Delmy Morales had a dream. To open a Mexican Restaurant with food that people would enjoy and be successful.

That dream came true when she and her husband Jose Perez, who had culinary experience, opened up Juanito’s Mexican Restaurant on Broad Street in Washington Borough 11 years ago. Since opening it has become a favorite of Borough – and regional – diners. 

On Feb. 5 at Hawk Pointe Golf Club, Morales will be rewarded for her “recipe” for success as the Washington Business Improvement District’s Business Person of the Year. Also being honored at the WBID’s Business Recognition dinner will be Next Level Hair Designs (Redevelopment Award), Lina’s Chop Shop (People’s Choice Business of the Year) and Josephine Noone (Community Partner). 

“Since I’ve been 18 I was working in a restaurant,” she said recently. “Having our own place was a dream. We decided to look around for a place to open a restaurant, and we heard there was one available in Washington. It was the first location we looked at.” Turned out to be the perfect place.

Morales and her husband opened the doors in November 2014. Since then they’ve enjoyed a steady and loyal customer base. Earlier this year, the rest of New Jersey found out about Juanito’s when NJ.com listed it has the No. 2 best Mexican restaurant in the state.

“We’ve seen the reviews online with people saying they liked us,” said Morales.”We never thought it would get this big.”

Renowned food writer Pete Genovese came to Juanitos’s and ordered Chicken Norteno, Ceviche and a Burrito Deluxe to go. At that time he informed Morales that her restaurant was in the running as one of the best in the state and took a few photos. Morales was shocked when she saw that he ranked Juanito’s as No. 2 in all of New Jersey.

“That was really good to see!” she said with a big smile. “We were actually surprised to see that we were No. 2.”

Longtime customers were not surprised. Juanito’s has always had a reputation as serving quality food with big portions and being affordable. 

“We are consistent with our food,” Morales proudly noted. “The recipes are constant.”

Tacos and fajitas are two customer favorites, according to Morales, and so are a host of changing specials. For those with a really big appetite, the Burrito Deluxe is a real treat. Morales pointed out that the restaurant also offers vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options. 

And now Morales and her husband have another dream. By the summertime of 2026 they hope to be in their new location, close by, across the street in the former Visiting Homemaker’s building. The new location will provide Juanito’s with expanded space and a parking lot.

“It’s about three times the size of our current restaurant,” she said. “Gives us a bigger dining area, bigger kitchen, more storage and a parking lot, all pluses.”

Morales noted that as part of the project they plan on building a small bar that will offer alcohol-free cocktails and blends that customers can augment with BYOB alcohols of their choice (think margaritas!). 

Morales’ dream has become a dream restaurant for the Greater Washington community. Morales’ efforts have not gone unnoticed. 

Tickets for the event are $75 in advance, $85 at the door. For more information email washingtonbid@gmail.com. Checks can be mailed to “Washington BID”, 21 Belvidere Avenue, Washington, NJ 07882.

For more information about Juanito’s visit juanitosmexicanrestaurant.com. Eat-in, take out, delivery, order online.