Munchie Man is opening at 113 D St in downtown Davis, taking over the space left behind by Taffach Ethiopian Restaurant, which closed in July. Owner Christopher Fairman told What Now Sacramento the restaurant is targeting a mid-to-late September opening, with renovation and hiring already underway.
Fairman described the food as a funky bistro take on California cuisine shaped by global influences, with every dish carrying a personal story behind it, pulled from his travels or people who inspired him along the way. He pointed to Mexico City, Japan and Toronto as a few of the places that have shaped the menu, alongside dishes inspired by meals he shared at friends’ homes.
The name and mascot trace back to 2023, when Fairman began running pop-up dinners under the Munchie Man name as something of an art project. He said opening a brick-and-mortar version feels like watching that project come full circle, with artwork of the Munchie Man character planned for display throughout the restaurant. The space will seat about 76 people and includes an outdoor patio Fairman has been working on himself.
A Sacramento native with roughly two decades in hospitality, Fairman previously served as general manager at The Shack in East Sacramento and helped open Pazza Notte in Midtown, along with a stint managing bar operations at Sky River Casino. He said he has spent close to three years searching for the right space, describing 113 D St as a place he hopes people can return to often and feel part of.
“I just can’t wait to make people happy. make people’s stomachs full, and just make new friends,” Fairman told What Now.
