El Coyote Restaurant
“In fact while most people compare El Coyote to 5 Burro, a more apt comparison is nearby latin american restaurant Cabana.”
“El Coyote has replaced what used to be Sgt Garcias on Austin Street in Forest Hills, and the restaurant is fantastic.”
“They have great happy hour and I would say very cheap too…margaritas, sangrias and some beers at 4$ and finger food at 3$.”
El Coyote Restaurant
Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Happy Hour: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
PokéStop Nearby: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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We were literally the only ones dining on Halloween night (although there were a dozen or so people having drinks) and it took just shy of 30 minutes to get our wings. If that were the only problem I might have given 2 stars. I find a piece of Saran Wrap in my lettuce garnish. When I point this out to the bartender she takes it from my plate, with her hand and throws it in the garbage. No apology, no new wings, no comp, no appearance from a manager… nothing. It was late and we were tired so we reluctantly tried the wings. Room Temperature and undercooked! Gross! And yes, the wings still appeared on the bill. To be fair and accurate, one beer was comped (though I think by accident).
You've got to be kidding!
El Coyote sneaked up on us. How come? Because it surprised us. I met up with my best friend and we headed to Austin St, one of our go to areas. We initially headed to another restaurant, the place was packed and the wait was more than 30mins. We were not willing to wait this evening so we brainstormed and my friend suggested El Coyote. She had never been there, but she had heard good things from her friend. Omg how come I have never been here. I've known about it for years and years but never ventured upstairs to this restaurant. Well we always willing to try something new. So luckily there was space at the bar. And what the sign said Mon through Wed Happy Hour all day?! $4 margaritas what?! Mind you it was 9pm. Score!!! We took a gander at the happy hour menu and everything was $3, what?! Ha. So of course we ordered margaritas, a passion fruit and tamarind. They were great. I ordered a jalapeño popper and my friend ordered wings. At 50 cent wings, she ordered 10. She enjoyed the wings and they were flavorful. My jalapeño popper was ok. It needed to be a lil crispier. We had a couple of more rounds of margaritas. It was a nice time. The bartender was really nice. Another friend met up with us and we went to the next spot. I shall return again.
Shrimp fajitas were good. $4 margaritas and sangria for happy hour. One downside was that the complimentary nachos they served were stale and the salsa wasn't good. Shaded outdoor seating for the summer . Our server seemed new and didn't know much about the menu and wasn't very attentive. Would return because main entree and drinks were good. Can't give 4 stars because I only give that for places where both food and service were outstanding.
I am actually a little surprised by the reviews people have given this restaurant.
I had a great experience last night. Every time I go to NY I want to get some good Spanish food and this restaurant was on point. However, I will admit that I did not find this restaurant to be completely authentic Mexican but I was fine with it.
The location is on the second floor. For those who do not want to walk up the stairs, there is an elevator on the side of the building.
Once we climbed the stairs and entered the restaurant, we were seated quickly. I liked the fact that they have a patio outside as it was a nice breezy evening. As soon as we were seated, we were served water and complimentary chips and salsa.
To start I ordered the empanada appetizer and my cousin ordered the chicken quesadilla. Both appetizers were delicious. We also ordered drinks. I got a frozen pomegranate margarita which tasted very good and she ordered the jumbo lifeboat on the rocks. For entree I ordered arroz con pollo which definitely tasted great with Maduros ( fried sweet plantains).
I also noticed that they have table side guacamole at this restaurant which is something fun to watch. I will definitely order that next time.
Plus please note service was outstanding. They seem to circle waiters and we were checked on frequently. All in all great food and good drinks made for a nice night. I will be back!
While in town for my cousins graduation, I ended up in queens and met him here during happy hours. I tend to think of NY as being ridiculously over priced in all aspects, so it's quite refreshing to see an establishment that has reasonable happy hours prices. Where I'm from happy hour at a "mexican" restaurant is not something that exist. I had a margarita (frozen), kudos to the bartender you could definitely taste the alcohol in the drinks. I also tried their empanadas* they were tasty as well, the dipping sauce that came with was just as yummy. I wish I had more time to enjoy the food and drinks but since I was on my way to EWK it was just a quick stop. If I ever have the pleasure of being in the area again, I would definitely allow myself the time to enjoy happy hour here again. For all the food and drinks that were ordered I was surprised my bill was not even $30 and that was for 3 adults!
Part of a Mexican food chain, El Coyote opened this branch in Forest Hills in early 2014. Located on the second level up a flight of stairs, it faces commercial Austin Street. Inside, the large dining space is subdivided into the bar area, on the right, and two dining areas. Seating is tight but comfortable. Service is attentive and eager to please.
El Coyote serves Mexican food, including the expected tacos, quesadillas, fajitas, rellenos, and chimichangas. Entrees cover major proteins prepared in different styles. Prices expected for the area; $10 to $15 for appetizers and $15 to greater than $20 for entrees. Food portions are very generous. Happy hour offered for some beverages; drink options include a margarita menu, plenty of standard cocktails, and mainstream beers including several Mexican imports.
The complimentary salsa lacked the brightness of one freshly made, but was otherwise a reasonably good dip for nachos that were fine one visit, but mixed with stale chips on another.
Sour was too prominent in the fish and shrimp ceviche, making its pairing with heart of palm a curious choice, but slices of avocado were welcome, and crackers both odd and welcome. The shrimp were a smaller variety, and lacked both texture and flavor. Fish was better and meaty.
Avocado salad was dressed simply, well-balanced and refreshing. A good dish for sharing, as it was very generous in size.
Carnitas tacos came three to the plate. Unremarkable tortilla and carnitas where flavor and textures are concerned, with an overabundance of toppings, but some may like it that way.
Mexican foods, whether found at casual eateries catering to native folk in Sunset Park, Harlem, and the Bronx, or refined and high brow at restaurants like Casa Enrique and Cosme, are interesting, delicious, and often more complex than expected. El Coyote does not do this cuisine justice. Although Queens is home to many good Mexican eateries, this is not one of them. But for those happy with an Americanized version of Mexican, El Coyote will do nicely.
One might wonder if this place will one day end up on the show " Bar Rescue." I certaintly think it deserves to be.
First, you actually have to put in effort to find this place, it's on the second floor with barely any signs directing the way up. Don't handicap people enjoy Mexican food too?
We're a large party with multiple tables. We get chips and salsa which was sort of underseasoned but it was not too bad. Everyone ordered a round of drinks. I order 2 regular margaritas, cost around $7 bucks, tasted mostly like simple syrup but wasn't terrible. (I'm spoiled, nothing like my $4 amazing and strong Blockheads Margaritas!)
After around 2 hours, I almost forgot that our table ordered food. I decided to say something to the hostess explaining that every other table already got theirs. A few minutes later, our food comes out. My chicken quesidilla (they only offer as an appetizer) is luke-warm, the cheese is chunky, not melted…I take a bite and all I taste is salt. I look around me and others dishes arn't much better. One person even found hair in his! I only had 1/4 of my meal.
The saving grace for this place is the hysterical coyote statue in the front when you first walk in.
This review is only based on their brunch- my friend and I first discovered this place via their brunch sign by the stairs leading to the restaurant. They start you off with complimentary chips and salsa which is a nice touch. Brunch is $15 a person and it comes with an entree, a side, and your choice of a drink (mimosa, margarita, sangria). I usually get the steak and eggs as their steak was well seasoned and perfectly cooked the first time I went. Sadly the steak I ordered today lacked seasoning and flavor plus it came overcooked (asked for medium rare, got something closer to well done). The home fries were mediocre, but my friend enjoyed her sangria. The service is pretty good though the hostess took her sweet time to seat us even though there were a lot of seats open.