10 places to get your late night food fix in SF

Don’t lie. You know what I’m talking about. It’s Friday night, you’ve had a little too much to drink and all of the sudden, onion rings, milkshakes and Denver omlettes start sounding really good to you. You know the food – the stuff you usually don’t eat. Or maybe you usually do eat it, but for whatever reason, now you just have to have it. Well, look no further, here are 10 places to get your late night drunk food fix from one of our newest contributors Alexis.

1. Crepes a Go-Go (SOMA) 350 11th St

Fortunately, they have several locations all over the city, but the one I’m talking about is THE BEST one to go to – especially after a night out drinking in that weird sketchy area they call SOMA, but it’s really the Mission or something else altogether. No matter what “they” call the neighborhood, I call it dodgy. Anyway, this particular location is more of a roach coach, right next door to Butter, which I’ll get to in a minute. Yummy Nutella goodness and warm gooey crepes equal drunken bliss.

2. Butter (SOMA) 354 11th Street

This is a bar with some of the best drunk food ever. Designed to scarily and accurately resemble the trailer parks we’ve all known and love, this place serves up heart-stopping American fare with the best of ‘em. Tater tots. Onion rings. DEEP FRIED TWINKIES!!! What’s not to love?

3. Lori’s Diner (Union Square) 149 Powell Street

These are all over the city and can be kind of a tourist trap during the day, but they serve up good ol’ Denny’s-type fare like you used to feast on during college drinking binges. Ah, memories.

4. Nile Café (Tenderloin) 544 Jones Street

Ok, Ok, this doesn’t have much in the way of FOOD, but who needs food when you have hookah? Nile Café is a great hole-in-the-wall place, with great owners who will stay open as late as you’re there. But it’s only because they’re smokin’ it up, too.

5. King of Thai Noodle (SOMA) 55 5th Street

Beware, this place is only open until 1 am, so you won’t be able to shut down the bar and go here. But if you want to start nursing your self back to health before the hangover, this is a good place to start. Yummy, slurpee, noodly Thai.

6. Nizario’s Pizza (Castro) 4077 18th Street

When it comes to late night pizza, there are a number of options out there but the hands down winner is Nizarrio’s in the Castro. Fresh toppings and interesting combos are part of it of course, but the real deal sealer is the crowd that goes there. The post bar time crowd is as comical as they are hungry and you are bound to get in a ridiculus conversation with some other drunkard. This is a proper joint for grabbing that late night slice before you go pass out in a stupor.

7. El Farolito Taqueria (Mission) 2777 Mission Street

Nothing says drunk like a late night burrito or quesadilla, and no one does them better past 2 am than the boys in the heart of the Mission at El Farolito. If you are looking for cheese and grease to sop the alcohol in your stomach, go for the super quesadilla suiza. If you are feeling adventurous in your intoxicated state of mind you can order things like tongue, brain or lips – I recommend the tongue. You may regret it in the morning but it makes for funny stories.

8. Sparky’s (Church) 242 Church Street

Late night diners come in all forms. Sparky’s is the local favorite of Castro and Delores Park dwellers. Open 24 hours a day, Sparky’s has a 50’s décor and jukebox and serves up things like malts, chili cheese fries and grilled ham and cheese to a rowdy and packed crowd. If you go at 2am, be prepared to wait a while for your seat because this place gets going right when the booze stops flowing.

9. GrubSteak (Nob Hill) 1525 Pine Street

GrubSteak, located in the neighborhood often referred to as the TenderNob, has been around for ever and there is a reason… Actual good food, anytime of day. Drunk or not, you need to hit this place up sometime when you are hungry. They stay open until 4am and the food is actually all that much better when you have your stomach coated with beer, vodka, jack or whatever your drink of choice happens to be. Diner style food done right. You’ll know you found it when you see the street car that is it’s home.

10. Naan N curry (Tenderloin) 336 O'Farrell Street

Indian food at 2am? God damn right! Naan N Curry serves up the goods 24/7 at this particular location and the 2 am drunk crowd sops up the curry and spinach night after night. If you are looking to jump off the deep end, get some lamb vindaloo and have them make it Indian Spicy… you may not remember why your throat is still burning in the morning, but you will love every drunken bite while there.

Got ideas for other great late night spots? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts.

Alexis is a local SF writer and nightlife expert. You can read more of her rants, reviews and musings on her blog stella6.com.

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