Page 34 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2022

DINING JUANITA’S KITCHEN
Chusma.
Juanita and Jesus Morales.
ADDRESS
3676 Pascagoula St. Pascagoula
CONTACT
228.471.5554
SOCIAL
Facebook @CocinitaDeJuanita
HOURS
Mon-Sat, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sun, closed
story and photos by Kimberly C. Rasmussen
34 | December 2022
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
As a Jackson County native, I am truly troubled that up until a month ago, I had not experienced the absolute wonderment that is Juanita’s Kitchen in Pascagoula. Owned and operated by Jesus Morales, Juanita’s Kitchen is hands down some of the absolute best Mexican food you will find not only on the Gulf Coast, but I would bet just about anywhere. Morales has been cooking professionally for almost 40 years. As the head chef at Juanita’s, a restaurant named after his wife, Morales wanted a place to showcase his Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, roots and combine them with everything culinary he had come
to love about the South. Morales has accomplished this and so much more! Breakfast is an absolute showstopper
at Juanita’s Kitchen. Traditional items such as Chorizo and Eggs, French Toast, Pancakes and even Fried Catfish and Grits are all made to order, served hot, and are the perfect way to start your day. However,
Morales has a couple of meals that are standouts and definite must-try options. The description of Juanita’s Omelet (also known as the Fully Loaded Omelet) is simply “everything but the kitchen sink” and is a great choice for omelet lovers.
The Hunter’s Chusma is perfect if you are looking for a hearty and filling breakfast. Scrambled eggs are covered in freshly grilled onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, ham, sausage, and bacon. Everything is served over crispy fried potatoes and then covered in the house made queso. Chusma is a Spanish word sometimes loosely translated into a gossip. Morales named this dish “Chusma” as an ode to the way gossip compiles a bunch of words into one central story, just like his various ingredients come together to make one excellent meal.
If you are looking for something lighter but keeping a Mexican flair, try the Chilaquiles. Fried tortilla chips are tossed in a housemade salsa roja, topped with a