I’m sure that at least 95% of the people reading this have bought fast food during the wee hours of the night.
Whether it’s because you work the graveyard shift, want to take a pit stop on an overnight trip, or are studying hard and don’t have time to cook up your own food, fast food places that are open 24/7 have saved our lives (or at least our hunger) at least once. It’s not the healthiest thing to eat, and you should avoid eating fast food every day, but when you want quick and delicious food when most businesses are closed, here are 10 24-hour fast-food restaurants you can rely on.
McDonald’s
Most McDonald’s are open 24/7. You can go to an open McDonald’s or you can have your food delivered via UberEats. However, not all McDonald’s are open 24/7; according to Reader’s Digest, around 12,000 McDonald’s branches in the United States (around 90%) are open 24/7. The other 10% of McDonald’s close after 11 PM and open at 6 AM the next day because they have such low customer traffic that it wouldn’t be profitable to keep their store open beyond the typical operating hours. In fact, some McDonald’s employees in branches with lower customer traffic report instances where zero customers have entered the store during the graveyard shift.
If you want to find a 24/7 McDonald’s, look for one in busier parts of your town or city, since they’re more likely to be open due to the high foot and vehicle traffic. However, some stores open at late night hours only provide drive-thru service for security purposes.
Find the nearest McDonald’s using their restaurant locator.
Waffle House
Waffle House’s own FAQ page states that every Waffle House branch is open 24 hours, 365 days a year. A popular chain restaurant in the south, it’s a go-to place for home-style meals for low prices. The great thing about their menu is that it doesn’t change depending on what time of the day you come and order. While it has a breakfast and lunch and dinner menu, both sides of its menu are available at any time of the day. So, whether you’re hungry for some waffles at dinner time or are craving a t-bone steak at 3 AM, Waffle House can fix it up for you.
Find the nearest Waffle House using their restaurant locator.
Denny’s
Not only is Denny’s open 24/7, but its delivery service, Denny’s on Demand, is also available around the clock so you can be served “whatever, whenever, and wherever.” So, if you’re craving Denny’s Grand Slam breakfast at any time of the day, getting it delivered to your doorstep is quick and convenient. However, if you prefer to go directly to Denny’s to make sure you can eat your food while it’s still hot, their chain stores are also open to serve you.
Find the nearest Denny’s using their restaurant locator.
Whataburger
The 800 Whataburgers across the country operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, according to Whataburger’s company page. While everything on the menu is available around the clock, their special breakfast menu is only available at certain times of the day. The good news is that it’s available from 11 PM to 11 AM, so if you’re craving a pancake platter or their Breakfast On A Bun hours before the socially acceptable breakfast time, you can still get it at your local branch or have it delivered.
Find the nearest Whataburger using their restaurant locator.
Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box’s 2,250 locations are open 24/7 and are available for a drive-thru, delivery, dine-in, and take-out. Prior to 2013, most of their late-night sales came from the drive-thru, which canceled out the purpose of keeping their doors open. To get more people to dine in after 9 PM, Jack in the Box changed its restaurants’ atmosphere from 9 PM to 5 PM and developed a special late-night menu and unique combos perfect for those going to Jack in the Box after a night of drinking. A menu filled with things like a burger with grilled cheese sandwiches for buns or sriracha curly fries added into a burger might sound like an over-the-top nightmare in the morning, but for night-dwellers looking to sate their munchies, it’s a perfect savory meal to end the night.
Find the nearest Jack in the Box using their restaurant locator.
Steak ‘n Shake
Best known for their steakburgers and hand-made milkshakes, most Steak ‘n Shake locations are open 24/7. Their whole menu is available around the clock, meaning you can get most of their menu delivered, take out, or dine in. Unfortunately, their breakfast plates, breakfast sandwiches, and breakfast sides are only available between 6 AM to 11 AM. Not the best place to go in the wee hours if you’re craving bacon and eggs, but at least the rest of their menu is available.
Find the nearest Steak ‘n Shake using their restaurant locator.
Dunkin’
The doughnut and coffee store formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts has some branches that are 24/7, but not all of them are. Though with over 8,000 locations spread across the United States, it’s highly likely that you’ll find at least one 24/7 branch in your area. Unlike other fast-food chains, Dunkin’s menu consists mainly of classic and premium donuts, sandwiches, and hot and cold drinks. Some stores also provide drive-thru options for those on the go.
Find the nearest Dunkin’ using their store locator.