In the several years he has been in Alaska, Javier Beltran has worked multiple jobs; but all the while, he wanted to do his favorite thing: cook for other people. That has now become a reality.

Located in the Churchill Building, behind River’s Mouth Resale, Javier’s Mexican Food has been open since the last week of July and has cultivated an immediate customer base. 

“I have done many different jobs, but I was trained and worked as a chef in Mexico,” Beltran said. “I worked in different locations and learned to cook many different styles. My passion has always been to cook for people and to see their faces when they taste my food.”

Beltran arrived in Alaska 11 years ago and initially was looking for a fishing job. He lived in multiple locations before landing in Wrangell.

“I lived in Juneau, Sitka and a few other places. But I like Wrangell best,” he explained. “This town is so different and the people are so different. It’s calm and it’s relaxed. I love it here.”

For the past seven months, Beltran said he wasn’t able to use his current restaurant location — even though he was steadily paying rent. But that all changed when his friend James Jenkins stepped in.

“I told (Jenkins) that I want to cook, but I don’t like dealing with the paperwork part of the business. I don’t understand all of it,” Beltran said. “He offered to help me. He took care of the paperwork. He told me that I should be cooking and doing what I love to do.”

By the end of July, Javier’s Mexican Food was officially open for business. And, he picked up some additional help along the way.

Kiki Anderton arrived in Wrangell before the end of July to begin her work contract as a physical therapist. One evening, while shooting pool at Rayme’s Bar, she met Beltran. The two became friends quickly and she soon found herself helping him make plans for his restaurant opening.

“Javier is one of the hardest-working individuals I have ever met in my life. He’s constantly doing something, and if he isn’t working he’s thinking about work,” Anderton said. “I think he just needed encouragement at the right time to get everything going. And I’m glad that I’m able to help him.”

One area she was happy to help him with was the design of the menu — which is a combination of the Mexican flag with the stars from the Alaska flag. 

“It was his idea. He wanted to find a way to combine elements of the two flags. I’m sure he would have figured out how to do it, but I was just able to get it done quickly,” she said. “And ever since he opened at the end of July, he has stayed busy. I’m just glad that I can help.”

Beltran said he feels very confident about the direction everything is headed.

“I tried to open the restaurant several months ago, but it just wasn’t the right timing. Things weren’t like they needed to be,” Beltran said. “But now, it feels like everything is right. It’s exciting. And I love to see new customers eat my food.”

Javier’s Mexican Food currently has a small menu of burritos, tacos and quesadillas, with a choice of meat from chicken, pork or beef. Each item also can have a side of rice and beans added.

The restaurant is open Wednesday through Monday (closed on Tuesday), and lunch is from noon to 2 p.m. Dinner hours are 5 to 7 p.m.