Cheap Eats: Munchies 4:20 Café

(Credit: Danielle Hier)

It's like a Dali painting. There's something disturbing about it, but you can't quite figure out what it is, or why you find the concept sooooo fascinating...

Such was my reaction to a Peanut Butter Cheeseburger ($6.99) and raspberry & carmel smothered fried twinkies ($3.79), both appearing on the beefed up menu at Munchies 4:20 Café.  What kind of of reviewer would I be, if I didn't take the dare?  So I ordered both, along with a fountain root beer ($1.50 with free refills). 

Surprisingly, it was not bad. The double 1/2 lb. black Angus burger with cheese and peanut butter was cooked medium rare (as requested) and served with home fries in a red lined plastic basket. The twinkies were crunchy on the outside with a soft cream filling and enough sugar to keep me awake until the new millenium. Order any combo of burger, sandwich, sub or quesadilla with onion rings, tater tots or spuds and a soft drink, and save up to $3 off your meal, making Munchies one of the best places for a late-night dinner under $10.

Munchies is a little hole in the wall, highlighted by an oversized graffiti art painting of the cartoon Munch Man making a speedy delivery to a hungry soul with a case of the munchies.  Seating outdoors consists of a couple of large picnic tables.  Inside, the metal pub tables and chairs seat about fifteen, including a few seats at the front counter.  

Time stopped for this place in 1989 with classic arcade games, including a Simpsons pinball machine.  There are three 15" TVs showing re-runs of Unsolved Mysteries during the day, replaced by music in the eve. The most distinguishing bit of "paraphernalia" of the place is the dreaded "Wall of Shame." The ongoing "Fire-in-Your-Hole" competition, involves downing ten deathly intense hot wings (so hot you have to sign a liability waiver before ingesting), and - more importantly - keeping them down for twenty minutes.  Success gets you a free T-shirt and a photo on the "Wall of Fame". Otherwise, you're on the shame wall (though, you'll probably be too ill to care). 

The Twinkie Defense (A list of the "cheap eats" at Munchies):

Fries -  $3.99
Hash Browns - $1.99
Garlic Bread - $2.59
Foot Long Dawg - $4.79
1/2 lb. Burger - $6.49
Italian Sub - $5.49
Chili - $3.75
Muncharoni - $3.75
Chili & Mac - $4
Fried Twinkies - $3.79
Cheese Quesadilla - $5

The scene: Known primarily for its all-night delivery, the café does pick up at 2 a.m. (when the bars close).  While the daytime attracts locals looking for a quick bite, the evening crowd is made up of late night partiers, often inebriated (so it's hard to tell whether or not it was the wings or the alcohol that did them in). This place is definitely not for the feint of heart or the easily offended, with several crass bumper stickers adorning the walls.

The Verdict (The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly):

Good Points: 

*   Delivery - They deliver up until 4:20 a.m. from North of McIntosh at U.S. 41 and Fruitville Rd. for a $2.50 charge (Min. $10 delivery).  Munchies ventures as far as Siesta Key, though the purchase minimum goes up. If you live north of Webber, it's a $15 minimum and north of Bahai Vista is more than $20.

*  HUGE portions - It should be called "Belly Busters" and not "Munchies" for the generous food portions.

*  Late Night Dining - Open until 4:20 a.m. for the after-hours crowd, looking for grub.

*  Variety - The menu includes salads, philly steaks, subs, sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, wings and wraps.

*  Friendly Counter Service - Employees are pleasant on the phone and provide friendly service when dining in.

The Bad & Ugly:

*  It's hard to appreciate drunken humor, unless you're drunk as well.  I'd also not want to be around to witness the hall of shamers sick in the parking lot.  Those who want to avoid the rush, should plan on arriving between 4:20 p.m. and midnight. 

Munchies 4:20 Café is located at 6639 Superior Ave, at the Gulf Gate Village, and is open from 4:20 p.m. - 4:20 a.m. daily.
Visit www.munchies420cafe.com.

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