The best late-night bites near Ohio State for every craving

Helena Hennessy, Siena Kessler
Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:46:39 +0000
Arts & Life, Instagram Page, News, arts & life, arts and life, autumn, bar, breakfast, Buckeye Bound, buckeye donuts, burritos, business, campus, cazuela's mexican grill, celebration, Columbus, commencement, customer, dining, dinner, Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace, drinks, eatery, events, Frambes Avenue, high street, jimmy barouxis, lunch, Mickey’s Late Night Slice, night, ohio state, opening [and 17 more]

A half dozen donuts from Buckeye Donuts. Credit: Cassandra D'Angelo | Sports Photo Editor.

Cazuela's Mexican Restaurant. Credit: Cassandra D'Angelo | Sports Photo Editor.

Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace. Credit: Cassandra D'Angelo | Sports Photo Editor.

Mikey's Late Night Slice. Credit: Cassandra D'Angelo | Sports Photo Editor.

"Open 24 hrs" sign at Buckeye Donuts. Credit: Cassandra D'Angelo | Sports Photo Editor.

Chips and Salsa from Cazuela's Mexican Restaurant. Credit: Cassandra D'Angelo | Sports Photo Editor.

While students balance hours-long study sessions, evening classes and weekend outings on their plates, late-night food options have become a staple for every Buckeye.?

Many restaurants and eateries in and around the University District offer a range of dining options students can rely on past midnight. Read on to get to know the best places to grab your late-night bite of choice.?

Buckeye Donuts

With a longtime presence near Ohio State’s campus since its founding in 1969, Buckeye Donuts remains a favorite for students seeking a late-night meal or sweet treat. Located at 1998 N. High St. and open 24 hours, seven days a week, the eatery offers everything from classic and fancy donuts to hot breakfast sandwiches and gyros.

“That’s what Buckeye Donuts is at its core,” Jimmy Barouxis, owner of the establishment, said in a previous interview with The Lantern. “滨t’s in our DNA to be open —?to stay open for the public.”?

When it comes to their donut selection, they have it covered. Popular items include the apple fritter, the classic powdered donut and the cronut, alongside more substantial dinner options such as the mozzarella sticks. Its central location on campus and around-the-clock hours make it a frequent stop for students.?

Cazuela’s Mexican Grill

Known for its two fan-favorite locations close to campus, located at 2321 N. High St. and 1542 N. High St., Cazuela’s serves up quality Mexican cuisine until 2 a.m. on weekends.?

Their menu offers a variety of entrees for dine-in or pickup, such as tacos, burritos and fajitas with steak, chicken and vegetable options, according to the website. The restaurant also offers a diverse salsa menu for every level of heat.?

For a specialty weekday deal, Cazuela’s offers $3 tacos every Tuesday, as well as happy hour from 2 to 6 p.m. every day.?

Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace

At 2036 N. High St, Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace offers a sit-down approach to late-night dining. Known for its customizable hot dogs and creative toppings, the restaurant features an extensive menu with something appealing to every guest.?

Some of the more wild toppings Dirty Frank’s offer, according to their website, include crushed potato chips, sriracha cream cheese, as well as sides such as pretzel bites and tater tots, in addition to more traditional choices.

Its relatively affordable prices and unique flair draw students in looking for a quick and easy meal.

Mickey’s Late Night Slice

Mickey’s, located at 1839 N. Pearl St, operates as both a bar and a pizza spot, making it a common stop for students late into the night. Known for its quick service, 3 a.m. weekend closing time and proximity to campus, the restaurant caters to those looking for a convenient option.

According to the restaurant’s website, the menu features pizza sold by the slice or as whole pies. In addition to pizza, their garlic breadsticks, cheese breadsticks and cinnamon breadsticks are an easy addition to any order.

The restaurant offers a rotating “pizza of the week,” according to the website, making for a unique experience every visit. Customers are also able to choose from a fan-favorite recipe, or build their own whole pizza to-go.?

Sicilia Fine Italian Specialties?

Located at 22 E. Frambes Ave., the walk-in-friendly nature of Sicilia’s, paired with their comforting menu of signature Italian dishes, makes for a small-scale restaurant with a family-style presence in the community.?

Sicilia’s is open until 3 a.m. on weekdays and 3:30 a.m. on weekends, according to the website, and their most popular menu items consist of their by-the-slice pizzas, spaghetti, chicken alfredo, chicken tenders and garlic bread.