The Fourth Meal: The 5 Best Late-Night Food Joints in Fort Collins
The fourth meal is an upgrade from the midnight snack — the term for that late-night food run you make when the dinner you had just didn’t cut it (or when you’re slightly inebriated — responsibly of course).
Most normal people would just satisfy the after-hours craving with a subpar McDouble from the nearest Mickey D’s, but fortunately for you, the Fort Collins food scene is far from average. From the classic burger and fries all the way to a bizarre (but surprisingly tasty) cream cheese pizza, good ol’ FoCo has your hunger pains under control.
To help you out on your food binge, I have narrowed down your late-night options to the best of the best. Ordered from kind of late to why-the-heck-are-you-still-awake-late, here are the five best (and relatively cheap) late-night food joints in Fort Collins.
Open until: 10 pm everyday
Location: 510 South College Avenue
Located off of South College Avenue, Big City Burrito is a step up from your average Chipotle or Qdoba. The Mexican food joint came to Fort Collins in 1994, and all three founders still work there, so you can ensure that your burrito is in professional hands. Not only are the ingredients fresh (the guacamole and salsa are homemade everyday), but they are also unique, offering a variety of fillings as well as flavored tortillas (the sun-dried tomato flavor is my personal favorite). But beware, their burritos are about the size of a small child, so don’t make any plans after visiting — you’ll be in a blissful food coma for hours.
Open until: 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays (9 pm the rest of the week)
Location: 140 W. Mountain Avenue
Big Al’s offers all of the goodness of a traditional burger and hotdog stand with a classier, Coloradan twist. The store is dedicated to supporting the Fort Collins community, decorating its walls with paintings from local artists and other interesting reused items. Decorations aside, the food is the real reason to give this place a try. There is something on the menu for everybody, whether you want to play it safe and go for the classic hotdog or be a little adventurous and try one of the restaurant’s homemade veggie burgers. The fries are also hand cut and seasoned with Big Al’s own special spice blend — it’s a must try.
Open until: 2:30 am everyday
Location: 1401 W Elizabeth St
If you want a piece of pizza that is bigger than your face, Cosmo’s is the place to go. The restaurant is home to pizzas with over 20 different toppings to choose from, all available to you in a warm, delicious, ridiculously gigantic slice (they also offer calzones and salads). The thin and perfectly foldable crust is reminiscent of New York pizza, but the atmosphere is all Colorado — the amount of CSU students filtering in and out has the place beaming with school pride. If the college crowd isn’t your thing, Cosmo’s also has online and over-the-phone delivery. However you choose to get your pizza, you must remember one thing: dip it in the spicy ranch. Your tastebuds will thank you.
Open until: 3 am everyday
Location: 1124 W. Elizabeth St
This Fort Collins staple is known for its krazy (see what I did there) and beloved pizza creations. If your relationship with your regular pepperoni pizza is getting boring, head on over to Krazy Karl’s to spice things up. From the famous cream cheese pizza to the waffle-fry-covered heaven that is the Mile High, Krazy Karl’s will satisfy whatever unusual pizza combination you’re craving. The restaurant also caters to the college student budget, offering daily deals and a discounted pizza of the week. For those of age, there is beer on tap with happy hour from 10 pm until 1:30 am. And if you don’t feel like making the trek to the restaurant itself, Krazy Karl’s will deliver the pizza of your dreams right to your door.
Open until: forever. It’s 24 hours!
Location: 120 1/2 W Laurel Avenue
Going to a coffee shop may sound like a leisurely daytime activity, but Alley Cat’s nonstop business makes it the perfect place for a bite after dark. Aside from coffee drinks and a wide selection of teas, the shop also serves a variety of satisfying sandwiches on their housemade vegan focaccia bread. If you aren’t feeling a sandwich, be sure to try their amazing breakfast burrito or one of their fresh pastries. Like Big Al’s, Alley Cat is also full of Fort Collins charm. The walls are covered in works by local artists and the clientele is made up of all kinds of creative locals. You’re guaranteed to meet someone interesting everytime you go.
Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, but these places give it a run for its money. Now go and get yourself a banging fourth meal.