Nataani Nez Restaurant in Shiprock uses variety to keep patrons coming back

Restaurant nears three years of business, boasts menu that ranges from lo mein to lamb stew

Naatani Nez Restaurant Owner Simon Cai works with waitress Courtney Yazzie at the restaurant in Shiprock. (Jon Austria The Daily Times)

SHIPROCK Naatani Nez Restaurant is approaching its third year of serving customers a wide variety of foods.

When Jethro Begay was hired two and half years ago as the restaurant's kitchen manager, he says he thought one thing: keep Shiprock customers in Shiprock.

"I wanted to make people not go to Farmington," said Begay, who is originally from Shiprock. "They can have the same quality food and hospitality here as in Farmington."

When Begay assumed the role of the eatery's primary manager, he first scrutinized the menu, which, at the time, included many items common at other Navajo Nation restaurants. Naatani Nez, which is located at 101 Ayanni Neez Bay, opened in August 2011 with a menu that listed an assortment of Navajo foods like lamb stew, Navajo burgers and Navajo tacos.

Begay said he wanted to add variety to the menu but also keep the foods simple.

"I strived for meat and potatoes. That's what they like around here," he said.

Begay has since revamped the menu to include Mexican, American and Chinese food, as well as the Navajo staples.

The Chinese food is made by the restaurant's owner, Simon Cai. Cai deferred all comments to Begay because he said he doesn't speak English well.

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Nataani Nez Restaurant in Shiprock uses variety to keep patrons coming back