Page 12 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2021

COAST NOTE
story and photos by Kimberly C. Rasmussen
here are few restaurants along the Mississippi Gulf Coast that need no introduction. There are even fewer restaurants along the Mississippi Gulf Coast that can command a line of patrons, 10 people deep, before the sun even rises. Yet, a quaint little
shop set in downtown Ocean Springs is doing just that. Outside the shop, at precisely 5:30 a.m., Carl, the
neighborhood rooster, crows loudly as if to signal to the masses that The TatoNut Donut Shop is officially open
for business. Inside, the staff work together like a well-oiled machine. Donuts are whisked in every direction. Trays are brought out from the back, filled with a delightful assortment of TatoNut’s finest. Some only make it as far as the counter before their quick acquisition. At the helm of this sugary transaction is TatoNut’s newest lead, Katelyn Mohler.
Mohler assumed her role as head of the family business in mid-2021, after the passing of her father, David. Mohler is just 23 years old, the same age her father was when he took over TatoNut from his father, Robert, in the early 1980s. And like her father, Mohler’s enthusiastic presence at TatoNut will be the driving force behind its continued success.
Running the family business was never part of Mohler’s plans. Rather, she was ready to embrace all things Disney. Following her 2020 graduation from the University of Mississippi, she was set to join the Disney College Program, a lifelong dream of hers. However, Mohler soon realized that
her love for TatoNut was greater, and she embraced her new role with open arms, never looking back.
Known for their secret family recipe and unique use of mashed potatoes in every batch, this coastal landmark has been serving up the absolute best donuts for over sixty
years. Mohler’s mother, Theresa, continues to embody the behind-the-scenes commitment and devotion needed to keep TatoNut thriving, arriving daily around 1 a.m. to begin the lengthy process of prepping, rolling and proofing the dough. Katelyn isn’t far behind, arriving around 3:30 a.m. to continue the process of frying and glazing approximately 5,000 donuts each day. Five. Thousand. Donuts.
The community’s overwhelming reaction to the doors reopening has been an incredible blessing. Every day people wait in line, some over an hour, just to get their hands on a TatoNut donut. However, it’s the multi-generational love for customers and their families that compels people to return time and time again. TatoNut is more than just a donut shop – it’s a benchmark for customer service, delicious food, and community spirit.
TatoNut Donut Shop
1114 Government St., Ocean Springs 228.872.2076
Facebook @ TheTatonutDonutShop www.facebook.com/TheTatonutDonutShop
12 | August 2021
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