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Surviving The Attack Of The Midnight Munchies

Tribune photo by JEFF HOUCK

Dollar Beer/Dollar Slice night is popular among late-night diners at The Deck Pizza and Pub on West Platt Street in Tampa.

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By BRITTANY CANASI

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 1, 2008

TAMPA - It's last call for alcohol. The crowd is starting to thin, and there's only one thing on your mind: your stomach.

After a long night of partying — and maybe a drink or two — the attack of the late-night hunger pangs turns you into something resembling a ravenous wolf in search of sustenance. But not even the hungriest of wolves feels like driving far at 2 a.m. to get some decent grub.

''It's all location,'' says Robert Shaffer, a student at the University of South Florida. ''It's about what's there at the time.''

Without resorting to drive-through fast food and chain diners, we found a few places to stop by on your way home (with your designated driver behind the wheel, of course.) that'll make your after-bar meal the highlight of the night, no matter what part of Tampa you're in.

SOUTH TAMPA

The Rack
1809 W. Platt St.
(813) 250-1595

Open until: 3 a.m. every night

This South Tampa watering hole serves burgers, sandwiches and other traditional bar fare — but with a twist. It also features an impressive sushi menu. Stop by for happy hour on Friday or at the end of the night to try the amazing Rack Rock Roll.

Bella's Italian Café
1413 S. Howard Ave., Suite 100
(813) 254-3355

Open until: 11:30 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday; 12:30 a.m. Thursday; 1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday

This Italian eatery features salads, appetizers, desserts, calzones and the late-night staple: pizza. Try the Pollo e Formaggio, or get creative and make your own.

An added bonus: half-price pizza and calzones on the café's late-night menu.

The Deck Pizza and Pub
2202 W. Platt St.
(813) 250-1525

Open until: Midnight Sunday through Thursday; 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday

Located on busy Howard Avenue, this pizza-pub combo serves up some pretty impressive slices. If you feel like straying away from pizza, server Anthony Padron says the Philly cheese steak is a regular favorite. Stop by Wednesdays from 4 to 11 p.m. for dollar draft beers and cheese-pizza slices.

Taqueria Cantina and Burrito Joint
402 S. Howard Ave.
(813) 259-9982

Open until: 11 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday; 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday

Priding itself on adding a little American flair to its food, this restaurant features both traditional Mexican dishes such as quesadillas and burritos and originals such as the Old School Buffalo and the Caesar burritos.

USF AREA

Pita Pit
2309 E. Fowler Ave.
(813) 910-1669

Open until: Midnight Sunday and Monday; 4 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday

To go the healthy route for your late-night snack, you can get a pita stuffed with just about anything you can imagine. (Baba ghanouj, anyone?) If you get a little overwhelmed, try the chicken Caesar pita. Geoff Gluck, owner of Pita Pit's South Tampa location, says it's the most popular.

Got dropped off at home without your provisions? No problem, the restaurants deliver until 4 a.m.

Pita Pit's other Tampa location is at 500 S Howard Ave.; (813) 254-7482.

5 Star Pizza
10926 N. 56th St.
(813) 899-9700

Open until: 4 a.m. every night

This place keeps it simple, with pizza taking up the majority of the menu. Go the traditional route with cheese or pepperoni, or be adventurous and try one of its originals such as the chicken ranch or breakfast pizzas. It also delivers to those who lost out on the ''Should we go eat?'' vote.

CHANNELSIDE

NYPD Pizza Restaurant
615 Channelside Drive
(813) 228-6973

Open until: 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday; midnight Thursday; 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday

Right there in Channelside Bay Plaza, it's the perfect stop after listening to dueling pianos all night at Howl at the Moon. Though its pizzas — including the buffalo bleu cheese and barbecue chicken numbers — are what get late-nightgoers, it offers a full menu that includes calzones, pasta, wings and various desserts.

YBOR CITY

Mema's Alaskan Tacos
1724 E. Eighth Ave.
(813) 242-8226

Open until: 1 a.m. Monday through Wednesday; 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday

Likely Ybor's most popular spot for after-hours eating, Mema's specializes in Mexican food of all types. If you want something special, though, go for the award-winning Alaskan tacos. The meat and taco shell are fried together before the toppings are added. They even have tofu tacos for vegetarian folks.

New York, New York Pizza
1512 E. Seventh Ave.
(813) 248-1845

Open until: 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday; 4 a.m. Thursday through Saturday

Open way past the time when all the bars close, this pizza joint is often filled with clubgoers who weren't allowed to club any longer. The full menu goes off the table at 10 p.m., but the pizza slices more than make up for it. To taste a little slice of New York heaven, go for the New York supreme, leaving no topping untouched.

Samurai Blue
1600 E. Eighth Ave.
(813) 242-6688

Open until: 11 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday; midnight Wednesday and Thursday; 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday

This place brings sushi to a whole new level of sophistication. For the spicy type, try the Volcano Roll, one of the most popular rolls served. Not a big sushi fan? The menu also includes steak, chicken teriyaki and other non-seafood fare.

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