Telway 6820 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-843-2146: This seven-seat, white-tiled burger joint might be called a dive. But when Telway's half-empty, it's still half full with an attitudinal waitstaff and a smattering of gossipy regulars. The 4/$2 sliders are the most popular, but the chicken sandwiches are the pièce de résistance. Best of all is watching the late-night cabbies and cops drop in for their double-doubles to go.

Travis Coffee Shop 23500 Greater Mack, St. Clair Shores; 586-778-0101: This is a quirky corner diner in the heart of St. Clair Shores. Walk in at 3 a.m. to find the night owls of the Nautical Mile bar scene intermingled with the locals grabbing a late night snack. Open 24 hours every day except Sunday, when they close 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. Monday, Travis has it all, whether you grab an item off their breakfast menu or bite into a greasy but tasty burger.

United Cafe 3641 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-993-7040: It's a drive-thru on Grand River that has a more massive menu than most restaurants! It's open 24 hours for impulse buys. Where else can you get a 21-piece shrimp dinner for $8.30 at 3 a.m.? Best of all, they never seem to close. Most citywide chains take Sundays off, locking their bullet-resistant Lockaire carousels for the Sabbath, but United stays open for your late-night salvation.

Village Place 4710 Cooley Lake Rd., Waterford; 248-683-3340: A haven of the bluehairs in search of the daily special (the same thing every week — you can tell it's Thursday because it's shrimp day) and families by day, Village Place entertains its fair share of worn-out partiers and insomniacs by night. The staff is "nice" to the point where it could give you an aneurysm, and the food's decent enough. But the real draw is truly the 24-hour factor.

Xochimilco 3409 Bagley St., Detroit; 313-843-0179; $$: On a normal evening, this popular Mexicantown eatery often has a dining crowd filling its three rooms downstairs, spilling over onto the second floor, drawn by its large portions and inexpensive menu. Because it closes at 2 a.m., it doesn't draw those who wander from the bar late, but it can be quite busy after midnight, depending on what's happening downtown. And thanks to Xochi's liquor license, your friends can keep on tippling while you enjoy a restorative burrito, enchilada or the "super nachos" with ground beef and diced veggies smothered in melted cheese and jalapenos.

Zack's of Plymouth 9468 S Main St., Plymouth; 734-459-2066; plymouthrocbar.com: Zack's has a cloud of regulars when the morning rush gets there, but it's the place to be after 2 a.m. when they start packing in the after-the-bar crowd. The cheese fries are raved about, and the breakfasts will send you back home fat and happy and fully prepared to sleep off the ... um ... festivities.

Special thanks to editorial interns Benjamin Solis and Aaron Mondry for their assistance researching this column.

See any errors or omissions? Do let us know! Send an e-mail to mjackman@metrotimes.com or call 313-202-8043.

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