Best Afterhours Restaurants In Chicago

Sometimes the situation calls for a greasy cheeseburger, a plate of gravy laden poutine, a large burrito, Chinese dumplings or a vat of mac 'n' cheese - and if it happens to be at midnight, where do you go? Get a load of these Chicago spots that offer cuisine and libations well after the dinner hour.

Dive Bar
3445 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 770-4618
www.chicagodivebar.com

Belly up to the Lakeview bar and eatery for "Dive Bar After Dark," Fridays and Saturdays. Indulge in free fried chicken (it's steamed then fried) beginning at 11:30 P.M, $5 cocktails 'til 2 A.M. and a DJ providing background tunes to the finger licking good grub. The bar and restaurant specializes in rum based tropical drinks, boasting one of the largest rum collections in the city to make your sturdy Pain Killer, Dark and Stormy and Mai Tai extra special. The nautically themed venue serves tasty seafood and comfort fare.

AMK Kitchen Bar
1954 W. Armitage
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 276-4400
www.amkchicago.com

The Bucktown whiskey bar serves over 60 beers and whiskies at all times, and when you're craving unique dishes like Dorito pie, chicken cracklings, goat cheese pizza, burgers and award-winning mac 'n' cheese late night, you'll know where to go. The neighborhood eatery and bar serves food and drinks until 1:30am on weekends. Inside, the retractable garage door and mural of a goat will remind you that you're in Bucktown.

Chi Cafe
2160-A S Archer Ave
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 842-9993
www.chicafeonline.com

Open 24 hours on Friday and Saturday and 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. the rest of the week, Chinatown's Chi Cafe will sate your taste for cuttlefish roll, beef fried intestine, boiled liver and kidney and "tasty jellyfish." You may also want to try the variety of soothing noodle soups, house specials like yellow chives & shrimp with scrambled egg, mini wok dishes aflame at your table, tons of vegetarian items and an extensive menu of meat options such as pork chops with Thousand Island sauce. Moisten the pipes with fresh fruit smoothies, milkshakes, various teas, soft drinks and Asian specialties. Low prices and a late night kitchen insures a constant clientele, especially by UIC students.

Related:  Best Cigar Bars In Chicago

Goose Island Shrimp House
1013 W Division St.
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 642-3640
gooseislandshrimphouse.com

Factory workers, college students and truckers have been entering this little shack for more than 40 years and exiting with a oil-stained brown bag of shrimpy wonder. The city's oldest shrimp shack (and one of just a few left) fries up shrimp, catfish, frog legs, scallops and hunks of fish until 5 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 4 a.m. the rest of the week. The cuisine is enhanced with hot sauce or Goose Island's homemade seafood sauce. Be sure to order a side of the creamy cole slaw, potato or mac salad or more fried items like clams, mushrooms or french fries.

Jim's Original
1250 S Union Ave.
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 733-7820
www.jimsoriginal.com

The original Jim's stand was located on the corner of Maxwell and Halsted Streets from 1939 until 2001. When the University of Illinois Chicago wanted to expand, the the stand was relocated a couple of times before finally settling in this spot in University Village. You'll find many delicious items on the menu. Jim's serves the famous Maxwell St bone-in pork chop sandwich, Vienna beef hot dogs, burgers, chicken breast and fried fish fillet sandwiches. You can also add jalapeños and fried onions to your order for an added kick. Free fries, low prices and 24/7 service make Jim's a must visit for late night eats.

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Jacky Runice has been a columnist with the Daily Herald Chicago since grunge music and flannel was the new black. Her fingers and gray matter have been busy as travel editor of Reunions Magazine; penning a column that was syndicated around the nation via Tribune Media Services. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.