Munchies 420 Cafe, the late-night Gulf Gate fixture that closed in September 2025 after more than two decades, is set to reopen under founder J.D. Chester.

Chester told the Herald-Tribune he intends to reopen the restaurant at 6639 Superior Ave. around the end of November or start of December. He told Sarasota Magazine he is targeting the day before Thanksgiving, Nov. 25, though the date hinges on licensing and other final details.

"If everything goes smoothly, I don't see us not being able to open by the day before Thanksgiving," Chester said.

State licensing records show hurdles remain. The café's permanent food service license is listed as "Closed, Change Owner Pending," according to Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation filings. A separate DBPR filing shows the retail beverage license as "Null and Void."

Chester, who started Munchies in 2002 as a late-night delivery operation, sold the business to John Kirk in March 2024. Kirk, an entrepreneur with a background in licensing sports TV rights to food and beverage venues, closed the restaurant after less than two years. Kirk said the economic impact hurricanes had on the tourist season was untenable, according to Sarasota Magazine.

Chester said he watched prospective buyers come close to purchasing the business only to back out. He decided to step in himself.

"I just said, 'F—k it, I'm gonna come back and get it back to stardom,'" he told Sarasota Magazine.

The original menu is coming back. That includes the Fat Sandy, a sandwich stacked with burgers, chicken fingers, mac and cheese, mozzarella sticks, potato wedges and onion rings. The 10-wing ghost chili "Fire in Your Hole" challenge is also expected to return. Food personality Adam Richman failed the challenge after only two wings when the restaurant was featured on the TV series "Man v. Food" in 2009.

Chester told Sarasota Magazine the restaurant's early popularity spoke for itself, and that original recipes had been altered over the years with ingredients that didn't meet his standards.

Chester is also adding a second concept called Hootie and Honkie's House of Weenies and Sandwichery. That menu will feature Vienna beef hot dogs, cheesesteaks, roast pork sandwiches, New York-style "dirty water dogs" and pastrami. The restaurant will have a full liquor bar, and the outdoor tiki bar will serve daiquiris and island-inspired cocktails.

General manager John Sterling, an original Munchies employee, will return as a minority owner. Zoe Bryant will also join the ownership group.

Chester said he plans four large concerts a year in the parking lot, each drawing around 3,000 people. Interior live music will be less frequent than in previous years, with a focus on established local acts.

Chester told Sarasota Magazine he expects a line out the door on opening day and asked fans for patience as the operation finds its footing. The Nov. 25 target date still depends on final licensing approvals.