An "Iconic," FL Eatery Closed After 70 Years. Its Replacement Will Carry On With Its Old Favorites

Photo byMarshall Astor, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

There are many long-time Florida restaurants where families have gone for generations to enjoy a meal or celebrate special occasions.

Examples are The Columbia, Kelly's Fish House, and The Yearling. Floridians are arguably lucky because all of the above are still in business.

Unfortunately, one long-time Florida eatery that has been called "iconic" closed after 70 years. Fortunately, the new owner is vowing to keep the legacy alive by featuring old favorites.

About Munch's: The restaurant has written that it served breakfast and lunch "like mama used to make." Their chicken was reportedly "award-winning" and their fried green tomatoes were "famous."

The restaurant was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and DivesDives, and the eatery also served old-school "sundries" so you could get throwback candies like bubble gum cigars and Clark Bars.

Owner Larry Munch put the place up for sale in 2022 after 70 years because he wished to retire.

The restaurant was a St. Pete favorite (and many miss it) because it served hearty comfort food for cheap in a friendly, familiar environment.

About Tchotchke: New owner Matthew Firosz has indicated that he is committed to maintaining what people loved about Munch's. He told St Pete Rising (who called the restaurant "iconic:")

"We can make new memories in this space while paying tribute to what came before us."

To that end, the new restaurant is keeping Munch's favorites like the popular egg benedicts topped with ingredients like fried green tomatoes topped with pimento cheese, ham, and hollandaise, and Maryland-style crab cake and Cuban mojo pork.

There have been some soft openings, and the feedback is good. A reviewer named Taylor wrote:

"Ordered the smash burger, classic pressed double hamburger. Very good. I hope this place grows into the neighborhood."

The author is not affiliated with Tchotcke, Munch's, or any other restaurants.