It’s 2:30 in the morning. You’re exhausted, stumbling down Harden St after a long night downtown. You’ve put your body through the ringer and at this point you just want some form of sustenance so you can go to bed with something to absorb the multitude of drinks you had.
But where do you go? Most places are closed and some of the few open options may not be very accommodating to guests that smell like they were doused with bourbon and ashtrays for 5 hours straight. Look no further, let me break down the best drunk food options in Five Points for you.
#6: Subway
You may be thinking to yourself, “Subway?? What Subway would be open this late at night?” That would be none other than the Subway location wedged between College Mart and Jake’s on Devine St. A nice footlong to cap off a long night of debauchery has never done me wrong and, even better, they accept Carolina cash. However, the Subway in Five Points has extremely varying hours. One night they may be open until 3:00 a.m. and the next they could close at 9:00 p.m., so it’s definitely a gamble when you make your way over.
#5: Pita Pit
Pita Pit is a solid go-to that practically everyone has experienced more than once. The Pita Wraps are genuinely good and you’ll wake feeling way better than you would if you ate a ton of fried food. The location isn’t the best, with the only bars in decent proximity being Breakers and Pav’s. But, if you go at the right time, it’s a great option.
#4: Eddie’s Calzones
Eddie’s is a special place in Five Points not only because of their great late night calzones and location but because of the atmosphere within the establishment. Located in the heart of Five Points, 100 percent of the late-night crowd is drunk college students, which always makes for an entertaining show. A few viral videos of student’s antics have been born within the walls of Eddie’s, a couple of which can be found on our Instagram page. However, the catch with this place is the painfully long wait times. It used to be called “Fast Eddie’s” but later they settled with just “Eddie’s Calzones” after earning the nickname “Not-So-Fast Eddie’s”.
#3: Chicken on a Stick Guy
Honestly, if you know the actual name of the chicken on a stick place located right next to Horseshoe, let me know. I’m pretty sure it’s just “Chicken on a Stick”. And just like the name states, it’s chicken cooked on a stick. Passing by the stand in between bars DT is dangerous because the smell of the chicken is so damn tempting. The chicken goes for $4-5 bucks and is as good as it smells. Be warned that it may not be the best move for your stomach. If you have even the slightest worry that you can’t handle it, avoid it. Unless you want to be camped out on a porcelain throne in the stall of a dirty bar bathroom. Other than that slight possibility, the chicken is dank, cheap, and easy. Also, you may encounter another “Chicken on a Stick” guy on the corner of college mart near Lucky’s and, from personal experience, that guy is not the real deal. Think of that guy as the “Great Value” knock-off version of the OG Chicken on a Stick guy. The real one is between the Thirsty Parrot and the Horseshoe on Harden St.
#2: Waffle House
If you’re from the south, I don’t need to explain this sacred place to you. If you’re from the north, give it a try at some point. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
#1: Cookout
This place turns into an entirely different animal at night. There are usually multiple police officers outside maintaining the chaos and a slew of inebriated people within the doors. The food is great (when you’re drunk) and the service is usually decent (at least as good as service can be with 50-60 people piled in). The walk is a trek but the Cookout Tray is tough to beat from a food quality-price standpoint and it really is a scene to behold. If you haven’t been, here’s a video of a dude doing a backflip off a table there.
If I missed any of your favorite places, let me know. Until next time, go Cocks!
Hunter McKernan
Barstool Gamecocks 