The 10 cities that order the most late-night takeout
By Benita Gingerella on Oct. 25, 2017College towns are hotbeds of late-night takeout orders, according to a recent list from food delivery service Grubhub and financial website GOBankingRates, which collaborated on a ranking of the top late-night takeout markets in the U.S. The list gauges the popularity of takeout rather than sales volume, which explains why college towns figure prominently on the list.
The ranking also notes which items are ordered most often by late-night takeout customers. While the list mostly features comfort food favorites like stuffed cheesy bread, lighter eats such as sushi also make an appearance.
Here, in reverse order, are the top 10 late-night takeout markets.
10. Albany, N.Y.
Takeout spots open late in this East Coast town enjoy 125% more late night orders than their counterparts elsewhere, according to the study, which also found the capital of New York state features the highest late-night prices. Albany’s most popular wee-hours takeout dish, chicken bacon ranch pizza, averages $16.95 in price. Other popular late-night menu items include Buffalo chicken calzones and garlic knots.
9. Brighton, Mass.
Sushi is the most popular takeout cuisine ordered in Brighton, which sees 138% more late-night takeout orders than the rest of the U.S. Spicy tuna rolls are the most popular late-night dish, followed by chicken lo mein and chicken dumplings.
8. Ithaca, N.Y.
Home to Cornell University, Ithaca orders stuffed cheesy bread as a late-night snack four times more than other U.S. consumers. Fried chicken and tater tots are also popular late-night dishes for the town, which places 164% more late-night orders than the rest of the country.
7. Champaign, Ill.
This southern Illinois town, home to the University of Illinois, has the least expensive menu item on the list. Its most popular late-night dish, pork egg rolls, averages $1.15 in price. Other popular late-night dishes include cheese quesadillas and fried mushrooms. Champaign residents order 175% more late-night meals than consumers in the rest of the country.
6. Providence, R.I.
Fried potatoes are the late-night item of choice in Providence, where over eight times as many tater tots are ordered during the evening hours compared to the rest of the U.S. Following suit, its two other most popular late-night items are sweet potato fries and curly fries. Compared to the rest of the country, Providence residents order 177% more late-night meals.
5. Syracuse, N.Y.
Eight colleges and universities call Syracuse home, and residents order 191% more late-night takeout than the rest of the country. Like Ithaca, stuffed cheesy bread is the menu item of choice for late-night orders. Other popular choices include pepperoni calzones and boneless wings.
4. Allston, Mass.
Buffalo chicken pizza, scallion pancakes and cheese calzones are popular late-night takeout meals for this Massachusetts town located near Boston University, Boston College and Northeastern University. Diners here order 195% more takeout orders than the rest of the country.
3. Columbus, Ohio
Italian comfort foods are popular for late-night takeout in Columbus, with stromboli and chicken Alfredo also being popular. The Midwestern college town, home to Ohio State University, sees 202% more late-night orders than the rest of the country.
2. New Brunswick, N.J.
Consumers in New Brunswick order five times as many boneless chicken wings during the late-night hours than their counterparts elsewhere in the country. Its other most popular menu items include chicken Caesar wraps and falafel sandwiches. Compared to the rest of the U.S., consumers order 280% more late-night orders.
1. East Lansing, Mich.
Coming in at No. 1 on the list, East Lansing orders 392% more late-night takeout than the rest of the country. Its most popular item is mac and cheese, which is ordered five times more often as a late-night meal in East Lansing than the rest of the U.S. Other late-night favorites include tater tots and loaded fries.