Some students have sudden sandwich cravings. Others pine for pizza. The urges are easy to satisfy during the day, but luckily for Northwestern’s midnight munchers, many Evanston restaurants are open late to pacify nighttime hunger pains.
“Burger King is usually a pretty safe bet for a late-night snack,” said Jim Fenner, a Weinberg freshman.
Fenner said he and his friends have become regulars at Burger King, 1740 Orrington Ave., because the restaurant is open 24 hours and is close to campus.
“Sometimes we order pizza,” said BK-alumnus Jim Wagner, a Weinberg freshman. “But it’s definitely more fun to get a big group of people and go sit for an hour chatting.”
Wagner and Fenner said they enjoy talking with Burger King’s employees, who know them so well they can guess what each person will order before anyone speaks.
LaTonya Starks said she prefers something else in an all-night hangout.
“Sometimes just about anything is better than BK,” said Starks, a Speech sophomore.
International House of Pancakes, 100 Asbury Ave., and Chicago’s new Deluxe Diner, 6349 N. Clark St., are both open 24 hours and offer breakfast samplers and skillets to students who crave an escape from fast food.
“IHOP is usually the special treat for when you’ve had too much pizza or BK,” according to Starks.
But french-fry fiends also can get their fix at Steak ‘n Shake, 10421 W. Touhy Ave. Students with cars can jaunt to this diner any time of night to indulge in cheesy burgers and creamy shakes.
For the hamburger-weary, Taco Bell Express, 1743 Sherman Ave., is a paradise of cheap south-of-the-border fare. Students can gorge on gorditas and burritos until midnight during the week and until 1 a.m. on weekends.
In Evanston, numerous pizza joints offer late-night pickup and delivery for starving students. Papa John’s Pizza, 1743 Benson Ave., extends its hours during the school year to 1 a.m. Papa Romeo’s Pizza, 3939 Dempster St., delivers until 2 a.m. every night.
Not to be outdone by their lower-priced counterparts, some ritzy parlors keep extended hours. Giordano’s, 500 Davis St., will deliver Chicago-style stuffed pizza to dorms or apartments until midnight Sunday through Thursday and until 1 a.m. on weekends. Carmen’s Pizzeria, 1012 Church St., delivers until 11 p.m. on weeknights and until midnight on weekends.
When students reach their pizza thresholds, Evanston sandwich and specialty shops come to the rescue. Philly’s Best, 815 Emerson St., makes famous Philly cheesesteaks and other sandwiches weekdays until midnight, until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and until 10 p.m. Sunday.
Or for a quick grease injection, Buffalo Joe’s, 812 Clark St., specializes in buffalo wings, available for carryout until midnight.
Adventurous tastebuds can try Jeremy’s Beach Shack Cafe, 8020 Lincoln Ave., which delivers tropical-tinged pasta, fish and salad specials until midnight.
Students studying for all-nighters can get their nightly jolt from Kafein, 1621 Chicago Ave., which offers coffee specials until 2 a.m. during the week and until 3 a.m. on weekends.
