Travel Review: Cafe Coyote (San Diego).
As tourists and weekend visitors tour through the heart of Old Town, San Diego’s first Spanish settlement, it isn’t hard to find quality restaurants that bring traditional Mexican cuisine with the flair of a festive and colorful setting. However, it becomes hard to resist the sight of a Hispanic woman busily flipping handmade tortillas in front of a restaurant. Further exploration yields a chance to sample one of these treats, as well as experience one of the finer restaurants in the area: Café Coyote.
Voted “Best Mexican Restaurant” for 2005 and 2006, it’s easy to see how the restaurant earned the title. Once settled, the diner is served an endless supply of fresh chips and salsa, and the opportunity to try one hundred and ten various forms of tequila, some gourmet types that range well into the $125 a shot category. For those that are a little less daring, quality margaritas can still be had at lower prices, and drinkers can get recommendations by the restaurant’s resident “Tequila Ambassador”. Once comfortable, guests can sit back and enjoy the game with the Cantina’s television, or be serenaded by one of the mariachi guitarists.
The meals themselves are varied and tasty, ranging from standard Mexican fare with chicken beef, or seafood, but there are also monthly recommended specials which offer monthly and holiday themed foods served in the restaurant’s distinctive style. For those looking for fresh ingredients and large portions, a serious diner will not walk away from the meal disappointed.
Once the meal is complete, desert becomes a whole other adventure. Many Mexican deserts, such as flan, can be found on the menu, or those wanting something less traditional can try Old Town Candy and Ice Cream, which serves up several cool treats, classic-style candies and homemade fudge.
With a menu full of traditional favorites, a fully stocked bar, and a few culinary surprise treats, Café Coyote provides an excellent dining experience that doesn’t wear heavily on the wallet.
