Best Late-Night Restaurant '97

Best Late-Night Restaurant

Coffee, Etc.
Three Locations

READER'S PICK: Out late after the movies, studying till the wee morning hours, or just need an upbeat place for a wide variety of options? Coffee, Etc., with an emphasis on the etcetera, has been the readers' choice for late-night cravings for many years. Whether it's a light salad, gut-busting 12-egg omelet, a sweet mocha latte or a slice of Snickers cheesecake, Coffee, Etc. is a welcome roost for night owls on the prowl.

READERS' POLL RUNNER-UP: Brother, after a jumpin' time with Sammy and Dino, you gotta get your nourishment, dig? But where in this crazy burg can you find an eatery with class after all the jim-jims and ol' aunt betties have gone to greet the sandman? Man, we ain't talkin' 'bout burger dives like Denny's, or those greasy eggs or steaming cups at one of 47 Waffle Huts. We're talking 'bout a hankerin' for New York beef steak, grilled shiny with brandy; or a bowl of steamed mussels swimmin' in some far-out Asian hot sauce. If that's your tune, brother, you got exactly one choice, and damn if it ain't swingin' with a be-bop rhythm: The Kingfisher Bar & Grill, 2564 E. Grant Road, the only place to get a plate of cold oysters and a three-layer pousse-café in the tiny hours of Tucson after twilight.

A REAL SCREAM: If it's one of those nights when you're after a clean, well-lighted place, head downtown to Grill, 100 E. Congress St. "Open later than you think" (nearly 24 hours), this retro-diner serves a mix of all-American classics and innovative dishes. Whether you're hankering for a plate of eggs and toast, hummus and salad, or just a cheeseburger and fries (a mighty half-pound of top sirloin, incidentally), you can find it 'round the clock at Grill. If you make it at the right time of the day, you'll even be rewarded with tater tots! In just two years, Grill has established itself as a downtown landmark--what did we ever do before they opened?

1998 Winner: Grill
1996 Winner: Coffee, Etc.
1995 Winner: Coffee, Etc.