Where to go when the cravings come nigh
BOSTON COLLEGE: BLUESTONE BISTRO
This ain’t your average greasy, cheap-o pizza pie joint. At Bluestone, you can get a delectable gourmet pizza that is a surefire fit for your budget, even until 1 a.m. The Bluestone Special is only $20 for an extra-large sized pie topped with pepperoni, hamburger, sausage, green pepper, onion, and mushroom … drool. They also serve other palate-pleasing necessities, such as mozzarella sticks, cheese fries, wings, and macaroni bites, all only $5.99. Impress your friends by ordering a pie from their pesto-oriented section of the pizza menu, featuring five pies topped with an assortment of vegetables, meats, and—you guessed it—pesto.
[1799 Comm. Ave., Brighton. Open until 1am. bluestonebistro.com]
BOSTON UNIVERSITY: SPIKE’S JUNKYARD DOGS
Love for a good hot dog can only get stronger with bacon, chili, onions, and cheese, so send your hot dog-love drunk (or maybe just plain drunk) heart over to Spike’s. Order the Junkyard Dog, a 100 percent beef dog with Spike’s mustard, tomato, pickle, hot pepper rings, and chopped scallions ($4.59). Or opt for The Mutt, a plain dog that you can top yourself at heir condiment bar ($3.56). But be sure to program your palate to crave these savory treats by 1 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, because that’s the only time you can get ‘em late night.
[108 Brighton Ave., Allston. Open until 1 am. @spikeshotdogs. spikesjunkyarddogs.com]
EMERSON COLLEGE: SOUTH STREET DINER
Nothing says happiness like a 24/7 operating diner. But chocolate-stuffed French toast ($9), stuffed grape leaves ($7), and sweet potato fries ($4) come pretty close. The South Street Diner is an excellent option for readily available diner fare with character. Although Emerson happens to be the closest college to the diner, most colleges in the city have special promo nights (announced via Facebook) where students can enjoy 10 percent discounts with their student ID. In addition, all students will receive a free South Street Diner t-shirt with any purchase of $20 or more. To top it all off, they even have a photo booth to satisfy your impulsive, selfie-fied shenanigans.
[178 Kneeland St., Boston. Open 24 hours. @southstreetdine. southstreetdiner.com]
HARVARD UNIVERSITY: TASTY BURGER
Before 4 a.m. on any given night, you might want a burger, preferably a tasty one. Good thing Tasty Burger has come to Harvard Square to offer a wide variety of burger compilations beyond the bacon cheeseburger (although they do offer just that at $5.85). Honor the fact that you’re probably ordering a burger in the a.m. hours with the Rise ‘N Shine Burger (cheese, fried egg, bacon, and ketchup for $5.75). Or proudly address your physical and not-quite-applicable-professional status with the Starvin’ Student (hamburger or cheeseburger, can of beer, and fries for $10). A night will end better with 1/3 lb. certified all-natural beef—don’t let a Whopper get to you first.
[40 JFK St., Harvard Sq., Cambridge. Open until 4 am. @TastyBurgerUSA. tastyburger.com]
MIT: THE FRIENDLY TOAST
Find anyone who has been to The Friendly Toast and didn’t like it—I dare you. With an amicable and trendy staff, cool and retro décor, and hours that go until 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays, what’s not to love? Fall even harder with the promise of their new mac and cheese (5 cheeses and beer sauce for $12), cheesy fries (with bleu and provolone cheese and strawberry-habanero dip for $10), and the D.G.G.C. ($10.25), which stands for “Damn Good Grilled Cheese,” served on their popular cayenne-cheddar bread, which, bread alone, happens to be one of my favorite things ever.
[1 Hampshire St., Cambridge, Kendall Sq., Open until 1 am. @ToastCambridge. thefriendlytoast.net]