Last call doesn’t mean your night has to come to a screeching halt. You know better than that, Chicago. Whether you’re on the prowl for drunchies or looking for a place to debrief the evening with your nearest and dearest, the city is second to none in late-night options. There’s a lot of ground to cover and no time to waste. Here’s where to eat when you’re out late.
ANDERSONVILLE / UPTOWN
Home to vibrant music venues and theaters galore, Andersonville and Uptown stay up late to ensure you get a good meal in before heading home. Beyond a heavenly cocktail menu, Little Bad Wolf (1541 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. 773-942-6399) comes through with handheld bar food including tacos, bao and burgers. When shows let out at Aragon Ballroom, Riviera Theatre and The Green Mill, Fiesta Mexicana (4806 N. Broadway 773-769-4244) is standing by with a sizzling hot fajita hug.
Little Bad Wolf’s kitchen closes at 1:30 a.m. Friday and 2:30 a.m. Saturday. Fiesta Mexicana is open until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
BRIDGEPORT
If it’s greasy goodness you crave in the wee hours of the morning, take your pick between Johnny O’s (3465 S. Morgan St. 773-927-1011) and Maxwell Street Depot (411 W. 31st St. 312-326-3514), both open 24 hours a day with fast food faves. A Chicago institution since 1946, Ricobene’s (252 W. 26th St. 312-225-5555) keeps it real with deep-dish and thin-crust pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs and perhaps their most beloved dish, the breaded steak sandwich.
Ricobene’s is open until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
BUCKTOWN / WICKER PARK
To counter their vast collection of late-night bars, Wicker Park and Bucktown are home to some of the city’s top tipsy treats. We’re certainly not above Taco Bell Cantina (1439 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-661-2607), the country’s very first boozy Taco Bell—because tequila-spiked slushies pair perfectly with Chalupa Supremes. Just down the street, Dimo’s Pizza (1615 N. Damen Ave. 773-525-4580) specializes in weirdly craveable grab-and-go slices—think buffalo chicken and mac ‘n’ cheese. Along the Division Street stretch, Pub Royale (2049 W. Division St. 773-661-6874), recently named one of the country’s top new restaurants by Bon Appetit magazine, will happily provide your hot chicken and samosa fix. Finally, a quick shout-out to Big & Little’s Restaurant (1310 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-698-7777), where you can get a side of fries with your ahi tuna tacos.
Taco Bell Cantina is open until 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Dimo’s Pizza is open until 3 a.m. Friday and 4 a.m. Saturday. Pub Royale features a late-night menu from midnight-1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Big & Little’s Restaurant is open until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
CHINATOWN
If you’re searching for piping-hot, quality food long after the sun’s gone down, find your way to Chi Cafe (2160-A S. Archer Ave. 312-842-9993) for traditional Chinese dishes or MingHin Cuisine (2168 S. Archer Ave. 312-808-1999) for shareable dim sum that’s great for groups.
Chi Cafe is open until 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday. MingHin Cuisine is open until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
LAKEVIEW / BOYSTOWN / WRIGLEYVILLE
Whether the Cubs game just let out or you danced the night away in Boystown, there are plenty of drunchies to be found up north. Cheesie’s Pub & Grub (958 W. Belmont Ave. 773-388-1574) fulfills your childhood dream of a restaurant devoted to grilled cheese. Decompress and compare Bumble dates at diner-style Pick Me Up Cafe (3408 N. Clark St. 773-248-6613), where you’ll also find a stellar lineup of vegan- and vegetarian-friendly options. Open 24 hours a day, Diner Grill (1635 W. Irving Park Road 773-248-2030) is a standby you won’t have to worry about closing before last call. Order the Dick burger and don’t ask questions. And if you have any cash by the end of the night, swing by Red Hot Ranch (3057 N. Ashland Ave. 773-661-9377) for fast food goodies.
Cheesie’s Pub & Grub and Red Hot Ranch are open until 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Pick Me Up Cafe’s kitchen is open until 1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
LINCOLN PARK
Blame it on DePaul University, but Lincoln Park isn’t skimping on late-night eats. If you like your food with a side of verbal abuse, The Wiener’s Circle (2622 N. Clark St. 773-477-7444) is your best bet. And for Mexican food that can be appreciated both under the influence or sober, Allende Restaurant (2408 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-477-7114) is where it’s at.
The Wiener’s Circle is open until 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Allende Restaurant is open until 4:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
LINCOLN SQUARE / RAVENSWOOD
Variety is the name of the game in Lincoln Square and Ravenswood. Taco in a Bag‘s (4603 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-250-2437) namesake munchy-worthy dish is easy to walk with if it’s time to head home. The folks at 24-hour Shawarma Inn (5523 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-271-7777) will put you into a food coma with the help of tender shawarma, crunchy falafel and lots of pita bread. And if you’re heading home early enough, swing by Me Dee Cafe (4805 N. Damen Ave. 773-989-4444) for Thai favorites and a sweet treat such as mochi ice cream or custard.
Taco in a Bag is open until 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Me Dee Cafe is open until 1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
LOGAN SQUARE
Had one too many at Billy Sunday? We’ve been there. Johnny’s Grill (2545 N. Kedzie Blvd. 773-278-2215) is located just off the Square with an eight-item late-night menu beginning at 11 p.m., which includes cornmeal buttermilk pancakes and a double cheeseburger. Plus, sister spot Mezcaleria Las Flores is right next door if you rebound fast enough. Newcomer SmallFry (2489 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-661-1365) specializes in craveable nibbles such as poutine, milkshakes, a variety of sandwiches and seasoned fries—our restaurant critic raved about the Cool Ranch-dusted option. In the winter months, a bowl of ramen from Furious Spoon (2410 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-770-3559) is sure to keep you warm and cozy, but the late-night menu boasts a selection of funky sides for adventurous eaters.
Johnny’s Grill is open until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. SmallFry is open until 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Furious Spoon is open until 2 a.m. Friday and 3 a.m. Saturday.
THE LOOP / SOUTH LOOP
The Loop probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when late-night hunger strikes, but don’t count it out just yet. If it’s pizza that’s keeping you awake at night, Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta (61 E. Madison St. 312-236-1777) is a quick fix. Head south for destination-worthy Devil Dawgs (767 S. State St. 312-583-9100), where hot dogs rule and shakes go with everything.
Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta’s kitchen is open until 1:30 a.m. Friday and 2 a.m. Saturday. Devil Dawgs is open until 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
OLD TOWN
A night of gallivanting around Wells Street (read: pretending you’re still in college) calls for food fuel in the wee hours of the morning. To keep the night alive in a down-right vibey atmosphere, venture to Happy Camper (1209 N. Wells St. 312-344-1634), an offshoot of Homeslice with pizza galore, lots of appetizers and a rowdy drink menu. For the true party animals and breakfast enthusiasts, Elly’s Pancake House (101 W. North Ave. 312-643-2300) is open 24 hours a day.
Happy Camper’s kitchen is open until midnight Friday and 1 a.m. Saturday.
PILSEN
Keep your evening in Pilsen alive at fan-favorite Taqueria Los Comales 3 (1544 W. 18th St. 312-666-2251) with all the tortas, tacos and tostadas your heart—and tummy—desires. Down the street, Dusek’s Board & Beer (1227 W. 18th St. 312-526-3851), along with sister venues Tack Room and Punch House, offer their full menus late into the night on weekends. You can’t go wrong with the blue crab dip or signature Juicy Lucy burger.
Taqueria Los Comales 3 is open until 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Dusek’s Board & Beer’s kitchen closes at 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
RIVER NORTH / STREETERVILLE / GOLD COAST
Chicago’s entertainment district is naturally flush with late-night dining options, some better than others. The Halal Guys (49 W. Division St. 312-877-5575) is a constantly growing New York import with cult-favorite drunk eats. If you’re trying to squash a future hangover, go for the platter with chicken, gyros or falafel plus rice, pita, lettuce and tomato. When tacos are the only thing that will do, Velvet Taco (1110 N. State St. 312-763-2654) is the answer with unique tortilla-swaddled creations such as crisp tikka chicken with spicy pepper sauce, buttered cilantro basmati rice, raita crema and Thai basil. River North newcomer Seoul Taco (738 N. Clark St. 312-265-1607) just added late-night hours so fans aren’t left out in the cold when a Gogi bowl craving hits at 3 a.m. And if one last quality cocktail with a side of late-night food is in order, head to Celeste (111 W. Hubbard St. 312-828-9000), an undeniably sexy space where night owls can nosh on seared tuna, fried chicken and—wait for it—French fry panna cotta with nutella mousse and fry crumbles.
The Halal Guys, Velvet Taco and Seoul Taco are open until 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Celeste’s kitchen is open until 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
UKRAINIAN VILLAGE / WEST TOWN
Save your appetite for a midnight snack in these neighboring ‘hoods. If you’re looking to chow down like there’s no tomorrow, Fatso’s Last Stand (2258 W. Chicago Ave. 773-245-3287) will take care of you. You needn’t say more than “Super Ooey Gooey with a chocolate shake, please.” No-frills tacos, speedy service and the occasional karaoke session await at El Taco Veloz (1745 W. Chicago Ave. 312-738-0363). Headbanging carnivores will delight in the burger offerings at Lockdown Bar & Grill (1024 N. Western Ave. 773-451-5625).
Fatso’s Last Stand is open until 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday. El Taco Veloz is open until 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Lockdown Bar & Grill’s kitchen is open until 1 a.m. Friday and 2 a.m. Saturday.
WEST LOOP
Home to an endless supply of upscale eats, don’t rule out the West Loop while on the hunt for something quick and cheap. Located just off Restaurant Row, Harold’s Chicken Shack (804 W. Washington Blvd. 312-226-9866) is your gateway to fried chicken bliss. Tucked below Sushi Dokku, you’ll find Booze Box (823 W. Randolph St. 312-455-8238) a dark izakaya-style spot with a menu full of small bites including ribeye skewers, Japanese pickles, oyster shooters and more.
Harold’s Chicken Shack is open until 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Booze Box is open until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
mcolsen@redeyechicago.com | @morgancolsen
