Hungry, Hungry Hostellers: 24-hour dining in San Francisco

Posted by admin on Jan 20, 2012

It’s dark, it’s late, and the near-arctic temperature (which for Californians is anything under 50 degrees) means the fog has rolled in. With that early morning fog comes two equally unpleasant realities: fewer cabs and closed storefronts.

Although San Francisco is sophisticated and cosmopolitan in many ways, it doesn’t have the same "city that never sleeps" status of other major metropolises. But fear not, all you need to do is this: dress in layers, figure out which buses run late, and know where to find 24-hour (or at least very late-night) eats. The following list is by no means exhaustive, but it’s a good road map to late-night eats around the hostels, and other dives and diners around the city. 

Diners

The most popular late-night food choice (and the most quintessentially American) is a diner. They’re usually open late (or late-ish) and the greasy food is perfect for soaking up excess alcohol.

Sparky’s
242 Church Street (between Market and 15th). Open 24/7.

Located on the rainbow-clad streets of the Castro, Sparky’s is a neighborhood institution and a great place to see the locals in action, especially after hours. This 24-hour people-watching hot spot serves up everything from healthy salads and large entrees to pizza and chili fries. The crowd is always colorful, the food is always good, and their doors are always open. Sparky’s will also deliver until 3:30 a.m. if you opt not to leave the hostel.

Pinecrest
401 Geary Boulevard (between O’Farrell and Post). Open 24/7.

A diner that caters to downtown late-nighters, Pinecrest is less than a block from the Downtown Hostel. They offer a mixture of greasy grub (fries, burgers, onion rings) and slightly healthier, California-inspired options. If sleep is your enemy, order a bottomless cuppa joe with your breakfast fare (this diner’s staple is their impressive omelette menu) and stay up to watch the sunrise, to catch an early flight, or just to enjoy the parade of lively clubbers — dressed to the nines — trickling in and out throughout the night.       

Mel’s Drive-In
2165 Lombard Street (between Steiner and Fillmore); Open 24-hours on Friday and Saturday, until 2 a.m. Sunday - Thursday.
1050 Van Ness Avenue (between Geary and O’Farrell); Open until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, until 1 a.m. Sunday - Thursday.
801 Mission Street (at 4th Street); Open until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, until midnight Sunday - Thursday.
3355 Geary Boulevard (between Anza and Euclid); Open until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, until 1 a.m. Sunday - Thursday.

Mel’s specializes in classic American diner ambiance — think Elvis on the jukebox, deep-fried food, pressed white uniforms for the "soda jerks," and a sugar-soaked maraschino cherry floating in every drink. Mel’s on Lombard is open all night on Friday and Saturday, and until 2:00 a.m. every other night. Though the 50s throwback decor is not what one would call understated, the malted milkshakes are super fantastic and possibly the best in the city. The Lombard location is the closest late-night option for guests at the San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Hostel, while the Van Ness location is 5 blocks from the City Center Hostel and the Mission Street location is 4 blocks from the Downtown Hostel.

Lucky Penny
2670 Geary Boulevard (at Masonic). Open 24/7.

The luckiest thing about the Lucky Penny is the price — $10 gets you just about anything on the menu, plus tax and tip. The cheapest of the late-night diner options, Lucky Penny has all the classic food you’d expect plus some fun extras, like their famous pancake, French toast, or waffle sandwich! Maple syrup instead of mayo is an inspired idea. This Laurel Heights/Richmond District establishment is a hunger haven in a quieter part of town that’s still easily accessible via the MUNI 38 line.     

Pizza

DNA Pizza
371 Eleventh Street (at Harrison). Open 24//7.

Pizza is always a crowd pleaser, and ordering a whole pie for a group of hungry dancers and drinkers is a great way to go. But the best thing about pizza is it can also be ordered by the slice, making it a quick, cheap, and easy way to satiate late-night munchies. DNA Pizza in SOMA is right next to one of the city’s most popular night clubs, the DNA Lounge. They also have other drunk junk-food options, like fried mozzarella sticks, jalapeno poppers, and spicy wings. And don’t worry about a little grease — after an aerobic night of dancing and cab chasing, a little pizza won’t do much harm!        

Donuts

Bob’s Donuts
1621 Polk St (between Sacramento and Clay). Open 24/7. 

In the words of a certain beloved, manly, golden-yellow American hero: "Mmmmm… donuts."  Donuts are another great option for late-night indulgence — they’re inexpensive and, while they have no redeeming health benefits, at least they’re tasty. Open 24 hours, Bob’s Donuts in Nob Hill is a popular little shop that cranks out a rainbow-sprinkled assembly line of deep-fried deliciousness. The house favorite is their sinfully sweet apple fritter. Mmmmm… fritters.

Hot and Spicy

El Farolito
2779 Mission Street (between 24th and 23rd). Open until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, until 3 a.m. Sunday - Thursday. 

Let them eat tacos! Arguably the most "Californian" of California food and definitely the cheap eat-du-jour in San Francisco, tacos are literally everywhere. From food trucks to fancy restaurants, tacos have infiltrated the culinary scene at every level, and not just Mexican-style tacos either: Vietnamese tacos, Korean tacos, vegan tacos, chocolate dessert tacos. For a post-party taco fix, El Farolito in the Mission stays open till 4 a.m. supplying the party-going masses with their favorite late-night treat. Although not open all night, El Farolito serves the latest taco (and a host of other Mexican-inspired dishes) in the Mission.  

Osha Thai
696 Geary Boulevard (at Leavenworth). Open until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, until 1 a.m. Sunday - Thursday. 

If you’re craving a pad Thai nightcap, Osha Thai on Geary is the place to go. As a bonus, this location (there are six throughout the city, but none of the others are open late) is next door to Rye, a swanky bar with the best rye whiskey cocktails in town (for a real nightcap). Just 4 blocks from both the City Center Hostel and the Downtown Hostel, Osha is a great late-night option.

For more guides to great eats in San Francisco, check out our Inside Scoop series: Paul, dishes out his restaurant recommendations, and Cynthia shares her favorite ethnic food joints. Or meet the City Center Hostel’s friendly neighbors: Hooker’s serves up sweet treats while Hyde Away Blues makes a mean jambalaya.