In a blow to stoners, insomniacs, and basic dads everywhere, Denny’s recently announced it will shutter 150 stores in the next year, starting with 50 in the next few months. We don’t yet know which locations will close, and Denny’s says the mass shutdown is due to declining sales and low-performing locations. I also suspect the just-okay pancakes had something to do with it.
There are currently 14 Denny’s in the city of San Diego and more across the county, so there’s a solid chance at least some of our nearest and dearest will land on the looming chopping block. However, while San Diego has yet to become a proper late-night dining city like New York or Miami, we have several affordable places open past 9 p.m. (When in doubt, check the nearest -berto’s drive-thru.) Here are a few of the best late-night restaurants in San Diego.
Restaurants Open 24/7
Rudford’s Restaurant
Rudford’s has been around since 1949, and after many wee-hours, post-drinks sessions spent scarfing french fries and sandwiches in one of the vinyl booths, I can confidently say at least some of its success lies in the fact there just aren’t many places open 24/7. (Still, the turkey club isn’t bad.) One day our lack of all-night diners may change, but in the meantime, Rudford’s gets the job done without muss or fuss. Also, any place serving breakfast all day is alright.
2900 El Cajon Boulevard, North Park
Beginners Diner
Inside the newly renovated LaFayette Hotel is a new diner that feels old—or at least tries to, with 1940s-style decor and a menu that features classic diner breakfast plates such as corned beef hash and chicken-fried steak; savories like tuna melts, French dips, chili, deviled eggs, and even pickled herring; and desserts, including pecan pie. Yes, it’s kitsch—all CH Projects’ concepts have the hospitality group’s particular brand of zhuzh—but the joy in our collective ability to get a milkshake at 3 a.m. cannot be understated.
2223 El Cajon Boulevard (inside the LaFayette Hotel), North Park
Colima’s
Colima’s is a tried-and-true nighttime destination. The surf-n-turf burrito is offensively large, and the sprawling salsa selection remains iconic. The drive-thru tends to get jammed up once the local bars hit last call, but if you can snag a parking spot (or if you’re on foot), head inside for a slightly quicker turnaround.
2302 University Avenue, North Park
Peterson’s Donut Corner
Yes, 24/7 places do exist outside of North Park. Peterson’s is a legit old-school donut shop with all the goods: maple bars, old fashioneds, bear claws, crullers… I’m drooling just thinking about the shelves perpetually stuffed with sugary delights. Known for its large sizes and reasonable prices, Peterson’s has been around since 1981, and it’s a solid choice for any time of day.
903 South Escondido Boulevard, Escondido
Restaurants Open Until 2 a.m.
Turf Supper Club
Forget BYOB; it’s GYOS at Turf Supper Club, Golden Hill’s divey destination where guests can grill their own steaks and enjoy stiff cocktails while bathed in red-tinged light that makes everyone look 27.5 percent sexier. You don’t have to cook your steak yourself, but it’s part of the fun. Just take the hard-to-see plastic wrap off before throwing it on the grill (don’t ask me how I know).
1116 25th Street, Golden Hill
Min Sok Chon
Have I mentioned that Korean food is my favorite cuisine of all time? Tuck that in your trivia pocket, with the knowledge that Min Sok Chon has all the requisite Korean goodies like bulgogi and galbi, along with fried chicken wings, dumplings, stir-fried rice cakes, and more. Best of all, it’s actually open even later on weekends—until 3 a.m.! Come hungry and thirsty for a soju tower. Who knows? Maybe a tower or two will lead to karaoke.
4620 Convoy Street, Convoy District
Waterfront Bar & Grill
Ultra-late night just so happens to be a great time to stop at San Diego’s oldest tavern, Waterfront, which can get pretty packed at peak hours. The kitchen closes at 1 a.m., but that still leaves ample hours for one of their monstrous burgers or, my personal favorite, the Waterfront dip, with a bowl of chili on the side. It’s the perfect way to sop up a hangover before it even begins.
2044 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy
The Lion’s Share
The Lion’s Share has been a downtown mainstay for 12 years, and now, with executive chef Dante Romero (Two Ducks, Stone Brewing) at the helm, it’s got a whole new vibe. Think French meets Mexican meets California cuisine, served nightly from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., with the late-night menu offered until 1 a.m. and drinks until 2 a.m. The restaurant is closed on Mondays, so pick any other day of the week to nosh on salt-and-pepper frog legs and grilled oysters and wash it all down with one of the many snappily named (and delicious) cocktails by bar lead John Gibian, including Disco Flames, Cheeto Fingers, and Second Divorce.
629 Kettner Boulevard, Downtown/Embarcadero
Werewolf
Open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, this Gaslamp pub gets packed early for brunch and late for karaoke, which kicks off every night at 9 p.m. It’s a lively spot with typical American pub fare like wings, pork belly nachos, specialty burgers, sliders, and a couple of salads for good measure. I know we’re talking about late-night eats, but the brunch menu is pretty great, and happy hour runs weekdays from 3 to 5 p.m. Just something to chew on.
627 Fourth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter
Restaurants Open Late (Midnight and Later)
Convoy Music Bar
A late-night listening bar—where are we, Tokyo? (I wish.) The elegant space draws inspiration from the vinyl-obsessed cocktail bars of Japan, complete with a custom sound system for acoustic perfection. The drinks aren’t half bad, either, and it’s open until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and midnight on weekdays (though it’s closed Tuesdays). Be sure to dress snazzy—cocktail attire is required.
4646 Convoy Street, Convoy District
The Asian Bistro
When you find yourself in Hillcrest with the late-night munchies, head to The Asian Bistro. It’s a pretty reliable spot for decent Asian fusion, open from 4 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. during the week and until 2:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. (It used to be open until 3 a.m. every day, but I’ll take what I can get.) Parking sucks nearby, but that’s Hillcrest for you, and the drunken noodles make up for it.
414 University Avenue, Hillcrest
Dalbam Moon Night
At Dalbam, which translates to “moon night,” you can get comfort food after midnight, because don’t we deserve it even after sundown? Don’t skip the bossam, hot pot, or ddukbokki for a lil’ snack. This new arrival to Convoy is open until 1 a.m. every day except Sunday, when they close at midnight.
4425 Convoy Street, Convoy District
Same Same
Of all the sleepy beach towns, Carlsbad is one of the sleepiest. Luckily for North County night owls, Same Same stays open until 1 a.m. every day in service of those midnight snack runs. You could even make it a midnight meal—the Thai fusion menu includes curries, chicken satay, a gochujang chicken sandwich, and plenty of innovative cocktails for last-minute libations.
300 Carlsbad Village Drive, Suite 213, Carlsbad
