Page 160 - South Mississippi Living - June, 2021

DINING WAT BUDDHAMETTA MAHAB-
Pad Thai.
ADDRESS:
6300 Martin Bluff Rd., Gautier
HOURS:
Open Sundays 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
story and photos by Kimberly C. Rasmussen
It’s no secret that the Gulf Coast is packed full of delicious cuisine. Our coastline, back bays, and side roads are dotted with a variety of delicacies, fares and foods. The coastal culture brings about a wide and diverse
range of eateries, often the result
of familial influence paired with homemade, simple goodness. That’s why it’s no surprise that we continue to see an increase in offerings that are generational and true to their origins.
If you are looking to for a scrumptious experience set against
an authentic backdrop, look no further than the Wat Buddhametta Mahabaramee Buddhist Temple (WBM) in Gautier, where Thai food is on the menu and you definitely won’t be disappointed.
Originally from Sakhon Nakhon, Thailand, Director and President of
the WBM Gautier, Pisit Opnititanit, was in search of a local temple where people from all backgrounds could come and worship. There were regional temples in Florida and Louisiana, but Opnititanit wanted something closer and was hoping to fill a geographical gap. In July 2016, the temple opened in Gautier in a simple and humble home that would soon be renovated into a gorgeous and opulent representation of Thai culture.
In order to raise the needed funds for this amazing transformation, Opnititanit and his order of fellow monks decided to sell their delicious food to the public. What began as
a small group of supporters serving small meals on Sundays has grown into a full-scale operation with a loyal crowd. You can watch local temple
160 | June 2021
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living