When it comes to dining options in downtown Harrisburg, we have no shortage of options. Granted, there’s certainly room to fill out some niche markets, but when it comes to choice, we’ve got it made. One area that’s always been lacking, however, is after-hours food. From the earliest hot dog carts that materialized over the summer of 2002 to the most recent additions this year, downtown has struggled to feed its intoxicated masses.

All of that is changing this year — or at least trying to. At some point over the past month, a handful of late-night food vendors have sprung up. For starters, Chilly Willy’s has opened in the old bank building next to the parking garage, across from Fisaga. Although this is technically the worst possible use for this building, it is novel. Where else can you get ice cream downtown (don’t answer that)? They seem to be hit-or-miss about being open late, however. The first weekend I noticed that they were open, they remained open until well after 2. But it seems that the last two weekends have seen them close up shop long before closing time.

Further down Second Street, Skewers (point out that it has hookahs if you’re trying to be trendy and/or impress your Myspace friends) has started serving fresh fire-grilled kabobs at the edge of their seating area. This is probably the single greatest idea to hit downtown, ever. I mean it — it’s fast, it’s hot, it’s more substantial than pizza, and I’ll even throw out the suggestion that it’s probably the healthiest (or is that least-unhealthy) food downtown. And it’s good. I mean, really, really good. Try it.

There’s Tom Sawyer Diner, if you can get there in time — the kitchen closes at 3am.

There’s The Spot, if you want to keep your immune system healthy.

I occasionally still see a hot dog cart in the vicinity of Fisaga. Which begs the question — why don’t the downtown restaurants that double as bars fire up their kitchens beginning around 1:30? I know the obvious answer is “because they close at midnight”, yes. But wouldn’t it be worthwhile to stay open to grab those late-night snackers? If Fisaga offered even a partial-but-substantial menu from 1-5 (even 1-4), I’m willing to bet that they’d pull a decent profit.

And, of course, you can’t go wrong with Colonial Park Diner, provided you and your group can get there.

In a city where Dunkin Donuts closes promptly at 5pm and diners lock their doors at 3, it’s nice to see some options finally start to materialize.