Javelina Indigenous Dining
About us
Chef Alexa Numkena-Anderson was born in Yakima, Washington and grew up on the Yakama Reservation in Toppenish, Washington. Alexa's Grandfather hails from the Hopi, a Sovereign Nation and Tribe in northeastern Arizona where they are both enrolled. Her family is also a descendant of the Yakama, Cree, and Skokomish Nations.
Javelina + Inisha Indigenous Dining Accolades: Esquires Best New Restaurant in America 2025 - One of Eaters 38 Best Restaurants in Portland - One of Eaters Best New Restaurants in Portland 2025 - One of Portland Monthly's '50 Best Restaurants In Portland Right Now' - One of the Portland Monthly's Restaurants that Defined 2025 - Voted Top 5 Best Burgers in Oregon (Multiple Sources) - 3x Time Best Fry Bread in Oregon 2023, 2024 & 2025 - Chefs to watch out for in 2026, Chef Alexa Numkena-Anderson (Multiple Sources) - 2017 Portland Oyster Shuck Champion, Chef Alexa Numkena-Anderson
Alexa first learned to cook from her Grandmother on the Yakama Reservation making stews, frybread, and other comfort foods as a child. Being the eldest of six, Alexa took care of her family the best way she knew how with the little they had, even through her brief time in foster care.
After high school graduation, Alexa moved to Portland, where she attended Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School while working as a line cook. Her experience took her through several acclaimed restaurants, including King Tide (formally Three Degrees), The Waiting Room, Headwaters, Imperial, Domaine Serene, and was part of the opening team at Bullard with Chef Doug Adams.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, she became the Chef at Sammich where she ran operations, managed shelter meals, and catered for people experiencing wildfire displacement, all while assisting with regular menu development. In fact, some of her items remain on the menu to this day! Fast forward to September 2023, Alexa is now a new mother and just six weeks later she started Javelina: Indigenous Dining with her husband Nicholas Numkena-Anderson.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, she became the Chef at Sammich where she ran operations, managed shelter meals, and catered for people experiencing wildfire displacement, all while assisting with regular menu development. In fact, some of her items remain on the menu to this day! Fast forward to September 2023, Alexa is now a new mother and just six weeks later she started Javelina: Indigenous Dining with her husband Nicholas Numkena-Anderson.
Her cuisine tells a larger story that centers on the perseverance of Indigenous food, and the struggle of Indigenous Peoples displaced from their ancestral lands. Alexa's food is medicine, not only delicious but incredibly nurturing - it heals the mind, body, and soul. She wants to help her community eat traditional foods again and educate guests about what North American cuisine should be.