24-Hour Eateries Satisfy Post-Midnight Cravings

By Caroline Chen Thu., Aug. 11 2011 at 2:00 PM

Sparky's 24 Hours Diner

It's four in the morning and you're starving. Where should you go?

San Francisco eateries aren't very good at staying open into the wee hours, so we've compiled a list of places for you to go to in case the cupboard is bare when you want a midnight snack.

New to the Scene
DNA Pizza (371 Eleventh at Harrison) is the new kid on the 24-hour dining block, starting around-the-clock service this week. On the menu: "The Carnivore" and "The Whole Damn Vegan Garden" pizzas, $16.95-$32.95.

Belgian Waffles at Pinecrest Diner

Diners
Diners rule the city at four in the morning. We don't promise any gourmet food, but at least you'll get a good hearty meal to hit the spot. Here are three whose doors are open all through the night:

Sparky's (242 Church at Market): Not only is it open 24 hours, you can also order online. Delivery runs 5 p.m. to 4 a.m. on weekdays, 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. on weekends.
On the menu: Celebrity pizzas and calzones like the Jimi Hendrix (sausage, salami, pepperoni, mushrooms) and the U2 special (artichokes, tomatoes, mushroom, ham), $15-$24

Pinecrest Diner (401 Geary at Mason): This one's a bit of a tweener, posing as an upscale eatery though it's really a diner. On the menu: Wine by the glass or bottle ($4.95-$22), veggie burgers, and sandwiches.

Lori's Diner (multiple locations): Open since 1986, this classic diner celebrates the "fabulous 50's" with Elvis and Monroe memorabilia. Go late to avoid the tourists. The classics are all there: omelets in every variety, sundaes ($5.95-$6.25), and chicken-fried steak ($14.95), if you're more than just peckish.

Naan-n-Curry

Off the beaten track

Latte Express (48 5th Street at Stevenson): If you're wandering around the Powell BART station late at night, this corner shop has doughnuts and Vietnamese sandwiches.

Cafe Mason (320 Mason at O'Farrell): Not quite a diner, this cafe serves up freshly squeezed orange juice and crepes besides the more traditional fare.

Naan-n-Curry (642 Irving at Seventh Ave.) Okay, this one is cheating because it's only open til 3 a.m., but it's probably the only place to get Indian food in the middle of the night.

If we've missed out any of your favorite 4 a.m. eateries, feel free to chime in below in the comments section!

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Tags:

24-hour eating, Cafe Mason, Curry-n-Naan, DNA pizza, Latte Express, Lori's Diner, Pinecrest Diner, Sparky's

We Recommend

Arnoldhilltop

Read thishttp://missionlocal.org/2011/0...

Sugarplumleah

It used to be that most Korean spots were open till about 3. Which are now? Also King of Thai in the Richmond?

Abc

Trust me...you are wrong about Naan-n-Curry being open that late. Live in the neighborhood and would have definitely been enjoying that 3am naan if it were open!

garbageman

I see a few people are mentioning donut-type joints that also quick serve instant sandwiches. They also happen to be questionable areas that are frequented by crackheads. Avoid if you know better.

RobertSF

There are so few 24-hour options in San Francisco! Anybody remember Zim's? Ah, those were the days...

Peace1877

Zims the only place that made Denny's seem good.

JohnL

This article is horrible. It essentially missed every 24 hour diner outside of downtown. Great work as usual.

SeanD

J and V Cafe in the Produce Market (2020 Jerrold off Toland) - they open at 1:30 am and close around 2pm, so obviously cater to working people. Tasty sandwiches, salads, omelettes and Mexican dishes - nothing fancy just good basic food.

Undeadsinatra

There are a few 24 hour Subways in the city. And a 24 hr Mickey D's drive thru on Ocean near city college.

SFGlam

the Naan n Curry is open 24-7 on O'Farrell.....

48890ww3

That one used to be 24/7 but no longer is. I miss it.

Dan

Gateway Croissants, Golden Gate Ave & Larkin, open 24/7. Best donuts in town, and other stuff like ham & cheese croissants, hamburgers, etc. Pleasant older Vietnamese ladies will go out of their way to help you. I love this place! O yeah, sketchy area, but it's the TL. What did you expect?

Barknot

Mel's Diner on Geary

Edgar Contreras

I just paid $22.85 for an iPad 2-64GB and my girlfriend loves her Panasonic Lumix GF 1 Camera that we got for $38.76 there arriving tomorrow by UPS. I will never pay such expensive retail prices in stores again. Especially when I also sold a 40 inch LED TV to my boss for $674 which only cost me $62.81 to buy. Here is the website we use to get it all from, CentHub.com

ibuyufo

I was starving at 4 am! Too bad I'm on the south beach diet and can't enjoy those excellent food selection :(

Monet2u

this list isn't very appetizing. For such a foodie town, I always find it hard to believe there aren't better late/all nite dining options. we suck.

Unicorn_lover_69

I agree 100%. There are actually better / more late night eateries in Sacramento! Adalberto's Mexican (24 Hour), Kasbah Mediterranean (open till 4 serving falafel and kabobs), Tapa the World open till midnight 7 days a week, INK Burgers and Salads open till 4 7 days a week, Shady Lady serving gourmet gastropub food till midnight...I could go on.

Michellestein

Seriouisly? You're kidding, right? No late night options? THERE NEVER WERE...We aren't NYC, we are SF! Sad to say, as a 5th gen, there weren't any late night options. Not like NYC. But, seriously??? Can't we do it? Really? Can't there be places open that are really open all night? Whether we want to go or not, they should be open, Thanks :)

Jodamian

Its true, but we are the king I should say for LATE NIGHT delivery. I can always find something I want to be delivered late at night.

Michellestein

Really? You are so lucky...

Joviedamian

Someone needs to get their facts straight. The Naan-N-Curry on 7th and Irving is closed. They have been closed for about a month now, due to poor health inspection.

SFoodie

They're open. We have called to check.

Jovied

Oh, really..they are open now? WOW, the noticed said it was closed for good. Sorry my bad if they are open now. I was wrong.

Concerned

They were closed for "food contamination; vermin; disease transmission". Then their license was revoked. They may have reopened, but do you really want to eat there?

Coachese68

The GrubStake on Polk and Pine is open til 4am and the food is good.

Hongry

When I get hungry at 4am I head to the Mission for PAPUSAS

Mroch1984

dna pizza URL goes to DNA lounge...guys,was this done by your junior high summer intern??

Junesix Media

DNA Pizza is linking to DNA Lounge

Chivo

This article is somewhat weak. Put the address of each place in the article (don't make me go to the website to get it). The Naan N Curry URL is wrong (goes to a restaurant in Renton, WA). And there are several places not mentioned (Mel's Diner?).