A Beloved Southern Utah Restaurant Gets New Owners After 18 Years

One of Southern Utah’s most beloved restaurants is going to be under new ownership starting in October.  

For those who like to take trips to Kayenta in Ivins regularly, they know that the restaurant Xetava has played a crucial role in the community. It’s one of the few places in Southern Utah that offers unique adult beverages and food that speaks to the soul.  

I had the distinct honor of visiting last Fall and interviewing the Federmans and some of their staff. The Federmans have built their brand from the ground up and made Xetava and the Rusted Cactus places for locals to really enjoy themselves. 

For the last 18 years, the couple has worked diligently to make both places unique and homey for all visitors. However, to reach the heights they wanted Xetava to go to, more work would have to be put in talking time away from their family, they told the Salt Lake Tribune.  

With that in mind, the Federmans are handing the reins over to Draper restaurant owners Matt and Nikki MacKay and Jason and Wendy Lewis.  

The SLT said Matt MacKay has invited the staff to stay on and plans on bringing a French-trained chef along with a general manager to Xetava. Many of the beloved dishes will also stay on the menu.  

However, some notable changes will be that the new owners will keep Xetava open seven days a week starting in November and the Rusted Cactus will be open six days a week. More adult beverages will become available for visitors and the Rusted Cactus is going to expand its menu with bigger plates, the SLT said.  

As an Ivins resident and a self-proclaimed foodie, I hope these changes bode well for Xetava and the Rusted Cactus. I loved the dishes and drinks that were served during my visits to the restaurants. They are always delicious, and I hope that stays the same. 

Here is to the new owners and thank you Federmans for making these places so special to us Ivins residents.