Feasting All Night Long

It’s 2 a.m. and the bars are closing. You and your friends had a blast dancing all night — but now the only thing on everyone’s mind is where they’re going to grub. What’s better than going on the hunt for late-night comfort food to hit the spot? Amid all the cravings for nachos, pizza or chili cheese dogs, the possibilities are endless.

At Hilton Waikiki Beach’s MAC 24/7 Bar and Restaurant, not only are there plenty of choices on the menu to fulfill your culinary hankerings, but also the bar stays open until 4 a.m., allowing the party to continue until almost daybreak.

Although the restaurant is open 24 hours, the after-hours crowd is an atmosphere all its own. “You see people ordering things they don’t normally order during the day,” says director of restaurants for the hotel Mark Nelsen.

Instead of salads or a turkey club, late-night diners opt for the heavier meals, like Fried Chicken and Waffles ($18.50). The classic selection includes chicken marinated with a homemade sauce, fried to crispy perfection and topped with pepper, jalapenos and country gravy sauce, and served with syrupy waffles.

For those whose minds wander to burgers, Half Pound Angus Cheese-burger ($15) is an all-star choice. “It’s one of the top three sellers because it’s a reliably delicious burger,” says Nelsen.

Patrons can choose between white cheddar, yellow cheddar or Swiss cheese and a smorgasbord of toppings including bacon, avocado, grilled pineapple, fried Spam, egg and sauteed mushrooms. The burger also comes with a side of either french fries or onion rings.

Soup may not be the first thing in mind when considering an after-hours meal, but Sumo Saimin ($14) is not to be left out of the running. Fresh Hawaiian-style noodles in a homemade broth are served in a bowl worthy of its sumo name and garnished with mustard greens, Napa cabbage, egg, char siu and fried Spam.

“The saimin is just one of those definitions of comfort food. Guests will come out saying that it’s a lot of saimin, but delicious,” says Nelsen.

No meal would be finished if not with some dessert. The Coco Moco ($8) is the perfect gooey goody for the table to share — unless you have a big sweet tooth.

The oversized, half-baked cookie is taken straight from the oven still in its skillet and served on the table with vanilla ice cream on top, allowing for the ice cream to melt into every crevice of the cookie, making each bite a delicious contrast between hot and cold. The homemade cookie dough is available in Waialua chocolate chip or white chocolate macadamia and coconut.

MAC 24/7

Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel
2500 Kuhio Ave.
921-5564
Open 24 hours daily
mac247waikiki.com