El Coyote
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: (323) 939-2255
- Price:
- $
- Cross Street:
- N Pointsettia Place
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat-Sun 11am-11pm
Editorial Review for El Coyote – by Stephanie L. Smith
The Scene
Born of the gringo Mexican craze of the 1930s (which also spawned Olvera Street's tienda look), this joint has all the trimmings: black velvet paintings, Christmas lights galore and waitresses in embroidered folk dresses. Families, college kids and gay dinner dates keep the place packed at all hours.
The Food
The cuisine is firmly grounded in canned beans, salsa roja that resembles stewed tomatoes and limpid pools of cheddar cheese. It's far from authentic Mexican--that's the point. It's big, it's cheap, it's fun and it's there to buffer the effects of damn fine margaritas. Entrees run the gamut from the ridiculous to the sublime. Named after the restaurant's first regular customer, the enchiladas Howard are two burly cheese enchiladas drowned in chunkified chili con carne. Instead, order sweet, buttery green corn tamales that are available year-round and easily give El Cholo a run for its pesos.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Know Before You GoLines are long on weekends and they don't take reservations. Belly up to the bar and wait it out.
ParkingValet is available, but if it's early enough, you can find a meter on Beverly.
User Reviews for El Coyote
08/07/2008 Posted by joanovarq
I can see why El Coyote is an LA institution. They serve tasty, above-average Mexican food. Everything from their chips & salsa to their entrees is delicious, albeit a little expensive for what you get. El Coyote is not only about the food, but about the atmosphere; the staff are friendly, there are colorful Mexican decorations, and the waitresses wear Mexican clothes. There's also parking during the day (at night the lot is valet only), which is a huge plus on Beverly Boulevard. This is a wonderful, reliable place for a yummy Mexican meal. Much better than chains like El Torito or Acapulco for about the same price, and about the same atmosphere.
Pros: Reliably yummy Mexican food, friendly service
Cons: no parking at night
07/15/2008 Posted by LBradshaw
There's something about this place that keeps bringing me back. The food is basic, great tasting and priced right. The ambiance is different than any other place I've ever been. Been there for years and I hope it will be for years to come.
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