On one of his first nights in Dallas, Robert Rosen, a new teacher in the area, turned into Fuel City gas station off Interstate 35E. But he wasn’t there to fill his car’s tank; Rosen went to fill his stomach — with what locals say are the best tacos in the state.
While many gas stations have 24/7 convenience stores, the crowds that gather at this humble taco stand, even at 3 a.m., are testament to the tastiness of these award-winning tacos piled high with juicy meat and served with delectable sides like corn with a Mexican-style Parmesan cheese.
“It’s insanely popular in Dallas. People go out of their way to eat their authentic Mexican tacos,” says Rosen.
Whether you’re an insomniac or an early riser, the beauty of a 24/7 spot is you can go — literally — whenever you want.
Slideshow: America's best 24-hour hot spots
Urban diners that catered to workers on the graveyard shift coming and going from nearby factories at the turn of the 20th century were some of the first establishments in America to stay open around the clock. Since then, all-hours businesses have grown beyond the greasy spoon, providing locals and visitors with a much-needed place to rest, drink, or even go shopping at any hour of the day or night.
With an antidote to restless nights in mind, TravelandLeisure.com searched out 10 of America’s best 24-hour spots. Take the Wilshire Spa in Los Angeles’s Koreatown. This full-service spa keeps its doors open for those who are looking for relaxation, detox, or a full-body scrub at any hour.
While some brands have started keeping their flagship stores open 24/7, L. L. Bean, the granddaddy of outdoor supplies, has temporarily closed its original store in Freeport, Maine — open since 1951 — only four times, including the day the founder, L. L. (Leon Leonwood), died in 1967. While the always-open policy was introduced to accommodate hunters going out on trips before dawn, today it’s also convenient for last-minute holiday shoppers, teenagers looking for a place to hang out, and locals and visitors to Vacationland looking for some after-hours retail therapy.
The next time you find yourself awake in the wee hours of the morning, don’t get stuck in front of the TV channel-surfing through reruns of "The Golden Girls." Instead, celebrate your inner night owl and head out to one of these cool all-hours haunts.