El Coyote Restaurant

After writing the review I had a craving for chicken mole, so I ordered it from Freshdirect. I am eating the Freshdirect mole chicken right now and it’s so much better than El Coyote, it’s not even funny. This is after it sat overnight in the fridge and I heated it up in the microwave.
Such a nice location, such a shame the food is so bad.

We initially tried to go to 5 Burros, but the wait was an hour so we called El Coyote. So glad we did! They seated us right away at a corner table outside. Service was excellent; we asked to have them bring everything out as quickly as possible, and we got our food within 10 minutes of ordering. The taco salad was delicious, and the drinks looked absolutely incredible!

Great service. Authentic food. Julio the bartender was awesome. Happy hour was delicious and extremely affordable.

Love this place. Food is good. The drinks are awesome.
This place is good for a family dinner. Great for a get together with friends and for a romantic dinner with your love ones.
The Mariachi singers are good entertainment. They are on the weekends after 7pm. The staff are friendly.

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!

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 entrée, 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.

Came here after having a «snack» over at the newly opened Snowdays so my appetite was shot but I always have room for chips and salsa… and alcohol.
The salsa was pretty good, decent heat.
Also decided to order the ceviche which was very good and a nice sized portion, though the Ritz crackers served with it was an odd pairing choice. Plantain chips would be a much better look.
House margarita was fine, nothing memorable.
Most memorable moment of the meal was actually the waiter approaching me after being seated with a El Coyote T-​short in hand telling me I had to put it on because of their no sleeveless shirt policy.
I got a brand new T at the very least.
Happy to see some other Mexican still in FH other than 5 Burros (not a fan) and the deceased Sgt. Garcia’s (wasn’t a fan), though I’m not entirely sold just yet to make this a go-​to Mexican spot of mine.
3.5 stars

Decided to check this place for lunch one day. Food was pretty good service was good deff will be coming back again

A little background, I am in the F/​B fields since I was 18 so almost 20yrs. I had such a sub par experience I setup an account just so I could let every one know what they are doing.
Food is decent, had their paella and it was not authentic by any standard but it was good. Chimigangas weren’t crisped enough and the answer I got was «some people like it like that». Their avocado and shrimp salad was very nice, however 5 Burros has been better for as long as I can remember. This was the first time I was there.
Today, my girlfriend and I decided to sit at the bar and enjoy a cocktail. I ordered a passion zombie. These hold a special place in my heart (old coworker made these) and what makes them special is the Myers rum float, and nothing is quite like it. The bartender didn’t have any behind the bar, he asked the manager for another bottle (I would have done the same) but they didn’t have it. The bartender decided I wouldn’t know and poured a floater of another rum without even acknowledging they are out of Myers. When I questioned this, he explained they are similar — not even close.
Ok, for the second drink I asked for a margarita (they do have a great selection of tequila). Asked for Cabo Wabo, Grand Marnier, fresh lime and a little simple syrup.
Tequila went it, so did the lime, than he poured the Grand Marnier in front of me but it was not Grand Marnier, it was clear!!! At this point I know they are cheating their customers with pouring triple sec and orange juice for their margaritas to give off the color of Grand Marnier. I told the bartender that what’s inside the bottle is not Grand Marnier and he said he is a server and not a bartender — WTF!
I of course spoke to the manager as well, she acted confused and pretended like she didn’t know.
They knew. The reason I gave two stars is I had good experience there before, however today left me with such bad taste in my mouth I wrote my first review.

Drinks are ginormous and come with LITTLE BABY MEXICAN FLAGS ugh love drinks with flags. So festive like cmon That already puts me in a good mood.
Ordered the white special sangria for $ 35 could enough to split with 3 people 2 – 3 drinks each. It tasted so good, has champagne and vodka and peach snaps idk but it’s A1. However the food was pricey. $ 12 for 6 coconut shrimp, tasty but that’s $ 2 a shrimp which is insanity. The service is great though, the waiters hooked it uppp with the chips and dip. Never ending even when we had our meals already. And even after we paid they still came and refilled our waters, which are those little details of hospitality you notice and make a difference. WHICH IS THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE from 5 Boros which are full of watered down drinks and RUDE RUDE waiters who literally kick you out of your table if you don’t order enough. I’m so over 5 Boros. This place is nicer, better in food and service. Would def come again.
Tip: happy hour is also only at the bar

The food is awful. The stars are for service only. If you feel like Mexican food, better off at Chipotle. And that’s even Chipotle with the possibility of salmonella.

I don’t know what is wrong with people. This place is great. There another Mexican place which is overrated on Austin street. In comparison with the 5 Burro, this place has a lot more welcoming service.
The food is great! You have to try the steak fajitas. They are as good as any best Mexican place you have been, trust me! The place is very casual, that’s probably why 4 stars, but appropriately actually real 4 stars! The service is very good. Julio was great.
The only thing is the margaritas are $ 20, which is too much. You can get good margaritas for $ 10 in Manhattan. Besides, the margaritas are not the best in town. They are just average.
For all these reasons 4 stars. But if you want to just get good Mexicano food, go right ahead. You won’t regret!

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 entrée 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!

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!

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 ¼ of my meal.
The saving grace for this place is the hysterical coyote statue in the front when you first walk in.

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.

El Coyote is a welcome new addition to Austin Street. mostly, I’m glad to see something new that isn’t another urgent care center or bank, but the food and atmosphere are actually quite good.
the chicken mole is good, the chicken fajitas are filling (you’ll get more than enough to take home for a second meal), but the chicken in banana sauce is a delicious if odd-​sounding platter and possibly my favorite thusfar. and the salsa here has a nice punch to it! the fried plantains are always perfectly made. honestly, I like it all.
prices are about average for Forest Hills, portions are great, and service is friendly and responsive.
they’re upstairs in the outdoor vertical mall, which means you can sit out on a balcony overlooking Austin and people-​watch. perhaps the upstairs location is why it’s never packed — I guess the hordes of doddering geriatrics who live in Forest Hills are too timid to look up. whatever, it’s their loss. sometimes we just don’t want to wait for an hour for 5 Burros (or hear the same Q104-​inspired jukebox playlist), and El Coyote is also conveniently closer to us.

We found this place on Unilocal last week. We knew it’s be impossible to get a table at 5 Burro on a Friday nite. Ambience is pretty typical Mexican. There was an attention whore at the bar, and we heard her throughout the entire dinner.
They bring free chips and salsa when u sit down. It was tasty. The waitress tried to get drinks order immediately, like relax. She was pretty unfriendly. I tried to order a guava margarita but they didn’t have it. So I ordered a regular one which was good. My friend had a mango one which she liked. For entrees I ordered chicken enchiladas in mole poblano sauce and she ordered the combo mexicano. My enchiladas were good, and the rice and beans it came with was too. The rice was really tasty. My friend said her food was good as well.
So if u’re in the mood for Mexican, this is definitely a good option. With the exception of the waitress, the other staff are all nice. Btw, this place is upstairs.

I came here on happy hour, with 4 $ margaritas (on the rocks or frozen, regular or flavored!) it is hard to turn down! (Turn down for what? certainly not with these prices!)
I started off with a sangria which was delicious, but probably could have used some more «steeping» time (should sit overnight with fruit in it for the fructose to transfuse), a regular frozen margarita and a tamarind margarita. My favorite was hands down the tamarind, full of flavor, just the right amount of sweetness to counterbalance the tangyness /​bold flavors of the tequila and lime… My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
Having nothing vegan on the happy hour menu, I opted for whole black beans and chips. The chips tasted very fresh, as if they make it themselves (which they might — I forgot to ask), and black beans were … Black beans; which I always love. So score.
The bartender was incredibly friendly and cordial, attentive and made sure our needs were met! I can definitely see myself returning soon!

The staff here goes above and beyond to ensure that your satisfied with your meal. I’ve been here a few times for happy hour and for lunch. I was pleased with the service each time and would not hesitate recommending this restaurant.
The happy hour deals are amazing. A good deal is hard to find especially when you’re on Austin St. The red sangria was pretty good and strong too. I’ve tried the guava and sampled the tamarind margaritas which were sweet and delicious (let’s not talk about calories, shhh!). I would recommend both over the regular margaritas. Most of the appetizers on the HH bar menu was $ 3. I particularly enjoyed the jalepeno poppers (no bacon) with cream cheese, the batter was seasoned just right.
Happy hour or not I’ll be back for more sangria and guava margaritas.