It’s 2:15 a.m. and you just stumbled out of the bar with your friends after last call. If you don’t have late-night “get laid” plans, but instead late-night eating plans, then your main concern at the moment is finding somewhere that’s open and that sells fried, greasy food. And luckily, college is a place where these places aren’t only open but the 2 a.m. after bar rush is their busiest shift.
At Penn State, there is no shortage of late-night munchie options. From McDonald’s, to Are You Hungry, to Canyon Pizza, there are plenty of options that students favor. But the only time you are really ever going to Canyon or Are You Hungry at Penn State is your freshmen year, then after that the novelty has worn off.
So where do the true Penn Staters go after a night of beer guzzling and slizzing?
If they’re smart, they go to Bradley’s Steaks and Hoagies on South Pugh Street. Bradley’s is on the corner and conveniently located between the Skeller, the Dark Horse, and the Shandygaff.
When you walk in you’re greeted by the smell of cheesesteaks frying up and drunk kids screaming, usually about how Philly or Pittsburgh sucks. The small eatery has booths and tables, but it’s better to just get your food to-go so you don’t run the risk of your ex walking in and seeing you stuffing a chicken cheesesteak in your mouth.
Bradley’s original location is in Stone Harbor, NJ where they’ve been catering to summer vacationers for over 15 years. In 2008, Bradley’s opened a second location in State College because “the place was itching for a genuine cheesesteak”. And with a large number of students from Philadelphia, a good cheesesteak in State College was not only needed, but sorely missed from home.
Now as a Pittsburgh girl, you can say I know nothing about cheesesteaks, but after four years in college and four years of celebrating 4/20, I believe I’m a pretty good judge. And these cheesesteaks are good, real good. And not the tricky only good when you’re plastered, but good sober too. Made to order all night with peppers and onions, you can’t go wrong.
Bradley’s is particularly famous for their chicken cheesesteaks, as they refer to themselves as the “Home of the Chicken Cheesesteak” so don’t by shy to try one. I’ve had both the chicken and the steak and they are equally delicious.
Another reason why Bradley’s is the best late-night food spot is their buffalo chicken grilled cheese. Yes, you read that correctly, a mother effing buff chick grilled cheese! The buttery, gooey grilled cheese is stuffed with buffalo chicken pieces making it spicy and cheesy at the same time. Plus when dipped in ranch, it is even better. Cheesy, fried, and dipped in ranch—the late night munchies trifecta.
Not only does Bradley’s have delicious cheesesteaks and variations of grilled cheeses, they also have every fried food you could want at that time: chicken fingers, fries, mozzarella sticks, jalapeno poppers, wings, onion rings, and buffalo tenders.So if you are looking for a place to put you in a food coma after the bar, or looking for something to satisfy your late-night cravings after a Dutchie, walk on over to Pugh Street and you can thank me later.
