Your farmers market and bike trail fave has a home
Quinton’s Bar & Deli, 506 E. Grand Ave.
Kitchen open: 11 a.m.-midnight daily (bar open until 2 a.m. daily).
Best for: Laid-back dinner and beers with friends
Located in the East Village, Quinton’s is a great spot for late night pub grub. Cheese balls, wings, burgers and a whole list of “spuds” (two Idaho potatoes loaded with special toppings including the “Fiesta” with chili, queso, sour cream and jalapenos, and “The Bomb,” with queso, ham, turkey, bacon, chives, black olives and sour cream), create a lengthy menu that will satisfy almost any craving. Wash it all down with a “Little Boy” (16-ounce) or “Big Girl” (23-ounce) draw of your favorite domestic or craft brew.
Big Tomato Pizza, 2613 Ingersoll Ave.
Kitchen open: 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Monday through Saturday; 2 p.m.-3 a.m. Sunday.
Best for: Pizza with attitude.
If you’re willing to put up with the self-proclaimed “lousy service,” stop by Big Tomato Pizza for a big, greasy slice, or a whole pie. The Ingersoll Avenue joint is popular for both its unique toppings (chili dog, or Spam, blue cheese and asparagus) and no-frills service. Order by-the-slice after 10 p.m., or call in an order for pick up or delivery. And don’t worry, not all of the pizzas have crazy toppings — Big Tomato always has pepperoni and a few vegetarian options for the less adventurous.
Zombie Burger + Drink Lab, 300 E. Grand Ave.
Best for: “Goremet” burgers and spiked shakes
Kitchen open: 11 a.m.-mid- night daily (bar open until 2 a.m. daily).
Even after a late night at the office, you aren’t limited to the drive-through for a burger. Instead, head to Zombie Burger, the post-apocalyptic East Village hot spot popular for its unique “bashed” burgers. Dine in the Drink Lab, with more seating and a full bar with beer, cocktails and spiked milkshakes. If you want to enjoy your burger on the couch after a long day, call ahead and pick up your order, or place your order at the express counter in the front of the restaurant. Bashed burger options include the Dead Moines (gouda cheese, prosciutto, Niman Ranch ham and truffle mayo), and the Pittsburgher (ham, egg, fries, coleslaw and mayo), or try a salad, hot dog or soup.
Overtime Sports Pub, 4810 N.W. 86th St., Urbandale
Best for: Watching the rest of the game.
Kitchen open: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, with a late-night menu featuring pizza and appetizers served until midnight or later depending on the crowd.
If a late night has kept you from watching your favorite team, head to OverTime Pub to watch the end of the nail-biter. The Urbandale bar and restaurant features dozens of TVs, plus speakers on its patios to listen to the game. That’s right, we said “patios” — plural. Sit out front facing Northwest 86th Street where there is more activity, or enjoy the back patio, which is quieter and offers sublime views of the sunset, if you can make it soon enough. The large menu offers classic bar food — wings, burgers, pasta — as well as quality pizza.
Fong’s Pizza, 223 Fourth St.
Best for: Late-night fusion in the heart of downtown
Kitchen open: 11 a.m.-midnight daily; Slices served 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Thursday and Sunday, and 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Fong’s, an Asian fusion restaurant that serves crab rangoon pizza and pizza rolls in egg roll wrappers, is a cozy spot for a late- night meal. The restaurant is consistently busy during dinner hours (there is usually a wait), so showing up after 10 p.m. may be in your favor. Order off the full menu until midnight, which includes the restaurant’s famous pizzas, salads, sandwiches and appetizers, or order a few slices after 10 p.m. ($2.75 each) for a fast meal. Enjoy your food with a cold beer, or a “Fongtastic” tiki drink, served in a badass tiki glass.
