We asked, and our loyal Facebook fans told us. If you want to know where to get the best fry bread, which is the best fishing lake, or who is the most trusted politician on the rez, just ask 3,000 Navajos.
Over the past two months, we asked our Facebook fans to pick the "Best of the Rez" for 2009 in all sorts of categories. Here's how it shook out.
Food
We should have predicted this. When asked where you can get the best fry bread, corn stew or Navajo tacos, most folks took the opportunity to brag about their másáni's or nali's cooking.
Some went so far as to claim their own cooking is the best on the rez, or at least in their off-rez location.
Terry Clauschee, for instance, insists her dad's fry bread is the best in Seattle, and who's to say it isn't?
But seeing as how a perfect stranger cannot just knock on your nali's door expecting a handout, here is a rundown of the best restaurant food on the rez.
In the fry bread category, Cameron Trading Post was the only restaurant to get more than one vote of confidence. Four people stuck up for the western outpost, while the Golden Sands in Kayenta, "Space 8" and Ed's at the Window Rock flea market, Navajo Hogan in Salt Lake City and the Kirtland, N.M., flea market each got a mention.
Some people found rating fry bread downright sacrilegious.
"There is no 'best,'" ranted Brenton Bluehouse. "Therein lies the problem ... There is no need for labels and ranking."
Well, Brenton, there kind of is if you are writing a column called "Best of the Rez."
Navajo tacos
It was a pitched battle between Cameron Trading Post and Golden Sands. Nods also went to the Tuba City flea market, Tsegi Canyon Restaurant, Naschitti flea market, Kayenta Holiday Inn, Tuba City truck stop, Benally's food stand in Leupp and "the ladies of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Coal Mine."
On one thing all the respondents agreed: "Navajo tacos" are far better, on the whole, than "Indian tacos."
Pinon picking
The next topic to surface was piñon picking spots, but that fizzled out quickly when people refused to reveal their locations lest others beat them to the picking.
"My paintball is loaded and ready!" warned Christina Earnhaardt.
Stew
The Golden Sands got another nod in the mutton stew category, but almost everyone said their mother's was the best.
Some off-rez Diné complained we were making them homesick.
"Oh, I just had an orgasm in my mouth just thinking about it!" wrote Kevin Brown.
Gigi Littlesalt said the stew has to have the right flavoring.
"My uncle use to say that the best mutton stew was the ones they use to make at squaw dances where the unwashed drunks would 'accidently' dip their fry bread and fingers into the stew while everyone was eating out of the same bowl!" he wrote.
When we zeroed in on corn stew, more restaurants came up: Pinky's and Ed's in Window Rock, the restaurant in Mexican Water, a food stand in Shiprock, and Sarah's Hilltop Café in Black Mesa.
No one mentioned the Chinle flea market, but I have had some darned good corn stew there.
For blue corn mush, the nod went to the Blue Coffee Pot in Kayenta, although again most people liked their own family's version, lumps and all.
It was agreed that real Navajo mush has to have just a touch of juniper ash in it.
Lakes
The vote for the best rez lake went either to Wheatfields Lake or Lake Powell - specifically Lee's Ferry (which I don't think is technically even part of the lake) or Antelope Point, before the marina was built.
Whiskey Lake also got a few mentions.
"The choices are narrowing down since most (lakes) are starting to dry up," Loyola Rankin wrote sadly.
Politicians
A call for best politician, past or present, drew an overwhelming response for former chairman and president Peterson Zah, although one of his neighbors complained that the Arizona State University official needs to pick up around his house.
"It's flattering that people still have you in mind after all those years," said Zah, who served as chairman from 1983-1987 and president from 1991-1995.
The secret, he said, was to surround himself with "the best minds on the Navajo Nation."
"My staff and council delegates like Guy Gorman kept my feet on the ground," he said.
While some commenters wanted Zah to come back north and run for office, he politely declined.
"I don't really miss politics," he said, "but sometimes I miss people."
Others drawing nominations were Ganado Council Delegate Willie Tracy, Huerfano Chapter President Ben Woody Jr., former chairman Peter MacDonald Sr., Annie Wauneka and former Montana State Rep. Joey Jayne.
Basketball team
The best high school basketball team went to the Monument Valley Mustangs but only by one vote over the Shiprock Chieftains. Some people qualified, however, that they were voting for the outstanding Shiprock team of 20 years ago.
The Page Sand Devils and Winslow Bulldogs each claimed four votes, although some readers pointed out neither team is on the reservation.
Sledding hill
When it came to the best sledding hill on the rez, Narbona Pass took the cake, although Jason Jack and Albert Atencio insisted real Navajo sledding is being pulled behind a "rez rocket" on an old car hood.
Rez car
Speaking of "rez rockets," 29 people nominated their family's vehicle for "Best Rez Car - Running or Not."
But my personal favorite was Bronston Martinez' post: "Well, I've got an old '86 (?) Ford Granada. Turquoise of all colors. And my dad, being the artist he is. He painted the Roof a brilliant Blue. Ugh. Ok, the back doors won't open. The Driver door has to be opened from the outside. The Passenger door has to be opened from the INSIDE. The trunk is held down with (of all things) Bailing Wire. (cuz we upgraded from Twine). The cable is almost broken in the Steering colum, so no PARK. just starting and stopping in Nuetral. And good luck steering it. Those Tie-rods are SO loose, that it's like a whole half turn before it grabs. So it's only natural, that it's got a like 350 watt Stereo system in it. WITH TWO SPEAKERS! Ugh. (raises hand) I'm a JOHN."
Bronston, please post a picture of this machine!
Maybe in 2010 we'll have this contest better organized and can send a team of judges all over the Navajo Nation to settle the "best of" claims once and for all.
For now, we're wishing everyone the best possible New Year, and thanks to all who posted!
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