Late Night (a twist on the usual question)

[Gerard]

The usual way to ask this question is: what's a good spot for late night eats?

But I have something slightly different in mind. I want to create a kind of decision tree for late night dining based on the best few places open at that hour.

So what are the three or four best Bay Area places open during the following time slots?

10:00 - 11:00 PM
11:00 PM - 12:00 AM
12:00 - 1:00 AM
1:00 - 2:00 AM
2:00 - 6:00 AM

Obviously, different folks will construe the meaning of "best" differently--the best by an absolute standard, the best that fits their idea of "late night" grub, the best in an area they're willing to travel to late at night, etc.

So do you love Grubstake? Luka's? Is there great pho in the Mission at 3 AM? Is there a burger in San Jose worth a late night flat on 880?

Don't be shy with the responses. What's being solicited is not necessarily the latest discovery (though that's welcome), but more of a collective brain dump.

Thanks,
G

[8insf]

Gerard,
I did not see my favorite late night place on your list. If it's there, sorry, but if not, you need to add The Brazen Head (Greenwich and Buchanan). Food 'til 1:00 am and bar 'til 2:00 am. I like it best in the 11:00 - midnight slot. Open 7 days a week.

[Fine]

Just came across this post and had to comment: This is the closest restaurant to our home but have not eaten there since the '80s, when I had to for something I was writing!

The menu then--and the last time I checked, which has been a while--reminded me of places in the midwest that, in turn, reminded me of the '50s!

I don't mean to sound snide, but please do tell something about what you like there, if they offer specials, etc.

[monday]

Naan n Curry is open 'til midnight seven days. I've never eaten there, but maybe someone else can let us know?

[Gerard]

There's supposed to be a "new" one on O'Farrell that's 24-hour. Based on my single experience, I might not have put them on the list, but its 24-houredess is not to be ignored. Thanks for the reminder.

G

[getsnarky]

Thanks for putting that together - with LINKS!

[The Dive]

Barclay's on College Avenue in Oakland serves food until 11 during the week (it might even be later on the weekends). House of Chicken and Waffles is open until 4 a.m. in Jack London Square.

[Gerard]

Thanks for the additions. I've never been to House of Chicken and Waffles. What's the general opinion?

G

[Gerard]

I really hope my posting of the Late Night Guide won't spell an end to the thread, because it could stand to be improved.

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

This is partly true because especially in later hours the guide is severely though understandably tilted towards Mexican, Chinese, and Pizza. So if anybody knows and likes a little Ethiopian, Jamaican, Hawaiian, Swedish, Spanish, Turkish cafe open at 3 AM, let me know.

More importantly, there MUST be more good stuff around San Jose, near Stanford, in South San Francisco, in Marin County, out near Lafayette, in Hayward, etc.

Thanks to all contributors,
G

[Ruth Lafler]

Ethiopia Restaurant on Telegraph near Ashby in Berkeley is open until 11. I haven't tried it, though.

[Gerard]

Now there's a place I need to try. Thanks, Ruth.

G

[getsnarky]

For a deli, try Love N Haight - open til 2am. It's on Haight between Fillmore and Steiner (near Toronado and Mystic Pizza). Solid sandwiches and a great alternative to pizza. http://tinyurl.com/mm87a

Also, I have to discourage anyone from going to Lucky Penny (Masonic and Geary). I went there once and it was mind-boggling how bad the food was. I ordered a waffle and I think it was an Eggo.

[rworange]

Lucky Penny has its ... well, fans isn't the correct word ... customers who didn't die and ate there more than once ... but a Chowhound type of place ... not really ... then again, MOST places do one thing well ... who knows?

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

[Gerard]

Thanks. Been looking for a late night deli quite independent of this thread.

G

[Gerard]

Let's see...

Any late night delis? Any good delivery places? Any Hawaiian BBQ? Anything in Marin County? Anything in Walnut Creek? Calzone? Dessert?

Thanks guys,
G

[Gerard]

From recent late night posts, anybody want to speak up for:

Quince
Victor's Pizza
Naan 'n' Curry
Chutney
Gold Medal
Ohgane
La Victoria
The Cardinal Lounge
Bix
ABC Bakery
China Village (Milpitas)

G

[Gerard]

The updated list ----->

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

[Fine]

The (T) next to Yuet Lee in my post means "closed Tuesdays." I don't know why you also placed (?) next to Great Eastern.

Although it's in my Cow Hollow nabe, I never go to Brazen Head, but I believe it serves till midnight or 1 every night.

Rose Pistola (North Beach) has a later-evening menu, unless that's changed recently.

Don't any of those Korean places on Telegraph stay open late? Korean used to be a mainstay of my post-performance dining; where do all those folks who used to pour in late at night go now--home to the 'burbs?

[Gerard]

I'll change the hours for Yuet Lee. (?) because I don't know where the Great Eastern is.

Thanks for the additions,
G

[Ruth Lafler]

Great Eastern is in Chinatown, IIRC, it's on Jackson, between Grant and Kearney. One of the best restaurants in Chinatown, especially for seafood.

[monday]

Osha Thai on Geary at Leavenworth is open very late night (3am?). It's our favorite for a quick bite before heading home late. Also, El Zocalo, on Mission (near 30th?) is great for pupusas and is open til 4 on the weekends. El Farolito on Mission and 24th is also open very late. Sorry, I don't have exact hours. For sit-down, real restaurant experiences, I love Zuni, but go to Globe or Oola just as often (closer to me). One more vote for Yuet Lee here, too. The salt and pepper calamari is fantastic.

Thank you for doing this! I've long wanted some sort of comprehensive list.

[Gerard]

Hey folks, let's keep going.

A couple of late night usual suspects seem to be missing: sushi and Middle Eastern.

There's got to be a few decent ones, right?

We also seem to be light on Oakland. What do you know?

Also, who's got a weird one? Late night schnitzel?

G

[Melanie Wong]

San Francisco -
Rasselas Jazz Club (Ethiopian, no recent reports) http://www.rasselasjazzclub.com/restaurant.htm
Fri & Sat until 11pm

Mozzarella di Bufala (Pizza and Brazilian) http://dibufala.com/
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/20045
11pm and midnight on weekends

Lee Hou (Cantonese
)http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/34595#157340
1am

Oakland -
Legendary Palace http://www.themenupage.com/legendarypalace.html
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/46265
Midnight

Koryo Wooden Charcoal BBQ (some downhill reports
)http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...
2am

[Gerard]

The updated list ----->

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

[Amy G]

Add A16 to your 10-11 pm list.

On weekdays if you arrive by 10 pm you will be seated and fed. On weekends if you arrive by 11 pm you will be seated and fed. Have gone there late many nights after performances at Fort Mason.

[nja]

In your 2-6am slot, you might as well add Bagdad Cafe on Market St. in the Castro. The food is only barely better than Denny's, but at least it's not Denny's.

How late are In-and-Outs opened around here? It was 1:30am at many in SoCal. The burgers are great after a night of drinking.

I used to enjoy hanging out at Cafe Au Coquelet on University until the wee hours. It remember they used to have absurd hours, like 5am to 3:30 am or something, just closing log enough to clean up before reopening for b'fast. One website says it's 6:30am to 2:00am now. Good espresso/coffee/tea, a few beers, and an assortment of pastries was the late-night fare.

Is Smokehouse in Berkeley open late? 1am I think it was when I was in school. I never liked the food personally, but it has its fans.

Yuet Lee has saved my soul on more than one occasion.

-nick

[Gerard]

I'm with you on Smokehouse.

G

[wchane]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned McCarthy Ranch in Milpitas yet. I'd tell you the names, but I can't read chinese. There's a good number of small cafe style restaurants in the smaller McCarthy Ranch open till 3am IIRC.

There's also a Top Cafe in Cupertino that I've never seen closed. Numerous Pho shops and there's ALWAYS del taco on hamilton in campbell.

drunk food. mmmMmmm...

[Gerard]

Can wchane or anybody else identify the best of the late-night Chinese in McCarthy Ranch?

Ditto the Pho shops in Cupertino...

G

[wchane]

i'm going to assume you know the mccarthy ranch lay-out. if you're familiar with chinese cuisine go to the little plaza, the one with ABC Seafood. if you're standing facing the stairs/abc downstairs on your right there should be 2 cafe's open. the deeper of the two is better.

if you're with more picky eaters the boba joint in the actual mccarthy ranch may suit their tastes. i forgot the name of it, it has a blue sign and is right on the corner to your very right.

[Gerard]

Thanks for the info. I'm going to try to identify the restaurants by name before I add them.

G

[Melanie Wong]

Healdsburg -
Barndiva, http://barndiva.com/
Wed & Thursday 12pm - 11pm
Friday & Saturday 12pm - 12am
Sunday 11am - 12am

Santa Rosa -
Taco Trucks on Sebastopol Road until midnight
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/17230

Antojitos La Texanita
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/307463
Until 11pm on Friday and Saturday

Russian River Brewing Co. http://www.russianriverbrewing.com/
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/37378
Sun. through Thurs. from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Fri. and Sat. from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Cotati -
Sweet Lou's http://www.sweet-lous.com/
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/31911#140792
Until 2 am and 3am

Petaluma -
McNears http://www.mcnears.com/
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...
Late night menu from 10pm to midnight

Yountville -
bouchon

[Gerard]

I'm beginning to suspect you are a gold mine.

G

[Ruth Lafler]

You must be new here if you don't know that already!

So welcome! Great thread!

Oh, in Alameda there are a couple of Mexican places that are open until 3 am: La Pinata and Juanita's. Both of them are passable, although La Pinata is slightly better, especially if you're going for the margaritas (which I guess they don't serve after 2 am, but that gives you time to sober up). My favorite taco truck -- El Gordo on International and 42nd in Oakland is open until 3 am or so also.

[Gerard]

Thanks, Ruth.

Two questions:
Is the Alameda La Piñata the same as the one in San Leandro?
Is the "El Gordo" truck the same as the local chain?

G

[Ruth Lafler]

Yes, the La Pinata is related -- the one in Alameda is actually La Pinata #3. I don't think the El Gordo truck is related to the taquerias, though.

[Gerard]

Gracias, Ruth. I will definitely have to seek these places out, since I'm in the East Bay anyway.

(We hit the 5 reply limit. That's why I responded here and not to your later post.)

G

[Gerard]

Any San Jose, Marin, Hayward, Walnut Creek, Sonoma, South San Francisco night owls have any fuel for the fire?

Thanks,
G

[Dunkin Donut]

If we go south 101 after a late nite out we hit up Lucky Chances Casino. Their restaurant/coffee shop is open 24/7 so it's good for the drunken stupor crowd that gets out after 2am. http://www.luckychances.com/restauran...

For the East Bay I hit up La Pinata(San Leandro off Marina) from 2-3am.

[Gerard]

The updated list----->
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

[getsnarky]

I love It's Tops - but admittedly for late night dining I tend to go for the Big Grease, i.e. burger, fries, etc. They also have Anchor Steam on tap which - brutally - unfortunately sounds like a great idea at 2am. You have been warned.

In a new twist, I went to It's Tops recently with friends BEFORE going to Zeitgeist, and had excellent buckwheat pancakes. Friends had egg dishes and were very happy... Friends who live nearby go there often for weekend breakfast - a good vote.

[Melanie Wong]

Thanks to the three of you for more data points on It's Tops. That's one of the great things about this site, the ability to continually refresh on who's up or down.

And, for Gerard, how about Steps of Rome in North Beach? I've only had dessert and coffee, perhaps others can speak to the food. The caffe side is open later than the trattoria.
http://www.stepsofrome.com/caffe/menu...

[Gerard]

I've seen that place. Anybody tried it? Thanks, Melanie.

G

[moto]

hello, for late night Cantonese comfort food we've tried both Yuet Lee and Hung Jing, 3-4 doors away on Broadway from YL. We prefer Hung Jing, it has a more diverse menu and pretty good jook. enjoy

[Melanie Wong]

I like the jook at Hing Lung as well. Have not had any luck with anything else I've tried on the menu.

[Gerard]

Melanie and/or Moto,

Any idea of the hours? Couldn't find them.

Also, am I correct in thinking Hing Lung is the correct spelling or is there, in fact, also a Hung Jing?

Gracias,
G

[moto]

hello, gerard, it's hing lung, I need to imprint the written characters in my memory next time I go. Pretty sure they're open 'til 1am or later (mah jahng and fan tan playahs not to mention drinkers need to recharge). There's another jook joint in oak-chinatown that's open til 12 or 1 that has nice big bowls, Gum Kuo in the same center on 9th st. as sushi zone and the public library, bbq items hanging in front, on the ground floor. they should have had kiefer sutherland on '24' go eat at the weird hour hot spots in metro LA, but he never took time to eat or hit the john. have fun

[Gerard]

Thanks, Moto. Appreciate it.

G

[Louise]

When New Sun Hong Kong (redundant if you can read the characters) was open, they served til 3am. Don't know if New Gold Medal, in the same spot (Oak-CT, 8th St), does. They do have the old NSHK menus, including jook.

The jook at the old GM was inconsistent. Sometimes the duck would be hacked into chunks with bits of bone, and sometimes it would be much better, the meat nicely boned and slivered, with finely slivered ginger as well. Was this because of different chefs, or because I am gweilo? The shrimp jook at NSHK had a serendipitously improbable number of shrimp, plus the slivered ginger. They didn't always have the fried donuts, and they weren't too fresh by the evening when I usually ate it, but still a nice addition.

[Gerard]

Louise, thanks for the info. Anybody know the hours for New Gold Medal? Google has not been kind.

Check out the updated guide here ----->

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

G

[Doodleboomer]

a few not mentioned in sf that aren't chains so to speak, a bit higher end, and serve later at night than the usual 10 or 11 cutoff:

Chez Maman (Bernal heights, and Cow Hollow locations)
Oola (great and serves till 12:30 or 1 depending on the night)
NOPA (serves till 1)
Taqueria Cancun (3 am on weekends, 2 am on weekdays, i think)
Lucky Penny (Geary and masonic, not great grub, but great drunk food to sober you up, bfast all the way through dinner 24-7)
Osha Thai. One in the mission and there used to be one in the Loin

[Gerard]

Thanks a lot.

FYI, the Internet thinks Taqueria Cancun closes at 1:45 AM on the weekend and 12:45 AM weekdays.

G

[Candice]

I live down the street from Cancun and I have to say that the hours of taquerias in general, are ambiguous. If it's busy, they'll stay open. I've gotten tacos at 4am and then on other nights seen the usual places closed at 2am. EL Taco Loco at 29th and Mission is not my favorite by any stretch, but they're usually open until 4am if you're desperate. My preferred taco stop in the Mission is the taco stand at Taqueria Vallarta on 24th near Treat. The taco stand has consistently been out there late these days. If I'm closer to Harrison and 19th or 22nd, I hit up Tonayense taco trucks which are usually open until 2am if not until later.

When I lived out in the Sunset, I would stop by one of the late night Chinese places at 19th and Irving a few doors down from Jook n' Fun for wontons or a snack. Not the best but good at 1am. Then there is King of Thai for ok curries and noodles. Also on that side of town, Andronicos is open until 11pm every night.

Slow Club, Delfina, Range, and Foreign Cinema seat until 11pm on weekends, and as others have mentioned Oola, NOPA, and Bacar seat until 12 or 1am depending on the night.

[Gerard]

Thanks so much.

Anybody got any names for those Chinese places on 19th and Irving?

G

[Melanie Wong]

Likely Go Go Cafe, here's a post from ed "echo" on it.
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

[wally]

I don't see it mentioned here yet, but for years when flying in late, we went to Zuni and they would tell us that as long as we ordered by midnight they would feed us. Occasionally they wouldn't have something but we ate very well. Not Sunday.

[jupiter]

I will throw in a vote for Taqueria Cancun,my favorite burrito anytime of day, (mission and 28thish) which is open till 2 am and is great for the 99cent taco to soak up the beer from the bars in the hood.

[getsnarky]

Add my vote to Grubstake's tally - a lifesaver on several occasions. Excellent booze-absorbing fare. Great diner food - I recall the burgers, grilled cheese, fries and shakes as particularly salubrious.

Also, It's Tops, on Market near Octavia. I don't know if they're 24 hr - I think they close at 4am on weekends - but they're one place I can vouch for being excellent while stone sober as well. Again, the fries and shakes are excellent.

[Melanie Wong]

Wow, this is the first positive recommendation I've read for It's Tops! Has something changed there? Do you recommend anything for breakfast in the wee hours of the morning?

It's Tops (no, it's not) thread -
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

[jupiter]

hmmmm
i really like it's tops for breakfast.
I always get the same thing. pork chops and eggs over easy with a side of fries. (however, since the fries are home made, i always need to tell them to cook them crispy, because they tend to come a little floppy and only fried once.)
I have to just amend this slightly to say that while they are very tasty for breakfast, they are REALLY too expensive.
any breakfast that costs more than 10 bucks is just a little too steep for me if hollandaise sauce is not included ;)

[Meredith]

One of my coworkers used to love it so we went a few times a year. The burgers are good, but not for the price. But once we found the bacon waffle that became all any of us ordered. It is a small, like my mother's waffle iron-sized, flat waffle, but there is bacon cooked into it. Something about that with maple syrup just seemed to make everyone happy. Very good at 1 am, not too bad at noon if you are there anyway, but certainly nothing to really travel for.

[Gerard]

The updated list ----->
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

[Robert Lauriston]

From 10:30 to midnight Luka's has only a limited bar menu.

From sometime (10:30?) to 12:30am Fonda ditto.
http://www.fondasolana.com/menu_late....

[rworange]

I'll verify that Fonda doesn't have a limited menu after 9pm as I have spent many, many Monday nights there pretty late. I know the staff of Lalime's drops over there after work too.

I'm not sure what time they stop the regular menu, but that late-nite menu is just a few items they serve at a special price after 9pm rather than the only thing they serve. I've walked in as late as 10:30 and have been served from the regular menu.

Gerard, I don't think this is a poll. I didn't mention Fonda which, as you can see from this reponse, is one of my favorite late night joints, as it was already mentioned.

[Gerard]

You're right. It isn't a poll as such. I wasn't so much officially tallying the votes as informally tracking the general level of confidence in each place.

Any other places you like but didn't mention?

G

[rworange]

In Richmond, Mr Pizza Man - pizza and Brazilian food. The restaurant is open till midnight weekends.

[Gerard]

You're right. I've been to Fonda several times late myself and people definitely shouldn't go expecting a full menu. Per contra, I enjoy the tacos and especially enjoy the wings.

G

[jupiter]

G,
Yuet Lee is in SF on the corner of Broadway and Stockton.
Also, Globe, on Pacific and Battery is open till 1 am (at least it used to be, you might want to double check that)

[michele_corum]

Central Contra Costa County is a wasteland after 10 pm, ANY NIGHT, but here is a short list of what's open late.....

Nation's, Pleasant Hill – open until 4 am
Casper's Hot Dogs, Pleasant Hill - open until 3 am
Krispy Kreme Donuts, Concord - open 24 hours
Denny's, Walnut Creek (@ Ygnacio & Main) - open 24 hours
Carrow's, Pleasant Hill (Contra Costa Boulevard) - open 24 hours
Jack in the Box, Martinez - 2 am on Fri & Sat night

[Fine]

San Francisco: Yuet Lee till 3 am (T); Great Eastern till 1 am; Tommaso's 10:30 T-Sat, (9:30 Sun, closed Mon)

[rworange]

24/7

Various locations – Nation’s – burgers, breakfasts & pie

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/45812

Richmond – El Tapatio – For that 3 am craving for fresh oysters on the half shell ($1 / $5 1⁄2 dozen) ... or burritos

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/307614

Richmand – Andy’s donuts ... dessert after El Tapatio ... they have food too but never tried it.

San Pablo – Americana Pizza – also Italian food & Mexican

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/46562

10:00 - 11:30 (weekends only)

Berkeley – T-Rex ... BBQ & burgers ... no report due to constant changes ...usually for the better

10:00 - 12:00 AM (weekends only)
Richmond – San Francisco Pizza – Italian, Brazilian food, chicken ... skip the pizza

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

In San Francisco has anyone tried video café on Geary nearish Aziza which is open 24/7?

I stopped by because the concept interested me. They only rent videos and the coffee shop was SO retro 50’s that it was depressing. To save face after looking at the menu, waitresses, food and custormers and deciding I DIDN’T want to eat here, I ordered a cup of esspresso to go and was asked if I knew this was a small cup of coffee and given such a hard time about it that I never ordered. Did I miss some culinary wonder?

[Sixy]

i have eaten there, come to think of it
about 5 years ago,
I think I'd had too much to drink at the time so I'd also like to know if i missed a culinary wonder?

[rworange]

I would say from my experience in the harsh light of day, stone-cold sober that alcohol might be required to eat at Video Cafe.

[sfchowhound]

Little Star Pizza on Divisadero and Zachary's in Berkeley are the best pizza in the bay area. period.

[Robert Lauriston]

Zachary's Chicago-style pizza is not in the same league with Little Star's. Little Chicago also makes a good one (Berkeley, delivery / takeout only, 527-8789).

[Robert Lauriston]

Daimo's great. That's my usual late-night choice if I've got the energy to schlep there.

I don't think Original Joe's in SF is open till 1:30am. Its Web site says 12:30am. Other sources say midnight.

The one in San Jose has only an historical connection. Different hours and slightly different menu.

[Gerard]

Thanks for the correction. I've only ever been to the SF location and had been told the SJ was the same.

G

[Robert Lauriston]

SF: http://www.themenupage.com/originaljoes.html

SJ: http://www.originaljoes.com/

[Gerard]

Thanks for the links. If it wasn't clear, I didn't doubt that the two were different.

G

[Louise]

Second the vote for Daimo. After my guy got back from a hellish biz trip to Texas, I took him there for late chow. Almost a magical revivifying effect. "Look, honey, they serve *vegetables*".

[Ruth Lafler]

LOL! I know how he feels. I always feel like I'm going to get scurvy when I travel outside the Bay Area. Sure restaurants in other parts of the country have vegetables, but how many of them serve either the quality or the variety you find in Bay Area restaurants?

[Joan Kureczka]

Thai House Express (SF, the one at Geary and Larkin) is open until 1 am on Sunday through Thursday and until 2 on Friday and Saturday.

[Candice]

The Castro location is open until 12 or 1am too. It's been a lifesaver late at night!

[Gerard]

I'll kick things off.

10:00 - 11:00 PM

Cesar in Berkeley. Excellent tapas until 11. (11:30 Friday/Saturday)

Little Star Pizza on Divisadero. Solid deep dish until 11 on Friday and Saturday. Not sure about the crowd level.

Shalimar on Jones. Favorite Pakistani at this hour. 11:30 PM every day.

Taqueria San Jose at Mission and 24th. Been once and was impressed. 11:00 PM every day.

11:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Fonda in Albany (Solano). Excellent wings starting at 9 PM and going till 12:30 AM.

Luka's Taproom in Oakland. Haven't been, but friends love it. Small menu till 12 AM. Any opinions?

12:00 - 1:00 AM

Original Joe's. Every day till 1:30 AM. Don't forget there's one in San Jose (same hours).

1:00 - 2:00 AM

Top Dog in Berkeley (Durant). Love it or hate it... It's open till 2 AM every day and 3 AM Friday/Saturday.

2:00 - 6:00 AM

Daimo in Richmond. Amazing in my opinion. Open till 3 AM. (Unlike many late night Chinese places, their quality doesn't diminish by much at the later hours.)

Grubstake on Pine. Never been. Open till 4 AM. Fill me in.

G

[The Dive]

I love Luka's, but one caveat - if you are trying for a late night bite on the weekends, there is often a cover charge.