07/29/2025
810 Munchies Brings Flavor and Heart to Dort Mall
FLINT, MI — Something new is cooking inside the historic Dort Mall at 3600 S. Dort Hwy., Suite 62 — and it’s not just food. It’s passion. It’s community. And it’s the vision of Chef Steve Brewer and his wife, MacKenzie Brewer.
For months, Steve quietly kept a secret, even from many friends and regulars who knew him from past ventures like Tom’s Coney Café. “I think I’ve done my best to keep my mouth shut,” Steve admits with a grin. “I didn’t want to let it out too soon.”
That secret is 810 Munchies — a new restaurant born from a joke name that stuck, and now represents the Brewers’ next big leap in the food world.
From Joke to Brand
Originally, 810 Munchies started as a kitchen project at the Genesee County Compassion Club (G3C). “I thought it would just be a side thing,” Steve says. “But the food went over so well, people loved it, and before long, I realized we had something bigger on our hands.”
Encouraged by customers and friends, Steve kept the playful name. “Everyone said, ‘You have to keep it. That’s your brand now.’ So we did.”
A Family Effort – Even If Not Everyone Signed Up
Steve jokes that wife MacKenzie “really didn’t want to do this,” but she’s still a huge part of the project. Nephew Jose and niece Hannah are also joining in to help build the restaurant from the ground up.
Inside the Dort Mall, the restaurant is taking shape in the former Star Brothers Coney Island space. “It needs work — a lot of cleaning, some new equipment — but it’s nothing we can’t handle,” Steve says while giving a tour. “Once people taste the food, that’s when the magic happens.”
More Than a Restaurant — A Mission
The Brewers aren’t just opening a restaurant — they’re creating a safe haven for families with special-needs children.
“We know what it’s like to go to a restaurant and feel the stares when a child makes noise or stims or has a meltdown,” Steve explains. “Here, we want parents to feel safe. We want kids to be kids. We’ll have autism-friendly stickers on the windows so everyone knows — this is a judgment-free zone.”
Their commitment runs deeper than the restaurant. Steve and MacKenzie are also the founders of the Autism Parent Support Network. As parents of autistic children themselves, they understand the unique challenges families face. Their organization provides guidance, understanding, and a sense of community for parents navigating the same journey.
What’s on the Menu?
While Steve is keeping the full menu under wraps for now, he hints at classic Coney-style dishes done right — and done better.
“People are sick of Coney Islands because they aren’t that good,” Steve laughs. “But those who know how I cook, know my food is different. We’ll have Coneys, yes, but we’ll do them right — and we’ll mix in some surprises too.”
Looking Ahead
The goal is to open this August — and excitement is already building.
The restaurant will also serve as a DoorDash hub, ensuring that Flint locals — and even those who don’t stop by Dort Mall — will get a taste of what 810 Munchies is all about.
“This is my passion,” Steve says simply. “We’ve run multiple restaurants before. It’s stressful for some people — not for me. This is fun. This is what I do.”
With the combination of 810 Munchies and the Autism Parent Support Network, Steve and MacKenzie Brewer are building more than a business — they’re building a legacy of inclusion, flavor, and community right here in Flint.
