Page 78 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2026

DINING CZAK’S
Red Snapper Creole
Owner and Head Chef Josh Walczak and Server Julia
ADDRESS
617 Krebs Ave. Pascagoula
CONTACT
228.471.5070
EMAIL
czakscoastalcuisine@gmail.com
HOURS
Mon & Tues 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Wed & Thurs
11 a.m.-2 p.m. & 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Fri,
11 a.m.-2 p.m. & 4:30-8:30 p.m.
Closed Sat & Sun
story and photos by Anne Pitre
78 | January 2026
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
Czak’s in Pascagoula is a restaurant with an eye toward the future of the commu- nity. Contemporary, breezy and open, it brings fresh energy to one of the city’s older corridors and feels poised to elevate the local dining scene. Owner and Head Chef Josh Walczak pours his entire self into this place—the food, the bar program, the décor—every detail reflects his vision. In each bite, you taste not just technique, but genuine passion.
One of the first things that impressed me was the front-of-house staff. Our server, Julia, set the tone with warm hospitality, and before long Chef Josh was at the table introducing himself. He made the rounds
to every table, chatting food, catching up with regulars, and even reminiscing with his fifth grade teacher who made a point to tell me what a sweet boy he was. The entire staff mirrored that energy: conversa- tional, knowledgeable, and excited about the food. That’s how you build a restau- rant culture—from the top down.
Czak’s also operates as close to a true scratch kitchen as you’ll find. Anything not made in-house is sourced locally from trusted vendors, and—bonus for diners with dietary restrictions—the menu is almost entirely gluten-free. The only ex- ception is the pork sandwich.
We began with tastes of the gumbo