Drunk Food: Late-Night Eats and Carb-Loaded Brunches

It's well past last-call and, as your grumbling stomach is reminding you, well past dinner. You have two options in your inebriated state: stumble into the nearest cab, pass out in bed and seriously carb-load when you wake up with the world's worst hangover--or stumble into the nearest drunk-food establishment and coat your belly with some greasy goodness. No matter which route you go, we've got you covered with this list of late-night snacks and morning-after grub.

Updated: March 17, 2010

Late-Night Junk Food


El Farolito

2779 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110 (map)

Colossal burritos and cheap prices make this Mission taqueria, which stays open until 4am on weekends and nearly as late on weeknights, a post-party favorite. We'll stick with the legendary carne asada, but if you're brave (or simply drunk and stupid), feel free to go for the beef tongue or brain. Mmm.


Sparky's 24 Hour Diner

242 Church St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (map)

Beer goggles don't just apply to last-call liaisons--some foods' appeal is infinitely improved by the accompaniment of a few drinks. This all-night greasy spoon (and their 24/7 breakfast menu) in the Castro is testimony to that.


Kasa Indian Eatery

4001 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (map)

Open Fridays and Saturdays until 2am, this Indian street-food venue has played their cards right, knowing that hoards of hungry Castro drunks will want an alternative to the 24-hour diner and greasy Chinese take-out. The taco-like kati rolls (meat or veggie curries wrapped in roti) are perfect to absorb all that alcohol.


Bob's Donut & Pastry Shop

1621 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109 (map)

When your inhibitions are down due to a few too many drinks, you'll have a hard time resisting the advances of this sweet-smelling all-night Polk Street doughnut shop. The Frisbee-sized apple fritters make a deliciously choice selection--especially when they're straight from the fryer--to coat your poor booze-filled tummy.


Nopa

560 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117 (map)

Sure, a meal here may cost more than you're willing to spend on a dinner you likely won't remember, but the Cal-Med cuisine and late-night hours make it a lively eatery for a more gourmet bite with your last-call cocktails.


Creperie Saint Germain

546 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94105 (map)

Known mainly for their sweet-and-savory lunchtime offerings, this SoMa crepe wagon parked conveniently next door to Temple is open until 3:30am on Fridays and Saturdays, allowing a late-night option that's a little more upscale (but no more expensive) than a slice of pizza or monster burrito.


Hangover Carb Feasts


Pork Store Cafe

1451 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117 (map)

Despite the pig-referencing name, this casual Haight Street greasy spoon (and it's Mission neighborhood counterpart) isn't only for lovers of ham and bacon, though there's plenty of that to go around--vegetarian carb-cravers can find meatless sausage and biscuits with veg gravy here as well.


Kate's Kitchen

471 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117 (map)

Heaping helpings of home-style grub in cozy surroundings make this place a favorite morning-after stop for club hoppers residing in the Lower Haight. While the menu is filled with hangover-helpers like the french toast, make sure to check out the daily board of specials to find out where it's really at.


Mama's On Washington Square

1701 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94133 (map)

Tons of press and plenty of word-of-mouth praise has garnered this North Beach eatery legendary lines that snake around the corner even before they open at 8am. Best to come while food is still a far-off thought, so when you're finally getting ready to eat, you'll be famished enough to tie into the homemade breads and egg dishes.


Dottie's True Blue Cafe

522 Jones St, San Francisco, CA 94102 (map)

If you can brave the early morning (or mid-afternoon) smells of the Tenderloin on a queasy stomach, the huge portions and homemade baked goods at this popular breakfast promises to bring you back from the (near) dead. Remember they close at 3pm though, so wake up "early."


Stacks

501 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102 (map)

The pages and pages of breakfast fare may make your poor head spin, but skip right over the oatmeal and fruit plates and focus on the fatty stuff if you want to feel better fast: sugary Belgian waffles stuffed with chopped bacon, chorizo-and-cheese omelets, hollandaise-topped eggs Florentine. And don't forget the coffee.


Park Chalet Garden Restaurant

1000 Great Hwy, San Francisco, CA 94121 (map)

This pleasant restaurant that mixes cozy fireside interiors and a lovely outdoor patio makes the perfect stop after a too-long Saturday night--from 10am to 3pm on Sundays, they host an all-you-can-eat Recovery Brunch, complete with bottomless champagne, for $35.


Brendas French Soul Food

652 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 (map)

If anything has ever been worth a half hour of your time, it's the wait for a trio of beignets on an empty stomach at this Civic Center Creole-influenced breakfast haven. After a long night out, nothing beats those deep-fried pockets of love, except maybe the chicory coffee and croque monsieur.