRIBUTIONS TO LIMITED PARTNERS

Cash distributions paid to limited partners for the three years ended December 31, 2009 were as follows:

	Cash		Weighted		Number of Units
	Distribution per		Average Number		Outstanding at
	Limited Partnership		of Units		the End of
Quarter Ended	Unit		Outstanding		Quarter
December 31, 2006	$	19.53		8,751		8,751
March 31, 2007		17.39		8,751		8,751
June 30, 2007		16.56		8,751		8,751
September 30, 2007		20.99		8,751		8,751
Total paid in 2007	$	74.47
December 31, 2007	$	19.68		8,751		8,751
March 31, 2008		9.60		8,751		8,751
June 30, 2008		19.66		8,751		8,751
September 30, 2008		19.41		8,751		8,751
Total paid in 2008	$	68.35
December 31, 2008	$	19.40		8,751		8,751
March 31, 2009		17.95		8,751		8,751
June 30, 2009		17.42		8,751		8,751
September 30, 2009		20.63		8,751		8,751
Total paid in 2009	$	75.40

Cash distributions per limited partnership unit were calculated based upon the weighted average number of units outstanding for each quarter and were paid from operations. Distributions declared in January 2010 for the quarter ended December 31, 2009 amounted to $19.64 per limited partnership unit and were paid in February 2010.

NOTE 7 — RESULTS BY QUARTER (UNAUDITED)

	First		Second		Third		Fourth
	Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
Year ended December 31, 2009
Rental revenues	$	174,976	$	185,139	$	189,683	$	190,758
Net income		131,147		165,177		169,545		173,877
Net income per limited partnership unit		14.84		18.69		19.18		19.66
Year ended December 31, 2008
Rental revenues	$	183,905	$	185,959	$	189,942	$	186,291
Net income		136,914		170,451		174,089		168,628
Net income per limited partnership unit		15.49		19.28		19.69		19.08

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DEL TACO RESTAURANT PROPERTIES I
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED

NOTE 8 — PAYABLE TO LIMITED PARTNERS

Payable to limited partners represents a reclassification from cash for distribution checks made to limited partners that have remained outstanding for six months or longer. The increase in payable to limited partners from December 31, 2008 to December 31, 2009 is primarily due to the increase in distribution checks that were not deposited by limited partners.

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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures

   None

Item 9A(T). Controls and Procedures

  Disclosure controls and procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognized that any system of controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, as ours are designed to do, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost—benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

In connection with the preparation of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

  Internal control over financial reporting

(a) Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Management has assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009. In making its assessment of internal control over financial reporting, management used the criteria set forth in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

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Management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2009, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on these criteria.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Partnership’s registered public accounting firm regarding the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such attestation report is not required to be included in this filing; the Partnership is only required to provide management’s report in this annual report.

(b) Changes in internal controls:

There were no significant changes in the Partnership’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information

  None.

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance

(a) & (b) Del Taco serves as the Partnership’s sole general partner. Individuals who perform the functions of directors and officers of the Partnership consist of the following officers of Del Taco:

Name	Title	Age
Paul J.B. Murphy, III	Chief Executive Officer		55
James W. Lyons	Chief Development Officer		54
James D. Stoops	Executive Vice President, Operations		57
Janet D. Erickson	Executive Vice President, Purchasing		53
Steven L. Brake	Treasurer		37

Del Taco’s term as general partner will continue indefinitely, subject to the right of a majority in interest of the limited partners to remove and replace it. The above referenced officers of the General Partner will hold office until their resignation or the election or appointment of their successor.

(c)	None
(d)	No family relationship exists between any such officer of the General Partner.
(e)	The following is an account of the business experience during the past five years of each such officer:

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Paul J. B. Murphy, III, Chief Executive Officer of Del Taco LLC. Mr. Murphy has served as Chief Executive Officer since February of 2009. He previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc. (formerly, New World Restaurant Group, Inc.) from October of 2003 to December of 2008.

James W. Lyons, Chief Development Officer of Del Taco LLC. Mr. Lyons has served as Chief Development Officer since September of 2008. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer of Popeyes Chicken and Biscuits (a division of AFC Enterprises, Inc.), from March of 2007 to December of 2007, and as Chief Development Officer of Popeyes Chicken and Biscuits from July of 2004 to March of 2007. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Development for Domino’s Pizza from 2002 to July of 2004.

James D. Stoops, Executive Vice President, Operations of Del Taco LLC. From 1968 to 1991, Mr. Stoops served in a wide variety of operations positions with Burger King Corporation with increasing levels of responsibility. In 1985, Mr. Stoops was appointed Region Vice President/General Manager for the New York region and served in that position until October of 1990. In January of 1991, he joined Del Taco LLC in his current post.

Janet D. Erickson, Executive Vice President, Purchasing of Del Taco LLC. From 1979 to 1986, Ms. Erickson was with Denny’s Incorporated. She served in the Research and Development department in a variety of positions until 1982 when she was promoted to the position of Purchasing Agent. Ms. Erickson was hired in 1986 as Manager of Contract Purchasing with Carl Karcher Enterprises, a post she held until March 1990 when she became Vice President, Purchasing for Del Taco LLC. Ms. Erickson has a Bachelor of Science degree in Foods and Nutrition from Cal State Polytechnic University in Pomona, California.

Steven L. Brake, Vice President, Treasurer and Controller of Del Taco LLC. Mr. Brake has been Treasurer since March 2006 and previously served as the Corporate Controller of Del Taco LLC from September 2003 to March of 2006. From December 1995 until September 2003 Mr. Brake spent seven years with Arthur Andersen and one year with KPMG LLP in their respective audit departments. Mr. Brake is a licensed certified public accountant and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California, Irvine and an MBA from the Paul Merage School of Business at the University of California, Irvine.

Code of Ethics

The Partnership has no executive officers or any fulltime employees and, accordingly, has not adopted a code of ethics.

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Item 11. Executive Compensation

The Partnership has no executive officers or directors and pays no direct remuneration to any executive officer or director of its General Partner. The Partnership has not issued any options or stock appreciation rights to any executive officer or director of its General Partner, nor does the Partnership propose to pay any annuity, pension or retirement benefits to any executive officer or director of its General Partner. The Partnership has no plan, nor does the Partnership presently propose a plan, which will result in any remuneration being paid to any executive officer or director of the General Partner upon termination of employment.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

(a) No person of record currently owns more than five percent of limited partnership units of the Partnership, nor was any person known of by the Partnership to own of record and beneficially, or beneficially only, more than five percent of such securities.

(b) Neither Del Taco LLC, nor any executive officer or director of Del Taco LLC, owns any limited partnership units of the Partnership.

(c) The Partnership knows of no contractual arrangements, the operation or the terms of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the Partnership, except for provisions in the Partnership agreement providing for removal of the General Partner by holders of a majority of the limited partnership units and if a material event of default occurs under the financing agreements of the General Partner.

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Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

(a)	No transactions have occurred between the Partnership and any executive officer or director of its General Partner.
	During 2009, the following transactions occurred between the Partnership and the General Partner pursuant to the terms of the partnership agreement.

(1)	The General Partner earned $6,397 as its one percent share of the net income of the Partnership.
(2)	The General Partner received $6,665 in distributions relating to its one percent interest in the Partnership.

(b) During 2009, the Partnership had no business relationships with any entity of a type required to be reported under this item.

(c) Neither the General Partner, any director or officer of the General Partner, or any associate of any such person, was indebted to the Partnership at any time during 2009 for any amount.

(d) Not applicable.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The following table presents fees for professional services rendered by Squar, Milner, Peterson, Miranda & Williamson, LLP (Squar Milner).

	2009		2008
Audit Fees	$	17,547	$	17,779
Audit-Related Fees		0		0
Tax Fees		0		0
All Other Fees		0		0
Total	$	17,547	$	17,779

The General Partner approves all the audit and non-audit services, and related fees, provided to the Partnership by the independent auditors prior to the services being rendered.

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PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a)(1)	Financial Statements
	Included in Part II of this report:
	Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm — Squar, Milner, Peterson, Miranda & Williamson, LLP Balance Sheets Statements of Income Statements of Partners’ Equity Statements of Cash Flows Notes to Financial Statements
(a)(2)	Financial Statement Schedule
	Schedule III — Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
	Financial statement schedules other than those referred to above have been omitted because they are not applicable or not required.
(b)	Reports on Form 8-K
	None
(c)	Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K:

1.	Incorporated herein by reference, Restated Certificate and Agreement of Limited Partnership of Del Taco Restaurant Properties I filed as Exhibit 3.01 to Partnership’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 17, 1982.
2.	Incorporated herein by reference, Amendment to Restated Certificate and Agreement of Limited Partnership of Del Taco Restaurant Properties I.
3.	Incorporated herein by reference, Form of Standard Lease to be entered into by partnership and Del Taco LLC, as lessee, filed as Exhibit 10.02 to Partnership’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 17, 1982.
31.1	Paul J.B. Murphy, III’s Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2	Steven L. Brake’s Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1	Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

26

DEL TACO RESTAURANT PROPERTIES I
SCHEDULE III — REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
DECEMBER 31, 2009

							Cost capitalized		Gross amount at
			Initial cost				subsequent to		which carried at
			to company				acquisition		close of period								Life on which
			Land		Building &				Land, buildings &								depreciation in latest
Description			& land		Improve-		Carrying		improvements		Accumulated		Date of		Date		income statement
(All Restaurants)	Encumbrances		improvements		ments		costs		Total		depreciation		construction		acquired		is computed
Rialto, CA	$	—	$	274,837	$	150,310	$	—	$	425,147	$	148,200		1984		1984	20 (LI), 35 (BI)
Moreno Valley, CA		—		353,557		193,362		—		546,919		190,646		1985		1985	20 (LI), 35 (BI)
La Verne, CA		—		452,423		247,433		—		699,856		243,956		1985		1985	20 (LI), 35 (BI)
Rancho Cucamonga, CA		—		293,817		160,690		77,203		531,710		158,428		1985		1985	20 (LI), 35 (BI)
Sacramento, CA		—		260,516		142,478		—		402,994		140,479		1985		1985	20 (LI), 35 (BI)
Rancho Cucamonga, CA		—		217,332		118,861		—		336,193		117,196		1985		1985	20 (LI), 35 (BI)
	$	—	$	1,852,482	$	1,013,134	$	77,203	$	2,942,819	$	998,905

			Accumulated
	Restaurants		Depreciation
Balances at December 31, 2006:	$	2,865,616	$	912,061
Additions		—		28,948
Retirements		—		—
Balances at December 31, 2007:		2,865,616		941,009
Additions		77,203		28,948
Retirements		—		—
Balances at December 31, 2008:		2,942,819		969,957
Additions		—		28,948
Retirements		—		—
Balances at December 31, 2009:	$	2,942,819	$	998,905

The aggregate cost basis of Del Taco Restaurant Properties I real estate assets for Federal income tax purposes was $2,023,158 at December 31, 2009.

See accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Partnership has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	DEL TACO RESTAURANT PROPERTIES I
	a California limited partnership
	Del Taco LLC
	General Partner
Date March 12, 2010	Paul J.B. Murphy, III Paul J.B. Murphy, III
	Chief Executive Officer
Date March 12, 2010	James W. Lyons James W. Lyons
	Chief Development Officer
Date March 12, 2010	Steven L. Brake Steven L. Brake Treasurer

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit	Description
1.	Incorporated herein by reference, Restated Certificate and Agreement of Limited Partnership of Del Taco Restaurant Properties I filed as Exhibit 3.01 to Partnership’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 17, 1982.
2.	Incorporated herein by reference, Amendment to Restated Certificate and Agreement of Limited Partnership of Del Taco Restaurant Properties I.
3.	Incorporated herein by reference, Form of Standard Lease to be entered into by partnership and Del Taco LLC, as lessee, filed as Exhibit 10.02 to Partnership’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 17, 1982.
31.1	Paul J.B. Murphy, III’s Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2	Steven L. Brake’s Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1	Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

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