The Munchies Lab, the experimental fusion restaurant on Walton Way, is closing its doors.
Owner Ramiro Galvan shared the news on the restaurant’s Facebook page Wednesday, saying that management has decided to close and expressing gratitude to the public for its patronage.
Galvan, who also owns Taqueria El Rey on Washington Road and La Cocina Del Rey in Grovetown, opened The Munchies Lab in spring of last year. The concept entailed creative blending of various flavor profiles and kinds of cuisine — Mexican, Japanese, Indian and so on. It’s not uncommon to find fried sushi rolls full of grilled steak, or a gourmet hot dog with avocado on its shifting menu.
Galvan said that decreasing foot traffic at its location, nestled in a storefront a block down from the Augusta Judicial Center, is one contributor to the eatery shutting down.
“We noticed that as soon as the courthouse in front of us closes the rest [of the area] is like an absolute ghost town,” said Galvan, while also stressing the restaurant was maintained by loyal regulars who came as far as from Aiken and Columbia counties. “And so, pretty much the only ones that went by there were the ones that really wanted us.”
He also notes that the bistro was outgrowing its space. The small suite was easily packed, and Galvan had already been considering moving to a larger spot, he said, ideally large enough to include a full bar.
That expansion of the concept, however, has also been a difficult road. Galvan said most locations he found while shopping around either weren’t suitable or property owners were uncomfortable with the “risqué” and “weird” branding of the restaurant.
Galvan also said he will keep looking for a new location — or even a new form — for the Munchies Lab concept, and will even continue using it for food truck events. While he admits that the unique menu “is not for everybody,” he’s also confident that the support the restaurant received over the last year will follow it when and however it returns.
“We had a big fan base here, a lot of people coming in sometimes twice a week for our burgers or our sushi burritos,” said Galvan. “And so hopefully we’re able to find a great location, or come up with a new idea.”
The Munchies Lab’s last day open, at its location at 1022 Walton Way, will be Saturday, Sept. 16.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
