Partners' Equity - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Partnership Equity And Distribution [Line Items]
Percentage of net income attributable to Del Taco-General Partner	1.00%
General Partner [Member]
Partnership Equity And Distribution [Line Items]
Percentage of net income attributable to Del Taco-General Partner	1.00%
Percentage of gain on sale and refinancing allocated to General Partner	1.00%
Percentage of additional gain on sale and refinancing allocated to General Partner	12.00%
Limited Partners [Member]
Partnership Equity And Distribution [Line Items]
Percentage of net income attributable limited partners	99.00%
Percentage of gain on sale and refinancing allocated to limited partners	99.00%
Percentage of additional gain on sale and refinancing allocated to limited partners	88.00%