Fast food isn't the only option for a midnight snack
By CRYSTAL PETROCELLI
Get Out

It’s 10 p.m., your belly is begging for food and the thought of cracking a can of chili or dialing Domino’s brings back haunting memories of mundane college meals.
Before crossing your fingers and hitting the Wendy’s drive-through, consider having a sit-down dinner at a real restaurant.

AZ 88
Overlooking the lush lawns of the Scottsdale Mall, this glass-walled bar and restaurant is a fitting frame for the beautiful faces often found sipping martinis inside the starkly cool confines. Drinks are the focus, but the food is first-rate as well. The half-pound burgers ($7-$11), of which there are six to choose from, are all delicious. The $7 water chestnuts (wrapped in bacon and served on cucumber and radish slices with a side of honey dip) and $8 St. Petersburg potatoes (chips topped with Scottish smoked salmon, sour cream, cream cheese, radish, onion and cucumber) are nice starter surprises. If nothing else, this is a great place to go for dessert. Indulge in the strawberry shortcake ($6.50), key lime tart ($6), butter rum cake ($6), Carnegie Deli-imported cheesecake ($5.50) or one of three specialty sundaes ($3.25-$6.50).
Closing time: Serves its full menu until midnight daily.
Details: 7353 E. Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdale, .

Boston’s
This pizza and pasta place is a great option if you’re looking to watch a late game while grabbing a bite and beer. Both the Gilbert and Tempe locations have multiple big-screen TVs, with smaller ones in each corner of the restaurant. With more than 100 menu items to choose from, it shouldn’t be too tough to find a winner. The mix includes meat lasagna ($10.99), creamy curry chicken penne ($10.99), cheesesteak ($8.49), tuna melt ($7.39), chicken and rib combo ($15.99), baked salmon ($13.99), Thai chicken salad ($8.79), taco salad ($6.99) and Boston cream pie ($4.29).
Closing time: Tempe serves full menu until 2 a.m. Sun.-Thu. and 3 a.m. Fri.-Sat.; Gilbert until midnight Sun.-Wed., 1 a.m. Thu. and 2 a.m. Fri.-Sat.
Details: 400 W. University Drive, Tempe, ; 1026 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, .

Eddie V’s Edgewater Grille
A swanky, upscale seafood eatery in the gorgeous DC Ranch Marketplace with exceptional service and cuisine. The piano bar has various local musicians tickling the keys until 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Definitely a sophisticated, white-linen dinner out and worth every dime. Macadamis-crusted butterfish in a Thai coconut curry sauce ($19.95), broiled swordfish with a truffle fondue and chives ($19.95) and roasted rack of lamb ($33.50) are each served a la carte.
Closing time: Serves full menu until 11 p.m. Mon.-Thu., midnight Fri.-Sat., 10 p.m. Sun.
Details: 20715 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, .

Teakwoods Tavern & Grill
If you have a Teakwoods by you, consider yourself lucky. It’s the perfect neighborhood bar and grill — suitable for family, friends or the occasional drunken night. Peanut shells cover the floor, thanks to the complimentary buckets of nuts on each table, and service is always fast and friendly. The massive menu has your tavern staples — half-pound hot dogs ($4.50-$6), grilled chicken sandwiches ($6.50-$6.75), half-pound burgers ($6.25-$7.50), cheesesteaks ($6.75), French dips ($6.75) and reubens ($6.75), as well as a bunch of other sandwiches. Entrees include chicken fried chicken ($9.95), mom’s meatloaf ($9.95), New York strip ($13.95) and jalapeño macaroni and cheese ($7.95).
Closing time: Gilbert serves full menu until 11:30 p.m. Sun-Thu., 12:30 a.m. Fri.-Sat.; Chandler until 1 a.m. daily; Scottsdale until 12:30 a.m. Sun.-Wed., 1:30 a.m. Thu.-Sat.
Details: 151 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert, ; 5965 W. Ray Road, Chandler, ; 8880 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale, .

More late- night options
• Bungalow Bar & Grill, 4360 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale,
• Drift Lounge, 4341 N. 75th St., Scottsdale,
• Greasy Tony’s, 921 E. University Drive, Tempe,
• Gus’s New York Pizza, 933 E. University Drive, Tempe,
• Mickey’s Hangover, 4312 N. Brown Ave., Scottsdale,
• Slices, 11 E. Sixth St., Tempe, , or 7111 E. Fifth Ave., Scottsdale,