Mindy Leary, Nederland. The Mineshaft restaurant opened in Nederland on March 13, 2020, only three days before they were forced to close due to the pandemic. Martina Cook and Neil Farina are the new owners of the restaurant, previously the Branding Iron, located at 35 E. First Street in Nederland.
The couple met in Alabama where they both owned restaurants and their love of food brought them together. Farina attended culinary school and had a restaurant featured on the show, “Food Paradise.” Martina grew up in the restaurant industry and has worked at many restaurants in the mountains including the Sundance Café and the Stage Stop.
The staff includes Starla Carr, Josh Davis, Megan Vallender and Tony Butikofer. The restaurant’s motto is “Good food at a good price,” and they specialize in American comfort food with a Southern flare, offering things like Crystal hot sauce, jambalaya and Abita Amber beer.
“People are saying you can feel the love in the food,” said Martina.
They have weekly specials that are posted at the beginning of the month so you know what to look for and when. This week’s special is a White Wine Garlic Veggie Pasta made with Beurre Blanc sauce with peas, mushrooms, onions, carrots and tomatoes and served with garlic bread. Add a side salad for $2.95. You can feed one person for $8, feed two for $14 or feed four for $21.
The “Lil’ Miners” menu has several items that are kid-friendly like French Bread Cheese Pizza and Scrambled Egg with Bacon, Toast and Juice, and are just $5.95. These affordable deals have become a staple to many families during the economic strain of the pandemic.
There’s live music every “Sunday Funday” afternoon on the patio and they eventually want to do a kids dinner and movie night with reservations on Wednesdays on the patio as well. All-you-can-eat spaghetti and meatballs will be offered on Mondays, a rare and affordable option for a mountain community.
The next big hurdle for the business is to bring in more food options. Each month they try to bring in a new side or a new sandwich, but it’s challenging with the current high food costs and the state mandate to operate at half-capacity.
Gaining repeat customers has been easy. Expanding business has definitely been challenging during these times, but the Mineshaft has proven itself a gem of the mountains. Expect to be warmly greeted by Jaeger, Martina’s German Shepherd and dog hostess.
Take-out orders can be placed by calling 303-258-0649.
(Originally published in the July 16, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)
