What Fast Food Chains Are Open Late in 2024?

Fast food is a handy choice for lots of folks who want a fast meal, particularly in the evening. If you’re up late working, studying hard, or just feeling hungry, fast food fulfills your cravings while saving you precious time.

But, it’s important to know that not all fast food is the same. Certain fast-food places have more delicious options than others. Today, we are here to share eight late-night fast food places in the USA.

So, when hunger strikes late at night, you can simply hop in your car or make a quick phone call to order your food without worrying about where to go.

Fast Food That is Open Late

You can find late-night fast food options across the USA, such as Crazy Burger in Los Angeles, Circle K in San Antonio, McDonald’s in Chicago, Wendy’s in Houston, Shake Shack Herald Square in New York, Chick-fil-A in Phoenix, Jack in the Box in San Diego, and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers in Dallas. If you want to save time and avoid the hassle of deciding what to eat, check out the detailed guide below with prices for these options.

I’m pretty sure you’re familiar with McDonald’s, right? It’s like the superhero of American fast food and a famous global food star! They serve hamburgers, sandwiches, french fries, and a variety of other items. Usually, they operate from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily, but a few spots remain open around the clock in Chicago.

You have the choice of takeout, delivery, or utilizing their convenient drive-through service. With more than 160 branches scattered across the Chicago area, it’s safe to say they’re easy to find.

Fast Food Options: From its extensive menu, you can choose breakfast items (McMuffins, McGriddles, hotcakes), burgers (Big Macs, Quarter Pounders, cheeseburgers), chicken stuff (McNuggets, McChicken, crispy chicken sandwiches), salads, wraps, and bowls.

Famous Dishes: While all of McDonald’s dishes have their fans, below are a few of my personal favorites:

• The Big Mac: It’s a hamburger with a unique sauce, lettuce, onions, two layers of cheese, and pickles, all inside a bun with sesame seeds.
• Chicken McNuggets: These are small pieces of crispy chicken that you can dip in tasty sauces.
• The McRib: This is a pork sandwich with onions, barbecue sauce, and pickles on a special kind of bun.

Price Range: The cost for an individual at McDonald’s can vary between $3 and $10 USD.

Location: In Chicago, there are many McDonald’s restaurants, and one of them is located at 600 N Clark St close to the Rainforest Cafe and the Hard Rock Cafe.

For the next morning, try out the best breakfast places in Chicago.

As the third largest hamburger chain in the USA, Wendy’s has made its mark in the fast food world. Their menu has a selection of mouthwatering options, from nuggets and burgers to delicious fries. Houston residents have the convenience of visiting Wendy’s at 46 locations, with welcoming doors from 6 AM to 2 AM. Plus, they cater to your needs with delivery, takeout, and speedy drive-through service.

Fast Food Options: The restaurant provides a diverse menu, including breakfast items such as the Breakfast Baconator and Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit. Further, they have a wide range of burgers and sandwiches including Dave’s Single and Spicy Chicken Sandwich, as well as nuggets and tenders (Spicy Nuggets and Chicken Tenders). You can also enjoy salads, bowls, sides, and desserts at Wendy’s.

Food Speciality: I have personally visited Wendy’s in Houston and eaten there frequently. The following are the foods I highly recommend.

• The Spicy Chicken Sandwich: Perfect for late night craving! It’s a chicken breast marinated and breaded in a fiery blend of peppers and spices, topped with mayo, lettuce, and tomato on a toasted bun.
• Bacon Pub Cheeseburger: The burger features fresh beef, smoky honey mustard, Muenster cheese, Applewood smoked bacon, beer cheese sauce, pickles, and crispy fried onions for a tasty combination. Give it a try, I’m sure you won’t regret it.

Price Range: Prices for a single person’s meal at Wendy’s may fall within the $2 to $12 range.

Location: Just like McDonald’s, Wendy’s has multiple branches in Houston. The one my friend went to is located at 10780 Whestheimer.

Shake Shack, starting in 2001 at Madison Square Park, is your spot for yummy late-night fast food. Their specialty lies in crafting delectable burgers, golden fries, and delicious nuggets. You can enjoy their offerings from 10:30 AM until midnight. And to make your experience even more convenient, they extend a hand to offer takeout, delivery, and a speedy drive-through service at their plentiful 12+ locations.

Fast Food Options: There are numerous fast-food choices at Shake Shack. For instance, if you’re a burger fan, they’ve got you covered with choices like the ShackBurger, SmokeShack, and the Avocado Bacon Burger. For chicken enthusiasts, there’s the Chick’n Shack, Hot Chick’n, and Chicken Bites. And if you’re in the mood for hot dogs, you can enjoy the Shack-cago Dog, Cheese Dog, or even the Veggie Dog.

Food Speciality: The following are some of the popular food options I’ve discovered at these restaurants.

• ShackBurger: This is a must-try for those who love cheeseburgers. It comes with lettuce, tomato, and ShackSauce on a toasted potato bun.
• Chick’n Shack: It features a crispy chicken breast served with lettuce, pickles, and buttermilk herb mayo on a toasted potato bun.

Price Range: To dine at this restaurant, you can expect to spend approximately $8 to $15.

Location: Shake Shack Herald Square can be found at 1333 Broadway. It’s just about a block away from the Empire State Building and Macy’s.

When you’re in the mood for a smash burger made with fresh ingredients and house-made sauce, Crazy Burger is the place to go. As their name playfully suggests, a visit here promises a journey through a galaxy of distinctive and tasty burger choices. They’re open daily from 6:00 PM to 3:00 AM and provide takeout service.

Fast Food Options: Crazy Burger offers a bunch of different burger choices, such as spicy Jalapeño and Flaming Hot Chito Crazy Burger, classic cheeseburgers, and veggie burgers. They also has sides like fries, onion rings, salads, and drinks. The best part? You have the power to show your creativity and customize your burger with a galaxy of toppings and sauces to suit your taste buds.

Food Speciality: I haven’t personally tried these, but based on what visitors have said, the top picks at Crazy Burger are:

• Double Crazy Burger: It has two beef patties, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and Crazy sauce on a toasted bun.
• Flaming Hot Chito Crazy Burger: This one has a beef patty covered in crushed Flaming Hot Cheetos, with cheese, jalapeños, and spicy mayo in a red bun.

Price Range: Food enthusiasts can expect to spend anywhere from $4 to $18 at this eatery.

Location: Crazy Burger is situated in Los Angeles, precisely in the Atwater Village neighborhood, and you’ll find their only branch located at 3073 Los Feliz Boulevard.

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Looking for a finger-licking good experience in Dallas? Allow me to introduce you to Raising Cane’s, which is a great place for fast food that specializes in mouthwatering crinkle-cut fries, chicken fingers, and delectable Texas toast. It’s the perfect spot to satisfy those late-night munchies! They stay open until 2 am, so you can enjoy their tasty meals whenever you want. Whether you want to sit down to eat or prefer the drive-through, Raising Cane’s has you covered.

Food Options: Raising Cane’s offers some delicious options for chicken finger meals. You can go for the Box Combo, where you get four chicken fingers, fries, coleslaw, a slice of Texas toast, and a refreshing drink. If you prefer a slightly smaller meal, the 3 Finger Combo includes three chicken fingers, fries, a tasty piece of Texas toast, and a drink. And for the young ones, there’s the Kids Combo, providing two chicken fingers, fries, and a drink.

Note: No matter which meal you choose, Raising Cane’s renowned sauce accompanies every single one.

Famous Dishes: Some of the most-loved dishes according to customers are mentioned below:

• The Caniac Combo: If you’re extra hungry, check out this combo, which provides a generous portion of chicken fingers for the hungriest Caniacs.
• The Sandwich Combo: For those on the move, the Sandwich Combo offers a convenient way to enjoy chicken fingers.

Price: At Raising Cane’s, you can expect to spend between $5 and $20 per person.

Location: Among the numerous Raising Cane’s locations in Dallas, one of the well-loved spots can be found at 2503 West Mockingbird Lane.

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Jack in the Box holds a special place as my top choice for fast food dining. They feature an enticing menu with a variety of burgers, chicken dishes, tacos, and breakfast options that are sure to leave you craving for another visit. What’s even more amazing is their 24/7 availability. Further, they’ve got 43 city-wide branches ready to bring the food right to your doorstep. They provide options for takeout and convenient drive-through service.

Food Options: At Jack in the Box, you’ve got a world of delicious choices. Start your day with breakfast favourites like the Loaded Breakfast Sandwich, Mini Pancakes, and the Extreme Sausage Sandwich. When it’s burger time, savor options like the Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburger, the Sourdough Jack, or the Spicy Chicken Sandwich. And don’t forget the tasty extras, with snacks and sides like Egg Rolls, Stuffed Jalapeños, and Panko Onion Rings.

Famous Dishes: A few must-try items that have won hearts at Jack in the Box include:

• Jack’s Spicy Chicken: For a flavorful twist, give Jack’s Spicy Chicken a try. It has a crispy chicken fillet, garden-fresh lettuce, plump tomato, and a spicy mayo blend, served on toasted sourdough bread.
• The Jumbo Jack: Another customer favourite – A savoury beef patty crowned with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and mayo on a sesame seed bun.

Price: The range for each person’s expense can be anywhere from $3 to $16.

Location: The restaurant’s most frequented location is situated at 2404 Market St, conveniently positioned near the junction of Market St and 24th St.

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When you’re hungry for some amazing chicken dishes, Chick-fil-A is the go-to spot! Their menu is packed with tasty chicken crispy nuggets, sandwiches, and fresh salads that will make your taste buds happy. The great news is they have a massive 37 locations spread across the Phoenix area, making it super easy to get your hands on their tasty food. You can either visit to pick up your order, have it delivered to your doorstep, or use their convenient drive-through service.

Food Options: Their menu features an array of sandwiches and wraps, ranging from the Original Chicken Sandwich to the Spicy Deluxe Sandwich and the Grilled Cool Wrap. For those who prefer nuggets and strips, there are options like the Chick-n-Minis, Chick-n-Strips, and Grilled Nuggets. When it comes to salads and bowls, You can savor the flavors of the Cobb Salad, the Spicy Southwest Salad, and the Kale Crunch Side. 

Famous Dishes: These two dishes are Chick-fil-A’s most loved options.

• The Original Chicken Sandwich: A tasty boneless chicken, breaded for a crispy crunch, and served on a toasted bun with a buttery touch. It is accompanied by dill pickle chips.
• Chick-fil-A Nuggets: These are small, tender bits of chicken breast, skillfully coated to achieve a delightful crunch. 

Price: A visit to Chick-fil-A may cost you from $3 to $12 per person.

Location: You can find one of this restaurant’s branches near the crossing of 7th Ave and Roosevelt St, precisely at 819 N 7th Ave.

When you’re in need of both convenience and excellence, Circle K is the place to turn to. It’s not just your ordinary convenience store; it’s the one-stop shop for your snacks, beverages, and beyond. With a wide network of over 160 locations scattered across San Antonio, there’s always one close by. And here’s the exciting twist – some Circle K spots feature kitchens whipping up hot and delicious delights, such as pizza, sandwiches, and chicken. You can enjoy delectable and budget-friendly meals at any time of the day.

Food Options: Circle K provides a variety of food options to cater to your appetite. If you’re looking for a quick bite, comforting options like sandwiches, salads, wraps, and burritos await. If you’re in the mood for something more substantial, you have the option to treat yourself to pizza, chicken tenders, hot dogs, and burgers. They also have a variety of chips, cookies, and baked goods to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Famous Dishes: Whenever you have the chance to visit, make sure to try these two dishes:

• The Pepperoni Pizza: A flavourful thin-crust pizza topped with cheese and pepperoni, freshly baked to perfection in just a few minutes.
• The Chicken Tender Combo: Enjoy crispy chicken tenders served alongside fries and your preferred beverage.

Price: When you dine at Circle K, the amount you’ll use per person can shift, typically from $2 to $10.

Location: In San Antonio, you’ll come across multiple Circle K stores, with one conveniently positioned at 3225 Commercial Ave, close to the intersection of Commercial Ave and SW Military Dr.

Related Read: TOP Kid-Friendly Restaurants in San Antonio, TX [Local Guide]

Let’s Fulfill Those Night Cravings!

We hope you like our fast food recommendations that are open late in the US. We conducted thorough research and considered many guest reviews to identify some of the best choices such as McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Shake Shack, Crazy Burger, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Jack in the Box, Chick-fil-A, and Circle K. Keep in mind that many of these places have multiple locations, so use Google Maps to locate the one closest to you. Further, remember that their menus may vary, and some items may not be available at every branch, so it’s a good idea to call the venue before heading over.