When the night turns to morning in college towns across America, the drunken partiers turn to food — but where are the best places in the country?
Say what you will about late night drunk food. Yes, it’s unhealthy and down right weird at times, but what else would you expect from food that’s only meant to be consumed in the twilight hours of the day?
While junk food at night may not be the best thing for your stomach, there is a beauty to behold when it comes to doing it in a college town. These places, which are built to mainly serve the purpose of the higher institution that dominates the town, has restaurants that serve up some of the tastiest late-night drunk food that you’ll ever lay eyes on.
Since we’re all about guilty eats here (hey, it’s the name of our website), we have decided to dive into the late world of late-night eating in 50 college towns across America to bring you the best late-night drunk food that these towns offer.
From huge and unique burgers to cheese biscuit that will put all other cheese biscuits to shame, we have found some of the most outrageous late-night drunk food that you should try even when you’re sober.
Our mouths are already watering over this slideshow, so why don’t we stop the yapping and get to showing you the best late-night drunk food in the 50 best college towns in America, which is partly based on Best College Reviews rating of the best college towns in America and our own (non-scientific) picks of the best college towns in the country. If this slideshow will make you hungry, then we have done our jobs.
Enjoy.
Next: 50 - 49: Pancakes in Austin and Fancy Tacos in Palo Alto
Yelp/Shay H.
50. Kerbey Lane Cafe — Austin, TX
Ah, Austin, Texas, home to the prestigious flagship of the University of Texas system.
Though Austin is no longer just a college town, it still has that college atmosphere, especially around Guadalupe Street, which is home to some of Austin’s best independent restaurants.
One such restaurant is Kerby Lane Cafe, a place that beckons university students who indulge in a night of drinking and fun on “Dirty 6th.” The allure of Kerby Lane, other than it’s 24-hour schedule, are the pancakes, which are Texas-sized and will cure any hangover obtained in nearby downtown Austin.
2606 Guadalupe St.
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 477-5717 plus six more Austin area locations
Yelp/Ali H.
49. Tacolicious — Palo Alto, Ca
For starters, get rid of the notion that everyone in Pala Alto, home to Stanford University, eats healthy 24/7.
Second, if you’re going to spend a night here in this ritzy town, leave some time to grab some late-night tacos at Tacolicious. Yes, it may be a little pricier than your typical taqueria, but there is nothing more satisfying than wolfing down some authentic tacos late at night.
Oh, and you want to know the best part about Tacolicous? It can still be healthy for you! A healthy taco joint? Only in Palo Alto my junk eating friend.
632 Emerson St.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 838-0500
Next: 48 - 47: Chicken Fingers in Tallahassee and Dirty Hot Dogs in Columbus
Yelp/Matthew C.
48. Chubby’s Chicken Fingers — Tallahassee, FL
When you need your dose of late night chicken fingers, you can’t beat this longtime FSU area restaurant.
Chubby’s Chicken Fingers has been serving up its drunk-curing chicken fingers for decades, and the prices will be right up your ally as well. If you don’t want chicken fingers (come on, who doesn’t like chicken fingers?), then you can choose from the rest of their menu that is just as good.
If you’re coming from the bars of West Tennessee Street and need a late-night food option, don’t you dare pass up Chubby’s.
534 W. Tennessee St
Tallahassee, FL 32303
(850) 250-0045
Yelp/Anna K.
47. Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace — Columbus, OH
The Ohio State University is one 0f the largest universities in America, and as such, you can expect to find a huge assortment of late night food options for those stumbling up and down High Street.
This huge variety made it hard for us to pick out the perfect spot to get your late-night drunk munchies on, but in the end, we picked Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace right in the heart of downtown.
For starters, have you seen the hot dogs they serve here? They’re late state fair dogs gone while, which includes a dog that is topped with tater tots!
Whoever thought of that marvelous invention should be blessed with everything great life has to offer.
This place is open until 3:30 in the morning, which gives you plenty enough time (the bars and clubs close down at 2:30) to make your way tot he hot dog nirvana in downtown Columbus and have one of Dirty Frank’s innovative hot dogs.
248 S. 4th St.
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 824-4673
Next: 46 - 45: Gravy Biscuits in South Bend and Holypeno Burgers in New Brunswick
Yelp/Addison H.
46. Nick’s Patio — South Bend, IN
Little South Bend is home to one of the major universities in the country.
Notre Dame takes up all of life here in this Northeast Indiana city, and that means that South Bend has a college atmosphere the other cities can only dream of. With college kids come bars, and with bars come heavy drinking, which needs food to soak up all of the beer that you just consumed.
After a night on the town, tell your designated driver to take you to North Ironwood Drive to have food at Nick’s Patio. It’s the coolest patio near Notre Dame, and it will have all of the comfort food that will help soothe the impending hangover that you will acquire.
The food is good, it’s cheap, and it’s open late for your drunk convenience.
1710 N. Ironwood Dr.
South Bend, IN 46635
(574) 277-7400
Yelp/Grant V.
45. Diesel & Duke — New Brunswick, NJ
New Brunswick is home to Rutgers University, which is essentially New Jersey’s version of Syracuse University.
That’s where the differences end, however, as Rutgers is one of the best universities on the East Coast. As always, the heavy quota of college kids requires a robust nightlife, something that New Brunswick and the surrounding area certainly has.
After such a big night on the town, you need a place to fill your tummy, and there is no better place than Diesel & Duke, a small shack of a restaurant that serves up some mighty big portions of comfort foods that are guaranteed to not be good for you.
Such items on the menu include the “holypeno burger,” which will have your screaming “holy crap!!!” after one bit, and fried Oreos, which is something that you must try. Case in point, this is the ultimate drunk person hang out after the bars have closed.
139 Easton Ave.
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 246-1001
Next: 44 - 43: The Mugshot in Tuscaloosa and Loosey's Burgers in Gainsville
Yelp/Julian C.
44. Mugshots Grill & Bar — Tuscaloosa, AL
We don’t have to really describe what’s in Tuscaloosa, Al, do we?
Well, if you don’t know, this town is home to the University of Alabama, and it’s also home to Mugshots Grill & Bar. This place has been featured on every food show imaginable and for good reason — The Mugshot.
The Mugshot is three patties pilled up with 6 strips and bacon, cheddar and Swiss cheese, mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion, and, to top off this monster of a burger, an onion ring. If you finish it in under 12 minutes, you can get it on the house. If not, you’re $22 lighter in your wallet.
If you’re drunk and looking for the ultimate food dare, this would be it.
511 Greensboro Ave.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 391-0572
Yelp/Ed W.
43. Loosey’s — Gainsville, FL
Late night eats and Karaoke? Where do we sign?
That’s exactly what will be on the menu at Loosey’s, a Gainsville institution that is popular with kids from the nearby University of Florida (Go Gators!). You get the best of all worlds here; great drinks, awesome burgers, and bad Karaoke that will live for all time with your friends (if they can still remember it).
With so many great spots to choose from in this college town, we can feel the frustration some may have by picking this place as the best spot to grab a late-night meal; but you can do it all in one spot, and that’s what makes Loosey’s so freakin’ magical.
120 SW 1st Ave.
Gainsville, FL 32601
(352) 672-6465
Next: 42 - 41: Mexican in Ann Arbor and a Tavern in Wolfpack Country
Yelp/Thy C.
42. Frita Batidos — Ann Arbor, MI
You can do the customary burgers and fries in Ann Arbor, home to the University of Michigan.
Or, you can go Cuban and get some late-night eats at Frita Batidos, Ann Arbors best-kept secret. Yes, this place serves up your standard variety of burgers (which are great in itself), but what sets this place apart is their Cuban menu, which is simply out of this world. There aren’t a lot of Cuban restaurants in Ann Arbor, so finding one that’s both good and open late will be a joy.
So comfort your late night drink cravings with a helping of some of the best Cuban food you’ll ever eat north of Miami.
117 W. Washington St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 995-0100
Yelp/Michael R.
41. My Way Tavern — Raleigh, NC
OK, let’s get something out of the way early — for Raleigh to be home to North Carolina State University, there are sure not a lot of places that are open late at night to eat, well, unless you count cook-out and you friendly chain fast food joints.
That’s a sad reality in a lot of ways because Raleigh has grown to be not just a major university town, but a major city and all major cities require a dining scene that’s open late at night to the drunken students of Wolfpack Nation.
Fortunately, we found a place where the students who room downtown Raleigh’s growing bar scene can stumble in for some good old fashion NC food. That place is the My Way Tavern, a place where you will get the best comfort food at 1:30 am that your stomach can take, from burgers with Jim Beam Maple Bacon Jam to Southern-style pimento cheese & jalapenos.
You know us southerners love our pimento cheese at 1:30 in the morning.
522 St. Marys St.
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 900-8273
Next: 40 - 39: The Diner in College Park and the Trailer Park in Providence
Yelp/Cindy Z.
40. College Park Diner — College Park, MD
There are all sorts of things to love about College Park, MD
For starters, it’s home to the University of Maryland. Second, it’s in between two of America’s most vibrant cities, and, three, it’s one heck of a food town.
That last tidbit will serve the fellow college drinker well, as once they’re done with the bars on Baltimore Ave., it’s time to hit up the diner — College Park Diner that is.
This place has become one of the area’s best late night options, with food that is always hot and comforting to the slight slurs and stumbles that come with a heavy night of drinking. Thank God that they’re open 24-hours.
9206 Baltimore Ave.
College Park, MD 20740
(301) 441-8888
Yelp/Stacy K.
39. Ogie’s Trailer Park — Providence, RI
Brown University is an esteemed college indeed, but even those bright students know how to down a few beers on a nice Saturday night.
When the drinking is done, these students have a surprisingly huge assortment of late-night eateries to choose from, and the one of the best is Ogie’s Trailer Park. Ogie’s give Providence a taste of the funky vibe life, and their food is definitely comforting to the soul.
In addition, where else are you going to order food from the back of a trailer in Providence? Or anywhere in New England for that matter?
1155 Westminster St.
Providence, RI 02909
(401) 383-8200
Next: 38 - 37: Illegal In Boulder and The Last Stand for Burgers in Lawrence
Yelp/Kaley S.
38. Illegal Pete’s — Boulder, CO
In this day and age, it would be totally cool to eat at a place with the word “Illegal” in it.
For students at the University of Colorado and residents of Boulder, you will have the chance to do so at Illegal Pete’s. This Tex-Mex restaurant has become a staple for late night eating in this college town, with great Tex-Mex and Mexican cuisines that will be appealing to the drunk crowd.
As mentioned earlier, it would also be awesome to eat at a spot that may be on Presiden Donald Trump’s crap list.
1447 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 440-3955
Yelp/Erningdyah R.
37. The Burger Stand — Lawrence, KS
Lawrence, Kansas.
Home to the centerpiece of the 1983 anti-nuke film “The Day After,” and most famously home to the University of Kansas.
Lawrence has rebuilt since it was fictionally reduced to rubble those many moons ago, and Massachusetts Street is buzzing like never before with Jawhawks rooming the streets after a night of drinking for food.
How about a nice juicy burger at The Burger Stand, a place where the burgers and fries shine as bright as the nuke that fictionally leveled this town back in ’83. You can also grab some late night hot dogs and vegetarian options here, which is part of the reconstruction of Lawrence from a hawkeyed college town into one that can now play with the big boys.
Forever #LawrenceStrong.
803 Massachusetts St.
Lawrence, KS 66044
(785) 856-0543
Next: 36 - 35: The best breakfast in Lubbock and the best pizza in Fresno
Yelp/Dan B.
36. Lubbock’s Breakfast House & Grill — Lubbock, TX
Lubbock is the perfect college town that always gets overshadowed by Austin and College Station.
Yes, those two cities have the two most well-known colleges in the Lone Star State, but that doesn’t mean that Lubbock shouldn’t have its 15 minutes of fame. Home to Texas Tech University, this is the perfect Texas college town, both brash and full of down-home flavor.
Speaking of flavor, when you’re out drinking at one of Lubbock’s many bars, you will find your food flavor fix at Lubbock’s Breakfast House & Grill, a 24-hour spot that serves up a good helping of the best hangover cure — breakfast.
We’re talking about a good Texas breakfast here, with pancakes, bacon, eggs, you name it. Everything needed to kick that hangover that you’re bound to experience when you wake up.
7006 17 University Ave.
Lubbock, TX 79413
(806) 687-8912
Yelp/Rose D.
35. Richie’s Pizza & Hot Dogs — Fresno, CA
Fresno is a city that seems worlds away from its coastal California counterparts, and that’s OK.
Though this Central California city is more known for its Agriculture roots, this is also one of America’s hidden college town gems, thanks to the growing Fresno State University.
Because of its size, there are plenty of spots where Fresno State students can go and drink a weekend night away, and once the drinking is finished, they should all head to Richie’s Pizza & Hot Dogs on Olive Avenue.
Only in Fresno would you find a late night restaurant that serves pizza and hot dogs and both turn out to be awesome. As a bonus, this place is open until 3 am, which is sweet music to the ears of Fresno’s faded crowd.
844 E. Olive Ave.
Fresno, CA 93727
(559) 441-0067
Next: 34 - 33: Late night Hot Dogs in Greenville and funky waffles in Syracuse
Yelp/Trevor H.
34. Sup Dogs — Greenville, NC
Let’s play a game.
Try to find a restaurant in Greenville, NC that will be open past 11 pm? Well, we have given you a headstart in Sup Dogs, which specifically caters to the students who occupy East Carolina University.
Sup Dogs has all of the ingredients of a great college-area eatery. Open late? Check. Serves up great hot dogs and fries? Check. Super cheap? Check.
Seems like Sup Dogs passes mustard. That’s a great thing because there isn’t a lot of places that will be open at 2:30 in the morning in this town surrounded by tobacco fields. Well, you do have Waffle House, which isn’t a bad option either.
213 E. 5th St.
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 752-7682
Yelp/Philip E.
33. Funk ‘n Waffles — Syracuse, NY
OK, the name may sound a bit weird, but then again, many who will stumble into this establishment may care less.
Frankly, you shouldn’t in your sober stage either, as, despite its odd name, Funk ‘n Waffles is the go-to place for many of Syracuse University’s party people to get their fill of great waffles.
Even if you’re not a waffle person, this place brings the funk when it comes to breakfast early in the morning. Eggs, bacon, hash browns, you name it, and Funk ‘n Waffles will snap you out of your drunk funk.
313. S. Clinton St.
Syracuse, NY 13202
(315) 474-1060
Next: 32 - 30: Loco in Boise, Street Tacos in Provo, and Good Times in Knoxville
Yelp/Hannah S.
32. Wefos Locos — Boise, ID
You may look at Boise and think to yourself: “Man, that sounds like a pretty boring town.”
Well, thanks to Boise State University, this isn’t some backwater Midwestern city. This is a town with flavor (and potatoes), but if you need something to put in your tummy after a night of drinking, head to the funkiest place around.
That place is Wefos Locos, which is open until 3 am and has one the best Mexican cuisines in all of Boise (and probably Idaho). Everyone, you will run into swears by this place, and once you take a bite, you will be among those who will do it too.
Capital And Main
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 230-1008
Yelp/Tony L.
31. Street Tacos Don Joaquin — Provo, UT
Birmingham Young University (also passionately known as BYU) is a school that gives’s Provo some life.
Don’t think about BYU is a Christian university (which it is), but think of it as you would any other university, a place full of kids ready to drink a weekend away. There are plenty of places in the most oddly-sounding name in Utah where you can do that, but., strangely, there aren’t a lot of places where you can wash that alcohol down.
If you look hard enough, however, you’ll stumble across Street Tacos Don Joaquin, which taste just as awesome as the name. The tacos here are simply on point, and you may find your self-screaming its name in the streets, or in the drunk tank.
Let’s not hope it’s the later.
150 W. 1230th N St.
Provo, UT 84604
(801) 400-2894
Yelp/Tylyn P
30. Gus’s Good Times Deli — Knoxville, TN
It’s hard not to have a good time in Knoxville, home to the University of Tennesee.
When the sun sinks into the nearby Great Smokey Mountains, the kids come out to play, and by play, we mean drink until you stop feeling feelings. When bar owners force the drinkers to stop drinking, the one place that many stumble to is GU’s Good Times Deli.
There’s nothing fancy about this joint, and in reality, is there anything fancy about late-night drunk dining anyway? All this place does is serve up the best deli sandwiches and burgers to those who need all of that alcohol in their systems soaked up, and that’s all you could ever ask for from Gus.
815 Melrose Pl.
Knoxville, TN 37902
(865) 637-9485
Next: 29 - 28: Crockett in Morgantown and Hungry in State College
Yelp/Crockett’s L.
29. Crockett’s Lodge — Morgantown, WV
What did Sonny Crockett do when he retired from the Miami-Dade Vice Force?
He moved to Morgantown, WV and opened a lodge.
OK, Crockett’s Lodge is not based on the famed television cop, but it’s one of the best (few) places in this small university town that will be open to the drunk mass of college students. The Lodge’s claim to fame is their wings, and oh boy, what great wings they are.
If you’re not done drinking, or if you prefer to make this your ultimate drinking spot, then Crockett’s Lodge has a nice selection of beers that will soothe the soul and make for a great Karaoke night.
Yes, they also have Karaoke nights. Have a ball, WVU students. Have a ball.
3395 University Ave.
Morgantown, WV 26505
(304) 284-9599
Yelp/Marc O.
28. Are U Hungry — State College, PA
Are you hungry, Happy Valley?
Well, after a night of boozing it up in State College’s many bars, you will be. So where to eat when the drunk hunger pangs start to kick in? Well, head to Are U Hungry, in which your mere presence should answer that question.
When you see what’s on the menu at Are U Hungry, you will be even more hungry. We’re talking wings, burgers, massive sandwiches, and, the immortal hangover cure, breakfast, all for a fraction of your liquor bill.
So we will ask this question again — Are you hungry, Happy Valley?
111 Sowers St.
State College, PA 16801
(814) 231-0213
Next: 27 - 26: Blue Collar Breakfast in Lansing and Burritos in Madison
Yelp/Rishi R.
27. Fleetwood Diner — Lansing, MI
Lansing is a blue-collar university town, and such a town is ripe for places like this diner.
Fleetwood Diner is, in a lot of ways, a perfect representation of Lansing, unpretentious and so down-to-earth that the world will stop spinning if it closes, which may explain why this spot is open 24 hours.
This is also the best spot to cure that drunk feeling after drinking it up in Lansing’s many university and blue-collar bars. Again, there is nothing spectacular about Fleetwood Diner’s food, they do the basic diner cuisine here; but they do it with flavor and love, which is all you could ask for from one of Lansing’s best diners.
Period.
2211 S. Cedar St.
Lansing, MI 48910
(517) 267-7606
Yelp/Steven J.
26. Burrito Drive — Madison, WI
If you’re picking up on a theme here, you’re not alone, nor are you drunk.
Mexican food makes for the best comfort foods late at night and in Madison, the home of the University of Wisconsin, the place to head toward after a night of stealth drinking is the Burrito Drive.
This isn’t Taco Bell people, which is also in abundance as a late-night option. Burrito Drive is the real deal, with burritos that are jam-packed with ingredients and made with real tortillas, not that fake crap.
There are other great Mexican items on the menu at Burrito Drive, but the one that your drunken self should aim for is the burrito, which will comfort you in a time when you need comforting, from yourself.
310 S. Brearly St.
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 665-1425
Next: 25 - 24: Real Tacos in College Station and Burger Bliss in Lexington
Yelp/Ling. D.
25. Fuego’s Tortilla Grill — College Station, TX
Ask any Texas A&M student and they will swear by this place.
It’s almost a right of passage for any Aggie newcomer to have a drunken night at Fuego’s Tortilla Grill, a place that carries the mantle of Texas’ fantastic Tex-Mex with pride. OPen super late (3 am), there is no way your drunken self should miss out on the goodness of Fuego’s.
They make the cuisine the right way, not that chain mess that many in Mexican-deprived towns mistake for Mexican food. The tortillas are fresh, the ingredients are flavorful, and the food simply loves.
I’d even go out on the limb and say that Fuego’s Tortilla Grill is better than anything Austin serves up in this department.
Take that, Austin!
108 Poplar St.
College Station, TX 77840
(979) 329-6900
Yelp/Alyona Z.
24. Tolly-Ho — Lexington, KY
With a name like Tolly-Ho, how can you not resist stumbling in here?
The sheer name of this burger and breakfast house screams “bring me your drunken.” The drunken shall come to thanks to Tolly-Ho’s wide variety of burgers and breakfast items. It’s one of downtown Lexington’s claim to fame, an oasis where those who need food can come a be comforted by the love Tolly-Ho gives to them.
May all of Lexington’s drunken college students find solace in Tolly-Ho.
606 S. Broadway
Lexington, KY 40508
(859) 253-2007
Next: 23 - 22: Late Night Cajun in Baton Rouge and a Cook Out in Starkville
Yelp/Matteo R.
23. Chimes Restaurant — Baton Rouge, LA
Going to college at Louisiana State University means one thing: You’re gonna get a nice helping of Cajun cuisine.
Forget rooting for the LSU Tigers, the best part about attending LSU is all of the Cajun food that will surround you after a night drinking the night away in one of Baton Rouge’s many college bars.
One option that should def be on your list is the Chimes Restaurant, which serves up those famous shrimp-po boys and other great Cajun dishes in the early morning hours. Ah, the taste of Cajun when you’re drunk as a skunk.
Good times.
3357 Highland Rd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 383-1754
Yelp/Ashley B.
22. Cook Out — Starkville, MS
We thought that we’d never see the goodness of a burger tray from Cook Out outside of the Tar Heel State.
We were wrong.
To our grand surprise, there is a Cook Out right in the heart of Mississippi State country. Now, students who get drunk in Starkville’s bars can get their burger fix at one of the South’s growing fast-food chains. Even better is that these plates are super cheap, which will make your wallet very happy when you wake up in a morning haze.
102 MS 12
Starkville, MS 39759
(662) 323-6094
Next: 21 - 20: Smothered Tots in Durham and Poutine in Berkeley
Yelp/Meghan B.
21. Dain’s Place — Durham, NC
They call it a “DIve-ish” bar.
OK, for starters, there is no such thing as a “dive-ish” bar. Either you’re a dive or not, you can’t be both. Second, you can’t call a place that is so good that it should be a North Carolina monument a dive bar.
Dain’s Place is more than that.
For the preppy students that attend Duke University, and get drunk in its many bars in the city’s rejuvenated downtown, Dain’s Place seems like a holdover from the old days, and that’s a great thing.
Seriously, where else will you be able to get smothered tatter tots combined with some of the best southern burgers your mouth will ever taste, all for an NC low price? Nowhere else but Dain’s Place my drunken friend.
So stop calling this temple of drunk food a dive and call it what it really is: A freaking institution of higher drunk eating.
754 9th St
Durham, NC 27705
(919) 416-8800
Yelp/Danny R.
20. Smoke’s Poutinerie — Berkeley, CA
Poutine, that high art form of French Canadian cuisine that combines french fries with all sorts of ingredients like cheese curds.
Here in the States, we call them “smothered fries,” but regardless of what you call them, these babies can cure a drunken hangover like Nyquil cures colds. In Berkeley, home to the ultra-liberal University of California, there is a place where they mythical poutine is served to the mass of drunken college students.
Smoke’s Poutinerie.
The food served at this comfort food joint should really only be eaten at night, but that’s the best time to have the ultimate comfort food. They have a variety of poutine, from the regular cheese curds and gravy to bacon and chicken, your drunken tummy won’t disagree with these awesome fries at three in the morning.
2518 Durant Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 540-7500
Next: 19 - 18: Proud Willie in Auburn and a Funky Taco Shop in Tucson
Yelp/Proud Willies Wings and Stuff
19. Proud Willie’s Wings and Stuff — Auburn, AL
Willie is proud of his stuff.
By “stuff,” we mean the best-tasting wings you’ll ever eat in AU (Auburn University) country. The place to get some of WIllie’s famous “stuff” is on South Gay Street at the aptly named Proud Willie’s WIngs and Stuff.
Here, you’ll have our fill of all sorts of wings, from Cajun ranch to honey BBQ, and the prices for these famous wings are cheap, which will make for a great experience for the many AU students who will not know how to operate a blender the next morning.
Why need a blender when you can get your fill of Willie’s best stuff? Willie will be happy if you do.
422 S. Gay St.
Auburn, AL 36830
(334) 502-0012
Yelp/Ed F.
18. The Taco Shop Company — Tucson, AZ
Tucson is famous for two things: The University of Arizona and its amazing sprawl that stops right at the edge of the Sonoran Desert.
Amid this sprawl sits a surprising cultural dynamic that has fostered a town that often gets overlooked by its much bigger compadre to the north. Tucson is a college town on steroids, and this has great bars that many WIldcats frequent just to get hammered in.
When these students can’t drink anymore, hunger kicks in, and the place to cure that drunken hangover is The Taco Shop Company, which sits on Broadway and has one of the best Mexican cuisines in the city.
What can we say? Tacos and drunk kids just go together.
1350 E. Broadway Blvd.
Tuscon, AZ 85719
(520) 622-1899
Next: 17 - 16: A Funky Diner in Spokane and Good Eating in the Heart of Missouri
Yelp/Dereck Y.
17. The Satellite Diner — Spokane, WA
Why is Gonzaga University always underrated?
That is a question for another time, but for now, we need to find a place for these drunk college students to eat in Spokane. There are a lot of places that will satisfy a drunk college kid’s hunger in the early morning hours, but the best happens to be The Satellite Diner.
This is your standard traditional diner, with breakfast and brunch (it is technically morning) items that will make for some pretty tasty drunk food. It’s this or the myriad of Mexican restaurants that will be there to soothe your hunger needs, which aren’t a bad option either.
But if you want something that will help with that crushing hangover that is on the way, The Satellite Diner is where you should be.
425 W. Sprague Ave.
Spokane, WA, 99201
(509) 624-3952
Yelp/Paul S.
16. Addison’s – Columbia, MO
Late night in the heart of Missouri is a special time indeed, especially if you attend the University of Missouri.
Columbia may be small, but it has a surprisingly large amount of late-night eateries that will be there for the college student that is in serious trouble with Mother Nature in the morning.
Addison’s is one of those establishments that will rush to the drunk college kid’s aid, with one item, the “Nacho Bianco,” (Italian pasta chips topped with Asiago cheese sauce, tomatoes, scallions, kalamata, olives, banana peppers, mozzarella cheese, and chicken) which has all of the ingredients to cure a elephant who has been tranquilized.
If you’re new to Columbia this fall, make sure that, after your first drunk run in town, that the next stop is Addison’s.
709 Cherry St.
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 256-1995
Next: 15 - 14: The Munchies in Tempe and Burgers in Fayetteville
Yelp/The Munchies Cafe
15. The Munchies Cafe — Tempe, AZ
Ah, what a fitting name for a diner that will be packed with drunk college kids from Arizona State University.
The Munchies Cafe will indeed give you the munchies (OK, we admit, that wasn’t all that funny). The menu will have everything that a drunk would love, from hearty meatball sandwiches to Greek cuisine to seasoned french fries. The Munchies Cafe is a paradise for those who are done partying it up in this fun Phoenix suburb.
Give it up to Tempe for having a restaurant that caters to the majority of those who eat late at night.
11 E. 6th St.
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 967-0096
Yelp/Kent A
14. JJ’s Grill — Fayetteville, AR
Burgers are a drunk college student’s savior.
OK, breakfast is the ultimate hangover cure, but the burger is right up there with burritos, and when you need that wonder burger in the early morning hours, you must turn to JJ’s Grill.
Granted, there is more to JJ’s than burgers, but it’s the burgers that have made this place famous, and if you need to try to prevent a hangover that you know is on the way, then you might as well go for the all curing burger from JJ’s.
As a bonus, if you want a little entertainment to go along with your food, JJ’s does host live music every night, something that you won’t find much in Fayetteville.
1271 N. Steamboat Dr.
Fayetteville, AR 72703
(479) 443-0700
Next: 13 - 12: Coneys in Stillwater and Diner Food in Greensboro
Yelp/John. M
13. Jake’s Diner — Greensboro, NC
You may be asking yourself; “Why Greensboro?”
Well, did you know that Greensboro has a strong university culture, with a branch of the UNC system and North Carolina A&T within its limits? You probably didn’t, which is why it is imperative to add the Gate City to the list.
When the party is on in Greensboro, it’s on, and these drunk college students gotta have somewhere to eat when the party’s over, right? Enter Jake’s Diner, a holdover from the golden days of diners on busy Wendover Avenue.
Everything you could ask for in a diner is here, from the comfort foods of mac n’ cheese to burgers. They even sell breakfast here (they’re 24 hours, after all), which makes this the go-to spot to cure that drunk hangover of a busy night in downtown Greensboro.
If your night time adventures take you outside of downtown Greensboro, Jake’s has a second location at 2206 S. Holden Rd near Four Seasons Town Center.
4220 W. Wendover Ave.
Greensboro, NC 27407
(336) 297-4141
Yelp/Coney Island
12. Coney Island – Stillwater, OK
The Coney, that simple goodness that has the power to cure everything that ails a person.
For the kids at Oklahoma State University, they will be lucky to have a joint like Coney Island in their backyard. The cheese covered dogs are great for a late-night on the town, either as a pre-game to the drinking or to soak up all of the alcohol that you consumed.
Coney Island has other items on the menu, all of which are good (and cheap!), but it’s the Coneys that are the star of the show here, and when you can’t even walk in a straight line, that’s all that you will need.
223 S. Washington St.
Stillwater, OK 74074
(405) 743-1262
Next: 11 - 10: Fuzzy Tacos in Norman and the Diner of Diners in Nashville
Yelp/Tan P.
11. Fuzzy’s Taco Shop — Norman, OK
It’s a rarity on this list that we stay in one state, but that’s exactly what we’re doing with Oklahoma (because they’re special).
In the home of the Sooners (University of Oklahoma), the nights in its bars can get pretty crazy with college kids drinking as much booze as possible. To (try to) soak up all of that freakin’ booze, one must try the tacos at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop.
Fuzzy’s is an apt name for this place, as you may be fuzzy just trying to look at the menu; but that isn’t required because what you want to go for are the tacos, which are some of the best on this side of Oklahoma City,
Fuzzy’s tacos will aid you in your quest to soak up the alcohol in your system but be warned, that nasty hangover is still coming.
752 Asp Ave.
Norman, OK 73069
(405) 701-1000
Yelp/Daniel G.
10. Sun Diner — Nashville, TN
It may be brand new to the Nashville dining scene, but just because the Sun Diner is a newbie doesn’t mean that it hasn’t perfected the art of feeding drunk kids late into the night.
In fact, that is what Sun Diner does particularly well. With a lineup of well-established breakfast and brunch items, there is plenty of reason what folks have fallen so madly in love with the Sun Diner.
Oh, and it’s open 24-hours a day.
105 3rd Ave. S
Nashville, TN 37201
(615) 742-9099
Next: 9 - 8: The Great Scrambler in Louiville and Street Tacos in Charlottesville
Yelp/Javier O.
9. Burger Boy Diner — Louisville, KY
Three words describe Louisville’s drunk food scene — Burger Boy Diner.
Those three words capture the imagination of drunk college kids from the University of Louisville. The item that draws to them like flies? The smothered chili cheese fries, which is a gooey slice of food heaven that’s just waiting to get into your tummy.
Granted, Burger Boy Diner has other menu items that are just as good, including their mouth-watering burgers, but it’s the fries that make it famous, and rightfully so. So don’t skip out on the Burger Boy Diner, a true legend among the drunk college kids of Louisville.
1450 S. Brook St
Louisville, KY 40208
(502) 635-7410
Yelp/Maggie H.
8. El Tako Nako — Charlottesville, VA
Street trucks have become a thing in Charlottesville, VA, home of the University of Virginia.
Granted, every city within earshot of 50,000 in population has at least one food truck, but in this Central Virginia university burg, there is one truck that may have won the title of “Best in VA.”
That truck is El Tako Nako (see, Mexican cuisine wins again!) a truck that serves up authentic tacos, burritos, and other classic Mexican staples for a low price, right from a truck. If that doesn’t scream drunk food, we don’t know what else does.
2405 Hydraulic Rd.
Charlottesville, VA 22901
(434) 305-8918
Next: 7 - 6: Pizza and Cookies in Eugene & Late Night Mexican in El Paso
Yelp/Jay P.
7. The Dough– Eugene, OR
If you could ever combine great pizza and sugar cookies at one shop, it would be a glorious moment.
The Dough, in the middle of University of Oregon country, has done just that, and we almost want to shed a tear. Let’s start with the pizza, which is baked to perfection. Oh, and don’t leave out their calzones, which are equally as good.
Then, there are the sugar cookies.
Oh, my, Lord! How do you really describe the perfect concoction of sugar and dough that The Dough manages to get right every single time? It’s insanely good, which is why all drunk college kids in Eugene should make The Dough an after-party spot.
1337 Hilyard St.
Eugene, OR 97401
(541) 485-7459
Yelp/Chelsey H.
6. El Cometa — El Paso, TX
Being located on the border, El Paso, which is home to the University of Texas of El Paso, is home to a boatload of great Mexican restaurants.
So it’s pretty hard to pick from one of these great establishments, but we’re gonna take a stab here and go with El Cometa, an East Side joint that’s open pretty late to serve the drunk college kids (and locals) who head to that side of town’ plethora of bars.
The lines can sometimes (OK, all the time) be out the door, which speaks to the sheer goodness of El Cometa, and if you need your fix of late night Mexican cuisine in El Paso, El Cometa will make for a pretty solid option.
OK, the best option.
9529 Viscount Blvd
El Paso, TX 79925
(915) 594-7686
Next: 5 - 4: Great Pizza in Ames and the Tastiest Food Truck in Champaign
5. Jeff’s Pizza Shop — Ames, IA
When you think of Iowa, pizza isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind. Heck, what does come to mind when you think of Iowa?
Wheat fields?
OK, we’re just kidding, Iowans, we know that you’re great, especially Ames, which is home to Iowa State University and Jeff’s Pizza Shop, the best stop on a drunken student crusade through the bars of Ames.
Their pizza is simply spot on, every single time, and the rest of Jeff’s menu is on par with its pizza. It’s the ultimate drunk food spot in the middle of awesome Iowa! (wide smile).
2402 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50014
(515) 292-2321
Yelp/Tushar B.
4. Fernando’s Food Truck — Champaign, IL
The food truck is a comforting sight for everyone who won’t be able to make it to a regular restaurant.
Why is it so comforting? Well, these babies come to you and the food is usually top notch. Over the past few years, these heavens on wheels have been showing up in Champaign, home to the University of Illinois, and one of the best is Fernando’s Food Truck.
You get the idea here. The tacos are top notch and authentic, and they’re made with the same love and care as you would find in a sit-down shop. So why settle for a chain when you can have that drunk-cure taco right there in your hand for a fraction of the price?
44 E. Springfield
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 255-0210
Yelp/Christopher V.
3. Pizza Luce — Minneapolis, MN
Pizza in the late night hours has withstood the test of time.
Outside of tacos and your corner McDonald’s, what other food staples will you find readily available a three in the morning? That’s what makes Pizza Luce in the home of the University of Minnesota so enticing to the drunk college kids who will claim this pizza joint as their territory.
Aside from their incredible pizzas, what sets Pizza Luce apart from its peers is that it has free delivery, meaning that you don’t have to stumble into the shop in order to enjoy a slice of Pizza Luce’s famous pizza.
119 N. 4th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 333-7359
Yelp/Robin S.
2. Frontier Restaurant — Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico’s budget is facing some pretty hard times, and that extends to the state’s university system.
Despite the funding uncertainty, the University of New Mexico is still a pretty great place for higher learning, and Central Avenue in Albuquerque Midtown area is still populated with kids who are a little too sloshed from their night on the town in old AB.
There is a place on this beer-soaked strip where you can find solace in your post-drinking doldrums, and that’s the Frontier Restaurant, one of the best Mexican diners you’ll ever eat at. The food is good, it’s super cheap, and it’s open late, just in time for the bar crowd to come stumbling on in.
2400 Central Ave SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505) 266-0550
Yelp/Ashlee S.
1. Time-Out — Chapel Hill, NC
It’s open 24-hours on the main drag of what many consider the best college town in the nation.
There’s is a certain prestige that comes with having one of the best cheese biscuits your mouth will ever taste at Time-Out, one of Chapel Hill’s best restaurants on Franklin Street. That’s what Time-Out became known for, but their other menu items are just as famous and retain that North Carolina goodness and hospitality that everyone comes to expect from this place.
Next: Meet the best fast food joint in each state
On any given night, you will run into hordes of UNC students stuffing their faces in Time-Out’s legendary menu, and once you’ve had a taste of the goodness and power of the cheese biscuit, you will be right there among them, taking a timeout from all of the madness of Franklin Street and doing some food damage at Time-Out.
201 E. Franklin St.
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 929-2425