Midnight Snacking on the Strip

One of the best things about Vegas is that it never closes. A mecca for insomniacs, Sin City has options galore for late night eating. The city is called upon to serve the post-club crowd, as well as gamblers who may have just finished a marathon craps session and in need of some celebratory (or consolation) comfort food. And the difference is from a lot of other cities, you can get good food in Vegas late at night--really good food. So here are a few of my favorite midnight snack places:

Culinary Dropout at Hard Rock Hotel: This slightly off-strip place is the perfect low-key restaurant at which to wind down after a crazy Vegas night. Comfy couches are arranged around small patio tables for a cozy and casual outdoor dining vibe. Indoors, the restaurant features "future musical venue superstars who wouldn’t mind being paid at the bar in whiskey and pretzel bites" performing covers as well as their original soon-to-be hits. And about those pretzel bites... yum, just, yum. Culinary Dropout is open until 11 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on the weekends.

The Henry at the Cosmopolitan: With a bizarre, subtly sexual dressage decor theme, this little 24-hour upscale diner is open to the casino, BOND nightclub, and the Cosmo's Las Vegas Blvd. entrance, making it a great spot for people watching while you dine. And at 3 a.m., the people watching can be very, very interesting, ripe with plenty of "only in Vegas" sightings. Even with The Henry's abbreviated late night menu, the selections are still ample and include several healthy options like the kale caesar salad and lots of not-so-healthy options like the French dip. Here's a secret... the truffle tater tots are available 24/7 (even when not on the menu), and are an absolute must. They will spoil you for regular tots, if not change your whole life.

Gordon Ramsay's BURGR at Planet Hollywood: Speaking of truffled starches, there is no better truffle fry than the offering from Gordon's burger joint at PH. The Kennebec potatoes are hand-cut and--get this--covered with truffle salt, truffle parmesan, and served with truffle dipping sauce. Yeah, that's a lot of truffle. Absolutely delicious. The star attraction burgers are amazing and impossibly juicy as well, and their hotdog menu offerings (if you are in the mood for that) are a full meal (with leftovers for tomorrow), so bring your enormous hotdog appetite. BURGR is open until midnight during the week and 2 a.m. on the weekends.

Readers: what are some of your other favorite late-night spots to eat in Vegas?