By Janet Stoica

Their opening weekend was a record-breaker: the lines were long, and the cooks prepped the orders like there was no tomorrow. Mike’s Crunchies & Munchies was off the charts with the great crowds of diners awaiting their orders. As fast as the food could be made, it was flying out the door.

It was quite a weekend for owner Mike Chiler and his employees as well as his new customers. “People are happy that we’re here,” said Mike. “We were certainly overwhelmed and didn’t expect to have that many customers. It’s obvious to us that there’s a taste for this type of food in this area.” 

Mike and his wife, Patti, are from the Greater Boston area but have lived in Webster for the past 11 years. They began with a food truck, offering the same types of fare they currently serve: butterfly potatoes, whole-belly fried clams, fried shrimp (breaded or coconut style served with pina colada or cocktail sauce), clam fritters, homemade chowder, and garlic knots—and those are just the appetizers. 

Chicken wing orders range from 10 pieces to 100 and the sauce varieties include Memphis sweet, hickory brown, Buffalo, teriyaki, garlic, Carribean jerk to Nashville hot.

Seafood plates encompass fish & chips, baked haddock, and hot or cold lobster rolls. All their seafood is freshly delivered. Subs are on their menu as well, including the Italian made with capicola, mortadella, salami, and pepperoni, blackened chicken, and Philly cheesesteak. 

Smashed burgers of all types (you will have to visit them and find out why they are called “smashed”) come with Mike’s special sauce and customary condiments. Oh, and don’t forget the hand-tossed pizza (tossed by Mike himself).  “It’s a true Neapolitan-style pizza,” he said, “made with our own homemade sauces.” Topping choices are cool, from the standard cheese and tomato to white clam as well as The Camille, made with chorizo and poached pears, even chicken bruschetta topped with sliced chicken breast, tomatoes, and balsamic glaze.

Our approach is “we cook fresh food and sometimes there will be a wait,” said Mike. “All seafood is fried on the spot. Nothing is previously frozen; it is all fresh. We were looking to offer a good selection of food for the whole family with modest pricing. Customers at our former location told us what they wanted, and we try to accommodate their requests.

“I often drove by this location, and it always caught my eye. We were searching for a place to bring our business to and felt it was time to open up a brick-and-mortar location that was a family dining establishment. It was always a family dream to bring this type of food to the neighborhood.”

There is seating for 64 inside the restaurant with another 30 spots available outside. 

Eventually Mike and Patti hope to bring craft beers and local wines into their beverage line.

Their second floor is being spruced up and when done, will serve as a function room for children’s birthday parties.

Mike’s Crunchies & Munchies, 32 Main Street, Webster. Phone: 508-461-5858. Hours: Wed/Thurs/Sun 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Fri/Sat 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. www.mikescrunchies.com     

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Contact Janet:  [email protected]