Good morning, sunshine. Did you have a long night? I hope not; it's only Thursday. Get ahold of yourself, man. Those long nights should be reserved for Friday and Saturday wee-small-hours-of-the-morning-type deals; mid-week debauchery is so 1990s.
Regardless of when you're staying up super late (or why), Houston's increasing number of late-night dining options are affording you more choices than ever in 3 a.m. pancakes or midnight po-boys. It wasn't so long ago that you had to pick from a short roster of places -- most of them with the word "House" in their name somewhere -- to satisfy late-night/early-morning cravings, but that's not the case anymore.
Of course, spots like Waffle House, House of Pies, the International House of Pancakes (see what I mean?) and Whataburger are still as great as ever when you really need to have a short stack and grits at 2 a.m. -- but if diner food isn't calling your name late at night, here are our 10 (okay, more like 16) picks for the best spots to satisfy that witching hour craving.
Honorable mention: Katz's and Theo's Open until: Katz's never closes (haven't you heard the ads?) and neither does Theo's; both are open 24-7
These two Montrose mainstays may not serve the best food in town, but they can't be beat for late-night people watching up and down Westheimer. The cheesecake milkshakes and noodle kugel at Katz's are terrific for soaking up booze, while an omelet from Theo's will shake out the cobwebs early in the morning.
10. Mai's / Majorca (tie) Open until: 4 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3 a.m. the rest of the week (Mai's) Open until: 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, midnight the rest of the week (Majorca)
This Midtown classic was many Houstonians' first encounter with Vietnamese food. And 34 years after opening, it's still the most reliable spot in the area to get a midnight meal of pho and spring rolls (or watch the girls spilling out of area clubs stumble around awkwardly on tired, be-heeled feet as their eyes readjust to the light). And on the other side of Midtown, relative newcomer Majorca is a fun change-up from diner food with its menu of tapas and other Spanish favorites (like the albondigas with a fried egg on top that will perk up even the weariest diner).
9. Copacabana Pizzeria Open until: 1:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 11:30 p.m. the rest of the week
It can be tough to find good late-night options this far outside the Beltway, but Brazilian-Italian joint Copacabana Pizzeria (formerly known as Friends Pizzeria before it relocated to its new home a few months ago) has everything from rum-soaked caipirinhas (now that it finally has its liquor license) to wonderfully messy X-tudo burgers. And -- of course -- pizzas, topped with anything from basic pepperoni to Brazilian specialties like soft, savory catupiry cheese. And if you go on a Saturday night, prepare to spend an evening surrounded by lively (and live) Brazilian music.
8. Max's Wine Dive Open until: 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, midnight the rest of the week
Max's would be higher on the list if only its 2 a.m. closing time extended to the rest of the week -- can you imagine being able to get chef Michael Pellegrino's fried chicken or beef belly meatballs on duck fat biscuits at all hours of the night? As it is, being able to dine at Max's past midnight on the weekends is still pretty cool.
7. Shepherd Park Draught House / Cottonwood (tie) Open until: 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, midnight the rest of the week
These two GOOF-y spots (that's Garden Oaks-Oak Forest to the uninitiated) are located practically right next door to each other off Shepherd, and both offer great food and excellent craft beer late into the evening. Although it's too new to say how Cottonwood's food will ultimately fare, I was seriously impressed with a plate of late-night jerk chicken wings one recent night. And the slightly upscale pub grub at Shepherd Park Draught House -- especially the burgers -- is reliably good stuff.
