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Best Late Night Restaurants in New York

50 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked

Last Updated: February 2026

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Our Top Pick
Los Tacos No. 1 (Union Square)
High-volume taqueria delivering street-style tacos with rare consistency.

Essential Picks

$ Union Square Mexican, Tacos
A Mexico City–style taqueria that runs on speed and precision, turning out deeply seasoned adobada, carne asada, and pollo tacos on supple tortillas. The line moves fast, and the salsa bar lets you dial in heat and acidity to your taste. It’s the area’s most reliable stop for classic street tacos with big, repeatable flavor.
Must-Try Dishes: Adobada taco with pineapple, Carne asada taco, Chicken taco with salsa verde
What Makes it Special: High-volume taqueria delivering street-style tacos with rare consistency.

Notable Picks

$$ Jackson Heights Mexican, Tacos
A beloved taco institution in Jackson Heights known for its rich birria tacos and late‑night vibe. Generous portions of tender, slow‑braised meat and deep, flavorful consommé keep locals and visitors lining up well into the night.
Must-Try Dishes: Birria Tacos, Consommé Dip, Adobada Tacos
What Makes it Special: Legendary birria tacos with house consommé.
$$ Midtown East Burgers
A no‑frills Midtown burger spot whose simple, well‑executed cheeseburgers and late‑night hours make it a local favorite.
Must-Try Dishes: Classic Cheeseburger, Double Cheeseburger, Fries
What Makes it Special: Hidden‑away burger joint behind a hotel lobby curtain with cult‑favorite burgers.
8.9
$$$ West Village Chinese
Basement-level sibling to RedFarm, Decoy focuses on Beijing-style duck dinners and polished Chinese small plates in an intimate, low-lit room. Cocktails, careful pacing, and consistently praised duck make it a destination for special-occasion Chinese in the West Village.
Must-Try Dishes: Beijing duck prix fixe, Oxtail dumplings, Crispy fried fish skin
What Makes it Special: Focused Beijing duck experience with serious cocktails in a snug, clubby room.
$$ Murray Hill-Broadway Flushing Korean
Hahm Ji Bach is a landmark Korean BBQ house in Murray Hill known for charcoal-grilled galbi, a huge spread of banchan, and 24-hour service. Recognized in the Michelin Guide and running for more than two decades, it’s where many diners treat Korean barbecue as a full-night event with soups, stews, and grilled meats on heavy rotation.
Must-Try Dishes: LA galbi + mul naengmyeon combo, Hahmji seolleongtang (ox bone soup), Haemul pajeon (seafood scallion pancake)
What Makes it Special: A longtime, Michelin-recognized Korean BBQ institution with nonstop hours and massive banchan spreads.
$$$ Flushing-Willets Point Chinese, Hot Pot
Haidilao Huoguo Flushing runs late into the night with polished hot pot service, fully loaded sauce bars, and over-the-top amenities that turn dinner into an event. Tables build custom broths and cook premium meats long after most of the neighborhood has closed, making it a default choice for late-night groups who want a lively, serviced experience rather than grab-and-go snacks.
Must-Try Dishes: Spicy Sichuan hot pot with split broths, USDA beef and lamb platter, Hand-pulled noodle tableside service
What Makes it Special: High-touch, late-night hot pot with standout service and amenities.
$ Lower East Side Sandwiches
Since 1888, Katz's has defined the classic New York Jewish deli, stacking hand-carved pastrami and corned beef onto rye in a cacophonous, counter-service room. Locals and visitors come for huge, smoky sandwiches, reliable late-night hours, and an only-in-NYC atmosphere that feels unchanged for decades.
Must-Try Dishes: Pastrami on rye, Reuben sandwich, Matzo ball soup
What Makes it Special: Historic, hand-carved deli sandwiches served in a bustling, old-school room.
$$$$ Tribeca-Civic Center Wings
The Dead Rabbit is a globally recognized Irish-inspired cocktail bar that also runs a full pub menu, including wings served alongside one of the city’s better dry-aged burgers. Locals and visitors use it when they want top-tier cocktails and late-night bar food in a multi-level, high-energy space.
Must-Try Dishes: Pub Wings with Fries, Dry-Aged Burger with Irish Cheddar, Turkey Pot Pie
What Makes it Special: World-famous cocktail bar where serious drinks meet late-night pub wings and hearty Irish-leaning plates.
$$$ Park Slope Mexican, Tacos
Alma Negra is an upscale Mexican restaurant built around house-nixtamalized corn, agave spirits, and a tight menu where tacos share space with seasonal plates. With dinner service running to around 11pm and a strong cocktail program, it’s the polished option when you want late-night tacos plus a proper night out.
Must-Try Dishes: Birria tacos, Shrimp tacos, Steak tacos
What Makes it Special: Award-winning modern Mexican cooking centered on heirloom corn tortillas, agave spirits, and refined taco plates.
$$$ University Village American, Seafood
Bruce and Eric Bromberg’s Blue Ribbon Brasserie has anchored SoHo’s late-night dining scene since 1992, pairing a deep raw bar and bone marrow with what many consider some of the city’s definitive fried chicken. High multi-platform ratings and thousands of reviews over three decades support its status as a reliable go-to for chefs, industry regulars, and night-owl diners alike.
Must-Try Dishes: Fried Chicken with Mashed Potatoes & Collard Greens, Beef Marrow with Oxtail Marmalade, Seafood Plateau with Oysters & Shellfish
What Makes it Special: Iconic late-night SoHo brasserie for fried chicken, marrow, and a serious raw bar.
$ Sunset Park Pizza
Giuseppina’s is a South Slope destination for brick-oven pies that lean heavily on long-fermented dough, blistered crusts, and a basil-heavy plain pie served in a dim, candlelit room. The menu is short, focused, and built for lingering over a couple of pies and a bottle of wine rather than a quick grab-and-go slice.
Must-Try Dishes: Plain brick-oven pie with basil, White pie with ricotta and garlic, Everything pie loaded with seasonal toppings
What Makes it Special: Serious brick-oven pies with a crust-first philosophy in a cozy, low-lit room.
$ Midtown-Times Square Pizza
A high-volume Times Square slice counter that still delivers the fundamentals: thin, well-browned crust, clean tomato-sweet sauce, and fast handoffs even when the line wraps. It’s built for late-night utility—grab a classic slice, eat immediately, and keep moving.
Must-Try Dishes: Cheese slice, Pepperoni slice, White slice
What Makes it Special: A classic NYC slice built to hold up under massive late-night volume.
$$ Midtown-Times Square Bakery
Known city‑wide for creamy, fluffy New York–style cheesecake and a broad menu of diner classics, Junior’s remains a go‑to for late-night dessert and comfort food in Hell’s Kitchen. Its bustling, no-frills setting draws both tourists and longtime locals looking for reliable portions and quality cheesecake slices.
Must-Try Dishes: Original Cheesecake, Strawberry Cheesecake, Carrot Cake Cheesecake
What Makes it Special: Legendary New York–style cheesecake that’s deeply tied to Times Square nightlife.
$$ Sunset Park Chinese
All-you-can-eat hot pot paradise with retro-themed decor featuring cassette walls, antique telephones, and old-school karaoke. The $37 AYCE includes premium seafood, fresh meats, and seven different broth options from herbal to mala spicy, with complimentary milk tea pudding dessert.
Must-Try Dishes: Mala Hot Pot Broth, Fresh Dungeness Crab, Hand-Sliced Fatty Beef
What Makes it Special: Retro-themed AYCE hot pot with premium seafood and seven broth options until 2am
$ Corona Mexican, Tacos
A high-volume Roosevelt Avenue stalwart built around suadero, al pastor, and late-night plates that stay busy well past midnight. It’s the move when you want full-tilt Mexico City–style tacos, chilaquiles, and huevos all day in a bustling, no-fuss room.
Must-Try Dishes: Taco de suadero, Tacos al pastor, Chilaquiles verdes
What Makes it Special: A late-running Roosevelt Avenue anchor for suadero, pastor, and full plates.
$ Little Italy Pizza
Prince Street Pizza’s cramped Nolita shop draws relentless lines for its thick Sicilian squares, especially the cult Spicy Spring pepperoni slice. It’s mostly a grab-and-go operation with curbside eating and minimal seating, but the combination of crunchy crust, rich sauce, and heavy toppings keeps it a destination slice stop.
Must-Try Dishes: Spicy Spring Sicilian Square, SoHo Square Sicilian Slice, Vodka Sauce Sicilian Slice
What Makes it Special: Legendary Sicilian squares with thick, caramelized crusts and overloaded toppings served from a standing-room-only Nolita slice shop.
$$ Lower East Side Italian, Pizza
Scarr’s is a Lower East Side slice shop with old-school looks and new-school craft, milling some of its own flour and topping pies with carefully sourced ingredients. Lines move steadily for classic rounds, Sicilian squares, and a small menu of sides that make it a destination for both locals and pizza pilgrims.
Must-Try Dishes: Pepperoni slice, Sicilian square slice, Vegan Caesar salad
What Makes it Special: Slice-shop nostalgia backed by serious grain and ingredient work.
$$ Williamsburg Burritos
SF Mission-style burritos, dankwraps, and breakfast wraps anchor this counter-service spot attached to the 320 Club bar. Locals use it for oversized, tightly wrapped burritos before or after Bedford Avenue nights out, with consistent execution across classic and more indulgent builds.
Must-Try Dishes: Carne asada Mission-style burrito, Dankwrap burrito, Breakfast burrito
What Makes it Special: Mission-style burritos with big fillings and late-night bar adjacency.
8.8
$ Koreatown
Take31 is a late-night Korean spot in Koreatown where soju pitchers, cheesy fried chicken, and comforting stews keep tables busy well past midnight. Locals use it as a go-to after-hours hangout when they want real food, not just bar snacks, in a lively, tightly packed room.
Must-Try Dishes: Corn Pancake, Cheesy Fried Chicken, Mentaiko Udon
What Makes it Special: Korean drinking food and soju in a true after-hours setting.
$ University Village Indian
This MacDougal Street landmark helped popularize Kolkata-style kati rolls in NYC, serving griddled parathas stuffed with spiced meats, paneer, and eggs late into the night. The space is tiny and rough-around-the-edges, but the combination of speed, price, and flavor keeps lines steady years into its run.
Must-Try Dishes: Achari Paneer Roll, Chicken Tikka Roll, Unda Roll
What Makes it Special: High-volume kati-roll pioneer turning out Kolkata-inspired wraps deep into the night.
8.8
$ East Village Breakfast, Brunch
An East Village institution where fries shine as the ideal partner to pierogi, goulash, and late-night diner plates. The fries are reliably crisp, lightly salted, and served fast even during the constant rush. Come hungry for comfort food and stay for the neighborhood energy.
Must-Try Dishes: Crispy French Fries with house-made dips, Short Rib Pierogi, Ukrainian Breakfast Plate
What Makes it Special: A decades-old East Village diner with fries as a flawless comfort-food side.
8.8
$ Five Points Chinese
A basement Chinatown institution that still delivers the loud, fast, no-nonsense experience it’s famous for—big portions, wok-seared classics, and a menu built for groups who order broadly. Go for the Cantonese-American standards and late-night stamina, not polish.
Must-Try Dishes: Roast pork lo mein, Salt-baked shrimp, Beef with broccoli
What Makes it Special: A decades-old basement Chinatown staple serving wok-driven classics fast.
$ Gramercy Burgers
7th Street Burger’s Kips Bay outpost is a no-frills smash-burger counter turning out thin, deeply seared patties on soft potato buns for under $15. Lines move fast, late-night hours stretch past midnight, and the short menu of cheeseburgers and loaded fries delivers a high payoff for the price.
Must-Try Dishes: Double Cheeseburger, Spicy Jalapeño Cheeseburger, Loaded Beef Fries
What Makes it Special: Ultra-simple smash burgers with big crust, gooey cheese, and late hours.
$$$$ University Village Sushi
A longtime SoHo fixture, Blue Ribbon Sushi pairs pristine fish with classic and contemporary rolls, plus cult-favorite crispy rice in a lively, late-night room. Locals use it for everything from casual dates at the counter to celebratory group dinners when they want serious sushi without full-on formality.
Must-Try Dishes: Toshi Roll, Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Omakase Sushi Selection
What Makes it Special: Downtown institution for high-end sushi, signature rolls, and late-night energy.
$ Belmont American
Bronx Burger Co. is a halal smashed-burger shop near Fordham where fries are treated as seriously as the burgers, with multiple seasoned and loaded options. Students and locals lean on it for late-night burger-and-fries runs with made-to-order food and strong delivery coverage.
Must-Try Dishes: Truffle Parm Fries, Parm & Herb Fries, Cajun Spiced Fries
What Makes it Special: Halal smashed-burger spot where seasoned and loaded fries are a headline.
$$ Flushing-Willets Point Chinese
Chongqing Lao Zao is an immersive multi-level hot pot house themed like an old Chinese village, complete with waterwheels and lanterns. Diners come for rich, tallow-based Chongqing broth, long waits that feel like a rite of passage, and late-night hours that keep the space buzzing.
Must-Try Dishes: Spicy Chongqing hot pot with twin broths, Tai chi beef platter, Fresh black beef tripe
What Makes it Special: A maximalist Chongqing-style hot pot experience where themed decor and long lines match intensely flavored broths.
$$$ West Village Burgers
Corner Bistro is a classic West Village burger bar where griddled ½-lb patties, draft beer, and very late hours draw industry folks and neighborhood regulars. The Bistro Burger with bacon and American cheese is the move after midnight, when the room tilts toward standing-room-only but the kitchen keeps burgers coming until 4am on weekends.
Must-Try Dishes: Bistro Burger, Cheeseburger, Chili Burger
What Makes it Special: A bohemian-era tavern turning out hefty ½-lb burgers until 4am.
$$ Koreatown BBQ
Don's Bogam pairs classic Korean barbecue with a deep wine list in a split-level dining room just off Fifth Avenue. Regulars lean on it for dependable galbi, tableside grilling, and late-night Koreatown energy without losing the option for a more structured, sit-down meal.
Must-Try Dishes: Prime marinated galbi short ribs, Haemul pajeon seafood pancake, Stone pot bibimbap with beef
What Makes it Special: Long-running Koreatown BBQ that blends serious grilling with a real wine program.
$$$ Lower East Side Sandwiches
Opened in 2020, Double Chicken Please pairs one of the city’s most inventive cocktail programs with a focused menu of fried chicken sandwiches in a sleek, two-room Allen Street space. The front room leans casual, while the back bar turns those sandwiches and comfort dishes into high-concept, drinkable riffs.
Must-Try Dishes: Cold fried chicken sandwich, Hot honey chicken sandwich, Chicken burger with slaw
What Makes it Special: World-class cocktails and creative fried chicken sandwiches in a design-forward bar.
$ East Village Pizza, Italian
A long-running East Village slice counter known for reliably crisp, thin New York–style pies at truly late hours. The cheese and pepperoni staples hit the sweet spot of salty, stretchy, and lightly charred, and the shop keeps quality steady even deep into the night. Since 1997, it’s been a default post-bar stop for the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes: Classic Cheese Slice, Pepperoni Slice, White Pie Slice
What Makes it Special: High-volume, decades-old slice shop that stays sharp after midnight.
$ Gravesend Mexican, Burritos
High-output Gravesend taqueria where build-your-own tacos, burritos, and bowls are the core draw, backed by long hours and heavy delivery demand. It’s the neighborhood’s most relied-on option for customizable plates with consistently solid fillings from carne asada to fish.
Must-Try Dishes: Carne asada burrito, Fish tacos, Gallo fries
What Makes it Special: Late-hours taqueria with customizable tacos, burritos, and bowls.
$ North Pelham
A 24/7 Hell’s Kitchen mainstay built around a huge, consistently solid empanada lineup plus late-night Latin comfort plates. The fast pace and always-on energy make it an easy post-show or post-bar anchor for dependable handheld eats.
Must-Try Dishes: Classic Beef Empanada, Chicken Tinga Empanada, Chilaquiles with Fried Egg
What Makes it Special: Round-the-clock, high-volume empanada shop with wide flavor range and real sit-down options.
8.7
$ Hamilton Heights-Sugar Hill Chinese
Golden Wok is one of Hamilton Heights’ busiest Chinese takeout operations, moving thousands of delivery orders with a menu built around sesame chicken, fried rice, and lo mein. The draw is consistent execution at scale: crispy fried items, well-seasoned rice, and fast delivery that keeps regulars coming back.
Must-Try Dishes: Sesame Chicken, Chicken and Broccoli, Shrimp Lo Mein
What Makes it Special: Extremely high-volume takeout spot with fast, reliable delivery and crowd-pleasing standards.
$ Flushing-Willets Point
A Dominican-leaning chimi truck parked along Roosevelt that turns into a full-on late-night scene, fueled by oversized meat plates and sandwiches until the early morning hours. It’s the move when you want heavy, salty, post-game food with real grill smoke and a crowd that runs on word-of-mouth more than signage.
Must-Try Dishes: Carne frita, Carne asada, Frita con moro
What Makes it Special: High-volume, post-midnight meat plates off an unmarked Roosevelt truck.
$ Upper West Side (Central) Pizza
Made In New York Pizza on Amsterdam specializes in ultra-crisp square slices with cupping pepperoni and a balanced, slightly sweet sauce, plus classic round pies. Locals treat it as a modern UWS slice benchmark, especially for quick dinners and late-night cravings.
Must-Try Dishes: Spicy pepperoni square slice, Classic cheese slice, White square slice
What Makes it Special: Crisp-edged square slices with cupping pepperoni and balanced sauce.
$$ Williamsburg Sandwiches
Mission Sandwich Social is a counter-service spot on Bedford where oversized, California-influenced sandwiches come on Dutch crunch bread with cheffy fillings and playful names. It’s become a destination for indulgent, photo-ready sandwiches that feel closer to composed plates than deli standards.
Must-Try Dishes: Nicky Chicky Parm, Raging Bull, Steve Byrne Bulgogi & Kimchi
What Makes it Special: An over-the-top sandwich shop where chef-driven fillings hit Dutch crunch bread.
$$ Theater District Burgers
Historic NYC bar famed for its burger — a late‑night favorite among locals for decades, with reliable quality and an old‑school pub ambiance. The burger has repeatedly won local “best burger” contests, and the kitchen runs until 4 AM, making it a dependable after‑hours choice.
Must-Try Dishes: Pop Pop’s Top Shelf Burger, Classic Cheeseburger, Fries & Guinness combo
What Makes it Special: Decades‑old bar burger with cult status and 4 AM kitchen hours.
$ Park Slope Pizza, Italian
Pizza Secret is a wood-burning Neapolitan pizzeria from pizzaiolo-owner Rosario Granieri, turning out blistered pies and Italian plates a short walk from Barclays. With a 50 Top Pizza USA listing and strong Google and Yelp ratings, it’s the polished late-night choice when you still want serious pizza and a real sit-down experience after games or concerts.
Must-Try Dishes: Montanara double-cooked pizza, Americana pepperoni pie with hot honey, Tartufo truffle pizza
What Makes it Special: Award-noted Neapolitan pies from a third-generation Naples-trained pizzaiolo.
$$ Manhattan Valley Mexican
California-Baja fusion tacos with a lively atmosphere and great margaritas.
Must-Try Dishes: Al Pastor Taco, Baja Fish Taco, Street Corn
What Makes it Special: Vibrant Baja-style tacos with margaritas and a festive vibe.
$$ Little Italy Pizza
Famous for its thick, square slices and pepperoni, this slice joint keeps locals and tourists coming back late into the night.
Must-Try Dishes: Spicy Pepperoni Slice, Cheese Slice, Margherita Slice
What Makes it Special: Thick, square slices loaded with pepperoni.
$ Lower East Side Mexican, Burritos
This dedicated burrito counter on Orchard Street flies in flour tortillas from Sonora and skips rice in favor of creamy beans, avocado, and cheese-packed fillings. The focus is tight: a small menu of carne asada, pollo, and vegetarian burritos built with precise layering and serious tortilla craft, making it a go-to LES stop for focused burrito cravings.
Must-Try Dishes: Carne Asada Burrito, Pollo Asado Burrito, Frijol con Queso Burrito
What Makes it Special: A tortilla-obsessed burrito counter that treats fillings and flour wraps with equal care.
8.7
$ East Harlem Japanese, Mexican
Tiny, perpetually busy East Harlem taqueria where carved-to-order al pastor is the main event and lines run late into the night. The menu stays tight—tacos, quesadillas, and a few plates—but execution and salsa variety make it a citywide taco destination. Expect to stand at the counter and eat quickly while the next round is sliced from the trompo.
Must-Try Dishes: Al pastor tacos, Barbacoa tacos, Flor de calabaza quesadilla
What Makes it Special: Iconic East Harlem taqueria built around carved-to-order al pastor.
8.7
$$ Turtle Bay Japanese
Speakeasy-style Tomi Jazz packs live jazz, Japanese bar food, and serious drinks into a low-ceilinged basement just off Second Avenue. Plates like cod roe spaghetti, omurice, and fried croquettes come out of a tiny kitchen while trios play to a room of tightly packed two-tops and counter seats.
Must-Try Dishes: Cod Roe Spaghetti, Omurice, Honey Toast
What Makes it Special: A snug jazz club where serious Japanese comfort food meets live nightly sets.
8.7
$$ Alphabet City Spanish, American
A high-volume East Village institution where Spanish-language energy, cocktails, and shareable plates are the point—more night-out destination than quiet tapas bar. Come for a few Latin-leaning small plates and a strong drink order, then let the room’s nightlife momentum do the rest.
Must-Try Dishes: Tuna ceviche, Yuca fries, Churrasco steak
What Makes it Special: A decades-running Latin night-out hub with serious review-volume proof.
$$ University Village Burgers
A tiny counter on MacDougal turning out ultra-simple, ultra-craveable smashburgers with molten American cheese, griddled onions, and soft potato buns. High-volume service and late-night hours make it a go-to for quick, greasy-in-a-good-way burgers near NYU.
Must-Try Dishes: Double Cheeseburger, Single Cheeseburger, Impossible Burger
What Makes it Special: High-volume, no-frills smashburgers that stay remarkably consistent deep into the night.
$ Lower East Side BBQ
99 Favor Taste is a bustling Chinatown destination for all-you-can-eat hotpot and tabletop BBQ, with grills built into every table and a sprawling selection of meats, seafood, and vegetables. Locals use it for loud group dinners and birthday parties where you cook marinated short rib, pork belly, and steak cubes yourself. The room runs energetic and crowded, but value and variety keep regulars returning.
Must-Try Dishes: All-you-can-eat hotpot & BBQ combo, Angus beef steak for grill, NYC steak cubes
What Makes it Special: High-volume all-you-can-eat hotpot and Korean-style barbecue under one roof.
$ Financial District Wings
A modern sports bar in the heart of the Financial District, Blue Haven South leans hard into wings, burgers, and big portions alongside dozens of TVs. The wings come in multiple flavors with proper crisp and sauce coverage, making this one of FiDi’s most reliable spots for game-day wing platters.
Must-Try Dishes: Buffalo Wings, Garlic Parmesan Wings, Boneless Sweet Chili Wings
What Makes it Special: A TV-lined FiDi sports bar where multi-flavor wings are a core focus, not an afterthought.
$ East Harlem Sandwiches
Corner bodega credited as the birthplace of the chopped cheese, running 24 hours with a flat-top constantly turning out hot heroes. It’s the move when you want a loaded chopped cheese in its original East Harlem context rather than a dressed-up remake downtown.
Must-Try Dishes: Chopped Cheese Sandwich, Chopped Cheese Hero, Roast Beef Sandwich
What Makes it Special: A 24-hour East Harlem bodega widely regarded as the original chopped cheese counter.
$ Tudor City Wings
Bravest is a Buffalo Bills–centric sports bar in Murray Hill where game-day energy, big screens, and platters of Wicked Wings define the experience. The menu leans into classic bar comfort with well-executed wings, burgers, and sandwiches backed by a serious draft lineup.
Must-Try Dishes: Wicked Wings (choice of buffalo, medium, or BBQ), Boneless Wings, Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich
What Makes it Special: Bills-focused sports bar where wings are a headline event.
8.6
$ Chelsea
A long-running Chelsea anchor whose fries still land with that clean, shattery crunch and proper salt balance. The side shines best alongside their burgers and late-night comfort plates, helped by a lively room that keeps energy high without tipping chaotic. A reliable, all-hours fries stop with real neighborhood gravity.
Must-Try Dishes: Turkey Burger with Fries, Crispy Chicken Sandwich with Fries, Sweet Potato Fries with Aioli
What Makes it Special: Decades-deep Chelsea institution with fries that stay crisp and seasoned to the core.