These 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspots Will Curb Any Late-Night Cravings
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We’ve all been there — hungry after midnight — admittedly, at the end of a night on the town after one too many cocktails. Or, we’re road-tripping and trying to make good time, taking turns driving but in need of a strong coffee and some grub to push through.
No matter the reason your stomach screams “Feed me!” in the middle of the night, there are a host of 24-hour fast-food spots at the ready to satiate your hunger and cravings for junk food.
30. GoMart
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Year founded: 1971
Headquarters: Gassaway, West Virginia
No. of states with a location: 3
*Note: While this list of late-night places features mostly 24-hour spots, many of these are franchises that make their own hours and may not provide 24-hour service in certain areas. Make sure to check an individual restaurant's hours so you don’t arrive at a dark drive-thru and have to leave hangry.
Why GoMart Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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A 24-hour convenience store filled with snacks and drinks is less convenient if it's only available in three states.
But if you happen to be in Ohio, Virginia or West Virginia, this true, round-the-clock spot is a go.
29. Albertsons
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Year founded: 1939
Headquarters: Boise, Idaho
No. of states with a location: 15
Why Albertsons Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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A 24-hour grocery store on a dining list?
Hear us out: Those pre-made meals sitting in warmers and under heat lamps (especially the fried chicken) will do the trick when your belly is rumbling and you’re not ready to go home.
28. Cumberland Farms
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Year founded: 1939
Headquarters: Framingham, Massachusetts
No. of states with a location: 8
Why Cumberland Farms Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Cumbies may be a convenience store, but it is a must when late-night munchies overcome in New England and New York.
From its Steak Bomb sub to a hot slice of pizza topped with pepperoni, you can fuel up here as you fuel up to get home. But you’re outta luck outside the Northeast.
27. The Majestic
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Year founded: 1929
Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia
No. of states with a location: 1
Why The Majestic Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Why is there a restaurant with only one location on this list? Because this hotspot in the heart of Atlanta’s nightlife-centric Little Five Points is a 2 a.m. rite of passage for Southerners.
Breakfast all day and ALL night. Well, until 2:30 a.m., but close enough.
26. Taco Cabana
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Year founded: 1978
Headquarters: San Antonio, Texas
No. of states with a location: 2
Why Taco Cabana Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Tex-Mex food at all hours is a treat. Sadly, this one's only available for those in Texas and New Mexico.
Darnit.
25. In-N-Out Burger
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Year founded: 1948
Headquarters: Irvine, California
No. of states with a location: 5
Why In-N-Out Burger Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Mouthwatering In-N-Out Double Double Burgers and a secret menu are simply the best after a night out.
Unfortunately, these restaurants typically close at 1:30 a.m., but to keep this late-night spot off the list would be a mistake.
24. GetGo
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Year founded: 1985
Headquarters: Ross Township, Pennsylvania
No. of states with a location: 5
Why GetGo Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Fish sandwiches in the middle of the night may not be the best idea, but as Mom always says, “nothing good happens after midnight” anyway.
After a few drinks, those fish sandwiches are especially tasty!
23. Carl’s Jr.
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Year founded: 1941
Headquarters: Franklin, Tennessee
No. of states with a location: 14
Why Carl’s Jr. Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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With locations in only 14 states, this Burger King wannabe isn’t high on the list.
But it will definitely do when cravings hit and you can find one open all night.
22. Hardee’s
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Year founded: 1960
Headquarters: Franklin, Tennessee
No. of states with a location: 31
Why Hardee’s Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. were once separate restaurants but are now part of the same company — except Hardee’s has more locations and better food.
Case in point: the Monster Angus Burger.
21. Wawa
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Year founded: 1964
Headquarters: Wawa, Pennsylvania
No. of states with a location: 6
Why Wawa Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Anyone who thinks Wawa is just a gas station has obviously never had one of its fresh, made-to-order hoagies. And that is so sad — as is the fact they are only found in six states in and around Pennsylvania.
[Insert cry for expansion here.]
20. Del Taco
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Year founded: 1964
Headquarters: Lake Forest, California
No. of states with a location: 15
Why Del Taco Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Who doesn’t love tacos at. 2 a.m.?
If only Del Taco acted more like Taco Bell and expanded its locations and hours, it would be higher on this list.
19. Dunkin’
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Year founded: 1950
Headquarters: Canton, Massachusetts
No. of states with a location: 41
Why Dunkin’ Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Admit it: 24-hour coffee shops that keep travelers awake on road trips can’t be beaten.
Unless, of course, you stumble across a Dunkie and can grab a dark roast with a crueler.
18. Katz’s Delicatessen
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Year founded: 1888
Headquarters: New York, New York
No. of states with a location: 1
Why Katz’s Delicatessen Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Katz’s practically invented 24-diner dining. Even though there is only one Katz’s, on a Saturday night in Manhattan, it can be as busy as Grand Central Station.
And any traveler looking to have a proper wild night in NYC should plan on ending here.
17. Steak 'n Shake
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Year founded: 1934
Headquarters: Indianapolis, Indiana
No. of states with a location: 30
Why Steak 'n Shake Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Old-fashioned homemade milkshakes that hit the spot Every. Single. Time.
That's all we really need to say.
16. Jack in the Box
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Year founded: 1951
Headquarters: San Diego, California
No. of states with a location: 21
Why Jack in the Box Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Jack in the Box says, “Get it when you crave it.” And they mean it.
And now we're craving their curly fries.
15. White Castle
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Year founded: 1921
Headquarters: Columbus, Ohio
No. of states with a location: 13
Why White Castle Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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The original fast-food burger makes us all want to be like Harold and Kumar and go on an epic road trip to White Castle.
Unfortunately, some of us will have to drive pretty far since it's only available in 13 states.
14. Taco Bell
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Year founded: 1962
Headquarters: Irvine, California
No. of states with a location: 50
Why Taco Bell Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Late-night cravings boxes with tacos, burritos, nachos and a drink for $5?
Yo quiero Taco Bell.
13. Pilot Flying J
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Year founded: 1958
Headquarters: Knoxville, Tennessee
No. of states with a location: 50
Why Pilot Flying J Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Sure, Pilot Flying Js are fuel stations, but when you’re driving down a dark highway, a Pilot Flying J is a beacon.
Fuel up while eating fried chicken, pizza and burritos; play some games in the game room; and even take a shower — this is what America is all about.
12. Circle K
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Year founded: 1951
Headquarters: Tempe, Arizona
No. of states with a location: 48
Why Circle K Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Strange things may be afoot at the Circle K, but this convenience store always has pizza, sandwiches and hot dogs at the ready.
What more could you ask for?
11. 7-Eleven
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Year founded: 1927
Headquarters: Dallas, Texas
No. of states with a location: 38
Why 7-Eleven Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Nachos, taquitos, wings, burgers … 7-Eleven locations ignore its name and often welcome hungry travelers into the wee hours.
10. QuikTrip
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Year founded: 1958
Headquarters: Tulsa, Oklahoma
No. of states with a location: 16
Why QuikTrip Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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QT Kitchens provides fresh-to-order food for breakfast, lunch, dinner, on-the-go and late night. What’s not to love?
You can find them and their delicious QuikShakes mostly in the Southeast.
9. Casey’s
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Year founded: 1959
Headquarters: Ankeny, Iowa
No. of states with a location: 16
Why Casey’s Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Casey’s pizza can go toe to toe with the likes of Papa Johns and Dominos, and it also delivers 24/7 in many locations.
We think they just out-pizza’d the Hut.
8. Perkins
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Year founded: 1958
Headquarters: Memphis, Tennessee
No. of states with a location: 22
Why Perkins Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Breakfast foods offered whenever you want them.
Mmm… pancakes.
7. Speedway
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Year founded: 1959
Headquarters: Enon, Ohio
No. of states with a location: 32
Why Speedway Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Owned by 7-Eleven, the Speedy Café has all-day options made just for you and throws in a free cup of coffee when you get a breakfast sandwich.
Score!
6. Denny’s
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Year founded: 1953
Headquarters: Spartanburg, South Carolina
No. of states with a location: 49
Why Denny’s Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Lunch and dinner may be on the menu, but it’s the all-day breakfast that calls.
No other eatery provides late-night T-Bone steak and eggs, build-your-own omelets and, of course, its famous Moons Over My Hammy.
5. McDonald’s
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Year founded: 1940
Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois
No. of states with a location: 50
Why McDonald’s Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Not every McDonald’s is open 24 hours, but you’ll often find them in places where staying open all night can be profitable.
Think big cities with late-night bars because is there another time you’re jonesing for McDonald’s French fries as much as after a night imbibing?
4. Burger King
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Year founded: 1954
Headquarters: Miami, Florida
No. of states with a location: 50
Why Burger King Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Found in every state of the U.S., the flame-broiled Whopper is just the right fast food needed in the middle of the night.
If only more BKs were open 24 hours a day.
3. IHOP
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Year founded: 1958
Headquarters: Glendale, California
No. of states with a location: 50
Why IHOP Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Five words: Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity.
And don’t get us started on the variety of flavored syrups and compotes available for its wide selection of pancakes.
2. Whataburger
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Year founded: 1950
Headquarters: San Antonio, Texas
No. of states with a location: 14
Why Whataburger Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Forget those fast-food burger joints that offer “late-night” menus.
Whataburger really is 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
1. Waffle House
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Year founded: 1955
Headquarters: Norcross, Georgia
No. of states with a location: 25
Why Waffle House Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Every Waffle House is open 24 hours, so there is comfort in knowing that, when you have the munchies, a Waffle House near you will be ready with hot waffles and maple syrup.
If you don’t live in a state with a Waffle House, that’s really just too bad.