Sure, we’ve all been there. Some of us more than others. Your sights were set on a drink, maybe two, with some friends or colleagues at happy hour. The conversation is flowing, the laughs are non-stop and the music is playing your jams one after the other. Next thing you know, you look down at your watch and realize happy hour has turned into happy hours and it’s much later than you originally anticipated. No big deal, right? Until you feel your belly begging you for sustenance. “Feed me!” Sound familiar?
Luckily, Manayunk is home to a wide range of culinary hot spots, many of which offer diners late night options. And I’m not just talking about grabbing a slice at your favorite corner pizza joint either. I’m talking about some mouth-watering, not-to-be-skipped good eats right in your own backyard. So, the next time you find yourself in search of fourth meal, be sure to check out any one of these late night bites. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.
Bourbon Blue
The kitchen stays open at Bourbon Blue until 11 p.m. Sunday through Friday nights and until midnight on Saturday night. The New Orleans influence is most noticeable upon review of the extensive menu offerings. Their appetizers/small plates section would certainly pose a challenge to an indecisive diner. So let me direct you to two crowd favorites.
Blackened shrimp & grits: Sauteed shrimp, blackened and served over creamy cheddar polenta, topped with crumbled bacon and finished with chopped scallions.
Stuffed mushrooms: Portabella caps stuffed with artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers and topped with creamy goat cheese.
2 Rector St.; (215) 508-3360
Falls Taproom
I’d be a fool if I didn’t mention the off-the-beaten-path gem that is Falls Taproom. While not centrally located on Main Street, it is absolutely a force to be reckoned with when it comes to late night bites. If I had to put their menu into one category, I’d safely put it in the comfort food genre. The kitchen remains open until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday.
If sharing among friends is your style, the beer cheddar fondue is worth exploring for sure. With generous servings of apples, broccoli and Philly pretzels, dipping never tasted quite so good.
Not a fan of sharing? Ford the grown-up grilled cheese road. Jam-packed with Granny Smith apples, yellow cheddar and fontina cheeses and finished with a sweet red onion jam, you definitely won’t find this sandwich on the kiddie menu.
3749 Midvale Rd.; (215) 849-1222
The Goat’s Beard
As one of the newer additions to Manayunk’s restaurant lineup, The Goat’s Beard is where you want to go for well-crafted appetizers, an array of worldly cuisines and fries that will have you giving up any kind of diet you may have entered with. Catch their late night menu options Tuesday through Saturday from 10–11 p.m.
“The Goat” burger: Their 8 oz. house-made burger is topped with pepperjack cheese, caramelized onions and bacon atop a warm brioche bun with a secret sauce that I can only describe as “certainly not to be mistaken for the Big Mac sauce.”
4201 Main St.; (267) 323-2495
Insomnia Cookies
Sweet tooth nagging at you? Let Insomnia Cookies be the answer. Stop in to their Main Street location or have it delivered (until 3 a.m.) and you’re guaranteed a warm, fresh and downright drool-worthy sweet treat every time. Paired with cold milk, this late night bite may just be my favorite.
Choose from their Chocolate Chunk, S’mores Deluxe or their crowd favorite Double Chocolate Mint, but whatever you do, choose Insomnia Cookies.
4319 Main St.; (877) 632-6654
Kildare’s Irish Pub
With their kitchen open until midnight seven days a week, Kildare’s Irish Pub always makes for a great late night option. And with a recent facelift to their menu, it’s no wonder why diners pack this place day in and day out.
Irish Craic Nachos: Fresh-cut potato chips topped with Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses, jalapenos, pico de gallo and sour cream make for a shareable appetizer of the Irish persuasion. Add fajita chicken or chili for an additional charge.
Kildare’s Pub Pretzels: Kosher salt-topped Philly pretzels served warm with not one, but two, dipping sauces. Warm poblano cheese sauce and pub mustard make for the perfect accompaniments for this delicious small plate option.
4417 Main St.; (215) 482-7242
Lucky’s Last Chance
Best known for their unique burgers and hot dogs, visiting Lucky’s Last Chance late night is a serious stroke of good luck. Their kitchen will serve the entire menu until midnight on weekends. Burgers range from Mexican-inspired heapings of guacamole to Greek-style toppings of feta cheese and everything in between. No, seriously, there’s even a burger that offers peanut butter as an option. And the hot dogs are no different. I highly suggest you check out the menu items below in particular.
El Guapo: This Mexican-inspired burger features Pepper Jack cheese, guacamole, sour cream, jalapenos, diced tomatoes and crispy tortilla strips. Enjoy it junior sized or go all the way with the standard.
Buffalo Bill: This hot dog won’t disappoint if you like a little heat. It’s topped with shredded chicken dipped in buffalo sauce, topped with blue cheese crumbles and served on a butter-toasted New England style roll.
4421 Main St.; (215) 509-6005
Manayunk Brewing Company
Manayunk Brewing Company is a great spot to check out late night fare on Main Street as they have a menu solely for that purpose. Fully equipped with a brick oven, when the weather cooperates, you can enjoy pizza on their outside deck area overlooking the Schuylkill River—it’s a match made in late night bite heaven. Please note: With no set closing time, their kitchen will serve food for the duration that the bar is open. Also, be sure to not to skip the following late night menu items:
Kennett Square pizza: This 10” personal pie begins with hand-rolled dough and is then topped with local assorted mushrooms, caramelized onions, mozzarella and goat cheeses and finished with a blend of herbs and spices.
Roasted red pepper hummus plate: If you’re looking to keep it light late at night, their hummus plate is a great choice. House-made roasted red pepper hummus is topped with kalamata olives and olive oil and served with an assortment of fresh veggies and tricolor tortilla chips.
4120 Main St.; (215) 482-8220
Falls Taproom photo credit: Food Spotting; remaining photos credited to the restaurants respectively.
