Quick Bites, Big Cravings: Late-Night Eats Worth Staying Up For
When hunger hits late at night, you're not likely craving fine dining or a healthy, balanced meal — you're after something hot, heavy, fast, and unforgettable. In places like Los Angeles and Las Vegas, where there’s often no difference between late night and early mornings, the search for that perfect quick bite is a ritual. While fast food is the speediest option , this doesn’t always have to mean greasy burgers and fries.
Whether in Los Angeles’ trendy Silverlake, leaving Hollywood clubs, or walking the Las Vegas Strip, there’s bound to be someone slinging something fatty, cheesy, and flavor-packed that’s better than whatever is sitting in your fridge. Light-night food has its own culture – it’s the unofficial afterparty, bringing all walks of life together over something as simple as a tortilla field with meat.
The Best Food to Eat Past Bedtime and Where to Find It
Tacos, the Street Food Savior
Nothing saves a night out like tacos. Los Angeles is home to some of the best tacos in the country , with the ability to find trompo-style al paster at Leo’s Tacos and grilled octopus delicately placed in a fresh corn tortilla at Holbox. Taco trucks and small stands light up boulevards and backstreets after midnight, offering carne asada, al pastor, and carnitas that taste even better at 2 a.m.
In Vegas, you'll find plenty of late-night taquerias tucked into strip malls just off the Strip. A few quick Tijuana-style tacos dripping with salsa roja from Tacos El Gordo might just be the move after questionable life choices. No need to find an open seat – plates can be easily eaten standing up.
Pizza, the Classic Craving
LA and Vegas are not necessarily known for their pizza like East Coast hotspots such as Chicago or New York. But that doesn’t mean you should be turning down a cheesy, greasy slice at 2 a.m. When you’re tired, hungry, and possibly a little buzzed, pizza will taste like heaven, no matter what city you’re in.
In Los Angeles, Joe’s Pizza on Sunset pulls serious late-night crowds, tossing out huge New York-style slices. Two of the county’s top 50 pizzerias are based in Las Vegas, Pizza Rock and Double Zero Pie & Pub.
While pizza may not technically be on Fat Sal’s menu…we can’t help but mention that we do have a Pepperoni Pizza Double Smash Burger.
Over-the-Top Sandwiches
Sometimes you don’t just want whatever is cheapest, quickest, or easiest to find. Understandably, sometimes a more balanced meal is called for. Something that can be held between two slices of bread with a harmonious mix of fresh veggies, cheese, and generous protein is what the stomach calls for in the depths of the night.
Fat Sal’s doesn’t have the regular early hours of a deli – we stay open until 2 or 3 am – and we also don’t have regular deli sandwiches. Think cheesesteak, chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, all loaded into the Fat Jerry, or soy-marinated ribeye steak, onion rings, pickled vegetables, Szechuan slaw in the Fat Banh Mi-Ki.
Burgers, the Safe (But Never Boring) Bet
When in doubt, burgers always come through as dependable and delicious. In both Los Angeles and Las Vegas, chain establishments like Fatburger and In-N-Out crank out burgers for everyone from booze-soaked party-goers to bleary-eyed tourists. In the mood for more elevated toppings besides the classic American cheese, iceberg lettuce, and tomato? Try Fat Sal’s Pastrami Western Double Smash Burger loaded with hot pastrami and onion rings.
Loaded Fries that Become a Full Meal
While burgers often take the spotlight, French fries don’t have to be just a plain side. Whether smothered in cheese, doused in gravy, or served animal-style, French fries can be the main attraction. At Fat Sal’s, you don’t have to choose between burgers or fries, nor order them separately – here, we serve up Bacon Cheeseburger Fries.
Quick Bites, Big Payoff
Los Angeles wellness gurus may tell you not to eat after 7 pm for better digestion, but Fat Sal’s recommends never going to bed hungry after a night out. At the end of the day or the middle of the night, late-night food isn’t just about filling your stomach. It’s about satisfying a very specific craving, the kind you can't explain, but it hits almost like a primal desire.
Whether it’s tacos straight off the grill, an absolutely stacked sandwich, or a slice of pizza bigger than your face, cities like Los Angeles and Las Vegas know exactly how to cater to the late-night crowd. Sometimes, the best nights out aren’t about the clubs or bars you went to, they’re about what you ate after.