A lot of college students may sometimes find themselves foraging for food at 2 a.m. after a night of partying.

There are, however, plenty of places in both San Francisco and the East Bay to fill an empty stomach late at night.

In San Francisco, there are a variety of eateries open 24 hours, including Sparky’s Diner, on Church Street in San Francisco.

Sparky’s is a popular spot for the younger crowd, especially on weekends, a "place to be," said Barbara Young, a manager at Sparky’s.

The diner, which seats up to about 120 people, gets packed at 2 a.m. as bars let out, said Young. Several reasons for this are the loud music, the nice variety of food and the meal and drink specials (alcohol is not served after 2 a.m. by law).

Sparky’s has tap beer specials for $1.50, and have lunch and dinner specials as well.

The Baghdad Café on Market Street is also open 24 hours.

A cozy and modern-looking café with both indoor and outdoor seating, Baghdad Café serves Caribbean food as well other specialties. The accept cash only.

On the other side of the Bay Bridge, there are great places to eat late at night too.

For starters, there’s House of Chicken and Waffles located in Oakland’s Jack London Square. House of Chicken and Waffles is open until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturdays.

Jason Howell, an employee at the diner, said it usually gets busy after midnight until closing at 4 a.m.
House of Chicken and Waffles serves American food and the venue is home style with booths and a counter.

According to Howell, it’s a great place to go late at night because they’re one of the few places open late in Oakland, they have good food and “sometimes (you) just want chicken,” said Howell.
If you're looking for Mexican food, Juanita’s, located on Park Street in Alameda, is open until 3 a.m. and serves traditional Mexican dishes at very affordable prices. Juanita’s offers a laid back, quieter atmosphere.

For $2.50 a hungry night owl could either get a taco or a bean and cheese burrito.
Elaine Santos, a senior studying American Studies at Mills College in Oakland, often makes her late-night trip to Juanita’s with friends.

She said she liked that it’s quiet and not crowded like a lot of other places can be late at night. The food, she added, is affordable and tastes good.

Combining an inexpensive menu with a more lively atmosphere, Sun Hong Kong in Oakland’s Chinatown is a good choice. It is open until 3 a.m. and has plenty of street parking.

The restaurant gets crowded fast, especially in the late night hours after bars and clubs let out. Though the late-night rush can sometimes slow service, it’s still a popular spot.

A person can get the basics - chow mein or fried rice - for a reasonable price under $5 or can get an order of pot stickers or an order of chow mein.

There’s also Nikko’s in Oakland, which is open 24 hours. Heather Gintz, a sophomore at College of Alameda, goes there on occasion for a late-night food fix.

“I really like the bacon and eggs, (and) it’s like $4,” said Gintz. She said she liked to go there because it’s like a Denny’s. It’s just a regular place that’s open late at night and “if you’ve got the munchies,
they’re hella good.”

For other late-night eateries try La Piñata, which serves Mexican food and is open until 3 a.m. It is located on Park Street in Alameda.

For sushi, there is Koryo Sushi located on Telegraph Avenue in Oakland and is open until 2:30 a.m. on weekends. There is also Lori’s Diner open 24 hours daily on Mason Street in San Francisco, and for late night Chinese food in the city, there’s Silver Restaurant on Washington Street open 24 hours daily.

All of these places accept credit cards.