Home > Restaurants > Round Up >

Late night: Westwood Village

Where to tame the late-night lion when post-"studying" hunger hits

By Sara Tan, Special to Metromix

April 3, 2008

Email
Print View
Share
- Digg
- Del.icio.us
- Facebook
- Furl
- Google
- Reddit
- Spurl
- Yahoo
Add To Favorites
Add to playlist

Can't beat 35-cent cookies (Credit: Shane Redsar)

“Fourth meal”? Fuggetaboutit. Diehard collegiates know—by the time the midnight munchies hit, they are so beyond number four. With all the cram sessions and studious keg-tapping to be had, Taco Bell and dormitory cereal just will not do. (They may be hungry and seemingly poor, but they aren’t stupid.)

Now that UCLA is in its third-straight Final Four, Westwood Village will be teeming with froshies, seniors and diehard alumni roaming the manicured streets for grub to satiate the thrill of victory (or the agony of defeat). Because Metromix is nothing if not an advocate for the hardworking student, here's a go-to guide to (almost) round-the-clock joints (devoid of all coffeehouses and froyo shops because, let’s face it, you need real food). From Gayley’s frat row to Tiverton Ave., here are our picks for where to tame the late-night lion.

Mr. Noodle

936 Broxton Ave., Los Angeles

310-208-7808

The comfort food of noodles helps stomach a long night of cramming or partying. The diverse Pan-Asian menu of pho, chow mein, udon or pad thai should feed whatever you're craving. And if you're miserably holed up at your desk (or just feeling miserably lazy), Mr. Noodle delivers. Available nightly until the odd hour of 10:45 p.m.

Sepi's Giant Submarines

10968 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles

310-208-7171

Every campus has the place for beer, subs, watching games, casually hooking up with classmates, and underage drinking (but not a word from us, mind you). Sepi's has been a UCLA hangout for over 30 years. And, don't mind the geezers in ties with the pitcher and sandwiches—they're just taking a trip down memory lane. Mon.-Sat. until 11 p.m.; but closes very early Sun. at 7 p.m.

Gushi

978 Gayley Ave. , Los Angeles

310-208-4038

The ample, inexpensive bowls of gushi (minced beef), bibimbap, teriyaki chicken and kimchi fried rice served up in this little tin shack have won the heart of many a skeptical passerby. Order in Korean and you’ll likely be rewarded with extra goodies. Till 11 p.m. nightly.

Bella Pita

960 Gayley Ave., Los Angeles

310-209-1050

Picky about your pita? Build your own here (if you have enough coordination after that awesome keg stand). The self-serve salad bar has a variety of toppings and sauces to customize your falafel (or meat of choice). Fresh, fast, cheap and open late every night until 11 p.m.

BJ's

939 Broxton Ave., Westwood

310-209-7475

What does pizookie at midnight taste like? De-li-cious. Hello, freshman 15. Oh, and there's plenty of pizza too, and the full selection of beer on tap. But we didn't tell you that. Get in by midnight Sunday through Thursday; 12:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Stan's Donuts

10948 Weyburn Ave., Los Angeles

310-208-8660

Relish the days when you can ingest a Stan's Donut in the middle of the night and not regret it—those days (and our bodies) go quickly. For 40 years, Stan's has been doling out apple fritters, danishes and doughnuts decked out with chocolate, cinnamon and Reese's peanut butter cups. A dozen awaits you until midnight Monday through Thursday as well as Saturday, until 1 a.m. on Friday, and only until 11 p.m. on Sunday.

Diddy Riese Cookies

926 Broxton Ave., Los Angeles

310-208-0448

A mere buck and a quarter buys you diabetes in the form of two cookies and one lump of ice cream, smooshed together to become the legendary and delectable Diddy Riese sandwich. A glass case of cookie madness offers 10 fresh-baked varieties (from chocolate chip to macadamia nut) to be mated with your favorite Dreyer's brand ice cream, and anyone waiting in the enormous queue outside will giddily proselytize about their own chosen combination. And did we mention that they only cost $1.25? Get them while they're cold until midnight Sunday through Thursday; until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Westwood Brewing Co.

1097 Glendon Ave., Los Angeles

310-824-0820

There's happy hour 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Then, there are the unhappy hours, which are perhaps best left between you, your pint and your third helping of Buffalo wings. You'll find us there until 2 in the morning every night.

In-N-Out Burger

922 Gayley Ave., Westwood

800-786-1000

You know it, you love it—and we certainly don't need to hash out the secret menu for you. This outpost also offers the rarest of Westwood assets: a free parking lot. And if the spaces are filled up, you've got the option of drive-through. Eat-in or drive-through Sun.-Thurs. until 1 a.m.; Fri.-Sat. 1:30 a.m.

Jose Bernstein

935 Broxton Ave., Los Angeles

310-208-4992

Deep into the night, sometimes you feel like a big, fat burrito—eating one, that is. If the polyglot name doesn't tip you off, note that the Mexican fare is hardly authentic. But menu items are cheap and generously apportioned. There are even fusion tortilla-wrapped oddities like Korean barbecue galbi with kimchi. Available until 1 a.m. Sun.-Thurs.; 2 a.m. Fri.-Sat.

Lamonica's NY Pizza

1066 Gayley Ave., Los Angeles

310-208-8671

Many—and not just drunken coeds and frat dudes—swear by this place and its thin-crust Sicilian pies. Drunk or not, we've found that it lives up to the hype. Get it by the slice for variety's sake, and don't forget the garlic knots. Open until 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday, closes at midnight Sunday.

Socko's Subs

920 Broxton Ave., Los Angeles

310-824-1222

What makes this deli different from all the rest in Westwood? We're not sure, but they're worth a shot, especially since the subs come in three gradient sizes: Skinnies for $3; smallish Super Subsfor $4; and with an assemblage of meats, cheese, and various add-ons, we get Giants for $5. If shelling out a Lincoln doesn't fill you up, then maybe one of their specials will. The Big Willy Style perhaps? It closes at 11 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, a 2 a.m.-er Thursday through Saturday.

Enzo's Pizzeria

10940 Weyburn Ave., Los Angeles

310-208-3696

Is it truly the best pizza in Westwood? The world may never know. But, for now, you can be the judge. Whether it's after a hard night of studying at the library or a harder night at the club, you'll find all sorts of people grabbing a slice into the wee hours of the morning. Depending on how hungry you may be, you can even get a 23-inch pizza all to your self (we double-dog dare you to). Tossing pies until midnight Sunday through Wednesday; until 3 a.m. Thursday to Saturday.

Roll Inn Sandwich (or Buck Fiddy)

950 Gayley Ave., Los Angeles

310-208-2354

They'll know you're not from them parts if you call it anything but Buck Fiddy—an anachronism from a time when $1.50 would buy you a full stomach. The shack has a snazzy new exterior (a new coat of paint does so much) and snazzy higher prices to boot, but it still serves some of the best and cheapest sammies in Westwood. Found some loose change? That'll get you an extra order of chili fries to go with your 8-inch sub. Walk on up by 10 p.m. Sunday, 11 p.m. Monday, midnight Tuesday or Wednesday, 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Italian Express

10845 Lindbrook Dr., Los Angeles

310-208-5572

When you get back from a wild night out at 2 a.m. and discover that there is nothing in your fridge, it’s good to know that Italian Express is still open and ready to deliver. You can rely on the fatty cushion of cheese-filled calzones and meatball subs to counteract your oncoming hangover. Every night until 3 a.m.

Habibi Cafe

923 Broxton Ave., Westwood

310-824-2277

How did two hookah lounges end up facing off on the same Westwood street? No matter. If your craving for smoke and drink makes you impatient for a table at Gypsy, then pull up a chair and a hookah here. Be sure, however, to have enough cash, as they don't accept Daddy's plastic. Open until 4 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Gypsy Cafe

940 Broxton Ave., Westwood

310-824-2119

Looking to dance and eat and inhale some more hookah smoke till 4 a.m.? Gypsy Cafe is open for your business. The restaurant—generally considered the nicer, in service and decor, of the two neighboring hookah bars—serves beer and wine. But if you're looking for something less potent, their mint tea is worth a try.

Jerry's Famous Deli

10925 Weyburn Ave., Westwood

310-208-3354

Open 24 hours—magic words, especially during finals week. It may be wildly overpriced for a bowl of soup or a pastrami sandwich, but it's well worth the use of a spacious booth and harsh lighting to help you burn the midnight oil. The waitresses too are sympathetic to the college scene—giving generous pours of coffee, even if that's all you order for the rest of the night.