San Francisco downtown late night eats! January 28, 2026

Mentioned in this episode:

• McDonald's 609 Market Street, San Francisco (SoMa neighborhood)
• Louie's Bar 55 Stevenson Street, San Francisco (SoMa neighborhood)
• Pinecrest Diner 401 Geary, San Francisco (Union Square neighborhood)
• Orphan Andy's 3991 17th Street, San Francisco (Castro neighborhood)

Check out past episodes of this podcast at the To Do San Francisco podcast archive.

©2026 Sublime Experiences LLC. ℗2026 Sublime Experiences LLC. All rights reserved.

Transcript

Jamie Whitaker: 0:17

Hello, and welcome to the Wednesday, January 28th, 2026 episode of the To Do San Francisco Podcast. This is Jamie. Thanks for being here and spending a few minutes with me midweek. Wednesdays can feel like a long stretch. If today's been full, try this. Finish one last task, close one open loop, and give yourself credit for showing up. Progress doesn't have to be dramatic to count. Now for the featured topic: Late night eats in and around downtown San Francisco, because sometimes you just need something solid after 9 PM. Quickly, there's a familiar option - McDonald's at 609 Market Street near 2nd Street. It's open late, past midnight on most days of the week except Sunday. And if you need something fast and predictable to go only since there's no table seating at this McDonald's, it's there. For something with more personality in South of Market, head to Louie's Bar at 55 Stevenson Street. It's primarily a bar, but longtime locals know the real secret is the kitchen. On the days they are open, the kitchen is usually serving from their grill until midnight, turning out hearty sandwiches, burgers, and sort of blue plate, always delicious comfort food that hits exactly right after a long day or a late drink. Check out their Saturday supper special dinner sometime. It's unpretentious, generous, and very downtown with lots of regulars to interact with. Note that they're currently closed on Sundays. Closer to Union Square, there's Pinecrest Diner at 401 Geary Street, a classic that's been keeping San Francisco fed for decades. Pinecrest is open 24- hours from Wednesday until Saturday at present, making it a pretty reliable late night stop for breakfast plates, grilled sandwiches, and diner comfort food at most any hour a few days of the week. It's bright, welcoming, and exactly what you want when the city is quiet but you're still hungry. If you're willing to hop on Muni or maybe take a Waymo robot taxi and head out to 3991 17th Street near Castro Street, Orphan Andy's is absolutely worth the trip. They're open twenty four hours on Fridays and Saturdays and almost all of Sunday. They close at 9:45 PM currently on Sundays. It's a beloved Castro institution known for big breakfasts, pancakes, sandwiches, and a warm, no rush atmosphere. I like the country sausage gravy and biscuits personally. It's the kind of place where you can sit, eat, and feel like the city is still a very welcoming destination for all. What all these spots have in common is this: They show up when you need them. Late night food isn't about trends, it's about comfort, care, and keeping San Francisco moving after dark. Before we wrap up, here's a small civility tip for late hours. Remember that people working at night are often at the tail end of long shifts. A little patience, kindness, and a genuine thank you can make the city feel better for everyone. Thanks for listening today. I hope your Wednesday winds down smoothly, your food is satisfying, and the rest of the week feels manageable. Take care of yourself and take care of each other. It can be wild out there. Goodbye for now.